Department of Basic Sciences Neri,Hamirpur (HP)

Dr Raj Saini
Associate Professor & Head

The Department of Basic Sciences was established as a part of the College of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri in the year 2017 with the commencement of postgraduate degree programmes in the college. The department encompasses various disciplines such as Microbiology, Biochemistry, Botany/Plant Physiology, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science and English. These disciplinary areas are critical components of modern day science which supports applied studies at both graduate and postgraduate level, train students for academic and scientific appreciation, and enable them to carry independent research. The department works in close association with other departments for giving quality education and practical exposure to the students. The department has infrastructural facilities and well-equipped laboratories for teaching and research guidance at undergraduate and postgraduate level. The department is initiating the postgraduate (M.Sc) degree programmes in Microbiology and Biochemistry from the academic year 2023-24. The department maintains its mission by providing strong academic background, overall personality development, and inculcate skills in the students for self development and for successful career, and also develops community orientation and active participation in the constructive manner in their outlook.

The department has made a steady progress in research since its establishment and also received financial assistance from the funding agencies. Scientists of the department have published research papers and review papers in journals of national and international repute besides book chapters, books/manuals and extension publications. The faculty members also act as academic editors in reputed journals and recognized reviewers of various reputed journals.

Mandate

Impart quality education in various disciplines of Basic Sciences at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Develop skilled human resource in the field of Basic Sciences.
Conduct research on fundamental and applied aspects of Basic Sciences, and undertake extension activities.

Strengths

Well equipped Microbiology and Biochemistry laboratories for teaching and research purpose.
Faculty of different disciplines in the Department provide a scientific base for better comprehension of the applied subjects of horticulture and forestry.

Academics

The Department offers two degree programmes

M.Sc. (Agri.) (Microbiology)

M.Sc (Agri.) (Biochemistry)

Click here for course details

Research

Thrust Areas

To explore plant beneficial microbes for development of bioformulations for subtropical horticulture and forestry crops
To explore pharmacologically important secondary metabolites from endophytes
Quality evaluation of crops and their biochemical analysis for abiotic and biotic stress management.
To forecast area, production and productivity of various subtropical horticultural crops..

Major ongoing Research Projects

Exploring Pharmacologically Important Secondary Metabolites from Endophytes Associated with Viola odorata- An Endemic Plant Species funded by National Medicinal Plant Board, New Delhi (₹ 33.26 lakh; Apr. 2021 to Apr. 2024)

Research Achievements

Developed microbial bio-formulations for promoting plant growth attributes as an approach towards sustainable agriculture.
Developed seed priming techniques for invigoration, productivity enhancement and abiotic stress alleviation in high value vegetable seeds
Prepared local volume tables with the help of best fitted regression models for conifers species in Himachal Pradesh.
Compared export competitiveness of various horticultural crops during the last 25 years of export data in India.

Extension Activities

The faculty of the department have coordinated training and awareness programmes
Delivered lectures/ demonstrations for implementation of technologies for the welfare of farmers and other stake holders.
Demonstration of bioformulations in farmer’s field.
The faculty have delivered radio talks on various aspects.

Awards/Recognitions

Raj Saini awarded prize for Best Poster during the National Seminar on ‘Indian Agriculture: Present situation, Challenges, Remedies and Road Map’ at CSK HPKV, Palampur (HP) held w.e.f. August 4-5, 2012; University Merit Scholarship during Ph.D and Certificate of Merit in M.Sc and Ph.D.
Dr Amit Sharma chaired a session in International Conference on Mathematical Models and Methods in Applied Sciences,14-15 Nov,2013 Venice, Italy; awarded DST, CSIR travel grant, thrice, to attend the international conferences in USA, London, Canada and Italy; MHRD fellowship during Ph.D. at NIT, Hamirpur.
Dr. Meenakshi Thakur, recipient of Honorable Jury Mention Certificate in Young Scientist Category by EET, CRS; INSPIRE Fellowship from DST; Travel grant from Houghton Trust and British Poultry Science (United Kingdom) and Second prize winner in Student Research Convention organized by Association of Indian Universities.
Dr Richa Salwan awarded Excellence in Research Publications on 37th foundation day of Dr. YSP UHF, Nauni on 1st December, 2021; Summer Research Fellowship for 2 months by National Science Academies INSA-NASI-IASc; Appreciation as Best Trainee in 21 days Winter School Training at IARI, New Delhi (Dec 26, 2019 to Jan 15, 2020)
Dr Arti Ghabru awarded Certificate of best article published in Agriculture & Food: e-Newsletter in October, 2022; Second prize in oral presentation at International Conference on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture (ICCBSA-2018) held at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat from December 13-16th December, 2018; First prize and best poster in the International conference on “Role of Biomolecules in Food Security and Health Improvement” (ICBFH-2010) held at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi during Feb 17-20, 2010.
Dr Ajit Sharma awarded Himalayan Fellowship under National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) in 2019; University Merit Scholarship during PhD; Best paper presentation in IJTA 2nd “International Conference on Agriculture, Horticulture and Plant Sciences’’ held in Shimla during 26-27 December, 2015.

Facilities

Department has the facility of various major/minor equipments in the laboratories such as Laminar air flow, Autoclaves, BOD incubator, PCR machine, Spectrophotometers, Rotavapor, Electrophoresis units, Refrigerators, Refrigerated centrifuge, Hot air ovens, Compound microscopes, Double distillation units, Shaking water bath, Kjeldahl assembly, Muffle furnace, Clevenger apparatus, Analytical Balance, pH/ Conductivity meter, Microcentrifuge, Vortex, Magnetic hot plate stirrers, Microwave oven etc.