Education: B.Sc., PAU, Ludhiana (Agriculture); M.Sc., PAU, Ludhiana (Plant Breeding); Ph.D., PAU, Ludhiana (Plant Breeding)

Positions held: Assistant Professor, PAU Ludhiana (Seed Technology), Assistant Professor, PAU Ludhiana (School of Agricultural Biotechnology)

Field of Specialization: Plant Breeding with specialization in Biotechnology

Google Scholar:

Research Interests:

1. Molecular breeding in Okra, Bittergourd and Muskmelon
2. Gene cloning and Genetic Transformation
3. Haploid production in rice, Tomato and Muskmelon

Research Projects:

1. DBT Funded Project Genome sequence based SSR markers development and their utilization in mapping of bittergourd yellow mosaic virus resistance in bittergourd (Momordica charantia) (PI)
2. DBT Funded Project Marker Assisted Introgression of Genetic Male Sterility ms-1 gene in Elite Muskmelon Genotype (PI)
3. DBT Funded Project Molecular mapping and transfer of jassid resistance in okra [Abelmoschus esculentus(L.) MOENCH]. (PI)
4. DBT Funded Project Phenotyping and molecular characterization of snapmelon germplasm against fusarium wilt disease for development of mapping population in muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.)
5. International Project Genetic Transformation of PAP1 Gene in American Cotton Accessions Coker 312 and PAU Bt 1 for Developing Coloured Cotton.
6. DBT Funded Project Phenotyping and molecular characterization of snapmelon germplasm against fusarium wilt disease for development of mapping population in muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.)

Selected Research Publications :

1. Kaur G, Pathak M, Singla D, Chhabra G, Chhuneja P and Sarao NK (2022) Quantitative trait loci mapping for earliness, fruit, and seed related traits using high density genotyping-by-sequencing-based genetic map in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.). Frontiers in Plant Science DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021. 799932 (NAAS Rating 11.75)
   2. Kaur S, Sharma S P, Sarao NK, Deol J K, Gill R, Abd-Elsalam KA, Alghuthaymi MA, Hassan, MM and Chawla N (2022) Heterosis and combining ability for fruit yield, sweetness, β-carotene, ascorbic acid, firmness and fusarium wilt resistance in muskmelon (cucumis melo l.) involving genetic male sterile lines Horticulturae 8(1), 82; doi:10.3390/horticulturae8010082 (NAAS Rating 8.33)
   3. Kaur H, Sidhu GK, Sarao NK, Singh R and Singh G (2022) Assessment of genetic diversity of mandarin cultivars grown in major citrus regions of world using morphological and microsatellite markers Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-021-00404-4 (NAAS Rating 7.84)
   4. Kaur G, Pathak M, Singla D, Sharma A, Chhuneja P and Sarao NK (2021) High-Density GBS-Based Genetic Linkage Map Construction and QTL Identification Associated With Yellow Mosaic Disease Resistance in Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.) Frontiers in Plant Science12: 1-11. (NAAS Rating 11.75)
   5. Deol J K, Sharma S P, Rani R, Kalia A, Chhuneja P & Sarao NK (2021) Inheritance analysis and identification of SSR markers associated with fusarium wilt resistance in melon Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology DOI: 10.1080/ 14620316.2021.1948360 (NAAS Rating 7.64)

Awards/Honours/Distinctions: Nil