In research, I am engaged in crop improvement and production technologies of guava, dragon fruit, and be. I am involved in the development and evaluation of 23 technologies, including 6 varieties and 17 production/protection practices. I pioneered the introduction and evaluation of dragon fruit in Punjab, making PAU the one of the richest SAU in its germplasm.

I have handled 15 externally funded research and extension projects, significantly benefitting farmers, students, and extension workers. My academic contributions include 60 research papers, 5 books, 6 extension bulletins, 2 teaching manuals, 1 edited book, and several book chapters. I have published 150+ extension articles and delivered 87 TV/radio talks to promote fruit crop technologies.

I am working as extension specialist (Fruit) for the dissemination of university technologies among the extension functionaries and the farmers. I conducted 120 training programmes, delivered 300+ technical lectures, and led numerous exhibitions and camps. I established a state-of-the-art fruit science lab under a DST-FIST project. I have guided 2 Ph.D. and 5 M.Sc. students.

Currently, I also working as a ‘University Adaptive Research Trials Monitoring Committee’ and serve on several academic committees. Recognitions include the 2022–23 Award of Plaque & Merit certificate, two Appreciation Certificates, and a PAU team award for rejuvenating historical ber trees in Punjab.

Education Positions held: Principal Fruit Scientists with additional duties of Principal Extension Scientist (Fruits)

Research Interests: Crop improvement & development of production technologies (guava, ber, dragonfruit, pomegranate)

Research & Extension Projects:

• Crop improvement & development of production technologies for guava, ber and pomegranate.
• Collection, conservation and evaluation of dragonfruit in Punjab.
• Improvement of S & T Infrastructure in Universities and Higher Educational Institutions (DST-FIST)
• FLDs on rejuvenation of declining orchards in Punjab
• Skill development & transfer of technologies related to fruit crops.

Selected Research Publications (maximum up to 5):  

• Shukla HV, Kumar A, Maan SS, Thakur S, Arora NK, Kaur G, Solanki SPS, Boora R S, Singh D, Brar J S, Kang K K, Chhuneja P, Gill MIS,Bains N S and Mittal A (2025) Positional mapping – constitutive purple trait locus (pl) in guava (Psidium guajava L.) in F2 and BC1F1 populations of Purple Local × Allahabad Safeda. Physiologia Plantarum 177 (2), e70212
• Dhillon A S, Brar J S, Adhikary T and Das P (2024) Beeswax+ Low Density Polyethylene Packaging Retard Ripening Related Changes and Preserved Postharvest Quality of Guava During Storage. Applied Fruit Science 66 (4), 1463-1475
• Brar J S, Sharma S, Kaur H, Singh H, Naik E K and Adhikary T (2023)Phytochemical properties, antioxidant potential and fatty acid profiling of three dragon fruit species grown under sub-tropical climate. Not.Bot.Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca 51 (3): 12993 DOI:10.15835/nbha51312993
• Maan SS, Brar J S, Mittal A, Gill MIS, Arora NK, Sohi HS, Chunejja P (2023) Construction of Genetic Linkage Map and QTL mapping of fruit quality traits in guava (Psidium guajava L.). Frontiers in Plant Science 14, 1788
• Maan S S and Brar J S (2021) Mutagenic sensitivity analysis of guava (Psidium guajava L.). Fruits 76 (4): 181-190. 12.63

Awards:

1. Award of Plaque & Merit Certificate for the year 2022-23 for outstanding work in Research, Teaching and Extension.
2. Awarded with a team award form worthy Vice Chancellor, PAU, Ludhiana for rejuvenation of trees of historical importance (2022)
3. Awarded with appreciation certificate form worthy Vice Chancellor, PAU, Ludhiana for outstanding research & extension works (Year 2018).
4. University Gold Medal and Merit Certificate in B Sc Agriculture for first Position in the University.