
Director
Career
- Director, CSSRI, Karnal (10-10-2016 to present)
- Head, Division of Crop Improvement, CSSRI, Karnal (01-11-2014 to 09-10-2016)
- Principal Scientist (Plant Physiology) (CSSRI, Karnal- 2006 to present)
- Senior Scientist (CSSRI, Karnal- 1998-2006)
- Scientist Sr. Scale (CSSRI-Karnal 1991-1998)
- Scientist (CSSRI-Karnal 1989-1998, CAZRI, Jodhpur-1986-1988)
Education
- Sc. (PU, Chandigarh, 1979), M.Sc. (PAU, Ludhiana, 1982), Ph.D. (PAU, Ludhiana,
1986); Management Development Programme on Leadership Development (a PreRMP - Programme) organized by NAARM, Hyderabad from 8-19 Oct., 2012
Awards/ Recognitions
- Fellow, Indian Society for Plant Physiology; 2014
- Fellow, Society for Rapeseed Mustard Research, 2014
- Best Poster Award, 2012
- General Secretary, Indian Society of Soil Salinity and Water Quality, 2011 onwards
Visiting Professor, IBERS, Aberystwyth, UK, 2010 - Director’s Appreciation Award, CSSRI, Karnal, 2008
FAO/IAEA Expert in Indonesia, 2008
Externally Funded Projects as PI
- Cereal Systems Initiative (CSISA) for South Asia- Objective 2 (Strategic
Experimental Platform for Future Cereal Systems) : Developing crop and resource
management practices for sustainable future cereal based systems- Phase I (2008-
2012, Phase II (2012-2015), Funding: IRRI, CIMMYT - From QTL to Variety: Marker Assisted Breeding of Abiotic Stress Tolerant Rice
Varieties with Major QTLs for Drought, Submergence and Salt Tolerance (2010-
2014), Funding: DBT-IRRI Network - Genetic engineering for abiotic stress tolerance in crops (2008-2011), Funding: ICAR
- Using genomics and mapping approaches to improve tolerance of crop plants to
salinity stress (2007-2010), Funding: DST, New Delhi - Identification and pyramiding of genes for improving salt tolerance and seed yield in
Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) under salinity stress. (2004-2009), Funding:
IAEA, Vienna
Visits Abroad
- CSISA review meetings – Kathmandu, Nepal (2014, 2013)
- Visiting Professor, IBERS, Aberystwyth, UK, 2010
- International Conference – Shanghai, China (2009)
- CSISA project meeting – IRRI, Philippines (2009)
- RCM – IAEA, Vienna, (2008)
- FAO consultancy – Indonesia (2008)
- RCM- Accra, Ghana (2006)
- RCM – IAEA, Vienna (2005)
- Study Visits – Sussex, UK (1993, 1997)
Selected Research Publications
- Sharma, P.C., Singh, D., Sehgal, D., Singh, G., Hash, C.T. and Yadav, R.S. 2014. Further evidence that a terminal drought tolerance QTL of pearl millet is associated with reduced
salt uptake. Environmental and Experimental Botany. 102: 48-57.
(DOI:10.1016/j.envexpbot.2014.01.013)
2. Singh, J., Sharma, P.C., Sharma, S.K. and Rai, Munmun. 2014. Assessing effect of
salinity on oil quality parameters of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss)
using Fourier Transform Near-Infrared Reflectance (FT-NIR) spectroscopy. Grasas y
Aceites, 65(1): 1-8 (DOI: 10.3989/gya.063413).
3. Tirol-Padre, A., Rai, M., Gathala, M., Sharma, S., Kumar, V., Sharma, P.C., Sharma,
D.K., Wassmann, R. and Ladha, J.K., 2014. Comparative assessment of photo-acoustic
infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography for measuring N2O, CO2 and CH4 fluxes in
agricultural fields. Global Change Biology, 20 (1) : 287-299. (DOI: 10.1111/gcb.12347)
4. Singh, J., Sharma, P.C., Sharma, S.K. and Kumar, A. 2013. Standardization of fourier
transform near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy for estimation of some oil quality
parameters in mustard (Brassica spp.). Plant, Soil and Environment, 59 (10): 478-483.
5. Gathala, M.K., Kumar, V., Sharma, P.C., Saharawat, Y.S., Jat, H.S., Singh, M., Kumar,
A., Jat, M.L., Humphreys, E., Sharma, D.K., Sharma, S. and Ladha, J.K. 2013.
Optimizing intensive cereal-based cropping systems addressing current and future drivers
of agricultural change in the Northwestern Indo-Gangetic plains of India. Agriculture,
Ecosystems and Environment, 177 (1): 85-97. (DOI : 10.1016/j.agee.2013.06.002)
6. Tripathi, R.S., Gautam, R.K., Kulshreshtha, N., Sharma, P.C. and Qadar, A. 2012. Impact
of salt tolerant crop varieties on food grains production under salty environment of India.
Journal of Soil Salinity and Water Quality, 4 (2): 97-101.
7. Sharma, P.C., Sehgal, D., Singh, D., Singh, G. and Yadav, R.S. 2011. A major terminal
drought tolerance QTL of pearl millet is also associated with reduced salt uptake and
enhanced growth under salt stress. Molecular Breeding, 27(2): 207-222 (DOI 10.1007/s
1032-010-9423-3).
8. Sharma, P.C. and Ashok Kumar, 2006. Performance of oat (Avena sativa) genotypes under
alkali soil irrigated with sodic water. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 76 (4) : 249-
251.
9. Sharma, P.C., Mishra, B., Singh, R.K. and Narayan, S. 2006. Adaptability of garlic (Allium
sativum) genotypes to alkali stress. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 76 (2) : 71-76.
10. Sinha, T.S., Singh, D., Sharma, P.C. and Sharma, H.B. 2003. Rapid screening
methodology for salt tolerance during germination and seedling emergence in Indian
mustard (Brassica juncea L.). Indian Journal of Plant Physiology, 8, special issue (N.S.):
363-367.
11. Sharma, P.C. 2003. Salt tolerance of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.): Factors
affecting growth and yield. Indian Journal of Plant Physiology, 8, special issue (N.S.): 368
-372.
12. Sharma, P.C., Mishra, B., Singh, R.K., Singh, Y.P. and Tyagi, N.K. 2000. Adaptability of
onion (Allium cepa L.) genotypes to alkali and salinity stresses. Indian Journal of
Agricultural Sciences, 70 (10) : 674-679.
13. Sharma, P.C. and Kumar, P. 1999. Alleviation of salinity stress during germination in
Brassica juncea by pre-sowing chilling treatments to seeds. Biologia Plantarum : 42 (3) :
451-455.
14. Dua, R. P. and Sharma, P.C. 1996. Physiological basis of salinity tolerance in Pigeonpea
(Cajanus cajan) and method of testing materials under highly variable soil conditions.
Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 66(7) : 405-412.
15. Rao, D.L.N. and Sharma, P.C. 1995. Alleviation of salinity stress in chickpea by
Rhizobium inoculation or nitrate supply. Biologia Plantarum 37 (3) : 405-410.
16. Rao, D.L.N. and Sharma, P.C. 1995. Effectiveness of rhizobial strains for chickpea under
salinity stress and recovery of nodulation on desalinization. Indian Journal of Experimental
Biology. 33 (7) : 500-504.
17. Sharma, P.C and Gill, K. S. 1994. Salinity induced effects on biomass, yield, yield
attributing characters and ionic contents in genotypes of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea).
Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences. 64 (11) : 785-788.
18. Garg, B.K., Vyas, S.P., Kathju, S., Lahiri, A.N., Mali, P.C. and Sharma, P.C. 1993. Salinity
– fertility interaction on growth, mineral composition and nitrogen metabolism in Indian
mustard. Journal of Plant Nutrition. 16 (9): 1637-1650.
19. Sharma, P.C and Gill, K.S. 1992. Effect of salinity on yield and ion distribution in
pearlmillet genotypes. Arid Land Research and Management. 6 (3): 253-260.
20. Sharma, P.C., Mali, P.C., Garg, B.K., Vyas, S.P., Kathju, S. and Lahiri, A.N. 1989.
Interactive effects of soil fertility and salt stress on the activities of certain enzymes of
nitrogen metabolism in mustard. Current Science. 58: 390-392.
8. Other Publications (Books/Brochures/ Book Chapters)
1. Singh, K.N. and Sharma, P.C. (Eds.) 2005. Crop Improvement for Management of Salt
Affected Soils. Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal. pp. 221.
2. Singh, G.B., Sharma, P.C., Ambast, S.K., Kamra, S.K. and Khosla, B.K.. 2006. CSSRIA
Journey to Excellence.. Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal. pp. 156
3. Sharma.P.C., Jat, H.S., Yaduvanshi, N.P.S., Sharma, D.K., Singh, Gurbachan, Gathala,
M.K., Kumar, Virender, Sahrawat, Y.P., Jat, M.L., Ladha, J.K. and McDonald, A. 2014.
Sanrakshan kheti ke sidhanton par aadharit khadyan suraksha ki ek samrik rooprakha
(in Hindi). Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (ICAR) and Cereal System Initiative
for South Asia (CIMMYT), Karnal, India, p 32.
4. Sharma, D.K., Chaudhari, S.K., Sharma, P.C. and Chinchmalatpure, A.R. 2014. Vision
2050. Central Soil salinity Research Institute, Karnal (Haryana), pp. 29.
5. Sharma, D.K., Dey, P., Gupta, S.K. and Sharma, P.C. 2011. CSSRI-Vision 2030.
Central Soil salinity Research Institute, Karnal (Haryana)
6. Singh, Gurbacnan, Sharma, P.C. and Kaledhonkar, M.J. (Eds.). 2007. CSSRIPerspective
Plan : Vision 2025. Indian Council of Agricultural research, New Delhi, pp.
114.
7. Singh, Gurbachan, Jat, H.S., Kumar, Ashok, Shekhawat, K., Yaduvanshi, N.P.S.,
Tripathi, R.S., Batra, L., Pandey, R.S., Sharma, P.C., Chaudhari, S.K., Singh, S.K.,
Kundu, S.S., Sirohi, N.S., Mohan, S., Singh, D and Kailash. 2009. Eco-friendly
integrated multi-enterprize model for livelihood security in small farm holdings.
Technical Bulletin CSSRI/Karnal/2009/05, Central Soil Salinity Research Institute,
Karnal. P 26.
8. Sapkota, T.B., Rai, M., Singh, L.K., Gathala, M.K., Jat, M.L., Sutaliya, J.M.,
Bijarnya, D., Jat, M.K., Jat, R.K., Parihar, C.M., Kapoor, P., Jat, H.S., Sharma, P.C.
and Sharma, D.K. 2014. Greenhouse gas measurement from smallholder production
systems: guidelines for static chamber method. International Maize and Wheat
Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR),
New Delhi, India.
9. Jat, M.L., Kapil, Kamboj, B.R., Sidhu, H.S., Singh, Manpreet, Bana, Anil, Bishnoi,
Dalip, Gathala, M., Sahrawat, Y.S., Kumar, Vivek, Kumar, Anil, Jat, H.S., Jat, R.K.,
Sharma, P.C., Sharma, R.K., Singh, Rajbir, Sapkota, T.B., Malik, R.K. and Gupta, Raj,
K. 2013. Operational manual for Turbo Happy Seeder – Technology for managing crop
residues with environmental stewardship. International Maize and Wheat Improvement
Center (CIMMYT), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, India,
p 28.
10. Jat, H.S., Singh, Gurbachan, Pandey, R.S., Sharma, P.C., Yaduvanshi, N.P.S., Singh,
S.K., Raju, R., Yadav, R.K., Chaudhari, S.K. and Sharma D. K. 2013. Multienterprize
model under small farm holdings for enhancing resource use efficiency and
sustaining livelihood. In: Resource Conservation Technologies for Seed Spices (Eds.,
Singh, R., Lal, Gopal, Mehta, R.S., Chaudhary, S. and Singh, B.). Published by
NRCSS, Ajmer, pp. 188-201.
11. Gill, S.S., Gill, R., Kumar, G., Pareek, A., Sharma, P.C., Anjum, N.A. and Tuteja, N.
2012. Mustard: Approaches for crop improvement and abiotic stress tolerance. In:
Improving crop resistance to abiotic stress, Vol. 2 (Eds: N. Tuteja, S.S. Gill, A.F.
Tiburcio and R. Tuteja). Pp: 1351-1368, Wiley Wiley-VCH, Verlag GmbH & Co.,
Weinheim, Germany, (DOI: 10.1002/9783527632930.ch52)
12. Sharma, P.C. and Singh, R.K. 2008. Approaches to enhance salt tolerance in crop
plants: Progress and Prospects. In: Crop Improvement: Strategies and applications
(Eds. R.C. Setia, H. Nayyar and N. Setia). IK International Publishing House Pvt.
Ltd., New Delhi. Pp 179-205.
13. Sharma, P.C. and Sinha, T.S. 2006. Factors affecting salt tolerance of Indian
mustard. In: Plant Molecular Physiology. Current Scenario and Future Projections.
(Ed. P.C. Trivedi), Avishkar Publishers, Jaipur, India. Pp. 180-200.
14. Sharma, P.C. and Singh, K.N. 2005. Seed germination and the recent approaches to
enhance salt tolerance in plants. In: Crop Improvement for Management of Salt
Affected Soils. Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal. pp. 11-21.
15. Gill, K.S. and Sharma, P.C. 2003 Growth, yield and physiological responses to saline
water application at various growth stages in Brassica juncea. In: Dimensions of
Environmental Threats (Ed. Arvind Kumar), Daya Publishing House, New Delhi. Pp.
244-253.