Principal Scientist at ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi, India
Dr. Vinod Kumar serves as a Principal Scientist at ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources in New Delhi, India. With over 20 years of experience, he has established himself as a leading expert in vegetable plant genetic resources. His work focuses primarily on the pre-breeding and breeding of vegetable crops, with an emphasis on Capsicum and other vegetable species, which are critical to agricultural biodiversity and food security. Dr. Kumar has developed two Capsicum varieties and one hybrid, contributing significantly to the improvement of crop varieties with enhanced disease resistance and productivity. An accomplished researcher, he has authored over 60 research papers and has successfully guided multiple Ph.D. and M.Sc. students, indicating his commitment to mentoring and academic growth. His leadership in several externally funded research projects further showcases his ability to advance agricultural science through innovative research on genetic resources.
Professional Profile
Education
Dr. Kumar’s academic background is rooted in vegetable science, which he pursued from an early stage. He completed his M.Sc. in Vegetable Science in 1997, followed by a Ph.D. in the same field in 2001. His focus on vegetable breeding and genetic research during his studies laid the groundwork for his extensive work in plant genetics and crop improvement. In 2010, Dr. Kumar expanded his expertise internationally through a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Israel, specializing in pepper molecular breeding. This fellowship allowed him to gain hands-on experience in advanced genetic techniques and molecular tools, further strengthening his knowledge in molecular breeding, especially for Capsicum species. Dr. Kumar’s educational path reflects a robust foundation in vegetable breeding and genetic research, equipping him with the theoretical and practical skills essential for his research achievements.
Professional Experience
Dr. Kumar’s career as a scientist spans over two decades, with a prominent role at ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources in New Delhi. As Principal Scientist, he leads the Germplasm Evaluation Unit, focusing on pre-breeding, breeding, and the conservation of crop wild relatives. His professional experience includes directing major research initiatives, such as projects funded by CIAT, Bioversity International, and ICAR. In these projects, Dr. Kumar has acted as the Principal Investigator, guiding research on hybrid crops, genetic enhancement, and quality seed production of vegetable crops. His role has also extended to the practical aspects of agriculture, with projects on protected cultivation and nursery production of vegetables. His extensive professional experience in leading complex research projects demonstrates his capacity to handle both scientific research and practical agricultural applications.
Research Interests
Dr. Vinod Kumar’s research interests revolve around plant genetic resources, particularly the pre-breeding and breeding of vegetable crops like Capsicum. His work emphasizes the use of crop wild relatives for genetic enhancement to improve disease resistance, yield, and other beneficial traits. Another central theme in his research is germplasm evaluation, where he explores ways to develop improved varieties that are resilient to climate change and pest pressures. His recent research delves into advanced genetic tools, such as NIR spectroscopy for trait-specific screening, and focuses on disease-resistant genotypes, particularly against chilli leaf curl disease. Additionally, Dr. Kumar is interested in the preservation of valuable traits in storage and the genetic mapping of fertility restoration genes in sweet pepper, highlighting his commitment to both basic and applied agricultural research.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Kumar’s accomplishments have been recognized nationally and internationally through several awards. In 2010, he received a prestigious fellowship from the Israeli government, which supported his postdoctoral work in molecular breeding for pepper, underscoring his contributions to genetic research. In 2011, he was honored with the Outstanding Professional Award by the Indian Society of Horticultural Association (ISHA) in Pantnagar, acknowledging his achievements and contributions to horticultural research. These honors reflect the high regard in which his work is held within the scientific community. His awards not only validate his research excellence but also highlight his influence in advancing the field of vegetable genetics and plant breeding. Through these recognitions, Dr. Kumar’s work has gained wider acknowledgment, establishing him as a prominent researcher in agricultural science.
Conclusion
Dr. Vinod Kumar is a distinguished researcher with significant contributions to vegetable plant genetic resources, particularly in Capsicum breeding and genetics. His extensive research output, leadership in impactful projects, and mentorship of young scientists make him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Enhancing international collaborations and expanding his research to new crops and emerging technologies could further amplify his contributions to agricultural science. Given his achievements and ongoing commitment to research, Dr. Kumar is highly deserving of the award, with promising potential for continued advancements in the field.
Publications Top Noted
- Genetic variability and character association analysis in bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)
Authors: VK Sharma, CS Semwal, SP Uniyal
Journal: Journal of Horticulture and Forestry
Year: 2010
Citations: 181
- Studies on genetic variability and heterosis in vegetable pea (Pisum sativum L.) under high hills condition of Uttarakhand, India
Authors: VK Sharma, L Bora
Journal: African Journal of Agricultural Research
Year: 2013
Citations: 61
- Heterosis studies for earliness, fruit yield and yield attributing traits in bell pepper
Authors: VK Sharma, S Punetha, BB Sharma
Journal: African Journal of Agricultural Research
Year: 2013
Citations: 51
- Optimizing protocol for efficient microspore embryogenesis and doubled haploid development in different maturity groups of cauliflower (B. oleracea var. botrytis L.)
Authors: R Bhatia, SS Dey, S Sood, K Sharma, VK Sharma, C Parkash, R Kumar
Journal: Euphytica
Year: 2016
Citations: 40
- Combining ability and gene action studies for horticultural traits in garden pea: A review
Authors: BB Sharma, VK Sharma, MK Dhakar, S Punetha
Journal: African Journal of Agricultural Research
Year: 2013
Citations: 28
- Molecular-agronomic characterization and genetic study reveals usefulness of refined Ogura cytoplasm based CMS lines in hybrid breeding of cauliflower
Authors: SS Dey, R Bhatia, I Bhardwaj, V Mishra, K Sharma, C Parkash, S Kumar, VK Sharma
Journal: Scientia Horticulturae
Year: 2017
Citations: 26
- CaAP2 transcription factor is a candidate gene for a flowering repressor and a candidate for controlling natural variation of flowering time in Capsicum annuum
Authors: Y Borovsky, VK Sharma, H Verbakel, I Paran
Journal: Theoretical and Applied Genetics
Year: 2015
Citations: 25
- Alteration in important quality traits and antioxidant activities in Brassica oleracea with Ogura cybrid cytoplasm
Authors: SS Dey, R Bhatia, C Parkash, S Sharma, M Dabral, V Mishra, I Bhardwaj, VK Sharma
Journal: Plant Breeding
Year: 2017
Citations: 23
- RNA interference: A novel tool for plant disease management
Authors: VK Sharma, GS Sanghera, PL Kashyap, BB Sharma, C Chandel
Journal: African Journal of Biotechnology
Year: 2013
Citations: 21
- Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance studies in garden pea under mid hill conditions of Garhwal Himalaya
Authors: BB Sharma, VK Sharma
Year: 2013
Citations: 16
- Recent Trends in Sweet Pepper Breeding
Authors: MM Vinod K Sharma, Arpita Srivastava
Source: Accelerated Plant Breeding
Year: 2020
Citations: 14
- Genetic study for yield and yield attributing traits in Niger germplasm
Authors: K Vinod, B Rajani
Journal: International Journal of Agriculture Sciences
Year: 2016
Citations: 14
- Genetic engineering of crop plants for enhanced antioxidants activity
Authors: GS Sanghera, PK Malhotra, GS Sidhu, VK Sharma, BB Sharma, R Karan
Journal: International Journal of Advanced Research Technology
Year: 2013
Citations: 14
- Genetic divergence and interaction among CUPRAC, FRAP and total phenolics content in cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.)
Authors: SS Dey, RB Dey, S Sharma, K Sharma, R Kumar, VK Sharma, C Parkash
Journal: Indian Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding
Year: 2015
Citations: 13
- Combining ability studies for yield and other horticultural traits in garden pea (Pisum sativum var. hortense L.)
Authors: BB Sharma, VK Sharma, S Dhar
Journal: Indian Journal of Horticulture
Year: 2015
Citations: 10
- Character association and path analysis studies for yield and horticultural traits in garden pea
Authors: BB Sharma, VK Sharma
Journal: Environment and Ecology
Year: 2012
Citations: 9
- Genetic analysis of important antioxidant compounds in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.)
Authors: C Parkash, S Kumar, N Thakur, S Kumar, SS Dey, R Bhatia, MR Dhiman, VK Sharma
Journal: Journal of Crop Improvement
Year: 2017
Citations: 8
