The Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) has announced PAU Agronomist Dr Gulshan Mahajan as its Honorary Member for 2026, one of the highest international recognitions in the field of weed science. The prestigious honour is awarded annually to only one scientist worldwide for outstanding lifetime contributions to weed science through research, teaching, publishing, and outreach.
Dr Mahajan, who recently took voluntary retirement from PAU, will be formally honoured on February 9, 2026 at the WSSA Annual Meeting in Raleigh, North Carolina (USA)—a flagship global gathering of leading weed scientists, agronomists, and policy experts. The selection places Dr Mahajan among an elite group of global leaders whose work has fundamentally shaped modern weed science and sustainable farming systems.
Over a career spanning more than two decades, Dr Mahajan has made seminal contributions to weed management and cropping systems across the Indo-Gangetic Plains. At PAU, where he served from 2000 to 2024, he led pioneering research on herbicide-resistant Phalaris minor—one of the most damaging weeds threatening wheat productivity in north-western India during the late 1990s and early 2000s. His integrated weed management (IWM) strategies—combining crop competition, herbicide rotation, agronomy-led interventions, and farmer-centric decision tools—were rapidly adopted across Punjab.
Dr Mahajan has also emerged as a national leader in advancing dry direct-seeded rice (DSR). He developed complete agronomic and herbicide management packages that transformed rice establishment practices in north-western India. In addition, Dr Mahajan was instrumental in the recommendation of 16 high-yielding rice varieties at PAU, strengthening regional food security and improving farm profitability. While serving at PAU, Dr Mahajan spent five years working with the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia, contributing to major projects funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC). His research played a key role in advancing integrated weed and crop management strategies tailored for Australian grain systems. Dr Mahajan also continues to serve as Adjunct Faculty at the University of Queensland, mentoring early-career researchers and contributing to long-term sustainable agronomy programs.
Beyond his research impact, Dr Mahajan is a respected global academic leader. He currently serves as Associate Editor of Weed Science—the flagship journal of WSSA—where he contributes to shaping international research standards, peer review, and scientific priorities in weed management. With an h-index of 41 and more than 9,300 citations, Dr Mahajan ranks among the highest-cited scientists associated with PAU, reflecting the global influence and enduring relevance of his work.
Dr Mahajan’s distinguished career has been recognised with several prestigious honours, including Fellow, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), India; Fellow, Indian Society of Agronomy; Fellow, Indian Society of Weed Science; IRRI–India Research Fellowship, International Rice Research Institute; MASHAV Fellowship, Government of Israel and ISWS Gold Medal for contributions to weed science.
Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU; Dr AS Dhatt, Director of Research; Dr MS Bhullar, Director of Extension Education; Dr GS Mangat, Additional Director Research (Agriculture); and Dr TS Dhillon, Additional Director of Extension Education and Communication, hailed Dr Mahajan’s selection as WSSA Honorary Member, marking a significant milestone for Indian agricultural research and underscoring the country’s growing influence on global scientific innovation and sustainable farming. “His career exemplifies how rigorous science, farmer engagement, and international collaboration can deliver solutions to some of agriculture’s most pressing challenges,” stated the senior officials, while congratulating Dr Mahajan.
Dr Mahajan also visited Communication Centre at PAU and interacted with the ADC Dr Dhillon, who apprised him of the remarkable role being played by the Centre in keeping the farmers and their farms updated and productive via print, electronic and social media tools. Dr Dhillon also presented him a set of PAU publications as a token of respect.
Reacting to the honour, Dr Mahajan said: “I am deeply honoured by this recognition from the Weed Science Society of America. This award reflects the collective efforts of my mentors, colleagues, students, and—most importantly—the farming communities who partnered with us over the years. Sustainable weed management is possible only when science, innovation, and farmer wisdom come together.”