Dr. Pratap Singh Birthal (b. 5 December 1963) Principal Scientist, NCAP, New Delhi, on deputation with International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh

Dr. Pratap Singh Birthal has made significant contributions in the area of agricultural economics and policy analysis. He formulated the new buffer stock policy, which is being used to maintain stocks of foodgrains for national food security and social safety net programms. His research in the area of innovative institutional models for linking smallholders with the domestic and international markets has provided a new dimension in value chain analysis. His unique contribution in quantifying the risks in contract farming is providing linkages of credit and insurance institutions with the stakeholders in poultry sector. He has also made a pioneering contribution in setting research priorities of livestock sector for poverty alleviation and reducing environmental degradation.

Dr. Amaresh Chandra (b 1 January 1962) Senior Scientist & Head, Division of Plant Physiology & Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Dr. Amaresh Chandra has made significant contributions in the improvement of forage crops. He has identified SSR markers that are useful for varietal identification, tracking genetic diversity and accelerating the breeding process for forage improvement with regard to disease resistance and nutritional quality enhancement. Dr. Chandra has identified and reported nine new accessions of S. seabrana (Caatinga stylo) using STS markers. He has also identified STS markers associated with drought tolerance in S. scabra. Dr. Chandra has been instrumental in developing transgenic Bt lucerne (Medicago sativa) resistant to weevil. He devised a novel method of breaking seed dormancy of forage seeds by using electromagnetic energy. He has also developed genetic linkage map of Stylosanthes and identified QTLs for anthracnose disease resistance. He was involved in development of a tetraploid berseem variety (Bundel Berseem – 3) released in 2001 for North-eastern states, U.P., Bihar and West Bengal.

Dr. S.K. Chaudhari (b 5 March 1963) Principal Scientist (Soil Physics), Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana

Dr. Chaudhari has developed a new concept based on relative arrangement of clay and fine silt particles in inter- and intra-aggregated pore spaces for explaining conductivity changes induced by fluid properties. He has developed a Diffuse Double Layer (DDL) – based model for analyzing the effects of irrigation water quality on changes in saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of soils. He has also developed computer software for assessing the suitability of groundwater for cultivation of different crops through surface, drip, micro-sprinkler and over-head sprinklers.

Dr. Malavika Dadlani (b 20 August 1951) Head, Division of Seed Science & Technology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi

Dr. Malavika Dadlani has made valuable contributions in developing usable technologies for seed quality assurance. She has been a pioneer in developing the protein and DNA marker-based technologies for variety identification, characterization of genotypes, Plant Variety Protection and hybrid purity testing, some of which are being practiced successfully by the seed industry. The physiology, biochemistry and molecular studies on seed ageing, dormancy, vigour and germination led to the development of a seed deterioration model, evaluation of seed vigour and dormancy release treatments. She has been instrumental in developing hybrid production technology and is also one of the first researchers to propose mid-storage correction and seed enhancement protocols, which have enormous practical utility to the seed industry as well as to the farmers.

Dr. C. Devakumar (b 2 June 1951) Principal Scientist, Division of Agricultural Chemicals, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi

Dr. C. Devakumar has made pioneering contributions in agrochemicals for crop protection and production. His specialization has been in the area of bioassay-guided isolation and characterization of active phytochemicals as well as the use of quantitative structure activity relationship in optimization of structure templates. His unique contribution in neem research includes development of anti-fertility agents, neem oil coated urea, Pusa neem golden urea, neem meliacins coated urea and storage-stable neem oil and meliacin formulations. He has developed two chemical hybridizing agents effective for rice, wheat and chickpea.

Dr. Alok Kalra (b 16 April 1959) Scientist F, Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Dr. Kalra has made systematic efforts to evolve safe and green technologies for production of MAPs (medicinal and aromatic plants) through eco-safe inputs for augmenting and stabilization of productivity and value addition. He prepared complete recycling package for managing distillation and agrowaste of plants for production of superior quality vermicompost, which reduced the incidence of fungal diseases. He has also developed process for the preparation of normal growth media for mass multiplication of biocontrol fungi. He has been involved in the development of 8 new verities of MAPs and has 14 patents to his credit.

Dr. Basavaraj M. Khadi (b 1 June 1954) Dean (PG Studies), Directorate of PG Studies, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka

Dr. B.M. Khadi has contributed to the development of the first Bt transgenic cotton variety from a public institute. His work reduced the seed cost and made Bt seeds affordable to small and resource-poor farmers. Dr. Khadi has been instrumental in improving desi genotypes for yield and fibre properties by transferring genes from G. hirsutum to G. arboreum. He has played a key role in making Dharwad as a lead center for introgression breeding for cotton improvement. The technology required for economical seed production in intra- and inter-specific hybrids in both diploid and tetraploid cotton was developed by him to obtain the required quantity of hybrid seeds. Dr. Khadi also developed the seed production technology for intra hirsutum interspecific HxB and interspecific diploid (h x a) hybrid for economic seed production in the country.

Prof. P.B. Kavi Kishor (b 29 March 1951) Professor, Department of Genetics, Osmania University, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh

Prof. Kavi Kishor discovered a new biosynthetic pathway for the synthesis of proline (via ornithine) in higher plant systems (Vigna aconitifolia) and incorporated one of the proline biosynthetic pathway genes, pyrroline 5-carboxylate synthetase (P5CS) from Vigna into tobacco and the Indian cultivars of Sorghum bicolor (Jowar). He scanned the entire genome of rice and found new potassium transporter genes. Prof. Kishor has developed TRAP (Target Region Amplified Polymorphism) markers for salt tolerance in pearl millet populations. He regenerated rice plants (indica varieties) from long-term callus cultures in vitro for the first time by adding sorbitol and mannitol into the callus proliferating medium. He has characterized the biochemical basis of organogenesis (carbohydrate and aromatic amino acid metabolism during root and shoot differentiation) in callus cultures of rice and tobacco.

Dr. Sanjay Kumar (b 14 February 1963) Scientist, Biotechnology Division, Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh

Dr. Sanjay Kumar has made significant contributions in the area of physiology & biochemistry of plant adaptation and metabolic engineering. He discovered and characterized a novel carbon sequestering pathway coupled with nitrogen utilization in plants, thus laying the basis for developing transgenic plants for better C and N sequestration. Dr. Kumar is among the first to clone most of the metabolic pathway genes and promoters for the synthesis of a wide range of secondary metabolites in tea and several medicinal plants. He developed an innovative and indigenous repository of genes, promoters and transcription factors from Himalayan flora useful for raising transgenic plants tolerant to stresses. Dr. Kumar devised methods and obtained patents for extraction and use of a novel autoclavable superoxide dismutase enzyme, which is functional even below –10 0C and developed an effective technique for gel processing and transfer.

Dr. Kishore Madhukar Paknikar (b 28 February 1959) Scientist F and In-Charge, Centre for Nanobioscience, Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, Maharashtra

Dr. Kishore Madhukar Paknikar has worked extensively on areas at the interface of microbiology and nanoscience. His work has provided novel methods for the removal of toxic metals, pesticides, dyes and cyanides from waters and agricultural soils. His method for the removal of arsenic from groundwater, has been successfully field tested and is recommended by the Government of India for further replication and dissemination in arsenic affected areas of the country. His pioneering work on bioinspired methods of synthesizing nanomaterials has paved way for development of a new field, viz. materials science through biology. Using these novel ecofriendly methods, a simple functional device, viz. a diode has been successfully fabricated incorporating microbially synthesized semiconductor nanoparticles for the first time. His work on nanoparticles holds excellent promise in the treatment of cancers in animals. His work on nanomaterials for delivery of biopesticides is expected to help solve the challenging problem of product instability under field conditions.

Dr. D.K. Pal (b 19 April 1948) Principal Scientist and Head, Division of Soil Resource Studies, National Bureau of Soil Survey & Land Use Planning, Nagpur, Maharashtra

Dr. Pal has made significant contributions in pedology, soil taxonomic rationale, soil micromorphology, impact of climate change on soils, paleopedology, polygenesis and natural soil degradation and developing protocols for the management of soil carbon and potassium. Dr. Pal has showed that ultisols in humid tropical climate (HTC) are silicious and desilication under the acidic soil conditions in highly impossible and thus these soils may never weather to oxisols as per the present models. Further the mere presence of gibssite in ultisols can not be relied upon as an index of advanced stage of weathering. Dr. Pal found out that the presence of zeolites facilitates the formation of organic matter rich, dark coloured, smectitic and acidic mollisols in forests under HTC.

Dr. A.K. Patra (b 7 September 1960) Principal Scientist, Division of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi

Dr. Patra has made significant contributions towards understanding the complex biological and biochemical process of ‘Nitrogen cycling – mechanism, ecology and biodiversity’. He found that intensive grazing systems enhanced the activity and abundance of total microbial and total bacterial communities including three functional groups driving N cycling (nitrifiers, denitrifiers and free N2-fixers) but reduced the genetic diversity. He has also developed a soil quality index using several physical, chemical and biological parameters.

Dr. Ashwani Kumar Rai (b 29 December 1948) Professor, Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Prof. Rai has made significant contributions in explaining the molecular mechanism of cyanobacteria and Azolla-Anabaena association, particularly with reference to salt tolerant nitrogen nutrition. He studied biochemical characteristics of halotolerant cyanobacteria, purification and properties of urease and regulation of nitrate uptake and phosphate metabolism. Agronomically important Azolla pinnata – Anabnaena azollae association fertilized with nitrate could utilize both forms of N, nitrate as well as symbiotically fixed nitrogen. He reported that the morphological polarity and false branching patterns in rivularian cynobacteria depend upon the status of N nutrition. He reported for the first time microcystin producing cynobacterium Nostoc sp. from agricultural ponds in India.

Dr. R.B. Rai (b 5 January 1954), Principal Scientist & In-charge, Division of Extension Education, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh

Dr. R.B. Rai has isolated and characterized the first strain of bovine corona virus responsible for pneumoenteric complex in calves in India. Dr. Rai has developed two strains of Nicobari fowl, a new breed of Teressa goat, prototypes of Cocedia vaccine, IBD vaccine and Humpsore control and eradication methodology in Andaman Island. He developed area specific rural poultry production technology for self-employment, integrated rural small dairy, chain productive system for rural livelihood. He has made outstanding and pioneering contributions to extension work in achieving self sufficiency in milk, eggs, chicken and improved germplasms in Andaman and Nicobar Island.

Dr. B.R. Rajeswara Rao (b 12 August 1953) Scientist-G and Scientist-in-Charge, CIMAP Resource Centre, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh

Dr. B.R. Rajeswara Rao has made significant contributions in the development of agrotechnologies for medicinal and aromatic plants in the Deccan region of India and has proved the importance of agronomic factors in improving essential oil quality and marketability of important aromatic crops. He has significantly contributed towards the understanding of structure of oil glands in geranium and reported the beneficial association between AM and aromatic crops. He has also improved distillation techniques for essential oils. The production and processing techniques developed by Dr. Rajeswar Rao have been widely adopted by small, marginal and tribal farmers in the Deccan region of India and have helped in diversification of agriculture in that region and enhancement of the farmers’ income.

Dr. S.D. Shikhamany (b 15 June 1947) Vice-Chancellor, Andhra Pradesh Horticultural University, Tadepalligudem, West Godavari District, A.P.

Dr. Shikhamany has made outstanding contributions in the field of fruit science through developing advanced technologies for production system management. He has been instrumental in developing a design for canopy management for efficient utilization of inputs and natural resources leading to a system, which boosted higher productivity of fruit crops. Dr. Shikhamany has contributed significantly in development of plant architecture and crop geometry which have helped in extending the harvest period and reducing the adverse effects of biotic and abiotic stress in grapes. He has also undertaken intensive work on nutrient dynamics of differed fruit trees and developed technology for increasing the nutrient use efficiency.

Dr. Surendra Singh (b 1 January 1951) Project Coordinator (FIM), Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

Dr. Surendra Singh has done pioneering work on collection and analysis of data on “Energy requirement in Agriculture Sector” and developed system dynamics simulation model to assess the energy requirements in crop production system in Punjab State for the period 1980-2010. The model can be used in analyzing different policy options in order to facilitate sustainable growth in production and productivity. He has designed and developed several improved agricultural machines of which 10 are at different levels of commercialization.

Dr. T.K. Srinivasa Gopal (b 2 July 1952) Principal Scientist and Head, Fish Processing Division, Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Cochin, Kerala

Dr. Srinivasa Gopal has made pioneering contribution in the area of Food Technology, food packaging and Fish Processing. The major thrust area of his research work is related to freeze dried products for defense rations, processing of fish and fish products, retort pouch technology for fish curry, and many other food products, which can be kept for long period without refrigeration. The retort pouch technology has been transferred to several entrepreneurs for commercialization.

Dr. Rajeev K. Varshney (b 13 July 1973) Principal Scientist, Applied Genomics, Global Theme-Biotechnology, ICRISAT, Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh

Dr Varshney has made cutting edge contribution in the area of crop genomics applied to crop improvement. He has been working on cereal (wheat, barley) and legume (chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut) genomics for more than a decade. He developed novel set of simple sequence repeat (SSR) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and applied them for genetic mapping, molecular genetic diversity studies and identification of QTLs for a variety of traits in these cereal and legume species. Dr Varshney contributed to identification of first set of molecular markers associated with grain quality traits in wheat, development of first set of gene-based markers and transcript map of barley, construction of the first SSR-based genetic map of groundnut, development of large scale transcript data and SSR and SNP markers in chickpea and pigeonpea and deployment of molecular markers in chickpea breeding programme.

Dr. B. Venkateswarlu (b 1 June 1953) Director, Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh

Dr. Venkateswarlu has made significant contributions in the area of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). He showed that the microsymbiont in legume-Rhizobium symbiosis can tolerate much higher level of water stress than the host plant and established the threshold levels of soil and plant water deficits that completely inhibit BNF. He demonstrated that a strain of Pseudomonas striata can alleviate heat stress in sorghum through inducing the synthesis of heat shock proteins (hsp) in leaves. He found and reported the suppressive efforts of monoculture of castor and sunflower on population of Bradyrhizobium in soil. Dr. Venkateswarlu developed a pit inoculation technique for tree legumes with Rhizobium and demonstrated that AM inoculation can enhance Azadirachtin content in neem seeds.

Dr. A.K. Verma (b 31 August 1962) Principal Scientist, Animal Nutrition Division, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh

Dr. Verma has made pioneering contribution in feeding Neem seed kernel cake & other unconventional feeds as protein feed for livestock. He was also involved in development and feeding of urea molasses liquid, solidified blocks and rumen by-pass protein sources for cattle and buffaloes, as scarcity feed, efforts were made to improve ammoniation technique and can be used successfully by farmers / livestock owners under village conditions. An easier method for estimating dry matter intake in grazing and browsing animals, results revealed that faecal markers viz., n-alkane can be used successfully. An easy and accurate method for estimating microbial protein synthesis using purine derivatives (allantoin, uric acid, xanthine and hypoxanthine) was developed for Indian Cattle and Buffaloes.