Crop Improvement refers to the genetic alteration of plants to satisfy human needs. As a result of the ever increasing world population, modern scientific methods of crop improvement became necessary in order to increase productivity as well as maintain quality of food crops. The department of Crop Improvement in JKKMCAS involves in the teaching and research process pertaining to the different scientific and conventional plant breeding techniques and bio-technological inventions.
The department consists of
- Plant Breeding and Genetics
- Seed Science and Technology
- Agricultural Biotechnology
Plant Breeding and Genetics
Plant Breeding is the science of changing the traits of plants in order to produce desired characteristics. It has been used to improve the quality of nutrition in products for humans and animals. Plant breeding has been practiced for thousands of years, since near the beginning of human civilization. International development agencies believe that breeding new crops is important for ensuring food security by developing new varieties that are higher yielding, disease resistant, drought tolerant or regionally adapted to different environments and growing conditions. Plant Breeding can be accomplished through many different techniques ranging from simply selecting plants with desirable characteristics for propagation, to methods that make use of knowledge of genetics and chromosomes, to more complex molecular techniques. Plant breeders strive to create a specific outcome of plants and potentially new plant varieties.
U.G courses offered:
| S.NO | COURSE NO | TITLE | CREDIT HOURS |
| 01 | PBG 101 | Introduction to Agricultural Botany | 1+1 |
| 02 | PBG 201 | Fundamentals of Genetics | 2+1 |
| 03 | PBG 301 | Fundamentals of Plant Breeding | 2+1 |
| 04 | PBG 302 | Crop Improvement | 2+1 |
Seed Science and Technology
Seed Technology is an interdisciplinary science, encompassing a broad range of subjects, and includes seed production, handling, processing, storage, testing, certification, quality control, marketing and distribution. The seed plays a vital role in agriculture and acts as a carrier of the genetic potentialities of improved varieties and hybrids. Conjunctive use of quality seed along with other inputs like water, fertilizer and plant protection chemicals will tap the superior genetic potentiality of high yielding varieties and bring benefits to the farmers. Quality seed production and efficient distribution have played a significant role in the increased food grain production in our country.
| S.NO | COURSE NO | TITLE | CREDIT HOURS |
| 01 | SST 201 | Principles of Seed Technology | 2+1 |
Agricultural Bio-Technology
Plant Biotechnology is the fast emerging science. It complements the plant breeding efforts by increasing the diversity of genes and germplasm available for incorporation into crops and by significantly shortening the time required for the production of new cultivars, varieties and hybrids. Biotechnology is the helpful tool in maintaining crop productivity and production to sustain the food requirements of the people.
| S.NO | COURSE NO | TITLE | CREDIT HOURS |
| 01 | ABT 301 | Plant Bio-technology | 2+1 |
