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Served as the Project Coordinator (Biotechnology) of the Kerala Agricultural University for 15 years.
Involved in 22 externally aided research projects / University projects.
List of projects handled as Principal Investigator (External funding)

No
Title of the project
Funding agency
01
In vitro propagation of mango varieties of Kerala
Indian Council of Aqricultural Research
02
Pilot project on tissue culture of horticultural crops
Department of Agriculture, Kerala
03
Characterisation of traditional manqo varieties of southern Kerala
Indian Council of Aqricultural Research
04
Biotech Kerala Project
Department of Agriculture, Kerala
Worked as Assistant Professor in:
No
Title of the project
Funding agency
Co-Principal Investigator (External funding)
No
Title of the project
Funding agency
01
Co-Principal Investigator (External funding)
Co-Principal Investigator (External funding)
02
In vitro orchids propagation and improvement of orchids
Indian Council of Aqricultural Research
03
On farm evaluation of tissue culture derived black pepper plants
Department of Biotechnology
04
DBT project on improvement of selected spices through Biotechnology Tools
Department of Biotechnology
05
Crop improvement in orchids via in vitro mutagenesis
BARC
06
Collection, evaluation and evolving agro- techiques of heliconias as cut flower crop
Indian Council of Aqricultural Research
07
Standardisation of harvesting, post harvest treatment, handling and storage techniques in cut flower orchids
Indian Council of Aqricultural Research
08
Standardisation of techniques for quality enhanced production and value added post harvest handling in anthuriums (Anthurium andreanaum L.)
Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment
09
Breeding for commercial orchid hybrids
Department of Biotechnology
10
Breeding for novel varieties in monopodial orchids
Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment
11
In vitro production of secondary metabolites of Annona species and evaluation of their pesticidal properties
Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment
12
Breeding leaf curl virus resistant chilli through Interspecific hybridisation
Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment
13
In vitro propagation of Garcinia
Indian Council of Aqricultural Research
14
Improvement of Sesamum
Indian Council of Aqricultural Research
15
Molecular and physiological analysis of banana clones
Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment
16
Genetic transformation for biotic stress tolerance in bell pepper
Department of Biotechnology
17
Collection, evaluation, molecular characterization and genetic improvement in ivy gourd
Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment
18
In vitro flowering in orchid Dendrobium
Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment
Contributions in research and development

In vitro crop improvement / genetic transformation of horticultural crops

Techniques could be standardized for Agrobacterium mediated genetic transformation in medicinal plants. Considerable work done, for evolving a vector, for chloroplast transformation, in Centella asiatica. Chloroplast transformation of Centella asiatica and Solanum dulcamera was attempted using biolistic method. Molecular analysis of the spike branching trait in black pepper could be initiated. Techniques could be standardized for the protoplast culture of mango, pepper and Centella asiatica.

Molecular marker analysis of horticultural crops

Molecular characterization of ecotypes / varieties of crops, including medicinal plants, ornamental crops, vegetable and spice crops was done. RAPD analysis of the clones and intraclones of banana, mango and the ecotypes of several medicinal plants has been done. Clones / inctraclones of banana belonging to various genomic groups were subjected to field evaluation and RAPD analysis. Two hundred trees of traditional mango varieties of southern Kerala were evaluated based on morphological and RAPD profiles. Reported the positive effect of green leaves used in traditional preparations on DNA repair.

Juvenile adult phase change in plants

Maturity barrier problem associated with the in vitro propagation of tree crops was analysed using molecular tools. DNA methylation in juvenile and mature plants of Eucalyptus camaldulensis was contrasted. Rejuvenation treatments for improving the response of mature explants with respect to shoot multiplication and rooting of eucalyptus could be devised. DFR gene activity in juvenile and mature phase Hedera helix could be enhanced, using n-sodium butyrate treatment. Optimum conditions could be standardized for maximizing the expression of DFR gene activity.

Horticulture

Was involved in research, as Co-Principal Investigator in 18 externally aided research projects dealing with Biotechnology, in vitro propagation, physiology and management of banana, mango, coconut, date palm, orchids, anthuriums, heliconias, bell pepper, black pepper, and ivy gourd. Associated with the molecular characterization of Fusarium pallidoroseum and other species, uses as biocontrol agents of insect pests and weeds. Principal Investigator of four externally aided / university research projects on the Biotechnology of horticultural crops.
Two hundred trees of traditional mango varieties of southern Kerala were evaluated based on morphological and RAPD profiles. Methods could be standardized for the in vitro propagation of mango varieties via somatic embryogenesis from nucellar tissues of Neelum, Banglora and Vellari Manga.

Floriculture

Techniques could be standardized for Agrobacterium mediated genetic transformation in orchids. Dendrobium orchid could be transformed using 1-aminocyclopropane-1 carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase antisense gene, for reducing ethylene biosynthesis and increasing the shelf life of inflorescence. Involved in the development of five Dendrobium orchid Hybrid varieties, released by the Kerala State in 2006.

In vitro propagation of horticultural crops

Protocols for the in vitro propagation of horticultural crops like jack, banana, orchids, anthurium, vanilla and several medicinal plants have been standardized. Protocol for in vitro propagation of jack via enhanced release of axillary buds was evolved. The ex vitro establishment problem of jack plantlets was studied in detail and protocol evolved for successful field establishment. Protocol for in vitro propagation of Red Banana was evolved and commercialized. Protocol for in vitro propagation of Aristolochia indica, Bacopa monnieri, Centella asiatica, Plumbago rosea, Boerhaavia diffusa, Smilax zeylanica and Ipomoea mauritiana were developed and the plants were established in the field. Protocol for the mass in vitro clonal propagation of vanilla was standardised. Evaluation of the performance of banana, pepper, vanilla, orchids and anthuriums in farmers’ fields was carried out. Contributions in tissue culture propagation were included in the Package of Practices Recommendations 2002 of the Kerala Agricultural University.
Methods could be standardized for the in vitro propagation of mango varieties via somatic embryogenesis from nucellar tissues of Neelum, Banglora and Vellari Manga. Standardization of techniques useful for the in vitro propagation of cashew via enhanced release of axillary buds, somatic organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis was done. The research work done under the US-India funded project attracted a Letter of Appreciation from the USDA.
The contributions in research and development were instrumental for becoming one of the five members of the team of scientists of KAU, that received the “Biotech Product & Process Development & Commercialisation Award 2003” of the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, in 2003.

Medicinal Plants

Techniques could be standardized for Agrobacterium mediated genetic transformation in medicinal plants. Considerable work done, for evolving a vector, for chloroplast transformation, in Centella asiatica. Chloroplast transformation of Centella asiatica and Solanum dulcamera was attempted using biolistic method. Molecular characterization of ecotypes / varieties of medicinal plants was done. Protocol for in vitro propagation of Aristolochia indica, Bacopa monnieri, Centella asiatica, Plumbago rosea, Boerhaavia diffusa, Smilax zeylanica and Ipomoea mauritiana were developed and the plants were established in the field.

Total number of publications : 101
Research papers : 56
Books, chapters in books : 35
Popular articles / others : 10