Dr. Rasappa Viswanathan, Director , ICAR-IISR, Lucknow has made immense contribution on basic and applied research areas in sugarcane varietal development, new disease management strategies, molecular basis of red rot resistance and transferred many of his technologies in the field for the benefit of the farming community. Developed and commercialized molecular diagnostics for sugarcane viruses and phytoplasmas; characterized genomes of four sugarcane viruses, successfully managed YLD through virus elimination and molecular diagnostics.

Dr. Narayan Chandra Mandal Dean , Institute of Science, Visva- Bharati Santiniketan has deciphered the carbon metabolism and phosphate solubilization by common diazotrophs. Natural anti-microbials phytochemicals and bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria are also his domain of studies where he has contributed the management of spoilage organisms in edible mushrooms by food grade lactic acid bacteria. He has isolated and identified powerful phosphate solubilizing bacteria, identified the importance of biofilm formation on P-granules through quorum sensing system by the potent rhizobateria which has immense industrial importance.

Dr. Subrata Dutta, Department of Plant Pathology BCKV, Mohanpur, Nadiahas contributed immensely on pathogen variability ( Ralstonia solanacearum, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Rhizoctonia solani ), developed disease forewarning model, image based diagnosis of plant diseases and ecology of soil borne pathogens. He has reported new host crops of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Choanephora cucurbitarum from India. He has developed mobile based app AI-DISC for diagnosis of plant pests and diseases. Development of improved and biotic stress tolerant varieties of Brinjal, Chilli, Okra and Cowpea are also in his credit.

Dr. Surekha Kundu, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta has made significant contributions to the field of Molecular mycology, plant pathology and nanobiotechnology. Her research group has cloned a new osmotin-like protein gene from a weed plant , sequenced and utilized this new gene to make multi stress resistance transgenic plants like tobacco, Arabidopsis, tomato and rice. Her pioneering work with sesame gene regulation is noteworthy. Actively engaged on green synthesis of noble metal nanoparticles utilizing extracts from edible mushrooms and other microbial sources. She has also successfully utilized these nanoparticles for delivery of genes and drugs to cancer cell lines including lung cancer, liver cancer and sarcoma cells.

Professor Subrata Raha, Head, Department of Botany, Sidho-Kanho-Birsa University, Purulia has made extensive Aeromycological survey of the indoor atmosphere of six libraries in the Purulia district of West Bengal to determine intramural fungal load inside the libraries with reference to allergy symptoms. Antibacterial activity of di-nuclear alkoxobridged copper complexes with di-anionic tri-dentate ligand have been used as catalysts for a wide variety of reaction, including olefin polymerization, polymerization of substituted phenols to poly phenylene ether and oxygen activation. In addition his documentation on diversity of seed mycoflora and their impact on deteriorative changes of maize, groundnut and soybean seed by fungi in storage is noteworthy.

Prof. Sajeed Ali, Regional Research Station (Hill Zone) UBKV, Kalimpong has made significant contributions in the field of extension plant pathology with special reference to management of Turcicum leaf blight of Maize, Wilt complex of Ginger, Blast of Rice , Diseases of vegetable and medicinal plants grown in Darjeeling hills. Factors associated with Citrus decline in Darjeeling Himalayas have been worked out and information technology has been used for dissemination of location-specific technologies to the farmers.

Dr. Arka Pratim Chakraborty, Department of Botany, Raigunj University has made significant contributions in management of root diseases of Tea using Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria . Demonstrated water stress amelioration and plant growth promotion in wheat plants by osmotic stress tolerant bacteria. In addition biochemical responses of wheat plants primed with Ochrobacterum pseudogrignonense subjected to salinity stress have also been elucidated. New report of endophytic bacterium Achromobecter xylosoxidans from root tissue of Musa species and its application as plant growth promoter and biocontrol agent against pest and phytopathogens have been demonstrated.

Dr. V.R. Prabavathy, Director ,Department of Biotechnology , MS Swaminathan Research Foundation , Chennai has extensively contributed in the field of plant-microbe interaction and biological control. Her research focus on rhizosphere microbiome, diversity and functional characterization for soil and plant health management that includes isolation, identification, field testing and demystifying of production technology. Her involvement in popularising use of bioinoculants among small and marginal farmers, and capacity building of Women self-help groups, on the production technology are noteworthy