Dr Bhupesh Gupta assumes HoD of Department of Biotechnology

September 26, 2026

Nauni: Dr Bhupesh Kumar Gupta has assumed charge as the Head of the Department of Biotechnology at Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni.

Dr Gupta has over two decades of professional experience in plant pathology, with expertise in fruit and vegetable pathology and biological disease management. His research focuses on plant disease epidemiology, sustainable disease management and the use of Trichoderma and other beneficial microorganisms to reduce dependence on synthetic fungicides.

Since joining Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kinnaur, Reckong Peo, in July 2006, Dr Gupta has served across all four agroclimatic zones of Himachal Pradesh, gaining extensive research and field experience in temperate and subtropical fruit crops and vegetables. During his tenure at the Regional Horticultural Research and Training Station (RHRTS), Dhaulakuan, he worked on subtropical fruit crops including litchi, citrus, guava and strawberry, and contributed to capsicum breeding, particularly the development of hybrids using male-sterile lines.

At RHRTS Mashobra, he conducted research on temperate fruit crops, particularly apple, and was involved in pest surveillance under the World Bank funded Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Development Project. Since September 2017, he has been associated with vegetable pathology at the university’s main campus. His research includes management of economically important apple diseases such as core rot, nail head canker and stem brown canker, along with biological soil amendments and beneficial microorganisms for improving plant health.

Dr Gupta has also contributed significantly to farmer training, agricultural extension and professional scientific networks. He is a Life Member of the Indian Phytopathological Society, New Delhi.