Dr. Mohana,G.S.
Principal Scientist (Genetics and Cytogenetics) I/c Agricultural Knowledge Management Unit
Principal Scientist specializing in Cashew Genetics, Germplasm Conservation, Plant Breeding and Agricultural Knowledge Management, contributing to sustainable crop improvement through research, innovation and digital technologies.
Qualification
M.Sc. (Agri), Ph.D. (Genetics & Plant Breeding)
Year of Birth
1972
Present Position
Principal Scientist
Division
Crop Improvement
Mobile
14+
Years of Research40+
Research Papers8+
Books & Chapters14+
National AwardsAbout the Scientist
Brief Work Experience
Professional Summary
The scientist has been working on Cashew Improvement at the ICAR- Directorate of Cashew Research, Puttur, for 14 years. He is involved in germplasm conservation and evaluation in addition to breeding of better cashew genotypes. Earlier, he worked as Scheme Head of Rice breeding at Agricultural Research Station, Ponnampet (UAS, Bangalore) in the Coorg district of Karnataka state. He had collected and characterized about 300 traditional rice varieties of the central Western Ghats, which were not available earlier. He was actively involved in development of varieties such as PUBM-8, BKBM- 23, KHP-10 and KHP-11. He was involved in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students. He has visited USA, Kenya and France on various research assignments.
Projects & Scientific Contributions
Current Projects
In-House Projects
- Collection, conservation, characterisation and evaluation of cashew genetic resources
- Breeding approaches for developing TMB tolerance
- Polyploidy breeding in cashew
- Evaluation of dwarf and semi dwarf accessions and their seedling progenies for high density planting system
External Project
- Development of morphological descriptors and DUS test guidelines for cashew
Publication Summary
Representative Research Papers
Cashew India: An Exclusive Android Application for Cashew Cultivation
Mohana, G.S., Nayak, M.G., Gajbhiye, R.C., Jalaja S. Menon, Uma Maheshwara Rao, Vikas Ramteke, Mini Poduval, S.K. Desai, S. Velmurugan, P.K. Panda and Deshmukh, N.A. (2025).
Development of the Core Collection through Advanced Maximization Strategy with Heuristic Approach in Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.)
Mohana, G.S. & Nayak, M.G. (2018).
Genetic Architecture of Cashew Germplasm Accessions
G.S. Mohana, M.G. Nayak and E. Eradasappa (2017).
Development of Jumbo Nut Hybrid and Character Association Studies in Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.)
J. Dinakara Adiga, G.S. Mohana, E. Eradasappa, R.K. Meena and P.L. Saroj (2017).
Variation in Seed Mass as Key Factor in Germination and Seedling Vigor in Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.)
Babli Mog, Adiga, J.D., Nayak, M.G. and G.S. Mohana (2017).
Awards, Achievements & Professional Recognition
Best Oral Presentation Award
Awarded Best Oral Presentation at the Advances in Climate-Conscious Crop Science: Genetics, Genomics and Breeding conference, held at the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), GKVK, Bengaluru, during 31 October – 2 November 2025.
Peerless Oral Presentation Award
Received the Peerless Oral Presentation Award at the National Conference on Fruit Breeding in Tropics and Subtropics – An Indian Perspective, organized by ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru, during 27–29 April 2016.
Best Poster Presentation Award
Awarded Best Poster Presentation at the 1st International Agrobiodiversity Congress – Science, Technology, Policy and Partnership, held during 6–9 November 2016.
Member, Agro-biodiversity Subcommittee
Served as a Member of the Agro-biodiversity Subcommittee, Karnataka Biodiversity Board, Government of Karnataka, from 26 May 2010 to 25 May 2013.
Adjunct Fellow
Appointed as Adjunct Fellow at the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Bengaluru, a CSIR-recognized civil society organization.
Laboratory Members
Mr. N Narayana Naik
Skilled Supporting Staff
Laboratory & Field Research Gallery
Research facilities, Research infrastructure supporting cashew genetic improvement through germplasm conservation, genetic resource characterization, breeding programmes, field experimentation, and agricultural knowledge management
Contact Information
For scientific collaboration, research partnerships, postgraduate guidance, technical consultation, and collaborative research in cashew genetics, plant breeding, germplasm conservation, genetic resource management, and agricultural knowledge management.
Office
ICAR – Directorate of Cashew Research Puttur, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka - 574202