Dr. Awadhesh Kumar Shukla

 Department of Botany, Arunachal University,

 Rono Hills, Itanagar - 791 112, INDIA

 Phone: 0091-360-2277572 (O) 0091-360-2277631(R)

 Fax: 0091-360-2277317

 Email:        ashukla21@rediffmail.com  

                   ashukla21@yahoo.co.uk

 Web URL: www.geocities.com/awadhesh_shukla

Academic Qualifications:

    M. Sc. (1983) Botany (Cytogenetics and Plant Breeding) from Kanpur University, Kanpur, India

    M. Phil. (1986) Botany (Microbiology) from North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, India

    Ph. D. (1988) Botany (Microbiology) from North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, India

Present Position:      Sr. Lecturer

Research Interest:    Environmental Microbiology, Soil Microbiology, Plant Microbe

                                             Interaction & Microbial Ecology

Profile:

             I gained theoretical and practical knowledge as a Ph.D. research student on the microbial ecology and biochemistry at Department of Botany, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong. After that I joined postdoctoral fellowship in 1988, and in the year 1989 I opted for a permanent post of Senior Research Assistant in the same department. During my stay at NEHU, Shillong till July,1997 I worked on plant-microbes interaction as well as Soil Microbiology.

             In 1997 I joined as Lecturer in department of Botany, Arunachal University, Itanagar. At this place also I am continuing with my research work on plant-microbe interaction and aspects related to Soil Microbiology. This part of India provides an opportunity to work on variety of plants, as this place is one of the hot spot of biodiversity. Climatically it is subtropical region.

Teaching:

       Experience: 17 Years at Postgraduate level

• November 1988 to August 1997- Associated with the teaching of M. Sc. Course work (Microbiology) as a Research Associate and Senior Research Assistant in the Dept. of Botany, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, India.

• August 1997 onwards continuing with teaching of M. Sc. Course work as a Lecturer  in the Dept. of Botany, Arunachal University, Itanagar, India.

                   As a teacher my goal is to promote scientific inquiry and independent learning and to motivate students in development of their oral and written communication skill. At postgraduate level I teach Microbiology (Bot-502), Plant Physiology and Biochemistry (Bot-501), Plant Pathology (Bot-402) and Microbial Diversity (Bot-567) under semester system.

In each course I use a student-centered approach that includes traditional lectures, classroom discussion, debate, seminar, lab and field projects and involvement in my research programme.

Research:

• Predoctoral: March 1985 to August 1988.

• Postdoctoral: September 1988 to August 1997 as a Research Associate and Senior Research Assistant in the Dept. of Botany, N.E.H. University, Shillong, and since August 1997 till date as a Lecturer  in Dept. of Botany, Arunachal University, Itanagar

            My aim is to understand the role and function of microbes in natural ecosystem. To achieve it inter disciplinary back ground is advantageous. Most of the part of my investigations is based on plant-microbe interaction. The contribution of research work is given in brief and is listed below:

• Studies of Physico-chemical properties and their impact on microbial (fungal & bacterial) population, enzymatic activities in agro-ecosystem

• Ecology of fungi in rhizospheric and phyllospheric region of crop plants on application of fungicides and herbicides

• Decomposition of plant litter by fungi and bacteria with respect of mineral nutrient concentration

• Role of mycorrhizal fungi in growth, development and functioning of plants and how does it change with soil component and climate

         This work also has important implication for land restoration and soil management in agriculture.

         The investigations suggested here are built on a foundation of research experience in a number of disparate areas each offering unique insight specialized techniques and characteristic training. I believe that inter disciplinary background is advantageous today with such training, one is better able to focus a variety of creative ideas and innovative methods on contemporary interest on the swiftly advancing frontiers of plant microbe interaction.

Research Projects under taken:

Ø     “Studies on VA-mycorrhizal fungi in Paddy field” (2001-2002) Minor project, sponsored  

        by UGC, New Delhi.

Ø     “A study of the seasonal variations in micro-flora and micro-fauna of the river Dikrong with

      special reference to coli form bacteria” (2001-2002) Minor project, Sponsored by UGC

Ø    “Application of mycorrhizal fungi for commercial cultivation of Pipli (Piper nigrum & Piper

       mullesua) in Arunachal Pradesh” (2004- 2007) 12.79 lacs, Sponsored by DBT,

       New Delhi.  

Ø     “Isolation and characterization of cyanophages infecting fresh water cyano-bacterial

       populations” (2004- 2007) 10 lacs, Sponsored by CSIR, New Delhi.

Ø      Associated with Potential for Excellence in Biodiversity programme, sponsored by UGC,

      New Delhi (Sanction amount 318 lacs) to Dept. of Botany, Arunachal University, Itanagar.

Ø      Associated with FIST proposal sponsored by DST, New Delhi (sanction amount 30 lacs)

       to Dept. of Botany, Arunachal University, Itanagar.

 Research Students under Supervision for Ph.D. degree:

 Award Received:

                          2oth Century Crop Research National Award conferred upon by Agricultural Research Information Center, Hissar, India in March 2000.

 Previous Availed Fellowships:

Ø      Junior Research Fellow (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, New Delhi, March 1985 to Feb. 1987)

Ø      Senior Research Fellow (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, New Delhi, March 1987 to Oct. 1988)

Ø      Research Associateship (University Grant Commission, New Delhi, November 1988 to May 1989).

 Member in Editorial Board of Scientific Journals:

 Ø  Editorial Board Member in  Research on Crop from 2003-2005.

   Ø Associate Editors-in-chief in World Journal of Agricultural Sciences from 2006

 Member of other Academic Bodies:

Ø      Board of Postgraduate Studies, Arunachal University

Ø      Board of Undergraduate Studies, Arunachal University

 Member of Academic Societies:

Ø       Society for Advancement of Botany

Ø       Indian Society of soil Biology and Ecology

Ø       Indian Society of Ecology

Ø       Indian Society of Soil Science

Ø       Arunachal Science Academy

 Orientation/ Refresher Course Attended:

   ·  Participated in UGC sponsored orientation course during 3-30 July, 2001, conducted by

      UGC Academic Staff College, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.

   ·  Participated in UGC sponsored refresher course during 21^st December, 2005 to

     10^th January, 2006, conducted by Department of Botany, R. G. University, Itanagar

   ·  Participated in UGC sponsored refresher course during 8-29 March, 2006, conducted by

      UGC Academic Staff College, University of Kerala, Trivendrum.

 Workshop Attended:

Ø      Participated in the Training Programme on Rhizobium Technology, organized by Division of Microbiology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi in 1993.

Ø   Participated in the training course on "Introduction to Computer Networks and  Internet" during 26-29 September 2000 conducted by the Bio-informatic Centre,  North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong.

Ø   Participated in AICTE sponsored workshop on “Recent trends in environment and sustainable development” on 11 Sept., 2004, organized by NERIST, Nirjuli, Itanagar.

Ø   Participated in a workshop on Regional Approach to Tropical Forests Conservation in Arunachal Pradesh on 22^nd October, 2005 organised by Dept. of Botany, R G University, Itanagar & ATREE, NE Region Guwahati.

  Conference Attended:

Ø      Paper presented in 74^th Indian Science Congress, Bangalore (Proc. 74^th Indian Sci. Cong. Part  II pp. 61, 1986) 

Ø      National symposium on management of biotic and abiotic stress in pulse crops, organized by Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur from 26^th  to 28^th June  1998.

Ø      Seminar on Siang Valley: Resources and Management, Organized by Dept. of Botany, Arunachal University on 24^th October 1998.

Ø      Seminar on Keep our Water Resources Clean, Organized by Dept. of Botany, Arunachal University on 24^th   March 1999.

Ø      VII National symposium of Soil Biology and Ecology, organized by Indian Society of

      Soil Biology and Ecology from 7^th to 9^th Nov. 2001.

Ø      National symposium on Eco-restoration of mining affected areas, organized by Centre for

      Environmental Studies, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong from 15^th to 16^th March 2003.

Ø   National conference on Arunachal Pradesh: Tradition in transition linking Ecology, Economics

     and Ethics, Organised by UNESCO, New Delhi & NERIST (13^th to 16^th September, 2005)

Ø   Symposium on Molecular Diagnostics, Organised by Department of Biochemistry, University of Kerala, Trivendrum from 24^th to 25^th March, 2006.

LIST OF PUBLICATIONS

Ø     Shukla A K, B K Tiwari & R R Mishra. Effect of benomyl, copperoxychloride and mancozeb on rhizosphere microflora of potato. Proc. Natn. Sci. Acad. B53: 273-278, 1987.  

Ø     Shukla A K, B K Tiwari & R R Mishra. Effect of foliar application of herbicides, benthiocarb, 2,4-D and fluchloralin on phyllosphere microflora of potato. Plant and soil 106: 277-280, 1988 (The Netherlands).

Ø     Shukla A K, B K Tiwari & R R Mishra. Soil rhizosphere and microbial population in potato field. J. Soil Biol. Ecol. 8: 1-9, 1988.

Ø     Shukla A K, B K Tiwari & R R Mishra. Temporal and depth wise distribution of microorganisms, enzymes activities and soil respiration in potato field soil under different agricultural systems in north-eastern hill region of India. Rev. Eco. Biol. Sol. 26: 249-265, 1989 (France).

Ø     Shukla A K, B K Tiwari & R R Mishra. Decomposition of potato litter in relation to microbial population and plant nutrients under field condition. Pedobiologia. 34: 287-298, 1990 (Germany).

Ø     Rajkumar, A K Shukla, G D Sharma & R R Mishra. Response of mycorrhizal pine seedlings (Pinus kesiya) to fungicides. Acta Botanica Indica 19: 157-161, 1991.

Ø     Shukla A K & R R Mishra. Effect of soil management practices on the status of the soil minerals of potato (Solanum tuberosum) field. Indian J. Agric. Sci. 62: 196-199, 1992.

Ø     Shukla A K, B K Tiwari & R R Mishra. Influence of thiobencarb and fluchloralin on the soil and rhizosphere microflora of potato. Potato Research 35: 41-47, 1992 (Great Britain).

Ø     Shukla A K & R R Mishra. Influence of soil management systems on the microfungal communities of potato field. Cryptogamie Mycology 13: 135-144, 1992 (France).

Ø    Shukla A K & R R Mishra. Leaf surface microflora of potato as influenced by application of fungicides. Acta Botanica Indica 21: 57-61, 1993.

Ø    Shukla A K & R R Mishra. Microfungal communities on decomposing potato litters under field conditions. J. Soil Biol. Ecol. 15: 41-45, 1995.

Ø     Rao C S, G D Sharma & A K Shukla. Spatial variation of microbes and their activity with different age groups of pine in sub tropical forest soil. J. Soil Biol. Ecol. 15: 6-16, 1995.

Ø     Shukla A K, Rajkumar, G D Sharma & R R Mishra. Influence of fungicides on mycorrhizal association, seedlings growth and enzyme activities in root region of Pinus kesiya seedlings. J. Soil Biol. Ecol. 16: 40-45, 1996.

Ø     Shukla A K & R R Mishra. Evaluation of some biocides against pathogen Alternaria alternata. Crop Research 12: 76-81, 1996.

Ø     Shukla A K & R R Mishra. Response of microbial population and enzyme activities to fungicides in potato field soil. Proc. Indian natn Sci. Acad. B62: 435-438, 1996.

Ø     Rao C S, G D Sharma & A K Shukla. Ectomycorrhizal efficiency of various mycobionts with Pinus kesiya seedlings in forest and degraded soils. Proc. Indian natn Sci. Acad. B62:427-434, 1996.

Ø     Rao C S, G D Sharma & A K Shukla. Distribution of mycorrhizal fungi in pure stands of different age groups of Pinus kesiya. Canadian J. Microbiology 43: 85-91, 1997 (Canada).

Ø     Shukla A K & R R Mishra. Effect of herbicide butachlor on nitrogen transformation and soil microbes. J. Indian Soc. Soil Sci. 45: 571-574, 1997.

Ø     Shukla A K & R R Mishra. Influence of herbicides on microbial population and enzyme activities in potato (Solanum tuberosum) field soil. Indian J. Agric. Sci. 67: 610-611, 1997.

Ø     Shukla A K. Effect of herbicides butachlor, fluchloralin, 2,4-D and oxyfluorfen on microbial population and enzymatic activities of rice field soil. Indian J. Ecol. 24: 189-192, 1997.

Ø     Shukla A K & R R Mishra. Persistence of fertilizers on microbial population and enzyme activities in potato (Solanum tuberosum) field soil. Indian J. Agric. Sci. 68: 44-45, 1998.

Ø     Rao C S, G D Sharma & A K Shukla. Influence of organic amendments on the development of ectomycorrhizae and their efficiency in P uptake and seedlings growth of Pinus kesiya. Indian J. Forestry 22: 7-13, 1999.

Ø     Shukla A K. Impact of fungicides on soil microbial population and enzyme activities. Acta Botanica Indica 28: 85-87, 2000.

Ø     Shukla A K. Micro-fungal diversity in forest and degraded land soils. Advances Plant Science 18:  571-576, 2005.

Ø     Shukla A K. Seasonal variation in microflora and coliforms of Dikrong river water. Pollution Research 24: 158-161, 2005.

Ø     Jha B N, A K Shukla and G D Sharma. Growth behaviour of ectomycorrhizal fungi with different physical factors in vitro condition. Asian J Microbiology & Biotechnology 8: 339-343, 2006.

Ø     Jha B N, A K Shukla and G D Sharma. Phosphatase activity of ectomycorrhizal roots and nutrient status of Pine seedlings under different physical conditions. Asian J Microbiology & Biotechnology 2006.

Ø     Shukla A K and G D Sharma. Response of pine seedlings with various ectomycorrhizal fungi in organic amended soils. In: Ecology and Biotechnology of Mycorrhiza (D K Jha & G D Sharma Eds.). In press 2006.

Ø     A K Shukla. Microfungal diversity of paddy field soil. Acta Botanica Indica (Communicated).

Ø   A K Shukla. Distribution of micro fungal communities in forest soil. J. Indian Bot. Soc. (Communicated)

Ø     Majumdar M, A Arunachalam, K  Arunachalam and A K Shukla. Nutrient release and fungal succession during decomposition of weed residues in shifting cultivation system. Comm. Soil Sci. Plant Analysis (Communicated).

Ø    Sumpam T, K Arunachalam, A  Arunachalam and A K Shukla. Dynamics of soil microbial C, N and P in traditional agroforestry system. Plant Soil Env. (Communicated).