The overall aim of the research program is to develop genetically superior rapeseed (Brassica napus,& Brassica campestris)and mustard cultivars (Brassica Juncea) suitable for a wide range of environments throughout Pakistan.  Specific research objectives are:

• To develop locally adapted high yielding canola type varieties of rapeseed and mustard through induced mutations, classical breeding and biotechnological techniques.
• To investigate and develop efficient breeding & quality analysis procedures for developing superior Brassica oilseed cultivars.
• To develop oilseed Brassica genotypes suitable for industrial processing.
• Broaden genetic base and introgress stress tolerance and other desirable traits in local varieties using interspecific and intraspecific hybridization.

1. Syed Anwar Shah, Deputy Chief Scientist/ Team Leader
2. Iftikhar Ali, Principal Scientist

• Improvement of rapeseed and mustard for yield and quality by induced mutations, classical breeding and in vitro techniques.
• Development of oilseed Brassica genotypes for industrial uses through induced mutations, classical breeding and In vitro culture techniques.
• Analysis of Oilseeds for quality traits through the use of Gas Chromatographic and non-destructive Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) techniques.

Part of the mission of the Oilseed research group is to supply the farming community and industry with vast wealth of generated knowledge and research findings.  It is being done by publishing research papers/newspaper articles, Field days, Scientific exhibition and supply of quality seed of the released improved varieties. The group has so far evolved three varieties including Abasin, Durr-e-Nifa and NIFA Raya.

1. Improvement of rapeseed and mustard for yield and quality by induced mutations and classical breeding. 1989-93. Sponsored by IAEA.
2. Improvement of oilseed Brassica (B. juncea) for high yield and canola quality through nuclear and recombination.1995-96. Sponsored by IAEA.
3. Development of rapeseed and mustard genotypes for industrial applications by induced mutations, classical breeding and in vitro culture techniques. 1996-99. Sponsored by IAEA.
4. Development of drought/heat tolerant canola mutants. 1999-02. Sponsored by IAEA.
5. Development of canola quality Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) genotypes. 2002-05. Sponsored by ALP, PARC.
6. Quality characterization of oilseed crops through NIRS. 2004-07. Sponsored by ALP, PARC.
7. Development of rapeseed and mustard genotypes for industrial uses by induced mutations and classical breeding techniques. 2004-07. Sponsored by PSF.
8. Exploitation of physical mapping technologies for breeding of canola mutants in oilseed brassicas. 2003-08.Sponsored by IAEA.