Senior Scientist at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, India
Dr. Dhandapani R is a Senior Scientist at ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, specializing in plant phenomics, seed physiology, and abiotic stress tolerance. He holds a Ph.D. in Plant Physiology and has contributed significantly to high-throughput phenotyping and genetic purity assessment. With multiple national and international patents, over 20 peer-reviewed publications, and national awards including the Young Scientist Award, his work bridges innovation and impact in agricultural research. He has mentored postgraduate scholars, developed new technologies, and co-led major national projects in precision agriculture and crop stress management, making him a leading figure in modern plant science.
📑Professional Profile
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🎓Academic Background
Dr. Dhandapani R is a distinguished Senior Scientist at ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, with a strong academic foundation in agriculture and plant physiology. He earned his B.Sc. in Agriculture from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, M.Sc. in Plant Physiology from Chandra Shekhar Azad University, and Ph.D. in Plant Physiology from IARI, New Delhi. His doctoral research focused on the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway in banana cultivars. Over the years, he has made notable contributions in phenomics, seed physiology, and abiotic stress tolerance. His academic journey laid the groundwork for his impactful innovations in plant science and agricultural research.
💼Professional Experience
Dr. Dhandapani R has over 15 years of professional experience in agricultural research, currently serving as a Senior Scientist at ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. He began his career as a Scientist at ICAR-NAARM, Hyderabad, and later contributed significantly at the Indian Institute of Seed Science, Maunath Bhanjan. His work focuses on plant phenomics, high-throughput phenotyping, seed physiology, and abiotic stress tolerance. He has developed innovative sampling technologies, filed national and international patents, and led multiple research projects. Additionally, he has conducted national-level training programs and guided postgraduate students, demonstrating excellence in both research and academic mentorship.
🏅Awards and Honors
Dr. Dhandapani R has received several prestigious awards and recognitions for his contributions to agricultural science. He was honored with the Young Scientist Award by the Indian Society of Plant Physiology in 2010 for his pioneering work in banana phenotyping. He is a recipient of the ICAR Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Senior Research Fellowship (SRF), as well as the ICAR-ARS qualification. He also earned a book prize for academic excellence during his M.Sc. program. His research presentations have earned multiple best poster and oral presentation awards, reflecting his scientific excellence and dedication to advancing plant physiology.
🔬Research Focus
Dr. Dhandapani R’s research centers on plant phenomics, seed physiology, and the physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms of abiotic stress tolerance in crops such as rice and wheat. He employs high-throughput phenotyping tools to improve drought and salinity resilience, and has contributed to the development of real-time software for estimating water use efficiency. His past research includes genetic purity assessment, seed vigor, and carotenoid biosynthesis in banana. With a strong foundation in both structural and functional genomics, he integrates advanced imaging, molecular tools, and machine learning to enhance crop performance and support precision agriculture initiatives.
📝Publication Top Notes
Comparison of various modelling approaches for water deficit stress monitoring in rice crop through hyperspectral remote sensing
📅 Year: 2019 | Cited by: 112
SpikeSegNet – a deep learning approach utilizing encoder-decoder network with hourglass for spike segmentation and counting in wheat plant from visual imaging
📅 Year: 2020 | Cited by: 111
Application of thermal imaging and hyperspectral remote sensing for crop water deficit stress monitoring
📅 Year: 2021 | Cited by: 63
Heterotic grouping and patterning of quality protein maize inbreds based on genetic and molecular marker studies
📅 Year: 2014 | Cited by: 35
Insights into morphological and physio-biochemical adaptive responses in mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) under heat stress
📅 Year: 2023 | Cited by: 26
Image-based phenotyping of seed architectural traits and prediction of seed weight using machine learning models in soybean
📅 Year: 2023 | Cited by: 24
Phenomics-based prediction of plant biomass and leaf area in wheat using machine learning approaches
📅 Year: 2023 | Cited by: 23
Differential accumulation of β-carotene and tissue specific expression of phytoene synthase (MaPsy) gene in banana (Musa sp) cultivars
📅 Year: 2017 | Cited by: 18
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides and isoflavonoids from soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]
📅 Year: 2022 | Cited by: 17
Associations of direct and indirect selection for pregermination anaerobic stress tolerance in soybean (Glycine max)
📅 Year: 2022 | Cited by: 16
🏆Conclusion
Dr. Dhandapani R is a highly accomplished Senior Scientist at ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, with expertise in plant physiology, phenomics, seed science, and abiotic stress tolerance. His innovative research has led to the development of high-throughput phenotyping tools, real-time software for water use efficiency, and the identification of key genes for nutritional improvement in crops. With three Indian and three international patents, over 20 peer-reviewed publications, and leadership roles in national projects, he has demonstrated outstanding scientific and technological contributions. His mentorship, training initiatives, and recognition through national fellowships and awards make him an exceptional candidate, strongly recommended for the Research for Best Researcher Award.