Yp Abrol

Biography

Yash Pal Abrol earned his BSc degree from Punjab University and MSc from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi after which he joined the Plant Physiology Division of Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi. He received his PhD degree (1965) from the University of Chicago. He was a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California under the mentorship of Professor Eric E Conn. After returning to India, he again joined IARI and headed the Division of Plant Physiology as a Professor. Later on he worked as CSIR Emeritus Scientist (1996-2001) and INSA Senior Scientist (2001-06). Presently he is an INSA Honorary Scientist (2006- ) and Adjunct Professor, Hamdard University, New Delhi.

Research Interest

Abrol's studies on 'cyanogenic glycosides' led to the elucidation of biosynthetic pathways/identification of two new cyanogenic compounds and refuted the presence of another in Lotus arabicus L. He established that the cyanogenic glycosides are metabolically active rather than inert end products. He also elucidated biochemical and rheological characteristics of PbC, K and NP wheat series for chapatti quality as compared to Mexican Dwarf wheat varieties/germplasm which were introduced in India. His exhaustive Analysis on nitrogen fertilizer Use contributed significantly to the 'understanding of the 'regulation of nitrate assimilation'. Professor Abrol worked out a complete N balance sheet of wheat and barley, which formed the basis for understanding and recommendation for optimal utilization of Nitrogen. He published more than 150 research papers and several review papers in different Indian/International Journals, and also edited 15 volumes of publication in various fields relating to agricultural and plant studies. He guided 12 PhD students.