Dr. Preetinder Singh Sarao joined PAU as an Assistant Entomologist under the All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Project on 10.06.1999 after completing B.Sc. Agriculture (Hons.-Pl. Prot.) from PAU, Ludhiana in 1994 and M.Sc. in Entomology from PAU in 1996. He did his Ph.D. (Entomology) from PAU in 2007. He has published about 72 research papers in national and international peer reviewed journals and 8 book chapters. Presently he is guiding one M.Sc.  and one Ph.D. student as a major advisor and eight M.Sc. and Ph.D. students as advisory committee member. He also serves as a reviewer for reputed national & International journals.

Professional Accomplishments

Research Projects (Ongoing)

1. Characterisation of Genetic Resources: Mainstreaming rice landraces diversity in varietal development through genomic predictions: A model for large-scale utilization of gene bank collections of rice.
2. Genomic Approaches for enhancing yield potential and resistance to major biotic stresses in Basmati Rice.
3. Tackling Emerging Diseases and Insect Pests Problem in Rice Through Innovative Genomic Approaches

Research Projects (completed)

1. Pyramiding of genes contributing to the resistance to Brown Planthopper (Biotype 4) in rice.
2. Fine mapping, cloning and validation of brown planthopper resistance introgressed from Oryzanivara into sativa L.

Research Publications:

1. Sarao P S and Bentur J S (2018) Quantification of antibiosis levels in nine different rice genotypes against Nilaparvatalugens (Homoptera: Delphacidae). International Journal of Tropical Insect Science38 (4): 330-339. (NAAS rating =6.38)

2. Kumar K, Sarao P S, Bhatia D, Neelam K, Kaur A, Mangat G S, Brar D S, Singh K (2018) High- resolution genetic mapping of a novel brown planthopper resistance locus, Bph34 in Oryzasativa X Oryzanivara (Sharma &Shastry) derived interspecific F₂ population. Theoretical and Applied Genetics. 131: 1163-1171. (NAAS rating =10.13)

1. Sandhu R K, Sarao P S and Sharma N (2020) Antibiosis in wild rice accessions induced by Nilaparvatalugens (Stål) feeding. Phytoparasitica48(5): 801-812. (NAAS rating =7.02)

4. Singh Harmandeep, Sarao P S and Sharma N (2022) Quantification of antibiosis and biochemical factors in rice genotypes and their role in plant defense against Cnaphalocrocismedinalis (Gùenee) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). International Journal of Tropical Insect Science42(2): 1605-1617.(NAAS rating =6.77)
5. Kaur P, Neelam K, Sarao P S, Saini N S, Dhir Y W, Khanna R, Vikal Y and Singh K (2024). Mapping of a novel recessive brown planthopper resistance gene bph46 from wild rice (Oryzanivara). Euphytica 220: 1-12. (NAAS rating=7.90)

Awards and Recognitions:

Awards

1. University Merit Certificates in M.Sc. Entomology and B.Sc. Agri. (Hons. in Pl. Protection) due to academic excellence
2. All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Project (AICRIP) Best Centre Awards during 2011, 2015 & Second Best Overall Centre Award during 2024
3. AICRIP Best Entomology Centre Award for 2012
4. Best Poster Award during 2020 and 2015

Recognitions

Subject Editor- Entomological Society of India, IARI, New Delhi (2018-2021)