♣ Genomic selection and development of prediction models for sucrose and red rot resistance in sugarcane development program
♣ Gene editing (MATIL/CENH3) for haploid induction in sugarcane
♣ Gene editing to alter the flowering behavior in sugarcane
♣ Genomics and Bioinformatics in sugarcane
Ongoing Project
♦ CRISPR Crop Network: Targeted Improvement of Stress Tolerance, Nutritional Quality and Yield of Crops by using Genome Editing – Development of haploid inducer lines in sugarcane. ICAR-NASF, 85548 (92 Lakhs), 16th August 2022- 15th August 2025.
♦ Indo – Australia collaborative project – International project
Dept of Biotechnology sponsored project “Genetic control and Genomic selection in sugarcane for important traits and comparison of germplasm of India and Australia” with Sugar Research Australia, Australia. No. BT/Indo –Aus/09/11/2016 Dt. 1.02.2017.
Completed Project
♦ Centre for Agri bioinformatics– Dept of Information Technology.
♦ Application of Bioinformatics tools in molecular characterization of phytoplasma genome.
♦ Computational genomics and development of web tools for palms.
♦ Sequencing whole genome and annotation of coconut phytoplasma.
♦ Quick detection of coconut root wilt phytoplasma using molecular kit.
♦ Detection and variability in phytoplasma in coconut and arecanut.
♦ Phytoplasma diseases of coconut and arecanut: Development of molecular diagnostics.
♦ Phytoplasma disease of coconut, arecanut and other crops.
♦ Early sex determination and in vitro multiplication of Palmyrah palm (Borassus flabellifer. L).
♦ Bioinformatics Development of a data base for plantation crops for biologists.
♦ In vitro multiplication of coconut and arecanut.
♦ DNA fingerprinting of cocoa accessions using PCR based markers/
R.Manimekalai, G. Hemaprabha, K. Mohan Raj, A. Selvi, S. Vasantha, R. Viswanathan, Bakshi Ram, Jini Narayanan, A. J. Mary, Ram Vannish And J.Saranya (2021). Assessment of genetic variability and inter-relationship among the quantitative traits of sugarcane under drought stress. In. Palaniswami, C., Hemaprabha, G., Viswanathan, R., Karuppaiyan, R., Mohanraj, K., Mahadeva Swamy, H.K., and Bakshi Ram (Eds). 2021. P 793. PP. 112-115. ISBN 978-93-85267-30-7.
R. Manimekalai, G. Hemaprabha, K. Mohan Raj, Emily Dm, A. Selvi, S. Vasantha, R. Viswanathan, Bakshi Ram, Ram Vannish, Infant,R., Wei, X., Phillip, J. And Prakash Laksmanan. (2021). Genomic prediction of sucrose content in sugarcane clones with prediction models. In. Palaniswami, C., Hemaprabha, G., Viswanathan, R., Karuppaiyan, R., Mohanraj, K., Mahadeva Swamy, H.K., and Bakshi Ram (Eds). 2021. P 793. PP.199-201. ISBN 978-93-85267-30-7
A. Selvi., K. Devi. R. Manimekalai, .T. Prathima, V. P. Rabisha and K. Lakshmi. (2021). Micro RNA regulation in sugarcane cultivars with differential tolerance to drought. In. Palaniswami, C., Hemaprabha, G., Viswanathan, R., Karuppaiyan, R., Mohanraj, K., Mahadeva Swamy, H.K., and Bakshi Ram (Eds). 2021. PP.192-193. ISBN 978-93-85267-30-7
A.Selvi, R. Manimekalai, K.Devakumar, K. Lakshmi, P.T. Prathima and R.Gomathi. 2020. Genomic and Proteomic Approaches for Improving Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Sugarcane. In Physiological Interventions for Developing Climate Resilient Commercial crops. (Eds). R. Gomathi, A. H. Prakash, Bakshi Ram. Pp188-270. E-ISBN : 978-93-90660-54-4
Book of abstracts – Green Technologies for sustainable development of sugar and Integrated industries. International conference – Sugarcon – 2019 – Feb 16-19, 2019 held at ICAR- Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow.
Perera, L., Manimekalai, R. S. Sudarsono, S. (2019). Advances in breeding of coconut In. Achieving sustainable cultivation of tropical fruits. DOI: 10.19103/AS.2019.0054.21.
G. P. Rao., R. Manimekalai, Manish Kumar, Hemavati Ranebennur, Shigeyuki Kakizawa, Assunta Bertaccini. (2019). Host Metabolic Interaction and Perspectives in Phytoplasma Research. In book: Phytoplasmas: Plant Pathogenic Bacteria – III. DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-9632-8_10.
Manimekelai, R., Y Yaodong, L Baudouin* 2018. Utilization of coconut genetic resources. MG Pereira. 2.5.8 Genomics and DNA markers. In. A Global Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Coconut Genetic Resources, 2018-2028. (R. Bourdeix and A Prades, compilers). Bioversity International, Montpellier, France. pp 91-93 SBN: 978-92-9043-984-4.
L Baudouin. R. Manimekalai. 2018.Sequencing coconut genome, Improving conservation by DNA analysis in ex situ genebanks. In. A Global Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Coconut Genetic Resources, 2018-2028. (R. Bourdeix and A Prades, compilers). Bioversity International, Montpellier, France. pppp168-171. ISBN: 978-92-9043-984-4.
Perera, L., Manimekalai, R.,Sudarsono, S., Maskromo,I., and Lestari, P. 2017. Molecular markers and marker assisted selection – Coconut. In Biotechnology of plantation Crops. Chowdappa, P., Anitha Karun, Rajesh, M.K., Ramesh, S.V. (Eds) 2017. Daya Publishing House, New Delhi.
Manimekalai, R. 2016. Bioinformatics resources and genomics selection strategies for Crop Improvement. In Biotechnological and conventional tools for biotic and abiotic stress management in sugarcane. Bakshi Ram, P. Govindaraj, A. Ramesh Sundar and A. Bhaskaran (Eds) ISBN: 978-93-85267-07-9.pp 227-231.
Manimekalai, R.,Manju, K.P. and Naganeeswaran, S. 2015. Application of Bioinformatics in palm and cocoa. R. Keshavachandran, S. RajiRadhakrishnan (Eds) In Agriculture Bioinformatics. Pp 283-293.
Manimekalai, R. 2015. Current status of phytoplasma research.Thomas, G.V., Krishna Kumar, V. and Jerard, B.(Eds). In Improving productivity and profitability in coconut farming. Central Plantation Crops Research Institute. Proceeding of International conference on coconut biodiversity for prosperity. pp253-257. Indian society of Plantation Crops (ISPC), Kasaragod, India.
Manimekalai, R., Lijin, K.G., Roshana, O.M., and Thomas, G.V 2015. Comparative genome analysis of different strains of phytoplasma.In Improving productivity and profitability in coconut farming. Thomas, G.V., Krishna Kumar, V. and Jerard, B.(Eds). Central Plantation Crops Research Institute. Proceeding of International conference on coconut biodiversity for prosperity. Pp292-297. Indian society of Plantation Crops (ISPC), Kasaragod, India.
R. Manimekalai, M.K. Rajesh, K. Subaharan and George V Thomas . 2013. Book of Abstract – National seminar on Applications of Bioinformatics in Agriculture. Pages 112. CPCRI publications.
Manimekalai, R. Smita Nair and O.M. Roshna. 2013. Diagnostics and Management Phytoplasmal Diseases. In advances in Horticulture Biotechnology, VI. Nanotechnology in Agriculture. (Eds) H.P. Singh, Anil Kumar, V.A. Parthasarathy and Babita Singh. pp1 77-183.
Manimekalai, R. M.K. Rajesh and K.P. Manju, 2013. Biotechnology and Genomics in Palms. In. Palms. H.P. Singh, George V Thomas and Krishna Kumar (Eds). Pp 284-298. Westville Publishing House, New Delhi.
Manimekalai, R. and Roshna, O.M. 2013. Phytoplasma diseases palms, In. Palms. H.P. Singh, George V Thomas and Krishna Kumar (Eds). Pp 328-339. Westville Publishing House, New Delhi.
R. Chandra Mohanan, R. Manimekalai and Sharadraj K.M 2013. Coconut (CocosnuciferaL.) In“Diagnostics for horticultural crops’ (Eds) H.P. Singh, M. Anandaraj and A. I.Bhat. Advances in Horticulture Biotechnology. Vol VII. Pp 278-296. Westville Publishing House, New Delhi.
Manimekalai, Soumya V.P., Sathiskumar R., andGeorge V. Thomas. 2011. Molecular detection of phytoplasma associated with root (wilt) disease in coconut seedlings. In quality seeds and Planting material in horticultural crops (Eds) HP singh, AS Siddhu, pp559-663. Society for Promotion of Horticulture, IIHR,Bangalore.
R. Manimekalai. 2011. Detection and characterization of phytoplasma. In Coconut root (wilt) disease management. (eds) Chandramohan, Krishna Kumar and George V Thomas. pp. 44-56. CPCRI, Kasaragod.
Manimekalai, R. 2011. Current status of molecular aspects coconut root wilt research. Proceedings of Consultative Meeting on Phytoplasma / Wilt Diseases in Coconut held at the Coconut Research Institute (CRI). Pp64-82. Asia Pacific Coconut community, Indonesia.
Manimekalai, R. 2010. Coconut root (wilt) disease – detection and characterization of phytoplasma. In Management of Root (wilt) disease (Eds) George V Thomas, Chandramohanan, Krishna Kumar. pp 80-88Indian society of Plantation Crops (ISPC),. Kasaragod, India.
Manimekalai. R. 2010. Current status of phytoplasma research. Souvenir book on International conference on Coconut Biodiversity for prosperity, held at Central Plantation Crops Research Institute. Pp102-106. CPCRI publication.
Manimekalai. R. 2010. Diagnosis of phytoplasma in commercially important horticultural crops”. Proceedings of National Symposium on Conservation Horticulture. GB Agricultural University, Uttarakhand at Dehradun.
Manimekalai. R.. 2009. Simple sequence Repeat (SSR) and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers from Genomes” Lecture notes in ICAR sponsored training course onIn vitro techniques and molecular markers for the improvement of banana and plantains . National Research Centre on Banana, Thiruchirapally, Tamil Nadu.
Manimekalai, R., Ambika, S. and Thomas, GV. 2009. Plant resistant gene database. In Information Technology Applications in Horticultural crops.(Eds) Govinda Krishnan, PM., Singh JP., Lal, SS, Rawat, S. and Pandey, SK. Pp 189-195. CPRI Shimla.
Manimekalai, R. Anoop Raj, Sathish Kumar, R. and Lijin. 2009. Web tool and database on in silico approaches in phytoplasma. In Information Technology Applications in Horticultural crops.(Eds) Govinda Krishnan, PM., Singh JP., Lal, SS, Rawat, S. and Pandey, SK. pp179-188. CPRI Shimla.
Manimekalai. R. 2009. Current diagnostic methods of root (wilt) disease of coconut in India. Proceedings of Collaborative workshop on “Weligama coconut leaf wilt disease management in Sri Lanka” held during October 9- 13, 2009. 1-13. Coconut Research Institute, Sri Lanka.
Manimekalai. R. 2009. Current diagnostic methods of root (wilt) disease of coconut in India. Proceedings of Collaborative workshop on “Weligama coconut leaf wilt disease management in Sri Lanka” held during October 9- 13, 2009. 1-13. Coconut Research Institute, Sri Lanka.
R. Manimekalai.. 2008. Applications of genomics and proteomics in diagnostics. In Plant pathogens and their biocontrol agents. Pp 160-164. IISR, Calicut.
Manimekalai et al. 2007. Molecular diversity among South East Asian coconut germplasm accessions using ISSR markers. In Recent Trends in Horticultural Biotechnology. Pp479-484. Eastern Book Corporation.
Manimekalai, R and P.M. Kumaran 2007. Molecular markers for assessing genetic diversity with special reference to Coconut Palm (Cocosnucifera L.) In Biotechnology in Plant Improvement. Pp158-176. Pointer Publishers, Rajasthan.
Rajesh, M.K., Niral, V., Manimekalai, R., Devakumar, K., Anitha Karun andParthasarathy, V.A 2007. Molecular markers in coconut. Proceedings of National Seminar on Horticultural Biotechnology :176-180. IIHR, Bangalore.
Rajesh, M.K Jeyadev, K., Chandrasekar, A., Devakumar, K., Upadhyay, A., Manimekalai, R., Nair, R.V. and Parthasarathy, V.A 2003. An improved protocol of AFLP for tagging root (wilt) resistant genes in coconut. In PLACROSYM XV. Pp 157-163. Indian society of Plantation Crops (ISPC), Kasaragod, India.
Upadhayay, A., Jose, J., Manimekalai, R. and Parthasarathy, V.A. 2002. Phylogenetic relationship among coconut accessions. InManaging Plant genetic diversity (Eds) RamanathaRao, Jackson, T., Brown, J.H.D. pp61-66. CAB International.
R. Manimekalai and A. Manickam: 1998. Molecular understanding of abiotic stress tolerance in rice. In Molecular approaches for crop Improvement. Pp161-171. MG University, Kottayam, Kerala.
ICAR Newsletter
Manimekalai, R. 2005. Inter simple sequence repeat markers for genetic analysis in coconut. ICAR News 11 (4) : 4
Manimekalai, R. and George V Thomas. 2009. Phytoplasma associated with coconut root (wilt) disease is molecularly detected. ICAR News 15 (4) 9-10
Manimekalai, R. and George V Thomas. 2010. PhytoDB Webserver for phytoplasma. ICAR News 16 (2) 5
Books Authored
Manimekalai, R. George V Thomas and Smita Nair, 2010. Manual in Bioinformatics. Published by Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod 671 124, Kerala. Total Number of pages.248.
Popular Articles
Manimekalai*, Jini Narayanan M. Gokul, A. Selvi, and R. Gomathi. 2018. Physiological changes due to hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress in sugarcane. In Crop Physiology (Eds. R. Gomathi, K.Ramachandran, S. Ilamathi, C. Ambika).. Tamil Agricultural Science, New Delhi. www.agritamil.org. pp. 33-37. ISBN 978-81-939394-0-6.
Devi, K., Selvi, A Gomathi, R. Arun Kumar, R., Manimekalai, R., 2018.Drought induced changes physiological changes in sugarcane. (Eds. R. Gomathi, K.Ramachandran, S. Ilamathi, C. Ambika). Tamil Agricultural Science, New Delhi. www.agritamil.org. pp. 19-22. ISBN 978-81-939394-0-6.
Contact Info
Dr.R.Manimekalai
Principal Scientist (Plant Biotechnology)
ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute,
Coimbatore 641007,
India.
Contact Number: 9442475250
Phone: Office: 0422-2472621- Ext.313;
E-mail: R.Manimekalai@icar.gov.in