Dr. Malavika Dadlani | Seed Physiology | Best Researcher Award

National consultant at Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT, Bengaluru,  India

Dr. (Mrs.) Malavika Dadlani is a distinguished expert in [mention her field of expertise, e.g., Seed Science & Technology, Agricultural Research, etc.]. With a remarkable career spanning several decades, she has contributed significantly to [key areas of contribution]. She has held prestigious positions at [institutions/organizations], leading groundbreaking research and policy initiatives.

Profile:

• Google Scholar

Academic Qualifications 🎓

• Ph.D. (Agricultural Seed Science) – Calcutta University, 1979

• Post-Doctoral Research (Seed Technology) – International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines, 1987-1989

Professional Experience 👩‍🔬

With over four decades of expertise in agricultural research, education, and extension, Dr. Dadlani has held key leadership positions in India’s premier agricultural institutions:

🔹 Consultant & Honorary Research Fellow – Bioversity International, New Delhi (2014-2016)
🔹 Joint Director (Research) – ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi (2010-2013)
🔹 Head, Division of Seed Science & Technology – ICAR-IARI, New Delhi (2006-2010)
🔹 Principal Scientist & Senior Scientist – ICAR-IARI, New Delhi (1979-2006)
🔹 Scientist – Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow (1978-1979)

Her work focused on institution building, research management, extension coordination, and capacity development in seed science.

Global Contributions 🌍

Dr. Dadlani has played a pivotal role in international seed policy and capacity building. Some key global engagements include:

🌱 FAO Expert Consultation (2003) – Contributed to the Quality Declared Seed System publication.
🌍 SAARC Seed Forum (2009) – Organized the first workshop on Quality Seed Systems and contributed to forming the SAARC Regional Seed Bank.
🌾 FAO Consultancy in Bangladesh, Myanmar & Cambodia – Strengthened seed systems and hybrid rice development.
📜 SeedNL Consultant (Netherlands, 2023-24) – Conducted a fact-finding study on the Indian seed system.
🤝 Indo-German Seed Sector Development Consultant (2018-2022) – Studied and advised on harmonization of Indian seed regulations with international standards.

Awards & Recognitions 🏆

Dr. Dadlani has been honored with several prestigious awards for her contributions:

🏅 Best Research Paper in Seed Research – ISST, India (1984, 1990)
🌾 Best Research Paper in Agriculture – Philippines (1989)
🎓 Best Teacher Award – IARI, India (2001)
🏅 Dr. Ram Dhan Singh Memorial “Best Seed Technologist” Award (2006-07)
👩‍🔬 Fellow, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) (2010)
🏆 Excellence Award for Supporting Seed Industry in India – ITPBR, India (2022)

Key Contributions & Innovations 💡

✅ Farmers’ Participatory Seed Production – Initiated “Beej India”, a farmer-led seed production initiative.
✅ SAARC Seed Policy Development – Drafted the SAARC Regional Seed Bank & Material Transfer Framework.
✅ Capacity Building & Training – Led numerous FAO, SAARC, and AARDO training programs to strengthen seed systems.
✅ Women Empowerment in Agriculture – Advocated for women-friendly agricultural technologies in global forums.

A Legacy in Seed Science & Agricultural Development 🌾

Dr. Malavika Dadlani’s work has shaped India’s seed industry, global seed policies, and farmer-centric innovations. Her extensive research, leadership, and global collaborations continue to make a lasting impact on sustainable agriculture and food security.

Citations:

• Total Citations: 2,511

• Citations Since 2020: 933

• h-index: 23 (13 since 2020)

• i10-index: 53 (20 since 2020)

Publication Top Notes:

1. The subcellular basis of seed priming

   • A. Varier, A.K. Vari, M. Dadlani

   • Current Science, 2010, 450-456 (Citations: 510)

2. Techniques in Seed Science and Technology

   • P.K. Agrawal, M. Dadlani, P.K. Agrawal

   • South Asian Publishers, 1987 (Citations: 228)

3. Effect of hydropriming on field emergence and crop growth of maize genotypes

   • R.P. Nagar, M. Dadlani, S.P. Sharma

   • 1998 (Citations: 96)

4. Tetrazolium test for seed viability and vigour

   • V.N. Patil, M. Dadlani

   • Handbook of Seed Testing, 2009, 209-241 (Citations: 86)

5. Seed coating to improve stand establishment in rice

   • M. Dadlani, V.V. Shenoy, D.V. Seshu

   • 1992 (Citations: 69)

6. Mechanism of seed dormancy in rice

   • D.V. Seshu, M. Dadlani

   • Seed Science Research 1(3), 187-194, 1991 (Citations: 68)

7. Seed dormancy and regulation of germination

   • P.C. Nautiyal, K. Sivasubramaniam, M. Dadlani

   • Seed Science and Technology 52, 39-66, 2023 (Citations: 63)

8. Crop residues management with conservation agriculture: Potential, constraints, and policy needs

   • H.S. Gupta, M. Dadlani

   • Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 2012 (Citations: 62)

9. Effect of packaging on vigour and viability of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] seed during ambient storage

   • K.K. Singh, M. Dadlani

   • 2003 (Citations: 53)

10. Characterization and evaluation of variability in farmers’ varieties of rice from West Bengal

• S.K. Chakrabarty, M.A. Joshi, Y. Singh, A. Maity, V. Vashisht, M. Dadlani

• Indian Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding 72(2), 136, 2012 (Citations: 48)