PAST PROJECTS

1993-1995: Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences, Okinawa Subtropical Station, Ishigaki, JAPAN. Mechanisms of heat tolerance in tropical food legumes

Evaluated leaf heat tolerance of chickpea, groundnut, pigeonpea and soybean genotypes using cell membrane thermostability and chlorophyll fluorescence techniques; Examined genetic diversity in gamete responses to heat stress; Tested the utility of gamete selection in improving heat tolerance during reproductive growth; Identified more potent sources of heat tolerance in pigeonpea during flowering and pod set.


1992-1993: Hokkaido National Agricultural Experiment Station , Sapporo, JAPAN. Studies on chilling-induced seed discoloration and cracking in soybean

Examined the nature of cold injury both under field and controlled environments using light and scanning electron microscopy; Tested the responses of contrasting soybean genotypes and identified traits associated with tolerance; Evaluated the role of agronomic factors (nutrition, water status, growth substances, etc.) in alleviating chilling injury.


1989-1992 International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics , Patancheru, INDIA. Mechanisms of chilling tolerance during flowering of chickpea

Characterized the severity of cold stress experienced by field-grown chickpeas in northern India; Identified genotypes with a higher degree of cold tolerance during flowering and pod set; Optimized agronomic variables (spacing, nutrition, and irrigation) for cold tolerant genotypes; Evaluated genotypic differences in gamete development and function; Developed an efficient and reliable screening procedure for cold tolerance.


1984-1988 University of Cambridge , Cambridge, England. Genetic and physiological constraints for seed development in spring rape

Standardized X-radiographic technique for monitoring seed abortion; Evaluated genotypic variation in pod and seed set under ideal agronomic conditions; Assessed the role of carbon assimilates and pollen in determination of pod and seed set; Analyzed the role of developing seeds and exogenously applied hormones in regulating the growth of the pod wall.


1983-1984 Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, INDIA. Energy balance and weed management in rice-based cropping systems

Compared the efficacy of different weed management practices (green manuring in situ, green leaf manuring, and herbicide application) on crop yields, weed population and dynamics, and energy input-output ratios in upland rice-wheat rotation in northern India.


1981-1983 Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, INDIA. Phosphorus management in pigeonpea-based intercropping systems

Examined the feasibility of intercropping short duration pigeonpea with mungbean and sorghum; Determined phosphate requirements of sole and intercropping systems; Tested the effects of planting geometry of pigeonpea on intercrop yields; Performed economic analysis of cropping systems.


1980-1981 Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, Bapatla Campus, INDIA. Resource constraint analysis in sugarcane-based cropping systems

Identified constraints in sugarcane-based cropping systems practiced by two farmers in a village in Andhra Pradesh, India; Suggested alternate cropping patterns by considering all renewable and non-renewable farm resources; Assessed the likely environmental and economic benefits from the proposed changes in cropping systems.

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January 15, 1999