Keshab Chandra Sarma (1898–1973) – An Eminent Mycologist in Tea of North East India

Keshab Chandra Sarma (1898–1973) was one of the distinguished mycologist in the field of tea research and had notable contributions on various phyto-pathological aspects of tea diseases. He achieved domain knowledge in the identification of significant tea pathogens prevalent in tea plantations of North East India. Although Sarma started his career as a part-time researcher in a premier tea research institute in NE India,due to some sterling qualities like sharpness, intelligence, sincerity, devotion to duty and the capacity to learn and formulate novel ideas despite the lack of a formal higher education, he earned his reputation as tea mycologist during 1950s. Throughout his career, Sarma had published a number of research notes,invited lectures, articles and scientific reports. His comprehensive memorandum on ‘Diseases of tea and ancillary crops of North East India’ is highly valued by the tea-growing communities throughout the world.Under the joint guidance of renowned mycologists A. C. Tunstall and V. Agnihothrudu, Sarma flourished and became a leading scientist in the field of tea pathology and plant protection. Identification of tea diseases in relation to environment and development of effective strategies in disease management were the related areas of his research. This note is an effort to highlight the scientific contributions of Sarma towards tea research and development, for the benefit of present and future generations in biological sciences.