KUK.(Rana).Release of Fungal Diversity and Biotechnology (4th edition) on 27th November 2024 authored by Prof K.R. Aneja, Honorary Professor & Research Advisor, SSBS University, Dehradun and former Professor and Chairman, Department of Microbiology, KUK, published by New Age International Publishers, New Delhi, during the National Conference on Fungal Frontiers: Biodiversity, Biomolecules and Bioengineering Applications for Sustainable Perspectives (27th Nov. to 29th Nov. 2024) held at the CAS, Department of Botany, JNV University, Jodhpur by eminent personalities – Prof. K.L. Shrivastava (V.C JNV University, Jodhpur), Prof. Avinash Kumar Agarwal (Director, IIT, Jodhpur), Prof. R.N. Kharwar (President, MSI), Prof. G.S. Shekhawat (Head, Department of Botany), Prof. Parveen Gehlot (Prof. Department of Botany & Conference Organizing Secretary), Prof. C. Manoharachary (Eminent Indian Mycologist), Prof. N. Raaman (Executive President MSI) and Prof. M.S. Reddy (Secretary MSI), in the presence of 400 delegates consisting of galaxy of eminent mycologists, senior scientists, research scholars and students from different parts of the country.
Dr. Vibha Bhardwaj working as Director Environment Laboratories in RAK Municipality, UAE is the co-author in this book. Fungal Diversity and Biotechnology provides up-to-date information on the astonishing diversity, current phylogenetic classification systems of the kingdom Fungi (Holomycota) and life cycles. Additionally, it includes the modern topics such as compatibility and alternative genetic systems, nutrient cycling and bioremediation, production of industrial compounds (e.g., organic acids. vitamins, enzymes, antibiotics, mycoprotein), food products, biofertilizers and biopesticides (mycoinsecticides, mycofungicides, mycoherbicides, myconematicides). Fungi, the beautiful and fascinating group of microbes, are vital components of nearly all ecosystems without whom the survival of life is not possible impacting human health, longevity and our economy in myriad ways.
During this conference, Prof. Aneja delivered a lead lecture entitled “His and development of Gibbatrianth, the first and the only bioherbicide from India, with the potential to control horse purslane globally”. Bioherbicides have gave acceptance as they are safe, environment-friendly, prevents hazards resulting from chemical herbicides to human health, animal health and soil microbiota. There is a huge scope for commercial exploitation of this novel by herbicide for controlling horse purslane (Trianthema portulacastrum) worldwide, including our country, for getting organic vegetables free from the carcinogenic chemicals/weedicides. In addition, Prof. Aneja was honoured as a special guest to deliver the Valedictory Address in this conference.
Prof. (Dr.) K.R. Aneja is currently serving as an Honorary Professor and Advisor Research, Sardar Bhagwan Singh University, Dehradun (Uttarakhand), an Expert Member of the Project Expert Group ICFRE, Dehradun and a Member of the Research Advisory Committee (RAC) of ICAR-DWR, Jabalpur. He had served as the
Chairman, Microbiology
Department at Kurukshetra University; Governor’s/Chancellor’s Nominee of Punjabi University Patiala, Punjab; Member of the National Committee for International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS), President of the Mycological Society of India, Recorder of Plant Sciences Section ISCA, and Member RPC, ICFRE.
He is the recipient of several Honours and Awards notably: 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award of MSI; INSA-Royal Society Academic Exchange Fellowship Award; an elected Fellow of five Academic Societies (IBS, IPS, IMS, MSI, SBCA); Guided 23 PhD students; published 180 research papers/reviews/chapters; authored/co-authored 14 books, edited 5 books and written 2 manuals published by International Publishers (03) and National Publishers (18); and Proceedings of an International Conference.
He was appreciated and congratulated by all the dignitaries sitting on the dais and senior mycologists and all other delegates attending the conference for bringing out an excellent 4th Edition of the book. It was remarked that it is really a wonderful contribution made by Prof. (Dr.) Aneja for the students and scientific community, not only for the Indians, but international too. Prof. Aneja has brought laurels to his Alma mater Kurukshetra University, people of Kurukshetra, state of Haryana and the country as a whole.
