PAU Vegetable Scientist Appointed As Director (Seeds)

Ludhiana, November 17, 2016: Dr Tarsem Singh Dhillon, a vegetable scientist, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has been appointed as Director (Seeds) of PAU. The decision was taken during the meeting of Board of Management, PAU, held under the Chairmanship of Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon Vice-Chancellor, PAU at the Camp Office, SAS Nagar (Mohali).

A PAU alumnus, Dr Dhillon started his professional career as District Extension Specialist (vegetables) with the Farm Advisory Service Centre (FASC), Bathinda in 1992. He promoted the cultivation of vegetables in Bathinda and Mansa districts. Thereafter, he was promoted to the post of Extension Specialist in the Department of Vegetable Science after completing Ph.D. as in-service candidate in 2002 and to Professor of Vegetables (Extension) in 2009.

Dr Dhillon is associated with the development of three varieties of vegetables including two in carrot and one in bitter gourd. Punjab Black Beauty, a new variety of black carrot, is an excellent source of anthocyanin and iron, and has anti-carcenogenic properties. It is suitable for kanji making. He has also been instrumental in giving seven research recommendations. The production technology of high value vegetable viz coloured capsicum in net house and poly house resulted in increased number of net/poly-net house in Punjab, more income per unit area and production of pesticide free vegetables. Moreover, the preparation of low alcoholic self-carbonated carrot-amla beverage technology is helpful in reducing market glut and retention of nutrients for longer time.

Dr Dhillon has to his credit 24 research papers, published in the journals of national and international repute. He has authored one book, 12 book chapters, three bulletins and 132 popular articles. He has participated in 20 national and international symposia/workshops. Besides, he has guided seven M.Sc. students as Major Advisor. For his significant contribution to the vegetable research, teaching and extension, the University has honoured him with the Farm Literature Popularization Award (1991), Best Paper Presentation Award (2002) and an Appreciation Certificate for best exhibition of vegetable stall during PAU Kisan Melas. He has also organized 145 training programmes, and delivered more than 90 radio/TV talks and 440 lectures. He has secured five adhoc extension projects.