Dr Maninderpal Singh, Assistant Professor of Cropping Systems (Agronomy), Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, USA, visited the Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), to discuss potential collaborative areas and interact with students of PAU. Dr Singh emphasized that variety selection and improved management strategies are being explored in the context of climatic patterns, modern farming practices and economic conditions. The postgraduate students had good interactive session with Dr Singh regarding agronomic practices being adopted in US systems. He discussed his current research programs on management practices such as planting methods including the role of seed placement accuracy, planting time and density, crop diversity, harvest decisions, and plant-pathogen interactions in corn, soybean, and wheat-based cropping systems. He also asked students to explore PG studies and post-doc opportunities in US universities and shared the tips for the same. He further emphasized that while applying for graduate positions, students must go in-depth analysis of the work being done in that lab and publications. The biodata should be concise citing your curricular and extra-curricular achievements along with GRE/TOEFL scores, he added. Further, Dr Singh proposed the collaborative work with PAU in the future.

Earlier in his welcome address, while giving a brief introduction of the visiting member, Dr Hari Ram, Head of the department, told, “Dr Singh did Ph.D. (2011) from the University of Florida and M.Sc. Agronomy (2006) from the Punjab Agricultural University. He is conducting research, extension, and teaching programs at MSU that focuses on current and emerging issues in cropping systems of Michigan with an overall goal to improve the productivity, profitability, and resilience of diverse cropping systems.”

Later, Dr Kulvir Singh Saini proposed a vote of thanks. Meanwhile, Dr Singh also interacted with Dr Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director of Research, PAU, regarding collaboration with Michigan State University, USA for new various research projects. Dr Dhatt expressed his gratitude to Dr Singh for visiting PAU.