Professor Vedula Venkata Chenulu was a renowned Indian plant pathologist born in 1926 who made significant contributions to the field of virology. He obtained his PhD from the University of Illinois focused on plant virology. Throughout his career, he worked at various agricultural institutions in India investigating sources of resistance for diseases in crops like sugarcane. He characterized many important viruses affecting vegetables, pulses and other crops. Chenulu was an excellent researcher and teacher who published over 100 scientific papers and guided many students. He played an instrumental role in establishing the Advanced Centre for Education and Research in Plant Virology at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute.

1. Introductory Virology
Department of Plant Pathology
INDIAN AGRICULTURE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
PLANT PATHOLOGIST v.v.Chenulu and his
contributions
PT.PATH-502 DATE:
09.08.2016

2. 1926-1999

3.  Professor Vedula Venkata Chenulu, a Nationally
and Internationally recognised Plant Pathologist
was born on 1st July 1926 at Bobbili Village in
Vizianagaram, district of Andhra Pradesh.
 He Expired on 6 September 1999 at Hyderabad
after a prolonged illness.

4. EDUCATION
 He did his schooling at Municipal High
School,Anakapalle and Mrs. A.V.N. Collge,
Vishakhapatnam.
 He graduated in Agriculture from Govt.
Agricultural College, Coimbatore (Madras
University) in 1949.
 Later,he joined the Indian Agricultural Research
Institute(IARI), New Delhi and obtained Associate
ship in Mycology and Plant Pathology in 1951 in
first division.
 From 1956 to 1959, he was at the Deparment of
Plant Pathology, University of Illinois,Urbana (
U.S.A.) as a graduate student and completed his
Ph.D. degree in Plant Virology with Prof.

5. PROFESSIONAL CAREER
 After his Post-Graduate studies, he joined the
Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore in 1952 as
Research Assistant.
 After return from U.S.A., he joined the post of
Assistant Botanist at Sugarcane Breeding Institute,
Coimbatore.
 Professor Chenulu joined as Mycologist at IARI in
1960.Later, he was selected as Virus Pathologist in
1964.
 In 1968, he was selected as Professor of Plant
Pathologist IARI, New Delhi and subsequently was
elevated to the position of Head, Division of Mycology
and Plant Pathology in 1975 and continued in this
position till 1979.
 In between, he held the charge of Dean, P.G. School,

6. CONTRIBUTIONS
 He investigated sources of resistance in
sugarcane against red rot, smut and mosaic virus
and also developed techniques for control of
moulds in alkathene packing of sugarcane setts.
 As Mycologist in-charge,assessment of losses
due to plant diseases, he developed many useful
information.
 In the latter part of his carreer, he devoted his
energy on viruses and phytoplasmas infecting
plants.
 He characterised important viruses affecting
vegetables, pulses, ornamental crops and
medicinal plants and developed methods for their
management by way of developing resistant

7. Contd…….
 His major interest was in the area of physiology of
virus infected plants and host-parasite
relationship.
 He established the Advanced Centre for
Education and Research in Plant Virology in 1983
at IARl with the financial assistance of UNDP/F
AO.
 He acted as a Sub-Project Coordinator of the
Advanced Centre for Plant Virology.

8. Contd…….
 Professor Chenulu was an excellent teacher and
researcher. He guided over 20 M.Sc. and Ph.D.
students.
 He published over 100 scientific papers in
Journals of repute, both national as well as
international.
 Studies on the Relationship of Cowpea
mosaic virus and its Vector Aphis
cracdvora Koch
Authors : S. Q. Haque,V. V. Chenulu
First published: July 1967
Volume 59, Issue 3
July 1967
Pages 277–284

9. Contd……
 He was Secretary and Editor,Indian
Phytopathological Society and President of the
Society in 1983.
 He served as member of the Academic Council of
IARl, and also Institute's Executive Council and
Board of Management. He was a Member of the
Board of Studies at Banaras Hindu University,
CSAU, Kanpur and Udaipur University.
 He organised national and international symposia
and seminars on Plant Pathology.

11. THANK YOU