The Crop Improvement & Biotechnology Division of ICAR - Indian Institute of Spices Research
organized a two-day training programme on “GWAS in Spice Crops” during 19 - 20 November
2025. Dr. Sheeja T E, Head of the Division, opened the session and introduced the theme.

Dr. Kalyani Barbadikar, Senior Scientist (Biotechnology) from ICAR - Indian Institute of Rice
Research, Hyderabad, led the sessions as the resource person. The program covered the basics
of association mapping methods, practical demonstrations of GWAS tools, genotyping of
polyploid species using GBS and whole-genome sequencing, and the KMER-based genome-wide
association testing approach.

Around 30 participants, including scientists, technical officers, young professionals, HRFs and
Ph.D. scholars, attended the training. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr.
Maneesha S R, Scientist & Training Coordinator