New Special Issue: Advances in Plant Health Improvement for Sustainable Agriculture
PLANT SCIENCE TODAY (PST)
Volume 12 | Special Issue No. 2 | 2025
Plants are fundamental to life on Earth, playing a crucial role in supporting ecosystems and ensuring food security for a growing global population. In the face of challenges like climate change, soil degradation, and the increasing demand for agricultural productivity, improving plant health has become a cornerstone for achieving sustainable agriculture. Healthy plants not only provide nourishment but also contribute to environmental stability, soil health, and biodiversity preservation.
The conference on “Advances in Plant Health Improvement for Sustainable Agriculture” aims to bring together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to share the latest breakthroughs, innovations, and practical strategies in enhancing plant health. This platform will explore cutting-edge research on plant-microbe interactions, disease resistance, stress tolerance, soil health management, and advancements in genomics and biotechnology for plant health improvement.
The discussions will delve into integrated approaches to mitigate biotic stresses (pests and pathogens) and abiotic stresses (drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures) while promoting sustainable agricultural practices. By addressing these critical aspects, the conference will highlight strategies for enhancing crop productivity, reducing the ecological footprint of farming, and ensuring food security for future generations.
Topics to be covered include:
Crop Improvement for Sustainable Agriculture
Innovative Pest and Disease Management Strategies
State of the Art Technologies in Crop Management
Advances in Soil Health Management
Climate Smart Agriculture
Bio-stimulants for Crop Health
Microbiome for Plant Health
Digital Tools, IoT, and AI Applications in Agriculture
Mechanization and Automation in Agriculture
Policy and Extension for Sustainable Agriculture
Guest Editors
1. Dr. Raman Thangavelu, Principal Scientist, ICAR-NRC Banana, Tiruchirappalli
Dr. Raman Thangavelu is Principal Scientist (Plant Pathology) at ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. He has over three decades of research experience, focusing on diagnosis, molecular characterization, and management of plant pathogens, with significant contributions to the study and management of Fusarium wilt in banana.
Dr. Thangavelu has held various roles at ICAR-IIHR and ICAR-NRCB since 1993, advancing to Principal Scientist in 2009. He is recognized globally for his expertise, serving as an expert for the FAO/IAEA (Vienna) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Mozambique. He has been a steering committee member of HORTSAP, BAPNET, and PROMUSA, contributing to regional and international advancements in banana research.
His research achievements include developing molecular tools for pathogen detection, innovative integrated disease management (IDM) practices, and techniques for enhancing the shelf life of fruits for distant markets. Dr. Thangavelu’s work has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the ICAR-Jawaharlal Nehru Award, DBT Overseas Associateship, and IPS Dr. A.K. Sarbhoy Memorial Award.
He has visited several countries, including Australia, Austria, and Mozambique, for research and collaboration. His interests include sustainable disease management, biological control, and fostering international research partnerships.
Email: rtbanana@gmail.com | thangavelu.r@icar.gov.in
2. Dr S Rama Subramoniam, Scientist –F, RRSC-South, ISRO, Bengaluru, India
Dr. S. Rama Subramoniam is working as Scientist in RRSC-South, NRSC, Indian Space Research Organization, Bengaluru, India. He completed his Ph.D. (Soil Science & Agricultural chemistry) from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Involved in various National Mission and Research & Development projects focused on Satellite Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System applications in Soil, Agricultural and Water Resources.
Keen interest in applying expertise in soil, agriculture and remote sensing for sustainable agricultural development and natural resource management. His current Research Area are Remote Sensing and GIS applications for Soil, Agriculture and Water, Modelling related to Soil and water and Soil Degradation Studies, Microwave remote sensing related to Soil Moisture, Monitoring and impact assessment studies on watersheds management, Climatic parameters analysis and Climate change studies, Soil Fertility and Environmental studies, Hyper spectral studies in Soil.
He is an active member of various scientific societies and organizations, including Indian Society of Remote Sensing, The Arid Zone Research Association of India and Astronautical Society of India. He has published 10 International journal papers and 29 National journal articles; 55 publications in International and National Symposia and Conference Proceedings. He serves as a reviewer for many prestigious journals. Dr Subramoniam attended several International and National Seminars, Symposia, and conferences, chaired technical sessions, and presented papers.
E-Mail: ramasubramoniam_s@nrsc.gov.in
3. Dr. S. Subramanian, Principal Scientist, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi
Dr. S. Subramanian is a renowned entomologist specializing in insect physiology, molecular biology, and sustainable pest management. With an illustrious research career, he has mentored five M.Sc. and three Ph.D. students and published groundbreaking studies on insecticide resistance in whiteflies and the genetic diversity of beetle pests in prestigious journals such as Scientific Reports and Genetics.
His exceptional contributions have earned him accolades, including Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society, UK, Research Advisor at Nanyang Academy of Sciences, Singapore, Fellow of the Entomological Society of India, and the Distinguished Scientist Award from the SANRAG Society.
Dr. Subramanian's research interests focus on unraveling the complexities of insect resistance mechanisms and advancing innovative pest control strategies. His work has significantly impacted sustainable agriculture by addressing the challenges posed by pest resistance, ensuring enhanced crop productivity, and reducing environmental impacts.
With a passion for scientific excellence, Dr. Subramanian continues to explore the molecular underpinnings of insect behavior and resistance, contributing to the global endeavor of achieving sustainable agricultural practices.
Email: s.subramanian@iari.res.in
4. Dr.A.Anandan, Principal Scientist (Genetics & Plant Breeding) & Station In charge, ICAR-National Institute of Seed Science & Technology, GKVK campus, Bangalore
Dr. A. Anandan has an extensive academic background, having obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture (B.Sc. Ag) from Annamalai University. He further pursued his education by earning a Master of Science in Agriculture (M.Sc. Ag) from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, followed by a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Genetics and Plant Breeding.
With a robust career spanning 22 years in research and 11 years in academic teaching, Dr. Anandan has cultivated a wealth of knowledge in the fields of Genetics and Plant Breeding. He has successfully taught various undergraduate and postgraduate courses, equipping students with both theoretical insights and practical skills. Throughout his career, he has guided numerous graduate and doctoral scholars in their research endeavours, contributing to the academic development of the next generation of scientists.
Currently, Dr. Anandan serves as a Principal Scientist at the ICAR-National Institute of Seed Science and Technology (ICAR-NISST), located at its Regional Station in Bangalore, India. In his role, he actively engages in cutting-edge research aimed at improving seed quality and developing innovative agricultural practices. Over the years, he has made significant contributions to the field, having published 115 research papers in esteemed, peer-reviewed scientific journals, and co-authored four textbooks that serve as valuable resources for students and professionals alike.
Among his notable achievements, Dr. Anandan has developed 15 rice varieties tailored for direct-seeded conditions, with a groundbreaking standout being CR Dhan 801, the first variety to demonstrate multiple abiotic stress tolerance. This accomplishment is particularly important in the context of adapting agriculture to face challenges posed by climate change and varying environmental conditions.
To further enhance his expertise, Dr. Anandan has participated in advanced training programs focused on Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) at the University of Aberdeen, as well as Marker-Assisted Selection techniques at both the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) located in Patancheru, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
His contribution to agricultural science has not gone unnoticed; he is the proud recipient of the NEWS India-UK Research Fellowship and has been honoured with the title "Fellow" by several prestigious organizations, including the Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding, the Association of Rice Research Workers, the Association for the Advancement of Biodiversity Science, and the Society for Applied Biotechnology. Through his research, teaching, and leadership, Dr. A. Anandan has made significant strides in the field of agricultural sciences, paving the way for future advancements in seed technology and crop genetics.
Email: A.Anandan@icar.gov.in
Submission deadline: January 25, 2025
Manuscript submission
Authors are invited to submit the high-quality articles (Research, review as well as short communications). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. All the submitted papers will be screened for plagiarism using Turnitin and will be subjected to peer review. Accepted papers will be published under the special issue on the journal’s website. Manuscripts should be submitted online through the journal’s online submission system. Please visit this link for further details: https://horizonepublishing.com/journals/index.php/PST
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Processing time: Submission to publishing needs around 4 to 6 months if recommended for acceptance by reviewers and editors.
