Dr. S. K. Datta, PhD, DSc, is an internationally acclaimed expert in floriculture and mutation breeding. Dr. Datta was engaged in both basic and applied research for the improvement of floriculture for more than 35 years at CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow, India. His main field of research was induced mutations and improvement of ornamental plants. For mutation breeding work, he applied both physical (X-rays, gamma rays) and chemical (EMS, MMS, Colchicine) mutagens and developed more than 100 new varieties in different ornamentals. He has published series of research papers (approx. 338) on different aspects related to floriculture and induced mutagenesis. He has published six books, and edited four books and eight bulletins on different aspects related to induced mutagenesis and floriculture. Dr. Datta visited Humboldt Universitat Zu Berlin, Berlin, for 2 months (under CSIR-DAAD Scientists Exchange Programme) and Korea for 1 month (INSA-KOSEF Scientists Exchange Programme). International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna, selected Dr. Data as “Expert on Mission” for evaluation of mutation breeding projects sponsored by IAEA to Philippines, Jakarta, Indonesia, for project evaluation mission. Dr. Datta organized an international training program as supervisor on induced mutagenesis sponsored by IAEA, Vienna, at Central Research Institute for Horticulture, Cipanas, Indonesia. Dr. Datta presented papers in different international symposia – at the VIth International Congress of SABRAO held at Tsukuba, Japan; International Nuclear Conference held at Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; International Symposium on “Underutilized Plant Species for food, nutrition, income, and sustainable development” held at Arusha, Tanzania; and FAO/IAEA International Symposium on the Contribution of Plant Mutation Breeding to Crop Improvement, held at the International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria, four times.
