Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Agricultural University, Akola [MS], INDIA -444 104, India
Author Profile
google scholar
🌱 Early Academic Pursuits
Dr. Pravin V. Jadhav embarked on his academic journey with a strong foundation in agricultural sciences, earning his B.Sc. in Agriculture from Marathwada Agricultural University, Parbhani, Maharashtra, in 1999. He further pursued his M.Sc. (Agril.) in Plant Breeding and Genetics from Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur, in 2001. Driven by an intense curiosity for molecular mechanisms and genetic improvement in crops, he completed his Ph.D. in Agricultural Biotechnology from the same university in 2008. These formative years laid the groundwork for his future contributions in plant biotechnology, with a strong interdisciplinary approach combining Plant Breeding, Molecular Biology, and Genetic Engineering. 📚🧬
👨🏫 Professional Endeavors
With over two decades of academic and research experience, Dr. Jadhav is currently serving as Associate Professor of Molecular Biology & Genetic Engineering at the Biotechnology Centre, Department of Agricultural Botany, Post Graduate Institute, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Agricultural University, Akola, Maharashtra. 🌾
Prior to this role, he held significant positions such as Assistant Professor at the same university and Senior Scientist at Ajeet Seeds Ltd., Aurangabad. His professional career began as a Senior Research Fellow at Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, where he worked on bio-fortification and genetic enhancement in rice using marker-assisted selection (MAS) and transgenic approaches.
His industrial stint at Ajeet Seeds Ltd. enriched his practical exposure to transgenic development, regulatory affairs, and biotechnology applications in commercial crop improvement. 🔬🌍
🔬 Contributions and Research Focus
Dr. Jadhav’s research journey is both diverse and impactful. He has:
-
Developed In-Planta transformation systems for several recalcitrant crops such as indica rice, soybean, cotton, and okra, improving transformation efficiency through refined tissue-targeting and critical factor analysis.
-
Refined Agrobacterium-mediated and Biolistic transformation methods with advanced callus induction and regeneration protocols.
-
Created the Soybean Transcriptome Database for Charcoal Rot (STDbCr) 🧫, contributing to molecular understanding and resistance breeding.
-
Designed virus-specific PCR primers for banana virus indexing, ensuring disease-free tissue culture propagation.
-
Developed protocols for in vitro flowering in soybean, facilitating efficient genome editing applications. 🧪🌸
His current projects include cutting-edge research in CRISPR/Cas9-based multiplex genome editing for food-grade soybean, development of β-conglycinin-free genotypes, marker-assisted pyramiding of resistance genes, and bio-pesticide enhancement using melanin-forming Bacillus strains. These projects, funded by agencies like DBT, SERB-DST, BRNS, and the Government of Maharashtra, underscore his scientific leadership and commitment to sustainable agriculture. 💡🌿
🏅 Accolades and Recognition
Dr. Jadhav’s academic excellence and research acumen have earned him prestigious awards and fellowships:
-
🥇 Shri Damodar Krishnrao Ballal Silver Medal for Best Teacher Award (2024), awarded at the 39th Convocation of Dr. PDKV, Akola.
-
🎖 Qualified the ICAR-NET examination in 2001.
-
🌍 Received the CTEP Fellowship from DBT to participate in the World Soybean Research Conference-IX in Durban, South Africa (2013).
-
🏆 Honored with a Gold Medal for the best oral presentation at the Vasantrao Naik Memorial National Seminar (2015).
-
📘 Serves on the Editorial Board of the Wyno Academic Journal of Agricultural Science, Lagos, Nigeria.
-
🎓 Successfully mentored students for prestigious inter-university research events like Avishkar 2023, showcasing practical innovations like quinoa-based cookies and breads. 👩🔬🍪
🌍 Impact and Influence
Dr. Jadhav’s work bridges the gap between traditional plant breeding and modern biotechnological interventions. His research has directly contributed to improving crop resilience, quality traits, and food safety, particularly in soybean, a crop of immense nutritional and economic importance. His outreach and training initiatives under DBT-funded projects have empowered rural communities in Vidarbha with skills in plant tissue culture and entrepreneurship. 🌾💼
As a mentor, his guidance to postgraduate and doctoral students shapes the next generation of plant scientists. His presence in national and international forums, journals, and collaborative research networks cements his influence in the global agricultural biotechnology landscape. 🌐👨🔬
🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions
Looking ahead, Dr. Pravin V. Jadhav is set to play a pivotal role in ushering a new era of climate-resilient, genetically enhanced crop varieties tailored for sustainability and nutrition. Through his leadership in projects like the Centre of Excellence for Climate Resilience in Vidarbha, he aims to tackle the pressing challenges of climate change, food insecurity, and agricultural productivity.
His legacy will be defined by not only his scientific breakthroughs but also by his unwavering dedication to teaching, mentoring, and capacity-building in rural and academic ecosystems.
Notable Publications
-
Title: Genomic introgression and expression profiling of the KTI null allele in soybean through elite-by-elite backcrossing
Authors: Pravin Jadhav, Umesh Shinde, Pranita Thakur, Bhagyashree Gawande, Arpita Mahobia, Mangesh P. Moharil, Vineet Kumar, Anita Rani, Sunil Kokane, Satish S. Nichal, Raviprakash Dani, Rupesh Deshmukh, Humira Sonah, Vilas Kharche, Shyamsunder Mane
Journal: Plant Physiology and Biochemistry
Year: 2025
-
Title: Comparative transcriptome and co-expression network analysis uncovers the regulatory mechanism of silicon-induced soybean defense against charcoal rot disease
Authors: Pravin Jadhav, Sayali Magar, Parva Sharma, Umesh Shinde, Eknath Vaidya, Mangesh Moharil, Sarika Jaiswal, Satish Nichal, Rajiv Ghawade, Mir Asif Iquebal, Prashant Kawar, Pritam Jadhav, Sanjay Sakhare, Rameshwar Ghorade, Rupesh Deshmukh, Humira Sonah, Dinesh Kumar, Vineet Kumar, Vilas Kharche, Shyamsunder Mane
Journal: Current Plant Biology
Year: 2025
-
Title: Genetic and molecular characterization of Null KTI allele in backcrossed soybean populations
Authors: Bhagyashri Suresh Gavande, Pravin V. Jadhav, Umesh D. Shinde, Sagar L. Zanjal, M.P. Moharil, S.S. Nichal, S.S. Mane
Journal: International Journal of Advanced Biochemistry Research
Year: 2024
-
Title: Characterization of vegetable soybean (Edamame) germplasm and assessment of optimal food quality traits
Authors: Priya P. Pardeshi, Priti A. Sonkamble, Darasing R. Rathod, Dhiraj R. Gangtire, Pravin V. Jadhav, Sanjay B. Sakhare, Ravindra S. Nandanwar, Philip Varghise
Journal: Indian Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding
Year: 2024
-
Title: Differential gene expression profiling during wilting in chickpea caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris race-4 using cDNA SCoT marker
Authors: Palak Sharma, Mangesh Pradip Moharil, Vaibhav Chandrakant Khelurkar, Mohammed Saba Rahim, Pravin Vishwanathrao Jadhav, Vaishnavi Bopte, Archana Wasudeorao Thorat, Shyamsunder Shioram Mane, Sanjay Bapuji Sakhare, Avinash Prabhakarrao Ingle, Rameshwar Baliram Ghorade
Journal: Indian Phytopathology
Year: 2024