Shouldering major responsibilities of detection and taxonomic identification of seed-borne fungi associated with germplasm under exchange for quarantine clearance as a ‘National Service’ at ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi since Dec 31, 2010. The most significant contributions in the field of Plant Quarantine/ Plant Biosecurity are as follows:

• Processed >3.25 lakhs germplasm, international trials and transgenic materials of various exotic crops under international exchange for quarantine examinations received from different countries.
• Made significant interceptions of potential quarantine pathogens in ~6200 infected samples such as Diaporthe longicolla in Helianthus annuus from USA, eres on Robinia pseudocacia from Hungary, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerina in Cucumis melo from USA; Peronospra manshurica in Glycine max from Costa Rica, Canada, Taiwan and USA; Leptosphaeria maculans in Brassica spp. from Australia and Canada and Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris etc.
• Salvaged >6000 infected samples with a combination of systemic and non-systemic fungicide, imparted prophylactic hot water treatment of >17500 paddy samples, pesticidal dip treatment of >1200 vegetatively propagating samples, rejected >750 infected samples.
• Developed several diagnostic techniques/ protocols for early and reliable detection of major seed-borne fungal and bacterial pathogens in different crops.
• Coordinated >150 Post Entry Quarantine inspections carried out by the ICAR-NBPGR scientists, and also undertaken ~75 PEQ inspections at indentors’ sites to ensure disease-free entry of imported plant genetic resources into the country.
• Involved in carrying out Pest Risk Analysis (generic) of >50 crops to facilitate disease-free import of exotic germplasm in the country.