Plant Introduction: Achievements and Opportunities of Wheat in India

Original landraces of field crops have been introduced and moved across the continents by human beings. These landraces have been used as commercial cultivars and also for the development of improved varieties. The CIMMYT, Mexico successfully utilized the unique wheat germplasm, Norin 10/Brevor for introducing dwarfing genes (Rht 1, Rht 2) and IB/IR segment of chromosome from winter wheat into the background of spring wheat for increasing the yield potential and resistance/tolerance against various biotic and abiotic stresses in modem wheat varieties. Indian wheat scientists could develop large number of improved wheat varieties from wheat germplasm introduced from CIMMTY, Mexico. Some of these varieties like Kalyansona, Sonalika, C-306, WH 147, WL 711, HD 2329, WH 542 and PBW 343 have become very popular among Indian farmers. Similarly, many of Indian wheat varieties have been introduced and grown for commercial cultivation in 15 other countries. The role played by the introduced wheat germplasm from CIMMYT, Mexico in ushering ‘Green Revolution’ in India has been discussed in the present article. Besides, the future demand of wheat by 2020 and probable ways to increase wheat production in the country to meet our national requirement have also been debated. An increase in average wheat yield from present level of 2,750 kg/ha to 3,624 kg/ha by 2020 has been advocated.