In Memoriam Tadimeti Raja Rao (1930-2022): A Superb Plant Physiologist and Wonderful Mentor

We honour here Tadimeti Raja Rao (1930-2022), a wonderful human being – who was a friend to many and a superb plant physiologist of our time. His research began with discoveries in organic acid metabolism in plants, and on the effects of virus infection on nitrogen metabolism. Raja Rao (also spelled as ‘Rajarao’) followed this research by providing novel and practical information on the effects of several growth regulators (hormones) on the physiology of many plants, particularly sugarcane, guava, Indian gooseberry, and gladiolus, among others. During his later academic life, he gave unique and valuable guidance to many for the improvement of ‘crop production’ which was vital for plant biotechnology. We end this tribute to Raja Rao with Reminiscences from his family (Sarada, his wife, and Visweswara Rao and Srinivasa Rao, their sons); his friends from Allahabad (Rajni Govindjee and Raj Prasad), and two of the co-authors (Sheo Mohan Prasad and G. S. R. Murti#).

[1]  Yuguo Zheng,et al.  The Gibberellin Producer Fusarium fujikuroi: Methods and Technologies in the Current Toolkit , 2020, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology.

[2]  Katia A. Figueroa-Rodríguez,et al.  What Has Been the Focus of Sugarcane Research? A Bibliometric Overview , 2019, International journal of environmental research and public health.

[3]  Govindjee.  A sixty-year tryst with photosynthesis and related processes: an informal personal perspective , 2018, Photosynthesis Research.

[4]  C. Beveridge,et al.  Sugar demand, not auxin, is the initial regulator of apical dominance , 2014, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

[5]  P. Challa,et al.  Cytokinins in Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus) Corms , 1983 .

[6]  P. K. Nagar,et al.  Endogenous auxins in seeded and seedless fruits of guava , 1983 .

[7]  S. Ram,et al.  STUDIES ON THE NATURALLY OCCURRING GIBBERELLINS IN AONLA (EMBLICA OFFICINALIS GAERTN.) FRUIT , 1978 .

[8]  P. K. Nagar,et al.  Gibberellin-like Substances in Immature Seeds of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) , 1973 .

[9]  P. K. Nagar,et al.  Studies on the Separation of Gibberellins on Silicic Acid and Celite Columns , 1973 .

[10]  D. Sen,et al.  Leafless euphorbia on Rajasthan rock. , 1971, The Soviet journal of ecology.

[11]  R. R. Panje,et al.  STUDIES ON THE GERMINATION AND MOISTURE RELATIONSHIPS OF SUGARCANE SETTS , 1964 .

[12]  Govindjee,et al.  Formation of asparagine and increase in the free amino acid content in virus infected leaves ofAbelmoschus esculentus , 1956, Experientia.

[13]  Govindjee,et al.  Increased formation of asparagine in ‘Carica-curl’ virus infected leaves , 1956, Experientia.

[14]  Govindjee,et al.  Absence of some free amino acids from the diseased leaves of Trichosanthes anguina , 2004, Naturwissenschaften.

[15]  S. Ranjan,et al.  Separation of organic acids by circular paper chromatography: Diurnal variations in the organic acids content in pelargonium , 2004, Naturwissenschaften.

[16]  James H. Cock,et al.  Sugarcane growth and development , 2003 .

[17]  T. Rao,et al.  Studies on Naturally Occurring Cytokinins in Dioscorea Floribunda , 1986 .

[18]  G. Murti,et al.  Cytokinins in the xylem sap of brinjal plant (Solanum melongena L.) , 1984 .

[19]  T. Rajarao.  Stoffwechselstörungen viruskranker Blätter von Ricinus communis , 1956 .