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The Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology (COXBIT) at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore and Department of Plant Biotechnology, Centre for Plant Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (CPMB&B), jointly organized a guest lecture on October 11th, 2025 on “Molecular Breeding and Genotyping in the Seed Industry”. The under graduates of B. Tech (Biotechnology) & (Bioinformatics) (150 Nos.) were participated in this event.
The session was delivered by Dr. Jagadeesh Selvam, Scientist (Biotechnology) from Rasi Seeds Pvt. Ltd., a leading seed company known for its research-driven innovations in crop improvement. Dr. Jagadeesh Selvam began his lecture by explaining the pivotal role of molecular breeding in enhancing crop yield, disease resistance and environmental adaptability. He emphasized how the integration of genotyping technologies has revolutionized traditional breeding by enabling the identification of specific genetic markers linked to desirable traits. The session provided an in-depth understanding of marker-assisted selection (MAS), quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, and the application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) in accelerating breeding efficiency.
He also highlighted how genomic selection is becoming an integral tool in modern breeding programs, allowing scientists to predict plant performance even before field trials. The lecture further covered case studies from the Indian seed industry, illustrating how Rasi Seeds employs molecular tools to develop high-yielding and stress-tolerant varieties.
Towards the end of the session, Dr. Selvam interacted with students in a brief question-and-answer session, where students raised insightful queries related to the prediction of complex traits using molecular markers, cost-effective genotyping strategies, and career opportunities in the seed industry. Dr. Selvam appreciated the students’ curiosity and shared practical insights from his professional experience. The session concluded with a discussion on recruitment opportunities, where Dr. Selvam encouraged students to strengthen their technical and analytical skills to align with industry demands.
Earlier, E. Kokiladevi Professor and Head, Department of Plant Biotechnology, TNAU, Coimbatore welcomed the gathering. Dr. N. Senthil Director, Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Centre for Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology delivered inaugural address. Finally, Dr. S. Vellaikumar, Associate Professor, Department of Plant Biotechnology, TNAU, Coimbatore proposed vote of thanks. Dr. K. Hemaprabha, Associate Professor, DPB and COXBIT team coordinated this event.