Sanjeet Kumar, Ph.D.
ADDRESS
AVRDC ─ The World Vegetable Center
PO Box 42, Shanhua
Tainan 74199, Taiwan (ROC)
Email: sanjeet.kumar@worldveg.org
PERSONAL
Born on: 11 January, 1971; Gender: Male; Nationality: Indian; Marital status: Married;
Dependents: Two (wife and daughter)
CURRENT POSITION & ATTAINMENTS
July 2011 – cont. (Taiwan)
Scientist – Pepper Breeding, AVRDC-The World Vegetable Center, HQ, Taiwan
Responsibility includes
 Execute (provide leadership) pepper (both hot and sweet) improvement program of
center, which focuses on developing improved lines resistant to heat and major biotic
stresses.
 Provide assistance in proposal writing on vegetable breeding and seed production and
execute special project activities.
 Principal Investigator of USAID Horticulture Project in Bangladesh.
PREVIOUS POSITIONS & ATTAINMENTS
March 2007- June 2011 (Niger)
Vegetable Breeder for the Sudano-Sahelian Region; Duty station: ICRISAT West and Central
African Center, Sadore, Niamey, Niger; Employer: AVRDC-The World Vegetable Center and
ICRISAT (joint)
Responsibilities includes
Research/management
 Prioritize the crops/traits and initiate breeding projects on for the Sudano-Sahelian region.
 Collaborate and work with systems and crops diversification project of ICRISAT to
promote locally adapted vegetable varieties and develop appropriate vegetable seed
supply systems in the Sudano-Sahel.
 Writing and extending supports in proposal development for funding supports.
Major crops and systems
Research and promotion: Okra, onion, tomato, peppers
Promotion: Moringa, African eggplant, Corchorus spp., carrot, Senna optusipholia, affordable
irrigation technology with vegetable production packages for the Sahel
Brief Achievements
 Purified, maintained and promoted a number of locally adapted vegetable varieties in the
Sahel under open field conditions and different horticultural production systems
developed and promoted by ICRISAT.
 Five of these varieties have been catalogued for commercialization by Ministry of
Agriculture in Niger.
 Collected, regenerated, shared, maintaining and utilizing 300 active okra germpasm for
developing an okra breeder program for the center.
o A total of 350 lines were collected and regenerated at Niger. A total of
accessions were made available to colleagues at regional breeding hubs (RBUs)
of vBSS (vegetable breeding and seed system project) at Cameroon, Mali and
Madagascar.
This joint project has screened genotypes of exotic and indigenous vegetable crops to select for
heat tolerance, high yields and quality traits. The selected locally adapted and acceptable varieties
were promoted under both rain fed and irrigated production systems. region.
Contributions to institute’s Awards
 CGIAR Science Award for Outstanding Partnership bestowed to AVRDC and ICRISAT
in 2009 for Vegetable Production in Sahel. Being joint appointee since 2007, I was an
active member of research team who implemented vegetable R4D activities in the
region.
November 1996 to February 2007 (India)
28 Nov., 2005 to 18 March, 2007: Sr. Scientist (Plant Genetics); 28 Nov., 2000 to 27 Nov.,
2005: Scientist, Sr. Scale (Plant Genetics); 28 Nov., 1996 to 27 Nov., 2000: Scientist (Plant
Genetics); Duty station: Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR), Varanasi; Employer
ICAR, New Delhi
HONORS/AWARDS
2005: “Lal Bahdur Shastri Young Scientist Award” (2003-2004) by ICAR for out standing
contributions in vegetable research.
2006: “Young Scientist Award” (2004) by UPCAR (UP Council of Agricultural Research),
Lucknow for significant contributions in crop improvement (vegetable breeding).
2006: “ICAR Award for Outstanding Team Research” (2003-04) by ICAR as a member of
multidisciplinary team efforts on development of vegetable varieties and hybrids.
2007: “Pran Vohra Young Scientist Award” (2006-07) by Indian Science Congress
Association (ISCA), Kolkota for outstanding contributions in agricultural and forestry sciences.
TRAININGS
2004: Training visit on “characterization of cytoplasmic-nuclear male sterility (cms) in Capsicum
L.” at Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, New Mexico State University, US. Also
worked on characterization of 49 accessions representing 16 Capsicum spp. based on
sequence Cp. tRNAs spacer region (7 Sep. to 29 Nov., 83 days).
2003: Study visit on “molecular marker assisted breeding in cabbage” to All Russian Research
Institute of Vegetable Crops and Seed Production, Moscow (19 to 28 Dec.; 10 days).
EDUCATION
1994-1996: Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
Ph.D., Genetics, 1999. Chair: Dr. S.N. Chakrabarti. Dissertation “Genetic and
Cytogenetic Analyses of Sterility Behaviour in indica  japonica Crosses of Rice, Oryza
sativa L.” (Marks obtained: 3.52/4.0)
Major Subjects: Genetics, Cytogenetics and Plant Breeding
Minor subjects: Biotechnology and Agricultural Statistics
1992-1994: Institute of Advance Studies, Meerut University, Meerut, India
M.Phil., Agricultural Botany (Genetics and Plant Breeding), 1993. Chair: Prof. P.K.
Gupta. Dissertation “Mathematics of Meiosis in Interchange Heterozygotes, Polyploids
and Hybrids” (Marks obtained: 79.3%).
1990- 1992: Institute of Advance Studies, Meerut University, Meerut, India
M.Sc.Ag., Agricultural Botany (Genetics and Plant Breeding), 1992. Chair: Prof. P.K.
Gupta. Dissertation “Meiotic Analyses of Interchanges and Autotetraploides of Lentil
(Lens culinaris)” (Marks obtained: 74.9%).
Medals and Fellowships
 Gold Medal for best student in M. Phil. (1993)
 Chancellor Medal for best student of the University in the year 1993


Merit fellowship in M. Phil. (1993)
IARI fellowship in Ph.D. (1994-96)
RESEARCH PAPERS AND INVITED PAPERS IN CONFERENCES (YEAR WISE)
2013
1. Schafleitner R, Kumar S, Chen-yu L, Hegde SG, Ebert A. 2013. The okra
(Abelmoschus esculentus) transcriptome as a source for gene sequence
information and molecular markers for diversity analysis. Gene 517:27-36.
2. Dwivedi N, Kumar R, Paliwal R, Kumar R, Kumar S, Singh M, Singh RK. 2013.
QTL mapping for important horticultural traits in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.).
J Plant Bioch. Biotch. (in press)
3. Rai VP, Kumar R, Kumar S, et al. 2013. Genetic diversity in Capsicum
germplasm based on microsatellite and random amplified microsatellite
polymorphism markers. Physiol Mol Biol Plants 19(4), 575-586.
4. Lin SW, Chou YY, Shieh, HC, et al. 2013. Pepper (Capsicum spp.) germplasm
dissemination by AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center: an overview and
introspection. Chronica Horticulturae 53(3):21-27.
5. Gniffke PA., Shieh SC, Lin SW, et al., 2013. Pepper research and breeding at
AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center. In: Proc. XV EUCARPIA Meeting on
genetics and Breeding of Capsicum and Eggplant (2-4 September), Turin, Italy,
pp. 305-311.
6. Ruchi G, Kumar S, Kumar R, et al., 2013. Novel source of resistance and
differential reactions on chilli fruit infected by Colletotrichum capsici. Australian
Plant Pathology 42:227–233.
2012
1. Afari-Sefa V, Dagnoko S, Endres T, Tenkouano A, Kumar S and Gniffke PA
(2012). Tools and approaches for vegetable cultivar and technology transfer in
West Africa: A case study of new hot pepper variety dissemination in Mali. J
Agril. Ext. Rural Develop. 4: 410-416.
2. Gniffke P, Shieh J, Lin S-W, Cho M-C and Kumar S (2012). An Overview of
Pepper Breeding at AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center. OA-01, Innovative
Biotechnical Tools for Plant Breeding, Korean Society of Breeding Science (July
5 & 6). Korean J of Breeding Science, 44 (Suppl 1): 13
2011
1. Kumar S, Kumar R, Kumar S, Singh M, Rai AB and Rai M (2011). Incidences of
leaf curl disease on Capsicum germplasm under field conditions. Indian J. Agric.
Sci. 81(2): 187-189.
2010
1. Bellostas N, Sørensen JC, Nikiema N, Sørensen H, Pasternak D and Kumar S
(2010). Glucosinolates in leaves of Moringa species grown and disseminated in
Niger. African J. Agric. Res. 5(11): 1338-1340.
2. Kumar S, Dagnoko S, Haougui A, Ratnadass A, Pasternak D, Kouame C (2010).
Okra (Abelmoschus spp.) in west and central Africa: potential and progress on its
improvement. African J. Agric. Res. 5 (25): 3590-3598.
3. Rai, VP, Rai AC, Kumar S, Kumar R, Kumar S, Singh M, Rai AB, Singh SP
(2010). Emergence of new variant of chilli leaf curl virus strain in North India.
Vegetable Science 37: 124-128.
4. Pasternak D, Woltering L, Kumar S and Ndjeunga J (2010). The African Market
Garden (AMG): A holistic system for vegetables production for African
smallholders, Second Science Week, CORAF/WECARD (24 May) Cotonou,
Benin.
5. Rouamba A, Kumar S, Gniffke P and Hanson P (2010). An integrated value chain
of onion and shallot in West Africa: Strengths and weaknesses. Second Science
Week, CORAF/WECARD (24 May) Cotonou, Benin.
2009
1. Pal JK, Singh M, Rai M, Sathpathy S, Singh DV and Kumar S (2009).
Development and bioassay of Cry1Ac-transgenic eggplant (Solanum melongena
L.) resistant to shoot and fruit borer. J. Hort. Sci. & Biotechnology 84(4): 434438.
2. Kumar S, Kumar R, Kuamr S, Singh M, Rai AB and Rai M (2009). Reaction of
pepper leaf curl virus field resistance of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) genotypes
under challenged conditions. Vegetable Science 36: 230-232.
3. Pandey J, Singh J, Verma A, Singh AK, Rai M and Kumar S (2009). Variation in
ascorbic acid content at three different maturity stages of chilli. Processed Food
Industry (January) 31-33.
4. Kumar R, Kumar S, Dweedi N, Kumar S, Rai A, Singh M,. Yadav DS and Rai M
(2009). Validation of SCAR markers, diversity analysis of male sterile cytoplasms
(S-) and isolation of an alloplasmic CMS Capsicum. Scientia Horticulturae 120:
167-172.
5. Pasternak D, Senbeto D, Nikiema A, Kumar S, Fatondji D, Woltering L,
Ndjeunga J and Alein R (2009). Bioreclamation of degraded African lands with
women empowerment. Chronica Horticulturae 49(2): 24-27.
6. Singh NK, Kumar S, Singh MC and Rai M (2009). Technology refinement on
MS-12 based hybrid seed production in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.). Vegetable
Science 36(1): 88-89.
7. Pasternak D, Fatondji D. Nikiema A, Ndjeunga J, Senbeto D, Kumar S and
Woltering L (2009). Bio-reclamation of degraded lands in the Sudano-Sahel for
income generation, improved nutrition and women empowerment. Intel. Conf.
Arid Zone for People and Environment (24-28 Nov.), CAZARI, Rajasthan, India.
8. Gowda CLL, Pasternak D, Kumar S, Nikiama A and Woltering L (2009). Crop
diversification with horticultural crops for enhancing incomes and improving
livelihoods of poor farmers in dryland areas to be held 9-12 Nov,), Bangalore,
India
2008
1. Shih SL, Kumar S, Tsai WS, Lee LM and Green SK (2008). Complete nucleotide
sequences of okra isolates of Cotton leaf curl Gezira virus and their associated
DNA-β from Niger. Archives of Virology 154: 369-372.
2. Pandey J, Singh J, Verma A, Singh AK, Rai M and Kumar S (2008). Evaluation
of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) genotypes for some quality traits. J. Food. Sci.
Tech. 45(5): 463-465.
3. Pandey J, Singh J, Verma A, Singh AK, Upadhyay AK, Rai M and Kumar S
(2008). Manifestation of heterosis in CMS based hybrids of chili (Capsicum
anuuum). Veg. Sci. 35: 25-30.
2007
1. Kumar S, Singh V, Singh M, Rai S, Kumar S, Rai SK and Rai M (2007). Genetics
and validation of fertility restoration associated RAPD markers in pepper
(Capsicum annuum L.). Scientia Horticulturae 111: 197-202.
2. Pandey J, Singh J. Verma A, Singh A.K. Rai M. and Kumar S (2007). Storage
effect on colour traits in chilli (Capsicum annuum L) powder. Processed Food
Industry 10(11): 20-24.
3. Singh N, Singh M, Kumar S, Kumar R, Prasanna HC, Rai M (2007). RAPD
markers for hybrid seed purity testing in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.).
Current Science 93: 462-463.
4. Pandey J, Singh J, Verma A, Singh AK, Rai M and Kumar S (2007). Storage
effect on colour traits in chilli. Processed Food Industry (September): 20-24.
5. Kumar S, Singh M and Rai M (2007). Molecular breeding in vegetable crops:
progress at IIVR, Varanasi. In: Natl. Sym. Plant Genome: Biodiversity,
Conservation and Manipulation (16-17 Feb), Department of Botany, BHU,
Varanasi, India.
6. Kumar S (2007). Ten years of plant breeding research and development works
with chilli and few other vegetable crops. Pran Vohra Award Lecture, 98 Indian
Sci. Congress (3-8 Jan), Annamalai University, Chidambaram, India.
2006
1. Singh TK, Kumar S, Singh M, Kumar S, Singh G and Rai M (2006).
Characterization of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of pepper (Capsicum annuum
L.). Vegetable Science 33: 201-202.
2. Kumar S, Kumar S, Singh M, Rai M and Singh AK (2006). Identification of host
plant resistance against pepper leaf curl virus in chilli (Capsicum species).
Scientia Horticulturae 110: 359-361.
3. Ram D, Kumar S, Singh M, Rai M and Kalloo G (2006). Inheritance of
gynoecism in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.). J. Heredity 93:294-295.
4. Rai M, Pandey S, Ram D, Kumar S and Singh M (2006). Cucurbits research in
India. In: Gautam PL, Ram H and Singh HP (eds.), Proc. Natl. Seminar on
Cucurbits (21-23 Sep., 2005), GBUA&T, Pantnagar, pp. 1-20.
2005
1. De N, Kumar S and Kalloo G (2005). Baby corn technology: evaluation of corn
hybrids for baby corn production. Horticulture J. 18(2): 126-127.
1. Kumar S, Kumar S, Rai SK and Rai M (2005). Identification of host plant
resistance against pepper leaf curl virus in Capsicum species. Natl. Seminar on
Current Trends in Onion, Garlic, Chillies and Seed Spices (25-27 Nov.), NRCOG,
Pune, p. 89.
2004
1. Kumar S and Singh PK (2004). Mechanisms for hybrid developments in
vegetable crops. J. New Seeds 6(4): 381-407.
2. Kumar S, Rai SK, Singh M and Rai M (2004). Fertility restoration in pepper
(Capsicum annuum L.): Inheritance and screening of inbred lines. Vegetable
Science 31: 101-106.
3. Singh NK, Kumar S, Rao RGS, Gaur GS and Singh M (2004). Characterization of
an interspecific cross between bunching onion (A. fistulosum) and onion (A.
cepa). SABRAO J. Plant Breed. Genet. 36(2): 107-112.
2003
1. Kumar S, Kumar S, Singh M and Rai M (2003). Marker assisted breeding for
disease resistance in vegetable crops. Vegetable Science 30: 10-20.
2. Kumar S, Rai SK, Singh M and Kalloo G (2003). Genetics of fertility restoration
and identification of restorers and maintainers in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.).
Capsicum Eggplant Newsletter 22: 79-82.
3. Rai M, Prasanna HC, Singh A, Kumar S, Singh M and Kalloo G (2003).
Performance, intertrait relationship and hierarchial clustering in advance lines of
tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Vegetable Science 30: 15-158.
2002
1. Kumar S, Singh V, Kumar S, Singh M, Rai M and Kalloo G (2002). RAPD
protocol for tagging of fertility restorer and male sterility genes in chilli
(Capsicum annuum L.). Vegetable Science 29: 101-105.
2. Kumar S, Kumar S, Rai SK and Kumar R (2002). Considerable amount of natural
cross-pollination on male sterile lines of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.). Capsicum
Eggplant Newsletter 21: 48-51.
3. Ram D, Kumar S, Banerjee MK, Singh B and Singh S (2002). Developing bitter
gourd (Momordica charantia L.) populations with a very high proportion of
pistillate flowers. Cucurbits Genet. Coop. Report 25: 65-66.
4. Ram D, Kumar S, Banerjee MK and Kalloo G (2002). Occurrence, identification
and preliminary characterization of gynoecism in bitter gourd (Momordica
charantia). Indian J. Agric. Sci. 72: 348-349.
5. Banerjee MK and Kumar S (2002). Research achievements and future
programmes in onion and garlic: Indian perspective. Consultative Meet. on
Accelerated Production and Export of Onion and Garlic (19-20 April), NHRDF
and Division of Horticulture, DAC, New Delhi, pp. 51-63.
2001
1. Dash SS, Kumar S and Singh JN (2001). Cytomorphological characterization of a
nuclear male sterile line of chilli pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Cytologia 66:
365-371.
2. Kumar R, Singh AK, Kumar S, Banerjee MK and Kalloo G (2001). Introduction
and evaluation of male sterile and parthenocarpic lines of tomato (Lycopersicon
esculentum Mill.). Vegetable Science 28: 30-33.
3. Kumar S, Rai SK, Banerjee MK and Kalloo G (2001). Cytological mechanisms of
male sterility in a nuclear-cytoplasmic line of chilli pepper (Capsicum annuum
L.). Capsicum Eggplant Newsletter 20: 64-67.
4. Kumar S and Banerjee MK (2001). Evidences for three paracentric inversions
between welsh and common onion. J. Genet. Cytololgy 2(NS): 149-152.
2000
1. Kumar S, Banerjee MK and Kalloo G (2000). Male sterility: mechanisms and
current status on identification, characterization and utilization in vegetables.
Vegetable Science 27: 1-24.
2. Kumar S, Banerjee MK and Kalloo G (2000). Morphocytological features of a
heterotic sweet pepper x hot pepper hybrid: promising for pickle type cultivation
and recombinant inbred lines (RILs) development. Capsicum Eggplant Newsletter
19: 54-57.
3. Kumar S and Chakrabarti SN (2000). Genetic and cytogenetic analysis of spikelet
sterility in indica x japonica crosses of Oryza sativa L. Indian J. Genetics 60:
441-450.
4. Kumar S and Chakrabarti SN (2000). Identification of improved source of wide
compatibility gene and sterility gene(s) in inter-subspecific crosses of rice (Oryza
sativa L.). Indian J. Agricultural Sciences 70: 446-449.
1999
1. Kumar S and Chakrabarti SN (1999). JD8, an improved and potential source of
wide compatibility for hybrid rice breeding. Int. Rice Res. Notes 24.1:15-16.
Book (edited)
Kalloo G, Rai M, Singh M and Kumar S (2006). Heterosis in Crop Plants, Research
Periodicals & Book Publishing House, New Delhi (390 pages).
Abstracts and posters: 50
Chapters in books: 10
Technical bulletins: 10