Tenure as Director: 10.02.2016 to 31.05.2021

Dr. M R Dinesh was born on May 5, 1959, in Kodagu district, Karnataka. He served as Director of ICAR-IIHR, Bangalore, from February 2016 to May 2021. An eminent fruit crop breeder, he devoted his career to developing improved varieties of papaya, guava, and mango that are widely cultivated across India.

Qualifications

• B.Sc. (Horticulture) — University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS)
• M.Sc. (Horticulture) — University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS)
• Ph.D. (Horticulture) — University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS)

Research Contributions

Dr. Dinesh collected, evaluated, and characterised more than 500 varieties of mango from across India. He developed the following improved crop varieties:

• Papaya: Arka Surya, Arka Prabhath
• Guava: Arka Mridula, Arka Kiran (pink-pulped, dual-purpose variety)
• Mango: Arka Udaya

Publications & Mentorship

• Over 50 research papers in national and international journals
• 5 catalogues on mango and fruit crop diversity
• 2 books on horticultural science
• 6 book chapters in edited volumes
• Guided 7 M.Sc. and 2 Ph.D. students

Awards & Recognition

• ICAR Junior Fellowship for postgraduation studies
• Amrapali Award — Society of Sub-tropical Horticulture
• Shri Giridhari Lal Chadha Memorial Gold Medal — Horticultural Society of India