My visit to Tumkur University and keynote address at the National Conference of Indian Aerobiological Society on 28^th Sept 2015...

The 18^th Biennial Meeting and National Conference of the Indian Aerobiological Society were held at the Department of Science, Tumkur University, Tumakuru, Karnataka State, from 28^th to 30^th Sept. 2015 with a theme ‘IMPACT OF AEROSOLS ON HEALTH, HERITAGE AND ENVIRONMENT’.  Prof. A.H. Rajasab, Vice Chancellor, Tumkur University, himself a renowned aerobiologist, was the host. 

My relation to aerobiology was indirect and, therefore, I didn’t agree to deliver the keynote address for the Conference, initially. However, on insistence of Prof. Rajasab, I went to Thumakuru and spoke on ‘Advances in the Taxonomy of Fungi relevant to Aerobiology’, on 28^th Sept 2015. Sizable portion of bio-aerosol is composed of fungal spores and hyphal fragments. Mostly, these are dry spores of asexually reproducing fungi such as Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Curvularia, Drechslera, Epicoccum, Penicillium, Pithomyces, Spegazzinia, Tetraploa and many more. Some of them, species of  Aspergillus, Stachybotrys,  etc. cause allergies and mycotoxicity in human system, on inhaling. Some spores impact on structures of heritage importance. Most, of course, upset the quality of air.... Besides, there are spores of phytopathological significance such as smuts, rusts, powdery mildews, etc. air. Presently, fungal spores are largely diagnosed using photo-illustrations of fungi.

There is a sea-change in our understanding of fungal structure and taxonomy in the modern times. Besides morphology, molecular sequence analyses are used to understand the fungi and establish their phylogeny. I spoke in detail on this issue. I am sure that my talk has made an impact on the seminar proceedings.

Prof A.H. Rajasab, Vice Chancellor of Tumkur University and my good friend, took advantage of the occasion and felicitated me with a shawl, shree-phal, garland and a citation. I returned to Goa on the next day. Back home, looking at the citation, my thoughts roll out; ....there are people of great values such as Prof Rajasab who recognizes academic and research merits and honours them with fondness and affection! I am more than humbled.....!

D. Jayarama Bhat