Dr. Dhiman Burman

Positions held:

Professional recognition, awards, fellowships received:

1. ISCA Young Scientists’ Award by Indian Science Congress Association for the section of Agricultural Sciences.

2. Jawaharlal Nehru Award by Indian Council of Agricultural Research for outstanding Post-Graduate Agricultural Research in the field of Agricultural Physics

3. Fellow of Indian Society of Coastal Agricultural Research

 Scholarship/ Fellowship Received:

1. University Merit Scholarship at B.Sc. Level, B.C.K.V., West Bengal
2. Junior Research Fellowship at M.Sc. Level, I.A.R.I., New Delhi
3. Senior Research Fellowship at Ph.D Level, I.A.R.I., New Delhi

Training programmes attended:

• Farm Training for the period from Mar.1 to Aug. 31, 1990 at C.R. Farm, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal

• Foundation Course for Agricultural Research Service for the period from Jan.1 to Jun. 20, 1996 at National Academy of Agricultural Research Management, Hyderabad.

• Summer School on Assessment and Modeling of Soil and Crop Growth Parameters by Remote Sensing and GIS for the period from Jul.7 to 29, 1997 at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi

• National level CAD training programme on Participatory irrigation management from Jan. 3 to 9, 2001 at Jhansi sponsored by Ministry of Water Resources, GOI and organized by WAPCOS (India ) Ltd., New Delhi.

• Training programme on Resource management under intensive cropping systems from Feb. 14 to Mar.15, 2001 at Jabalpur organized by Centre of Advance Studies, Dept. of Soil Sci. and Agril. Chemistry, J.N.K.V.V., Jabalpur.

• Training programme on Recent development in computer modelling from Nov.11 to Dec.01, 2002 at Karnal organized by Central Soil Salinity Research Institute.

• Training programme on Introduction to LAN/WAN technologies from Aug. 23- 27, 2004 at Barrackpore, Kolkata organized by ERNET India and ICAR.

• IRRI-Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) In-country Trainors’ Training on Participatory Varietal Selection (PVS) from May 26-28, 2008 at CRRI, Cuttack

• Training on Leadership for Transition to NAIS from August 6-11, 2010 at NAARM, Hyderabad

Outstanding professional contributions:

(a) Two outstanding contributions:

Crop discrimination and evaluation of crop response to soil and water management by remote sensing techniques and GIS:

The study on the microwave backscattering and spectral reflectance for discrimination of crops and crop response to soil and water management using remote sensing techniques and geographical information systems (GIS) has added valuable information on crop production management. The information generated helped in selecting the payload for microwave remote sensing satellite which was launched by ISRO. The information generated by selection of proper satellite pass data will help in precise estimation of cropped area and yield potential of crops and it has the potential for application in management of agricultural resources more efficiently.

 Enhancing crop production in the disadvantageous semi-arid and coastal agroecosystems:

Studies on crop management strategies under disadvantageous semi-arid and coastal agroecosystems have generated valuable information for enhancing productivity of food and fodder crops. The information on suitable moisture conservation practise like mulching by using locally available green biomass and conservation tillage practices will help in producing higher food and fodder crops under different cropping sequences and intercropping in the semi-arid region. Information generated on the interaction of fodder trees with intercrops under different agroforestry systems will help to identify suitable tree species and intercrops for enhancing productivity in semi-arid region. The suitable irrigation scheduling which was identified from experiments is very effective for judicious utilization of scare water resources in the semi-arid region. In coastal, efforts have been made to develop suitable land and water management technologies for improving crop production. The management strategies developed like land shaping techniques for growing integrated crops and fishes, and fruit and agroforesty trees; integrated nutrient management by using locally available green biomass; combined use of P-fertilizer, lime and green manure in acid sulphate soil will help to enhance productivity of salt affected land  under fragile coastal agro-ecosystem of the country.

 (b)Outstanding contribution with special reference to coastal areas :

Land shaping techniques for enhancing crop production in low-lying coastal area: Several land shaping technologies like, farm pond, paddy-cum-fish cultivation, deep ridge and furrow, shallow ridge and furrow were developed which provided scope for highly profitable multiple and diversified crop cultivation round the year and paddy-fish mixed cultivation. These technologies create the irrigation facilities through harvesting of rain water, reduce drainage congestion, decrease the salinity build up in soil during dry season, enhance harm income and increase employment generation.

Management of acid sulphate soil:

The on-farm study revealed that the application of green manure, double recommended dose of P-fertilizer in combination with half lime requirement dose is required for higher yield of rice and sunflower grown in P deficient acid sulphate soils of coastal Sundarbans region. This information will help to enhance the crop production from acid sulphate soil and to reduce cost of cultivation by applying half dose of lime by using locally available milled oyster shells, which is a cheap source of lime.

Nutrient management in coastal soil:

The long term studies indicated that application of K may be omitted without affecting yield of crops and K fertility status of soil. This information will help to reduce the cost of crop production in coastal areas. Addition of Sesbania, Gliricidia, city compost and leaves of locally available trees along with inorganic N-fertilizer improved crop yield and soil health.

Changes in coastal land following introduction of brackishwater fisheries: 

The conversion of agricultural land to fisheries in coastal area resulted in deterioration of the land. The crop fields adjacent to brackishwater fish farm showed more build up of salinity than the fields away from the fish farm. Available nitrogen and phosphorous and organic C content in the soil was higher in the crop fields away from the fish farms compared to soils in nearer fields whereas, available iron and manganese content was high in the adjoining crop fields.The water of some of the brackishwater fisheries showed considerable low concentration of soluble P, sub-optimal dissolve oxygen (DO) & bio-chemical oxygen demand (BOD). The gross primary productivity (GPP) of the fisheries was generally low. This information will help to develop policy frame work regarding deterioration of land due to conversion to fisheries.

Suitable agroforestry tree species under low lying salt affected coastal areas:

Studies revealed that uunder the situation of prolonged waterlogging of 3-4 months in kharif season as prevailing in majority of agricultural lands in high rainfall coastal regions the agroforestry trees like, Eucalyptus sp., Acacia auriculiformis, Casuarina sp., and Brugeria gymnorhiza can be grown in the coastal areas with some land shaping. Eucalyptus sp., Acacia auriculiformis and Casuarina sp. more tolerant to prolonged waterlogging. Land shaping also provides a scope for alternate and diversified farming and more income.

Selection of improved salt tolerant varieties through participatory variety selection (PVS):

Several salt tolerant varieties of rice both for kharif and rabi season have been identified through preferential analysis under PVS and sensory analysis. These varieties will help the farmers to improve their farm productivity and income. PVS has great impact on rapid dissemination of new crop varieties in the coastal region.

 Any other relevant working experience/information: 

• Experience of working as academic expert

It is difficult to record all the duties/ experiences made with the external organizations.  However an attempt is made some of the few duties performed.

1. Acted as external examiner for Post graduate courses of Universities.
2. Acted as external examiner for M.Sc. (Ag.) thesis of Universities
3. Acted as a member of selection committee for the selection of Technical officers in ICAR institutes

• Served in the Technical Committees constituted by different organizations:

• Served as a member of Technical committees constituted by the Indian Society of Coastal Agricultural Research for National & International Symposium, Executive body, Editorial board, etc.

• Served as Technical Reviewer for the scientific bodies:
• Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science
• Journal of the Indian Society of Agroforestry
• Range Management and Agroforestry
• Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
• Journal of the Indian Society of Water Management
• Journal of the Indian Society of Coastal Agricultural Research
• Research project proposals submitted to the ICAR and other Govt. Organizations

• Service to scientific societies:
• Secretary of the Indian Society of Coastal Agriculture
• Secretary of West Bengal Chapter of Soil and Water Conservation Society of India
• Served the Indian Society of Coastal Agriculture as member of the Executive committees and Editorial Boards

Particulars of memberships in Academics/Societies/Professional bodies:

1. Indian Society of Coastal Agricultural Research- Life Member
2. Indian Science Congress Association- Life Member

• Range Management society of India- Life Member

1. Soil and Water Conservation Society of India – Life Member
2. Indian Society of Soil Salinity and Water Quality- Annual Member
3. Indian Society of Soil Science – Annual Member

Research publications:

• Research papers:

Bandyopadhya, B.K., Burman, D., and Majumder, A. (2004). On-farm study on integrated nutrient management for coastal saline soils under rice based cropping system. Journal of the Indian Society of Coastal Agricultural Research. 22(1&2): 214-218. Bandyopadhya, B.K., Burman, D., Tripathi, S. and Majumder, A. (2004). Effect of long-term application of P and K fertilizers to coastal saline soils. Journal of the Indian Society of Coastal Agricultural Research. 22(1&2): 52-55. Bandyopadhyay, B.K. and Burman, D. (2006).  Characterization of soil and water of brackish water fisheries of coastal region of Sundarbans West Bengal. Indian Society of Coastal Agric. Research, Vol 24(1), 78-82. Bandyopadhyay, B.K., Burman, D. and Pal, D. (2008).  Management of soil fertility for sustaining crop productivity in coastal agroecosystem in India. Journal of the Indian Society of Coastal Agric. Research, Vol 26(2): 102-110. Bandyopadhyay, B.K., Burman, D., Ghorai, D. and Majumder, A. 2006.  The effected of Azolla and Blue green algae on yield of rice and subsequent crops on coastal saline soils.  Indian Society of Coastal Agric. Research, Vol 24(1), 142-45.Bandyopadhyay, B.K., Burman, D., Majumder, A., Prasad, P.R.K., Sheik Dawood, M., and Mahato, K.R. 2006.  Integrated nutrient management of coastal salt affected soils of India under rice based cropping system.  Indian Society of Coastal Agric. Research, Vol.24(1), 130-134. Bandyopadhyay, B.K., Burman, D., Sarangi, S.K., Subhasis Mandal and Bal, A.R. (2009). Landshaping Techniques to alleviate salinity and waterlogging problems of mon-cropped coastal land for muti-crop cultivation. Journal of the Indian Society of Coastal Agricultural Research. 27(1): 13-17. Bandyopadhyay, S., Burman, D. and Patra, A.K. (1997). Misutilization of soil resources – a threat to Indian agriculture. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. 41(3&4):105-114. Burman, D.  Bandyopadhyay,  B.K. and Mahanta, K.K. (2010).  Management of Acid Sulphate Soil of Coastal Sunderban Region: Observations under On-farm Trial. Journal of the Indian Society of Coastal Agricultural Research (in press). Burman, D. and Gill, A.S. (2001). Alley cropping for sustainable soil resource management. Indian Journal of Agroforestry. 3(2):108-119. Burman, D., Bandyopadhya, B.K., Mahanta, K.K., Karpagam, C. and Majumder, A. (2004). Carbon sequestration in coastal soils. Journal of the Indian Society of Coastal Agricultural Research. 22(1&2): 56-60.. Burman, D., Bandyopadhyay, B.K. and Mahanta, K.K. (2006).  Soil and subsurface water quality of acid sulphate soils of  coastal region and their temporal variability.  Indian Society. of Coastal Agric. Research, Vol 24(1), 78-82. Burman, D., Gill, A.S., Baig, M.J. and Prasad, J.V.N.S. (2009). Interaction between boundary plantation and food-fodder crop sequence under rainfed agro-ecosystem. Indian J. Dryland Agric. Res. & Dev. 24(1): 67-74. Burman, D., Shiva Dhar, Das, S.K. and J.V.N.S. Prsad (2004) Effect of foliage incorporation and mulch on crop yields and soil properties under rainfed condition. Range Mgmt. & Agroforestry..25(1): 51-56. Burman, D., Shiva Dhar, Das, S.K. and Prasad, J.V.N.S. (2004) Alley cropping with Leucaena under rainfed condition: Effect of foliage incorporation amd much on crop yields and soil properties. Journal of Range Management Soc. of India  Burman, D., Shukla, N.P, Shiva Dhar, Das, S.K. and Baig, M.J. (2002). Soil water dynamics and water utilization pattern in perennial lucerne at different management practices.  Annals of Plant and Soil Research. 4(2):205-208. Burman,D., Sarangi, S.K., subhasisi Mandal and Bandyopadhyay, B.K. (2009). Water qyalinity for tube-wells used for irrigation during rabi and summer seasons in the coastal areas of Sunderbans, West Bengal. Journal of the Indian Society of Coastal Agricultural Research. 27(2): 76-77. Das, S.K., Baig, M.J., Pahwa, M.R., Yadava, R.B. and Burman, D. (2002). Effect of herbicides on soil health and physiological parametrs of cowpea. Annals of Plant and Soil Research. 4(2): 218-221. Gill A.S. and Burman, D. (2002). Effects of trees on associated crops and soil. APANews, FAO, No. 20. pp.13-14.  Gill, A.S and D.Burman.(2001) Nutrient management in agroforestry systems. Fertilizer News. 46(3):25-36. Gill, A.S., Burman, D., Baig, M.J. and Prasad, J.V.N.S. (2006). Impact of sisam (Dalbergia sissoo) boundary plantation on associated fodder crops in rainfed semi-arid region. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences .76 (2) 85-91.  Karpagam, C., Bandyopadhyay, B.K. Burman, D.,  and Bal, A.R., 2006.  National agricultural extension policy framework-scope and prospects for coastal agro ecosystem. Indian Society. of Coastal Agric. Research, Vol 24(2), 310-311. Karpagam, C., Burman, D., Bandyopadhyay, B.K. and Bal, A.R., 2006.  Indigenous ethno veterinary practices of animal husbandry under coastal villages of Sunderbans.  Indian Soiecty. of Coastal Agric. Research, Vol 24(2),  276-77. Laxminarayana, K., Burman, D., Singh D.P. and S.K. Naskar (2010). Effect of salinity on yield, quality and nutrient uptake of sweet potato in coastal saline soils. Journal of the Indian Society of Coastal Agricultural Research. 28(2): 1-5. Mahanta, K.K. and Burman, D. (2004). Studies on the development and utility status of the shallow tubewells in the Sundarbans area. Journal of the Indian Society of Coastal Agricultural Research. 22(1&2): 124-125 Prasad, J.V.N.S., Gill, A.S., Baig, M.J., Burman, D., and Gupta, S.K. 2008. Fodder and fuel wood production through agroforestry in the Semiarid Central India. Indian Journal of Agronomy 53(2): 152-156. Shiva Dhar, Shukla, N.P. and Burman, D. (2005). Productivity of alley and sole cropping of berseem (Trifilium alexandrium)- sorhgum (Sorhgum bicolor) and forage pushes under different moisture regimes in hot-humid region of Central India. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences .75 (11) 712-6.  Shukla,N.P., Rekib,A. and Burman, D. (2002) Productivity of Sesbania alley cropping system for with sequentially cropped berseem and maize at different moisture regimes and fertilizers. Tropical Agricultural Research and Extension. 5(1&2): 35-42.  (b) Books/Book chapters: Gill, A.S. and Burman, D (2002). Diversified farming systems for sustainable development. In: Sustainability through Good Governance (ed. J.S. Ahluwalia). World Environment Foundation, New Delhi. pp.93-103. Gill, A.S. and Burman, D. (2004).  Agroforestry for sustainable agricultural development. In Sustainable Resource Management ( eds. B.B.S. Kapoor and Ahmed Ali). Madhu Publication, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India. Gill, A.S. and Burman,D. (2002). Productivity management of field crops under agroforestry systems. In: Recent Advances in Agronomy (eds. G. Singh, J. S. Kolar & H.S. Sekhon). Indian Soc. Agronomy, New Delhi. pp. 523-542.   (c)Bulletin/Reports/Reviews articles/popular articles Bandyopadhyay, B.K., Roy, D. and Burman, D. 2007.  “Paschimbanger Labanakta Jamir Dhan Chas,  Samashya-O-Samadhaner Kichu Paramarsha” (in Bengali) Rice cultivation on salt affected soils of West Bengal-problems and remedies some advices.  Sar Samachar (Bengali ):459(2) (Shravan-Ashin 1414, July-Sept) pp. 23-34. Bandyopadhyay, B.K., Roy, D. and Burman, D. 2007.  “Upakulabarty Labanakta Matite Phasal Utpadaner Samashya-O-Samadhan” (in Bengali) Crop production in salt affected coastal soils-problems and remedies.  Annadata (Bengali)  (November) pp. 56-61. Bandyopadhyay, B.K., Burman, D. and Tyagi, N.K. (2004). Problem of high arsenic water and strategies for crop production. Indian Farming. 53(11): 15-17 & 51. Burman, D. (2002). Rainwater harvesting: An ancestral water management techniques. Farmers’ Digest. 35(1):41-44. Burman, D., Bandyopadhyay, B. K.,and Bal, A. R. (2009). Salinity News, CSSRI, Karnal, 15(2): 3. Burman, D., Sarangi, S. K., Bandyopadhyay, B. K., Mandal, Subhasis and Bal, A. R. (2009). Sea water flooded land used for successful cropping: study with cyclone ‘Aila’ affected coastal land of West Bengal. Salinity News, CSSRI, Karnal, 15(2): 3. Burman, D., Mandal, Subhasis, Bandyopadhyay, B.K., Sarangi, S.K., Mahanta, K.K. and Maji, B. (2011). A Glimpse of CSSRI, RRS, Canning Town. CSSRI, RRS, Canning Town, West Bengal. Gill, A.S., Burman, D. and Prasad, J.V.N.S. (2002). Effect of boundary plantation on the yield of forage crops. IGFRI Newsletter. 8(42):3. Gill, Arjindar Singh and Burman, Dhiman (2004). Boundary plantation pradhati me shisham ke sath jawar abang jai ki kheti (Hindi). Krishakdoot. No.11.p.8  Karpagam, C., Burman, D., Bandyopadhyay and Bal, A.R. (2010). Agriculture Based Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Sunderban Coastal Agro-Ecosystem. Technical Bulletin No. CSSRI/Canning Town/ Bulletin/2010/03. CSSRI, RRS, Canning Town, West Bengal.  Mandal, Subhasis, Sarangi, S.K., Burman,D. and Bandyopadhyay, B.K. (2010) Marketing Efficiency of Major Horticultural Commodities in Coastal Districts of West Bengal. Technical Report, Regional Research Station, Central Soil Salinity Research Station (W.B.), India. Mandal, Subhasis, Bandyopadhyay, B.K., Burman,D., Sarangi, S.K. and Mahanta, K.K. (2011) Baseline Reprot of the NAIP project on ‘Strategies for Sustainable Management of Degraded Coastal Land and Water for Enhancing Livelihood Security of Farming Communities’.  Central Soil Salinity Research Station, Regional Research Station, West Bengal, India. pp.74 Mehta, N.S., Mohan, S., Das, D.K., Sundara Sarma, K.S., Bandyopadhyay, S. and Burman, D. (1995). Microwave signature studies on soil/ crops using ground based scatterometer data. Scientific Report: SAC/RSA/RSAG/ARD/SR/01/95. Sen, H.S., Burman, D. and Mandal Subhasis (2009). Improving the rural livelihoods in the Ganges delta through integrated, diversified cropping and aquaculture, and through better use of flood or salt affected areas. Technical paper presented in International Workshop on CPWF-IWMI Basin Focal Project for the IG Basin, “Tackling Water and Food Crisis in South Asia: Insights from the Indus-Gangetic Basin”, held at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, 2-3 Dec, 2009. International Water Management Institute. Singh, J.B., Burman, D., Pradep Behari and Rai, S.K. (2002). Temporal variability of rainfall and temperature in Jhansi District. IGFRI Newsletter. 8(4):3. Sundara Sarma, K.S., Sharma, R.K. and Dhiman Burman (2001). Application of microwave tools in studies on crop sensitivity in salt affected soils. In Physical Methods of Soil Characterization (ed. J. Behari). Narosa Publishing House, New Delhi.