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URL (web site) : http://www.geocities.com/arunshank
General Description of duties and responsibilities:
Research in agricultural science and technology, tropical and sub-tropical and semi arid agricultural research and development
Planning and implementation of research projects in Plant/ Crop/ Tree physiology, biochemistry. Assisting in molecular biology, agronomy field studies and soil science.
conducting technical meetings, presenting advanced subject matter seminars, guiding Masters level graduate students for Dissertation or Thesis.
Identification of research priorities and formulating work strategy as desired with available resources.
Extension activities for dissemination of research findings and other relevant information.
Analysis of data, concise report writing, preparing status review and reports, scientific documentation and popular report presentations, editing scientific writing, compiling and amalgamating subject matter advancements.
Assisting in allied subject areas as and when needed.
Obtaining extra mural funding for research projects of national relevance
Significant Research Achievements
Uptake, transport, partitioning processes and toxicity and tolerance mechanism of trivalent and hexavalent chromium hitherto unknown was unraveled in several model plants. Pinpointed dissection of Ascorbate Glutahione pathway at each step in plant parts under Cr speciation stress was done. Redox dynamics and cellular signaling as a response to Cr stress was determined and reported for the first time (Plant Science,166(4): 1035-1043 and Plant and Soil, 265: 141–151, 2004). Metallothionein -type -3(MT-3) gene mRNA transcript abundance under Cr stress, particularly in the tolerant variety was ascertained and reported for the first time (Current Science, 86 (7) 901-902). A model of transport and toxicity of Cr in plants was developed, propounded and published. A hypothetical model of the mechanism of transport and toxicity has been proposed for both toxic species of chromium (Cr (III) and Cr (VI)) in higher vascular plant root cells. (Environment International, 31(5) 739-753). A transferable technology for effective cleaning up lands contaminated with Cr was developed for farmers as well as industry (leather) as stakeholders. (Agroforestry Systems 64(1) 83-87). Selenium as an ameliorant: Impact of Se on delaying senescence in soybean was studied and described in terms of antioxidant enzymes profiles, proline, and chlorophyll fluorescence. The possibility of existence of a Se dependant Glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) in higher plants which inhibits plant senescence induced lipid peroxidation through enzymatic and non-enzymatic reactions was reported for the first time (Plant and Soil, 272 (1-2)77-86, International Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment (JFAE), 2 (2) 187-192). The role of Se in protecting plants against UV-B stress was critically analysed and published as a state of the art review and an invited commentary (Plant and Soil 282: 21-26). Radiation, water and nutrient interaction under tree-crop interface was explained with the help of a model Agroforestry system (Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 51(1): 51 – 68). Plant water relations and microclimate modifications under tree-crop interface were explained with the help of a model Agroforestry system (Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 51(3): 281-191). A concept was propounded that Rice can acclimate to lethal level of salinity by pre-treatment with sub lethal level of salinity through osmotic adjustment (Plant and Soil 284:363–373)
Concept:
I) A theory was propounded to explain the mechanism of toxicity of chromium in general and differential toxicity of Cr (III) and Cr(VI) in particular.
II) A concept of the mechanism by which Se protects plants from monocarpic senescence (model plant: Glycine max) was propounded.
III) A concept was propounded that Rice can acclimate to lethal level of salinity by pre-treatment with sub lethal level of salinity through osmotic adjustment
Process:
I) A detailed description of steps and components of the process that explains the mechanism of toxicity and tolerance of Cr in toto was ascertained in model dicotyledonous plant root (Vigna radiata) and model monocotyledonous plant roots and leaves (Sorghum bicolor).
Technology:
I)The technology of Phytoremediation of Cr contaminated land using Cr phytoaccumulator trees with Citric acid as chemical amendment was developed.
II) The technology of incorporation of a soil barrier of galvanized iron sheet around the trees root zone to effectively reduce competition for stored resources (water and nutrient) and consequently increase yield in understorey crops was developed
TOP TEN RESEARCH AND REVIEW PAPERS
Authors
Year
Title
Journal
Arun K. Shanker
2006
Countering UV-B stress in plants: Does Selenium have a role?
Plant and Soil 282: 21-26 Impact factor: 1.54
Djanaguiraman M, Durga Devi, Arun K. Shanker, A. Sheeba and U.Bangarusamy
2006
Rice can acclimate to lethal level of salinity by pretreatment with sublethal level of salinity through osmotic adjustment
Plant and Soil 284:363–373Impact factor: 1.54
Arun K. Shanker, Carlos Cervantes, and Herminia Loza-Tavera and S. Avudainayagam
2005
Chromium Toxicity in Plants
Environment International, 31(5) 739-753. Impact factor: 2.33
Arun K. Shanker, V. Ravichandran and G. Pathmanabhan
2005
Phytoaccumulation of chromium by some multi purpose tree seedlings.
Agroforestry Systems64(1) 83-87. Impact factor: 0.70
Djanaguiraman M, Durga Devi, Arun K. Shanker, A. Sheeba and U.Bangarusamy
2005
Selenium - An antioxidative protectant in soybean during senescence.
Plant and Soil,272 (1-2)77-86. Impact factor: 1.54
Arun K. Shanker, M. Djanaguiraman, R. Sudhagar, C. N. Chandrashekar and G. Pathmanabhan.
2004
Differential antioxidative response of ascorbate glutathione pathway enzymes and metabolites to chromium speciation stress in green gram (Vigna radiata (L.) R.Wilczek. cv CO 4) roots.
Plant Science,166 (4): 1035-1043. Impact factor: 1.39
Arun K. Shanker and G. Pathmanabhan
2004
Speciation dependant antioxidative response in roots and leaves of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench cv CO 27) under Cr(III) and Cr(VI) stress
Plant and Soil,265: 141–151, 2004. Impact factor: 1.54
Arun K. Shanker, M. Djanaguiraman, R. Sudhagar, Jayaram and G. Pathmanabhan
2004
Expression of metallothionein 3 (MT3) like protein mRNA in Sorghum cultivars under chromium (VI) stress.
Current Science,86 (7) 901-902. Impact factor: 0.688
Ram Newaj, M. K. Bhargava, A. K. Shanker, R. S. Yadav, Ajit and P. Rai
2005
Resource capture and tree-crop interaction in Albizia procera-based agroforestry system
Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 51(1): 51 – 68.
Arun K. Shanker, Ram Newaj, P. Rai, K. R. Solanki ,K. Kareemulla, Rajeev Tiwari and Ajit
2005
Microclimate modifications, growth and yield of intercrops under Hardwickia binata Roxb. based agroforestry system.
Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 51(3): 281-191