Scientific Staff
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AKKALAREDDY SUMALATHA
Scientist
Crop Science
PhD in Horticulture(Floriculture & Landscape Architecture)
About: AKKALAREDDY SUMALATHA
Specialized in genetic mechanisms underlying key breeding traits such as inheritance patterns, male sterility, and hybridization in African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) to develop carotenoid-rich hybrids with enhanced market value and potential industrial applications.
I have experience in marker-assisted selection for male sterility and am increasingly focused on developing next-generation cut flowers, as well as innovations in eco-printing technology.
Currently, I am engaged in the evaluation and commercialization of over 30 winter-annual flower crops, with an emphasis on their suitability for landscaping, breeding potential, and value-added potential in emerging floriculture markets.
Academic Qualifications
- Degree University/ Institution Year Specialization Remarks, if any (%/Division/CGPA) B.Sc.Hons.Horticulture Dr.Y.S.R Horticultural University 2016 Horticulture 8.52 M.Sc. G.B.Pant University of Agriculture and Technology 2018 M.Sc.Ag.HortiFloriculture and Landscaping 8.36 Ph.D. Dr.Y.S.R Horticultural University 2024 P.hD Horticulture (Floriculture and Landscaping) 8.91
Contact Information
Email Address :- sumalatha.a1@icar.org.in
ORCID ID / Google Scholar profile link:-
https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=qUmz8wgAAAAJ&authuser=1&scilu=&scisig=ADQXK0wAAAAAadM-mjvMxAqCnSf0ZRsyRT7pRPw&gmla=AEk_c1sznmZoHKm1LiYQ9rXJayNtqn833WHrDSQ1IbBlEE_xjkTeQkHfRmmpZC0Y8_JnmBaieqo1USZ7fQ0oRDHEj_C-zUrw4EAvYYc&sciund=13999686692680955258
Date of joining ICAR-IARI Assam
11/04/2023
Number of publications
1.Sumalatha, A., Chandana, B. R., Dedhia, L., Reddy, D. L., Arivalagan, M., Bhaskar, V. V., and Tejaswini, P.2023. Comparative analysis of BLUP and GCA for parental selection in marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) for hybrid development. Journal of Horticultural Sciences, 18(2). https://doi.org/10.24154/jhs.v18i2.2106
2.Sumalatha, A, D. L., Arivalagan, M., Bhaskar, V. V. and Prakash, T. 2025. Genetic inheritance and identification of molecular markers linked tomale sterility in African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.). Journal of Horticultural Sciences, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.24154/jhs.v20i1.2290
Major research contributions / notable work
My research focuses on advancing hybrid breeding in African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) through the optimization of male sterility systems, parental selection, and molecular approaches. I have demonstrated the effective use of BLUP and GCA analyses for selecting superior parents, identifying apetaloid male sterile lines for earliness and petaloid types for improved flower quality traits. I elucidated that petaloid male sterility is governed by a single dominant gene and reported, for the first time, a linked molecular marker (CPSSR-39) showing Mendelian segregation, enabling marker-assisted selection. Additionally, I provided the first evidence of a dominant Cytoplasmic Male Sterility (CMS) system with recessive fertility restorer genes in marigold, clarifying maintainer line limitations and contributing toward the development of a robust Cytoplasmic Genic Male Sterility (CGMS) system. These contributions collectively facilitate efficient hybrid seed production, enhance breeding precision, and support the growing demand for high-yielding, carotenoid-rich marigold hybrids.
Awards / recognitions
1.SHRD Best Ph.D. Thesis Award
Awarded by Society for Horticultural Research and Development (SHRD), Uttar
Pradesh, India For the thesis titled “Genetic Studies of Male Sterile Systems for Developing Carotenoid Rich Hybrids in Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)” Presented at the 4th Indian Horticulture Summit-cum-International Conference, Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi, India (28–30 January 2026).
2.Best Oral Presentation Award
Presented a research paper titled “Genetic Inheritance and Identification of Molecular Markers Linked to Male Sterility in African Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)” at the International Conference on Ornamental Horticulture-2025, held from June 26–28 at Horticulture College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Awarded Best Oral Presentation for the research contribution.
3.Best Oral Presentation Award
Awarded at the National Conference on “Hill Agro-Ecosystem: Challenges and Opportunities for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals”, held at ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Nagaland, on 29–30 November 2024.The award was received for the presentation titled: “Development of Carotenoid-Rich Male Sterile Hybrids for Enhancing Market Value and Industrial Applications in Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)”