Debnath, Samir, Ph.D., P.Ag.

• Research Publications
• Other Science Related Publications

Contact Information:

308 Brookfield Road, BLDG 25
St. John, Newfoundland and Labrador A1E 0B2
Telephone: 709-772-4788
Fax: 709-772-6064
Email: samir.debnath@agr.gc.ca

Areas of Expertise:

• Small fruits
• Medicinal plants
• Plant propagation
• In vitro culture
• In vitro selection
• Breeding
• Germplasm
• Molecular diversity
• Cultivar development
• Genetic fingerprinting
• Marker-assisted selection
• Antioxidant activity

Current Projects:

• Crop Production and protection in developing a cool climate berry crop production system
• Developing high quality strawberry varieties that will enhance the economic viability of growers and health of Canadians
• Development of improved raspberry cultivars with enhanced disease and pest resistance, higher nutraceutical/nutritional benefits and better market appeal and fruit quality
• Establishing a cellular and animal model platform for studying the molecular basis for health benefits of agri-food products (AFP)
• High value berry crop development project: field evaluation (Vaccinium spp.)
• Raspberry development project: field evaluation under organic farming condition
• High value berry crop development project: field evaluation of micropropagated strawberries

Affiliations:

• Adjunct Professor of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland
• President, Canadian Society for Horticultural Science
• Registrar, Newfoundland and Labrador Institute of Agrologists
• Associate Editor, Canadian Journal of Plant Science
• Associate Editor, Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology
• Country Representative: International Society for Horticultural Science
• International Association for Plant Biotechnology

Research Publications:

2013:

• Debnath, S.C. (2013). "Propagation strategies and genetic fidelity in strawberries.", International Journal of Fruit Science, 13(1-2), pp. 3-18. doi : 10.1080/15538362.2012.696520

2012:

• Burlakoti, R.R., Lynch, D.H., Halde, C., Beach, T., Dahal, S., and Debnath, S.C. (2012). "Organic agriculture project in Nepal: An international twinning partnership program initiative.", Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 92(6), pp. 997-1003. doi : 10.4141/CJPS2011-198
• Debnath, S.C. (2012). "Molecular markers for genetic fidelity during in vitro propagation of horticultural crops.", Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 929, pp. 459-466.
• Debnath, S.C. and Barney, D.L. (2012). "Shoot regeneration and plantlet formation by cascade huckleberry, mountain huckleberry and oval-leaf bilberry on a zeatin-containing nutrient medium.", HortTechnology, 22(1), pp. 106-113.
• Debnath, S.C., Siow, Y.L., Petkau, J., An, D., and Bykova, N.V. (2012). "Molecular markers and anti-oxidant activity in berry crops genetic diversity analysis.", Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 92(6), pp. 1121-1133. doi : 10.4141/cjps2011-240
• Debnath, S.C., Vyas, P., Goyali, J.C., and Igamberdiev, A.U. (2012). "Morphological and molecular analyses in micropropagated berry plants acclimatized under ex vitro condition.", Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 92(6), pp. 1065-1073. doi : 10.4141/CJPS2011-194
• Debnath, S.C., Vyas, P., and Igamberdiev, A.U. (2012). "Characteristics of lingonberry plants propagated by in vitro and ex vitro propagation methods.", Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 926, pp. 259-264.
• Murthy, R.K., Debnath, S.C., and Yeoung, Y.R. (2012). "Effect of high concentration of thidiazuron (TDZ) combined with 1H-indole-3-butanoic acid (IBA) on Albion strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) cultivar plantlets induction.", African Journal of Biotechnology, 11(81), pp. 14696-14702. doi : 10.5897/AJB12.1047

2011:

• Debnath, S.C. (2011). "Adventitious shoot regeneration in a bioreactor system and EST-PCR based clonal fidelity in lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.).", Scientia Horticulturae, 128(2), pp. 124-130. doi : 10.1016/j.scienta.2011.01.012
• Debnath, S.C. (2011). "Bioreactors and molecular analysis in berry crop micropropagation - A review.", Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 91(1), pp. 147-157. doi : 10.4141/CJPS10131
• Debnath, S.C., Bishop, G.A., and Sion, M. (2011). "Lingonberry germplasm characterization for berry characters, anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity.", Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 918, pp. 647-654.
• Paul, K.K., Bari, M.A., and Debnath, S.C. (2011). "Correlation and path coefficient studies for plant characters in aqua aroids, Colocasia esculenta L. Schott.", Journal of Scientific Research, 3(1), pp. 169-176. doi : 10.3329/jsr.v3i1.6078
• Paul, K.K., Bari, M.A., and Debnath, S.C. (2011). "Genetic variability of Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott.", Bangladesh Journal of Botany, 40(2), pp. 185-188. doi : 10.3329/bjb.v40i2.9775

2010:

• Debnath, S.C. (2010). "A scaled-up system for in vitro multiplication of thidiazuron-induced red raspberry shoots using a bioreactor.", Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology, 85(2), pp. 94-100.
• Debnath, S.C. (2010). "Berry bioreactor micropropagation and molecular analysis for genetic fidelity.", Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 865, pp. 43-52.

2009:

• Debnath, S.C. (2009). "A scale-up system for lowbush blueberry micropropagation using a bioreactor.", HortScience, 44(7), pp. 1962-1966.
• Debnath, S.C. (2009). "A two-step procedure for adventitious shoot regeneration on excised leaves of lowbush blueberry.", In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Plant, 45(2), pp. 122-128. doi : 10.1007/s11627-008-9186-2
• Debnath, S.C. (2009). "Characteristics of strawberry plants propagated by in vitro bioreactor culture and ex vitro propagation method.", Engineering in Life Sciences, 9(3), pp. 239-246. doi : 10.1002/elsc.200800095
• Debnath, S.C. (2009). "Development of ISSR markers for genetic diversity studies in Vaccinium angustifolium.", Nordic Journal of Botany, 27(2), pp. 141-148. doi : 10.1111/j.1756-1051.2009.00402.x
• Debnath, S.C. (2009). "Zeatin and TDZ-induced shoot proliferation and use of bioreactor in clonal propagation of medicinal herb, roseroot (Rhodiola rosea L).", Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 18(2), pp. 245-248.
• Debnath, S.C. and Ricard, E. (2009). "ISSR, anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity analyses to characterize strawberry genotypes.", Journal of Applied Horticulture (JAH), 11(2), pp. 83-89.
• Debnath, S.C. and Sion, M. (2009). "Genetic diversity, antioxidant activities, and anthocyanin contents in lingonberry.", International Journal of Fruit Science, 9(2), pp. 185-199. doi : 10.1080/15538360903005061

Other Science Related Publications:

2012:

• An, D., Bykova, N.V., and Debnath, S.C. (2012). "Identifying wild and cultivated cranberries and evaluating their relationships using morphology, and EST-PCR and ISSR markers.", Plant Canada 2012 (joint meeting of the Canadian Society of Agronomy (CSA), Canadian Society for Horticultural Science (CSHS), Certified Crop Advisors (CCA), North American Fruit Explorers (NAFEX)): Adapting Crops to Change, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, July 16-19, 2012, pp. p.44.
• Debnath, S.C. (2012). "Molecular markers in biodiversity of Vaccinium and Rubus wild germplasm.", 10th International Symposium on Vaccinium and Other Superfruits, Maastricht, Limburg, The Netherlands, June 17-22, 2012. (Poster)
• Debnath, S.C. (2012). "Strategies to propagate Vaccinium nuclear stock and use of molecular markers for clonal fidelity.", 10th International Symposium on Vaccinium and Other Superfruits, Maastricht, Limburg, The Netherlands, June 17-22, 2012. (Poster)
• Goyali, J.C., Igamberdiev, A.U., and Debnath, S.C. (2012). "Morphology, phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) plants as affected by in vitro and ex vitro propagation methods.", Plant Canada 2012 (joint meeting of the Canadian Society of Agronomy (CSA), Canadian Society for Horticultural Science (CSHS), Certified Crop Advisors (CCA), North American Fruit Explorers (NAFEX)): Adapting Crops to Change, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, July 16-19, 2012, C1.2, ID.3760, pp. 26. (Abstract)
• Vyas, P., Debnath, S.C., and Igamberdiev, A.U. (2012). "Metabolism of glutathione and ascorbate and its relation to antioxidant and morphological properties of lingonberry cultivars propagated in vitro and ex vitro.", 5th Annual Biology Graduate Students Symposium, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada, April 19, 2012.

2011:

• Chandrasekara, N., Goyali, J.C., Vyas, P., Shah, J.K., Igamberdiev, A.U., and Debnath, S.C. (2011). "Phenolic contents and antioxidant properties of blueberry tea and fruit.", Plant Canada 2011, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, NS, Canada, July 17-21, 2011, CSHS-S1, pp. 206.
• Debnath, S.C. (2011). "Berry and medicinal plant improvement using in vitro and molecular techniques combined with conventional breeding.", Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture (NLFA) 2011 Annual General Meeting, Gander, NL, Canada, March 17-18, 2011. (Poster)
• Debnath, S.C. (2011). "Berry crop improvement program at Atlantic Cool Climate Crop Research Centre.", Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture (NLFA) Annual General Meeting, Gander, NL, Canada, March 17-18, 2011. (Presentation)
• Debnath, S.C. (2011). "Berry improvement program at the Atlantic Cool Climate Crop Research Centre.", Annual General Meeting of the Newfoundland and Labrador Horticulture Producer Council, St. John's, NL, Canada, March 16-17, 2011. (Presentation)
• Debnath, S.C. (2011). "Conventional Methods Combined with Biotechnology in Blueberry Improvement.", published by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)/Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada (AAC), 2 pages. (Factsheet)
• Debnath, S.C. (2011). "Development of small fruits suitable for cultivation in cool climates.", 53rd Annual Farm Field Day, AAFC, St. John’s, NL, Canada, August 13, 2011.
• Debnath, S.C. (2011). "Genetic diversity and molecular analysis in berry crop improvement.", 53rd Annual Farm Field Day, AAFC, St. John’s, NL, Canada, August 13, 2011.
• Debnath, S.C. (2011). "In vitro propagation of roseroot (Rhodiola rosea L).", in Awaad, A.S., Kaushik, G. and Govil, J.N. (eds.) - Recent Progress in Medicinal Plants. Vol. 31: Mechanism and Action of Phytoconstituents, Studium Press LLC, Houston, USA, Chapter 23, pp. 361-373.
• Debnath, S.C. (2011). "Molecular characterization of antioxidant-rich Canadian berry germplasm.", 2011 Federal Food Safety and Nutrition Research (FFSNR) Web-based Seminar Series, Canada, November 29-December 15, 2011.
• Debnath, S.C. (2011). "Propagation of small fruits through tissue culture.", 53rd Annual Farm Field Day, AAFC, St. John’s, NL, Canada, August 13, 2011.
• Debnath, S.C., Siow, Y.L., Petkau, J., An, D., and Bykova, N.V. (2011). "Molecular markers and antioxidant activity in berry crop diversity analysis.", Plant Canada 2011, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, NS, Canada, July 17-21, 2011, 78, Session 1. (Presentation)
• Debnath, S.C., Vyas, P., Goyali, J.C., and Igamberdiev, A.U. (2011). "Molecular analysis and antioxidant activity in micropropagated berry plants acclimatized under ex vitro condition.", Plant Canada 2011, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, NS, Canada, July 17-21, 2011, Session 1, pp. 79.
• Debnath, S.C., Vyas, P., and Igamberdiev, A.U. (2011). "Enhanced levels of antioxidant enzymes and metabolites in tissue culture propagated lingonberry plant.", 4th Annual Biology Graduate Students Symposium, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada, April 28, 2011.
• Goyali, J.C., Chandrasekara, N., Igamberdiev, A.U., and Debnath, S.C. (2011). "Evaluation of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of market blueberry in Newfoundland.", 4th Annual Biology Graduate Students Symposium, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada, April 28, 2011.
• Isaak, C.K., Petkau, J., Debnath, S.C., and Siow, Y.L. (2011). "Effects of cool climate berries on apoptosis.", LifeScience Alley Tenth Annual Conference and Expo, Minneapolis, MN, USA, December 7, 2011.
• Isaak, C.K., Petkau, J., Debnath, S.C., and Siow, Y.L. (2011). "Effects of cool climate berries on apoptosis.", Therapeutic Applications for Functional Foods Conference, St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, May 31-June 1, 2011, Abs P-13.
• Vyas, P., Chandrasekara, N., Debnath, S.C., and Igamberdiev, A.U. (2011). "Antioxidant properties of in vitro and ex vitro propagated lingonberry cultivars.", Plant Canada 2011, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, NS, Canada, July 17-21, 2011, CSPP-S27, pp. 236.
• Vyas, P., Debnath, S.C., and Igamberdiev, A.U. (2011). "Enhanced levels of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity in in vitro derived lingonberry plants. cclimatized under ex vitro condition.", Plant Canada 2011, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, NS, Canada, July 17-21, 2011, Session 2, pp. 82.
• Zdepski, A., Debnath, S.C., Howell, A.B., Polashock, J., Oudemans, P.V., Vorsa, N., and Michael, T.P. (2011). "Cranberry.", in Kole, C. (ed.) - Genetics, Genomics and Breeding of Berries, Science Publishers, Enfield, NH, USA, Chapter 2, pp. 41-63.

2010:

• Debnath, S.C. (2010). "Genetic diversity and molecular analysis in berry crop improvement.", International Conference on Green Plant Breeding Technologies, Vienna, Austria, February 2-5, 2010, pp. 45. (Abstract)
• Debnath, S.C. (2010). "In vitro propagation strategies and molecular techniques to monitor trueness-to-type of micropropagules in berry crops.", 28th International Horticultural Congress (IHC2010): Postharvest technology in global market, Lisboa Congress Centre, Lisbon, Portugal, August 22-27, 2010, Berries (S01.284), pp. 45. (Abstract)
• Debnath, S.C. (2010). "Molecular assessments of genetic diversity in berry crop germplasm.", 28th International Horticultural Congress (IHC2010): Postharvest technology in global market, Lisboa Congress Centre, Lisbon, Portugal, August 22-27, 2010, Genetic Resources (S12.088), pp. 541-542. (Abstract)
• Debnath, S.C. (2010). "Molecular markers for genetic fidelity during in vitro propagation of horticultural crops.", 28th International Horticultural Congress (IHC2010): Postharvest technology in global market, Lisboa Congress Centre, Lisbon, Portugal, August 22-27, 2010, Ws25.2, pp. 316. (Abstract)
• Debnath, S.C., Bishop, G.A., and Sion, M. (2010). "Lingonberry germplasm characterization for berry characters, anthocyanin contents and antioxidant activities.", 28th International Horticultural Congress (IHC2010): Postharvest technology in global market, Lisboa Congress Centre, Lisbon, Portugal, August 22-27, 2010, Genetic Resources (S12.082), pp. 540. (Abstract)
• Debnath, S.C., Vyas, P., Igamberdiev, A.U., and White, J. (2010). "Characteristics of lingonberry plants propagated by in vitro and ex vitro propagation methods.", 28th International Horticultural Congress (IHC2010): Postharvest technology in global market, Lisboa Congress Centre, Lisbon, Portugal, August 22-27, 2010, Berries (S01.203), pp. 26-27. (Poster)
• Debnath, S.C., Vyas, P., Igamberdiev, A.U., and White, J. (2010). "Characteristics of lingonberry plants propagated by in vitro and ex vitro propagation methods.", 28th International Horticultural Congress (IHC2010): Postharvest technology in global market, Lisboa Congress Centre, Lisbon, Portugal, August 22-27, 2010, S01.203. (Poster)
• Petkau, J., Debnath, S.C., and Siow, Y.L. (2010). "The microplate-based total phenolics assay is a rapid, inexpensive alternative to ORAC for antioxidant determination.", 2010 Canadian Institute of Food Science & Technology (CIFST) and AAFC Conference, Fairmont Winnipeg Hotel, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, May 30-June 1, 2010, Abs P2-03.
• Vyas, P., Debnath, S.C., and Igamberdiev, A.U. (2010). "The effect of different propagation methods on antioxidant enzyme activities of lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) plants.", 12th World Congress of the International Association for Plant Biotechnology (IAPB) and the 2010 In Vitro Biology Meeting of the Society for In Vitro Biology (SIVB), America’s Center, St. Louis, MO, USA, June 6-11, 2010. (Presentation)

2009:

• Debnath, S.C. (2009). "Bioreactor micropropagation strategies for canadian berry industry.", GreenSys 2009 - International Symposium on High Technology for Greenhouse Systems, Loews Le Concorde Hotel, Québec City, QC, Canada, June 14-19, 2009.
• Debnath, S.C. (2009). "Nature's bounty - improving cranberries for a healthier tomorrow.", published by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)/Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada (AAC), 2 pages. (Factsheet)
• Debnath, S.C. (2009). "Propagation and cultivation of Vaccinium species and less known small fruits.", Latvian Journal of Agronomy / Agronomijas Vēstis, 12, pp. 22-29.
• Debnath, S.C. (2009). "Propagation and cultivation of Vaccinium species and less known small fruits.", International Scientific Conference: "Vaccinium ssp. And less known small fruit: challenges and risks”, Latvia University of Agriculture, Jelgava, Latvia, October 6-8, 2009.
• Vyas, P., Debnath, S.C., and Igamberdiev, A.U. (2009). "Antioxidant activities of lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) plants as affected by in vitro and ex vitro propagation methods.", GreenSys 2009 - International Symposium on High Technology for Greenhouse Systems, Loews Le Concorde Hotel, Québec City, QC, Canada, June 14-19, 2009.