Vijay Joshi

Vijay Joshi

System Physiologist
Department of Horticultural Sciences | Texas A&M University
Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center
1619 Garner Field Rd. | Uvalde, TX 77801
PH: 830-278-9151 (Ext 236) | FAX: 830-278-1570
Vijay.Joshi@tamu.edu
http://uvalde.tamu.edu/systems-plant-physiology/

The Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center programs aim at developing crops with enhanced nutrition, leading innovative research for renewable energy sources and implementing new methods to improve environmental quality. My research program aligns with these aims by primarily focusing on exploring the complex network of metabolic, molecular and physiological plant responses to improve tolerance to environmental stresses and enhancing nutritional qualities especially of vegetable and grain crops.

As a system biologist, I feel it is important to understand the gap between reality and actuality in science. A productive research project is one that would ensure high-quality, nutritionally beneficial and safe food for society produced through sustainable agriculture. I would like young researchers to learn not only general laboratory skills, but expand their understanding in the applied aspects of plant biology by participating in field research activities at the Uvalde AgriLife Research Center. Students are encouraged to contact me if interested in participating in my research program and exploring relevant ideas.

Research program

Tolerance to Environmental Stresses: We are interested in understanding the molecular, metabolic and physiological (root architecture, heat tolerance, photosynthetic efficiency) networks of plant responses to abiotic and biotic stresses (such as nutrient perturbations and water stress). In this regard, my lab is currently focusing on the following research aspects –
- Transcriptomic analysis of sesame in response to drought stress using RNA-seq
- Understanding the molecular and biochemical basis of resistance to sugarcane aphids in sorghum
- Understanding the regulation of drought induced osmolytes using Arabidopsis as a model
- Mechanisms of resistance to thrip – transmitted Iris Yellow Spotted Virus (IYSV) in onion
Enhancing Plant Nutrient Use Efficiency: The key areas of interest for my research program are (a) to improve nitrogen sensing, transport and assimilation in plants and (b) to explore the role of key plant hormones in regulating nitrogen uptake and utilization. Currently we are investigating –
- Association mapping of traits involved in nitrogen uptake and nutritional composition using natural variation in spinach; grown under organic and conventional systems
- Investigating the role of key hormonal pathways in nutrient uptake in tomato
Nutritional Enhancement: We are interested in understanding the regulation of biochemical pathways involved in the production of nutraceutical compounds in vegetable and fruit crops. We are investigating (1) regulation of synthesis, transport and assimilation of citrulline and other crucial amino acids in watermelon and (2) the genetic and biochemical regulation of methionine accumulation in potato tubers.