Professional Activities

Agricultural Expert / Research Scientist

• As an Agricultural Expert/National Coordinator and Head of Plant Protection Groups in Saudi Arabia, planned, organized and implemented the national programme on the integrated management of Red palm weevil.
• Prepared action plan, organized plant protection groups of different nationalities and coordinated the plant protection operations.
• Established a modern laboratory for exclusive research on Red palm weevil.
• Supervised and guided scientific and technical staff in conducting laboratory and field experiments.
• Interacted with international experts from Canada, UK, USA, Egypt, France, GCC countries and others.
• Participated in conferences, high level meetings and actively involved in formulation of national policy matters on the pest.
• Compiled and edited technical reports.
• Coordinated Extension Entomology work.
• Conducted research on the pests of plantation crops, spices, cashew and rice besides multidisciplinary projects on cropping systems.
• Designed and carried out laboratory and field trials at various places of India.
• Results of research were disseminated to the farming community through the collaboration of extension department of the Institute as well as state agriculture departments.
• Compiled and edited several publications of the Institute.
• Attended conferences and presented results of research and reviews.

For about four years and four crop seasons, I have been involved in Bt cotton research and development of the company apart from other crops. Since 2004, I was actively involved in planning and organization of GM cotton regulatory trials viz., RCGM/MLT and LST field trials as per the protocols of RCGM and GEAC. In recent times, plans were on to expand the role of technical services to encompass other areas of product development. Organized training to the field staff for maintaining the Bt. Cotton trials and collection of data as per the protocols. Involved in the development of strategies for the production of BG II hybrids, strip tests and seed increase. Convened need based IBSC meetings to obtain relevant approvals for forwarding relevant proposals to GEAC/RCGM. Management of field trials organized with good standards while following the GEAC/RCGM prescribed regulations. Planned and organized domestic field trials in collaboration with personnel in the field trial coordinators. Supervising the preparation of protocols and field notebooks, identify, train and upgrade the quality of on-site coordinators. Making sure the objectives and time lines are followed with overall quality assurance. Supervised the internal audit of sample and data collection activities as per the timelines. Finalizing the reports of coordinators, incorporating the summarized data and interaction with cross functional groups. Attending to the regulatory affairs of the company with proper compliance to the prescribed guidelines. Communicate with appropriate regulatory personnel from time to time so as to get relevant approvals. Net working with SAU and ICAR and researchers, managers and other field staff personnel for smooth conduct of all trials with elite/promising cotton hybrids and other crops. Has been able to takeup additional responsibilities from time to time so as to meet the business goals of the company.

For some time supervised the research on several crops like cotton, rice, millets, vegetables etc. I have supervised and conducted research on various agricultural pests, especially the pests of palms and plantation crops. Main emphasis was on the development and use of IPM methods. During my career several problems were solved and bio-rational methods of control were advocated for the benefit of farming community. Actively participated and contributed in the decision making bodies of various public and private sector bodies.

Teaching duties

• For seven years taught Zoology/Entomology to undergraduate and postgraduate students. Taken classes mainly on applied entomology (1971-78).
• Taken classes on the IPM of plantation crops for extension workers of state agriculture/horticulture departments under various extension programmes.
• Involved in drafting new courses on plant protection for vocational training at the national level (CBSE).
• Expected to take a few guest classes apart from research duties, in my Plant Protection Department of King Saud University.

Professional experience in detail. (crop wise)

I. Plantation Crops

A. Date palm

1. Planning, organization and integrated management of red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) program in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (K.S.A.).
2. Conducted extensive research in the field as well as laboratory on red palm weevil in K.S.A.
3. Mass pheromone trapping as a key component in the integrated management of red palm weevil has been implemented with success.
4. Planned and executed several pheromone trials viz., types of lures, release devices, trap designs, longevity of food, pesticides in traps, trap density, location of traps etc.
5. Conducted several chemical control trials.
6. Biology of red palm weevil studied in detail.
7. Evaluated several pesticides against different stages of the pest in lab.
8. Researched and developed a new pheromone release device, to increase the field longevity of ordinary lure for a long period without affecting weevil catch.
9. Developed several new proformas for recording observations and streamlined reporting by field engineers and supervisors which was adopted by all centers in K.S.A. 

B. Coconut palm

1. Conducted experiments for evaluating the pheromone trap designs, food sources, trap height etc for the management of red palm weevil in India.
2. Several Laboratories in India have taken up the synthesis of Ferro lure a pheromone of red palm weevil indigenously based on the information and interaction provided by me.
3. Survey, collection and cataloguing of the scale insects of coconut in India were undertaken.
4. Worked out the nature and extent of damage caused by scale insect, Aonidiella orientalis.
5. Studied the biology of important scale insects.
6. Conducted field trial to find the effective chemical against scale insects.
7. Investigations were conducted on predators and parasites of economically important diaspids.
8. Standardized a field sampling method for the estimation of white grub, Leucopholis coneophora population.
9. Light trap studies to monitor the incidence of white grub were conducted.
10. Evaluation of insecticides as well as observational field trial for the control of L. coneophora was completed.
11. Efficacy of plant products against white grubs was evaluated in pot culture experiments.
12. Eriophyid mite Acera guerreronis has become a serious pest of coconut in recent times and surveys were conducted to assess the damage.
13. Undertaken monitoring and management of pest complex in coconut-based cropping system and its component crops viz., pepper, banana, clove, cocoa, pineapple, turmeric etc.
14. Timely plant protection measures against pests of various crops of the institute campus were adopted.
15. Involved in the planning and conduct of rodent pest management research.

C. Areca nut palm

1. Identified for the first time the elusive causal agent of tender nut drop as a pentatomid bug, Halyomorpha marmorea and described the nature and extent of damage. This is a discovery.
2. Studied the biology of H. marmorea and its host range in detail.
3. Recommended the necessary chemical control measures against tender nut bug. 

D. Oil palm

1. Reported the damage to oil palm seedlings by the black rat, Rattus r. wroughtoni.                       

E. Cashew

1. Refined the techniques for mass rearing of tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis antonii a key pest of cashew.
2. Conducted studies for identifying cashew varieties /cultivars tolerant to tea mosquito.
3. Initiated studies on the pheromones of tea mosquito, which resulted in establishing the pheromones.
4. Studies with plant products on the control of tea mosquito bug were also conducted.
5. Tested the efficacy of baculovirus of Oryctes against cashew stem and root borer, Ploecederus ferrugineus. 

F. Spices

1. Reported a new scale species damaging clove seedlings and suggested suitable control methods.
2. Conducted studies on the reproductive biology of ‘Pollu’ beetle, Longitarsus nigripennis, an important pest of black pepper.

II. Cotton

For more than a year I have been Coordinating Bt cotton research and trials of the company during 2004 and 2005. Planned and organized the field trials as per the specifications of RCGM and GEAC. Trained the field staff for maintaining the Bt. Cotton trials and collection of data as per the protocols. Proforma for collection of data were developed. Analysis and interpretation of data and preparation of consolidated report of all RCGM trials was undertaken. The report was submitted to GEAC/MEC for permissions. Coordinated the visit of MEC team to our plots in Gujarat, Maharashtra related with cotton. Involved in the development of strategies for the production of BG II hybrids, strip tests and seed increase. Took active interest in the research part of the programme also to a limited extent in identifying elite lines.

III. Other crops

Supervised the research on crops hybrid rice, sorghum, bajra, sunflower, vegetables etc. at Vikki’s Agrotech Ltd., for some time.

IV. Cereals – Rice

1. Gained valuable experience on major pests of rice, viz., yellow stem borer, gall midge, thrips etc., for six years.
2. Screened vast collections of national and international rice cultivars in the field against major pests.
3. Worked on the insect host-plant relationships of gall midge, Orseola oryzae including biochemical parameters.
4. Investigated the reproductive biology of yellow stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulas.
5. Evaluated the ovicidal properties of certain semi-synthetic plant products against stem borer.
6. Characterized the symptoms of damage and reported the occurrence of ear head thrips, Haplothrips ganglbari   for the first time from Eastern India. This is a first report.
7. Also worked on the effect of chitin synthesis inhibitors on yellow stem borer. 

V. Others

1. Worked on the neuroendocrine system of eight species of insects (Doctoral work).

Comments

• Planned and supervised research on rice, cotton, plantation crops, vegetables
• As an Agricultural Expert/National Coordinator and Head of Plant Protection Groups in Saudi Arabia, planned, organized and implemented the national programme on the integrated management of Red palm weevil.
• Prepared action plan, organized plant protection groups of different nationalities and coordinated the plant protection operations.  These teams are still continuing the excellent work in these places with good results.  
• Established a modern laboratory for exclusive research on key pest which is the first of its kind in Middle East.
• Supervised, guided and trained scientific and technical staff in conducting laboratory and field experiments.
• Interacted with international experts from Canada, UK, USA, Egypt, France, GCC countries, Thailand and others.
• Participated in conferences, high level meetings with Ministers and Policy makers and actively involved in formulation of national policy matters on the pest. 
• Compiled and edited several technical reports. Coordinated Extension Entomology work. 
• In India conducted research on the pests of plantation crops, spices, cashew and rice besides multidisciplinary projects on cropping systems.
• Had rich experience of editing institute publications and journals and others.
• Technical services of Delta & Pine Land were just initiated in India in 2006 with regulatory trials of Bollgard and Bollgard II cotton hybrids.  We were gearing up to adopt, innovate and fine tune the US model to fit in to the Indian scenario.  The Tech services are envisioned to be the epitome of a strong interface between the research and marketing entities.  It would be an opportunity as well as a challenge for me to take any additional responsibilities.
• With vast experience in research and development in agriculture, I am working on the challenging task of combating Red Palm Weevi as chair professor of Red Palm Weevil Research Chair, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  I would like to develop, validate and dissipate alternate and innovative technologies in the effective management of RPW through efforts of my dynamic team.