krishnagendra

Scientist
Division: 
Division of Crop Protection
Email: 
krishnagendra@gmail.com
Areas of Interest: 

Plant Pathology, Plant Virology

Major Research Accomplishments: 

Characterized and documented infection of watermelon bud necrosis virus (WBNV) causing bud necrosis disease on round melon for the first time from India based on serological, RT-PCR assay followed by sequence analysis. Characterized and documented infection of groundnut bud necrosis virus (GBNV) on bitter gourd and Solanum torvum for the first time from India based on serological, RT-PCR assay followed by sequence analysis. Incidence of Tospovirus on different vegetable crops was recorded as brinjal (46%), tomato (21%), Bitter gourd (15%), Watermelon (76%), Cucumber (7%), Cowpea (28%), Bottle gourd (13%) and Muskmelon (10%) at IIVR farm. Characterized GBNV and WBNV found associated with these crops based on RT-PCR and sequence analysis. Mixed infection of PBNV and WBNV on bitter gourd also documented for the first time globally. 

Upon surveying tomato fields across 11 villages in Varanasi and Mirzapur districts of Uttar Pradesh, samples were found infected ToLCNDV, ToLCKV and ToLCPalV.  Interestingly, mixed of more than one begomoviruses combinations such as ToLCNDV+ToLCGV, ToLCNDV+ToLCKV, ToLCNDV+ ToLCGV+ ToLCKV and ToLCNDV+ ToLCPalV+ ToLCKV were also observed. Some samples were found associated with β- and α-satellites.

Identified resistance source to little leaf disease through molecular detection among the 55 varieties and 15 wild accessions of brinjal. 

Identified race 1 of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici found prevalently among the wilt infected tomato samples through molecular and differential screening. Identified Chitin synthase gene as a candidate gene for the molecular characterization of Fusarium isolates infecting tomato and chilli which can be a alternative to ITS region. Also Characterized 13 isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici isolates infecting tomato using polygalacturonase gene. Application of talc based Trichoderma formulations as seed treatment @ 10g/kg of seed + Seedling dip @ 20g/l + soil application @ 2.5kg/kg enriched through FYM (50g/5kg) were found effective in managing the wilt disease on both tomato and chilli compared untreated control under field conditions. Grafted tomato plants using Brinjal root stock (EG219 – Solanum melongena) and tomato scion (cv. Kashi Aman) were found resistant to fusarial wilt, root knot nematode and tomato leaf curl virus compared non grafted plants.

Patents, Technology, Methodology, Genetic Stock, Variety, etc.:: 

1. Protocol has been developed to use chitin synthase gene as a candidate gene for the molecular characterization of Fusarium isolates infecting tomato and chilli.

2. Protocol has been developed for identification of races in Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici infecting tomato in India through molecular markers.

3. Developed technology for multiple disease management in tomato through grafting

4. Developed IPM technology for the sucking pests and viral disease management in okra

5. Screening and Identification of resistance source in bottle gourd for downy mildew and gummy stem blight

6. First report of groundnut bud necrosis virus on bitter gourd from India

7. First report of groundnut bud necrosis virus on Solanum torvum from India

8. First report of charcoal rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina in Basella alba in India

9. Management of Fusarium wilt on tomato and chilli using bioagents/botanicals

10. Molecular characterization of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici isolates infecting tomato using polygalacturonase gene

  1. 1. Awarded “Early Career Award” by DST through SERB with an project entitled “Agroinfectious clones development for probing resistance to chilli leaf curl diseases caused by begomoviruses and devising integrated management strategy” (Budget of 35 lakhs INR)

    2. Awarded with “Outstanding Scientist in Plant Virology” by RULA AWARDS for International Innovation & Betterment Excellence in Technical Research at Trichy, Tamil Nadu on 12th Nov, 2018

    3. Awarded Prof. K.S. Bilgrami Paper Presentation Award-2014 in 36th Anuual Conference & National Symposium organized by Indian Society of Mycology & Plant Pathology, Udaipur Rajasthan held at Agrocultural College & Research Institute, Madurai on February 12-14th, 2015.

    4. Awarded Best Poster Award for presentation on “Natural mixed infection of Two Orthotospoviruses on Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) in India” in National conference on “Food and nutritional security through vegetable crops in relation to climate change” (9-11, Dec 2017) at ICAR IIVR, Varanasi

    5. Awarded Best Poster Award for presentation on “Characterization and Evaluation of Potential PGPR isolates as Biocontrol agent against Fusarium wilt and collar rot pathogens in Tomato” in National conference on “Food and nutritional security through vegetable crops in relation to climate change” (9-11, Dec 2017) at ICAR IIVR, Varanasi

    6. Awarded Best Poster Award for presentation on “Diagnosis and characterization of viruses in vegetable ecosystems of Tamil Nadu” in National symposium on “Challenges and management approaches for the crop diseases of National Importance – Status and Prospects” (12-14, February 2015) at AC&RI, Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

Publications: 
  1. Kumari, S., Nagendran, K., Rai, A.B., Singh, B., Rao, G.P. and Bertaccini, A., 2019. Global status of phytoplasma diseases in vegetable crops. Frontiers in Microbiology, 10, p.1349.
  2. Nagendran, K., Satya, V.K., Mohankumar, S. and Karthikeyan, G. 2016. Molecular characterization of a distinct bipartite Begomovirus species infecting ivy gourd (Coccinia grandis L.) in Tamil Nadu, India. Virus Genes, DOI: 10.1007/s11262-015-1278-6 (NASS rating: 7.54)
  3. Nagendran, K., Mohankumar, S., Aravintharaj, R., Balaji, C.G., Manoranjitham, S.K., Singh, A.K., Rai, A.B., Singh, B. and Karthikeyan, G. 2017. The occurrence and distribution of major viruses infecting cucurbits in Tamil Nadu state, India. Crop Protection 99: 10-16 (NAAS: 7.92).
  4. Nagendran, K., Priyanka, R., Aravintharaj, R., Balaji, C. G., Prashant, S., Basavaraj, B., & Karthikeyan, G. (2018). Characterization of Cucumber mosaic virus infecting snake gourd and bottle gourd in India. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology, 103, 102-106. (NAAS Rating: 7.40)
  5. Nagendran K., Kumari S., Rai A.B., Manimurugan C., Singh B., Karthikeyan G. and Naidu R.A. 2018. First report of peanut bud necrosis virus infecting bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) in India. Plant Disease, 102(3):690 (NAAS Rating: 8.94)