| Discipline | Spice, Plantation, Medicinal & Aromatic Plants
|
| Research interests and current focus: | Spices, bioprospecting, medicinal and aromatic plants, micropropagation, plant genetic resources |
| Research Experienced (in years): | 12 Years
|
| Link of ResearchGate profile : | https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ajit-Waman
|
| Link of Google scholar : | https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=uN-nEqoAAAAJ&hl=en
|
| Link of ORCID: | https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6175-9753
|
| e-mail Id: | ajit.hort595@gmail.com, ajit.arun@icar.org.in
|
| Mobile No | +91 9933263441
|
| Ongoing
|
|
| Identification and characterization of superior germplasm of cinnamon, tejpat, long pepper and clove under Bay Islands condition (Institute funded, as PI)
|
|
| All India Coordinated Research Project on Plantation Crops (ICAR funded, as PI)
|
|
| CSS-MIDH (NHM) project on Spices (DASD, Kozhikode, Kerala funded, as PI)
|
|
| All India Coordinated Research Project on Spices (ICAR funded, as PI)
|
|
| Completed
|
|
| Micropropagation, agro-techniques standardization and utilization of Woody Pepper (Piper pendulispicum C DC): A novel spice from Andaman Islands (DBT, New Delhi funded, as PI).
|
|
| Standardization of agro-techniques and nursery protocol for Centratherumantherminticum (L.) Kuntze ex Gamble (Ministry of AYUSH funded, New Delhi, as PI).
|
|
| Development Collection, characterization and utilization of natural diversity of important Spice crops From Bay Islands and evaluation of their improved varieties (Institute funded, as PI)
|
|
| Exploration, characterization, micropropagation and agro-technique standardization of important rhizomatous species- mango ginger from Bay islands (Institute funded, as PI)
|
|
| In vitro mass multiplication, characterization and habitat enrichment of two horticulturally important underutilized species from Andaman and Nicobar islands (DBT, New Delhi funded, as Co-PI)
|
|
| Developed Dweep Tej-1 variety of tejpat (Cinnamomumtamala),which has been recommended by SVRC. | |
| Registered a unique germplasm of woody pepper (INGR25029) with ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi. | |
| Co-developed DweepAgrim and Dweep Vishal varieties of Malabar tamarind (Garciniagummi-gutta), which have been recommended by SVRC. | |
| Obtained Indigenous Collection numbers for more than 40 horticulturally important genetic resources from the islands. | |
| Identified elite germplasm of Cinnamomumverum, Piper sarmentosum, etc. | |
| Served as a Panelist in the ‘11th Indian Horticulture Congress and International meet on Horticulture for Inclusive, Equitable and Sustainable Growth’ held at University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru (November 6-9, 2025). | |
| Inducted as the ‘Associate Fellow of the Society for Promotion of Horticulture, Bengaluru-2025’ (October 17, 2025). | |
| Received ‘Appreciation Certificate for the Most Efficient Experimental Unit’ of the Institute for Horticultural Plants Propagation Unit (June 23, 2024) | |
| Received Best Oral Presentation Award in the ‘International Seminar on Exotic and Underutilized Horticultural Crops: Priorities and Emerging Trends’ organized by ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru (October 17-19, 2023) | |
| Received ‘Best Working Laboratory Award’ of ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair for Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory (June 23, 2023) | |
| Received ‘Young Scientist Award- 2021 in the field of Horticulture’ during ‘International Conference on Recent Advances for Managing Sustainable Soil Health and Crop Production’organized by GKV Society, Agra, Uttar Pradesh (February 18-20, 2022). | |
| Invited Speaker in ‘International Symposium on Beyond Chemistry: Consumer Acceptance of Flavor, Food Safety and Health Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables’ organized by the American Chemical Society and Texas A&M University, USA (March 21-25, 2021) | |
| Served as a Panelist in the National Workshop on ‘Development of in vitro regeneration protocol in oil palm: challenges and Opportunities’ organized by ICAR-Indian Institute of Oil Palms Research, Pedavegi, Andhra Pradesh (February 17, 2021) | |
| Received Outstanding Oral Presentation Awardduring ‘National E-Conference on Biodynamic calendar and technological intervention for horticulture sustainability and health security in changing climate’ (January 21-23, 2021). | |
| Received “SPBB-Springer Young Investigator Award for Excellence in Plant Biology (2020)” from the Society for Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology, New Delhi and Springer Nature, India (November 20-21, 2020). | |
| Received Best Oral Presentation Awardduring the 'National Webinar on Prospective, Priorities and Preparedness of Sustainable Agriculture Development in India’ (December 28-29, 2020). | |
| Served as a Reviewer for DBT-BIRAC-SITARE-GYTI (Gandhian Young Technological Innovation) award | |
| Received Best Publication Award of the Institute for the year 2018-19 | |
| Adjudged as the Best Young Scientist of the Institute for the year 2017-18 | |
| Served as an Elected Executive Member of the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Association of India, Gujarat (2015-18). | |
| Serving/ served as an Editor of Scientific Journals viz. Vegetos, Springer Nature; Journal of the Andaman Science Association, ASA; African Journal of Agricultural Research, Academic Journals; Current Agriculture Research Journal, India; Amity Journal of Agribusiness, India etc. | |
| Serving as a Reviewer of Scientific Journals viz. Current Science [Current Science Association]; Annals of Botany-Plants [Oxford University Press]; Journal of Applied Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants [Elsevier]; Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, Journal of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Scientific Reports [Springer Nature]; The Philippine Agricultural Scientist [University of the Philippines, Los Baños]; Ciencia Rural [Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Brasil]; International Journal of Pest Management and International Journal of Fruit Science [Taylor and Francis]; The Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences [ICAR]; Bioversitas- Journal of Biological Diversity[Society for Indonesian Biodiversity]; Medicinal Plants [Society for Conservation and Resource Development of Medicinal Plants, India]; Plant Cell Biotechnology & Molecular Biology [International Knowledge Press] and others. | |
| Recipient of (a) UAS-B University Gold Medal – 2010; (b) Dr. ShamaBhat Gold Medal-2010 and (c) Dr. Suresh N. Sondur Memorial Gold Medal-2010 | |
| Recipient of DST-INSPIRE Fellowship for Doctoral Degree and ICAR-JRF for Masters’ Degree | |
| Selected Research articles:
|
|
| Waman AA, De AK, Bohra P, Sawhney S and Mishra SK (2024), DNA barcoding-assisted confirmation of the botanical identity of Woody Pepper (Piper pendulispicum C. DC., Piperaceae): an addition to the Indian Flora. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 71: 4631–4645. | |
| Waman AA, PoojaBohra and R. Karthika Devi (2024), Biochemical studies in Woody Pepper (Piper pendulispicum C.DC.): A spice with edible stem from Andaman Islands, India. Annals of Phytomedicine, 13(1): 1141-1148. | |
| Waman AA*, Bohra P, Maheswarappa HP, Jerard BA &Sumitha S (2024), Culantro (Eryngiumfoetidum L.): a profitable intercrop in arecanut plantations for diversification of island agriculture. National Academy Science Letters, 48: 417–420. | |
| Waman AA, Bohra P & Ravi KD (2023), Serpentine layering as an efficient means of propagation in woody pepper (Piper pendulispicum C.DC.): a novel spice from Andaman Islands. National Academy Science Letters, 46: 277–279. | |
| AjitArunWaman, PoojaBohra, T.K. Roy and K.S. Shivashankara (2021), Seed morphological and biochemical studies in certain wild nutmegs. Trees,https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-021-02091-1. | |
| Waman AA, P Bohra, RK Devi & J Pixy (2021), In vitro multiplication protocol for Curcuma mangga: Studies on carbon, cytokinin source and explant size. Journal of Horticultural Sciences, 16(1): 69-76 | |
| Waman AA & P Bohra (2020), Assisted regeneration for mass multiplication and conservation of vulnerable Myristicaandamanica Hook f. from Bay Islands, India. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 67: 1707–1713. | |
| AjitArunWaman (2020), Essential oil composition of clove and nutmeg from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 57(1): 95-100. | |
| AjitArunWaman, PoojaBohra and AarthiSounderarajan (2018), Propagule size affects yield and quality of Curcuma mangga Val. et Zijp.: an important medicinal spice. Industrial Crops and Products, 124: 36-43. | |
| AjitArunWaman, PoojaBohra and Avinash Norman (2018), Chemical pre-treatments improve seed germination and seedling growth in Semecarpus kurzii Engl.: an ethnomedicinally important plant. Journal of Forestry Research, 29(5): 1283-1289. | |
| Selected Books authored/ edited:
|
|
| AjitArunWaman and PoojaBohra(2021), Perennial Underutilized Horticultural Species of India. Jaya Publishing House, New Delhi, India. pp. 1-346. ISBN: 9789390611386 | |
| AjitArunWaman, PoojaBohra, Pankaj Kumar Singh and Eaknath B. Chakurkar (2023) Book of Abstracts. National Conference on Spices, Aromatic and Medicinal Plants for Economic Prosperity and Ecological Sustainability (SAMPEPES-2023), ICAR- Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair- 744 105, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, pp. 1-126. | |
| AjitArunWaman, PoojaBohra, P.K. Singh, Homey Cheriyan and E.B. Chakurkar (2023). Proceedings ofthe National Conference on Spices, Aromatic and Medicinal Plants for Economic Prosperity and EcologicalSustainability (SAMPEPES-2023) held during October 5-6, 2023 at ICAR-Central Island AgriculturalResearch Institute, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, pp. 1- 54. | |
| A.A. Waman, PoojaBohra, D. Karunakaran and E.B. Chakurkar (2022) Book of Abstracts. VirtualNational Conference on Underutilized Horticultural Genetic Resources: Conservation and Utilization(NCUHGR-2022), ICAR- Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair- 744 105, Andamanand Nicobar Islands, India, pp. 1-123 | |
| Santosh S. Mane, AjitArunWaman, G.V.R. Joseph (2016) Book of Abstracts, National Seminar on ‘Ethnomedicinal Practices in Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Scope, Limitation and Prospective’ held at Port Blair, India on November 11-12, 2016, pp. 1-46 | |
| Smitha G.R. and Waman A.A. (2015). A Handy Guide to Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Jaya Publishing House, New Delhi, India. pp. 1-241. ISBN: 9789384337421 | |
| Selected Book chapters:
|
|
| Ajit Arun Waman, Kalyan P. Kadbhane and G.R. Karanjalker, 2021, Mango Ginger: Prospects for Domestication and Utilization. In: Medicinal Plants. Domestication, Biotechnology and Regional Importance (Eds.: H.M. Ekiert, K.G. Ramawat and J. Arora). Springer-Nature, Singapore, ISBN 978-3-030-74779-4 pp. 293-313. | |
| Chinthamani Jayavel, Ajit Arun Waman, Saravanan Kandasamy, and Pooja Bohra, 2020, Potential of Piper Germplasm against Pathogenic Bacteria: Tropical Bay Islands in India. In: (Eds. M.R. Goyal and D.N. Chauhan) Assessment of Medicinal Plants for Human Health: Phytochemistry, Disease Management, and Novel Applications. Apple Academic Press, Canada, pp. 65-82. | |
| Ajit Arun Waman, 2019, Plantation and spices based cropping systems for coastal and island conditions. In: An overview of integrated farming systems of coastal India (Eds. B. Gangaiah et al.). ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair, pp. 17-21. | |
| Pooja Bohra, Ajit Arun Waman and Sanjay Mishra, 2019, Crop Wild Relatives of Selected Perennial Horticultural Crops in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. In: (Eds. P.E. Rajasekharan and V. Ramanatha Rao) Conservation and Utilization of Horticultural Genetic Resources. Springer-Nature. pp. 425-450. | |
| Waman A.A., Pooja Bohra and B.A. Jerard, 2018, Emerging Opportunities for Newer Spices in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In: (Eds. Abirami et al.) Spices of Islands: Potentials and way forward for profitability, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair, pp. 100-104. | |
| R.K. Gautam, S. Dam Roy, A.A. Waman, Pooja Bohra, I. Jaisankar, V. Damodaran, K. Sakthivel and T. Bharathimeena, 2018, Status and strategic plan for the sustainable development of horticulture sector in Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep groups of Islands, India: Horticultural development in tropical Indian Islands. In: (Eds. D. Mandal, A.C. Shukla and M.W. Siddiqui) Sustainable Horticulture Vol. 2: Food, Health, and Nutrition, Apple Academic Press, USA, pp. 145-166. | |
| Waman A.A., 2017, Organic Production of Major Plantation Crops in the Context of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In: (Eds. B. Gangaiah et al.) Organic Farming in Tropical Islands of India, ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair, pp. 187-189. | |
| Pooja Bohra, Waman A.A. and Anuraj A., 2017, Biotechnology as a tool for conservation and sustainable utilization of plant and seaweed genetic resources of Tropical Bay Island, India. In: (Eds. Bhore S.J., Marimuthu K. and Ravichandran M.) Biotechnology for Sustainability: Achievements, challenges and perspectives, AIMST University, Malaysia, pp. 295-304. | |
| Waman A.A., Bohra P., Sathyanarayana, B.N. and Hanumantharaya B.G. (2015). In vitro approaches in medicinal plants- a viable strategy to strengthen the resource base of plant based systems of medicines, In: Biotechnological approaches for sustainable development, Pullaiah T. (Ed.), Regency Publications, New Delhi, India. pp. 141-156. | |
| Selected extension literature:
|
|
| Ajit Arun Waman and Pooja Bohra, 2019, Seed germination techniques for selected underutilized species of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Technical Bulletin, ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair, pp.24. | |
| Waman A.A., Pooja Bohra and B.A. Jerard, 2018, Aam Adrak: Dweepsamoohon ke liye ek upyukt fasal. Extension Leaflet, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair. | |
| Ajit Arun Waman, Pooja Bohra and B.A. Jerard, 2018, Mango ginger: A suitable crop for the islands. Extension Leaflet, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair. | |
| Waman A.A., Bohra P., Avinash N., Gautam R.K. and Dam Roy S., 2016, Air layering in cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) in the context of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair. | |
| Waman A.A., Bohra P., Avinash N., Asha Jyothi, Gautam R.K. and Dam Roy S., 2016, Andaman va Nicobar dweepsamooho ke sandarbh me daalchini ka gootee vidhi se gunan. ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair. | |
| Waman A.A., Bohra P. and Chakrabarty G., 2016, Coconut climbing device: A simple yet effective tool for palm management activities in the context of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair. | |
| Waman A.A., Bohra P. and Chakrabarty G., 2016, Nariyal arohan yantra: Andaman wa Nicobar dweepsamooho ke sandarbh me taad prabandhan ke liye saral wa prabhavi upkaran. ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair. | |
| Selected Popular articles:
:
|
|
| Ajit Arun Waman and Pooja Bohra (2020) Essential oils from spices: potential way to diversify income avenues for island farmers". Spice India, 33(10):10-13. | |
| Ajit Arun Waman and Pooja Bohra (2020). CIARI-ProDhaniya: A technology for pro-tray cultivation of Burmese coriander to promote urban farming. The Echo of India, Port Blair, October 28, 2020. | |
| Ajit Arun Waman and Pooja Bohra, 2020, Time to cultivate woody pepper for better profits! The Echo of India, English Daily, July 8, 2020. | |
| Ajit Arun Waman, 2020, Spices quality management during COVID-19. Andaman Sheekha, English Daily, April 22, 2020. | |
| Ajit Arun Waman and L. B. Singh, 2019, Culantro: in the Bay Islands. Spice India, 32(10): 23-26. | |
| Pooja Bohra and Ajit Arun Waman, 2019, Malabar Tamarind: a profitable introduction for the Bay Islands. Spice India, 32(4): 15-18. | |
| Pooja Bohra and Ajit Arun Waman, 2019, Malabar imli: khaari k dweep k liye ek laabhdayak aarambh. Spice India, 4(4): 15-18. (Hindi) | |
| Pooja Bohra and Ajit Arun Waman, 2019, Malabar Tamarind: the Introduced Relative of Native Cow Phal. The Echo of India, August 3, 2019. | |
| Ajit Arun Waman, Pooja Bohra, B. Augustine Jerard and H.P. Maheshwarappa, 2019, Coconut climbing devices and dehuskers for the Nicobarese. Indian Coconut Journal, 61(11): 23-24. | |
| Ajit Arun Waman, Pooja Bohra and B.A. Jerard, 2018, Woody pepper: An Andamanese counterpart of pepper powder. Spice India, 31(12): 34-37. | |
| Ajit Waman and Pooja Bohra, 2017, Sweet carambola: A wonder fruit for the islands. The Daily Telegrams (English Daily), Port Blair, 16th April, 2017. | |
| Ajit Waman and Pooja Bohra, 2017, Mango ginger: A medicinal herb for your kitchen garden. The Daily Telegrams (English Daily), Port Blair, 2nd July, 2017. | |
| A.A. Waman, Pooja Bohra, D. Basantia and Gayatri Chakraborty, 2017, Sweet husk type coconut from the Bay Islands. Indian Coconut J., 54: 31-32. | |
| Ajit Waman and Pooja Bohra, 2017, Andaman Spices: Towards production of quality cinnamon. The Daily Telegrams (English Daily), Port Blair, 09th July, 2017. | |
| Ajit Waman and Pooja Bohra, 2017, Promoting Andaman spices: air layering technique for production of quality cinnamon. Andaman Yugam (English fortnightly), Port Blair, 15th June, 2017. | |
| Ajit Waman, Pooja Bohra, D. Basantia, B.L. Kashinath (2016) Pepper cultivation: An Andaman experience. Spice India 29(9): 28-30. | |
| Virtual training programme on “Plant Genetic Resources Management and Utilization” organized by ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi from 19.07.2021 to 01.08.2021. | |
| Virtual MDP on Biodiversity and Environmental Laws for Agricultural Researchers organized by ICAR-NAARM, Hyderabad from 07.06.2021 to 09.06.2021. | |
| ICAR Sponsored Winter School on “Good Agricultural Practices and Value Chain Management in High Value Low Volume Horticultural Crops” at ICAR-NRCSS, Ajmer from 01.02.2020 to 21.02.2020. | |
| ICAR sponsored Short Course entitled “Metabolite profiling as a selection tool for abiotic and biotic stress tolerance in horticultural crops” at ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru from 27.11.2017 to 06.12.2017. | |
| Professional Attachment Training at ICAR-DMAPR, Anand from 12.05.2014 to 12.08.2014. | |
| Technology of Cinnamon Bark Rubbing tool- DweepCinnRub was registered as an Industrial Design with Indian Patent Office (No.: 401605-001 dated 07/12/2023) and licensed to Ms. R.Karthika Devi, South Andaman. | |
| Developed and commercialized DweepHanGreens- a hanging structure for cultivation of herbs in urban areas. | |
| Developed Dweep AquaSaver- a Closed water circulatory system for extraction of macromolecules,which was registered as an Industrial Design with Indian Patent Office (No.: 401606 dated 07/12/2023) | |
| Developed Air layering bag- a ready to use product for propagation of woody perennials, which was registered as an Industrial Design with Indian Patent Office (No.: 401604 dated 07/12/2023) | |
| Identified Piper pendulispicum as new species record for India using DNA barcoding and morphological characterization. | |
| Identified mango ginger (Curcuma mangga) as a potential crop for commercialization in the Andaman Islands and developed agro-techniques for commercial production. | |
| Identified Woody Pepper as a novel spice from the Andaman Islands for commercialization and increased the shelf life of the produce by processing into dehydrated product. | |
| Arecanut-culantro based intercropping model was recommended during the AGM of the ICAR-AICRP on Palms. | |
| Identified potential of endemic/ native wild nutmeg species as sources of bioactive compounds. | |
| Developed semi-intensive cultivation systems viz. Dweep-ProDhaniya and Dweep-ProDhaniya Multi for cultivation of Burmese coriander in urban areas. | |
| Co-developed technique (Dweep Goottee-365) for round the year planting material production in perennial horticultural plants. | |
| Established the quality of island grown nutmeg and clove in comparison with spices from mainland India. | |
| Developed and evaluated coconut based cropping system models for island conditions. | |
| Standardized micropropagation protocols for Curcuma mangga and Musa indandamanensis (first report) | |
| Standardized propagation/ nursery techniques for the first time in native horticultural genetic resources such as Myristica andamanica, Horsfieldia glabra, Piper sarmentosum, Piper pendulispicum, Garciniadhanikhariensis, Garciniakydia, Semecarpuskurzii, Semecarpusprainii, Musa indandamanensis, Musa paramjitiana, Haematocarpusvalidus etc. | |
| Developed Dweep Agro Eco Walk- a horticulture based agro-ecotourism site at the Horticulture Research Farm, Sippighat. | |
| Memberships
|
|
| Life Member of Andaman Science Association, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands | |
| Life Member of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Association of India, Anand, Gujarat | |
| Life Member of Indian Society of Spices, Kozhikode. Kerala | |
| Life member of Indian Society of Plantation Crops, Kasaragod, Kerala | |
| Life member of Society for Promotion of Horticulture, Bengaluru, Karnataka | |
| Life member of National Academy of Biological Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu | |
| Life Member of Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi | |
| Life Member of Society for Horticultural Research and Development, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh | |
| Any Other
|
|
| Served as Organizing Secretary, National Conference on Underutilized Horticultural Genetic Resources: Conservation and Utilization, organized by ICAR-CIARI, Sri Vijaya Puram and DBT, New Delhi (June 3-4, 2022).
|
|
| Served as Organizing Secretary, National Conference on Spices, Aromatic & Medicinal Plants for Economic Prosperity & Ecological Sustainability organized by ASA, Port Blair, DASD, Kozhikode & ICAR-CIARI (Oct. 5-6, 2023)
|
|
| Served as Organizing Secretary, Entrepreneurship Development Programme on Coconut Value Addition organized by ICAR-CIARI; ICAR-CPCRI; ICAR-AICRP on Palms; CDB, Kochi; NHB, Gurugram and NABARD (September 3, 2018)
|
|
| Invited Speaker in National Webinar on Urban & Peri-urban Horticulture for Health & Nutrition organized by ICAR-CIARI and NABARD (Nov. 25, 2020)
|
|
| Invited Speaker in the Webinar organized by Don Bosco College of Agriculture, Goa University (October 12, 2020)
|
|
| Invited Speaker in the BIRAC Innovation Ignition School-8 Online Workshop organized by BIRAC-SRISTI (January 25-February 14, 2021)
|
|
| Invited Speaker in the ATGC Biotech Webinar Series organized by Dr. D.Y. Patil AS&C College, Savitribai Phule Pune University (September 12, 2020)
|
|
| Invited Speaker in the National Webinar organized on the occasion of ‘World Wildlife Conservation Day-2021’ organized by College of Agriculture, RVSKVV, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh under NAHEP (World Bank funded)
|
|
| In a pioneering effort, provided technical expertise as a member of core committee constituted for Establishment of First Ever State-of-the-art Commercial Scale Tissue Culture Laboratory in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
|
|