Ludhiana: In a major boost to agricultural biotechnology research, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has been awarded a prestigious Rs 4 crore project by the department of biotechnology, Government of India (GoI). The project focuses on precision-driven predictive breeding in guava, a fruit often referred to as the “apple of the tropics” due to its high nutraceutical value.The initiative, titled “Pangenomics and SNP array development for mapping genetic factors controlling nutraceutical and processing traits in guava (Psidium guajava L.)”, aims at enhancing guava breeding through advanced genomic tools. Spanning five years, the project is designed to improve fruit quality, shelf life, and processing traits in guava varieties cultivated across India.PAU boasts a rich germplasm collection of guava, featuring valuable traits such as colored skin and flesh, low seed count, soft seeds, and extended shelf life. These traits are central to the university’s breeding priorities, which seek to increase the commercial appeal and nutritional value of the fruit.The research team comprises 10 scientists from PAU, led by Dr Amandeep Mittal as project coordinator and principal investigator-I, and Dr Naresh Kumar Arora as principal investigator-II. The team also includes Dr Manav Indra Singh Gill, Dr Parveen Chhuneja, Dr Inderjit Singh Yadav, Dr Rajbir Singh Boora, Dr Rimaljeet Kaur, Dr Kirandeep Kaur Kang, Dr Pawan Kumar Malhotra, and Dr Daljinder Singh as co-principal investigators.It will focus on improving the guava genome of the popular Allahabad Safeda variety, generating a pangenome of Indian-origin guavas, and developing a SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) array to facilitate predictive breeding. This will enable selection of progeny with desirable traits such as increased sweetness, reduced seed core, soft seeds, and anthocyanin-rich flesh—traits that are in high demand among consumers and processors.The team emphasised that marker assisted selection (MAS) will play a key role in reducing the time, cost, and space required to develop new guava varieties. MAS allows breeders to identify and select plants with specific genetic traits early in the breeding process, making it a powerful tool for accelerating crop improvement.PAU vice-chancellor Dr Satbir Singh Gosal congratulated the team for securing the project and praised their commitment to solving key challenges in fruit crop production. Dr Ajmer Singh Dhatt, director, research, and Dr Rishi Pal Singh, registrar, also lauded the team’s efforts in advancing biotechnology-based solutions for farmers.Dr Yogesh Vikal, director, School of Agricultural Biotechnology, and Dr H S Rattanpal, head of fruit science, commended the scientists for their outstanding achievement, calling it a milestone in PAU’s research journey. This project is expected to significantly contribute to the development of elite guava cultivars with improved nutritional and commercial traits, benefiting both farmers and consumers across India.