Dr. Ashok Kumar Are
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Dr. Ashok Kumar Are

Principal Scientist
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, India

Highest Degree
Ph.D. in Genetics from Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India

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Biography

Ashok Kumar A, Principal Scientist, Sorghum breeding, Asia Regional Program, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, India. He has been working on the areas of integrated breeding for increased genetic gain in both self and cross pollinated crops for traits of global interest, for the past 17 years. He is handling several projects supported by national and international agencies on sorghum improvement for grain and stover yield, quality, grain Fe and Zn concentration, resistance to insects and diseases, abiotic stress tolerance, animal digestibility including the projects related to first generation (1G) and second generation (2G) biofuel feedstocks development and their use in commercial biofuel production. He has received several awards and fellowships for his contributions in the areas of crop improvement. Dr. Ashok Kumar has more than 120 publications to his credit which includes journal articles, book chapters and working series papers. Guiding five research scholars pursuing their Ph Ds.

Area of Interest:

Molecular Sciences
100%
Genetics
62%
Plant Breeding
90%
Genetic Molecular Research
75%
Biochemical Genetics
55%

Research Publications in Numbers

Books
0
Chapters
0
Articles
0
Abstracts
0

Selected Publications

  1. Umakanth, A.V and A.A. Kumar, 2016. Sweet sorghum-A novel opportunity for biofuel production. Indian Farming, 65: 37-40.
  2. Sangam, L.D., C. Salvatore, W.B. Mathew, D.U. Hari, K.A. Ashok and O. Rodomiro, 2016. Landrace germplasm for improving yield and abiotic stress adaptation. Trends Plant Sci., 21: 31-42.
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  3. Mohammed, R., S.M. Rajendra, K.A. Ashok, K.B.P. Kavi, V.S.R. Belum and C.S. Hari, 2016. Components of resistance to sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata. Euphytica, 207: 419-438.
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  4. Mohammed, R., A.K. Are, R.S. Munghate, R. Bhavanasi, K.K. Polavarapu and H.C. Sharma, 2016. Inheritance of resistance to sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata in sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. Front. Plant Sci., 10.3389/fpls.2016.00543.
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  5. Kumar, A.A., K. Hariprasanna, K. Anuradha and B. Ramaiah, 2016. Biofortification of postrainy sorghum with Zn and Fe for combating micronutrient malnutrition. Indian Farming, 65: 25-29.
  6. Sharma, H.C., R.B. Vitthal, S.M. Rajendra, P.S. Suraj and A.K. Are et al., 2015. Stability of resistance to sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata. Field Crops Res., 178: 34-41.
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  7. Riyazaddin, M.D., P.B.K. Kavi, A.K. Ashok, V.S.R. Belum, R.S. Munghate and H.C. Sharma, 2015. Mechanisms and diversity of resistance to sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata. Plant Breed., 134: 423-436.
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  8. Reddy, P.S., B.V.S. Reddy, A.A. Kumar and H.C. Sharma, 2015. Performance of A1, A2, A3, A4(M), A4(G) and A4(VZM) cytoplasms based iso-nuclear sorghum hybrids for shoot fly resistance across-rainy and post-rainy seasons. Indian J. Genet., 75: 324-329.
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  9. Reddy, C.R., A.K. Ashok, G. Sharad, C. Uttam, H.V. Kalpande and A.T. Vilas, 2015. Developing Postrainy Sorghum Seeds Systems in India. In: Millets-Ensuring Climate Resilience and Nutritional Security, Tonapi, V.A. and J.V. Patil (Eds.). Daya Publishing House, New Delhi, India, pp: 607-626.
  10. Mohammed, R., K.A. Ashok, B. Ramaiah, S.M. Rajendra, B.K.K. Polavarapu and C.S. Hari, 2015. Quantitative genetic analysis of agronomic and morphological traits in sorghum, Sorghum bicolor. Front. Plant Sci. 10.3389/fpls.2015.00945.
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  11. Lakkakula, S., S. Jayabalan, P. Subramani, S.R. Arockiam and A.K. Are et al., 2015. Analysis of genetic variation in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) genotypes with various agronomical traits using SPAR methods. Gene, 576: 581-586.
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  12. Kumar, A.A., K. Anuradha, B. Ramaiah, S. Grando and H. Frederick et al., 2015. Recent Advances in Sorghum Biofortification Research. In: Plant Breeding Reviews: Volume 39, Janick, J. (Ed.)., John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken, New Jersey, pp: 89-124.
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  13. Basavaraj, G., P.R. Parthasarathy, A. Lalith, Lagesh, V.G.P. Okharkar, S.K. Gupta and A.A. Kumar, 2015. Understanding trait preferences of farmers for post-rainy sorghum and pearl millet in india-A conjoint analysis. Ind. J. Agric. Econ., 70: 130-143.
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  14. Nedumaran, S., B. Cynthia, P. Abinaya, D. Mason-D'Croz and A.A. Kumar, 2014. Ex-Ante Impact Assessment of Stay-Green Drought Tolerant Sorghum Cultivar Under Future Climate Scenarios: Integrated Modeling Approach. In: Vulnerability of Agriculture, Water and Fisheries to Climate Change, Behnassi, M. and S.M. Margaret et al. (Eds.). Springer, New York, USA., pp: 167-190.
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  15. Kumari, N.N., Y.R. Reddy, M. Blummel, D. Nagalakshmi, T. Monika, B.V.S. Reddy and A.A. Kumar, 2014. Effect of feeding differently processed sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) bagasse based complete diet on nutrient utilization and microbial N supply in growing ram lambs. Small Rumin. Res., 117: 52-57.
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  16. Kumar, A.A., G. Sunita, C.S. Hari, H. Yinghua, S. Rajan and V.S.R. Belum, 2014. Understanding Genetic Control of Biotic Stress Resistance in Sorghum for Applied Breeding. In: Genetics, Genomics and Breeding of Sorghum, Yi-Hong, W. and H.D. Upadhyaya et al., (Eds.). CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group, USA., pp: 198-225.
  17. Krishnamurthy, L., D. Elango, A.K. Are and V.S.R. Belum, 2014. Field technique and traits to assess reproductive stage cold tolerance in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. Plant Prod. Sci., 17: 218-227.
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  18. Kiran, R.K.T., K. Radhika, K.A. Ashok and V. Padma, 2014. Association studies of grain Fe and Zn concentrations with yield and other agronomic traits using F2 populations of two crosses in sorghum [Sorghum biclor (L.) Moench]. J. Res. Angrau, 42: 77-80.
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  19. Sharma, H.C., R.B. Vitthal, G.D. Dinakar, B.P. Dattaji and A.K. Are et al., 2013. Identification of sorghum genotypes with resistance to the sugarcane aphid Melanaphis sacchari under natural and artificial infestation. Plant Breed., 133: 36-44.
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  20. Reddy, B.V.S., K.A. Ashok, R.C. Ravinder, R.P. Parthasarathy and J.V. Patil, 2013. Developing a Sweet Sorghum Ethanol Value Chain. International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Andhra Pradesh, India, Pages: 240.
  21. Rao, S.S., J.V. Patil, P.V.V. Prasad, D.C.S. Reddy and A.A. Kumar et al., 2013. Sweet sorghum planting effects on stalk yield and sugar quality in semi-arid tropical environment. Agron. J., 105: 1458-1465.
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  22. Panguluri, S.K. and K.A. Ashok, 2013. Phenotyping for Plant Breeding. Springer, New York, USA., Pages: 211.
  23. Nagaraj, N., M.C.S. Bantilan, K.A. Ashok, R. Sharma and R. Anusha, 2013. Technological and Institutional Interventions in enhancing productivity of dry land cereals: Some empirical evidences from the ICRISAT-HOPE Project. Indian J. Agric. Econ., 68: 313-325.
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  24. Kumar, A.A., K. Anuradha and B. Ramaiah, 2013. Increasing grain Fe and Zn concentration in sorghum: Progress and way forward. J. SAT Agric. Res .
  25. Kumar, A.A., B.V.S. Reddy, B. Ramaiah, K.L. Sahrawat and W.H. Pfeiffer, 2013. Gene effects and heterosis for grain iron and zinc concentration in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. Field Crops Res., 146: 86-95.
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  26. Kumar, A.A., B.V.S. Reddy and B. Ramaiah, 2013. Biofortification for combating micronutrient malnutrition: Identification of commercial sorghum cultivars with high grain iron and zinc concentrations. Indian J. Dryland Agric. Res. Dev., 28: 89-94.
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  27. Kumar, A., V.S.R. Belum, R.P. Thakur, S. Rajan, B. Ramaiah and V.P. Rao, 2013. Genetic enhancement for grain mold resistance and grain yield in white grain sorghum. Indian J. Dryland Agric. Res. Dev., 28: 89-94.
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  28. Are, A.K., C.S. Hari, S. Rajan, B. Michael, P.R. Sanjana and V.S.R. Belum, 2013. Phenotyping in Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. In: Phenotyping for Plant Breeding, Panguluri, S.K and K.A. Ashok (Eds.). Springer, New York, USA., pp: 73-109.
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  29. Reddy, C.R., S.N. Nigam, A.K. Ashok, A.T. Vilas, V.S.R. Belum and P. Janila, 2012. Farmer enabled village seed banks as the edifice of integrated seed system for improved access, production and supply of groundnut seed in andhra pradesh -A case study. Int. J. Dev. Stud., 4: 152-160.
  30. Reddy, B.V.S., P.S. Reddy, A.R. Sadananda, E. Dinakaran and A.A. Kumar et al., 2012. Postrainy season sorghum: Constraints and breeding approaches. J. SAT Agric. Res., 10: 1-12.
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  31. Reddy, B.V.S., K.A. Ashok, H.C. Sharma, R.P. Srinivasa and M. Blummel et al., 2012. Sorghum improvement (1980-2010): Status and way forward. J. SAT Agric. Res., 10: 1-14.
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  32. Ravinder, C.R., J. Zou, A.K. Ashok, P.R. Parthasarathy, B.V.S. Reddy and C.L.L. Gowda, 2012. Linking to markets-A case of small scale sorghum farmers group in China. Leisa India, 14: 20-23.
  33. Rao, V.T., R. P. Sanjana, B.V.S. Reddy and A.K. Ashok, 2012. Ergosterol as an indicator of mold resistance in white and colored grain sorghum hybrids. Crop Prot., 37: 7-12.
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  34. Kumar, A.A., B.V.S. Reddy and B. Ramaiah, 2012. Database for grain Fe and Zn in sorghum-A proposal. J. SAT Agric. Res., 10: 1-7.
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  35. Gayathri, S.V.P.L., K. Radhika, A.K. Ashok and P. Janila, 2012. Association of grain iron content with grain yield and other traits in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench). J. Res. Angrau, 40: 105-107.
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  36. Basavaraj, G., P.R. Parthasarathy, C.R. Ravinder, A.K. Ashok, P.R. Srinivasa and V.S.R. Belum, 2012. A review of national biofuel policy in India: A Critique - Need for promotion of alternative biofuels. J. Biofuels, 3: 65-78.
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  37. Ashok, A.K., V.S.R. Belum, B. Ramaiah, K.L. Sahrawat and H.P. Wolfgang, 2012. Genetic variability and character association for grain iron and zinc contents in sorghum germplasm accessions and commercial cultivars. Eur. J. Plant Sci. Biotechnol., 6: 66-70.
  38. Singh, N.P., B. Cynthia, A.A. Kumar, P. Janila and H. Abu, 2011. Climate Change Impacts in South Asia. In: Crop Adaptation to Climate Change, Redden, S.S.B. and L.H. Jerry et al. (Eds.). John Wiley and Sons Inc., Iowa, USA., pp: 107-130.
  39. Reddy, P.S., R.D. Manohar, B.V.S. Reddy, R.P. Thakur and K.A. Ashok, 2011. Agronomic potential of A4(M) cytoplasmic male-sterility system compared to A1 CMS system of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. Indian J. Agric. Sci., 81: 908-913.
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  40. Reddy, P.S., R.D. Manohar, B.V.S. Reddy, K.A. Ashok, R.P. Thakur and V.P. Rao, 2011. Evaluation of A1, A2, A3, A4 (M), A4 (G) and A4 (VZM) cytoplasms in iso-nuclear backgrounds for grain mold resistance. Crop Prot., 30: 658-662.
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  41. Reddy, C.R., P.R. Parthasarathy, B. Sanjay, S.A. Ashok and A.K. Ashok et al., 2011. Linking small-scale sorghum and pearl Millet farmers to credit institutions- a case study. Leisa India, 2011: 13-16.
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  42. Reddy, B.V.S., A.A. Kumar, S. Ramesh and P.R. Sanjana, 2011. Breeding Sorghum for Coping with Climate Change. In: Crop Adaptation to Climate Change, Yadav, S.S. and R. Bob et al. (Eds.). John Wiley and Sons Inc., Iowa, USA., pp: 326-339.
  43. Laxmipathi, C.L.G., A.K. Ashok and P. Janila, 2011. Integrating crop improvement with resource management to alleviate the effects of desertification under climate change scenarios. Ann. Arid Zone, 50: 1-10.
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  44. Kumar, A.A., B.V.S. Reddy, H.C. Sharma, C.T. Hash, P.S. Rao, B. Ramaiah and P.S. Reddy, 2011. Recent advances in sorghum genetic enhancement research at ICRISAT. Am. J. Plant Sci., 2: 589-600.
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  45. Kumar, A.A., B.V.S. Reddy, B. Ramaiah and R. Sharma, 2011. Heterosis in white-grained grain mold resistant sorghum hybrids. J. SAT Agric. Res., 9: 1-9.
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  46. Reddy, P.S., V.S.R. Belum, A.K. Ashok, S. Ramesh, K.L. Sahrawat and R.P. Venkateswara, 2010. Association of grain Fe and Zn contents with agronomic traits in sorghum. Indian J. Plant Gen. Resour., 23: 280-284.
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  47. Reddy, P.S., R.D. Manohar, B.V.S. Reddy and K.A. Ashok, 2010. Inheritance of male-fertility restoration in A1, A2, A3 and A4(M) cytoplasmic male-sterility systems of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. Indian J. Gen. Plant Breed., 70: 240-246.
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  48. Reddy, B.V.S., H.C. Sharma, R.P. Thakur and A.K. Ashok, 2010. Characterization of ICRISAT-Bred sorghum restorer lines. J. SAT Agric. Res., 8: 1-9.
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  49. Reddy, B.V.S., A.A. Kumar, P.R. Sanjana, I. Mohammad and B. Ramaiah et al., 2010. Cultivar options for salinity tolerance in sorghum. J. SAT Agric. Res., 8: 1-5.
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  50. Reddy, B.V.S., A.A. Kumar and P.S. Reddy, 2010. Recent advances in sorghum improvement research at ICRISAT. Kasetsart J. Nat. Sci., 44: 499-506.
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  51. Kumar, C.G., A. Fatima, P.S. Rao, B. Reddy and A. Rathore et al., 2010. Characterization of improved sweet sorghum genotypes for biochemical parameters, sugar yield and its attributes at different phenological stages. Sugar Tech., 12: 322-328.
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  52. Kumar, A.A., V.S.R. Belum, K.L. Sahrawat and B. Ramaiah, 2010. Combating micronutrient malnutrition: Identification of commercial sorghum cultivars with high grain iron and zinc. J. SAT Agric. Res., .
  53. Kumar, A.A., V.S.R. Belum, C.R. Ravinder, B. Michael, P.R. Srinivasa, B. Ramaiah and P.R. Sanjana, 2010. Enhancing the harvest window for supply chain management of sweet sorghum for ethanol production. J. SAT Agric. Res., .
  54. Kumar, A.A., V.S.R. Belum, B. Michael, S Anandan and Y.R. Ramana et al., 2010. On-farm evaluation of elite sweet sorghum genotypes for grain and stover yields and fodder quality. Anim. Nutr. Feed Technol., 10: 69-78.
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  55. Kumar, A.A., P. Janila, M. Sujatha and V. Hemalatha, 2010. Inheritance studies on morphological traits in Castor (Ricinus communis L.). J. Oilseeds Res., 26: 98-101.
  56. Reddy, P.S., B.V.S. Reddy and A.A. Kumar, 2009. M 35-1 derived sorghum varieties for cultivation during the postrainy season. J. SAT Agric. Res., 7: 1-4.
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  57. Reddy, B.V.S., S. Ramesh, P.S. Reddy and A.A. Kumar, 2009. Genetic Enhancement for Drought Tolerance in Sorghum. In: Plant Breeding Reviews, Volume 31, Janick, J. (Ed.)., John Wiley and Sons Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey, USA., pp: 189-222.
  58. Reddy, B.V.S., S. Ramesh, P.S. Reddy and A.A. Kumar, 2009. Comparison of A1 and A2 cytoplasmic male-sterility for combining ability in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). Indian J. Gen. Plant Breed., 69: 199-204.
  59. Kumar, A.A., B.V.S. Reddy, B. Ramaiah, P.S. Reddy, K.L. Sahrawat and H.D. Upadhyaya, 2009. Genetic variability and plant character association of grain Fe and Zn in selected core collection accessions of sorghum germplasm and breeding lines. E-J. SAT Agric. Res., 7: 1-4.
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  60. Janila, P., A.A. Kumar, N.R. Reddy, R. Sudhakar and S.K. Ahmed, 2009. Studies on host resistance to Botrytis grey rot in castor. J. Oilseeds Res., 26: 35-40.
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  61. Reddy, P.S., B.V.S. Reddy, K.A. Ashok and R.P. Srinivas, 2008. Standardization of nitrogen fertilizer rate for sugar yield optimization in sweet sorghum. J. SAT Agric. Res., 6: 1-4.
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  62. Reddy, B.V.S., S. Ramesh, K.A. Ashok, S.P. Wani, R. Ortiz, H. Ceballos and T.K. Sreedevi, 2008. Bio-fuel crops research for energy security and rural development in developing countries. Bioenergy Res., 1: 248-258.
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  63. Reddy, B.V.S., S. Ramesh, K.A. Ashok and C.L.L. Gowda, 2008. Sorghum Improvement in the New Millennium. International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Andhra Pradesh, India, Pages: 340.
  64. Kumar, A.A., V.S.R. Belum, H.C. Sharma and B. Ramaiah, 2008. Shoot fly (Atherigona soccata) resistance in improved grain sorghum hybrids. J. SAT Agric. Res., 6: 1-4.
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  65. Kumar, A.A., B.V. Reddy, R.P. Thakur and B. Ramaiah, 2008. Improved sorghum hybrids with grain mold resistance. J. SAT Agric. Res., 6: 1-4.
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  66. Reddy, C.R., V.S.R. Belum, S.A. Alur, A.A. Kumar and P.S. Reddy, 2007. Effect of improved crop production technologies in enhancing sorghum productivity in rainfed areas of Mahabubnagar district in Andhra Pradesh. J. SAT Agric. Res., 5: 1-2.
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  67. Reddy, B.V.S., P.R. Sanjana, A.A. Kumar and B. Ramaiah, 2007. Variation in the quality parameters of sweet sorghum across different dates of sowing. J. SAT Agric. Res., 5: 1-3.
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  68. Reddy, B.V.S., B. Ramaiah, A.A. Kumar and P.S. Reddy, 2007. Selection of restorers and varieties for sugar quality traits in sorghum. J. SAT Agric. Res., 5: 1-3.
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  69. Reddy, B.V.S., B. Ramaiah, A.A. Kumar and P.S. Reddy, 2007. Evaluation of sorghum genotypes for stay green trait and grain yield. J. Sat Agric. Res., 3: 1-4.
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  70. Janila, P., K.A. Ashok, R.N. Rajasekhar and V. Hemalatha, 2007. Gamma-ray induced mutants in castor (Ricinus communis L.). Indian J. Genet., 67: 381-383.
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  71. Sunil, N., K.A. Ashok, R.P. Ashokavardhan and K.S. Varaprasad, 2005. Collection of diversity in Castor (Ricinus communis L.) germplasm from parts of Andhra Pradesh. Indian J. Plant Gen. Resour., 18: 187-190.
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  72. Kumar, A.A and P. Raghavaiah, 2005. Heterosis for quality and yield traits in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Crop Res., 30: 50-53.
  73. Kumar, A.A. and P. Raghavaiah, 2004. Effect of the leaf rust resistance gene Lr28 on grain yield and bread-making quality of wheat. Plant Breed., 123: 35-38.
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  74. Kumar, A.A. and P. Raghavaiah, 2002. High molecular weight glutenin subunit composition in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Indian J. Genet., 62: 151-152.