1. Plant Physiology
2. Cytology
3. Seed Technology
4. Genetics and Plant Breeding
5. Plant Bio-technology Centre
6. Field facility 6 Ha

Department of Agril. Botany has the responsibility of teaching, research and extension education activities in the field of crop improvement, plant physiology and Seed science and Technology to eater the need of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra.

Education:

The department offers different courses of M.Sc. and Ph.D. degree programme in Genetics, Plant Breeding, Plant Physiology, Seed technology and Agril. Biotechnology. The guidelines given by ICAR are followed from the syllabus for respective courses. Local situations in respect of various crops are also taken care of, by Board of studies under this department.

Research:

The research activities of the department are aimed at crop improvement include the development of new varieties suitable for Vidarbha region. The main crop improvement activities are mostly centered at the main campus at Akola. The research on rice, soybean, linseed, maize, mustard, sesame and bajra carried at Agril. Research Station at other locations as mentioned below.

Stations Crops
i. ARS, Sindewahi and Sakoli Paddy
ii. ARS, Buldhana Bajra
iii. College of Agriculture, Nagpur Sesame, Linseed, Mustard, Maize
iv. RRC, Amaravati Soybean

Extension:

This University has good network of agricultural extension, spread throughout the Vidarbha region through its KVKs, ARS, State Government Agencies and NGOs are also involved in same activities. University organizes Shivarpheri and Agro-Tech Exhibition once in year and number of field days, Krishi melawas. Academic staff of department take active part in all the extension activities.

Cotton:
• Long staple with spinning potential to suit modern high speed spinning machines

Sorghum:
• Grain mold resistant male sterile lines
• Shoot fly resistance
• Fertility restoration in rabi hybrids under low temperature

Paddy:
• High protein/ beta carotene content
• Basmati for EVZ
• Hybrids in quality groups (scented and fine grains)

Wheat:
• Thermo tolerant durum/ aestivum wheat
• Salinity tolerance

Maize:
• Stem borer resistance

Groundnut:
• Drought tolerance in Spanish type
• Short Dormancy Spanish type
• Dwarf in Virginia bunch

Sunflower:
• Hybrids and varieties with high autogamy
Safflower:
• Identification of sources of resistance against wilt and abiotic stresses (Water logging seedling stage)

Linseed:
• Resistance against bud fly, Alternarea blight, Powdery mildew
Soybean
• Water stress tolerance
• Losses due to mechanical harvesting

Pigeonpea:
• Hybrid pigeonpea breeding based on CGMS system.
• Helicoverpa , Maruca and other pod borer resistance
• Water logging tolerance

Mungbean:
• 85-90 days maturity for monocropping / intercropping with pigeonpea.

Chickpea:
• Bold pod type to replace local “dollar”

i) Krishi Mela,
ii) Field day,
iii) Agro-technology week/Shivarpheri,
iv) Agro-tech exhibition,
v) Shetakari Dilasa Abhiyan,
vi) Farmers Seminar, Training, workshop,
vii) Training programme for Extension workers