Dr Athwal has made important contribution to knowledge on genetics of rust resistance in wheat. His contribution relate to the genetics and breeding of pearl millet, gram, wheat and tobacco, the most outstanding being the development of the first commercial hybrid in bajra. Hybrid Bajra No. 1 developed by him has demonstrated its potential to give nearly double the yield obtained from the traditional variety and heralds a new era in the cultivation of this important foodgrain. The cytoplasmic male sterile lines and a large number of genetic stocks developed by him will make a significant contribution in future research on bajra breeding and genetics.