Revisiting the foundation era of plant genomics with a commentary on the pioneering contributions of Prof. Chittaranjan Kole
Abstract The evolution of plant genomics has been shaped by several pioneering milestones, beginning with the introduction of restriction fragment length polymorphism–based genetic linkage maps in the mid‐1980s. Among the global contributors, Prof. Chittaranjan Kole stands as a distinguished figure whose work fundamentally shifted the trajectory of plant genomics and molecular breeding. This tribute highlights his scientific journey and groundbreaking contributions, from being the first Indian scientist to physically map and sequence a plant gene in barley to establishing the foundations of molecular cytogenetics, comparative genomics, and molecular evolution and phylogenetic relationships in plants. His landmark research on Brassica genomics, including high‐resolution mapping, Mendelization of quantitative trait loci (QTLs), and innovative use of recombinant inbred lines, enabled unprecedented insights into trait evolution, stress biology, and genome homology between Brassica species and Arabidopsis. Prof. Kole's work on mapping genes and QTLs associated with flowering time, biotic stress resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, and genome evolution has provided a framework now integral to marker‐assisted selection, genomic breeding, and climate‐resilient crop development. This article offers a scholarly reflection on his pioneering contributions, establishing Prof. Kole as a founding architect of plant genomics research in India and one of its most influential contributors globally.