New Delhi: The Indian Phytopathological Society (IPS), a leading national body in plant pathology and agricultural sciences, has instituted the prestigious “Prof. L. V. Gangawane Young Scientist Award and Oration”, a national platform to recognise and encourage outstanding young agricultural scientists. The new award commemorates Prof. L. V. Gangawane (1944–2018), an eminent Indian plant pathologist, soil microbiologist and former IPS President, celebrated for his steadfast commitment to farmer-centric research.
The announcement was made by IPS President-Elect Prof. Rajendra M. Gade, who described Prof. Gangawane as “a scientist who consistently bridged rigorous agricultural research with the real needs of farmers and rural communities.” The Award and Oration, which will commence in the 2026–2027 academic year, has been established with an initial endowment of ₹10 lakh donated by Mrs. Sushila Gangawane. The family has further pledged ₹90 lakh to support young scientist recognition, research encouragement and related academic initiatives in Prof. Gangawane’s memory, bringing the total family support for these initiatives to ₹1 crore.
The initiative has been conceived and shaped with the support and guidance of senior members of the scientific and academic community, including IPS President Dr. R. Viswanathan, IPS Secretary Dr. Malkhan Singh Gurjar, Professors and Heads of Botany Departments Dr. Vikram Khilare and Dr. Shivaji Kamble, and the Vice Chancellor of Mumbai University, Dr. Ravindra Kulkarni. Together they share the objective of promoting excellence in plant pathology and agricultural sciences nationwide.
Prof. L. V. Gangawane was widely respected across Indian agricultural science for his unique ability to combine scientific rigour with practical, farmer-oriented research across a career spanning more than four decades. Born into an agrarian family, he made pioneering contributions in rhizosphere microbiology, fungicide resistance, integrated disease management, biofertilizer technology and sustainable agriculture, with particular relevance to semi-arid farming systems.
As Head of the Department of Botany at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University and later as Emeritus Professor, he played a pivotal role in strengthening research infrastructure in plant pathology and microbiology and in mentoring successive generations of scientists and researchers. His international engagements included research collaborations and invited lectures at institutions such as the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (London), the University of Cambridge, the University of Bristol, Swansea University, Cairo University, Kasetsart University (Thailand), the University of Malaya (Malaysia) and Al Ain University (UAE). The Government of India also selected him under its Cultural Exchange Programme to deliver scientific lectures in Egypt.
Notably, during the 1970s; a period when advanced facilities for human viral research were limited in India, Prof. Gangawane experimentally demonstrated that the Hepatitis-B virus could be propagated on tobacco leaves. This work opened new experimental pathways for subsequent virological and vaccine-related research and was acknowledged in the internationally renowned medical journal The Lancet in 1976.
A prolific scholar, Prof. Gangawane authored more than 280 research papers and developed recognised methods for controlling seed-borne diseases in pigeon pea. Deeply committed to public outreach, he appeared on Doordarshan’s “Aamchi Mati Aamchi Manse,” delivered talks on All India Radio, and wrote Marathi-language scientific literature to communicate agricultural science to farming communities. He guided 42 Ph.D. scholars and served as President of the Indian Phytopathological Society in 2006. His contributions were recognised with several honours, including the Maharashtra State Ideal Teacher Award (2002), the Prof. M. S. Pavgi Award and the P. R. Verma Award.
In the foreword to the national seminar volume Biofertilizer Technology Transfer, renowned agricultural scientist and architect of India’s Green Revolution, Dr. M. S. Swaminathan, wrote: “We owe a deep sense of gratitude to Dr. L. V. Gangawane for this labour of love.”
The Award and Oration have been designed to uphold the values Prof. Gangawane embodied throughout his life; scientific excellence, translational agricultural research, institution building, mentorship and dedicated service to farming communities. IPS stated that the initiative is expected to evolve into a distinguished national platform encouraging young scientists working in sustainable agriculture, plant health and food security.
