Academic précis

Current Research Profile

Junior Plant Pathologist (since June 2006) College of Forestry and Hill Agriculture, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Hill campus, Ranichauri, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand

ü        Involved in studying the status of diseases in Soybean, Maize and under utilized crops viz. Rice bean, Adzuki bean, Grain amaranth, Buck wheat etc. Evaluating the status of diseases in maize in Hill regions of Uttarakhand with special emphasis on Turcicum leaf blight.

ü        Serving as Co-Nodal Officer for the project “Development of organic package of practices for various farming situations in Uttaranchal” for Tehri Garhwal region.

ü        Teaching Seed Pathology to Post graduate students.

Previous Research Profile

Plant Pathologist (Feb 2004 to June 2006)

Rubber Research Institute of India, Rubber Board (Ministry of Commerce, Govt. Of India) Kottayam, Kerala

The job profile involved in devising effective disease management strategies for control of major diseases of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) plantations, with special emphasis on Abnormal leaf fall, Corynespora leaf fall and Colletotrichum leaf diseases. Evaluation of different biotic and abiotic agents for effective and economic control of diseases in rubber nursery, polybag plants, farmers’ field and estates. Regular field visits for laying out experiments and providing advisory related to plant protection and production aspects, to the planters in rubber growing areas in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Handled six internally funded research projects concerning above research areas.

Served as Officer-In-Charge, Regional Research Station, Rubber Research Institute of India Dhenkanal, Orissa, India from 26^th December 2005 to 24^th February 2006 on deputation.

Post Doctoral Research (as Research Associate) (Dec 2002 to July 2003)

Biological control of spot blotch of wheat Drechslera sorokiniana using Chaetomium globosum

Synopsis: The standardization of procedures for development of bioformulation for the biocontrol agent Chaetomium globosum using various substrates and growth conditions was undertaken. Different carrier materials were evaluated for the delivery of the biocontrol agent in the soil.  In addition, procedure for retrieval of biocontrol agents from amended soils was standardized using various growth media for studying the population dynamics of the biocontrol agent in soil. Formulating alginate beads based bioformulation was also initiated.

Ph.D. Research (1999-2002)

Genetic and pathogenic variation of Rhizoctonia solani f.sp. sasakii incitant of banded leaf and sheath blight of maize

Synopsis: The morphological, pathogenic and genetic variability of Indian isolates of Rhizoctonia solani f.sp. sasakii isolates was documented. Morphological variation was determined using visual, light microscopic and Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) observations. Pathogenic variation and blight types were postulated based on the pattern of symptoms produced in the different host pathogen interactions. The genetic variation was determined by RAPD analysis. The cloned and sequenced portion of Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region sequence was aligned with other published sequences in GenBank and confirmed the AG-grouping of the Indian maize isolates. This kind of characterization of Indian Rhizoctonia solani f. sp. sasakii isolates is the first report form India and ITS region sequence characterization of Maize isolates of Rhizoctonia solani f.sp. sasakii is first report in world.

M.Sc. Research (1996-1999)

Biological Management of Rice (Oryza sativa) Seed Borne Pathogens by native microorganisms

Synopsis: Various native mycoflora were screened to evaluate their biocontrol efficacy against three major rice seed borne pathogens causing seed discolouration and reduction in seed quality. A few fungal and bacterial isolates were selected and were tested for production of volatile and non-volatile metabolites effective against the pathogens. The fungal biocontrol agents were evaluated for their compatibility to commonly recommended fungicides and their effectiveness under field conditions.