Training programme on “Varietal Purity Testing through

Conventional and Biotechnological Tools” from 29.10.12 to 02.11.12

Directorate of seed Research, Mau, organized a 5 days national training

programme on “Varietal Purity Testing through Conventional and

Biotechnological Tools” from 29.10.12 to 02.11.12, in collaboration

with National Seed Research and Training Centre (NSRTC), Varanasi,

DAC, GOI. The training programme was inaugurated and a special lecture

was delivered by Dr. Gautam Kalloo, former DDG (CS & Horticulture). This

training was specially designed both for public and private personnel

involved in seed production, certification and quality assurance activities.

This training comprised both theory and practical (hands on training)

aspects on various conventional tools like GOT, Biochemical protein

profiling and modern biotechnological tools like DNA fingerprinting for

genetic purity assessment of seeds.

A total of 30 participants both from public and private sector attended this

training programme hailing from various parts of India. Mainly participants

were from Madhya Pradesh (8), North Eastern States (4), (3) each from

Tamil Nadu & Maharashtra, (2) each from Karnataka & Gujarat, (1) from

Bihar & (7) from Uttar Pradesh. About the usefulness of the course

curriculum, majority of the participants, i.e., 13 were from seed

certification agency & regularly working with the genetic purity testing.

Others even assistant professor, who involved in teaching, research and

seed production activities. One participant is from private seed company. In

Toto 17 lectures were presented covering varied fields viz. morphological

markers (GOT), biochemical tools, molecular markers, IPR related issues,

PPV&FR Act and New seed bill. Utmost care was taken in time frame

distribution of this training programme, where more than 50 % of the time,

trainees were involved in hands on training (practical exposure). This

training programme achieved its target by providing valuable information

and practical experience to all the attended trainees in fields of

morphological, biochemical and molecular varietal purity testing.