In this book, attempts have been made to give simple, concise and updated information about research methodology followed in different branches of Agricultural Sciences . This book provides students with an opportunity to enhance their understanding of the principles and methods of Agricultural research. The book consists of 15 chapters well –arranged in coherent manner. The first chapter deals with preparation of solutions and reagents and other 14 chapters emphasis on research techniques followed in Agronomy, Soil Science, Plant Breeding and Genetics , Biotechnology, Plant Tissue Culture Techniques, Crop Physiology, Agricultural Microbiology, Seed Science, and Technology, Agricultural Entomology, Plant Pathology, Agricultural Economics , Agricultural Extension and Agricultural Statistics. This last chapters give updated information about thesis writing.
We earnestly hope that this publication will serve as a ready reckoner and reference book to the post-graduate students and research scholars of both Agricultural and other universities.
Dr. K. Balakrishnan is presently working as a Professor of Crop Physiology at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai. He was the recipient of ICAR Senior Fellowship during 1983 and obtained Ph.D in Crop Physiology in 1987 from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore (TNAU). He has also obtained Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism in 1988. He also worked in United Planter's Association of South India, Coonoor, Nilgris, Tamil Nadu. He has been teaching courses on Crop Physiology and Biochemistry to the Under Graduate and Post Graduate students in both Agriculture and Horticulture for the past 32 years. He served as Principle Investigator of Foliar diagnosis in Horticultural crops in plan scheme funded by Government of Tamil Nadu, Post Harvest Technology of Horticultural crops ICAR-PHT at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam and Arid zone fruit crops funded by AICRIP (ICAR), at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Aruppukkottai. He operated several schemes from both private and Government agencies. He also worked as Assistant plant physiologist in ICAR-Tropical fruit crops, AICRIP, Horticultural College, Coimbatore. He was the member of All India ICAR Syllabus Committee on basic Agricultural sciences during 2007-2008. He also served as a member of Board of studies, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University during 1997-2000. His expertise in foliar diagnosis of nutritional disorders in crop plants is well recognized by invitation to deliver lectures on various aspects of diagnosis of nutritional and physiological disorders in NGOs, Extension officials and farmer's organisations. He has solved many physiological field problems. He has authored and co-authored 10 book chapters and 6 books and published 60 research papers in both national and International journals, 3 extension bulletins and 120 popular articles. He has been the question setter and external examiner for M.Sc.(Ag.) and Ph.D thesis in several Universities. He has organized one national seminar at AC&RI, Madurai during September 2013. He served as the Professor and Head, Department of Seed Science and Technology, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai during 2013-2015. Recognition of his 25 years of meritorious service, TNAU award given on 41st foundation day celebration held on June 01, 2011. He was awarded Thiruvalluvar Award for his contribution in Teaching Crop Physiology courses to the under graduate students in Agriculture by Alumni Association of Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam in 2017. He has been awarded Fellow of Bose Science Society (FBSS) by the Tamil Nadu scientific Research Organization, Tamil Nadu during January 2018.
Dr. J. Rajangam, started his career as an Asst. Professor (Horticulture) in the year 1995 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore. As a Horticulturist, he has more than 20 years experience in various horticultural crops. During his service, significant contributions were made pertaining to release of varieties CO 3 Chillies, PKM 2 Annual moringa and PKM 1 Davana. He served as Professor and Head, Horticultural Research Station, Kodaikanal for a period of four years. During his tenure, he was officer-incharge of All India Network Project on Temperate Fruit Crops at Horticultural Research Station, Kodaikanal with CITH, Srinagar and PI of ICAR - AICRP (Fruits) at Horticultural College & Research Institute, Periyakulam. He got rich experience is teaching UG and PG courses for more than 16 years and guided 12 M. Sc (Hort.) students. He has published more than 30 papers in National and International journals, 112 popular articles, 15 booklets and two books. He has visited Israel and Tanzania for Post Graduate Certificate Programme in Protected Horticulture and International Symposium on Moringa cultivation and utilization. Currently, he is serving as the Professor and Head, Department of Fruits, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam (TNAU), Coimbatore.
Dr. A. Subbiah is presently working as an Assistant Professor of Horticulture at Grapes Research Station, (TNAU), Theni, Tamil Nadu. He was the recipient of ICAR Junior Research Fellowship for his Master Degree during 1997 and completed his Ph.D., in 2004 from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. He also worked as Research Assistant at Cardamom Research Station, Pampadumpara, Idukki, Kerala (KAU), Senior Research Fellow at Department of Vegetable Crops, TNAU, Coimbatore and Technical Executive of Indian Spices Producers Company, Cochin, Kerala. He has also been involved in teaching courses on fundamentals of horticulture, production and postharvest technology of fruits to the Under Graduate students in Horticulture for the past 10 years. He also served as Co-Principle Investigator in the ICAR-NICRA Research Project on "Studies on Mango Flowering Phenology" and IDRC-CIFSF, Canada funded Project on ''Enhanced Preservation of Fruits in Asia by using Nano Film Techniques''. Further, he is also In-Charge of Venture Capital Scheme ''Mass multiplication of grape rootstocks and varieties. He was associated with 10 various scientific societies involved in promotion of research and development in the field of fruits, spices and plantation crops as life member. He also served as a member of Board of Studies for UG Programme in Horticulture, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University during 2010-2013. He has authored and co-authored 4 book chapters and 6 books and published 23 research papers in reputed National and International Journals. He has been the question setter for B.Sc. (Hort.) Programme of UHS, Bagalkot. He was the organizer of various training programme related to production technology of mango, grapes and About the Authors / vi banana for the benefit of farming community. He is currently involved in research activities related crop improvement and canopy management in grapes.
Prof. M. Prakash is working on abiotic stress tolerance from his post graduation onwards. He started working on effect of antitranspirants on growth and physiology of brinjal and continuing his work on abiotic stress tolerance till date. He is having 25 years of teaching and research experience in the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding wherein he has guided 8 Ph. D. and 22 Masters Degree Programmes. He has also completed five funded research projects. He is presently serving as a Professor, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University. He has earned the status of Departmental Research Support with Special Assistance Programme of University Grants Commission (UGC-SAP- DRS) to the Department with financial assistance of Rs. 50 lakhs at Phase I (2009-2014) and Rs. 1.025 Crore at phase II (2015-2020) level. His credentials include publications of 85 referred research papers, seven books published by National publishers, three books published by International publishers and one book chapter published in SESAME by globally reputed CRC Press. He has significantly contributed in knowledge sharing, through organisation of 7 National Seminars, participation in 8 International Seminars, Conferences and Workshops and 18 National Seminars and Conferences. His expertise in abiotic stress tolerance is well recognised by invitations to serve in the Editorial Board / Committees of several academic journals, awards like Crop Research Award in 2004 and Best Researcher Award in Annamalai University in 2010 and Fellowships like FELLOW of Indian Society of Plant Physiology, New Delhi in 2015 (FISPP), FELLOW of Association for the Advancement of Biodiversity Science, Bangalore in 2015 (FABSC) and FELLOW of National Academy of Biological Sciences (NABS), Chennai in 2016(FNABS).
