Scientific Staff

Dr. N Kannababu

Discipline: Seed Technology | Designation: Principal Scientist | At IIMR Since: 1997

Email: kannababu@millets.res.in  | 

Academic Qualifications

Degree	Institute / University	Year of completion	Subject(s) with major field
Ph.D.	Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu	1996	Seed Science & Technology
M. Sc (Agri)	University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka	1992	Seed Science & Technology
B. Sc (Agri)	PDKV (Agricultural University), Akola, Maharashtra State	1990	Agriculture

Employment Record & Experience (Starting from the present position)

Designation	Organization	Institution & place of posting	Period (From-to)	Duration (years, months)
Principal Scientist	ICAR	Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR)	6-7-2014 to till date
Senior Scientist	ICAR	Directorate of Sorghum Research (DSR), Hyderabad	6-7-2005 to 5-7-2014	9 years
Scientist (Sr. Scale)	ICAR	Directorate of Sorghum Research (DSR), Hyderabad	6-7-2000 to 5-7-2005	5 years
Scientist	ICAR	Directorate of Sorghum Research (DSR), Hyderabad	6-7-1996 to 5-7-2000	4 years

Current responsibilities:

• Dr Kannababu works on various seed science approaches for enhancing seed yield, vigor and longevity in millets towards developing sustainable technologies for enhancing seed performance in millets. His research objectives focus on:
•  Development of functional SNP markers: Leading efforts to identify and validate functional single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers linked to seed vigor and longevity traits in millets through genome-wide association mapping (GWAS). These markers are being integrated into marker-assisted selection (MAS) strategies to accelerate breeding programs and improve genetic gains.
•  Elucidation of biological processes and metabolic pathways: Investigating the underlying biological mechanisms and metabolic pathways that govern seed vigor and longevity in millets. This includes functional analysis of key genes and their regulatory roles in enhancing seed performance and viability.
•  Genetic characterization for seed vigor and longevity: Conducting comprehensive genetic analyses to classify and understand the behavior of genotypes associated with seed vigor and longevity. This work supports the identification of promising genetic resources for incorporation into millet crop improvement initiatives.
•  Sustainable technologies for seed enhancement: Assessing sustainable seed enhancement technologies, including foliar application of growth regulators, micronutrients, and nanoparticles, to boost seed quality and yield to strengthen quality seed production in millets contributing towards improved agricultural productivity and resilience. This includes optimizing application protocols and evaluating their efficacy under field and controlled conditions.

Major contributions (including technologies developed):

• 1) Unraveled the genetic basis of seed vigor and longevity traits through genome-wide association mapping (GWAS) and identified the key SNPs and genes linked to these traits, which are crucial for crop establishment and productivity, especially in harsh environments in pearl millet and finger millet.
• 2) Elucidated the biological processes and metabolic pathways involved, highlighting the roles of genes related to seed vigor and longevity using GO and KEGG pathway analysis in pearl millet and finger millet.
• 3) Comprehensive analyses of the genetic behavior and classification of genotypes associated with seed vigor and longevity has been conducted in different millets. This will enable the identification of promising genetic sources for incorporation into ongoing crop improvement programs targeting various millet species. The findings will support breeders in selecting genotypes with enhanced seed performance traits.
• 4) Trait identification for enhanced seed production in forage sorghum: Characterized key seed yield and seed quality traits that are optimal for enhancing seed production potential in both single-cut and multi-cut forage sorghum types. This work provides a targeted framework for varietal selection and breeding strategies aimed at improving seed productivity and genetic performance.
• 5) Determination of physiological and harvestable maturity stages: Identified optimal stages of physiological and harvestable maturity across diverse small millet species—including finger millet, kodo millet, barnyard millet, foxtail millet, little millet, proso millet, and browntop millet—to enhance seed quality and minimize yield losses. This work supports precision harvesting strategies and improved seed management practices.

Awards and recognitions:

• Recognition: “Certificate of appreciation for Seed Science Research” (2024), ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad.
• Recognition: “Certificate of Excellence for Seed Science Research” (2019), ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad.
• Award of “Fellow of Indian Society of Seed Technology (FISST)” (2017), New Delhi.
• National Recognition: “Distinguished scientist/expert as Resource Person” for 'Centre of Excellence for training the professionally qualified persons' in ‘Seed Science and Technology and Plant variety protection’ DSST, IARI, New Delhi.
• Award of “Netherlands Fellowship”: Participated in “International Course on Biotechnology, Plant Breeding and Seed Technology” (April-July 2002) at International Agriculture Centre, Wageningen University, Netherlands.

Current collaborative activities:

Nil

Recent most significant publications:

Journal papers:
• 1) Kannababu, N., Nanjundappa, S., Narayanan, N., Vetriventhan, M., Venkateswarlu, R., Das, I.K., Srikanth, A., Viswanath, A., Singh, S., Malipatil, R., Satyavathi, C.T., Thirunavukkarasu, N. (2025). Role of functional genes for seed vigor related traits through genome-wide association mapping in finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn.). Scientific Reports, 15, 5569. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89315-3 (JrnID: S023; NAAS-IF: 9.80)
• 2) Kannababu, N., Avinash, S., Das, I.K., Padmaja, P.G., Umakanth, A.V., Satyavathi, C.T. 2024. Determining seed longevity and vigor in finger millet [Elusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.] and its genetic implication under storage. Indian Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding., 84(4): 697-708. (JrnID: I070; Score: 7.00).
• 3) Kannababu N., Ganapathy K. N., Venkateswarlu R. and Tara Satyavathi C. (2024). Physiological and harvestable maturity of seeds in finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.], Range Management and Agroforestry 45 (2) : 290-299, 2024 ISSN 0971-2070 (Print); 2249-5231 (Online) https://doi.org/10.59515/rma.2024.v45.i2.14 (JrnID: R009; NAAS-IF: 6.80)
• 4) Kannababu, N., Deepika, C., Venkateswarlu, R., Hariprasanna, K., and Das, I.K. (2023). Physiological maturity of seeds in kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum L.) cultivars across seasons. Plant Physiology Reports, 28: 209–220. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40502-023-00725-9 . (JrnID: P122; NAAS-IF: 7.70).
• 5) Kannababu, N., Amasiddha, B., Venkateswarlu, R., Das, I.K., Pabhakar, B., and Vilas A. Tonapi (2023). Determination of physiological and harvestable mass-maturity of seeds during rainy and post-rainy seasons in barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea (Roxb). Link)" Range Management and Agroforestry, 44 (1): 84-94. (JrnID: R009; NAAS-IF: 6.58)
• 6) Kannababu, N., Avinash Singode, Aruna C., Venkatesh Bhat B., Shrotria P. K., Das I. K., Venkateswarlu R., Visarada K. B. R. S., Rajappa P. V. and Vilas A. Tonapi (2021). Seed yield and quality traits ideal for improvement of seed production potential in single and multi-cut forage sorghum types. Range Management and Agroforestry, 42 (2): 231-239. (JrnID: R009; NAAS-IF: 6.37)
• 7) Kannababu N, Madhusudhana R, Elangovan M, Avinash S, Das IK and Vilas A Tonapi (2020). Stability analysis for seed longevity in landraces of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). Indian Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding, 80 (1): 1-11. (JrnID: I070; Score:6.55).
• 8) Kannababu N, Rakshit S, Madhusudhana R, Tonapi VA, Das IK, Raghunath K (2017). Identification of superior parental lines for seed quality and storability through GGE biplot analysis of line× tester data in grain sorghum. Indian Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding, 77 (2):278-286 (NAAS-IF: 6.41).

Books:

• 1) Chapke, R.R., Kannababu, N., Venkateshswarlu, R. and Tarasatyavathi, C (2023). Importance of Millets and Improved Technologies. ICAR-Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture, New Delhi, India, ISBN 978-81-7164-272-4: 183p.
• 2) Talwar HS, Kannababu N, Venkatesh Bhat B and Vilas A Tonapi (2019). Climate Resilience in Millets. 232 pages. ISBN 81-89335-85-5. ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad, TS, India
• 3) Kannababu N, Venkatesh Bhat B, Prabhakar, Raghavendra Rao KV and Vilas A Tonapi. (2018). Millets: Maintenance Breeding for Seed Quality Assurance. 228 pages. ISBN 81-89335-71-5. ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad, TS, India
• 4) Vilas A Tonapi, B Venkatesh Bhat, N Kannababu, M Elangovan, AV Umakanth, Raghunath Kulakarni, Krittika V Tonapi, KV Raghavendrarao and TG Nageshwar Rao (2015). Millet Seed Technology: Seed Production, Quality Control, & Legal Compliance. 462 pages. ISBN 81-89335-54-5. ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad, TS, India.
• 5) Kannababu N, Audilakshmi S, Elangovan M, Tonapi VA, and Seetharama N (2006). National guidelines for the conduct of tests for distinctness, uniformity and stability of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). 24 pages. NRCS TECH/16/2006-07. National Research Centre for Sorghum, Hyderabad AP, India.
• 6) Kannababu N, Tonapi VA, and Seetharama N (2004). ‘Sorghum seed production manual. 110 pages. ISBN: 81 – 89335-02-2. National Research Centre for Sorghum, Hyderabad AP, India.

Book Chapters:

• 1) Kannababu N., B. V. Venkatesh Bhat, Sooganna, K. Raghunath, R. Venkateswarlu, Jinu Jacob, V. M. Malathi, A. Srikanth, T. Nepolean, and Vilas A. Tonapi (2024). Hybrid Seed Generation System Management to Ensure the Seed Quality in Pearl Millet, In: Pearl Millet in the 21st Century Food-Ntrition-Climate resilience-Improved livelihoods Edited by: VA Tonapi, T Nepolean , SK Gupta, Prakas, Gangshetty, OP Yadav. ISBN 978-981-99-5889-4ISBN 978-981-99-5890-0 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-5890-0. pp.513-530 of 623. Springer Publication.
• 2) Kannababu N, Venkatesh Bhat B, Sooganna, Raghunath K, Ganapathy KN, Venkateswarly R, Das IK, Prabhakar B, and Tonapi VA. (2022). Seed science approaches for quality seed production and maintenance in finger millet. In: Nagaraja TE, et al. (editors), Finger millet: Nature’s master grain- a souvenir. International Conference on harnessing the potential of finger millets for achieving food and nutritional security: Challenges and Prospects, ISBN: 978-93-91355-33-3, January, UAS Bangalore, 19-22, 2022. Pp. 193-201.
• 3) Kannababu N, Sooganna and V.A.Tonapi 2021. Importance of post-harvest technologies in maintaining seed quality, In: Sundareswaran et al. (2021) (editors). Seed quality enhancement, ISBN: 9788195484843, Published by Director (Seeds), Seed Centre, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641003. 219 pp.
• 4) Kannababu, N., Sooganna and V.A.Tonapi 2021. Seed legislation in India, In: Meghachandra Singh et al. (2021) (editors). E-Compendium on Training on Seed Certification and Quality Control and Stakeholders’ Meet for NEH Region, ISBN 978-93-5620-073-9, Published by Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya-793103.
• 5) Kannababu N, Sooganna, Talwar HS and V.A.Tonapi (2020) Sorghum Hybrid Seed Production and Quality Management: Important Considerations. In: Tonapi, V. A., et al. (2021) (editors). Sorghum in the 21st Century: Food – Fodder – Feed – Fuel for a Rapidly Changing World. Springer Nature. ISBN: 978-981-15-8249-3, Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020.
• 6) Kannababu N, Sooganna and V.A. Tonapi (2019). Relevance of agro-climate to hybrid seed production in sorghum. In: Talwar HS, Kannababu N, Venkatesh Bhat B and Tonapi VA. (Editors) Climate Resilience in Millets. 232 pages. ISBN 81-89335-85-5. ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad, TS, India

Life Member of Societies:

• Indian Society of Millets Research
• Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding
• Indian Society of Seed Technology
• Indian Society of Plant Physiology
• Range Management Society of India
• Indian Society of Oilseeds Research
• Agricultural Research Service Forum (India)

Dr. N Kannababu