Dr. Somnath K. Holkar

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Dr. Somnath K Holkar photo 

Dr. Somnath K. Holkar, Scientist (Plant Pathology)

Qualification

  • B.Sc. (Agri.): 2003 – 2007: Vasantrao Naik Marathvada Krishi Vidypitha, Prabhani, Maharashtra, India

  • M.Sc. (Agri.) Mycology and Plant Pathology: 2007 – 2009: Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

  • Ph.D. (Plant Pathology): 2009-2016: Division of Plant Pathology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012

 

Specialization / Discipline

  • Plant Virology (Plant Pathology)

Positions held

Scientist (ICAR):

  • Scientist Sr. Scale: 03.08.2020 to continuing: ICAR-National Research Centre for Grapes, Pune

  • Scientist Sr. Scale: 17.11.2017 to 31.07.2020: IISR-Biological Control Centre, Pravaranagar

  • Scientist Sr. Scale: 01.01.2017 to 16.11.2017: ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow

  • Scientist: 01.01.2013 to 31.12.2016:  ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow

Area of specialization

Molecular characterization, identification of sources of resistance and development of transgenic against plant viruses

Current research interest

  • Detection diagnosis, molecular characterization, virus-vector-host interactions and identification of sources of resistance against viruses and phytoplasma infecting grapes in India

Professional Experience

  • Development of nucleocapsid protein mediated resistance against Watermelon bud necrosis virus (WBNV) in watermelon. Developed the duplex RT-PCR assay for the diagnosis of two distinct tospoviruses, Groundnut bud necrosis virus (GBNV) and WBNV and identified their new hosts. Citrullus colosynthis natural source of resistance was identified from the 45 screened watermelon genotypes against WBNV resistance under field and glasshouse conditions. Molecular characterization of Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) and Sugarcane yellows phytoplasma (SCYP) infecting sugarcane was carried out.
  • Students Guided: B.Tech. 02,   M.Sc. (Microbiology): 02,    Ph.D (Biotechnology): 01 (ongoing)

Professional Affiliations:

Life member:
 
Member:
 

Honours and Recognition

  • Best Poster Award during the 7th International Conference on Phytopathology in Achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals held at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi from January 16-20, 2020
  • ICAR – Jawaharlal Nehru Award for P.G. Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Research in Agricultural and Allied Sciences (Crop Protection – 2017) by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, India.
  • Young Sugarcane Scientist Award – 2017 by Bhartiya Sugar Industry, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India
  • Best (1st) Poster Presentation Award – 2016 in national symposium on eco-friendly approaches for plant disease management: recent trends and opportunities which was organized by Indian Phytopathological Society (IPS) and Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR), Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Best (2nd) Poster Presentation Award – 2016 in national symposium on eco-friendly approaches for plant disease management: recent trends and opportunities organised by Indian Phytopathological Society-MEZ and Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR), Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Young Scientist of the Year – 2016 Award in international seminar on recent trends and experimental approaches in science, technology and nature by Society for Science and Nature (SFSN), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Best Paper Award (oral presentation) – 2016 in centennial fiesta and national seminar on challenges, opportunities and innovative approaches in sugarcane: agriculture, bio-energy and climate change by Uttar Pradesh Council of Sugarcane Research (UPCSR), Shahjahanpur, India
  • Best Poster Presentation Award – 2016 in the international congress on post-harvest technologies of agricultural produce for sustainable food and nutritional Security at Integral University, Lucknow by Uttar Pradesh Council of Agricultural Research (UPCAR), Lucknow, India
  • National Eligibility Test (NET) – 2011 in Plant Protection by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, India
  • Senior Research Fellowship – 2010 in Plant Pathology for pursuing doctoral degree by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, India.
  • ICAR-IARI Scholarship – 2009-10 for pursuing doctoral degree by Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
  • Junior Research Fellowship – 2007 for pursuing master’s degree by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, India
 
 
 
 
Publications:(Click to access list)