Microbial Biotechnology

Dr. B.P. Chamola obtained his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degree in Botany from HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar, Uttaranchal. He has published 13 papers in different journals, symposia and books, he has co-edited ‘Advances in Botany’, ‘Mushrooms of India-Boletaceae’, ‘Red Algae’, Brown Algae’ (APH Publishing Corporation, New Delhi) and edited ‘New Approaches in Microbial Ecology’ (Aditya Books Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi), ‘Integrated Pest and Disease Management’, ’Advances in Microbial Biotechnology’, ‘Glimpses in Botany (APH Publishing Corporation, New Delhi), ‘Biology of Lichens’ (Aravali Books International, New Delhi), ‘Biotechnological Approaches in Biocontrol of Plant Pathogens’, ‘Mycorrhizal Biology’, ‘Biocontrol Potential & its Exploitation in Sustainable Agriculture ‘Vols. I and II (Kluwer Academic/Plenum Pblsihers, USA) and ‘Techniques in Mycorrhizal Studies’ (Kluwer Academic Publishers, The Netherlands). His current major interest includes biological control of plant pathogens through AM/VAM fungi and use of these fungi in afforestation of wastre and barren lands. Presently he is involved in teaching and research at the Department of Forestry, HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar (Garhwal), Uttarancal.

Born in 1966, Jagjit Singh was introduced and guided into the fascinating world of ornithology by his grandfather, the late Maharaja Brijindra Singh Bahadur of Bharatpur in his garden – today known as sthe Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary. As an adept bird-watcher as well as illustrator, Jagjit has brought a stunning visual dimension to his work. The portraits in this book are all his. At present he teaches environmental science and geography at the Welham Boys’ School, Dehradun.

Dr. Rajni Gupta is teaching in the Department of Botany, Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi, Delhi. She got her M.Sc. and Ph.D. Degree in Botany from Agra University. She did Post Doctoral work in the Department of Botany, University of Delhi with Prof. K.G. Mukerji a distinguished Mycologist and Microbial ecologist. She has worked in the field of VAM fungi in biocontrol or weeds. She has published more than 40 Research papers in different National and Internatioal Journals. She has edited "Advances in Microbial Biotechnology" and authored "Microbial Technology".

Dr. T.N. Lakhanpal, Professor, Department of Biosciences, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, is a Gold Medallist from Punjab University, Chandigarh and received Ph.D. from the University of Delhi. He has published more than 150 research papers. During the last two decades he has extensively surveyed the N.W. Himalayas for mushrooms and has worked the biodiversity of microbes and other plants in the Himalayas. He has co-authored Taxonomy of Indian Myxomycetes (J. Cramer, Germany), Rural Eneregy Alternatives in the Hilly Areas (TODAy and Tomorrow Publ. New Delhi) and The Amanitaceae of India (Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun). He is a member of many scientific societies and associations. So far around 23 students have received Ph.D. degree under his supervision. He has been associated with many committees in Botany and Biology. Dr. Lakhanpal is very well known for his research contributions in India as well as abroad.