Dr.S.D. Shikhamany
Dr. Shikhamany served as Director, IIHR, from 29.07.2002 to 06.11.2007. Born on June 15, 1947, he did his B. Sc. (Agri.) and M. Sc. (Agri.) in Horticulture from Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, Hyderabad, in 1968 and 1970, respectively. He obtained Ph. D. in Horticulture from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, in 1983.
He started his career as Senior Research Assistant, IIHR, Bangalore, on 8.12.1970 until 5.8.1974 and was Jr. Horticulturist/ Scientist S-1, IIHR from 6.8.1974 to 30.6.1976. He was appointed Scientist S-2 (Hort.), IIHR (1.7.1976 to 30.6.1982), Scientist S-3 (Hort.), IIHR (1.7.1982 to 31.12.1985), Principal Scientist (Hort.), IIHR (1.1.1986 to 21.11.1994), Head, Division of Fruit Crops, IIHR, (22.11.1994 to 24.2.1997). He was appointed the first Director of NRC for Grapes, Pune, on 25.2.1997 until 28.7.2002 and, subsequently, was Director, IIHR Bangalore from 29.7.2002 to 06.11.2007. He specialized in viticulture and worked on various aspects of grape cultivation.
He obtained advanced training in Viticulture from 25-05-1985 to 24-08-1985 at the University of California, Davis, USA. He was the Indian Representative on the Council of International Society for Horticultural Sciences, Belgium; International Lead Consultant for the FAO Project TCP/NIR/2901(A) in Nigeria; President, Society for Promotion of Horticulture, Bangalore from Sept. 2005 till date; Vice President, Horticultural Society of India – 2004-2006; Technical Director, Board of Directors, Grape Growers’ Federation of India (1996- 2002).
He was awarded with a gold medal by A.P. Grape Growers’ Association, Hyderabad, in 1992 for his contribution to grape research. He received the Vasantrao Arve Memorial Award for Eminent Scientist in Grape, Maharashtra, in 2000.
He has visited many countries like USA, Russia, Brazil, Thailand and Nigeria.
He has guided four M.Sc. (Hort.) students and a Ph.D. student in their research on grapes.