Education Qualification
• Ph.D. Genetics and Plant Breeding (2022)
• M.Sc. Genetics and Plant Breeding (2019)
• B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture (2017)
Designation
Department
Research Area
RESEARCH AREA
Research work done
M.Sc. Thesis Title: “Morphological, biochemical and molecular profiling of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch. ex Poir.)”
Ph.D. Thesis Title: Identification and characterization of fertility restorers for different cytoplasmic sources in rice (Oryza sativa L.)”
Research interests
• Variety/ Hybrid crop technology
• Climate resilient crop improvement
• Biotic stress tolerant crop improvement
• Biofortification
• Tissue culture
• Genetic engineering
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Ongoing research projects
1. Morpho-physiological and genetic evaluation of wheat under drought stress for climate resilient crop improvement
2. Wheat Quality Seed production
Research projects completed
1. Quality seed production of Soybean
2. Quality seed production of Gum guar
Students project under mentorship
1. Aerotuber- Potato seed production through aeroponics
2. A comparative analysis of microorganism present in organic and conventional farming land of semi-arid region of North Gujarat
3. Seafeed: Seaweed-based animal feed to fight global warming
4. Reimagining mushroom residue as sustainable 3 D printing material
5. Bio-trap: plant extract based fruit-fly trap
6. Improving agricultural water quality through desalination for irrigation
7. Portable NPK meter
8. Chitolive: chitosan for enhanced shelf life
9. Hydrodrop: harnessing hydrogen polymer for advanced water management
10. BeeHuman: revolutionising agriculture with artificial pollinator services
11. Palm Straw: eco-friendly straw from palm straw
12. Menace to miracle: water hyacinth management, value addition and product chain development
13. A nutrient-packed treat: mushroom fortified millet cookies
14. A Comparative study to evaluate plant extracts with synthetic hormones for their PGR properties
15. Bio-pack: sustainable and biodegradable alternative to styrofaom
16. Protocol establishment for micro green cultivation in different growth media
General Information
PUBLICATIONS
Research papers
1. Meta-analysis of identified genomic regions and candidate genes underlying salinity tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Satasiya, P., Patel, S., Patel, R., Prakash, O., Modha, K., Parekh, V., Joshi, H., Patel, V., Chaudhary, A., Sharma, D. and Prajapati, M. (2024). Scientific Reports, 14(1), p.5730. (Impact Factor- 4.6)
2. Sharma, D. D., Patel, V. P., Chaudhary, A. R., and Patel, A. A. (2022). Heterosis analysis for yield and its contributing traits in rice hybrids of different CMS sources. The Pharma Innovation Journal, 11(10), 1367-1377.
3. Sharma, D. D., Dhaduk, H. L., Parmar, D. J. and Patel, P. U. (2022). Genetic variability, association and biochemical profiling in pumpkin. The Pharma Innovation Journal, 11(5), 1901-1910.
4. Chaudhary, A., Mistry, P., Patel, P., & Sharma, D. (2022). Studies on the genetic basis of heterosis, inbreeding depression, heritability and genetic advance through generation mean analysis for yield and its attributing traits in rice (Oryza sativa L.).
5. Sidapara, M. P., Gohil, D. P., Patel, P. U. and Sharma, D. D. (2021). Heterosis studies for yield and yield components in okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 10(1), 1268-1275.
6. Patel, P. U., Patel, B. C., Sidapara, M. P. and Sharma, D. D. (2020). Combining ability and gene action studies for yield and its component traits in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 9(5), 2463-9.
7. Sonagara, M. K., Patel, J. N., Acharya, R. R. and Sharma, D. D. (2020). Exploitation of heterobeltiosis in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 9(4), 674-685.
Books/ Book chapters
1. Deepak D. Sharma, Ankit R. Chaudhary, K. S. Vaghela and Rajdip Vaja (2024, January). Chapter entitled “Production Issues in Organic Farming in Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management” Current Research in Soil Science, (Volume 17), 1, 67-82.
2. K. S. Vaghela, D. R. Kanzaria, Deepak D. Sharma and V. K. Parmar (January, 2024). Chapter entitled “Soil Fertility Management in Organic Vegetable Farming, Current Research in Soil Science. Current Research in Soil Science, (Volume 17), 1, 67-82.
3. Sharma D. D. and Chaudhary A. R. (2022, November). Chapter entitled “High throughput phenotyping in plants” published in, Futuristic Trends in Agriculture Engineering and Food Sciences. IIP Proceedings, Volume 2, Book 10, Part 1.
4. Chaudhary A. R. and Sharma D. D. (2022, June). Chapter entitled “Lac Operon: An Inducible System” published in, An Introduction to Plant Biology, (Volume 3).
Articles
1. Sharma, D. D. and Chaudhary A. R. (2022, May). “Association mapping in crop plants”. Readers Shelf, 18(8), pp. 30-32.
2. Chaudhary A. R. and Sharma D. D. (2022, February). High Throughput Phenotyping: A Revolution Towards Precision Breeding. Readers Shelf, 18(5), pp. 32-33.
3. Bartwal D. and Sharma D. D. (2022, January), “Information about nutrient added to the soil through different organic fertilizers” in Krushi Prabhat.
4. Patel Apruvkumar M., Sharma D. D. (2022, March). Fall Armyworm: An Invasion Pest. Readers Shelf, 18(6), pp. 31-32.
5. Patel Apruvkumar M., Sharma D. D. (2022, April). Mycotoxin in Agricultural Commodities and their Management. Readers Shelf, 18(7), pp. 13-14.
6. Sharma D. D. and Patel A. M. (2021, September) “તેલીબિયા પાક રાઈનું ઉત્પાદન વધારવા માટેના ચાવીરુપ મુદ્દાઓ” (Potential measures to increase the production in oilseed crop mustard). Krushi Prabhat.
7. Sharma D. D. and Chaudhary A. R. (2021, December). Biotechnology Dream: Nitrogen-Fixing Cereal Crops. Readers Shelf, 18(3), pp. 19-21.
8. Chaudhary A. R. and Sharma D. D. (2021, December). Biotechnological Approaches for Understanding bt Resistance Development in Insects. Readers Shelf, 18(3), pp. 17-18.
AWARD AND ACHIEVEMENTS
1. Best Poster presentation Award (2024): Dr. Deepak was honoured with the Best Poster Award for his remarkable contributions to the field of 3 D Printing during the 3rd Asian Congress on "Plant Pathology: Plant and Soil Health Management for a Better Tomorrow" at Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat.
2. Best Ph. D. Thesis Award (2023): Best Ph.D. thesis award was provided to Dr. Deepak at 5th International Conference on Global Insight on Research and development in Agriculture, Horticulture and Allied Sciences at G. H. Raisoni University, Saikheda (MP).
3. 1st Rank in Internship Programme (2023): Dr. Deepak was ranked first in the Summer Student Research Internship Programme at KKIASR-Ganpat University, under mentorship as Co-PI.
4. 1st Rank in Agricultural category (March, 2023): Dr. Deepak was positioned first with cash prize of Rs. 75000/- in Agricultural category at Anveshan- National Student Research Convention, organized by Association of Indian universities (AIU) New Delhi.
5. 3rd Rank in Agricultural category (December, 2023): Third rank was achieved by Dr. Deepak at West zone in Agricultural category at Anveshan- West Zone Student Research Convention, organized by Association of Indian universities (AIU) New Delhi.
6. SHODH- ScHeme of Developing High Quality Research Scholarship (2019): Dr Deepak was awarded with a stipend for SHODH- ScHeme of Developing High Quality Research Scholarship, Government of Gujarat.
7. University Fellowship (2017): Dr. Deepak received university fellowship for PG Programme in Anand Agricultural University in master’s degree.
8. Cash price in M.Sc. (2017): Dr. Deepak was honoured with cash price in master’s programme for scoring highest grade point by BACA Alumni Association.
9. Student of the year (2014-2015): Dr. Deepak was awarded with the student of the year award in bachelor’s degree at College of Agriculture, Vaso, AAU, Anand.
10. University Fellowship (2013): Dr. Deepak received university fellowship for UG Programme in Anand Agricultural University in Bachelor’s degree.
Profile
Dr. Deepak D. Sharma stands out as a remarkable individual boasting a robust academic foundation and vast research expertise in Genetics and Plant Breeding. He earned his Master's degree from B. A. College of Agriculture, AAU, Gujarat, and completed his Doctorate from N. M. College of Agriculture, NAU, Navsari. In 2021, he achieved a notable score of 69.78% in the ASRB-ICAR NET exam. His research endeavours encompass a wide array of fields including Crop Improvement, Genetics and Plant Breeding, Biotechnology, Molecular Breeding, Botany, Seed Technology and Genetic Engineering.
During his Ph.D., Dr. Deepak made a significant impact in the field of hybrid rice by conducting extensive research on novel germplasm for gene characterization related to restorer genes for various CMS sources. His work led to the validation of molecular markers for both restorer and non-restorer lines, including the characterization of the RF4 gene. Additionally, he identified several promising restorer lines and non-restorer lines, facilitating the development of CMS lines through gene introgression. This accomplishment underscores his expertise in Plant Breeding, Hybrid Technology, Molecular Breeding, Marker-assisted Selection, Gene Sequencing, Bioinformatics and Gene expression studies, showcasing his capacity to achieve ground-breaking discoveries in the field of Genetics and Plant Breeding.
In addition to his doctoral research, Dr. Deepak Sharma conducted significant studies during his master's degree, with a focus on cucurbits, specifically concentrating on pumpkins. He investigated a wide range of germplasm to assess hybridity, yield and quality characteristics. Furthermore, he explored diversity using a diverse set of molecular markers and field observations. His research endeavours culminated in the identification of promising high-yielding germplasm with significant national value, contributing to efforts in combatting malnutrition.
Beyond research, Dr. Deepak actively engages in academic activities, including delivering lectures on various courses such as Fundamentals of Genetics, Fundamentals of Plant Breeding, Seed Technology and Plant Biotechnology. He has numerous projects under him as Co-PI, PI and as mentor. His passion for teaching and research is evident in his commitment to fostering overall student’s development. Moreover, he has contributed to the scholarly literature with many publications, further solidifying his reputation as a prolific researcher in the field of Genetics and Plant Breeding. His dedication, qualifications and teaching abilities make him a valuable asset to GUNI-KKIASR.