Asian Citrus Industry

Dilip Kumar Ghosh, PhD, is the Director of ICAR-Central Citrus Research Institute (ICAR-CCRI), Nagpur, India. He earned his Master's and Doctoral degrees in Plant Pathology, specializing in Plant Virology, from ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, and has been associated with ICAR-CCRI since 1995. A distinguished Citrus Pathologist, Dr. Ghosh has developed PCR-based and LAMP/RPA-LFA-based rapid diagnostic kits for major citrus pathogens and developed novel management strategies for Huanglongbin. He identified Candidatus Phytoplasma cynodontis as the causal agent of Witches' Broom Disease of Acid Lime (WBDL) in India and was the first to report Hop Stunt Viroid infection in citrus in India. An FAO consultant, he has worked in Nepal and Bhutan and organized international training programs. With 14 research projects, 76 research papers, 6 books, 480 NCBI GenBank Accessions and one US patent, he has earned numerous awards and fellowships. He has served as President of the Indian Phytopathological Society, as Executive Committee Member of the International Society of Citriculture and currently leads the Indian Society of Citriculture. In 2023, he convened the first Asian Citrus Congress in India, fostering global collaborations in citrus research.

Kwan Jeong Song, PhD, is a Professor in the Horticultural Science Major at Jeju National University and has served as Dean of Jeju Agriculture Meister College, Korea. He received a BA, MS, and PhD in the Department of Horticultural Science from Seoul National University, Korea. He served as Director of the Research Institute for Subtropical Agriculture & Biotechnology and Dean of the College of Applied Life Science at Jeju National University. He also served as President of the Korean Society of Citrus and Subtropical Climate Fruits and recently as President of the International Society of Citriculture and Convenor of the 15th International Citrus Congress. His research has focused on citrus genetics, molecular physiology, and polyploidization related to fruit set, fruit quality, and seedlessness. He has published more than a hundred articles and book chapters on these topics.

Sangeeta Bhattacharyya, PhD, is a Scientist in Agricultural Extension at the ICAR-Central Citrus Research Institute (ICAR-CCRI), Nagpur, India. She holds a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Agriculture from Visva-Bharati University, India, an M.Sc. in Agricultural Extension Education from ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, India, and a Ph.D. from ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Her research focuses on the adoption and impact assessment of scientific citrus farming technologies developed by the institute. She also examines gender dynamics in Indian citriculture, challenges faced by citrus growers in producing and exporting high-quality fruits, and the effectiveness of capacity-building programs conducted by the institute. These programs train citrus farmers, professionals, state horticulture officers, and citripreneurs in advanced citrus production technologies and related agribusiness ventures. Additionally, she is actively involved in demonstrating rejuvenation technologies for citrus orchards. Dr. Bhattacharyya has authored over 31 research papers, 11 book chapters, 33 popular articles, six training manuals, and one book.

Subhra Saikat Roy, PhD, is a Principal Scientist (Horticulture) at the ICAR-Central Citrus Research Institute (ICAR-CCRI), Nagpur, India. He earned his undergraduate degree from Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, followed by a Master's and Doctoral Degree in Horticulture from Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, India. A distinguished scholar, he was awarded the University Gold Medal (UG) and Certificate of Merit (PG) for academic excellence. With over 17 years of research experience, Dr. Roy has developed several innovative technologies. His research focuses on phytochemical profiling, bioprospecting, metabolomics, valorization, post-harvest technology, and citrus value addition. He has an extensive publication record, including over 50 research papers, 15 books, and 45 book chapters. Dr. Roy played a pivotal role as the Organizing Secretary of the Asian Citrus Congress - 2023. Throughout his career, he has been honored with several prestigious awards in recognition of his outstanding contributions to horticultural science.

Chandrika Ramadugu, PhD, is a Project Scientist in the Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, USA. She earned her Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India. Since 2005, Ramadugu worked exclusively on citrus in Riverside, California. Her interests range from citrus pathology, development of pathogen detection assays, horticulture, taxonomy, genetic transformations, study of diverse citrus germplasm, genomic studies, and development of short-term and long-term solutions to the citrus huanglongbing disease that has been a major concern for citrus industries in the USA, Brazil, Central and South American countries, and citrus growing regions in Asia. Currently, Ramadugu and her team are developing novel hybrids with genetic resistance/tolerance to the citrus huanglongbing disease through genome-assisted breeding of citrus cultivars with disease-resistant Australian limes. Ramadugu has published research articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and collaborates widely with scientists from various research organizations. She is the leading principal investigator in several federally funded multi-institution research grants focused on finding solutions to economically significant citrus diseases.