Education:
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Ph.D., Plant Science (Plant Water Relations), 2001, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
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M.Sc. (Agri), Agronomy, 1985, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India.
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B.Sc. (Agri), Agronomy, 1983, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India.
Present Position:
Assistant Professor (Sep 2005 - present), Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences and Agricultural Science Center, Clovis (70% research and 30% extension).
Previous Experience:
June 2005 - Aug 2005. Statistician, Canadian Grain Commission, Government of Canada, Winnipeg, Canada.
The Canadian Grain Commission is the federal government body that ensures quality of Canadian Grains for international trade. The job involved designing new methods to ensure quality classifications and produce periodic reports on grain trade for clientele.
July 2003 - June 2005. Faculty Research Associate, Dept. of Soil Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
In this large NSERC funded project which covered the entire wheat growing region of the country, I was coordinating efforts of a number of graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and scientists from different institutions in understanding and quantifying weather impacts on wheat quality. Ag-meteorologists, cereal chemists, wheat breeder, physiologists, agronomists and pathologists were involved in the project. I was involved in developing quantitative relationships to relate weather with visual, biochemical and baking quality of wheat. Also participated in teaching through guest lecturing, student advising, under graduate and summer student training.
April 1998 - June 2003. Research Scientist (contract), Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Swift Current, Canada.
Actively involved in identifying viable crop options for the semiarid prairie under the alternate crops program. Evaluated adaptability of different Brassica species to the semiarid conditions. In another part of the research, I evaluated the root system, water extraction and water stress tolerance of pulses, oilseeds and cereals. Pulses, especially field pea, in spite of its small root system, are well adapted to the region. I further looked at the management practices to reduce abiotic stress levels in canola. Established that seeding into tall standing stubble improved the microclimate for early growth of canola, resulting in increased seed yield and water use efficiency. Also establishing canola and mustard crop early with fall (dormant seeding) or early spring seeding improved the sustainability of canola production in the semiarid prairie by reducing heat stress. Canola is a new crop in the semiarid prairie and the threshold population for re-seeding (especially with the use of herbicide tolerance technology) is not known. I also evaluated sap flow system to monitor the realtime water balance in Brassica species.
I have conducted growth chamber studies to large plot studies (stubble microclimate study) with field scale equipment, providing a valuable experience from individual plants to large field of crops. A number of presentations, miscellaneous publications and scientific manuscripts have resulted from these work.
Aug 1992 - Mar 1998. Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant, Dept. of Plant Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
I conducted research in the area of plant water relations. Contributed in developing new research proposals and assisted in conducting water relation studies on different oilseed and pulse crops. I also assisted in teaching 'Crop Production Principles and Practices' to under graduate diploma students for two years and conducted 'Water Relations Label for crop physiology students'.
Sep 1987 - July 1992. Assistant Professor, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, India.
Worked on agronomic management of tobacco and sunflower crops. I also taught senior level undergraduate courses for Agriculture and Agricultural Engineering students.
1985-1987 - Rural Development Officer, State Bank of Saurashtra, Gujarat, India.
