Inter-Departmental Seminar School of Agriculture

At the outset of the seminar session, Dr. Kalpataru Nanda, Assistant Professor, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, welcomed the faculty members and participants. He then invited Dr. Devidutta Lenka, Assistant Professor, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, to deliver her presentation on the topic “GWAS to Genomic Selection: Modern Approach to Plant Breeding.”

The speaker began by introducing Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS), defining it as a molecular breeding approach used to identify associations between genome-wide molecular markers, particularly single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and phenotypic traits in diverse germplasm. She explained that, unlike traditional biparental QTL mapping, GWAS offers higher mapping resolution and enables detection of multiple alleles controlling complex traits. The design and analysis of GWAS, including population selection, phenotyping, genotyping, population structure analysis, and statistical association mapping, were clearly outlined. The importance of GWAS in identifying marker–trait associations, discovering candidate genes, and supporting genomics-assisted breeding was emphasized.

Dr. Lenka then elaborated on Genomic Selection (GS) as an advanced breeding strategy that utilizes genome-wide marker information to predict Genomic Estimated Breeding Values (GEBVs). She explained the development of a training population, model construction using approaches such as rrBLUP, Genomic BLUP, Bayesian methods, and machine learning models, followed by prediction and selection based solely on genotypic data. The concept of breeding value as the transmissible component of genotypic value was also clarified. Applications of genomic selection in improving polygenic traits such as yield, drought tolerance, quality traits, and disease resistance, along with its utility in hybrid and perennial crop breeding, were discussed. A case study on detection of genomic regions controlling seedling blight resistance in rice through association mapping was presented.

Overall, the seminar provided comprehensive insights into modern genomic tools in plant breeding. The session concluded with an interactive discussion, followed by a vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Kalpataru Nanda.