Dr. CL Jandaik, a prominent Indian mushroom scientist who introduced the oyster species, Pleurotus Sajor-Kaju, to the world, has passed away at the age of 79. He is survived by his wife, a son, and two daughters. Known for advancing mushroom cultivation in Himachal Pradesh, Dr. Jandaik is regarded as one of the leading mushroom scientists in India.
Early Life and Education
Born on April 18, 1945, in Kalavan, a small village in Shimla district’s Chaupal area, Dr. Jandaik completed his early education at Government School Deha in Shimla. He later graduated from Agriculture College Solan, Punjab University, Chandigarh in 1967. Dr. Jandaik pursued his MSc and PhD in Mycology and Plant Pathology from IARI, New Delhi, between 1970 and 1974. During this period, he also worked as a Program Associate in the Department of Mycology and Plant Pathology at IARI.
Achievements in Mycology
During his PhD studies, Dr. Jandaik was elected as the Counsellor of the Indian Phytopathological Society (Delhi Zone). In 1974, he gained international recognition for inventing the Pleurotus Sajor-Kaju mushroom species, revolutionizing Pleurotus production worldwide.
Career in Himachal Pradesh
Dr. Jandaik began his career as a Junior Mycologist in the Botany Department at Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, Solan. He also traveled to the Netherlands and West Germany for advanced training in the cultivation of Agaricus Bitorquis and Pleurotus species.
Professorship at Nauni University
At Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University, Nauni, Dr. Jandaik served from 1975 to 2005, mentoring 5 MSc and 11 PhD students. His teachings covered various aspects of mushroom cultivation. Notably, Dr. VP Sharma, Director of the Directorate of Mushroom Research (DMR) in Solan, was one of his PhD students.
Research and Publications
Dr. Jandaik published 95 research papers in prestigious national and international journals. He also contributed 5 book chapters and review articles. In 1986, he co-edited the book “Mushroom Cultivation in India” with Dr. R.K. Agarwal. Dr. Jandaik also played a crucial role in establishing national-level mushroom research facilities and developing specialized courses for undergraduate and postgraduate students at Nauni University.
Legacy in Mushroom Research
Dr. Jandaik retired in April 2005 as Professor and Head of the Department of Mycology and Plant Pathology at UHF, Solan. Solan, known as the Mushroom City of India, owes much of its reputation to Dr. Jandaik’s contributions. The ICAR’s Directorate of Mushroom Research (DMR) in Solan, where he played a significant role, continues to discover new mushroom species and develop technologies to boost mushroom production. His work has significantly impacted both the economy and the popularity of mushrooms as a superfood in India.
