Dr. A Sampath Kumar

• Prepared and developed the eco-friendly nanoparticles namely chitosan, mesoporous silica, cellulose, nanocellulose whiskers and kaolin based talc biocontrol formulation of T. harzianum and found that kaolin and mesoporus silica significantly increased the survival of spores and recorded higher cfu/ml in stored product. These formulations also effectively controlled root rot (R. Solani) in pots and considerably increased growth parameters and biomass of LRA 5166 seedlings compared to others (PI).
• Standardized the protocol for screening of cotton lines for bacterial blight resistance by artificial inoculation and SSR markers. Three SSR markers linked to bacterial blight resistance viz. CIR 246, BNL 3545 and BNL 3644 have been validated and CIR 246 was found to be the best for screening as it segregates for single locus (146 bp for resistance and 156 & 166 bp for susceptible) compared to BNL 3545 and BNL 3644 as they were segregating at more than two loci. The marker resistance was also validated through artificial inoculation of X. citri pv. malvacearum (race 18) (Co-PI).
• Identified 27 germplasm lines and varieties including three high strength AICCIP lines as resistance source for cotton bacterial blight disease by screening of 234 lines (germplasms, varieties of CICR and SAUs & AICCIP high strength lines) using CIR 246 markerby artificial spray inoculation of X. citri pv. malvacearum (race 18) (Co-PI).
• Bacterial blight resistance was incorporated into susceptible cultivar Suraj by back crossing with AICCIP high strength lines (resistance source) namely CSH 3313, CSH 3047 and GTHH 032 through Marker Assisted Backcrossing (MAB). Work carried forward up to BC1F1 generation (Co-PI).
• Identified the effective seed treatment method through field experiment with suraj. Imidacloprid + Thiram + T. viride found to be superior for sucking pest control, increased growth parameters and biomass production with highest seed cotton yield (25.41 q/ha) compared to others. Among microbes, Bacillus sp. recorded highest yield (21.08 q/ha) than others. Acephate and Imidacloprid are compatible with microbial consortia (Bacteria) and T. viride. Carbendazim and Thiram are compatible with microbial consortia but not with T. viride (PI).
• T. harzianum strain CICR-G, isolated as a natural mycoparasite on a tree-pathogenic Ganoderma sp. exhibited the highest disease suppression ability and formulated as talc based formulation- TrichoCASH (Co-PI).
• Evaluated and identified that TrichoCASH (T. harzianum) CICR-G 1% WP – Seed treatment (10g/Kg seed) recorded highest mean single boll weight (3.87g), seed cotton yield (8.98 q/ha) and lowest Myrothecium leaf spot (20.63 PDI) and Grey mildew disease (15.33 PDI) incidence compared to local Trichoderma commercial formulation and control (PI).
• Survey has been carried out to collect the Alternaria leaf spot symptoms and to know the status of disease incidence from major cotton growing areas of South Zone namely Tamil Nadu (5.0 to 35.0 PDI), Karnataka (2.0 to 28 PDI), Telangana (4.0 to 26.0 PDI) and Andhra Pradesh (7.0 to 12.0 PDI). Out of 141 samples collected, 106 isolates were isolated on PDA (PI).
• Conidia appeared to be A. macrospora for majority of the isolates and A. alternata for few isolates. Conidial septa varied from 2 to 8 horizontal and 1-3 Vertical septa. Beak length varied from small, medium to long. Based on conidial characters, among 33 Alternaria isolates from Tamil Nadu, 27 found to be A. macrospora and 6 as A. alternata. Out of 25 isolates from Karnataka, 20 found to be A. macrospora and 5 as A. alternata. Out of 22 isolates from Telangana, 19 isolates found to be A. macrospora and 3 as A. alternata (PI).
• Pathogenicity and virulence study were carried on susceptible genotype LRA 5166. PDI ranged from 7.0 to 51.8 for Telangana isolates (8-HV; 5-MV and 9- LV). PDI ranged from 4.8 to 31.0 for Tamil Nadu isolates (5-MVand 28 –LV). PDI ranged from 10.0 to 45.0 for Karnataka isolates (3-HV; 16-MV and 6-LV). PDI ranged from 19.5 to 39.0 for Andhra Pradesh isolates (7-MV and 2-LV) (PI).
• Thirteen hyper variables SSR primers were designed based on the sequences from NCBI. Two primers found to be effective for variability among isolates. Six clusters were formed at 71 percent genetic dissimilarity among 15 isolates using six different ISSR primers. Five clusters were formed in ITS sequences diversity. Blasting of ITS sequences of isolates at NCBI showed that all were belonging to A. alternata. This was due to absence/very few sequences availability of A. macrospora in NCBI itself. Further GAPDH, and TEF -1 α gene sequence analysis will be useful for confirmation of A. macrospora at species level (PI).

Research during PhD-Pathogenic and genetic diversity analysis of Xanthomonas citri pv. malvacearum (Xcm) inciting bacterial blight in cotton and its management (PI)

• Total of thirty four X. citri pv. malvacearum isolates were isolated from three cotton growing zones of India. Pathogenicity and virulence were studied on susceptible cultivar LRA5166. Among the thirty four isolates, seven were classified as highly virulent (>40.01 PDI), sixteen were moderately virulent (20.01 to 40.00 PDI) and eleven were less virulent (0.00 to 20.00 PDI). The isolate MNSu from Nagpur region of Maharashtra recorded the highest PDI (66.25) followed by MNR (61.50).
• PCR amplification of Xanthomonas specific housekeeping genes namely atpD (868 bp), dnaK (1034 bp), efp (445 bp), fyuA (963 bp), glna (1094 bp) and gyrB (1051 bp) confirmed the isolates at genus level. Sequencing and blasting of the housekeeping genes for highly virulent isolates (MNSu, MND and MNR) confirmed the pathogen as X. citri pv. malvacearum at pathovar level.
• Genetic diversity through PCR analysis of repetitive elements (REP, ERIC and BOX) collectively yielded 428 bands for thirty five X. citri pv. malvacearum isolates collected from three cotton growing zones of India. Independent REP, ERIC and BOX-PCR yielded 130, 171 and 127 bands with sixteen, twenty and eleven different alleles, respectively. Seven, ten, nine and eleven clusters were formed at similarity coefficient of 0.70 with Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) value of 0.909, 0.928, 0.885 and 0.970 for REP, ERIC, BOX and combined repetitive elements, respectively. ERIC generated more diversity among the isolates. Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) analysis generated eight clusters and PIC value varied from 0.879 to 0.689 with an average of 0.804.The PCoA exhibited 76.4% and 77.5% cumulative variability for combined repetitive and ISSR primers, respectively.
• Bioagents namely Streptomyces luteus (RAL2) and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (ETL2) as seed treatment and foliar spray found to be highly effective in reducing the bacterial blight in pot culture and field conditions. Under field experiments using susceptible cultivar LRA5166 and hybrid RCH2 BGII showed the maximum disease reduction in RAL2 followed by ETL2. Both of them effectively reduced the cotton BLB incidence (53.73 and 52.23 per cent, respectively) and increased the seed cotton yield (1746 and 1729 Kg/ha, respectively) over control (1302 Kg/ha) in cultivar LRA 5166. They also effectively reduced the disease (55.38 and 49.83 per cent, respectively) and increased the seed cotton yield (2272 and 2235 Kg/ha, respectively) over control (1776 Kg/ha) in cultivar RGH II BG II.

• A. Sampath Kumar, N. P. Eswara Reddy, K. Hariprasad Reddy and M. Charitha Devi 2007 Evaluation of fungicidal resistance among Colletotrichum gloeosporioides isolates causing mango anthracnose in Agri Export Zone of Andhra Pradesh, India. Plant Pathology Bulletin, 3(16): 157-160.
• A. Sampath Kumar, N. P. Eswara Reddy, K. Hariprasad Reddy, P. Chowdappa and G. Subhash Reddy 2007 Genetic diversity and Pathogenic variability among Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Penz. Isolates: The causal agent of mango anthracnose. The icfai journal of Biotechnology, 1 (2): 15-27.
• A K Mukherjee, A Sampath Kumar, S Kranthi and P K Mukherjee, 2013 Bio-control potential of three novel Trichoderma strains: Isolation, evaluation and formulation 3 Biotech, DOI 10.1007/s 13205-013-0150-4, published online 30th June, 2013 (NAAS rating: 7.80)
• A. Sampath Kumar, K. Eraivan Arutkani Aiyanathan, S. Nakkeeran and S. Manickam (2018) Documentation of virulence and races of Xanthomonas citri pv. malvacearum in India and its correlation with genetic diversity revealed by repetitive elements (REP, ERIC, and BOX) and ISSR markers. 3 Biotech 8: 479 https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-018-1503-9. (NAAS rating – 7.80)

National journals

• A. Sampath Kumar, N. P. Eswara Reddy and K. Hariprasad Reddy 2008 Variations in Cultural, Morphological and Nutritional characters of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Penz. isolates from mango. Geobios, 35: 86-90.
• A. Sampath Kumar, K. Eraivan Arutkani Aiyanathan, S. Nakkeeran and S. Manickam (2018) Induction of defense enzymes in cotton treated with chemical inducers in relation to resistance against Xanthomonas citri pv. malvacearum. Chemical Science review and letters 6 (21): 88-93. (NAAS rating – 4.75)
• A.Sampath Kumar, K. Eraivan Arutkani Aiyanathan, S. Nakkeeran and S. Manickam (2019) Current Status and Prevalence of Cotton Bacterial Blight Disease in India. Journal of Cotton Research and Development 33 (1): 131-135. (NAAS rating – 4.78)
• A. Sampath Kumar, K. Eraivan Arutkani Aiyanathan, S. Nakkeeran and S. Manickam (2020) Validation of Screening Technique for Cotton Bacterial Blight Resistance under Controlled Condition. Current Journal of Applied Science and Technology 39(7): 138-145. (NAAS rating – 4.71)

Book Chapters in Edited Books

• Committee chairman for French translation and compilation of lecture notes for Training Manual on Fellowship Training Programme on “Applied Cotton Biotechnology” conducted for twelve delegates from six countries of Africa including C-4 countries (Benin, Burkina Faso and Chad), Nigeria, Uganda and Malawi held from 21st Oct-20th Dec, 2013.
• Nagrare V S, Kranthi S., Kranthi K R., Chinna Babu Naik V., Rishi Kumar, Dharajothi B., Udikeri S S., Mukherjee A K., Mukherjee P K., Monga D., Sampath Kumar A., Narkhedkar N G., Banu Gulsar., Raju A R., Tayade A S., Prakash A H., Khader S E S A. 2013. Handbook of Cotton Plant Health, Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur P:100.
• V S Nagrare, S Kranthi, K R Kranthi, V Chinna Babu Naik and A Sampath Kumar – Pest and disease management in cotton, January, 2014, Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur, P: 52 (Marathi book).
• Dr. S. Manickam, Dr. A. H. Prakash, Dr. M. Sabesh, Dr. B. Dharajothi, Dr. J. Gulsar Banu and A. Sampathkumar (Editors) (2018) Journey of Cotton Research – A book of Research technologies and package of practices developed at ICAR-CICR, Regional Station, Coimbatore, pp. 1-52.

Research Papers in Seminar/Workshop Proceedings/ Abstracts International

• S. Kranthi, K.R. Kranthi, V. S. Nagrare, Rishi Kumar, C.B. Naik and Sampath Kumar, 2012 Challenges for sucking pest management in Cotton crop protection under the HDPS system- Oral presentation at 6th World Neem conference held at Hotel Sun and Sand, Nagpur from 21st – 24th Nov, 2012.
• Sampath Kumar, K. Velmourougane, V. Chinna Babu Naik and S. Kranthi 2014 Compatibility studies on seed treatments for control of pest and diseases in cotton under high density planting system (HDPS). Book of abstracts published at Sixth meeting of the Asian cotton research and development network held in Dhaka, Bangladesh from June 18- 20, 2014, Page 51.
• V. Chinna Babu Naik, A. Sampath Kumar, S. Kranthi, M.V. Venugopalan and K.R.Kranthi 2014 Impact of Planting density on pest and disease incidence of cotton. Book of abstracts published at Sixth meeting of the Asian cotton research and development network held in Dhaka, Bangladesh from June 18- 20, 2014, Page 52.
• R. Raja, D. Kanjana, K. Sankarganesh, A. Sampath kumar (2019) Production potential of irrigated cotton based cropping systems under conservation agricultural practices in Tamil Nadu – In book of abstracts (2019) published in XIV Agricultural Science Congress on “Innovations for Agricultural Transformation” held from 20-23 February 2019 at NASC Complex, Dev Prakash Shastri Marg, PUSA, New Delhi – 110012. (pp. 601- 602).
• A. Sampath Kumar, K. Eraivan Arutkani Aiyanathan, S. Nakkeeran and S. Manickam (2019) Bacillus species: The multifaceted bioagent for the management of Xanthomonas citri pv. malvacearum, the causal agent of cotton bacterial blight – oral presentation at “XIX International Plant Protection Congress (IPPC2019)” on “Crop Protection to Outsmart Climate Change for Food Security & Environmental Conservation” held from 10 – 14 Nov 2019 at Hyderabad, Telangana.
• A. Sampath Kumar, K. Eraivan Arutkani Aiyanathan, S. Nakkeeran and S. Manickam (2020) Streptomyces spp.: Promising biological agent for the management of cotton bacterial blight caused by Xanthomonas citri pv. malvacearum – oral presentation at 7th International Conference on “Phytopathology in Achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals” held from 16 – 20 January 2020 at ICAR- IARI, New Delhi, India.
• A. Sampath Kumar, K. Eraivan Arutkani Aiyanathan, S. Nakkeeran and S. Manickam (2020) Diversity of virulence determinant effector/avr genes in Xanthomonas citri pv. malvacearum isolates, the causal agent of cotton bacterial blight oral presentation at International E – Conference on “Multidisciplinary approaches for plant disease management in achieving sustainability in agriculture” held from 6th-9th October 2020 by University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot and College of Horticulture, Bengaluru, India.
• A. Sampath Kumar, K. Eraivan Arutkani Aiyanathan, S. Nakkeeran and S. Manickam (2021) Molecular detection and diversity of antimicrobial peptide genes among bacillus spp effective against cotton bacterial blight pathogen Xanthomonas citri pv. malvacearum poster presentation at International Conference on “Industrial perspective, challenges and strategies in the development of novel bio-pesticides: Its implication in sustainable pest and disease management” held between 11th and 12th March, 2021 at Department of Plant Pathology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore – 641 003

National

• Sampath Kumar A, Sandhya Kranthi and Chinna Babu Naik 2011 Development of nanoparticles based bioformulation for comprehensive pest management in conventional and Bt cotton – Oral presentation of concept note in “National dialogue for application of Nanotechnology in Agriculture” held at CIFE, Mumbai form 8th to 9th October, 2011.
• Baghyalakshmi, K., M. Amutha, A. Sampathkumar and A. Manivannan. Screening extra long staple cotton (Gossypium barbadense) genotypes for pest and disease tolerance at seedling stage – In ISGPB Book of Abstracts (2019) 2nd National Genetics Congress on ‘Potential Crops for Food and Nutritional Security’, December 14-15, 2019. ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012. (p. 21)

Popular Articles/ Short Notes/ Short Communications

• P K Mukherjee, A K Mukherjee, A Sampath Kumar and S Kranthi 2012 Development of Trchoderma formulation for management of root diseases in cotton CICR news letter, Vol. 28, No.2 page 5.
• A. Sampathkumar 2021 Cotton bacterial blight pathogen Xanthomonas citri pv. malvacearum: Overview on its virulence, races and genetic diversity. Cotton Innovate, Vol. 9 (1), pp 1-3.

Research Bulletin/ Extension Bulletins

• • V. Chinna Babu Naik and A Samapath Kumar 2014. Kapas ke naashikiton ka prabaavi prabandhan, Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur – Hindi folder published and distributed to farmers during “Krishi Vasant”, Feb 9th – 13th, 2014 at CICR, Nagpur.

Training Manual

• J. Annie Sheeba, K.P. Raghavendra and A. Sampath Kumar 2013 Preparation of stock solutions. In “Compendium of Lectures/ Training Manual”, Cotton Technical Assistance Programme for Africa – Fellowship Training Programme on “Applied Cotton Biotechnology” Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur, 21st October to 20th December 2013. PP 1-5.
• A. Sampath Kumar, 2013 Marker Assisted Breeding. In “Compendium of Lectures/ Training Manual”, Cotton Technical Assistance Programme for Africa – Fellowship Training Programme on “Applied Cotton Biotechnology” Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur, 21st October to 20th December 2013. PP 110-113.
• A. Sampath Kumar, 2013 Marker assisted selection for disease resistance – Bacterial blight of Cotton. In “Compendium of Lectures/ Training Manual”, Cotton Technical Assistance Programme for Africa – Fellowship Training Programme on “Applied Cotton Biotechnology” Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur, 21st October to 20th December 2013. PP 160-163.
• A. Sampathkumar and P. Valarmathi (2019) Identification and Management of Bacterial and fungal diseases in Cotton. In Training Manual on “Capacity Building Program on Cotton Production Technologies” (Manual Editors – Dr. A. H. Prakash Dr. S. Usha Rani Dr. M. Sabesh Sh. S. Sathyakumar) held at ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research, Regional Station, Coimbatore during November 18-21, 2019, pp. 93-100.
• P. Valarmathi and A. Sampathkumar (2019) Identification and Management of Viral and Fungal Diseases in Cotton. In Training Manual on “Capacity Building Program on Cotton Production Technologies” (Manual Editors – Dr. A. H. Prakash Dr. S. Usha Rani Dr. M. Sabesh Sh. S. Sathyakumar) held at ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research, Regional Station, Coimbatore during November 18-21, 2019, pp. 101-106.
• R. Raja, D. Kanjana, K. Shankarganesh and A. Sampathkumar (2019) Conservation Agriculture in Cotton Based Cropping System. In Training Manual on “Capacity Building Program on Cotton Production Technologies” (Editors – Dr. A. H. Prakash Dr. S. Usha Rani Dr. M. Sabesh Sh. S. Sathyakumar) held at ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research, Regional Station, Coimbatore during November 18-21, 2019, pp. 53-63.

Research Reports

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Talks delivered

• Delivered lecture on “Cotton diseases and their management” and interacted with cotton farmers at ‘Field day’ conducted in Aanadavaadi village of Senthurai block in Ariyalur district, Tamil Nadu during 7th Feb 2019.
• Delivered lecture on ‘Technologies developed at ICAR-CICR and ongoing activities of the Institute’ to 100 students of II BSc (Ag) from Annamalai University for their exposure visit to ICAR-CICR RS Coimbatore on 25.02.2019.
• Delivered lecture on ‘Cotton diseases and their management’ and participated in interactive session with cotton farmers at “Farmers Mela” in IRM project area (Kinathukkadavu) under the project Insecticide Resistance Management (IRM): Dissemination of Pink boll worm management strategies during 8th March 2019.
• Delivered lecture on ‘Technologies developed at ICAR-CICR and ongoing activities of the Institute’ to 112 students of II BSc (Ag) from School of Agricultural Sciences, KARE, Krishnankoil for their study tour cum institute visit to ICAR-CICR RS Coimbatore on 05.07.2019.
• Delivered lecture on ‘IDM in Cotton’ as resource person to MGMG FLD farmers in pre season training program on ‘Best packages of practices of Cotton Cultivation’ held at ICAR-CICR RS Coimbatore on 07.09.2019.
• Delivered lecture on ‘Technologies developed at ICAR-CICR and ongoing activities of the Institute’ to 114 students of II BSc (Ag) from RVS Agricultural College, Thanjavur for their exposure visit cum study tour to ICAR-CICR RS Coimbatore on 26.09.2019.
• Delivered lecture on ‘Technologies developed at ICAR-CICR and ongoing activities of the Institute’ to 112 students of II BSc (Ag) from Adhiparasakthi Agricultural College, Kalavai for their study tour to ICAR-CICR RS Coimbatore on 26.09.2019.
• Acted as resource person and delivered lecture on ‘Identification and Management of Diseases in Cotton’ to twenty Agricultural Extension Officers from Odisha State Department of Agriculture in Exposure Visit cum Capacity Building Program on Cotton Production Technologies during 18th to 21st November 2019.
• Delivered lecture on ‘Important diseases of cotton and their management’ at “Farmers Mela” in the IRM project: Dissemination of Pink boll worm management strategies during 4th January 2020.
• Delivered lecture on ‘Important diseases of cotton and their management’ and participated in interactive session with cotton stakeholder’s namely state department officials, private pesticide firms and pesticide dealers at “Sensitization workshop” in the IRM project: Dissemination of Pink boll worm management strategies during 10th March 2020.
• Acted as resource person and delivered lecture on ‘Identification and Management of Important Diseases in Cotton’ to hundred cotton growing farmers of Annur and Kinathukadavu blocks of Coimbatore district at Farmers’ Field Training programme lecture on “IRM: Dissemination of Pink Bollworm Management Strategies” held at 3rd October, 2020
• Delivered lecture on ‘Integrated disease management (IDM) in Cotton’ as resource person to twenty five cotton farmers under SSEPERS-ATMA Scheme – farmer’s farm school classes at Vadapudur village of Kinathukadavu Block held at 23rd January 2021 organized by Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Tamil Nadu
• Delivered lecture on ‘Integrated management of important diseases in cotton” and participated in interactive session with cotton stakeholders namely state department officials, private pesticide firms, pesticide dealers and cotton farmers at sensitization workshop on “Dissemination of Pink boll worm management strategies” through video conferencing during 19th February 2021.
• Delivered lecture on ‘Technologies developed at ICAR-CICR and ongoing activities of the Institute and cotton diseases and their management’ to 12 students of II BSc (Ag) from Gandhi gram Rural Univerisityy for their industrial study tour to ICAR-CICR RS Coimbatore on 29 and 30 -07-2021.

International

• Attended the 6th “World Neem Conference” held at Hotel Sun and Sand, Nagpur from 21st to 24th November, 2012.
• Performed official exhibition duty of CICR stall in 2nd Science Expo at Raman Science Centre, Nagpur on 9th, 11th and 13th of Jan, 2013 and disseminated CICR technologies to students.
• Demonstrated and disseminated CICR Cotton technologies to farmers in AGRO-VISION held at ReshimBag, Nagpur on 24th Jan, 2013.
• Demonstrated CICR technologies to farmers in “International Symposium on Socio-Economic Transformation Envisioned through Technology – Innovations”, 2013 held at Bishop Cotton School ground, Nagpur from 2nd – 4th March, 2013.
• Demonstrated and disseminated various Crop protection (dip stick assay for Bt detection), production and improvement technologies developed by CICR to farmers at Agricultural Technology Exhibition organized by ADT’s KVK, Baramati held from 18th to 20th January, 2014 (Inaugurated by Honourable President of India).
• Demonstrated Crop Protection technologies like dip stick assay for Bt detection developed by CICR and disease management strategies to cotton farmers in National level farmer’s fair- Krishi Vasant -2014 at CICR, Nagpur from 9th to13th Feb. 2014.
• Attended the “XIX International Plant Protection Congress (IPPC2019)” on “Crop Protection to Outsmart Climate Change for Food Security & Environmental Conservation” held from 10 – 14 Nov 2019 at Hyderabad, Telangana.
• Attended “7th International Conference” on “Phytopathology in Achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals” held from 16 – 20 January 2020 at ICAR- IARI, New Delhi, India.
• Attended International E – Conference on “Multidisciplinary approaches for plant disease management in achieving sustainability in agriculture” held from 6th-9th October 2020 by University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot and College of Horticulture, Bengaluru, India.
• Attended International e-conference on “Industrial perspective, challenges and strategies in the development of novel bio-pesticides: Its implication in sustainable pest and disease management” held from 11 to 12th March 2021 at Department of Plant Pathology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India.

National

• Actively participated and explained the achievements of CICR, Nagpur in CROPSAP- 1st Steering committee meeting held on 3rd August 2013 at Commissionerate of Agriculture, Sakhar Sankul, Shivajinagar, Pune.
• Participated in “2nd National dialogue for application of Nanotechnology in Agriculture” held at TNAU, Coimbatore from 11th to 12th, November, 2011.
• Participated in the meeting for finalization of implementation of HDPS programme with SAUs, State Agri. departments and KVKs held at CICR, Nagpur on 5th June, 2013
• Participated in the meeting for discussion on technical programme for the project TMC MMI 1.4 – Evaluation of genotypes and standardization of agrotechniques for high density planting and surgical cotton production held at CICR, Nagpur on 29th May, 2013.
• Research activities and achievements of ICAR-CICR RS with cultivation technologies to farmers were disseminated during State level ‘Kisan Sammridhi Mela’ at CODISSIA trade fair complex, Coimbatore organized by ICAR-Sugar Cane Breeding Institute (SBI) on 26th August 2018.

• Attended 92nd Foundation Course for Agricultural Research Service (FOCARS) from 1st September, 2010 to 29th December, 2010 held at National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM), Rajendra Nagar, Hyderabad.
• Attended National Training on “Molecular Characterization of GMO’s and its purity testing” from 18th January to 7th February, 2011 held at CICR, Nagpur.
• Participated in “Awareness campaign on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in Agriculture” held at NRC for Citrus, Nagpur on 4th November, 2011
• Attended the 14 days national training course on “Synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials and their application in Agriculture” organized by CIRCOT, Mumbai from 16th – 29th November, 2011 under the component 1 of National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP).
• Attended 10 days Hands-on Training on “Microbial Agents of Major Insect Pests and Diseases of Crops” organized by Directorate of Oilseeds Research (DOR), Rajendra Nagar, Hyderabad from 11th – 20th March, 2013.

• Explained the “Cotton cultivation scenario and status of major cotton diseases in India” to delegates from Africa under Fellowship Training Programme on “Applied Cotton Biotechnology”- 24-10-2013.
• Handled practical class on “Stock and reagent preparation / calculations” for twelve delegates from six countries of Africa including C-4 countries (Benin, Burkina Faso and Chad), Nigeria, Uganda and Malawi under Fellowship Training Programme on “Applied Cotton Biotechnology”- 28-10-2013.
• Handled practical class on “Marker assisted breeding for BLB in cotton” for twelve delegates from six countries of Africa including C-4 countries (Benin, Burkina Faso and Chad), Nigeria, Uganda and Malawi under Fellowship Training Programme on “Applied Cotton Biotechnology”- 11-12-2013.
• Handled theory class on “Marker assisted selection for disease resistance – Bacterial blight of Cotton” for twelve delegates from six countries of Africa including C-4 countries (Benin, Burkina Faso and Chad), Nigeria, Uganda and Malawi under Fellowship Training Programme on “Applied Cotton Biotechnology”- 16-12-2013.

• As a member, conducted “Farmers Mela” in IRM project area (Kinathukkadavu) under the project Insecticide Resistance Management (IRM): Dissemination of Pink boll worm management strategies during 8th March 2019.
• As a member, organised and conducted “Farmers Mela” in the IRM project: Dissemination of Pink boll worm management strategies during 4th January 2020.
• As a member, organised and conducted “Sensitization workshop” in the IRM project: Dissemination of Pink boll worm management strategies during 10th March 2020
• As a member, organized and conducted “Sensitization workshop” on “Dissemination of Pink boll worm management strategies” through video conferencing during 19th February 2021

• Dr. A. Sampathkumar, Scientist (Plant Pathology), ICAR-CICR Regional Station, Coimbatore received the PhD degree certificate and three gold medals for his PhD thesis research work. The Awards are as follows
  1. Sree V. P. Ganesan Award for the best outgoing student in PhD (Plant Pathology) in the field of host pathogen interaction
  2. T. S. Natarajan Award for the best outgoing student in PhD (Plant Pathology) in the field of Biological control study and
  3. Dr. R. Samiyappan Award for the best PhD thesis work in Molecular plant pathology
• Awarded best poster presentation for the paper titled “Molecular detection and diversity of Antimicrobial peptide genes among Bacillus spp. effective against cotton bacterial blight pathogen Xanthomonas citri pv. malvacearum” at International e-conference on “Industrial perspective, challenges and strategies in the development of novel bio-pesticides: Its implication in sustainable pest and disease management” held from 11 to 12th March 2021 at Department of Plant Pathology, TNAU, Cbe, India.

• Member in AICCIP monitoring team for Central Zone and visited Khandwa and Indore centers of Madhya Pradesh from 15th to 17th December, 2011
• Participated and collected nine perennial and land races of cotton from Vishakapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districrts of Andhra Pradesh from 16th – 21st Apr, 2012. The applicatio for Plant Genome Saviour Community Award (2011-12) was filled and submitted with help of Ponduru cotton farmers and AFKK sangam. The ponduru cotton samples (seeds, flower buds and stem cutting) also collected.
• Co-ordinator for HDPS field visit – Hingna on 19-9-2012 for delegates from Africa under International Training Programme on “New dimensions in Agricultural Extension Management for Extension functionaries” under 2nd Africa India Forum Summit organized by MANAGE, Hyderabad.
• Member in Seed supply programme – “Improving Cotton Productivity in Vidarbha through HDPS” and actively involved in the seed treatment of seven quintals of G. hirsutum varietal seeds viz. Suraj, PKV 081, and NH 615 with imidacloprid for sucking pest control (2012-13).
• District Co-ordinator for Monitoring of HDPS experimental trials conducted at 28 farmer fields in three mandals of Buldhana district of Maharashtra during 2012-13 under the Programme – “Improving Cotton Productivity in Vidharba”.
• Performed Post-Entry Quarantine Inspection of 38 exotic cotton germplasm lines imported from USA and Israel by Bayer Biosciences pvt. Ltd for notified diseases on 1st March, 2014 at Bayer multicrop breeding station, Chandipa, Shankarpally, Hyderabad.
• Performed Post-Entry Quarantine Inspection of 103 exotic cotton germplasm lines imported from USA by Pioneer Overseas Corporation for notified diseases on 18th July, 2014 at Multi Crop Research Center, Pioneer Overseas Corporation, Thumki Kalsa, Wargal Mandal, Medak district, Telangana.
• Assisted the Director, CICR, Nagpur for evaluation of DBT Project entitled “Emergence of Tobacco streak virus infecting Cotton in Tamil Nadu: Investigations on transmission, spread and symptom remission” on 13th August, 2014.
• Committee Member for arrangements of outdoor visit for twelve delegates from six countries of Africa including C-4 countries (Benin, Burkina Faso and Chad), Nigeria, Uganda and Malawi under Fellowship Training Programme on “Applied Cotton Biotechnology” held from 21st Oct-21st Dec, 2013.
• Visited nine major cotton growing districts of Karnataka state namely Raichur, Yadagiri, Kalaburagi, Ballary, Dharwad, Haveri, Gadag, Vijayapura and Belagavi from 10th to 17th September, 2019 to assess the general crop stand along with pest and disease scenario.
• Member in the Award committee for various competitions held at ICAR-Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Regional Centre, Coimbatore during Swachhata Hi Seva Movement (SHS 2019) held during 28th Sep. 2019.
• Survey was carried out from 5th to 8th November, 2019 at Warangal, Karim Nagar, Mahabubad and Peddapalli districts of Telangana to assess the Cotton Pest and Diseases scenario, especially pink boll worm incidence. Interacted with State Agri. Department officials, farmers and other stakeholders and discussed the issues on pests & diseases, physiological disorders, etc. Green bolls from 8-10 locations per district (about 20-25 green bolls per location) were collected and submitted to Entomologist to assess pink bollworm infestation. Leaf samples also collected (Approx. 10 leaves per location, petioles secured with cotton moist swab for maintaining turgidity) and sent through courier to ICAR-CICR Nagpur for ELISA test.
• Acted as Ph.D Examiner and evaluated the PhD thesis of the candidate Ms. E. Bharathi titled “Variability in pathogen population of castor wilt fungus and its management” submitted to the Department of Microbiology, Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana on January, 2020.
• Performed Post-Entry Quarantine Inspection of 3 exotic cotton germplasm lines imported from Uganda by SIMA Cotton Development & Research Association, Shanmuka Manram, 41 Race Course Road, Coimbatore 641018 for notified diseases on 29th March, 2021 at SIMA Cotton Development & Research Association R & D Farm at Ponneri, Udumalpet, Tamil Nadu
• Visited nine major cotton growing districts of Karnataka state namely Dharwad, Haveri, Gadag, Belagavi, Raichur, Vijayapura, Yadagiri, Kalaburagi and Ballari from 24th Nov to 2nd Dec, 2021 for collection leaf spot samples
• Member in AICRP Monitoring team for Cotton Trials conducted in Telangana and visited Hyderabad, Warangal, Mudhol and Adilabad centres from 20th Dec to 23rd Dec, 2021
• Pathological observations on disease incidence of entries in ICAR-Bt Cotton trial by AICRP on Cotton- Coimbatore Centre.