General Informations

  • Join Date: 24/03/1987
  • College: College of Agriculture
  • Department: Plant Breeding & Genetics
  • Office Email: debojit.sarma[at]aau.ac.in

Education Details

 
 
 
 
 
1985
B Sc (Agri)

Assam Agricultural University

 
 
 
 
 
1987
M Sc (Agri)

Assam Agricultural University

 
 
 
 
 
2002
PhD (Agri)

Assam Agricultural University

 
 
 
 
 
1995
Other Qualifications

The 24th International Potato Course, IAC, Wageningen under the Netherlands Government Fellowship Programme

Employment History

 
 
 
 
 
24-03-1987 - 07-04-1988
Junior Research Assistant

Rice Research Scheme, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Assam Agricultural University

 
 
 
 
 
08-04-1988 - 08-03-1994
Assistant Crop Breeder

Crop Research Scheme, Directorate of Research (Agri), Assam Agricultural University

 
 
 
 
 
09-03-1994 - 19-03-1997
Junior Scientist (PBG)

AICRP on Potato, Directorate of Research (Agri), Assam Agricultural University

 
 
 
 
 
20-03-1997 - 16-03-1999
Junior Scientist (PBG) & Ph D Scholar

Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Assam Agricultural University

 
 
 
 
 
17-03-1999 - 21-08-2001
Senior Scientist (PBG) & Ph D Scholar

Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Assam Agricultural University

 
 
 
 
 
22-08-2001 - 30-06-2009
Senior Scientist (PBG), Rice Research Scheme & AICRP on Rice

Regional Agricultural Research Station, Assam Agricultural University

 
 
 
 
 
01-07-2009 - 22-07-2009
Principal Scientist (PBG), AICRP on Rice

Regional Agricultural Research Station, Assam Agricultural University

 
 
 
 
 
23-07-2009 - Till date
Professor

Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Assam Agricultural University

Achievements
  • Crop Research Scheme, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, AAU Jorhat (1988 to 1994)
     Taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Plant Breeding and Genetics.
     Major Adviser in one MSc thesis; Adviser in four MSc and one PhD theses.
     Involved in production and monitoring of breeder seed of different crops
     Published seven full-length research articles and one abstract.
     Accomplished selection, evaluation, multilocation testing, descriptor preparation and proposal for release/recommendation of green gram varieties AAU 34 and AAU 39.
     Developed 12 promising gamma-rays and EMS induced green gram mutants.
     Identified stable and high yielding genotypes from AICRP trials
    Soybean – PK-472, JS-80-21 and NRC 1
    Rice bean - RBL-52, RBL-6, RBL-36, RBL-13 and RBL-90
    Black gram - GU 90-12, GU 90-13 and DPU 91-1
     Identified pod borer tolerant pigeon pea genotypes from ICRISAT trials
    - ICP-7035, ICP-12767 and ICP-13264.
     Identified high yielding genotypes from Assam collection
    Turmeric - Sarupathar, Nagabat-3, Bengali Halodhi and Morangi-1
    Ginger - Am Ada, Moran Ada, Jorhat Local and Poona.
     Co-Investigator in the ICAR ad-hoc project – “Collection, evaluation and improvement of unutilized and underutilized grain legumes of North East India” (1993-94).
     Co-Investigator in the Non-project Faculty research project – “Breeding for high yielding scented varieties of rice” (1989-93).
     Resource person in various training programmes organized by the Directorate of Extension Education (AAU).
     Attended an ICAR sponsored summer institute at HAU, Hisar, on “Innovative methods and emerging trends in plant breeding research” (June 4-23, 1990)
     Attended a workshop on “Photography and preparation of low-cost slides” at DEE, AAU (March 15-20, 1993)
  • AICRP on Potato, Department of Agronomy, AAU Jorhat (1994 to 1997)
     Varieties identified from AICRP trials
    High yielding (>200 q/ha) TPS populations suitable for transplanting/direct seeding
    - TPS C-3, HPS 1/13, HPS II/13 and HPS 7/67.
    Early maturing (60 days) and high yielding (150 q/ha) cultures
    - MS/82-279 and 85-P-718 from AICRP trials.
     Attended 24TH International Potato Course at IAC, The Netherlands under the Netherlands Government Fellowship Programme (April 10 to July 13, 1995)
  • PhD Research programme at AAU, Jorhat (1997 to 2001)
     Completed PhD degree on “Genetic analysis and population improvement in a composite population of Indian rapeseed (Brassica campestris L.)
     Developed four improved populations of rapeseed from PhD research
  • Rice Research Scheme/AICRP on Rice, RARS Karimganj (2001 to 2009)
     High yielding genotypes identified from AICRP trials
    Shallow water situation - IET 18442, IET 18638, IET 19133
    Semi deep water situation - IET 15522, IET 16481, IET 17392, IET 15275, IET 15766,
    IET 18781, IET 20376, IET 20393
    Boro season - IET 16825, IET 19600, IET 19601, IET 19051
     Promising selections from Mahsuri x Malbhog crosses
    Tolerant to rice hispa - Kmj 14S-1-2-17, Kmj 14S-2-10-10
     Promising selection from Mahsuri x Luit crosses
    High yielding - Kmj 13S-3-1-3
    Post flood direct seeded - Kmj 13AB-1-12-3
    Nitrogen use efficient and high crude protein content (>12%) - Kmj 13A-6-1-2
    High yielding boro - Kmj AB-2-3-1
     Established a new genetic stock of rajmah (French bean) from a local varietal mixture. Out of twelve selections, Kmj R-10 was the most promising genotype.
     Promising boro genotypes identified from IRBON 2006-07 – PSB RC 68, PSB RC 92, IR 73689-76-2, IR 62266-42-6-2 and BR 4828-54-4-1-4-9.
     Identified Manohar Sali selections MSS 5 for low lying areas and MSE 9 for delayed planting in flood-prone areas; the latter is also rich in Fe content (34.4 ppm in unpolished rice).
     Tamdao, an exotic fine-grain genotype from Vietnam, was the highest yielder among existing transplanted ahu varieties of 125 d duration.
     Augmented the rice genetic stocks from 2922 to 3701, 26.7% increase.
     Acted as INGER collaborator from 2002-2009.
     Acted as Link Officer vide memo no. 7(5.5)-2001-DRA (E)/16850-69/dtd.29.12/2003.
     Involved in extension activities of RARS/Remandated KVK.
     Attended one day workshop on Patent Awareness organized by IPR cell, AAU.
     Organized one-day zonal workshop on Crop Diversification
  • Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, AAU Jorhat (2009 onwards)
     Project completed as Principal Investigator
    1. Hybrid Rice Programme – AAU sponsored
    2. Breeding for higher productivity of indigenous Joha rice of Assam through induced mutations for morpho-agronomic traits (SN: 35/14/17/2016-BRNS Dated 04/06/2016).
     Project completed as Co-Principal Investigator
    1. Induction of mutations in summer green gram (SN: 35/14/19/2016-BRNS/35059 Dated 04/06/2016)
    2. Genetic improvement of Taro through radiation technology (SN: 35/14/18/2016-BRNS/35057 Dated 04/06/2016)
     Agro-technologies identified/developed
    1. Rice variety Boro-1with vegetative cold tolerance
    2. Rice landrace Solpuna with anaerobic germination tolerance
    3. Thirty-nine potential restorers and eight maintainers of WA CMS, including one aromatic restorer and one japonica perfect maintainer based on pollen sterility and spikelet fertility.
    4. Twenty promising heterotic rice hybrids
    5. The following mutants were confirmed through M2 to M3:
    • Twelve promising photo-period insensitive mutants of Kon Joha.
    • Seventy-two mutants of Kon Joha with short stature, early maturity, high tillering, high yielding, grain pigmentation and clustered grains.
    • Three male-sterile mutants.
    • Four high-yielding Kon Joha mutants are recommended by DTCM Kharif 2021 for MLT in the state
     Completed six MSc and four PhD research programmes as Major Adviser
     Attended training on Hybrid rice breeding at DRR, Hyderabad, in May 2011 (5 days)
     Attended training on “Use of molecular markers for crop improvement” at the Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, AAU, from 05/03/2013 to 10/03/2013.
Membership
  • Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding
    Life Member
  • Society for Advancement of Rice Research
    Life Member
  • Crop Science Society of America
    Annual Member
    2014
Projects
  • BARC-BRNS sponsored project on "Induction of mutation in summer green gram - Co-Investigator", project cost Rs.28 Lakh implemented in 2016.
  • BRNS-BARC sponsored project on "Breeding for higher productivity of indigenous Joha - Principal Investigator rice of Assam through induced mutations for morpho-agronomic traits", project cost Rs.24 Lakh implemented in 2016.
  • BARC-BRNS sponsored project on "Genetic improvement of Taro through radiation technology - Co-Investigator", project cost Rs.19 Lakh implemented in 2016.