Biography
Prof. T.N.V.K.V. PRASAD
Prof. T.N.V.K.V. PRASAD
Nanotechnology laboratory, Regional Agricultural Research Station, India
Title: Agrinanotechnology : Application of nanotechnologies in agriculture and allied sciences
Abstract: 
Nanotechnologies which are dealing with the agriculture and allied sciences could be termed as “Agrinanotechnology”. Evidence based effects of nanoscale materials (size between 1-100 nm in at least one dimension with quantum confinement) on the productivity enhancement, quality and disease resistance have multiplied the nanotechnology research programmes and created a lot of enthusiasm amongst the interdisciplinary researchers. Delivery of zinc through a 25 nm sized, well defined nanoscale zinc oxide (n-ZnO) material (Figure 1) twice (foliar application) at relatively lower doses (15 times less) recorded 29% higher yield in peanut crop whereas in maize 15% enhancement of yield has been recorded compared to its bulk conterpart. Moreover, significant grain zinc concentration in maize (36 ppm) has been observed with the application of 100 ppm of n-ZnO but significant yield has been recorded with 400 ppm of n-ZnO application which leads to a concept of designer agri-products. It has been proved using solution culture method that n-CaO could transport through phloem in peanut points to the foliar application of nanoscale calcium on agricultural crops. Thus nanotechnologies have significant impact on re-orientation of the agriculture and allied sciences and were promising in attaining agricultural sustainability and global food security.
Biography: 
Dr.T. N. V. K. V. Prasad is now Principal Scientist and in-charge of Nanotechnology laboratory at Institute of Frontier Technology, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Tirupati. He completed his M.Sc. and Ph.D in Physics from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam India. He received prestigious Endeavour Research Award (2010) from the Govt. of Australia and did post doctoral research in nanotechnology at University of South Australia, Australia in 2010 and at University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA in 2011. He introduced the concept of “Agrinanotechnology (Applications of nanotechnology in agriculture and allied sciences)” and sanctioned one patent. More than 160 research papers were published in peer-reviewed journals, authored six book chapters and 24 Gen Bank submissions and coined the term “Phyconanotechnology”. His research has been cited more than 2370 times with h- index of 25. He received prestigious Dr.A.V.Krishnaiah Gold medal for best agricultural scientist - 2013 and Smt.Vallabhaneni Lakshmamma Gold medal for best research in agricultural sciences-2016. He also received many international awards including YSN-ASM Young Scientist from Academy of Sciences, Malaysia - 2017. He was the founder secretary of “Society of Agrinanotechnology” and Organizing secretary, AgriNANO-2015 and AgriNANO-2017 and AgriNANO-2019 conferences. He visited many countries including USA, Australia, Malaysia and Thailand. Currently, his research focus is on the development of agriculturally beneficial nanoscale materials and study of their behavior in agro-ecosystems.