Idupulapati Rao

Idupulapati M. Rao
PROFILE   
Dr. Idupulapati Rao is an Emeritus Scientist (Plant Nutritionist and Physiologist) at the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). He is currently working as a Visiting Scientist at the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR), United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service, (USDA-ARS), Peoria, Illinois, USA. He worked at CIAT, based in Cali, Colombia for 27 years. He has experience across a wide range of agricultural research areas including plant physiology, plant nutrition, agronomy, plant-soil-livestock-climate interactions, and climate variability and change, mostly related to the sustainable intensification of crop-livestock systems especially for smallholders in marginalized environments. He has extensive scientific background with more than 38 years of experience in the implementation of agricultural research and research for development. He worked for about 10 years at the University of Illinois and the University of California before joining CIAT in 1989. He worked at CIAT for 27 years and has contributed to the development of abiotic stress (soils and climate)-adapted tropical forages and common bean germplasm options for sustainable intensification of crop-livestock systems in the tropics. He worked as principal investigator or co-investigator on more than 40 international research projects.  As part of multidisciplinary teams, he has gained extensive knowledge and experience to impact on smallholder agriculture through improved food and nutritional security and natural resource management to fulfill United Nations’ recently adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end extreme poverty and tackling the climate change. He has published 200 journal articles, 65 book chapters and 68 papers in conference proceedings (>10,810 citations; h-index of 52; i10-index of 166; 10 articles over 200 citations and 2 articles over 400 citations). He won the outstanding principal staff award from CIAT in 2000 and outstanding research publication awards in 1999, 2003, 2009 and 2011. He was also part of the CIAT team that won the excellence in science award from the CGIAR for outstanding partnership in 2001.  

PRESENT ADDRESS:   
Residence: 3102 W. Prairie Creek Ct., Dunlap, Illinois, USA; Mobile: 309-202-7554; e-mail: [email protected]

PERSONAL
Date and Place of Birth:      July 1, 1951
Mandadam, Andhra Pradesh
INDIA
Nationality: Indian
Visa Status: Permanent Resident of USA since 1987
Marital Status: Married, two children
Languages:                              English-fluent
                                        Spanish-conversant
                                        Telugu -native   
                                        Hindi-conversant

FIELD OF SPECIALIZATION
Abiotic Stress Physiology of Tropical Crops and Forages

EDUCATION
Ph.D. Plant Physiology (1978), Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, India.
Dissertation Title:  Carbon metabolism and water relations of six woody weeds and their modification by paraquat and 2,4,5 T.
M.S., Botany, Plant Physiology (1973), Bhopal University, Bhopal, India
B.S., Botany, Chemistry, Zoology (1971), V.S.R. College, Tenali (Andhra University-Waltair), India

INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT), Cali, Colombia (1989-2017)
Plant Nutritionist/Physiologist, Common Bean and Tropical Forages Programs
Responsible for identifying adaptive attributes of tropical crop and forage species to major abiotic stress factors such as low fertility acid soils, drought, waterlogging and high temperature; developing reliable screening indices for plant evaluation and plant improvement; investigating plant-soil-animal relationships with respect to sustainable intensification of climate-smart crop-livestock systems in tropical savannas and hillsides agroecosystems.
University of California, Berkeley, California, USA (1984-89).
Assistant Specialist, Dept. of Plant and Soil Biology
Responsible for research on mechanisms of plant adaptation to low nutrient supply in sugar beet and soybean; use of light scattering and chlorophyll fluorescence techniques for mineral deficiency diagnosis; role of phosphorus in photosynthesis, carbon partitioning and carbon export; limiting factors in photosynthesis.
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA (1982-83)
Research Associate, Dept. of Plant Biology
Responsible for research on mechanisms of plant adaptation to water stress in sunflower; leaf nutrient status (particularly magnesium and potassium) and photosynthetic response to low leaf water potentials.
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA (April-May, 1982)  
Visiting Scientist, Environmental Biology, Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research
Responsible for research on effects of sulfur dioxide (SO2) pollution on photosynthesis, leaf conductance and stomatal metabolism of peas. 
University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA (1981-82). 
Research Associate, Dept. of Biological Sciences 
Responsible for research on the role of light modulation of enzymes in the mechanisms of stomatal movement; effects of sulfite and arsenite on stomatal metabolism.
International Crops Research Institute for Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh, India (1979-81).
Plant Physiologist, Pulse Physiology
Responsible for research on development of field screening techniques to evaluate pigeonpea genotypes for their tolerance to abiotic stresses, particularly salinity and waterlogging; growth analysis of pigeonpea hybrids and their parents; response of pigeonpea to environment and cultural practices such as spacing, plant population, irrigation and nutrients. 

SUPERVISORY EXPERIENCE
Project Manager of Latin American Soils Research Team of 5 senior scientists of the Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute of CIAT (2004-2007). Supervision of research associates (4), research assistants (4), technicians (6) and several workers. Supervision of Ph.D. (20), masters (9) and undergraduate degree (14) thesis projects for students registered in the Universities from Germany, USA, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Spain, South Africa, Australia and Colombia.

GRANTS
1991-1993 BMZ-GTZ, Germany, grant on “Rhizosphere phosphorus dynamics” (US$131,471 for 3 years)-Principal Investigator (PI)
1993-1997 Austrian Academy of Sciences grant on “Acid soil adaptation mechanisms of Brachiaria” (US $52,884) (Co-PI)
1998-2001 SDC-Switzerland grant on “Use of isotope techniques to quantify phosphorus cycling in systems” (Co-PI)
1999-2000 DFID-UK grant on “Mycorrhizal association in Tithonia diversifolia” (Co-PI)
1999-2002 ACIAR-Australia grant on “Simulation modeling and integrated nutrient management” (Co-PI)
2001-2004 BMZ-GTZ, Germany grant on “Improving aluminum resistance in crops” (Euros 690,244 for 3 years) (Co-PI)
2001-2004 EC-Belgium grant on “Optimizing light use and abiotic stress adaptation in common bean” (Euros 831,261 for 4 years) (Co-PI)
2002-2005 Belgian grant on “Integration of biofertilisation in bean cultivation by optimizing the use of the Rhizobium-bean symbiosis” (Belgian Francs 14, 000, 000 for 4 years) (Co-PI)
2003-2006 BMZ-GTZ, Germany grant on “Bean genomics for improved drought tolerance in Central America” (Euros 740,000 for 3 years) (Co-PI)
2003-2006 SDC-Switzerland grant on “Adaptation of Brachiaria grasses to low P soils” (Swiss Francs 346,300 for 3 years) (PI)
2004-2007 Water and Food Challenge Program (CP) of CGIAR on “Quesungual agroforestry system” (US$754,800 for 3 years) (PI)
2004-2005 Generation Challenge Program (CP) of CGIAR grant on “Drought adaptation in common bean” (Co-PI)
2003-2005 ACIAR-Australia grant on “Integrated nutrient management in tropical cropping systems: improved capabilities in modeling and recommendations” (A$59,800 for 2 years) (Co-PI)
2005-2006 Generation CP grant on “Evaluation and deployment of transgenic drought-tolerant varieties” (US$300,000 for 2 years) (PI)
2006-2009 BMZ-GTZ, Germany grant on “Fighting drought and aluminum toxicity” (Euros 1, 100, 000 for 3 years) (PI)
2007-2009 SDC-Switzerland grant on “Realizing the benefits of cover crop legumes in smallholder crop-livestock systems in the hillsides of Central America” (Swiss Francs 340,000 for 3 years) (co-PI)
2007-2008  SLP-CGIAR grant on “Trade-off analysis of using legumes for soil enhancing or as an animal feed resource” (US$ 200,000 for 2 years) (PI)
2007-2010 ANR-France grant on “Biodiversity and environmental services at landscape level in the Amazon” (Euros 843,180 for 3 years) (co-PI)
2007-2010 MADR-Colombia grant on “Implementation and transfer of technologies for restoration of degraded pastures for beef production systems Córdoba, Sucre and Atlantic departments” (US$630,000 for 3 years) (co-PI)
2007-2010 CYTED grant on “Development and evaluation of common bean and maize tolerant to drought” (US$999,180 for 3 years) (co-PI)
2007-2008  Red-SICTA-COSUDE-SDC grant on “Bean varieties tolerant to abiotic stress factors of low soil fertility and drought for sustainable production and food security in Central America” (US$246,100 for 16 months) (co-PI)
2007-2010 BMGF grant to Generation Challenge Program on “Improving tropical legume productivity for marginal environments in sub-Saharan Africa” (US$10,798,826 for 3 years) (co-PI)
2007-2010 BMGF grant to CGIAR on “Enhancing grain legumes productivity, production and income of poor farmers in drought-prone areas of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia” (US$20,600,000 for 3 years) (co-PI) 
2009-2012 Basal root architecture and drought tolerance in common bean. Generation Challenge Program. GCP project on basal root architecture. (US$345,000 for 3 years) (with M. Blair and S. Beebe). co-PI.
2009-2011 Desarrollo de genotipos de Brachiaria spp. Adaptados a suelos con drenaje deficiente para aumentar producción bovina y adaptar sistemas de pastoreo al cambio climático en América Latina. FONTAGRO. US$448,301 for 3 years. (PI and Coordinator).
2009-2013 Development of a gene-based ecophysiology model. NSF-USA. US$2,248,358 for 4 years. Collaborator.
2009-2014 Eco-efficient crop and livestock production for the poor farmers in the sub-humid hillside areas of Nicaragua. Austrian Development Agency. Euros 499,700 for 3 years. Co-PI.
2010-2012 Identification of aluminum resistance genes in Brachiaria and phenotypic characterization of grass and legume germplasm for adaptation to and mitigation of climate change. EMBRAPA, Brazil. US$ 300,000 for 2 years (PI)
2010-2014 Improvement of Chitti bean in Iran. Government of Iran. US$ 287,960 for 4 years. (co-PI).
2011-2015 Quantifying the BNI-residual effect from B. humidicola on subsequent annual crops. JIRCAS. US$ 25,000 per year over 4 years (c-PI).
2011-2015 Development of technologies for improving productivity and sustainability of crop-livestock systems in the Altillanura region of Colombia. MADR-Corpoica-CIAT partnership, Govt. of Colombia, Colombia. US$1,600,000 per year (co-PI).
2012-2015 Climate-smart crop-livestock systems for smallholders in the tropics: Integration of new forage hybrids to intensify agriculture and to mitigate climate change through regulation of nitrification in soil. BMZ-GIZ, Germany. Euros 1,200,000 for 3 years (PI).
20010-2014 BMGF grant to Generation Challenge Program on “Improving tropical legume productivity for marginal environments in sub-Saharan Africa” (US$12,118,970 for 4 years) (co-PI).
2011-2014 BMGF grant to CGIAR on “Enhancing grain legumes productivity, production and income of poor farmers in drought-prone areas of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia” (US$21,420,000 for 3 years) (co-PI). 
2012-2015 Sida (Sweden) grant to BecA-ILRI on “Innovative programmatic approach to climate change in support of BecA’s mission: Climate-smart Brachiaria grasses for improving livestock production in East Africa” (US$6,000,000 for 3 years) (co-PI). 
2012-2016 Restoration and conservation of biodiversity in El Salvador through the adaptation and dissemination of a slash and mulch agroforestry system. USAID, USA. US$2,000,000 (Project Staff).
2013-2015 Addressing the challenges of smallholder farming communities: Restoring degraded agroecosystems. BMZ-GIZ, Germany. Euros 1,200,000 for 3 years (Project Staff).
2013-2015 Climate change impacts and adaptation measures in the agriculture sector. IDB, USA. US$615,000 (Project Staff).
2013-2018 An integrated program to accelerate breeding of resilient, more productive beans for smallholder farmers. USAID, USA. US$5,000,000 for 5 years (co-PI).
2014-2019 Development of a productive and profitable cropping system using the BNI function of tropical forage grass. MAFF, Japan. US$75,000 per year for 5 years (co-PI).
2015-2018 LivestockPlus: Supporting low emissions development planning in the Latin American cattle sector. CCAFS-CGIAR Research Program. $2,320,308 for 4 years (PI).

AWARDS
1999 Outstanding research publication award from CIAT 
I. M. Rao, V. Borrero, J. Ricaurte, and R. Garcia. 1999. Adaptive attributes of tropical forage species to acid soils. V. Differences in phosphorus acquisition from inorganic and organic phosphorus sources. Journal of Plant Nutrition 22 (7): 1175-1196
2000 Outstanding principal staff award from CIAT
Achievement based on a long record of high quality research in the following areas related to CIAT’s mission: (a) defining adaptive attributes of tropical forage grasses and legumes to infertile acid soils; (b) developing a screening procedure to identify aluminum resistant Brachiaria hybrids; (c) identifying phosphorus efficient, aluminum and drought resistant common bean genotypes; and (d) defining rooting strategies of tropical crop and forage cultivars and their impact on phosphorus acquisition and cycling in crop-forage-fallow systems. In addition to research achievements, recognition for significant contributions to training young scientists, collaborative research with specialized research organizations and national programs, and representing CIAT in international fora. 
2001 Excellence in Science Award from CGIAR for Outstanding Partnership
Award presented for excellent soils research of CIAT with its partners in Brazil, Germany, France and Colombia for sustainable land management of acid soil savannas.
2003 Outstanding research publication award from CIAT
P. Wenzl, A. L. Chaves, G. M. Patiño, J. E. Mayer and I. M. Rao. 2002. Aluminum stress stimulates the accumulation of aluminum-detoxifying organic acids in root apices of Brachiaria species. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science 165: 582-588.
2007 Best science for social benefits-award from CIAT on a poster presentation
Quesungual slash mulch agroforestry system (QSMAS): Improving crop water productivity, food security and resource quality in the sub-humid tropics
A. Castro, M. Rivera, O. Ferreira, J. Pavón, D. Valladares, E. García, E. Amézquita, M. Ayarza, E. Barrios, M. Rondón, L.A. Welchez, and I. Rao
2007 Best science for economic benefits-award from CIAT on a poster presentation
Identification of aluminum resistant common bean genotypes using a hydroponic screening method
G. Manrique-Carpintero, I. Rao, and S. Beebe
2008 The 2008 CIAT Scientific Poster Award-Second Place
Physiological evaluation of drought resistance in elite lines of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under field conditions.
J. A. Polanía, M. Grajales, C. Cajiao, R. García, J. Ricaurte, S. Beebe and I. M. Rao
2008 Annual Conference of Plant Nutrition Society of Germany-Scientific Poster Award-Second Place
The interaction between aluminum toxicity and drought stress in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).
Z. B. Yang, D. Eticha, I. M. Rao and W. Horst
2008 2nd International Forum on Water and Food-CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food-Scientific Poster Award-Second Place
Quesungual Slash & Mulch Agroforestry System (QSMAS): Improving crop water productivity, food security and resource quality in the sub-humid tropics. 
A. Castro, M. Rivera, O. Ferreira, J. Pavón, E. García, E. Amézquita, M. Ayarza, E. Barrios, M. Rondón, N. Pauli, M. E. Baltodano, B. Mendoza, L. A. Wélchez, N. Johnson,  J. Rubiano, S. Cook and I. M. Rao
2009 The 2009 CIAT Scientific Poster Award-First Place
Dynamics of nitrogen and phosphorus in Quesungual slash and mulch agroforestry system.
A. Castro, N. asakawa, G. Borrero, I. M. Rao, J. C. Menjivar, E. barrios, E. Amézquita, E. García and M. Ayarza
2009 The 2009 CIAT Scientific Poster Award-Third Place
Biological nitrification inhibition (BNI): a dual benefit for agriculture and the environment.
D. E. Moreta, M. P. Hurtado, A. F. Salcedo, L. Chavez, M. Rondon, M. C. Duque, G. V. Subbarao, O. Ito, J. Miles, C. E. Lascano, I. M. Rao and M. Ishitani
2009 The best poster award at World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden
Improving the efficiency of rain water use on hillsides in the sub-humid tropics: agricultural & environmental benefits of Quesungual system. 
A. Castro, M. Rivera, O. Ferreira, J. Pavón, E. García, E. Amézquita, M. Ayarza, E. Barrios, M. Rondón, N. Pauli, M. E. Baltodano, B. Mendoza, L. A. Wélchez, S. Cook, J. Rubiano, N. Johnson and I. Rao. 
2009 Outstanding research publication award from CIAT
G. V. Subbarao, K. Nakahara, M. P. Hurtado, H. Ono, D. E. Moreta, A. F. Salcedo, A. T. Yoshihashi, T. Ishikawa, M. Ishitani, M. Ohnishi-Kameyama, M. Yoshida, M. Rondon, I.  M.  Rao, C. E. Lascano, W. L. Berry and O. Ito. 2009. Evidence for biological nitrification inhibition in Brachiaria pastures. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA) 106: 17302-17307.
2011 Joint annual congress of the German Society of Plant Nutrition and German Society of Agronomy -Scientific Poster Award-First Place
Spatial and temporal expression of a citrate permease and aluminum-induced citrate exudation in common bean. 
D. Eticha, A. F. Rangel, I. M. Rao and W. J. Horst
2011 Outstanding research publication award from CIAT
Z. Yang, D. Eticha, I. M. Rao, B. Rotter and W. J. Horst. 2011. Physiological and molecular analysis of polyethylene glycol-induced reduction of aluminium accumulation in root tips of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The New Phytologist 192: 99-113.
2013 Best poster award from ISPA
Jiménez, J. C., J. A. Cardoso, G. Fischer and I. M. Rao. 2013. Leaf antioxidant activity and changes in leaf pigments in two contrasting Brachiaria grasses in response to waterlogging. Paper (poster) presented at the 11th Conference of the International Society for Plant Anaerobiosis (ISPA). Oct 6 – 11. IRRI,  Los baños, Laguna, Philippines.
2016 Best paper presented to the Legumes Table at PCCMCA, Costa Rica
Chaves, N. F., J. A. Polania, C. G. Munoz Perea, I. M. Rao and S. E. Beebe. 2016. Caracterizacion de lineas interspecificas de frijol comun por su Resistencia a alta temperature. Paper (oral) presented at the 61st Conference of the Central American Program of Improving Crops and Animals (PCCMCA). April 5 – 8, 2016. San Jose, Costa Rica.
2017 Emeritus Status Recognition by CIAT
Recognition as an Emeritus Scientist of CIAT on 10 November 2018 during the 50th Anniversary (1967-2017) Celebrations of CIAT for innovative contributions to the improvement of tropical forages and common bean germplasm adapted to abiotic stress and the development of options for sustainable intensification of crop-livestock systems in the tropics, and for invaluable contribution to strengthen CIAT’s relationship with researchers in Australia, Germany, Japan and USA. 

EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERSHIP
2000-2002 Associate Editor, Journal of Environmental Quality
2006-2017 Editor, Agronomía Colombiana
2013-2015 Editor, Journal of Plant Biology Research        
2018-2020 Editor, Corpoica Journal

RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS
Published over 200 refereed journal articles, 65 book chapters, 68 articles in conference proceedings and 273 oral or poster summaries. Co-edited 3 books.  

SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP
American Society of Plant Biology; American Society of Agronomy; Crop Science Society of America; Soil Science Society of America

LIST OF PUBLICATIONS (Last 5 years)

Refereed Journal Articles

207. Ramírez-Restrepo, C. A., R. R. Vera and I. M. Rao. 2019. Dynamics of animal performance, and estimation of carbon emissions and balance of two breeding herds grazing native neotropical savannas in eastern Colombia. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 281: 35-46.
206. Berny Mier y Teran, J. C., E. Konzen, A. Palkovic, S. M. Tsai, I. M. Rao, S. Beebe and P. Gepts. 2019. Genetic architecture of photosynthate allocation and remobilization in pods of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under drought stress. BMC Plant Biology 19: 171. doi.org/10.1186/s12870-019-1774-2.  
205. Smith, M., E. Veneklaas, I. M. Rao, J. Polania and A. Merchant. 2019. Field drought conditions impact yield but not nutritional quality of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). PLoS ONE (in press).
204. Teutscherova, N., E. Vazquez, I. Rao, A. Arevalo, M. Pulleman and J. Arango. 2019. Differences in arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and P acquisition between genotypes of the tropical Brachiaria grasses: Is there a relation with BNI activity? Biology and Fertility of Soils doi.org/10.1007/s00374-019-01353-y
203. Assefa, T., A. Assibi Mahama, A. V. Brown, E. K.S. Cannon, J. C. Rubyogo, I. M. Rao, M. W. Blair and S. B. Cannon. 2019. A Review of breeding objectives, genomic resources, and marker-assisted methods in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Molecular Breeding. doi.org/10.1007/s11032-018-0920-0
202. Karwat, H., M-A. Sparke, F. Rasche, J. Arango, J. Núñez, I. Rao, D. Moreta and G. Cadisch. 2019. Nitrate reductase activity in leaves as a plant physiological indicator of in vivo biological nitrification inhibition by Brachiaria humidicola. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 137: 113-120.
201. Rivera, M., J. Polania, J. Ricaurte, G. Borrero, S. Beebe and I. Rao. 2019. Soil compaction induced changes in morpho-physiological characteristics of common bean. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition. Doi: 10.1007/s42729-019-0007-y 
200. Smith, M. R., I. Rao and A. Merchant. 2018. Source-sink relationships in crop plants and their and their influence on yield development and nutritional quality. Frontiers in Plant Science 9:1889. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2018.01889.
199. Chirinda, N., S, Loaiza, L. Arenas, V. Ruiz, C. Faverín, C. Alvarez, J. V.  Savian, R. Belfon, K. Zuniga, L. Morales, C. Trujillo, M. A. Arango Argoti, I. Rao, J. Arango, M. Peters, R. Barahona, C. C. Junior, T. S. Rosenstock, M. Richards, D. M. Baron and L. Cardenas. 2018. Adequate vegetative cover decreases nitrous oxide emissions from cattle urine deposited in grazed pastures. Scientific Reports (in press) DOI:10.1038/s41598-018-37453-2. 
198. Suarez-Salazar, J. C., J. A. Polania, A. T. Contreras Bastidas, L. Rodriguez Suarez, S. Beebe and I. Rao. 2019. Agronomical, phenological and physiological performance of common bean lines in the Amazon region of Colombia. Theoretical and Experimental Plant Physiology (in press).
197. Worthington, M., M. Ebina, N. Yamanaka, C. Heffelfinger, C. Quintero, Y. P. Zapata, J. G. Perez, M. Selvaraj, M. Ishitani, J. Duitama, J. F. De la Hoz, S-I. Tsuruta, I. Rao, J. Miles, S. Dellaporta, J. Tohme and J. Arango. 2019. Translocation of a parthenogenesis gene candidate to an alternate carrier chromosome in apomictic Brachiaria humidicola. BMC Genomics (in press).
196. Karwat, H., K. Egenolf, J. Nuñez, I. Rao, F. Rasche, J. Arango, D. Moreta, A. Arevalo, G. Cadisch. 2018. Low 15N natural abundance in shoot tissue of Brachiaria humidicola is an indicator of reduced N losses due to biological nitrification inhibition (BNI). Frontiers in Microbiology 9: 2383 (1-9). Doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02383.
195. Diaz L. M., J. Ricaurte, E. Tovar, C. Cajiao, H. Teran, M. Grajales, J. Polania, I. Rao, S. Beebe and B. Raatz. 2018. QTL analyses for tolerance to several abiotic stresses in a common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) population. PLoS ONE 13 (8): e0202342.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0202342. 
194. Barbosa, N., E. Portilla, H. F. Buendia, B. Raatz, S. Beebe and I. M. Rao. 2018. Genotypic differences in symbiotic nitrogen fixation ability and seed yield of climbing bean. Plant and Soil 428: 223-239.
193. Nuñez, J., A. Arevalo, H. Karwat, I. Rao, K. Egenolf, G. Cadisch, F. Rasche, G. Subbarao and J. Arango. 2018.  The biological nitrification inhibition activity in a soil-grown biparental population of a forage grass, Brachiaria humidicola. Plant Soil 426: 401-411.
192. Crespo-Munoz, S. C., M. Rivera, D. A. Roserio-Alpala, J. E. Munoz Florez,  I. Rao and L. C. Munoz Florez. 2018. Pollen viability of tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray) mutant lines under water stress conditions and inoculation with rhizobia. Acta Agronomica 67(2): 1-19. 
191. Mutimura, M., C. Ebong, I. M. Rao and I. V. Nsahlai. 2018. Effect of supplementing Brachiaria brizantha cultivar Piata and Napier grass with or without Desmodium distortum on feed intake, kinetic passage rate and milk production of crossbred dairy cows. Animal Nutrition 4: 222-227.
190. Schultze-Kraft, R., I. Rao, M. Peters and R. Clements, C. Bai and G. Liu. 2018. Tropical forage legumes for environmental benefits: An overview. Tropical Grasslands – Forrajes Tropicales 6: 1-14.
189. Chaves Barrantes, N. F., J. A. Polania, C. G. Munoz Perea, I. M. Rao and S. E. Beebe. 2018. Caracterzacion fenotípica de germoplasma promisorio de frijol comum por resistencia a sequia terminal. Agronomia Mesoamericana 29(1): 1-17.
188. Marrou, H., J. J. Ricaurte, M. E. Ghanem, J. A. Clavijo Michelaneli, L. Ghaouti, I. M. Rao and T. R. Sinclair. 2018. Is nitrogen accumulation in grain legumes responsive to growth or ontogeny? Physiologia Plantarum 162: 109-122.
187.  Chirinda, N., L. Arenas, S. Loaiza, C. Trujillo, M. Katto, P. Chaparro, J. Nuñez, J. Arango, D. Martinez-Baron, A. M. Loboguerrero, L. A. Becerra Lopez-Lavalle, I. Avila, M. Guzmán, M. Peters, J. Twyman, M. García, L. Serna, D. Escobar, D. Arora, J. Tapasco, L. Mazabel, F. Correa, M. Ishitani, M. Da Silva, E. Graterol, S. Jaramillo, A. Pinto, A. Zuluaga, N. Lozano, R. Byrnes, G. LaHue, C. Alvarez, I. Rao and R. Barahona. 2017. Novel technological and management options for accelerating transformational changes in rice and livestock systems. Sustainability 9: 1891. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su9111891.
186.  Bhakta, M., S. Gezan, J. Claviho, M. Carvalho, L. Zhang, J. Jones, K. Boote, M. Correll, J. Beaver, J. Osarno, R. Colbert, I. Rao, S. Beebe, A. Gonzalez, J. Ricaurte and C. Vallejos. 2017. A predictive model for time-to-flowering in the common bean based on QTL and environmental variables. G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics 7: 3901-3912.
185. Mutimura, M., C. Ebong, I. M. Rao and I. V. Nsahlai. 2017. Effect of cutting time on agronomic and nutritional characteristics of nine commercial cultivars of Brachiaria compared with Napier grass during establishment under semi-arid conditions in Rwanda. African Journal of Agricultural Research 12: 2692-2703.
184. Louw-Gaume, A. E., N. Schweizer, I. M. Rao, A. J. Gaume and E. Frossard. 2017. Temporal differences in plant growth and root exudation of two Brachiaria grasses and their role in adaptation to low phosphorus supply. Tropical Grasslands – Forrajes Tropicales 5: 103-116.
183. Polania, J., C. Poschenrieder, I. Rao and S. Beebe. 2017. Root traits and their potential links to plant ideotypes to improve drought resistance in common bean. Theoretical and Experimental Plant Physiology 29: 143-154. DOI 10.1007/s40626-017-0090-1. 
182. Karwat, H., D. Moreta, J. Arango, J. Núñez, I. Rao, A. Rincón, F. Rasche and G. Cadisch. 2017. Residual effect of biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) by Brachiaria humidicola pasture on nitrogen recovery and grain yield of subsequent maize. Plant and Soil 420: 389-406. 
181. Odokonyero, K., T. B. Acuña, J. A. Cardoso, J. C. Jimenéz, I. M. Rao, J. Nùñez and J. Arango. 2017. Potential role of fungal endophytes in biological nitrification inhibition in Brachiaria grass species. Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Physiology 5: 191. doi:10.4172/2329-9029.1000191. 
180. Odokonyero, K., T. B. Acuña, J. A. Cardoso, J. C. Jimenéz and I. M. Rao. 2017. Effect of endophyte association with Brachiaria species on shoot and root morpho-physiological responses under drought stress. Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Physiology 5: 190. doi:10.4172/2329-9029.1000190. 
179. Subbarao G. V., J. Arango, K. Masahiro, A.M. Hooper, T. Yoshihashi, Y. Ando, K. Nakahara, S. Deshpande, I. Ortiz-Monasterio, M. Ishitani, M. Peters, N. Chirinda, L. Wollenberg, J.C. Lata, B. Gerard, S. Tobita, I.M. Rao, H.J. Braun, V. Kommerell, J. Tohme and M. Iwanaga. 2017. Genetic mitigation strategies to tackle agricultural GHG emissions: The case for biological nitrification inhibition technology. Plant Science 262: 165-168.
178. Assefa, T., I. M. Rao, J. Wu, Z. Gutema, M. Blair, P. Otyama, F. Alemayehu, B. Dagne. 2017. Improving adaptation to drought stress in white pea bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L): genotypic effects on grain yield, yield components and pod harvest index. Plant Breeding 136: 548-561.
177. Zhang, L., S. A. Gezan, C. E. Vallejos, J. W. Jones, K. J. Boote, J. A. C. Michelangeli, M. Bhakta, J. M. Osorno, I. M. Rao, S. Beebe, E. Roman-Paoli, A. Gonzalez, J. Beaver, J. Ricaurte, R. Colbert and M. J. Correll. 2017.  Development of a QTL-environment-based predictive model for node addition rate in common bean. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 130: 1065-1079.
176. Polania, J., I. M. Rao, C. Cajiao, M. Grajales, M. Rivera, F. Velasquez, B. Raatz and S. E. Beebe. 2017. Shoot and Root Traits Contribute to Drought Resistance in Recombinant Inbred Lines of MD 23-24 x SEA 5 of Common Bean. Frontiers in Plant Science 8, 296. 
175. Rao, I. M., S. E. Beebe, J. Polania, M. Grajales, C. Cajiao, J. Ricaurte, R. Garcia and M. Rivera. 2017. Evidence for genotypic differences among elite lines of common bean in their ability to remobilize photosynthate to increase yield under drought. Journal of Agricultural Science 155: 857-875. DOI:10.1017/S0021859616000915.
174. Diaz L. M., J. Ricaurte, C. Cajiao, C. Galeano, I. Rao, S. Beebe and B. Raatz. 2017. Phenotypic evaluation and QTL analysis of yield and symbiotic nitrogen fixation in a common bean population grown with two levels of phosphorus supply. Molecular Breeding 37: 76. doi:10.1007/s11032-017-0673-1.
173. Jiménez, J. C., J. A. Cardoso, L. F. Leiva, J. Gil, M. G. Forero, M. L. Worthington, J. W. Miles and I. M. Rao. 2017. Non-destructive phenotyping to identify Brachiaria hybrids tolerant to waterlogging stress under field conditions. Frontiers in Plant Science 8: Article 167, 1-10. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2017.00167.
172. Byrnes, R. C., J. Nùñez, L. Arenas, I. Rao, C. Trujillo, C. Alvarez, J. Arango, F. Rasche and N. Chirinda. 2017. Biological nitrification inhibition by Brachiaria grasses mitigates soil nitrous oxide emissions from bovine urine patches. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 107: 156-163.
171. Gaitan, L., P. Laderach, S. Graefe, I. Rao and R. van der Hoek. 2016. Climate-smart livestock systems: An assessment of carbon stocks and GHG emissions in Nicaragua. PLOS ONE 11 (12): 1-19. e0167949. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0167949
170. Polania, J., C. Poschenreider, I. Rao and S. Beebe. 2016. Estimation of phenotypic variability in SNF ability of common bean using 15N natural abundance in grain under drought stress. European Journal of Agronomy 79: 66-73.
169. Odokonyero, K., T. B. Acuña, J. A. Cardoso, J. C. Jimenez and I. M. Rao. 2016. Fungal endophyte association with Brachiaria grasses and its influence on plant water status, total non-structural carbohydrates and biomass production under drought stress. Plant and Soil 409: 273-282. doi:10.1007/s11104-016-2947-5
168. Polania, J., C. Poschenreider, I. Rao and S. Beebe. 2016. Effective use of water (EUW) and remobilization of photosynthates to grain contribute to improved adaptation to drought in common bean. Frontiers in Plant Science 7: 660 (1-10).
167. Ricaurte, J. A., J. A. C. Michelangeli, T. R. Sinclair, I. M. Rao and S. E. Beebe. 2016. Sowing density effect on common bean leaf area development. Crop Science 56: 2713-2721.
166. Rao, I. M., J. W. Miles, S. E. Beebe and W. J. Horst. 2016. Root adaptations to soils with low fertility and toxicities. Annals of Botany 118: 593-605. 
165. Mutimura, M., C. Ebong, I. Rao and I. Nsahlai. 2016. Changes in intake and body weight of crossbred (Ankole × Jersey) dairy heifers fed on cut-and-carry forage system of Brachiaria grass or Napier grass supplemented with commercial concentrates. Tropical Animal Health and Production 48: 741-746.
164. Rudel, T. K., O-J. Kwon, B. Paul, M. Boval, I. M. Rao, D. Burbano, M. McGroddy, A. Lerner, D. White, M. Cuchillo, M. Luna and M. Peters. 2016. Does mixed crop – livestock farming encourage sustainable agricultural practices?: A meta-analysis. Land 5(1), 6; doi:10.3390/land5010006.
163. Polania, J., I. Rao, C. Cajiao, M. Rivera, B. Raatz and S. Beebe. 2016. Physiological traits associated with drought resistance in Andean and Mesoamerican genotypes of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Euphytica 210: 17-29.
162. Cardoso, J. A., M. Pineda, J. Jiménez, M. Vergara and I. Rao. 2015. Contrasting strategies to cope with drought conditions by two tropical forage C4 grasses. AoB plants 7:plv107 DOI:10.1093/aobpla/plv107. 
161. Jiménez, J. C., J. A. Cardoso, D. Arango, G. Fischer and I. Rao. 2015. Influence of soil fertility on waterlogging tolerance of two Brachiaria grasses. Agronomia Colombiana 33: 20-28.
160. Jiménez, J. C., J. Cardoso, M. Dominguez, G. Fischer and I. Rao. 2015. Morpho-anatomical traits of root and non-enzymatic antioxidant system of leaf tissue contribute to waterlogging tolerance in Brachiaria grasses. Grassland Science 61: 243-252. 
159. Rudel, T. K., B. Paul, D. White, I. M. Rao, R. van der Hoek, A. Castro, M. Boval, A. Lerner, L. Schneider and M. Peters. 2015. LivestockPlus: Forages, sustainable intensification, and food security in the tropics. Ambio 44: 685-693.
158. Shahadat Hossain Khan, M., T. Wagatsuma, A. Akhter and I. M. Rao. 2015. Differences among rice cultivars in their adaptation to low ionic strength solution with toxic level of aluminum that mimics tropical acid soil conditions. Journal of Plant Nutrition 38: 1973-1983.
157. Maass, B. L., C. A. O. Midega, M. Mutimura, V. B. Rahetlah, P. Salgado, J. M. Kibirizi, Z. R. Khan, S. R. Ghimire and I. M. Rao. 2015. Homecoming of Brachiaria: Improved hybrids prove useful for African animal agriculture. East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal 81: 71-78.
156. Mutimura, M., C. Ebong, I. M. Rao and I. V. Nsahlai. 2015. Nutritional values of available ruminant feed resources in smallholder dairy farms in Rwanda. Tropical Animal Health and Production 47: 1131-1137.
155. Nesper, M., E. K. Bünemann, S. J. Fonte, I. M. Rao, J. E. Velásquez, B. Ramirez, D. Hegglin, E. Frossard and A. Oberson. 2015. Pasture degradation decreases organic P content of tropical soils due to soil structural decline. Geoderma 257-258: 123-133.
154. Assefa, T., J. Wu, S. Beebe, I. M. Rao, D. Marcomin and J. C. Rubyogo. 2015. Improving adaptation to drought stress in small red common bean: Phenotypic differences and predicted genotypic effects on grain yield, yield components and harvest index. Euphytica 203: 477-489. 
153. Gaur, P. M., S. Samineni, L. Krishnamurthy, S. Kumar, M. E Ghanem, S. Beebe, I. Rao, S. K Chaturvedi, P. S. Basu, H. Nayyar, V. Jayalakshmi, A. Babbar and R. K. Varshney. 2015. High temperature tolerance in grain legumes. Legume Perspectives 7: 23-24. 
152. Subbarao, G. V., T. Yoshihashi, M. Worthington, K. Nakahara, Y. Ando, K. L. Sahrawat, I. M. Rao, J. C. Lata, M. Kishii and H. J. Braun. 2015. Suppression of soil nitrification by plants. Plant Science 233: 155-164.
151. Araújo, S. S., S. Beebe, M. Crespi, B. Delbreil, E. M. González, V. Gruber, I. Lejeune-Henaut, W. Link, M. J. Monteros, E. Prats, I. Rao, V. Vadez and M. C. Vaz Patto. 2015. Abiotic stress responses in legumes: Strategies used to cope with environmental challenges. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences 34: 237-280.
150. Rao I. M., M. Peters, A. Castro, R. Schultze-Kraft, D. White, M. Fisher, J. Miles, C. Lascano, M. Blümmel, D. Bungenstab, J. Tapasco, G. Hyman, A. Bolliger, B. Paul, R. van der Hoek, B. Maass, T. Tiemann, M. Cuchillo, S. Douxchamps, C. Villanueva, A. Rincón, M. Ayarza, T. Rosenstock, G. Subbarao, J. Arango, J. Cardoso, M. Worthington, N. Chirinda, A. Notenbaert, A. Jenet, A. Schmidt, N. Vivas, R. Lefroy, K. Fahrney, E. Guimarães, J. Tohme, S. Cook, M. Herrero, M. Chacón, T. Searchinger and T. Rudel. 2015. LivestockPlus – The sustainable intensification of forage-based systems to improve livelihoods and ecosystem services in the tropics. Tropical Grasslands–Forrajes Tropicales 3: 59-82.
149. Rao, I. M., M. Peters, R. van der Hoek, A. Castro, G. V. Subbarao, G. Cadisch and A. Rincón. 2014. Tropical forage-based systems for climate-smart livestock production in Latin America. Rural21 4: 12-15.
148. Ghanepour, S., Shakiba, M-R., Toorchi, M., Oustan, S. and I. M. Rao. 2014. Physiological changes associated with soil drought stress in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) as influenced by zinc supply. International Journal of Biosciences 5: 232-241.   
147. Fenta, B. A., S. E. Beebe, I. M. Rao and K. J. Kunert. 2014. Association of nodule performance traits with shoot performance traits of common bean under drought stress. Journal of Crop Improvement 28: 418-435.
146. Cardoso, J. A., J. C. Jimenez and I. M. Rao. 2014. Waterlogging-induced changes in root architecture of germplasm accessions of the tropical forage grass, Brachiaria humidicola. AoB plants 6: 1-13 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plu017.
145. Beebe, S. E., I. M. Rao, M. J. Devi and J. Polania. 2014. Common beans, biodiversity and multiple stress: Challenges of drought resistance in tropical soils. Crop and Pasture Science 65: 667-675. 
144.  Cardoso, J. A., J. Jiménez, J. Rincón and I. Rao. 2014. Adaptive responses of Brachiaria grasses to hypoxia stress. Tropical Grasslands – Forrajes Tropicales 2: 21-23.
143. Djikeng, A., I. M Rao, D. Njarui, M. Mutimura, J. Caradus, S. R. Ghimire, L. Johnson, J. A. Cardoso, M. K. Ahonsi and S. Kelemu. 2014. Climate-smart Brachiaria grasses for improving livestock production in East Africa. Tropical Grasslands – Forrajes Tropicales 2: 38-39. 
142.  Arango, J., D. Moreta, J. Nuñez, K. Hartmann, M. Dominguez, M. Ishitani, J. Miles, G. Subbarao, M. Peters and I. Rao. 2014. Developing methods to evaluate phenotypic variability in Biological Nitrification Inhibition (BNI) capacity of Brachiaria grasses. Tropical Grasslands – Forrajes Tropicales 2: 6-8.
141.  Rao, I., M. Ishitani, J. Miles, M. Peters, J. Tohme, J. Arango, D. E. Moreta, H. Lopez, A. Castro, R. van der Hoek, S. Martens, G. Hyman, J. Tapasco, J. Duitama, H. Suarez, G. Borrero, J. Núñez, K. Hartmann, M. Dominguez, M. Sotelo, D. Vergara, P. Lavelle, G. V. Subbarao, A. Rincon, C. Plazas, R. Mendoza, L. Rathjen, H. Karwat and G. Cadisch. 2014. Climate-smart crop-livestock systems for smallholders in the tropics: Integration of new forage hybrids to intensify agriculture and to mitigate climate change through regulation of nitrification in soil. Tropical Grasslands – Forrajes Tropicales 2: 130-132.
140.  Moreta, D. E., J. Arango, M. Sotelo, D. Vergara, A. Rincón, M. Ishitani, A. Castro, J. Miles, M. Peters, J. Tohme, G. V. Subbarao and I. M. Rao. 2014. Biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) in Brachiaria pastures: A novel strategy to improve eco-efficiency of crop-livestock systems and to mitigate climate change. Tropical Grasslands – Forrajes Tropicales 2: 88-91.
139. Douxchamps, S., I. M. Rao, M. Peters, R. van der Hoek, A. Schmidt, S. Martens, J. Polania, M. Mena, C. Binder, R. Scholl, A. Mosimann, F. Holman, M. Quintero, M. Kreuzer, E. Frossard and A. Oberson. 2014. Farm-scale trade-offs between legume use as forage vs. green manure: The case of Canavalia brasiliensis. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems 38: 25-45.

Invited Contributions to Books

65. Polania, J. A. and Idupulapati M. Rao. 2019. Drought resistance of common bean: Water spending and water saving plant ideotypes. In: M. Pessarakli (ed). Handbook of Plant and Crop Stress. 4th Edition. CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group, USA. 
64. Cardoso, J. A. and Idupulapati M. Rao. 2019. Drought resistance of tropical forage grasses: Opening a fertile ground for innovative research. In: M. Pessarakli (ed). Handbook of Plant and Crop Stress. 4th Edition. CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group, USA. 
63. Stevenel, P., E. Frossard, S. Abiven, I.M. Rao and A. Oberson. (2018). Using a tri-isotope (13C, 15N, 33P) labeling method to quantify rhizodeposition. In: D. Reinhardt (ed). Rhizosphere Biology: Important approaches and methods. Springer Press.
62. Rao, I. M. 2018. Phaseolus beans. In: H. C. Wein and H. Stutzel (eds.) The Physiology of Vegetable Crops, 2nd edition. CABI, Wallingford, UK. 
61. Margenot, A. J., B. R. Singh, I. M. Rao and R. Sommer. 2016. Phosphorus fertilization and management in soils of Sub-Saharan Africa. In: R. Lal and B. A. Stewart (eds.) Soil Phosphorus, pp. 151-208. Advances in Soil Science. Taylor and Francis Group, USA.
60. Rychter, A. M., I. M. Rao and J. A. Cardoso. 2016. Role of phosphorus in photosynthetic carbon assimilation and partitioning. In: M. Pessarakli (ed).  Handbook of Photosynthesis, 3rd Edition, pp. 603-625. CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group, USA.
59. Castro, A., M. Rivera, O. Ferreira, E. Amézquita, L. Alvarez-Wélchez and I. Rao. 2015. Agroforestry generates multiple ecosystem services on hillsides of Central America. In: Understanding Mountain Soils: A contribution from mountain areas to the International Year of Soils 2015, R. Romeo, A. Vita, S. Manuelli, E. Zanini, M. Freppaz and S. Stanchi (eds.), FAO, Rome, Italy, pp. 10-12.
58. Rao, I. M. 2014. Advances in improving adaptation of common bean and Brachiaria forage grasses to abiotic stresses in the tropics. In: M. Pessarakli (ed). Handbook of Plant and Crop Physiology, Third Edition. pp. 847-889. CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group, USA.

Papers Published in Conference Proceedings

68. Stevenel, P., E. Frossard, S. Abiven, I.M. Rao, F. Tamburini and A. Oberson. (2018). Tri-isotope (13C, 15N, 33P) labeling method to quantify rhizodeposition from a legume. Proceedings of the papers presented at 20th Nitrogen Workshop: Coupling C-N-P-S Cycles, held from June 25 to 27, 2018.  Rennes, France. 
67. Chirinda, N., L. Arenas, S. Loaiza, C. Trujillo, M. Katto, P. Chaparro, J. Nuñez, J. Arango, D. Martinez-Baron, A. M. Loboguerrero, L. A. Becerra Lopez-Lavalle, I. Avila, M. Guzmán, M. Peters, J. Twyman, M. García, L. Serna, D. Escobar, D. Arora, J. Tapasco, L. Mazabel, F. Correa, M. Ishitani, M. Da Silva, E. Graterol, S. Jaramillo, A. Pinto, A. Zuluaga, N. Lozano, R. Byrnes, G. LaHue, C. Alvarez, I. Rao and R. Barahona. 2017. Novel technological and management options for accelerating transformational changes in rice and livestock systems. Proceedings of the 23rd International Sustainable Development Research Society (ISDRS) Conference held in Bogota, Colombia, 14-16 June 2017. http://programme.exordo.com/isdrs2017/delegates/presentation/359/
66. Rao, I., J. Arango, M. Ishitani, M. Peters, J. Miles, J. Tohme, A. Castro, J. A. Cardoso, M. Worthington, M. Selvaraj, R. van der Hoek, R. Schultze-Kraft, A. Rincón, C. Plazas, R. Mendoza, M. Cuchillo, J. Tapasco, J. Martínez, G. Hyman, D. Moreta, M. Mena, H. Karwat, J. Núñez, G. Subbarao and G. Cadisch. 2015. Strategic management for forage production and mitigation of environmental effects: Development of Brachiaria grasses to inhibit nitrification in soil. In: A. R. Evangelista, C. L. S. Avila, D. R. Casagrande, M. A. S. Lara and T. F. Bernardes (eds.) Proceedings of the 1st international conference on forages in warm climates. Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, MG 1 to 3 June 2015 (invited).
65. Maass, B. L., C. A. O. Midega, M. Mutimura, V. B. Rahetlah, P. Salgado, J. M. Kibirizi, Z. R. Khan, S. R. Ghimire and I. M. Rao. 2014. Homecoming of Brachiaria:  Improved hybrids prove useful for African animal agriculture. Proceedings of 6th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture held in Nairobi, Kenya, 27-30 October, 2014 (invited).
64. Schultze-Kraft, R., I. Rao and M. Peters. 2014. Tropical forage legumes and the environment. Proceedings of the IISIMPRUPASTO held at Universidade Federal do Maranháo, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil, 30 October to 01 November, 2014 (invited).
63. Borrero, G., A. Castro, J. E. Baquero, N. Asakawa, O, Arguello, J. Bernal, N, Rodriguez, O. Gallo, N. Marín and I. M. Rao. 2014. Disponibilidad de fosforo bajo diferentes usos y manejos de Oxisoles en la altillanura Colombiana. Paper presented at the XX Colombian Congress of Soil Science at Popayan, Cauca, Colombia.
62.   Borrero, G., N. Asakawa, A. Castro, J.E.  Baquero, O. Arguello, O. Gallo, I.M. Rao, N. Marin. 2014. Fracciones de fósforo y materia orgánica en Oxisol Colombiano bajo diferentes cultivos. Proceedings of the XX Congreso Latinoamericano y XVI Congreso Peruano de la Ciencia del Suelo. 9-15 November 2014. Cusco, Peru.
61.   Rivera, M., J. Polania, G. Borrero, S. E. Beebe and I. M. Rao. 2014. Efecto de la compactación de suelo en características morfo-fisiológicas de frijol comun. Proceedins of the XX Congreso Latinoamericano y XVI Congreso Peruano de la Ciencia del Suelo. 9-15 November 2014. Cusco, Peru.
60.  Subbarao, G. V., I.M. Rao, K. Nakahara, Y. Ando, K.L. Sahrawat, T. Tsehaye, J.C. Lata, S. Boudsocq, J.W. Miles, M. Ishitani and M. Peters. 2013. Nitrogen management in grasslands and forage-based production systems – Role of biological nitrification inhibition (BNI). In Proceedings of the 22nd International Grasslands Congress. Sydney, Australia, pp. 1468-1472 (Keynote paper).
59.  Peters, M., Herrero, M., Fisher, M., Erb, K.-H., Rao, I., Subbarao, G. V, Castro, A., Arango, J., Chara, J., Murgueitio, E., van der Hoek, R., Laderach, P., Hyman, G., Tapasco, J., Strassburg, B., Paul, B.K., Rincon, A., Schultze-Kraft, R., Fonte, S., Searchinger, T. 2013. Challenges and opportunities for improving eco-efficiency of tropical forage-based systems to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. In Proceedings of the 22nd International Grasslands Congress. Sydney, Australia, pp. 1251-1260 (Keynote paper).
59. Djikeng, A., I. M Rao, D. Njarui, M. Mutimura, J. Caradus, S. R. Ghimire, L. Johnson, J. A. Cardoso, MK. Ahonsi and S. Kelemu. 2013. Climate-smart Brachiaria grasses for improving livestock production in East Africa. In Proceedings of the 22nd International Grasslands Congress. Sydney, Australia, pp. 1333-1334. 
58.  Arango, J., D. Moreta, J. Nuñez, K. Hartmann, M. Dominguez, M. Ishitani, J. Miles, G. Subbarao, M. Peters and I. Rao. 2013. Developing methods to evaluate phenotypic variability in Biological Nitrification Inhibition (BNI) capacity of Brachiaria grasses. In Proceedings of the 22nd International Grasslands Congress. Sydney, Australia, pp. 1517-1519.
57.  Rao, I., M. Ishitani, J. Miles, M. Peters, J. Tohme, J. Arango, D. E. Moreta, H. Lopez, A. Castro, R. van der Hoek, S. Martens, G. Hyman, J. Tapasco, J. Duitama, H. Suarez, G. Borrero, J. Núñez, K. Hartmann, M. Dominguez, M. Sotelo, D. Vergara, P. Lavelle, G. V. Subbarao, A. Rincon, C. Plazas, R. Mendoza, L. Rathjen and G. Cadisch. 2013. Climate-smart crop-livestock systems for smallholders in the tropics: Integration of new forage hybrids to intensify agriculture and to mitigate climate change through regulation of nitrification in soil. In Proceedings of the 22nd International Grasslands Congress. Sydney, Australia, pp. 1331-1332.
56.  Moreta, D. E., J. Arango, M. Sotelo, D. Vergara, A. Rincón, M. Ishitani, A. Castro, J. Miles, M. Peters, J. Tohme, G. V. Subbarao and I. M. Rao. 2013. Biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) in Brachiaria pastures: A novel strategy to improve eco-efficiency of crop-livestock systems and to mitigate climate change. In Proceedings of the 22nd International Grasslands Congress. Sydney, Australia, pp. 980-981.
55.  Cardoso, J. A., J. Jiménez, J. Rincón, E. Guevara, R. van der Hoek, A. Jarvis, M. Peters, J. Miles, M. Ayarza, S. Cajas, A. Rincón, H. Mateus, J. Quiceno, W. Barragán, C. Lascano, P. Argel, M. Mena, L. Hertentains and I. Rao.  2013. Advances in improving tolerance to waterlogging in Brachiaria grasses. In Proceedings of the 22nd International Grasslands Congress. Sydney, Australia, pp. 118-121.
54.  Cardoso, J. A., J. Jiménez, J. Rincón and I. Rao. 2013. Adaptive responses of Brachiaria grasses to hypoxia stress. In Proceedings of the 22nd International Grasslands Congress. Sydney, Australia, pp. 137-138.
53.    Kahle, R., I. Rao and G. Cadisch. 2012. Response of different tropical forage legumes under stress factors of acid soil and drought. Proceedings of the Deutsche Tropentag,  Gottingen, Germany.
52. van der Hoek, R., B. Mendoza, M. Mena, G. Bonilla, J. Pavón, O. Téllez, L. Rousseau, S. Fonte, P. Lavelle, A. Castro and  I. Rao. 2012. Advances in integration of agroforestry based crop-livestock systems in the hillsides of Nicaragua. Proceedings of the II International Symposium on Integrated Crop-livestock Systems. October 8 to 12, 2012. Porto Alegre, Brazil. 
51. van der Hoek, R., B. Mendoza, M. Mena, G. Bonilla, J. Pavón, O. Téllez, L. Rousseau, S. Fonte, P. Lavelle, A. Castro and  I. Rao. 2012. Advances in integration of agroforestry based crop-livestock systems in the hillsides of Nicaragua. Proceedings of the II International Symposium on Integrated Crop-livestock Systems. October 8 to 12, 2012. Porto Alegre, Brazil. 
50. Rao, I., E. Amézquita, J. H. Bernal, M. Rivera, A. Rincón, M. Ayarza, A. Castro, J. E. Baquero, M. Peters and E. Guimaraes. 2012. Advances in integration of crop-livestock systems in tropical savannas of Colombia. Proceedings of the II International Symposium on Integrated Crop-livestock Systems. October 8 to 12, 2012. Porto Alegre, Brazil. 
49. van der Hoek, R., M. Peters, M. Mena, R. Schultze-Kraft, A. Schmidt and I. Rao. 2012. Tropical forages to enhance sustainable intensification of mixed systems in Central America and the Caribbean. Proceedings of the 66th Southern Pastures and Forage Crop Improvement Conference. San Juan, Puerto Rico, June 6-9, 2012, p. 34 (invited paper).
48. Subbarao, G. V., T. Ishikawa, K. Nakahara, M. Ishitani and I. M. Rao. 2011. BNI (Biological Nitrification Inhibition) function in tropical Brachiaria pastures. Plenary paper presented at the III International Symposium on Forage Breeding held at Bonito, MS, Brazil, 7 to 11 November 2011. Published as CDROM (pp. 401-414).