DR. G. PRABHAKARA RAO

Areas of Expertise

Agriculture, Genetics and Plant Breeding, Biodiversity, Conservation, Ecosystems, Sustainable Rural Development

Brief Bio

I had studied M.Sc. (Agriculture) in Genetics and Plant Breeding from the Banaras Hindu University (worked on maize breeding later on, oilseeds brassicas), and Ph.D. from the Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, India. As a visiting Scientist (2007-2008), worked under the guidance of Dr. Barbara M. Reed, National Clonal/seed Germplasm Repository’, (USDA), USA. National Clonal/seed Germplasm Repository, USDA- ARS, Corvallis, Oregon, USA., on “Plant conservation techniques, characterization and germplasm management with special emphasis on Tissue culture and Cryopreservation” and got acquainted with the works of several Scientists of various USDA Germplasm Repository.

I am serving as Senior Scientist in Germplasm Division, RRII and possess 30 years of research experience in rubber crop field activities and organizational management, dealing with various experimental plantations in diverse geographical areas in India & imparting training. In 1981 International Rubber Research and Development Board has conducted an expedition in the native Amazonian Forest, collected more than 60,000 Hevea germplasm materials and distributed to the member countries. India has received a share of it and conserved in various nurseries. I was involved in the Management of 2196 Hevea genetic resources in Ex situ field gene banks includes conservation, characterization using standard descriptors for rubber (developed & published a book on Descriptors) and documentation of the data in computer database. Agronomic evaluation lead to the identification of potential genotypes for various traits ie. yield, growth, timber-latex, drought (drought prone area in Chhattisgarh) & cold tolerance (cold prone area in Sub-Himalayan, West Bengal), Corynespora disease tolerance etc. from the germplasm evaluation studies conducted in the hotspot areas in India. Earlier five IRCA clones were received through exchange program were evaluated and two clones- IRCA130 and IRCA111 were identified for higher yield and timber potential, which were upgraded to Class-II for cultivation of farmers in India and few more clones are in the pipeline. Crosses were made between popular clones and wild Hevea accessions for exploitation of heterosis for yield & growth traits. So far 38 experiments under 12 major projects themes on Hevea crop were handled by me and associated in some of the collaborative projects of others Scientists. I was associated in a collaborative project on evaluation of rubber cultivation in new area (70 acres) of RC Varam (E.G. District) under Integrated Tribal Development Agency, Government of Andhra Pradesh and also involved in imparting training to the farmers on rubber cultivation. The above shortlisted genotypes obtained over a period of 20-28 years of continuous evaluation/selection process were very useful in Hevea crop improvement programmes, especially in broadening the narrow genetic base of the cultivated rubber, development of stress tolerant crop varieties for drought, cold and Corynespora disease tolerance etc. Ultimately these selections were useful in the development of location specific rubber clones to various stress prone non-traditional areas in India and abroad.

I have been conducting comprehensive research on the management of plant genetic resources with emphasis on rubber, and the results of which have been published in 90 scientific works, including a descriptors book, a scientific report, papers in reputed National/International Journals/Conferences/ Seminars etc. A part from participation in more than 40 Conferences, I am actively involved in the organization of various scientific Conferences/Training courses/Major National & International events. Life member of several (5) Scientific bodies, Scientific paper reviewer for some Journals and Editorial Board Member & Reviewer for Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources and American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry.

Publications (Weblink only), if any: