ANGRAU

Associate Director of Research

Dr. Manda Johnson
Associate Director of Research
RARS, Nandyal
Email ID : m.johnson@angrau.ac.in
Mobile: 9989623812

Brief Profile of Dr Manda Johnson

Expertise in one line : Fungal Plant Pathology, Biological control and IDM

Notable contributions :

Research :
Developed weather based Advisory System (Forecast) for the control LLS in groundnut by using leaf wetness counter.
Developed management strategy for stem rot of groundnut through soil amendments
Involved in studies on aflatoxin contamination in groundnut with ICRISAT
Developed strategy for effective management of late leaf spot and rust of groundnut through triazole group of fungicides
Developed effective management strategy for soil and seed borne diseases using Pseudomonas fluorescens
Estimated quantitative and qualitative analysis of rhizosphere mycoflora of the three revenue divisions of Anantapur Dt.
Developed management strategy on timely control of late leaf spot and its subsequent effects on S. rolfsii, the effect of seed treatment with P. fluorescens with or without FYM against S. rolfsii under field conditions.
Developed Integrated management strategy for stem rot in groundnut
Involved in study of sequence of symptoms produced by peanut stem necrosis (PSND) disease, estimated the yield losses due to PSND, on the source of TSV virus reservoir in crops and weed hosts in collaboration with ICRISAT and NBPGR.
As scientist actively involved and associated in release of new varieties viz., Anantha (K-1271), Kadiri Bold 7 (K1340), Kadiri 8 (K 1341), Kadiri Harithandra (K 1319) and K-9 (K 1375)
Intercepted green house white fly Trialeurods vaporariorum (West Wood) on Rose stalk imported from Netharlands through Madras Air port in the year 1992. This is the first report of its occurrence of the pest on roses in India.
As a Designated Inspection Authority from Govt. of India, attended to Post- Entry Quarantine inspection of Oil palm nurseries in West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh and Shimoga District of Karnataka states.
Extension :
Organized 7 long duration training programmes to 183 extension personnel with 45 days (one) duration and 15 days (six) duration on sustainable agriculture and lively hood.
127 short duration training programmes were conducted to 3716 extension personnel, rural youth and practicing farmers (men and women) with an aim to create awareness on the latest technologies, improved varieties and management aspects in field crops.
Introduced 28 improved varieties through On-farm trials under Technology Assessment & Refinement viz., Groundnut-Vemana, K6, K9, Dharani, TCGS 1073, 1157, Redgram – LRG-41, PRG-100, 158, TRG-59, LRG-104 and 105, Paddy –NDLR-7, 8, NLR-4001, MCM-103,110, NLR-3217, 40054, Bengalgram- KAK2, Nandyal senaga-1, NBeG – 47, 119, 147, 399, Blackgram – TBG-104, GBG-1, LBG-782, Fingar millet – PPR1012 and Cowpea –TPTC-29 and improved technologies under On-farm trials were assessed in an area of 159 ac covering 159 farmers fields.
FLDs were assessed in an area of 2044 ac covering 2054 farmers at the farmers holdings.
A total of 254 diagnostic visits, 45 Field days, 107 group discussions and 23 Method demonstrations were conducted.
Organised various innovative methods for transfer of technology viz. dial out programs, online audio and video conference, TV (52) & You tube (10) live programs to give timely advises and get the feedback of the farmers.
Worked in convergence with Dept. of Agriculture and NGOs which contributed to the spread of university varieties and technologies of various crops.
Integrated studies were conducted on various need based topics and feedback was given to the research scientists.
Created awareness among farmers on viral diseases of pulses (Black gram and Green gram) like yellow mosaic virus and leaf crinckle virus and their management practices
Promoted IPM methods in oilseeds, pulses, cereals and cotton crops
Teaching :
Prepared 3 practical manuals for B. Sc (Ag) courses of Plant Pathology viz., PATH-171: Introduction to Plant Pathogens, PATH-271: Principles of Plant Pathology, PATH-371 Diseases of Field Crops and their management.

Research Interests :

Abiotic Stress Management - drought and salinity stress.
Frontline extension methodologies for popularizing ANGRAU technologies among farming communities.
Integrated Disease Management - Diseases of groundnut, pulses and cotton

Professional recognition :

As a Senior Scientist (PP), ARS, Ananthapuramu Dt
Worked as Senior Scientist (PP), role played in establishing the glass house worth of Rs. 11,00,000/- at ARS, Ananthapuramu for conducting invitro studies under state plan during the year 2008-2009.
As a Principal, Agricultural Polytechnic, Madakasira, Ananthapuramu
As a Principal, taken over the newly constructed Hostel buildings and established Agricultural Polytechnic Administration Section, Hostels for both Boys and Girls during October, 2010 at Madakasira
Separated and Prepared the land for the Participatory Agricultural Management Programme (PAMP) at Agricultural Polytechnic New campus, Madakasira.
As a Principal Scientist and Programme Coordinator, SLDKVK, Kalyandurg, Ananthapuramu Dt
As a Programme Coordinator, taken over and established Administration Section, Hostels and Farm at newly constructed KVK. Kalyandurg during the year 2013-14
Role played in getting External fund worth of Rs. 1,50,000/- from ATMA, Ananthapuramu, Rs. 1,30,000/- under RKVY, Rs. 25,000/- under micro nutrients, Rs. 63,000/- under Buchetana scheme, Rs. 3,00,000/- for infrastructure development, Rs. 2,80,000/- for establishing shade net and Rs. 3,00,000/- for establishing watershed percolation tanks PD, DWMA, Ananthapuramu for the year 2013 and 2014 at KVK, Kalyandurg.
Role played in establishing Automatic weather station at KVK, Kalyandurg by IMD
Role played in inauguration of Primary Sector Mission on Agriculture by the Hon’ble Chief Minister and President of India (Retired) during the year 2014 at KVK, Kalyandurg.
Introduced and studied the cultivation aspects of Quinoa crop in KVK, Kalyandurg.
As Coordinator, District Agricultural Advisory and Transfer of Technology Centre (DAATTC), Utukuru, Kadapa, YSR Dt
As a Coordinator, DAATTC, YSR Kadapa, Organised Exposure visit to Jalgaon, Maharastra along with Innovative net work coordinators and farmers of 13 district during 2015
As coordinator role played in getting External fund worth of Rs. 60,000/- from ATMA, YSR Dt. for conducting FLDs during the year 2016 at DATTC, Utukuru
As coordinator role played in getting External fund worth of Rs. 50,000/- from ATMA, YSR Dt. for publishing book on Critical management practices in field crops of YSR Dt. during the year 2016 at DATTC, Utukuru.
As a Professor & Vice-Principal, Agricultural Polytechnic, Ramagiri, Ananthapuramu Dt.
As a Professor and Vice- Principal, role played in shifting of the polytechnic which was initially started at Reddipalli to Ramagiri on 09-01-2017 and was established at Ramagiri with intake of 43 students (19 girls and 24 boys).
Vital role played in establishing class rooms and Hostel rooms for 1st and 2nd year boys & girls at APT Ramagiri.
Role played in acquiring 18.37-acre land for construction of new college and hostel buildings at Ramagiri.

Research publications :

International/National Journals : 27 (NAAS Rated)

Conference proceedings: 06

Books and Book chapters: 04

Technical bulletins/Booklets/Pamphlets: 39