Dr. A. B. Das, Prof. in Botany, Utkal University made significant contributions in the field of cytogenetics, cytometry,
genome size and DNA marker analysis in ~ 350 species of medicinal, mangroves, cacti and banana belonging to the
family Apiaceae, Avicenniaceae, Cactaceae, Leguminaceae, Musaceae, Orchidaceae, Pandanaceae,
Rhizophoraceae, Sonneratiaceae, Sterculaceae, Zingiberaceae during last three decades. His pionnering work on
chromosome and karyotype analysis, in situ DNA estimation in more than 200 species of plants including cacti,
mangrovesand banana are widely cited. His work on inheritance of colour pigments in new intergeneric and
interspecific cacti hybrids and reports on translocation of chromosome segments are very significant. The DNA
fingerprinting work on molecular phylogeny of cacti, mangroves, wild orchids (Dendrobium spp) and legumes (Cassia
spp.) using RAPD, SSR, ISSR,IRAP markers resolved many discrepancies in taxonomic classifications. His works
added new dimensions to the Plant Genome DNA Data base of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The discovery of novel
salt protein markers from high salt tolerant tree mangroves (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and B. parviflora) yielded new gene
products of interest for crop improvement. He developed a banana variety “Mallika” having longer self life which is
popular in costal Orissa. He developed regeneration protocol of ten local verieties of banana to establish commercial
mass multiplication of banana of table and cooking bananas to support livelihood programmes of Government of
Orissa in 30 districts of Odisha under Orissa Tribal Development Programme.