Performa for Submitting Proposal for Organization of Training
Programme under Centre of Advance Faculty Training in Frontiers and
Specialized areas
1. Justification of the proposed programme in the light of suggestive training needs in
the discipline(not more than 100 words):
Major challenges for sustaining agricultural productivity across all sectors (crop,
livestock, fisheries), in the form of drought, soil salinity, sodicity, acidity, water
logging, declining water quality, heat stress, cold wave, floods, sea water inundation.
In the world only 9% of the area is conducive for crop production, while 91% is under
stress (25% under drought, 22% shallow depth, 22% under mineral stress, 14% under
freezing stress and 11% waterlogged).
Agricultural productivity is not increasing at a required rate to keep up with
the food demand. The reasons for this are water shortages, depleting soil fertility and
mainly various abiotic stresses. The area under stress is likely to increase further due
to land degradation and
urbanization.
The researches in stress tolerance and
response are becoming increasingly important not only because agricultural
production need to keep pace with increasing demand for agricultural produce from
dwindling resources, but also due to possible changes in climate that may make the
environment much more hostile for agricultural production than what it is today.
Population growth is outstripping agricultural production. In depth understanding of
the stresses and their effects on plants is of paramount importance to evolve effective
strategies to counter them.
2. Venue with full postal/e-mail address and office phone/ fax number:
Department of Crop Physiology, Narendra Deva University of Agriculture
&Technology,
Kumarganj,
Faizabad
224229;
assinghkumar3@gmail.com
drkhan.a.h@gmail.com,05270-262038
3. Information regarding proposed Course Coordinator, if other than the Director, CAFT
(enclose bio-data) clearly bringing out the specific qualification, experience and
scientific contributions of the Course Coordinator in the proposed topic:
DR. ASHOK KUMAR SINGH
Assistant Professor
Department of Crop Physiology, N.D.U.A.T., Kumarganj, Faizabad – 224 229 (U.P.) India
Email: assinghkumar3@gmail.com
Personal details:
Date of Birth: 15th February, 1963
Qualification: M.Sc. (Ag.) Bot, PhD (Crop Physiology)
Nationality: Indian
Marital status: Married
Mailing & Permanent Address: Assistant Professor, Centre of Advanced Faculty,
Department of Crop Physiology, N.D. University of Agriculture & Technology, Kumarganj,
Faizabad – 224 229 (U.P.) India
Experience and scientific contributions:
Profile summary:
 Possessing strong technical experience as technical Associate in Rainfed lowland
research rice consortium since 1991-2001 (IRRI Collaborative Projects).
 As physiologist “Physiological Approaches for Genetic Improvement for water
logging tolerance in wheat crop under sodic condition (ACIAR- Australia), coordinate
research activity, G x E interaction, IRRI sponsored and
 Improving Drought Tolerance in Rice through Marker Assisted Selection, Rockefeller
Funded Project for increasing crop productivity with sustainability.
 Coordinated 04 Advance training program for SAU’s and ICAR Scientist, sponsored
by ICAR – UNDAP, New Delhi, India.
 Principal Investigator for” Development of Nursery Nutrient Management option to
enhance survival, recovery and yield of SUB1 rice varieties.
 Conscientious, quality oriented, self motivated and team spirited.
Personal objectives:
To utilize my skill and Knowledge in your reputed institute to gain research
experiences.
 Stress Physiology (Drought tolerance, Flooding and Submergence tolerance,
Sodicity)
Special Contribution:
 NDR 8002 Rice varieties has been released for rainfed lowland rice ecosystem by
Varietal Identification Committee during (CVRC) 2004-05. This variety was based on
physiological traits.
 Team Member of Swarna Sub1(Unnat Swarna) and Sambha Mahsuri SUB-1 rice
variety released by U.P. State Government Release committee
Research Paper:
 International Journal
:
20
 National
:
12
 Proceeding/Extended summary
:
15
 Paper Presented
:
more than hundred
 Popular articles
:
05
 Book chapter
:
04
 Edited Book
:
01
Experience of Guiding Research
Ph.D. Degree Awarded
M.Sc. (Ag.) Degree Awarded
:
4
10
:
Training Organized: Five national training
4. Faculty staff strength in CAFT (Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor
and Equivalent):
Name
Designation
Expertise Areas
Dr. A.H. Khan
Head of Department
Weed
Physiology,
PGR,
Salinity
Temperature Stress
Dr. A.K. Singh
Assistant Professor
Physiology of Submergence and Drought
Dr. S.P. Singh
Assistant Professor
Mineral Nutrition and Salt Stress
Dr. R.K. Yadav
Assistant Professor
PGR and Salt Stress
Dr. Raj Bahadur
Assistant Physiologist
Pulse Physiology
Dr. Gulab Singh
Associate Professor
Rice Physiology
Dr. H.P. Singh
Associate Professor
Seed Physiology
Dr. M.P. Singh
Assistant Professor
Mineral Nutrition
Dr.Shambhoo
Assistant Professor
Temperature Stress & Salinity
Prasad
and
5. Information regarding other academic staff of the host institute who are likely to be
used as resource persons:
Dr.Bhagwan Singh
Dr. P.Tripathi
Dr.K.N.Singh
Dr.J.L.Dwevidi
Dr.T.P.S.Katiyar
Dr,N.B.Singh
Dr.P.K.Gupta
Dr.R.P.Gupta
Dr. R.D.S. Yadav
Dr.D.K.Dwevidi
Dr.Jai Deo Sharma
Dr.P.K.Singh
DR.Shambhoo
Dr.N.A.Khan
6. Specific facilities available for conducting the programme such as laboratory
equipments/ instruments, research farm, library, classroom, guesthouse, etc:
All the above mentioned facilities are available.
7. Programme/ Projects and achievements in the area of special topic proposed for the
training programme:
This department has three International Projects on abiotic stress in collaboration with
IRRI, Manila, Philippines; AICAR, Australia and IFAD, European Commission,
Brussels. We are doing research in submergence, salinity and drought since last two
decades. This location is very specific and providing natural flooding condition and
various types of salinity. The achievements are given here in nut shell.
Characterization of flood water: We characterized flood water environments in
eastern India for the first time in the country showing diurnal periodicity in
temperature and pH at different locations with low to supersaturated oxygen and high
CO2 concentrations up to 200mM. These traits have immense effect on rice plants
survival during floods.
Physiological markers/ traits identified for submergence tolerance:
High nonstructural carbohydrate (soluble sugars and starch) prior to submergence and
just after de-submergence has strong positive correlation with submergence tolerance
varieties with high carbohydrate balance after de-submergence have better survival
and recovery growth.
Shoot elongation during submergence is another trait which is negatively correlated
with submergence tolerance (survival).Moderate to low elongation during
submergence tolerance in rainfed low land rice. These traits are being used by
breeders for developing flood tolerant rice varieties.
Submergence tolerant lines have less reduction in DNA and RNA contents as
compared to intolerant ones
Higher levels of free radicals scavenging enzymes (anti-oxidative defense systems)
namely Catalase, Peroxidase, Superoxide dismutase, Glutathione reductase and
Ascorbate peroxidase were measured. Tolerant rice varieties produced higher content
of Catalase, Peroxidase, Superoxide dismutase, Glutathione reductase. These enzymes
are potential markers associated with submergence tolerance in rice.
Technology developed to enhance, survival and recovery of crop under flood
prone:
 Enriching nursery beds with N40,P60, Zn20 kg/ha and FYM10t/ha produced healthy
seedlings which had better crop establishment and survived better on submergence during
flooding and produced 25-30 % higher grain yield in lowland rice.
 Application of potassium @40kg/ha in nursery markedly enhanced the survival of Swarna
sub1 rice variety. Higher phosphorus (P 60 kg/h) in nursery had also given longer effect with
advancement of crop age.
 Reducing seed density in nursery improved seedling health which eventually had
beneficial effects on survival and rice yields under flooded conditions
Technology developed to enhance, survival and good growth of crop under salinity:
 Press mud technology (6t/ha) has been found to increase rice productivity in sodic soil.
The beneficial effects are to the tune of 25-40% in farmer’s fields depending upon the pH of
the sodic soil. It also improved soil reclamation and health.
 Technology of root dipping with 10% ZnO slurry for 10 minutes and drying in shade
produced 15-20 % higher rice yields under sodic soils. This is eco-friendly and sustainable
technology.
8. Name of the trainings organized during last three years:
1. Crop Improvement under Submergence and Salt Stress: Physiological and
Molecular Approaches (2010-11)
2. Crop Improvement under Changing Environments: Physiological and Molecular
Approaches (2011-12)
3. Physio-Molecular Approaches for Improving Abiotic Stress Tolerance and
Sustaining Crop Productivity (2012-13)
9. Signature of the Director of the CAFTs (with Official Seal):