Balaji Aglave, PhD
Florida Ag ResearchResearch Director
Pathology & Nematology |
Dr. Balaji A. Aglave is a plant pathologist, agricultural biotechnologist, author, and research leader with more than two decades of experience in plant disease diagnostics, molecular biology, nematology, and crop protection research. As Research Director for Florida Ag Research, he oversees field, greenhouse, and laboratory research programs supporting the development and evaluation of crop protection products, biologicals, biostimulants, disease management strategies, and integrated production systems across specialty crops, citrus, and other agricultural commodities.
An active member of the American Phytopathological Society (APS), American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), and Biological Products Industry Alliance (BPIA), Dr. Aglave combines scientific expertise with practical agricultural experience to help clients generate reliable, decision-ready data for product development, registration support, and commercial positioning. Throughout his career, Dr. Aglave has held research and leadership positions in academia, government, and private industry. His work has focused on plant pathogen identification, molecular diagnostics, disease epidemiology, integrated disease management, and agricultural biotechnology. He has contributed to projects supporting growers, agricultural technology companies, crop protection manufacturers, and research organizations throughout the United States and internationally. Dr. Aglave is the author of the Handbook of Plant Disease Identification and Management, a comprehensive reference covering plant disease diagnosis, epidemiology, and integrated disease management across a broad range of agricultural crops. He has also authored and co-authored numerous scientific publications addressing plant pathology, molecular diagnostics, citrus health, disease management, and agricultural biotechnology. At Florida Ag Research, Dr. Aglave works closely with clients to design and execute scientifically rigorous studies that generate high-quality data under real-world production conditions. His research interests include plant pathology, nematology, molecular diagnostics, biological crop protection, disease resistance, citrus health, and sustainable agricultural production systems. Publications, Books & Research Leadership Dr. Aglave's research has focused on improving plant health through advanced diagnostics, disease management strategies, molecular biology, and applied agricultural research. His work has contributed to a better understanding of plant pathogens, disease epidemiology, and practical solutions for growers and agricultural technology developers. Author Handbook of Plant Disease Identification and Management CRC Press / Taylor & Francis This comprehensive reference provides guidance on plant disease diagnosis, epidemiology, symptomology, and integrated disease management across a wide range of agricultural crops. The book serves as a resource for researchers, students, extension specialists, crop consultants, and agricultural professionals. Selected Research Areas
Professional Memberships & Scientific Leadership Dr. Aglave actively participates in professional organizations dedicated to advancing plant pathology, agricultural biotechnology, seed technology, biological products, and crop protection research. These affiliations help maintain strong connections with emerging scientific developments, industry trends, and best practices in agricultural research.
Academic Leadership
Professional Profiles Google Scholar ResearchGate Amazon Author Page Current research is focused on development of new techniques to conduct laboratory bioassays for nematodes, fungal, and bacterial plant diseases. His laboratory is also involved in developing innovative molecular and qPCR based methods of plant disease studies. The crops under study in his laboratories include strawberry, tomato, citrus, potato, cucurbits, pepper, green and dry beans, ornamental, and Turf. He is well known cricket player in Tampa Bay area and likes to spend time with kids and family. |
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