Overview

• Having experience in evaluation of genetic and pathogenic diversity of fungal plant pathogens and biocontrol agents, with a strong molecular biology background having interest and mindset in continuing the research career in the field of molecular plant pathology and phylogenetic studies.
• Well versed with disease diagnosis and formulation of disease management strategies both in vitro and in vivo.

·         Having expertise in development of biocontrol agents with respect to screening, evaluation, biofermentation processes and field evaluation with applications for welfare of farmer community with output based research and development.

·         Having working knowledge in usage of computers particularly Microsoft windows and Bioinformatic tools.

·         Have experience and aptitude for data mining and compilation; project conception and formulation; review and analysis of specific research activity and publication.

·         Having propensity of working in an organizational set up with responsibility for shouldering leadership, along with ability to motivate team companionship.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (Plant Pathology)

            Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi                          3.70/4      1999-2003

Master of Science (Plant Pathology)

            Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu          8.94/10    1996-1999

Bachelor of Science (Agriculture)

            Mahatma Phule Agricultural University, Rahuri, Maharastra            8.45/10    1992-1996

Thesis work

M. Sc. (Agri.) Thesis

Srinivas, P. 1998. Biological management of rice (Oryza sativa L.) seed borne pathogens by native microorganisms. Thesis submitted to Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

Ph.D Thesis

Srinivas, P. 2002. Genetic and pathogenic variation of Rhizoctonia solani f. sp. sasakii incitant of banded leaf and sheath blight of maize. Thesis submitted to Indian Agricultural Research Institute (Deemed University), New Delhi.

Academic précis

Current Research Profile

Junior Plant Pathologist

G.B. Pant University of Agricultural and Technology, Hill Campus, Ranichouri, Tehri Garhwal, Uttaranchal

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

Plant Pathologist

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

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.

Handled six internally funded research projects.

Post Doctoral Research (as Research Associate):

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:

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:

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. The effectiveness of the biocontrol agents was also tested under field conditions.

Professional Membership

Life Member, Indian Phytopathological Society, New Delhi

Life Member, Society of Plant Protection Sciences, New Delhi

Life Member, Indian Society of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Udaipur

Languages known

    Speak:          Hindi, English, Marathi, Malayalam, Oriya, Telugu, Tamil

    Read:            Hindi, English, Marathi, Oriya

    Write:           Hindi, English.

Honors and Awards

1996-    Selection for admission in M.Sc. (Agri.) under the ICAR-JRF national examination

1999-    Award of Merit Fellowship by Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.

2001-    Award of Senior Research Fellowship by Agricultural Scientist Recruitment Board (ASRB)-ICAR

2001 & 2002-Award of National Eligibility Test (NET)-Certificate for the eligibility of Assistant Professorship in SAUs by Agricultural Scientist Recruitment Board (ASRB)

2003-    Award of IPS Travel Grant for Young Scientists, Indian Phytopathological Society, New Delhi.

2003-       M.J. Narasimhan award of commendation 

2005- `Award of full grant for presenting research paper at 9^th Asian Regional Maize Workshop, China

Work experience and knowledge in the fields of

Biocontrol experimental techniques:

Culturing and handling of Fungal and bacterial pathogens/biocontrol agents.

Evaluation and assessment of potential biocontrol agents, botanicals 

Development and evaluation of bioformulations.

Experimental layouts in laboratory and in fields for evaluation and data collection.

Field work:

Engaged in 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.

Plant Disease Management:

Disease diagnosis and identification

Disease assessment, screening and management

Nucleic acid based Techniques:

PCR; RAPD; RFLP; AFLP; SCAR marker development.

Recombinant DNA techniques.

Nucleic acid hybridization techniques

Sequence analysis and bioinformatic applications.

Protein based Techniques :

PAGE, Chromatography, ELISA, Dot Blots etc.

Isolation, purification and characterization of fungal toxins and microbial proteins

Isozyme analysis

Knowledge and experience with computer systems and programs

1.       Working knowledge of Personal Computer especially in Microsoft Office.

2.       Computer programming and application for statistical analysis. Working experience in analyzing agricultural data in IRRISTAT and MSTAT programme.

3.       Working knowledge of computer based molecular and conventional statistical sequence analysis SPSS 10.00; NTSys 2.02, BioEdit etc.

Professional Experience

·         Served as resource person for the Training on Application of molecular techniques in Plant Pathology, 20^th Aug. to 9^th Sept. 2002.Centre for Advanced Studies, Division of Plant pathology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.

·         Served as resource person for the Training Programme on Challenges and Opportunities of Biological Control in Plant Disease Management. 16^th Oct to 5^th Nov., 2001.Centre for Advanced Studies, Division of Plant pathology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.

·         Served as resource person for the Training on Disease Management through Host Resistance. 20^th Aug. to 9^th Sept. 2002. Center for Advanced Studies, Division of Plant pathology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.

·         Served as resource person for the Training on Molecular taxonomy of Symbiotic fungi. 2^nd Dec. to 23^rd 2003. JNU, New Delhi.

·         Served as resource person for the Training on Application of Biochemical and Molecular techniques for characterization of Plant pathogens. 9^th to 29^th March 2004. Center for Advanced Studies, Division of Plant pathology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.

·         Served as resource person for the International Training on Strategies for management of Corynespora leaf fall disease of Hevea brasiliensis. 18^th to 29^th April 2006. Division of Plant pathology, Rubber Research Institute of India, Kottayam, India.

·         Guest Lecturer and chairperson for Poster session evaluation in “National Symposium on Recent Trends in Biotechnology” Bishop Heber College, Tiruchirapalli on 24^th and 25^th Feb. 2005.

·         Guest Lecturer and evaluator for Poster session in “Southern Regional Symposium on Recent Applications in Biotechnology” MET’s School of Biotechnology, Mala, Trissur on 21^st Oct. 2005.

·         Resource person for Shastradarshan programmes for training farmers from various parts of the country in rubber disease management, organized regularly by the Training division of Rubber Board, Kottayam.

·         Served as Research Associate in AP CESS funded project on Biological control of Spot blotch of wheat (Drechslera sorokiniana) using Chaetomium globosum in Division of Plant Pathology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, from Dec. 17 2002 to July 20 2003.

·         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.

Trainings / Workshops Attended:

1.        Three days extensive course on BIOINFORMATICS: Current Research Applications & Emerging Business Opportunities, at School of Information Technology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi conducted by Centre for Electronics Test Engineering, STQC Directorate, Department of IT, Ministry of Communications and IT, Government of India in association with M/s Mascon Global Ltd. New Delhi, from 15^th to 17^th May 2003.

2.        Seven days training cum Workshop on Fungal Biotechnology at Centre for Advance Studies in Botany, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai, from 20^th Oct. to 26^th Oct., 2004.

3.        Two days Interactive Workshop on Biofertilizers, at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi organized by Division of Microbiology & CCUBGA under NATP project “HRD in Biofertilizers’ – Team of excellence held on 5^th Nov. to 6^th Nov, 2004.

4.         Five days 9^th Annual Regional Maize Workshop at Beijing, China jointly organized by International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Mexico and Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), China, from 5^th Sept. to 9^th Sept. 2005.