ICAR–Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi

Name: Dr. Jagesh Kumar Tiwari

Designation: Principal Scientist, Horticulture (Vegetable Science)

Address for correspondence:
Division of Vegetable Improvement, ICAR–Indian Institute of Vegetable Research,
Jakhini (Sahanshahpur), Varanasi – 221305, Uttar Pradesh, India

Mobile: 86290 79084
Email: jageshtiwari@gmail.com

Date of birth: 10-01-1980 (DD-MM-YY)

Date of joining ICAR: 07-01-2008

Service record

Research focus: Tomato and potato breeding and genomics, hybrid and cultivar development, genomics-assisted selection, genome editing, precision phenotyping and development of genomic and bioinformatics resources for horticultural crops.

Google Scholar citations: 2417; h-index: 27; i10-index: 59 (as on 23/09/2025).
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3936-1458

Tomato (ICAR–IIVR, 2022–continuing)

• Hybrids developed: Involved in development of tomato hybrid Kashi Shreshth (CRPVRTH-16-4) for processing / dual purpose and suitable for winter, summer and rainy (kharif) season cultivation; and Kashi Daksh (CRPVRTH-16-3) with moisture stress tolerance. Both hybrids recommended for release by Institute Technology Identification Committee, ICAR–IIVR, approved by SVRC (UP) and notified by CVRC. Also contributed to identification of Kashi Cherry tomato-3 and Kashi Cherry tomato-4 for release by SVRC (UP).
• Improved lines (MAS): Identified > 50 improved lines combining processing quality, ToLCV resistance (Ty-2 / Ty-3 genes), heat tolerance and high fruit yield through marker-assisted selection; developed > 300 cross combinations for horticultural and processing traits and hybrid development.
• Exotic collections imported: Introduced > 60 exotic accessions from TGRC, UAS and WVC (Taiwan) for processing and other horticultural traits to broaden the genetic base and support hybrid programmes.
• Genomics-assisted breeding: Identified genes/QTLs via GWAS in tomato germplasm using genome sequencing for speed breeding and genomic selection for complex traits such as TSS, heat tolerance and related horticultural attributes.
• Genome editing in tomato: Established tissue culture protocols in cv. Kashi Aman for genome editing; developed putative edited plants for enhanced TSS and lycopene content, currently under characterization and multiplication.

Potato (ICAR–CPRI, Shimla; 2008–2022)

• Patent granted: “Aeroponic nutrient solution, and applications thereof” (Patent No. 441138) – Developer.
• Varieties: Involved in development of five potato varieties: Kufri Neelkanth and Kufri Jamunia (Developer team) and associated with Kufri Lohit, Kufri Uday and Kufri Ratan.
• Genetic stocks: Developed and registered 21 elite potato genetic stocks (16 Developer + 5 Co-developer) with ICAR–NBPGR, New Delhi, for unique traits.
• Processes, methodologies and concepts: Precision phenotyping in aeroponics, SSR fingerprinting, genome editing for nitrogen-use efficiency, Apical Rooted Cutting (ARC) technology, tissue culture hardening system in potato, genome editing for high TSS in tomato and hybrid / line development.
• Genomic resources: Developed whole transcriptome, methylome, small RNA and genome resources under nitrogen stress, tuber flesh colour, and aphid genomics, including: BioProjects PRJNA529319, PRJNA476419, PRJNA494472, PRJNA489150, PRJNA432320, PRJNA713962, PRJNA438035, PRJNA501777, PRJNA501483 and PRJNA501779. Developed whole genome sequences of foxglove aphid (Aulacorthum solani) (PRJNA432320). (Developer)
• Database development: Developed the ‘potatoSSR’ database for varieties and wild species hosted on ICAR–CPRI, Shimla website (http://14.139.61.83/SSR_DB/Homepage.aspx). (Developer)

Cultivars Developed / Associated (Tomato & Potato)

• Tiwari, J.K., Rai, N., Singh, M.K., Reddy, Y.S. and Kumar, R. (2025). Delineating genotype × environment interaction for horticultural traits in tomato using GGE and AMMI biplot analysis. Scientific Reports 15(1):23796. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09021-y. (NAAS Score: 9.80)
• Tiwari, J.K.* , Reddy, Y.S., Rai, N., Singh, D.P., Singh, A.K., Karkute, S.G., Singh, P.M. and Behera, T.K. (2022). Progress in marker-assisted selection to genomics-assisted breeding in tomato. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences 41(5):321–350. (NAAS Score: 12.0)
• Tiwari, J.K.* , Rai, N., Singh, M.K., Mishra, L.K., Mishra, G. and Behera, T.K. (2024). Identification of tomato lines based on conventional and molecular tools for breeding. Current Science 126(5):569–573. (NAAS Score: 7.1)
• Prasanna, H.C., Rai, N., Hussain, Z., Yerasu, S.R. and Tiwari, J.K.* (2023). Tomato: breeding and genomics. Vegetable Science 50 (Special Issue):146–155. (NAAS Score: 5.54)
• Singh, D.P., Bisen, M.S., Prabha, R., Maurya, S., Yerasu, S.R., Shukla, R., Tiwari, J.K., Chaturvedi, K.K., Farooqi, M.S., Srivastava, S. et al. (2023). Untargeted metabolomics of Alternaria solani-challenged wild tomato species Solanum cheesmaniae revealed key metabolite biomarkers and insight into altered metabolic pathways. Metabolites 13:585. (NAAS Score: 9.4)
• Tiwari, J.K.* , Singh, A.K. and Behera, T.K. (2023). CRISPR/Cas genome editing in tomato improvement: advances and applications. Frontiers in Plant Science 14:1121209. (NAAS Score: 10.1)
• Yerasu, S.R., Gowda, M.T., Krishna, R., Prasanna, H.C., Tiwari, J.K., Rai, N. and Behera, T.K. (2023). Development of interspecific hybrids through embryo rescue for heat-stable nematode resistance (Mi-9 gene) from Solanum arcanum in tomato. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture 154:703–711. (NAAS Score: 8.3)
• Tiwari, J.K.* , Rai, N., Singh, M.K., Mishra, L.K., Mishra, G. and Behera, T.K. (2023). Characterization of tomato lines for yield components, processing traits and disease resistance based on phenotype and molecular markers. Vegetable Science 50(2):302–309. (NAAS Score: 5.54)
• Yerasu, S.R., Prasanna, H.C., Nagendran, K., Maurya, S., Panwar, H.S., Reddy, S.K., Tiwari, J.K., Rai, N. and Behera, T.K. (2025). Marker assisted pyramiding of major resistance genes of tomato leaf curl and late blight diseases for stabilising tomato production. Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants 31:105–118. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12298-025-01548-8. (NAAS Score: 9.4)
• Reddy, S.K., Yerasu, S.R., Reddy, P.S.S., Tiwari, J.K. and Rai, N. (2024). Profiling of antioxidants and metabolite pigments in diverse tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes. Annals of Phytomedicine 13(2):640–652. (NAAS Score: 7.7)

Fellowships / Memberships

• NAAS Fellow (2025) – National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), New Delhi (w.e.f. 1.1.2025).
• NAAS Associate (2018) – National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi.
• IAHS Fellow (2022) – Indian Academy of Horticultural Sciences (IAHS), New Delhi.
• ISVS Fellow (2019) – Indian Society of Vegetable Science (ISVS), Varanasi.
• CHAI Fellow (2021) – Confederation of Horticulture Associations of India (CHAI), New Delhi.
• NABS Associate Fellow (2019) – National Academy of Biological Sciences (NABS), Chennai.
• NASI Membership (2024) – The National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI).
• BASA Fellow (2024) – Bihar Agriculture Science Academy (BASA).

Awards (National / International / Professional Societies)

• ICAR–Lal Bahadur Shastri Outstanding Young Scientist Award (2019) for Crops & Horticultural Sciences by ICAR, New Delhi (awarded in 2020).
• ICAR – Hari Om Ashram Trust Award (Biennium 2016–17, Associate) for Crop and Horticultural Sciences by ICAR, New Delhi (2019).
• Australia Awards – Endeavour Research Fellowship (ID: 4397_2015) for post-doctoral research at the University of Adelaide, SA, Australia (2015).
• IAHS D.P. Ghosh Young Scientist Award (2021) by Indian Academy of Horticultural Sciences, New Delhi.
• Dr. S. Ramanujam Award (Block year 2012–15) by ICAR–CPRI, Shimla.
• Chandra Prabha Singh Young Scientist Award (2011–12) by Indian Potato Association (IPA), Shimla.
• Young Scientist Award (2019) by Agro-Environment Development Society (AEDS), Rampur, Uttar Pradesh.
• ICAR–CPRI Best Worker Award (Scientific Category, 2018) by ICAR–CPRI, Shimla.

Externally Funded Projects Handled