Department of Plant Physiology

The Department of Plant Physiology came into existence on 17.03.1993 with Dr. S. Sheshadrenath as Professor And Head. PG program was start in the year 1997 and PhD. In 2009. The Department is now offering courses at BSc.  ,MSc. and Ph.D.levels.

M.Sc. started in 1997 currently MSc seats.

Ph.D. in 2009 currently 3 PhD seats.

Extension and other activities undertaken by the department includes:

• The department is  actively involved in the academic, research and extension activities.
• The department strives to serve as a centre for academic excellence in the area of  plant physiology for graduate and post graduate students
• To conduct basic and strategic research to understand the underlying processes that determines the plant productivity.
• To undertake fundamental research related to current problems in agriculture.
• To provide consultancy and diagnostic services in the nutritional and physiological disorders of crops

The department is equipped with UV spectrophotometer, Refrigerated centrifuge, microscope, Electro phoresis unit ( DNA or Protein) ,PCR,Cryostorage, Laminar airflow, Incubator, GPS, Light meter, Porometer, ELISA reader, Portable photosynthetic system ( IRGA) , Gael documentation system etc. A rain out shelter facility is available to conduct pot or field experiments on various physiological aspects. The facility for CO2 enrichment studies – Open Top chamber ( OTC) is established in the Department.

2 classroom,Library for PG and Ph.D. students

Well equipped lab with facilities for conducting physiological and molecular experiments.

Some of the recent achievements are as follows :

Nendran clone Kali Ethan was identified as drought stress tolerant.- high expression levels of cer 6, p5cs and dhn1 conferring tolerance were identified.

Genetic variation in water use efficiency was noticed in the selectively fertilized coconut hybrid variety Kerasree.

The critical sterility temperature and critical stage of thermo sensitivity of the TGMS line were identified- IR75589-31-27-8-33 showed complete sterility during critical sterility phase with temperature greater than30 ° C and showed spikelet fertility during critical fertility phase when temperature was below 27°C.

Significant genetic variation was observed for PPD ( Post harvest Physiological Deterioration) of cassava and the reason was identified as oxidative stress on chemotypic profiling. Suitable remedial measures including storage techniques and application of antioxidants were identified for delaying PPD.

External Aided Projects

Marker Assisted Introgression of Thermosensitive Genic Male sterile genes to red rice background for stable sterility for hybrid seed production –Dr.  Roy Stephen

Standardization of hybrid rice production techniques using thermosensitive genic male sterile system – Dr. Roy Stephen

Yield enhancement strategies for production of anti cancer and other therapeutic compounds by cell and tissue culture of Tinospora cordifolia and Withania – Dr. M. M Viji

Elucidation of high temperature tolerance and development of suitable management strategies – Dr. Beena R.