Sourindra Mohan Sircar obtained PhD (1934) from University of London, UK. He served as Reader and Sir Rashbehary Ghose Professor of Botany, University of Calcutta; Director, Bose Institute; and Emeritus Scientist, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Academic and Research Achievements: Sircar worked extensively on vernalization and photoperiodism. His studies showed that induction of early flowering of rice by the application of short-day treatment to seedlings for varying periods could be achieved, and that the photoperiodic effect of short days is of a quantitative nature as the degree of earliness for flowering increases with the duration of treatment. His findings on the nutrition of the rice plant was the basis of the fertilizer requirements of the indica varieties. He established that the photosynthetic efficiency of rice is secondary in importance to the translocation of photosynthates from leaf and stem to the ripening grains, in so far as grain yield is concerned. Using radioactivity assay technique, he demonstrated that the local tall varieties are not photosynthetically less efficient; rather some of them are more efficient than the short japonica varieties but deficiency in transport to the grains is the cause of the relatively low yield. Sircar also authored the publication Plant Hormone Research in India (ICAR, 1971).

Other Contributions: Sircar served as Member of the INSA Council (1965-66).

Awards and Honours: Professor Sircar received the Paul Johannes Bruhl Memorial Medal of Asiatic Society); Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Memorial Prize (1968-70); and Birbal Sahni Gold Medal by Indian Botanical Society (1970). He was President of the Botany Section (1963) and also General President, Indian Science Congress (1977-78). He was elected Fellow of the German Academy of Natural Sciences, Asiatic Society, Botanical Society of Bengal, Indian Society of Plant Physiology, Indian Photobiological Society, and Plant Biochemical Society (sometime President); also General Secretary (1927-75) and Vice President of International Botanical Congress Association (1975).