PAU student bags Prime Minister’s Fellowship

Ludhiana, August 25, 2022: Manpreet Kaur, a student of Department of Botany at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has brought laurels to the University by bagging the prestigious Prime Minister Fellowship for her doctoral research. The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and a private partner M/s Beauscape Farms, have awarded this fellowship for four years. Manpreet Kaur will work on “Physiological and biochemical alterations in chilli, induced by Colletotrichum spp. and its management with seed treatments for overcoming phytosanitary trade barriers”, under the supervision of Dr.Madhu Dhingra, Plant Physiologist and Dr. Sandeep Jain, Plant Pathologist, PAU.

Dr. Sandeep Jain and Dr Madhu Dhingra informed that the research seeks to develop and integrate alternative eco-friendly ways to control seed-borne pathogens by using plant-derived fungicides and botanicals. This study will lead to overcome phytosanitary trade barriers which will help increase the export of seeds by seed industries. Further, beyond plant extracts and oils, nanomaterials-based seed treatments will be employed and expected to provide better protection for enhancing chilli production and preventing seed-borne pathogens.

Dr. S. S. Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, Dr. (Mrs.) Sandeep Bains, Dean Postgraduate Studies, and Dr. A.S. Dhatt, Director of Research, Dr. Shammi Kapoor, Dean College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Dr. (Mrs.) Seema Bedi, HOD Botany and Dr. P. P. S. Pannu, HOD Plant Pathology, congratulated Manpreet Kaur, her guides as well as her advisory committee and wished them luck for their research program.