Dean

Dr. Dharam Paul

Dr. Dharam Paul has joined as Dean Post Graduate Studies, Maharana Pratap Horticultural University on 26^th August 2024. He did his B. Sc. (H.S.), M. Sc. (H.S.) and Ph. D. in Biochemistry from Panjab University Chandigarh. He initiated his Academic Career as Assistant Professor (Biochemistry) in the year 2005 at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana which is a Prestigious Agricultural University of India. In the year 2010 he got selected as Senior Scientist at ICAR- Directorate of Maize Research (Nowadays ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research) and subsequently promoted to Principal Scientist at ICAR- Indian Institute of Maize Research in 2016. He has 19 years of teaching and research experience at ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Ludhiana, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, and Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. His major area of research was focused on the nutritional quality improvement in forages and maize. In forages he primarily worked on Pearl Millet and Napier Bajra Hybrid and solved a perennial problem of oxalic acid toxicity in Napier Bajra Hybrid, high yielding non-legume forage. In maize, he initiated the systematic breeding in Quality Protein Maize (QPM) which resulted in the development of four QPM hybrids and the first low phytate maize hybrid released for commercial cultivation across India. He also developed a rapid detection method for differentiating grains of QPM from normal maize within a span of ten minutes so that the farmers may get a remunerative price for their QPM produce at the market point. He also worked on the development of low GI maize and identified some high amylose genotypes which are required for the development of resistant starch low GI maize hybrids which is an emergent requirement of the ever increasing diabetic population of India. He also developed a single kernel rapid assay method for estimation of amylose content in maize which was identified among best five technologies by Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi and awarded to him by the Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture and Famers Welfare during the ICAR Foundation Day on 16^th July 2024. He was associated in the development of one popcorn hybrid, two baby corn hybrids and three normal maize hybrids. He also developed 10 elite genetic stocks of maize, registered with NBPGR, rich in various quality traits including oil, protein, essential amino acids, etc. Understanding the deficiency of methionine in poultry birds, he developed three high methionine lines, possessing thrice the levels of methionine than normal maize. He has handled many externally funded projects to the tune of Rs. 8 crores primarily focused on bioconversion of maize to ethanol and conservation of maize as silage. He coordinated the quality improvement program on maize for 12 consecutive years as PI Biochemistry and initiated many reforms in the program. He has handled numerous administrative responsibilities at ICAR-IIMR, Ludhiana including Head of Office, Incharge PME, Coordinator Publication Committee, Chairman of Externally funded monitoring Committee etc. He taught numerous undergraduate and postgraduate courses at PAU and ICAR-IARI New Delhi and guided seven M. Sc. and three Ph. D. students as Major Advisor and supervised several students as Co-Guide. He has published more than 85 research articles in the Journals of national and international repute. He has published a book and several book chapters, technical bulletin and popular articles. At MHU his prime focus will be to improve the PG research of the university to bring it at par to international standards.