Principles of Weed Science

Dr. Vallurupalli Sivaji Rao, an eminent weed scientist credited with significant long-lasting contributions to the field of weed science for over 35 years, was born on December 6, 1940 in Gudlavalleru, Andhra Pradesh, India. He received Bachelors degree in Agricultural Science from Karnataka University, Dharwar, India in 1961 and Masters degree in Agronomy from Osmania University, Hyderabad, India in 1963. After working as Research Fellow of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India and Agronomist for the Rockefeller Foundation, India, he graduated with a Ph.D. from Cornell University , Ithaca, NY, USA in 1973, majoring in Weed Science. He followed it up with a three-year stint as Research Associate in the Department of Seed and Vegetble Sciences at Cornell. After returning to India Dr. Rao worked as Agronomist (Weed Control) at Tocklai Experimental Station, Tea Research Association, Jorhat, Assam, India In 1982, he became Director of Fredrick Institute of Plant Protection and Toxicology, near Madras, India. Dr. Rao became a professional weed scientist advising national and state governments, herbicide industry and research institutions to Dr. Rao served as Adviser/Consultant to herbicide companies He also served as a member of Agronomy Panel of Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Herbicide Panel of Central Insecticides Board, Ministry of Agriculture, New Delhi. Besides, he was also a member of numerous national-level and state-level government committees related to weed management. Currently, he is a Weed Scientist in a private pesticide laboratory, besides being a Consultant (Weed Science) to certain herbicide companies. He served as Executive Vice President of Indian Society of Weed Science and Editor-in-Chief of Indian Journal of Weed Science, each for a four-year term, during 1982-90. He is a member of Indian Society of Weed Science for life and Weed Science Society of America for over 25 years.Rao, V. S. is the author of 'Principles of Weed Science', published 1999 under ISBN 9781578080694 and ISBN 157808069X.