The Department of Vegetable Science, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, successfully concluded a ten-day short training course entitled “Enhancing Stress Resilience in Vegetable Crops through Classical and Molecular Breeding Approaches”. The ICAR-sponsored programme, conducted from January 14 to 23, 2026, was attended by 20 scientists from across the country, representing various agricultural universities and research institutions.
The course was inaugurated by Dr A.S. Dhatt, Director of Research, PAU, in the presence of Dr R.I.S. Gill, Dean, College of Horticulture and Forestry, who graced the occasion. The speakers emphasised the need for developing climate-resilient vegetable varieties to mitigate emerging biotic and abiotic stresses under changing climatic scenarios.
The technical sessions commenced with an expert lecture by Dr. Sat Pal Sharma, Course Director and Head, Department of Vegetable Science, who highlighted the immense scope of vegetable breeding using classical and molecular tools to enhance stress resilience. Dr. S.K. Jindal, Course Coordinator, played a pivotal role in the effective planning and execution of the training programme. Scientists from the Departments of Vegetable Science, Biotechnology, Genetics and Plant Breeding, and Nanotechnology contributed through lectures and interactive sessions.
To provide practical exposure, the programme included hands-on demonstrations at PAU’s advanced facilities, including the Tissue Culture Laboratory, Speed Breeding Facility, Electron Microscopy and Nanoscience Laboratory, and Vegetable Research Farm fields. A one-day educational visit to the Central Potato Research Station-CPRI, Jalandhar, was also organised, enabling participants to gain insights into potato seed production systems and breeding infrastructure.
The programme concluded with a valedictory function held on January 23, wherein Dr. M.I.S. Gill, Dean of Postgraduate Studies, PAU, was the Chief Guest, while Dr. R.I.S. Gill, Dean, College of Horticulture and Forestry, attended as the Guest of Honour. Certificates and technical literature were distributed to the participants.
The valedictory session concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr S.P. Sharma, who expressed gratitude to ICAR, New Delhi, for financial support and acknowledged the valuable contributions of the faculty members, administrative officials, technical staff, and supporting personnel of PAU, whose coordinated efforts ensured the smooth conduct and overall success of the training programme.