Dr. Mohana,G.S.
Principal Scientist (Genetics and Cytogenetics) I/c Agricultural Knowledge Management Unit
Scientist specializing in cashew genetic resources, germplasm conservation, plant breeding and agricultural knowledge management, with a focus on crop improvement, technology development and digital agricultural information systems.
Qualification
Ph.D. (Genetics & Plant Breeding)
Year of Birth
1972
Present Position
Principal Scientist
Specialization
Genetics & Plant Breeding
Mobile
24+
Years of Research45+
Research Papers8+
Books & book Chapters14+
National AwardsAbout the Scientist
Professional Journey
Research, Breeding & Knowledge Management
Dr. G.S. Mohana has been associated with cashew improvement at the ICAR–Directorate of Cashew Research, Puttur, for over a decade. His work encompasses cashew germplasm conservation and evaluation, genetic characterization and breeding for improved cashew genotypes.
Prior to joining ICAR-DCR, he served as Scheme Head of Rice Breeding at the Agricultural Research Station, Ponnampet, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, in the Kodagu district of Karnataka. During this period, he collected and characterized around 300 traditional rice varieties from the central Western Ghats, including genetic resources that had not been documented earlier.
He was actively involved in the development of rice varieties including PUBM-8, BKBM-23, KHP-10 and KHP-11. His professional experience also includes teaching and mentoring undergraduate and postgraduate students.
In addition to crop improvement, Dr. G.S. Mohana has contributed significantly to the integration of digital technologies with agricultural research and knowledge dissemination. His earlier experience in biodiversity documentation and database management laid the foundation for his continued work in digital agriculture and knowledge management. At ICAR-DCR, he has contributed to initiatives such as the Cashew India mobile application, Cashew Information Management web platform, Cashew Farmers Tracking System (CFTS), and Cashew Protect, an AI-based application for pest and disease identification. These initiatives reflect his efforts to harness information technology and digital tools for improving access to agricultural knowledge, strengthening technology dissemination, supporting farmers and enhancing research and extension services in the cashew sector.
His research and professional assignments have taken him to the USA, Kenya and France, providing exposure to international research programmes and collaborative approaches in agricultural science.
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
- Potential area mapping of cashew in India using the species distribution modelling approach
- Quick Area Estimation of Cashew in India through Remote Sensing
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.
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.
CSIR Fellowship for Ph.D.
Awarded the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Fellowship for pursuing doctoral research.
National Eligibility Test (NET) Certificate
Recipient of the National Eligibility Test (NET) Certificate in Plant Breeding.
ICAR Fellowship for M.Sc.
Awarded the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Fellowship for the M.Sc. programme.
Eight Gold Medals for Academic Excellence
Recipient of 8 Gold Medals for securing the highest Grade Point Average of 3.99 GPA among B.Sc. (Agriculture) graduate students during the academic programme from 1990–1994.
Digital Agriculture & Knowledge Management
Applying digital technologies, information systems and knowledge-management approaches to strengthen cashew research, technology dissemination and farmer-oriented agricultural services.
Cashew India
A digital platform developed to provide accessible information and knowledge resources related to cashew cultivation, technologies and crop management.
Cashew Protect
A digital initiative supporting identification and management of important pests and diseases affecting cashew, helping strengthen technology-based crop protection services.
Cashew Germplasm Database
Development and management of digital information resources for organizing, documenting and accessing information on cashew genetic resources.
Digital Information Systems
Application of databases, digital information systems and web-based resources to support agricultural research, knowledge management and technology dissemination.
Farmer-Oriented Platforms
Development of digital approaches for improving access to agricultural information and strengthening connections between research, extension and farming communities.
Knowledge Management
As In-charge of the Agricultural Knowledge Management Unit, contributing to the organization, management and dissemination of institutional knowledge and agricultural technologies through digital systems.
Bridging Research, Technology & Farmers
Integrating scientific research with digital platforms and knowledge-management systems to make agricultural information more accessible, organized and useful for researchers, extension personnel and farming communities.
Laboratory Members
Mr. Jijo Joseph
Young Professional-II (AKMU)
Mr. N Narayana Naik
Skilled Supporting Staff
Ms. Ramya
Skilled contractual staffLaboratory & 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