SPROUT Speed Phenotyping Facility Opens at BRIC-NIPGR
Why in the news
Dr Jitendra Singh, MoS (IC) Science and Technology, opened SPROUT, a new facility in the capital meant to speed up work on climate-resilient crops.
Key facts
- Site: BRIC-NIPGR, New Delhi (Director: Prof. Manoj Prasad).
- First crop: chickpea.
- Aim: precise, quick evaluation of crop traits in varied environments.
- Speed breeding shortens a cycle to about 40 days, so several generations fit into a year rather than one or two.
Decoding the acronym
| Part | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Speed Seed Phenotyping | Rapid measurement of key seed and plant traits |
| Resource Optimization | Saves time, labour and resources |
| Unified Trait Analysis | Combines trait data |
Background
- Phenotyping: measuring visible traits like height, yield and stress response. Genotype is genetic makeup; phenotype is what gets expressed.
- BRIC (Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council): autonomous DBT body created in 2023 from 14 merged institutes.
- NIPGR: set up in 1998 for plant genomics. BioE3 Policy (2024) promotes biomanufacturing and a high-performance bioeconomy.
- India’s first genome-edited rice (DRR Dhan 100 Kamala, Pusa DST Rice 1) arrived in 2025; SDN-1 and SDN-2 edits face no GM regulation.
Exam angle
- Chickpea: India’s biggest pulse crop, grown in rabi.
- BRIC was formed in 2023; NIPGR in 1998.