Faculty Detail

Dr Ajit Varma

Emeritus Professor

Amity Institute of Microbial Technology

Academic Area
Microbial Technology
Teaching Interests
Basics and Application of Microbiology
Qualifications
Post Graduation : M Sc,

Doctorate : Ph D(Botany),
Experience
27 Sep 2004 - Present
Emeritus Professor,
Amity Institute of Microbial Technology
Research Interests
Microbial Technology
Publications
Endophytic Fungi: Biodiversity and Functions ,
Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences

In vitro evaluation of arbuscular mycorrhizal-like fungi and Trichoderma species against soil borne pathogens ,
International Journal of Agricultural Technology

) Effect of Piriformospora indica and Sebacina vermifera on plant growth and essential oil yield in Thymus vulgaris in vitro and in vivo experiments ,
Symbiosis

effect of piriformospora indica and Azospirillium strains from saline or non-saline soil on mitigation of the effects of NaCl. ,
soil biology and biochemistry

Tripartite interactions among Paenibacillus lentimorbus NRRL B-30488, Piriformospora indica DSM 11827, and Cicer arietinum L ,
World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology

Tripartite interactions among Paenibacillus lentimorbus NRRL B-30488, Piriformospora indica DSM 11827, and Cicer arietinum L ,
World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology

Tripartite interactions among Paenibacillus lentimorbus NRRL B-30488, Piriformospora indica DSM 11827, and Cicer arietinum L ,
World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology

Ethylene signalling and ethylene targeted transcription factors are required for balancing beneficial and non-benificial traits in the symbiosis between the endophytic fungus Piriformospora indica and ,
New Phytologists

Ethylene signalling and ethylene targeted transcription factors are required for balancing beneficial and non-benificial traits in the symbiosis between the endophytic fungus Piriformospora indica and ,
New Phytologists

Potential of the root endophytic fungus Piriformospora indica; Sebacina vermifera and Trichoderma species in biocontrol ofTake-all disease of wheat Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici in vitro. ,
Journal of Agricultural Technology

Potential of the root endophytic fungus Piriformospora indica; Sebacina vermifera and Trichoderma species in biocontrol ofTake-all disease of wheat Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici in vitro. ,
Journal of Agricultural Technology

Interaction of Piriformospora indica with medicinal plants and of economic importance ,
African Journal of Biotechnology

Root endophyte Piriformospora indica DSM 11827 alters plants morphology, enhances biomass and antioxidant activity of medicinal plant Bacopa monniera ,
. Journal of Basic Microbiology

) Herbal Contraception: A call for Education and Research. Medicinal Plants- ,
International Journal of Phytomedicines and Related Industries

) Interaction of Piriformospora indica with medicinal plants and of economic importance ,
African journal of Biotechnology

The influence of plant co-culture of tomato plants with Piriformospora indica on biomass accumulation and stress tolerance (Conference Paper). ,
Acta Horticulturae

) Statistical evaluation of the medium components for the production of high biomass, a-amylase and protease enzymes by Piriformospora indica using Plackett–Burman experimental design ,
3 Biotech

) Herbal Contraception: A call for Education and Research. Medicinal Plants- ,
International Journal of Phytomedicines and Related Industries

A cell wall extract from Piriformospora indica promotes tuberization in potato (Solanum tuberosum L) via enhanced expression of Ca+2 signaling pathway and lipoxygenase gene. ,
Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology

Biotization with Piriformospora indica and Pseudomonas fluorescens improves survival rate, nutrient acquisition, field performance and saponin content of micropropagated Chlorophytum sp ,
. Indian Journal of Biotechnology

Plant promoting activities of fungal endophytes associated with tomato roots from central Himalaya, India and their interaction with Piriformospora indica ,
International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences

Biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles from Azadirachta indica for antibacterial and photocatalytic applications ,
Material Science in Semiconductor Processing

) Induced single spore germination in Ganoderma lucidum ,
Mushroom Research

Targeting cyanobacteria as a novel source of biofuel. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ,
International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences

) In vitro plant development and root colonization of Coleus forskohlii by Piriformospora indica. ,
. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology

Study of bio-efficacy of alkali tolerant Trichoderma against damping off and rotting diseases of tomato and cauliflower caused by Pythium spp. and Sclerotina spp. ,
International Journal of Agri. Sc.

Effects of Piriformospora indica on the growth, fruit quality and interaction with Tomato yellow leaf curl virus in tomato cultivars susceptible and resistant to TYCLV ,
Plant Growth Regulation

An ecological role of fungal endophytes to ameliorate plants under biotic stress ,
J. Arch. Microbiol

Piriformospora indica rescues growth diminution in rice seedlings during high salt stress ,
Plant Signal Behavior.

Ectopic overexpression of Lectin in transgenic Brassica juncia plants exhibit resistance to fungal phytopathogen and showed alleviation to salt and draught stress ,
J Bioengineer & Biomedical Sci

Pseudomonas-mediated mitigation of salt stress and growth-promotion in Glycine max L. Merrill ,
Agricultural Research

Bacterial-mediated induction of systemic tolerance to salinity with expression of defense related proteins in soybean ,
Journal of Plant Growth Regulation

Bacterial-mediated tolerance and resistance to plants under abiotic and biotic stresses ,
Journal of Plant Growth Regulation

Biofuel from agricultural waste: A review ,
International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences

The beneficial root endophyte Piriformospora indica inhibits egg density of the soybean cyst nematode ,
Biological Control

Putative bacterial volatile-mediated growth in SOYBEAN (Glycine max L. Merrill) and expression of induced proteins under salt stress ,
Journal of Applied Microbiology

Diversity and biocontrol aspects of rhizospheric fungal flora of healthy and diseased plants of Dalbergia sissoo in Central East India ,
Indian Journal of Research

Interaction of Piriformospora indica with Azotobacter chroococcum ,
Nature Scientific Reports

Use of Piriformospora indica as Potential Biological Hardening Agent for endangered Micropropogated Picrorhiza kurroa Royel ex Benth ,
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., India, Sect B Biol. Sci.

Facile Algae-Derived Route to Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Antibacterial and Photocatalytic Properties ,
Langmuir

Fungal association and utilization of phosphate by plants: success, limitations, and future prospects ,
Frontiers in Microbiology

Induced drought tolerance through wild and mutant bacterial strain Pseudomonas simiae in mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) ,
World J Microbiol. Biotechnol

Dual symbiosis between Piriformospora indica and Azotobacter chroococcum enhances the artemisinin content in Artemisia annua L ,
World J Microbiol. Biotechnol.

Co-cultivation of Curcuma longa with Piriformospora indica enhances the yield and active ingredients ,
American Journal of Current Microbiology

Functions of Novel Symbiotic Fungus - Piriformospora indica. ,
Proceedings of Indian National Science Academy

) Detection of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by automated and manual methods. ,
International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences

Influence of culture filtrate of Piriformospora indica on growth and yield of seed oil in Helianthus annus ,
Symbiosis

Cure for HIV: New possibility on horizon. Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied ,
Sciences

Biohardening with Piriformospora indica improves survival rate, growth, iron uptake and cane yield of micropropagated sugarcane ,
International Sugar Journal

Piriformospora indica Varma and Franken mediated enhancement of biomass and diosgenon production in Trogonella foenum-graecum ,
Medicinal Plants

The root endophyte fungus Piriformospora indica leads to early flowering, higher biomass and altered secondary metabolites of the medicinal plant, Coleus forskohlii. ,
Plant signalling and Behavior

Effect of extract of Bacillus megaterium 9554 on oral cancer cell line SCC131 ,
Journal of research in Biology

An overview of intellectual property rights in relation to agricultural biotechnology ,
African Journal Of Biotechnology

Biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles from the leaf extract of Syzygium cumini (l.) and its antibacterial activity ,
International Journal of Pharma and Biosciences

The Symbiotic Fungus Piriformospora indica: Review ,
Springer

An endophytic Pseudonocardia species induces the production of artemisinin in Artemisia annua ,
PloS one

evaluation of different densities of auxin and endophytic fungi (piriformospora indica and sebacina vermifera) on Mentha piperita and Thymus vulgaris growth. ,
African journal of biotechnology

biocontrol potential of root endophytic fungi and trichoderma species against fusarium wilt of lentil under in vitro and greenhouse conditions. ,
journal of agricultural science and technology

piriformospora indica: the model microbe for organic green revolution. national project on organic farming ,
biofertilizer newsletter

functions of novel symbiotic fungus-piriformospora indica. ,
agricultural research NAAS

Root Endophytic Fungi: Research Update ,
Journal of Biology and Life Science

Rootonic with Bio-Zinc to accelerate Pennisetum glaucum seed germination and plant growth ,
International Journal of Plant Animal and Environmental Sciences

Bio-ethanol production by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation using microbial consortium ,
International Journal of Current Microbiology & Applied Sciences

From Piriformospora indica to Rootonic: A Review. ,
African Journal of Microbiology

Extracellular enzymatic activity, IAA production and phosphate solubilization by root endophytic fungi isolated from two extreme geographical regions, India ,
Endocytobiosis and Cell Research, Germany

A review on pharmacological properties of Aloe vera ,
International journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research

Protocol for production of the beneficial fungus Piriformospora indica for field applications ,
Endocytobiosis and Cell Research

) Use of locally available Jaggery for development of a cost effective media for Mass Cultivation of Piriformospora indica – A step forward towards commercialization ,
International Journal of Current Research

Development of carrier-based formulation of root endophyte Piriformospora indica and its evaluation on Phaseolus vulgaris L ,
World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology

Phytochemical analysis and anti-inflammatory potential of fenugreek. Medicinal Plants ,
International Journal of Phytomedicines and Related Industries

Comparative role of Piriformospora indica with VAM fungi ,
Indian J of Ecology

Effect of plant growth promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and their role in improvement of soil fertility and crop productivity ,
Adv. Biol. Res

Role of nanomaterials in symbiotic fungus growth enhancement ,
Current Science

Mass cultivation of Piriformospora indica in New Brunswick Fermenter and its formulation as biofertilizer ,
Asian J. of Microbial Biotech. Env. Sc

Characterization of culture filtrates of Piriformospora indica. ,
Asian J. of Microbial Biotech. Env. Sc.

Effect of aristolochic acid on macromolecular synthesis of Morganella morgani ,
National Journal of Life Sciences.

Microbiological evaluation of drinking water sold by roadside vendors of Delhi, India ,
Appl. Water Sci.

In – vitro antibiotic resistance and heavy metal tolerance patters of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria isolated from effluent treated water of Delhi, India ,
Journal of Current Pharma Research

Psychrophilic pseudomonas in Antarctic freshwater lake at strones peninsula, larsemann hilld over east Antarctica ,
Springer Plus
Projects
Studies on Enhancement of Soil Genesis and Fertility by Microbes in Degraded Land in Semi Arid and M(.)
..by (DRDO)

Value addition and in-vitro induction of active principle in Artemisia annua and Tinospora cordifoli(Guwahati University)
.by (DBT)

Unravelling biochemical and molecular basis of bacterial and fungal endo-symbiosis for management of(ICAR)
.by (ICAR)

Proteomics of Excessive Production of Artemisinin from high yielding varieties of Artemisia annua co(.)
.by (DRDO)

Molecular Studies on Interaction of Piriformospora indica and Rhizobacteria (JNU)
.by (DBT)

Growth analysis of value addition of some cultivated plants on interaction with multifunctional symb(.)
.by (DBT)

Value addition to plants of agricultural and horticultural importance by application of consortium(AFRI, Jodhpur)
Project entitled Value addition to plants of agricultural and horticultural importance by application of consortium of root fungal endophyte and nitrogen fixing prokaryote – Azotobacter sppby (DST)

Pilot Scale Production of Plant Promoting Fungus Piriformospora indica: A step forward towards Comme(Krauter Healthcare Ltd)
Project entitled Pilot Scale Production of Plant Promoting Fungus Piriformospora indica: A step forward towards Commercialization" under DBT's SBIRI scheme by (DBT)

Interaction of Nano-embedded Piriformospora indica with the plant of medicinal importance, Brasicca (None)
Project entitled "Interaction of Nano-embedded Piriformospora indica with the plant of medicinal importance, Brasicca oleracea var. Botrytis (Broccoli" under BIRAC scheme of DBT by (DBT)

Funds for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure in Universities & Higher Educational Institutions – FIST(None)
Under the scheme "Funds for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure in Universities & Higher Educational Institutions" – FIST Program 2014 by (DST)

Exploring the role of Piriformospora indica as bioweedicide and value addition to Naga Chilli of Nor(DRL (DRDO))
Project entitled Exploring the role of Piriformospora indica as bioweedicide and value addition to Naga Chilli of North East Indiaby (DRDO)
Affiliations
? National Academy of Agriculture Sciences Since 01 Jan 2000

? International Society of Symbiosis, Boston, USA Since 01 Jan 2000

Indian Science Congress Association Since 01 Jan 2005
Activities
Commonwealth Fellowship (Australia)

National Research Council (Canada)

National Science Foundation (USA)

Indo-Czechoslovakia Exchange Programme (Prague)

DAAD Fellowship (Germany)

Deutsches BMFT Programme, George-August University, Gottingen (Germany)

RAISA Fellowship for Innovative Research in Biotechnology (Italy)

Swiss Federal Research Fellowship (Switzerland)

BP Koirala award (Nepal)

DFG-INSA Fellowship (Indo-Germany)

FAMI Award 2011 (India)

Honorary Diploma, UMF, Cluj-Napoca, Romania (2011)

Life time achievement award, Bombay University (2011)

Special felicitation for outstanding research in the field of microbiology, JNU (2012)
Patents
A nanomaterial based culture medium for microbial growth enhancement ,Delhi,India - Complete ( 14/DEL/2009 )

Saponin Derivatives ,Delhi,India - Complete ( 767/DEL/2009 )

A modified medium for co-cultivation of sebacinales fungi with plants of lamiaceae family ,New Delhi,India - Complete ( 902/DEL/2009 )

Polygalactomannans and Modified Polygalactomannans from Fenugreek and their uses thereof ,Delhi,India - Complete ( 1469/DEL/2009 )

Nano material, their method of production and application thereof ,New Delhi,India - Complete ( 1612/DEL/2009 )

Nano material, their method of production and application thereof ,New Delhi,India - Complete ( 1612/DEL/2009 )

Piriformospora indica obviates extreme temperatures stresses ,New Delhi,India - Complete ( 709/DEL/2011 )

Novel and new nutrient for cultivation of Piriformospora indica ,New Delhi,India - Complete ( 944/DEL/2012 )

Plant growth promoting root endophyte ,New Delhi,India - Complete ( 1803/DEL/2014 )

Plant growth promoting formulation of Piriformospora indica and Azotobacter chroococcum with talcum powder ,New Delhi,India - Complete ( PCT/IN2014/000447 )

An improved method for controlling plant pathogen using Piriformospora indica ,New Delhi,India - Complete ( 47/DEL/2015 )
Short Description
Prof. Dr. Ajit Varma Distinguished Scientist & Professor of Eminence, Amity Institute of Microbial Technology (Amity University Uttar Pradesh) & Vice Chairman, Amity Science, Technology & Innovation Foundation Chair, Faculty Research Committee (FRC), Biosciences & Biotechnology Amity Campus, Sector 125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India E-mail: ajitvarma@amity.edu Qualification: M.Sc. (1959), Ph. D. (1964), Allahabad University, Allahabad, India Professional Experience -Microbiologist (Assistant Professor) IARI, New Delhi 1963-1971 -Senior Microbiologist (Associate Professor) IARI, New Delhi 1971-1974 -Associate Professor, JNU, New Delhi 1975-1984 -Professor, JNU, New Delhi 1985-2004 -Distinguished Scientist & Professor of Eminence, Amity Institute of Microbial Technology (Amity University), Noida (adjacent to Delhi); since September 2004 -Director, Rootonic Pvt Ltd Delhi (since 2012) -Board of Directors, Prathista Industries Limited, Secunderabad (since 2013)

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