Tag: Agriculture

Prof. Dr. Jayateertha Diwan: Professor of Genetics and Plant Breeding at University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka, India

Dr. Jayateertha R. Diwan is a distinguished agricultural scientist, educator, and research leader currently serving as Professor and Head at the Agricultural Research Station (ARS), Mugad, under the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Dharwad, Karnataka, India. With more than two decades of dedicated experience in genetics, plant breeding, and crop improvement, he has made outstanding contributions toward developing high-yielding, stress-tolerant, and disease-resistant varieties of important crops such as soybean, rice, and minor millets. His scientific pursuits emphasize improving the productivity and sustainability of rainfed and resource-poor farming systems, ensuring that small and marginal farmers benefit from advanced breeding technologies and regionally adapted crop varieties.

Online Profiles

Google Scholar Profile

According to Google Scholar, Dr. Jayateertha R. Diwan’s research has garnered 373 citations in total, with 261 citations since 2020, reflecting the continued relevance and impact of his scientific contributions. He holds an h-index of 11 and an i10-index of 13 overall, while maintaining an h-index of 9 and an i10-index of 9 since 2020. These metrics underscore his sustained influence in the fields of genetics, plant breeding, and crop improvement, where his publications continue to inform and inspire current research across India and beyond.

Education

Dr. Diwan obtained his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (B.Sc. Agri.), Master of Science in Agriculture (M.Sc. Agri.) in Genetics and Plant Breeding, and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Plant Breeding from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. His doctoral research emphasized genetic diversity analysis, heritability studies, and the development of improved crop genotypes through hybridization and selection methods. Throughout his academic career, he has continued to build on this strong foundation by integrating traditional breeding principles with modern molecular and biotechnological tools, ensuring his research remains relevant and impactful in the era of precision agriculture and climate change adaptation.

Research Focus

Dr. Diwan’s primary research focus lies in crop improvement through genetic enhancement, hybridization, mutation breeding, and marker-assisted selection. His work addresses key agricultural challenges such as yield instability, biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, and quality enhancement in major field crops. He has successfully developed and evaluated several promising genotypes of soybean, rice, and minor millets suited for the agro-climatic zones of Karnataka. His research integrates molecular breeding, phenotypic selection, and multi-environment testing, contributing directly to varietal release programs under ICAR-AICRP networks. Dr. Diwan’s broader vision includes building climate-resilient crop varieties and advancing sustainable farming practices through participatory breeding and farmer-oriented research.

Experience

Over his 25+ years of professional service, Dr. Diwan has held diverse academic, research, and administrative positions within UAS Dharwad. As Professor and Head at ARS, Mugad, he leads multidisciplinary teams in planning and executing research programs across field crops. He has guided several M.Sc. and Ph.D. students, delivered numerous lectures and workshops, and contributed significantly to curriculum development in genetics and plant breeding. His experience spans breeding program coordination, varietal trials, seed production, and technology transfer to farming communities. He also represents his university in national-level committees and AICRP review meetings, strengthening the linkage between research outcomes and on-farm applications.

Research Timeline & Activities

Dr. Diwan’s research journey began in the late 1990s with foundational work on soybean improvement, focusing on genetic variability and heritability analysis. In the 2000s, his work expanded into mutation breeding and trait introgression to enhance yield and pest resistance. Over the past decade, his research has evolved toward molecular breeding and genomic-assisted selection, integrating cutting-edge tools for crop improvement. As a Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-PI, he has managed several externally funded projects supported by ICAR, DST, and UAS Dharwad, leading to the release of regionally adapted, high-performing varieties. His ongoing projects emphasize climate-resilient agriculture, soil health management, and biodiversity conservation, reflecting a commitment to holistic agricultural development.

Awards & Honors

Dr. Diwan’s scientific excellence has been recognized through numerous awards and honors at institutional and national levels. He has received the Best Scientist Award from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, and commendations from ICAR-AICRP on Soybean for his exceptional contributions to varietal development. He has also been honored for his leadership in seed production programs, technology dissemination, and farmer outreach initiatives. His dedication to advancing agricultural science and mentoring young researchers has earned him widespread respect among peers, students, and farming communities alike.

Top Noted Publication

Among his many scholarly contributions, one of Dr. Diwan’s most influential publications is titled “Genetic variability and heritability studies in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] for yield and yield components,” published in Legume Research. This widely cited study has become a reference point for breeders working on soybean improvement and has significantly influenced subsequent research on genetic parameters and selection efficiency. In addition to this, Dr. Diwan has authored and co-authored over 50 research papers, book chapters, and technical bulletins, contributing valuable insights to the domains of plant breeding, seed technology, and sustainable crop production.

• Diwan, J., Channbyregowda, M., Shenoy, V., Salimath, P., & Bhat, R. (2013). Molecular mapping of early vigour related QTLs in rice. Research Journal of Biology, 1, 24–30.
  — Cited by 57 times. This influential paper identified and mapped quantitative trait loci (QTLs) governing early vigour in rice, contributing to enhanced understanding of seedling establishment and early growth performance in breeding programs.

• Manu, D. G., Tembhurne, B. V., Kisan, B., Aswathnarayana, D. S., & Diwan, J. R. (2014). Inheritance of fusarium wilt and qualitative and quantitative characters in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.). Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, 3(2), 433–444.
  — Cited by 27 times. This study provided key insights into the inheritance of fusarium wilt resistance and morphological traits in chilli, facilitating development of resistant cultivars.

• Kariyanna, B., Prabhuraj, A., Mohan, M., Bheemanna, M., & Diwan, J. R. (2020). Insecticide usage pattern and evolution of resistance in eggplant shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis Guenée (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in India. Plant Archives, 20(2), 1255–1261.
  — Cited by 24 times. This work documented resistance evolution in a major pest, guiding integrated pest management strategies for sustainable eggplant production.

• Kariyanna, B., Prabhuraj, A., Asokan, R., Agrawal, A., Gandhi Gracy, R., Jyoti, P., & Diwan, J. R. (2020). Genome mining and expression analysis of carboxylesterase and glutathione S-transferase genes involved in insecticide resistance in eggplant shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis. Frontiers in Physiology, 11, 594845.
  — Cited by 23 times. This high-impact publication employed genomic and transcriptomic tools to unravel detoxification gene networks underlying insecticide resistance.

• Vanishree, R. L., Diwan, J. R., & Ravi, M. V. (2011). Study on character association and contribution of yield related traits to seed yield in segregating generation (F4 families) of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding, 2(4), 559–562.
  — Cited by 20 times. The paper elucidated interrelationships among yield-contributing traits in sesame, aiding efficient selection in early segregating generations.

Strengths for the Innovative Researcher Award

1. Pioneering Genetic Mapping in Rice:
   Through his highly cited work on molecular mapping of early vigour-related QTLs in rice, Dr. Diwan demonstrated innovative application of molecular genetics for trait discovery. His research enhanced understanding of early growth physiology and contributed to the breeding of high-vigor rice varieties suitable for rainfed conditions.

2. Advancing Disease-Resistance Breeding:
   Dr. Diwan’s research on inheritance of fusarium wilt in chilli combined classical genetics with field evaluation to uncover the heritable basis of resistance. This work provided practical selection strategies that directly benefit breeders and farmers battling major soil-borne diseases.

3. Integrative Pest-Resistance Studies:
   His collaborative investigations on insecticide usage patterns and resistance evolution in eggplant showcased a multidisciplinary approach, linking entomology, plant breeding, and molecular biology. This innovation helped design more sustainable and region-specific pest management frameworks.

4. Molecular Insight into Detoxification Mechanisms:
   By leading genomic and expression analyses of carboxylesterase and glutathione S-transferase genes in resistant insect populations, Dr. Diwan integrated bioinformatics with applied crop protection. This work bridged molecular genetics and field entomology, advancing resistance management at a mechanistic level.

5. Genetic Improvement of Oilseed Crops:
   His studies on yield trait association in sesame provided early evidence of trait correlations and selection efficiency in segregating generations. The innovative statistical and breeding insights from this work continue to guide genetic improvement of small oilseed crops under resource-limited environments.