Current address:

Crop Science
School of Agricultural Sciences & Agribusiness
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Pietermaritzburg
South Africa

Phone: +27-33-260-5854

E-mail address: modiat@ukzn.ac.za

Education background

PhD: Ohio State University, USA (1999)
MSc: University of Natal, South Africa (1994)
BScAgric: University of Fort Hare, South Africa (1992)

Positions held

2006 - present: Associate Professor, University of KwaZulu-Natal
2001-2005: Senior Lecturer, University of Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal)
1996-2001: Lecturer, University of Natal
1994-1995: Agronomist, PHI-Hibred International

Research interest
My research interests are in seed physiology. My PhD was on water status changes in soybean seed during development and germination. Recent research projects were on alleviation of cotyledonal cracking in green beans using osmotic regulation during imbibition and through treatments with calcium. I am currently working on prediction of vegetable seed performance under laboratory and nursery conditions using seed desiccation tolerance as a primary test of seed vigour.

Papers
1. A.T. Modi, M.B. McDonald and J.G. Streeter (2002). Occurrence of soluble carbohydrates during soybean seed development and germination is related to in situ water status. Canadian Journal of Botany 80, 262-270.

2. A.T. Modi and BJ White (2004). Water potential of cherry tomato (Lycorpersicon esculentum Mill.) placenta and seed germination in response to desiccation during fruit development. Seed Science Research 14: 249-257.

3. AT. Modi. (2005). Assessment of pepper seed quality using desiccation tolerance. Seed Science and Technology, 33: 19-30.

4. T.G. Mazibuko and AT Modi. (2005) Regulation of water absorption by Ca2+ osmolarity alleviates cotyledonal cracking in green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Seed Science and Technology, 33: 303-313.