Prof. Dr. Amrutha lakshmi m: scientist plant pathology at icar indian institute of oilpalm research, India
Dr. Amrutha Lakshmi, M is an accomplished Plant Pathologist currently working as a Scientist at the ICAR – Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research (IIOPR), Pedavegi, Andhra Pradesh. Her research experience spans across bacterial and fungal plant pathogens, with special emphasis on oil palm and rice. She has contributed significantly to the understanding of basal stem rot in oil palm caused by Ganoderma spp. and bacterial blight in rice caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. Dr. Lakshmi has published extensively in peer-revieawed journals, authored book chapters, and participated in national and international scientific forums. With a passion for integrating molecular tools with field-level disease diagnostics, she bridges basic science with applied solutions for farmers and stakeholders.
Online Profile
As per Google Scholar (as of October 2025), Dr. Amrutha Lakshmi, M has received a total of 90 citations, all of which have been accrued since 2020. She has an h-index of 4, indicating that at least four of her publications have each received four or more citations. Her i10-index stands at 1, reflecting one publication with at least ten citations. These metrics underscore her emerging impact in the field of plant pathology, particularly in areas such as bacterial blight of rice and oil palm disease diagnostics and management.
Education
Dr. Amrutha Lakshmi holds a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, during which she investigated the virulence and host interaction mechanisms of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, focusing on the Type III Secretion System (T3SS) and transcriptomic responses of rice. Her academic training involved molecular diagnostics, pathogen genomics, phylogenetic analysis, and biotic stress management. She has also participated in advanced workshops and webinars on AI in research, phylogenetic analysis, and bioinformatics tools relevant to plant disease research.
Research Focus
Her research primarily centers on host-pathogen interactions in tropical crops, especially oil palm and rice. She is deeply involved in identifying emerging pathogens, developing early detection techniques such as RPA–lateral flow assays, and studying microbial biocontrol agents like Trichoderma spp. for sustainable disease management. Dr. Lakshmi also works on pathogen diversity, virulence profiling, and the integration of next-generation fungicides in horticultural disease control. Her work has contributed to understanding the genetic and physiological responses of plants to key pathogens and has led to practical applications in plantation crop disease management.
Experience
Dr. Lakshmi began her scientific career with extensive research experience during her doctoral studies, collaborating with eminent researchers in plant pathology and microbiology. Following her Ph.D., she joined ICAR-IIOPR where she has played a vital role in oil palm disease research and nursery management. She has co-authored technical manuals and training materials used nationwide and has been invited as a speaker and moderator in international conferences and webinars. Her responsibilities include pathogen surveillance, field-level diagnostics, biocontrol screening, and farmer training under ICAR extension programmes such as the Farmers FIRST initiative.
Research Timeline & Activities
Her research journey began with advanced transcriptomic analysis of rice–Xanthomonas interactions during her Ph.D. (2017–2021), leading to key publications in high-impact journals. From 2021 onwards, her work transitioned to oil palm pathology, focusing on early detection of Ganoderma, identification of novel pathogens like Curvularia xishuangbannaensis, and developing biological control methods. Between 2022–2025, she actively contributed to manuals, training compendiums, and national disease surveillance activities. She also led field trials for evaluating fungicides and biocontrol agents, and regularly participated in conferences to disseminate her findings to the scientific community.
Awards & Honors
Dr. Lakshmi has received several accolades recognizing her scientific contributions and outreach efforts. She was a recipient of the Performance Excellence Award (2022–23) under the Farmers FIRST Programme at ICAR-IIOPR. Her presentations have won Best Oral and Poster Presentation Awards at renowned events such as the IPS Platinum Jubilee Conference, ISMPP Annual Conference, and the Asian PGPR Society Conference. These awards underscore her impactful work in bioprospecting, pathogen diagnostics, and disease management. She has also been a speaker at international platforms discussing oil palm disease management and modern diagnostic strategies.
Top Noted Publication
Archana, H.R., Darshan, K., Lakshmi, M.A., Ghoshal, T., Bashayal, B.M., et al. (2022). Biopesticides: A key player in agro-environmental sustainability. In Trends of Applied Microbiology for Sustainable Economy, pp. 613–653.
Kumar, S., Mondal, K.K., Ghoshal, T., Kulshreshtha, A., Sreenayana, B., Lakshmi, M.A., et al. (2023). Genetic and pathogenic diversity analysis of Burkholderia glumae strains from Indian hotspot regions causing bacterial panicle blight of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Tropical Plant Pathology, 48(2), 139–153.
Mondal, K.K., Verma, G., Kulshreshtha, A., Rajrana, Y., Mani, C., Soni, M., Reddy, K., Ghoshal, T., Lakshmi, M.A., Kalaivanan, N.S. (2020). Complete genome sequence of Indian Race 4 of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, the causal agent of bacterial blight of rice. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, 33(4), 573–575.
Keerthana, J., Lakshmi, M.A., Aditya, S., Ajesh, B.R., Manyam, P. (2023). Detection and Management of Basal Stem Rot of Oil Palm: Classical to Modern Approaches. In Detection, Diagnosis and Management of Soil-borne Phytopathogens, pp. 225–267.
Malathi, V.M., Lakshmi, M.A., Charles, S. (2022). The applications of genomics and transcriptomics approaches for biotic stress tolerance in crops. In Principles and Practices of OMICS and Genome Editing for Crop Improvement, pp. 93–122.
strengths of Dr. Amrutha Lakshmi, M that make her a strong candidate for an Innovative Researcher Award:
1. Cutting-edge Molecular Diagnostics and Genomics Expertise
Dr. Lakshmi’s integration of molecular tools such as transcriptomics, pathogen genomics, and phylogenetic analysis to unravel complex host-pathogen interactions (e.g., Type III Secretion System in Xanthomonas oryzae) demonstrates her innovative approach to plant disease diagnostics and management. This fusion of advanced molecular biology with practical plant pathology is highly innovative.
2. Development of Early Detection Technologies
Her work on developing rapid, field-applicable diagnostic tools like RPA–lateral flow assays for early pathogen detection in oil palm and rice shows innovation in bringing lab discoveries to real-world agricultural settings. Early disease diagnosis is critical for timely interventions and minimizing crop losses.
3. Focus on Sustainable and Biocontrol-Based Disease Management
Dr. Lakshmi’s pioneering research on biocontrol agents such as Trichoderma spp., and the integration of next-generation fungicides highlights her commitment to sustainable agriculture. This eco-friendly approach aligns with global trends toward reducing chemical inputs and promoting environmental health.
4. Interdisciplinary and Translational Research Impact
She effectively bridges fundamental scientific research with applied solutions by translating molecular insights into practical disease management strategies for farmers, including nursery management, field diagnostics, and extension activities under ICAR’s Farmers FIRST programme. This translational impact reflects her innovative leadership in agricultural research.
5. Active Contribution to Knowledge Dissemination and Capacity Building
Dr. Lakshmi’s role in authoring technical manuals, delivering talks at international conferences, and conducting farmer training programs showcases her dedication to spreading innovative knowledge and building capacity among stakeholders. Such outreach ensures research innovations reach end-users and maximize societal benefit.