Jehangir Fardunji Dastur graduated from the University of Bombay in 1909 and specialized in mycology and plant pathology. He was the Head of the Division of Mycology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.

Academic and Research Achievements: An eminent mycologist, Dastur traced a disease of castor seedlings to a new fungus that was named after him, Phytophthora parasitica dastur. His other works include the study of a new mode of sexual reproduction in fungi, late blight of potatoes in the plains of Bihar and its investigations, black thread diseases of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) in Burma, cytology of Tilletia tritci rust of wheat, establishment of the mode of primary infection by smut in sugarcane and study of mosaic diseases of sugarcane. He also investigated a dry method of treating jowar seed against smut, foot rot disease of pan and wheat, anthracnose disease of cotton bolls, diseases of gram and rice, fink disease of orange trees and diseases of plantains, papaya, chillies, cucumber; and storage of potatoes.

Other Contributions: Dastur authored two books, Useful Plants of India and Pakistan and Medicinal Plants of India and Pakistan.

Awards and Honours: In 1971, Fardunji Dastur was privileged with the Indian Phytopathological Society’s Silver Jubilee Scroll of Honour. He was a Member and Fellow at Indian Society for Mycology and Plant Pathology, and was elected, in 1947, as the first President of the Indian Phytopathological Society.