Dr. Rachit K. Saxena

About

I have been working in the field of crop breeding, genetics and genomics for advancing crop improvement to contribute towards sustainable global food security for more than 16 years. I have led and coordinated international multi-disciplinary teams representing public and private sector organizations. I have provided expertise in R&D management, product development, innovative ideas and promoted inter-disciplinary and collaborative research. These continuous efforts have established scientific excellence in development and application of innovative genomics, breeding and pre-breeding methodologies in crop improvement programs across Asia and Africa. I have led programs that are developing and delivering superior crop varieties to the farmers and modern technologies to crop improvement programs.

Background

• 2011 PhD Plant Genetics, Osmania University: Inheritance & marker detection for fertility restorers in pigeonpea.
• 2019 NASI-SCOPUS YOUNG SCIENTIST AWARDS (as a finalist in the field of Agriculture, Plant Sciences and Rural Development)
• 2015-2016 National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) Young Scientist Award for contribution to plant improvement
• 2013 Promising Young Scientist Award – by International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics for the significant contributions in pigeonpea and chickpea genomics research
• 2012 Indian National Science Academy (INSA) Medal for Young Scientists – for the significant contributions in pigeonpea genomics research

Research Group Overview

In the context of population growth and climate change, continuous improvement in crop performance is a global concern. To establish effective crop improvement programmes, we must evaluate breeding strategies as required traits in plants; consumer needs; available technologies; target environments; access to genetics and genomics resources. Our focus is on to modernize crop improvement and enhance genetic gains, which will help in managing a product from design to delivery through a series of stages and decision-making steps. We assure data-driven decisions, create synergies and also create accountability for delivering a product in form of improved varieties, germplasm resources, traits and technologies.

Publications

Five highly cited articles:

1. Draft genome sequence of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) provides a resource for trait improvement. Nature Biotechnology 31: 240-246.
2. Draft genome sequence of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan), an orphan legume crop of resource-poor farmers. Nature Biotechnology 30: 83-89.
3. Structural variations in plant genomes. Briefings in functional genomics 13: 296-307.
4. Whole-genome resequencing of 292 pigeonpea accessions identifies genomic regions associated with domestication and agronomic traits. Nature Genetics 49: 1082–1088.
5. Analysis of BAC-end sequences (BESs) and development of BES-SSR markers for genetic mapping and hybrid purity assessment in pigeonpea (Cajanus spp.). BMC Plant Biology 11: 56.