Professor Pranab Dutta’s contribution bridges traditional biocontrol with nanotechnology, revolutionizing sustainable agriculture in Northeast India. He has standardized 10 liquid bioformulations of indigenous biocontrol agents with 16-moths shelf life, now part of organic package of practices by Assam Agricultural University and Govt. of Assam. Commercialized 7 technologies and developed green synthesis protocols for Ag, Au, Cu nanoparticles and ZnO nanoparticles for plant disease management. Actively promoted organic farming across Meghalaya, Assam, Nagaland, Sikkim and West Bengal in collaboration with Govt. Institutes, SHGs, KVKs and private entrepreneurs. He has been granted 2 patents.

Professor S. Umesha has contributed immensely in Molecular detection of Plant/ Animal/Food-borne pathogens, Host-parasite interactions, Cell and Tissue culture Technology. He has demonstrated comprehensive insights into black rot of crucifers: pathogen-host dynamics and sustainable control methods. He has isolated and characterized endophytes from herbal medicinal plant Ichnocarpus frutescens and evaluated their bioactive potential. Besides his contribution towards profiling of phytochemical constituents and evaluation of antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-cancerous and anti-inflammatory potentials as well as plasma biocompatibility and cytotoxicity of Grewia orbiculata is noteworthy.

Professor Shiburaj Sugathan has contributed significantly in the area of Microbial Biotechnology and Molecular Microbiology. The Anti-Biofilm potential of Linalool, a major compound from Hedychium larsenii, has been studied against Steptococcus pyogenes and its toxicity in Danio rerio has been assessed. He has elaborated exhaustive information on potential Bacterial endophytes of Orchids. Elucidated whole genome sequence data of Streptomyces californicus TBG-201, a chitinolytic actinomycete isolated from Vandanam sacred groves of Alleppey District, Kerala. He has demonstrated the use of wastes from tea and coffee industries for the production of cellulases using fungi isolated from the Western Ghats of India.

Professor Diganta Narzary with his research team has unraveled fungal and bacterial diversity in coal overburden strata, ethnic alcoholic beverage, starter culture and ethnic fermented fish food of Bodo community . A new species, Termitomyces assamica has been discovered. Several metallotolerant bacteria and fungi have been screened out to remove or detoxify heavy metals from contaminated soils which are now under trial for field application. His in debt research study on fungal combs of termites and ethnic starter culture of Bodo rice beer has led him to identify potent lignocellulolytic fungi for an effective biocomposting of leaf litters and agro wastes.

Dr. Manas Kumar Bag has contributed significantly in the area of Rice pathology with special reference to plant diseases resistance, evaluation and identification of resistant genotypes and bio-intensive pest management. Contributed Nationally through identifying trait specific rice germplasm and registered Patent. Genetic diversity of aromatic rice landraces in Odisha for sustainable rice blast resistance has been reported. Yield loss assessment in rice due to false smut infection has also been done. Consequences of Ustilaginoidea virens infecton of rice, causal agent of false smut disease has been demonstrated on production and grain quality. Besides, effect of staggered rice sowing and flowering on incidence of false smut has been worked out.

Dr. A. Ramesh Sundar has made rich contributions on fungal pathology, molecular host pathogen interactions, proteomics, pathogenomics, gene discovery, genome editing for fungal disease resistance in sugarcane. Identified disease resistant varieties/ resistant sources / parents in sugarcane germplasm. He has demonstrated the induced resistance – a potential supplementary strategy for the management of red rot in sugarcane. His developed screening methods of sugarcane disease is noteworthy.

Dr. Arup Kumar Mitra has made significant and pioneering contributions in the field of Microbial Biotechnology. His work has led to the successful commercialization of Calocybe indica cultivation. His identification and reporting of Enterobacter hormaechei as a plant-protective biocontrol agent marked a notable advancement in sustainable pest management, offering a safe alternative to chemical pesticides. Furthermore, his interdisciplinary approach bridged environmental microbiology and land reclamation, as seen in his initiative to convert degraded wastelands into agriculturally productive land using residual native microbes.

Dr. Malkhan Singh Gurzar is working on genomics, host-pathogen interaction, diversity, resistance of Karnal bunt and spot blotch of wheat. He has extensively worked out full genome sequencing of five fungal pathogens such as Tilletia indica, Tilletia caries, Bipolaris sorokiniana, Bipolaris oryzae and Bipolaris maydis. He has developed rapid diagnostic marker for detection of T. indica using LAMP and qPCR assays. He has identified few defense genes and pathogenicity related genes in T. indica using RNA seq approach , functionally validated of TiHog gene in T . Indica. Besides he has also identified few resistant sources against late blight of potato. In addition, he has established aeroponics system at CPRS, Shillong.

Dr. Rajesh Ramdas Waghunde has significantly contributed in the area of disease forecasting and management and his advocacy for science-based agriculture. His work on plant pathology, epidemiology and forecasting of crop diseases has brought scientific clarity to agricultural practices, especially in rainfed areas of Bharuch district of South Gujarat. He has reported four new diseases from Gujarat and played key role in development of sick plot of Pigeon pea wilt as well as micro sick plot of dry root rot Pigeon pea. His contribution towards cultural, morphological and molecular diversity of Fusarium causing wilt of Pigeon pea, Cotton, Banana, Mothbean and Sugarcane is noteworthy.

Dr. Kiran Sunar has characterized more than twenty potential beneficial microorganisms from high altitude regions of Darjeeling Hills, developed specific immuno-formats for their detection in soil and demonstrated their field application for induced immunity specially in pulse crops. He has developed several pure line culture (Monosporal lines) of AMF and developed formats for their easy identification using morpho-taxonomic keys, biochemical markers (FAME) as well as molecular markers (Nested PCR formats). He has also successfully documented second generation germplasm Bank at CMCC, TERI, only repository of AMF in India. Currently involved in mapping resources of North Eastern Regions of India for developing microbe based consortia for Mandarin orange farming .

Dr. Nandlal Mandal contributed extensively in the area of Aflatoxin production of Aspergillus flavus strains and its potentiality associated with maize rhizosphere. Antagonistic efficacy of rhizobacteria has been evaluated to control aflatoxin production in maize seeds. Post storage changes in mineral contents of different varieties of maize grains has been elucidated. Besides, deterioration in nutritive value of wheat grains infested with aflatoxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus has been demonstrated. He has thoroughly studied diversity, abundance and richness of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with some solanaceous medicinal plants of Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary in West Bengal.