The Problem

  • Conventional crop breeding takes 10-14 years — by the time a climate-resilient variety is released, climatic baselines have already shifted

The Technological Solution

  • Speed Breeding: Controlled-environment technique manipulating light (22 hours LED, 2 hours dark), temperature (22-28°C day, ≤17°C night), and CO₂ to accelerate plant growth
  • Achieves 4-5 generations per year (vs 1-2 conventionally)
  • Uses “controlled stress” (dense planting, low nitrogen) to force early flowering
  • Drastically cuts breeding cycle to ~6 years

Impact & Achievements

  • SKUAST Srinagar: Traditional 130-140 day rice cycle slashed to just ~60 days
  • ICRISAT: Developed pigeon pea variety ICPV 25444 — tolerates 45°C heat, matures in 125 days
  • Critical for securing SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)

UPSC Angle

  • GS3: Agriculture, food security, S&T applications

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

Speed Breeding:

  • Light regime: 22 hrs LED / 2 hrs dark
  • Temperature: 22-28°C (day), ≤17°C (night)
  • Generations per year: 4-5 (vs 1-2 conventional)
  • SKUAST rice cycle: 130-140 days → ~60 days
  • ICRISAT pigeon pea ICPV 25444: tolerates 45°C, 125-day maturity