A major boost to India’s climate-smart agriculture and crop biotechnology research has come from Chandigarh University, where researchers continue to drive innovation in plant molecular science, genomics, and sustainable farming solutions.
Through pioneering research initiatives, faculty members and scholars at the University’s University Centre for Research & Development (UCRD) and University Institute of Biotechnology (UIBT) are actively developing scientific solutions aimed at enhancing agricultural resilience, crop productivity, and long-term food security amid growing climate challenges.
Further strengthening Chandigarh University’s position as a leader in advanced agricultural biotechnology research, Dr. Vijay Gahlaut, Associate Professor at UCRD and UIBT, secured the prestigious Startup Research Grant (SRG) from the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) under the Union Ministry of Science and Technology. The grant, valued at Rs 24 lakh, supports advanced research focused on developing climate-smart and future-ready crop solutions that promote sustainable agriculture and strengthen India’s agricultural resilience.
Sharing details regarding his project, Dr Vijay Gahlaut said, “Our project is titled Elucidating the Role of DNA Methylation under Elevated CO2 and Temperature During Grain Filling in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L) is primarily aimed at understanding how DNA methylation patterns change under combined elevated CO2 (carbon-dioxide) and temperature stress during the crucial grain filling stage. The outcome of this research project is expected to support the development of climate-smart wheat varieties capable of withstanding rising temperatures and changing environmental conditions. The study will further contribute towards climate-resilient wheat research aimed at safeguarding crop productivity, grain quality, and long-term food security in the face of climate change.”
Dr. Vijay Gahlaut received valuable support in the project from Praveen Kumar, a PhD scholar in biotechnology at UIBT Chandigarh University.
Highlighting the project’s progress, Dr. Gahlaut added, “Our team’s preliminary results are already pointing to practical ways to protect crop development under climate stress. Our ongoing work shows that exposure to elevated CO₂ and higher temperatures during grain filling alters DNA methylation. These changes identify critical developmental windows for targeted management, such as adjusting irrigation or fertilization.”
Furthermore, Dr. Gahlaut explained, “Understanding the epigenetic responses in locally adapted wheat varieties can aid in developing region-specific cultivars with optimised resilience. Epimarkers can potentially speed up the breeding process by allowing breeders to identify desirable traits in early generations without waiting for the plants to mature and be subjected to stress conditions. Analysis of DNA methylation together with gene expression highlights the genes and metabolic pathways most sensitive to the combined stress of increased CO₂ and temperature during grain filling. Pinpointing these targets will let us concentrate follow-up studies on the exact roles of those genes and how they influence grain quality and yield under climate change. The findings, still under investigation, aim to translate molecular insights into field-level strategies that help farmers maintain productivity as atmospheric CO₂ and temperatures continue to rise. This indeed is a remarkable development that would deepen Chandigarh University’s commitment to advancing innovative, climate-smart, and sustainability-driven research,” added Dr. Gahlaut.
Notably, the Startup Research Grant (SRG) serves as a two-year funding initiative designed to support researchers working in frontier areas of science and engineering. The Anusandhan National Research Foundation administers the scheme under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. Through a rigorous evaluation process, the programme supports researchers in establishing independent research careers and transitioning into mainstream scientific research. Applicants must submit comprehensive research proposals that undergo stringent review, and the foundation awards funding to only a select number of projects.
Dr. Gahlaut’s achievement in securing this highly competitive grant reflects both his scientific expertise and strategic research vision. Earlier in his career, he gained extensive research experience as a DST INSPIRE faculty member at the University of Delhi and at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Government of India. Additionally, he has authored more than 80 research papers published in reputed international journals and has made significant contributions as an associate editor and independent peer reviewer.
Moreover, his outstanding contributions to crop genetics, plant biotechnology, and abiotic stress tolerance research earned him induction as a member of the prestigious National Academy of Sciences in India. This recognition highlights his lasting impact on agricultural research and scientific innovation aimed at addressing climate-related challenges in crop production.
Chandigarh University continues to strengthen its reputation as a hub for cutting-edge agricultural biotechnology and climate-smart research. Through the ANRF-funded project led by Dr. Vijay Gahlaut, the university is advancing critical research on wheat resilience, DNA methylation, and climate adaptation strategies that can support sustainable agriculture and food security. As climate change increasingly affects global crop production, such innovative scientific efforts will play a vital role in developing resilient crop varieties and ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability in India.
