Media Coverage
Dr. Kesavan Subaharan
Staff Image
Designation
Discipline
Entomology
Email
Kesavan.Subaharan@icar.gov.in
subaharan_70@yahoo.com
Phone Number
080-2351-1982
080 - 29720554
Fax
080-2341-1961
Professional Experience
25 years
Qualification
M.Sc (Ag), Ph.D (Agrl. Entomology)
Specilization
• Chemical ecological approaches for pest management
• Neurobiology of insect olfaction
• Developing nanomatrix for controlled release of pheromones
• Neurobiology of insect olfaction
• Developing nanomatrix for controlled release of pheromones
Training
Training on chemoecological methods at National Centre for Biological Sciences – TIFR, 2015
Chemical analysis in insect chemical ecology at Chemical ecology unit, Dept. of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences 2008.
Attended a training to write a competitive research proposal for framework 7 projects Organized by Beutenberg campus - Max Planck Society, Germany - 2009.
Visiting fellow at Nano materials division at Chemistry and Physics of Materials unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, (Department of Science and Technology).
Attended Advanced course on Molecular basis of signal propagation and synaptic transmission in neurons at Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore - 2003.
DBT PDF programme on Olfactory learning and memory in Drosophila melanogaster at National Centre for Biological Sciences – TIFR – 2002 - 2004.
Awards and Honours
International
2016 – Invited by Govt. of Mauritius as an expert for a workshop on nanotechnology
2011 – Invited as expert to attend the group meeting on red palm weevil at Date Palm Weevil
Chair, King Saud University, Riyadh.
Chair, King Saud University, Riyadh.
2011 - Awarded Program Enhancement Fund to attend Annual meeting of the Entomology
Society of America
Society of America
2011 - Invited to deliver a public lecture on insect olfaction at College of Food and Agricultural
Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2008 - Visiting scientist at Max Planck Institute of Chemical Ecology, Germany
National
2023 – Adjunct Faculty at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
2023 – Chaired the session on Agriculture in Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO YSC) -
Young Scientist Conclave
Young Scientist Conclave
2020 - SBA – Dr. M. Swamiappan award for outstanding contribution to development of
Biointensive IPM technologies
Biointensive IPM technologies
2020 - Dr.R.J.Rabindra Best Scientific team award of ICAR – National Bureau of Agricultural
Insect Resources, Bangalore for 2020
Insect Resources, Bangalore for 2020
2019 - Best Scientist of the year award by ICAR-NBAIR
2019 - Award for innovation in Science by Dr. B. Vasantharaj David Foundation, Chennai,
India.
India.
2018 - DBT – Biotech Product Process Development and commercialization award
2018 - Republic Day Award and Gold medal for meritorious Service rendered in farmers welfare
by Govt. of Tamil Nadu
by Govt. of Tamil Nadu
2017 - Prof. T.N.Ananthakrishnan Foundation Senior Scientist award
2011 – ICAR – Central Plantation Crops Research Institute team research award
2010 – Indian Society for Plantation Crops Dr. C.S. Venkatraman memorial award for best
original research
original research
2009 - Lt. Col. Amit Singh Memorial award for developing novel concepts in pheromone release
device.
device.
2006 - Selected for interface between Noble laureates and Young scientist during the session
at 93 - Indian Science Congress at Hyderabad on 03.01.06 by Indian Science Congress Association, Kolkata
at 93 - Indian Science Congress at Hyderabad on 03.01.06 by Indian Science Congress Association, Kolkata
2005 - ICAR - Lal Bahadur Shastri National Young scientist award
1998 - Dr. A.N. Puri award for best Ph.D student in Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural
University.
University.
1998 – National first in Agricultural Research Service (ARS) examination in Agricultural
Entomology in 1996
Entomology in 1996
1997 - Recipient of ICAR Senior Research Fellowship for Ph.D.
1995 - Recipient of ASPEE research fellowship 1995 -1996.
Societal / Conference awards for best oral and poster presentation – 17 Nos.
Received Best oral presentation award for the talk titled “Developing a nanomatrix for delivery of Plutella xylostella pheromone presented during International Conference on Plant Protection in Horticulture: Advances and Challenges held during 24 – 27 July, 2019.
Received Best poster presentation award for the paper titled “Pheromone synergists of red palm weevil” presented during International Conference on Plant Protection in Horticulture: Advances and Challenges held during 24 – 27 July, 2019.
Received best Oral Presentation for a paper on “Controlled release matrix for delivery of South American tomato moth, Tuta absoluta pheromone” presented during the workshop of IAPPS working group on Tuta absoluta - Biology, Ecology and Management held during 27 – 29 September 2018.
Received Best poster presentation for a paper on Essential oil based nanoemulsion for housefly, Musca domestica management presented during First International Conference on Biological Control: Approaches and applications 27 – 29 September 2018.
Best oral presentation for the paper titled Physiological and behavioural response coconut red palm weevil Rhynchophorous ferrugineus to host volatiles authored by Kesavan Subaharan et al., during the V National Conference on Biological Control at Bangalore from 9 – 11 February 2017.
Best oral presentation for the paper titled Z dodecanol a kairomone for attraction of Exorista bombyscis authored by N. Bakthavatsalam et al., during the V National Conference on Biological Control at Bangalore from 9 – 11 February 2017
Best oral presentation for the paper on Occurrence of Tomato pin, Tuta absoluta and its management authored by Mohan et al., during the V National Conference on Biological Control at Bangalore from 9 – 11 February 2017
Received certificate of appreciation from Mr. Kathiravan, IAS, District Collector, Krishnagiri for developing and demonstrating eco-friendly pest management technologies. The award was given on 69 Republic day celebration at Krishnagiri on 27.12. 2017.
Best oral presentation award for the paper titled Nanomatrix for delivery of Ethyl 4 methyl octonoate the pheromone of rhinoceros’s beetle authored by Kesavan Subaharan et al., at International Symposium on Coconut Research and Development held at ICAR – CPCRI during 10 -12.11.16.
Best poster award for the paper titled “Cidal activity of Ajowan, Trachyspermum ammi essential oil and its component on housefly, Musca domestica” authored by M.Sowmya, Kesavan Subaharan and N.Bakthavatsalam presented in National Meeting on New/Safer Molecules and Biocontrol Technologies for Integrated Pest Management in Crops, held at Bangalore on 23.02.2015 .
Best poster award for the paper titled “Behavioral responses of parasitoids of coconut black headed caterpillar to herbivore induced plant volatiles” authored by ADNT Kumara, Kesavan Subaharan and A.K.Chakravarthy presented in National Meeting on New/Safer Molecules and Biocontrol Technologies for Integrated Pest Management in Crops, held at Bangalore on 23.02.2015 .
Best oral presentation for the invited lecture entitled “Behavioural manipulation methods in management of veterinary and agricultural pests” delivered in National Symposium on Entomology as a Science and IPM as a technology-the way forward held at College of Horticulture and Forestry, Central Agricultural University, Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh during November 13-15, 2014.
Best oral presentation for the paper titled Efficacy of Entomopathogenic nematodes in combination with imidacloprid against leucopholis burmestrii authored by Rajkumar, Jagdeesh Patil and Kesavan Subaharan in International Conference on Changing pest scenario of pest problems in Agri- Hortiecosystem and their management held from 27 -29 November 2014 at Udaipur.
Best paper award from Confederation of Horticulture Association of India 2013 award for best paper by Kesavan Subaharan et al., on Effect of sublethal dose of insecticides on electrophysiological and behavioral response of Bracon brevicornis a parasitoid of coconut black headed caterpillar, Opisina arenosella published in International Journal of Innovative Horticulture 1:74 -78,2012.
Received Best poster award in International Conference of Insect Science 2013 for the paper titled "Toxicity of newer insecticide molecules against Leucopholis coneophora" authored by Prathiba,P.S. Kesavan Subaharan and A.R.V.Kumar.
Received Best poster award in the International Conference on Coconut Biodiversity for Prosperity held at CPCRI, Kasaragod during 25 - 28 October 2010, for the poster on Emerging pests of coconut in India by Rajan,P., Joseph Rajkumar, Chandrika Mohan and K.Subaharan.
C.S.Venkatraman memorial award for the best original research presented during Plantation crops symposium PLACROSYM held from 7 - 10 December, 2010 for the paper titled Electrophysiological and behavioral response of Goniozus nephantidis a parasitoid of coconut black headed caterpillar, Opisina arenosella by Subaharan,K., Ravikumar and A.R.Prasad.
Brief Achievements
Developed a nanomatrix for sustained release of pheromone of Fall armyworm, rice stem borer, diamond back moth, tomato pinworm, rhinoceros beetle, red palm weevil, fruitflies and citrus leafminer. Technology commercialized the technology to nine firms.
Developed a kairomonal blend as a pheromone synergist for trapping coconut red palm weevil
Developed a slow release device for release of bioactive compound used in pest management
Developed a rearing technology for parasitoids of houseflies
Developed a insect neurosensory physiology coupled with chemical detection unit. The facilities were extended to students and scientists form following centres.
Characterized the olfactory receptor neurons of Manduca sexta to host volatiles.
Deciphered the peripheral olfactory response in O. nubilalis to be affected by autosomal and sex-linked genes exhibiting a cross-locus dominance effect.
Established the imaginal conditioning in Drosophila melanogaster adults was established by olfactory learning, this facilitated understanding the mechanism of learning and memory in Drosophila. The potassium channel on the neuronal membrane of D. melanogaster was characterized in learning mutant and wild type flies.
Standardized the protocol for establishing primary neuronal cell culture from larvae of coconut black headed caterpillar, Opisina arenosella.
Developed a technique for olfactory conditioning of Goniozus nephantidis a parasitoid of coconut black headed caterpillar, Opisina arenosella. Olfactory conditioning helped to increase the host searching ability of lab reared parasitoids.
Recognition
2021 – Associate Editor of International Journal of Tropical Insect Science
2021 – Associate Editor of Indian Journal of Entomology
2020 – Member, Board of Studies (Entomology) Annamalai University
2019 - Conferred Fellow of Indian Society for Plantation Crops for outstanding research in
Plantation Crops
Plantation Crops
2015 - Fellow of Society for Biocontrol Advancement.
2013 - Expert member in Central team to assess the impact of drought and eriophyid mite
damage in copra production in Andhra Pradesh - 2013.
damage in copra production in Andhra Pradesh - 2013.
2011 - Invited to attend the international conference on Agriculture and Rural Development at
Hail city in Saudi Arabia
Hail city in Saudi Arabia
2011 - Recipient of Travel grant to attend Entomology 2011, USA from Department of Science
and Technology, Govt. of India.
and Technology, Govt. of India.
2011 - Recipient of international travel grant from Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research to attend Entomology 2011 conference held at Reno, USA
Research to attend Entomology 2011 conference held at Reno, USA
Publications
Total Number of Publication = 25
Selected Publications
Subaharan, K., Senthamarai Selvan, P., Subramanya, T. M., Senthoorraja, R., Manjunath, S., Das, Tand Eswaramoorthy, M. (2022). Ultrasound-assisted nanoemulsion of Trachyspermum ammi essential oil and its constituent thymol on toxicity and biochemical aspect of Aedes aegypti. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-20870-2
Patil, J., Linga, V., Vijayakumar, R., Subaharan, K., Navik, O., Bakthavatsalam, N., & Sekhar, J. (2022). Biocontrol potential of entomopathogenic nematodes for the sustainable management of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in maize. Pest Management Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.6912
Olsson, S., Ameen, M., Bajpai, S., Gudasalamani, G., Gajjar, C., Gupta, S., & Subaharan, K. (2022). Framework For a Collective Definition of Regenerative Agriculture in India. Ecology, Economy and Society–the INSEE Journal, 5(1), 23-30.
Soujanya, P.L., Sekhar, J.C., Yathish, K.R., Karjagi, C.G., Rao, K.S., Suby, S.B., Jat, S.L., Kumar, B., Kumar, K., Vadessery, J. and Subaharan, K., 2022. Leaf Damage Based Phenotyping Technique and Its Validation Against Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith), in Maize. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2022.906207
Sivakumar, G., Mohan, M., Subaharan, K., Venkatesan, T., Yelshetti, S., Kannan, M., & Kumar, P. R. (2022). Gut bacteria mediated insecticide resistance in cotton leafhopper Amrasca biguttula biguttula. Current Science (00113891), 122(8).
Kamaljit Kaur, Sandeep Sharma, Ritika Gupta, Vinay Kumar Thirumalahatti Munikrishnappa, Mahima Chandel, Momin Ahamed, Nitin Kumar Singhal, Nandagopal Bakthavatsalam, Markandeya Gorantla, Eswaramoorthy Muthusamy, Kesavan Subaharan, and Vijayakumar Shanmugam. 2021. Nanomaze Lure: Pheromone Sandwich in Graphene Oxide Interlayers for Sustainable Targeted Pest Control ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2021 13 (41), 48349-48357 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c09118.
Kesavan Subaharan, Rajendran Senthoorraja, Sowmya Manjunath, Geetha G. Thimmegowda, Vppalayam Shanmugam Pragadheesh, Nandagopal Bakthavatsalam, Muthu Gounder Mohan, Sengottayan Senthil-Nathan, Karamankodu Jacob David, Sekarappa Basavarajappa, Chandish Ballal.2021. Toxicity, behavioural and biochemical effect of Piper betle L. essential oil and its constituents against housefly, Musca domestica L., Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology, Volume 174,2021, 104804, ISSN 0048-3575, doi.org/10.1016/j.pestbp.2021.104804.
Senthoorraja, R., Subaharan, K., Manjunath, S. et al. 2021.Electrophysiological, behavioural and biochemical effect of Ocimum basilicum oil and its constituents methyl chavicol and linalool on Musca domestica L.. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 50565–50578. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-14282-x
Dhanapal, R., Singh, R.N., Raghuraman, M. et al. 2021.Evaluation of predatory potential and prey stage preference of mirid bug, Nesidiocoris tenuis on tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta. Biologia 76, 2965–2971 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11756-021-00786-x
Yadav, K., Ali, S.A., Mohanty, A.K. et al. 2021. MSN, MWCNT and ZnO nanoparticle-induced CHO-K1 cell polarisation is linked to cytoskeleton ablation. J Nanobiotechnol 19, 45. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-021-00779-7
M.K. Rajesh,K.S. Muralikrishnaa, Swapna S. Nair, B. Krishna Kumar, T.M. Subrahmanyad, K.P. Sonue, K. Subaharan, H. Sweta, T.S. Keshava Prasad, Neeli Chandran, Indrani Karunasagar, K.B. Hebbara, Anitha Karun. 2020. Facile coconut inflorescence sap mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles and its diverse antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties. Materials Science & Engineering C 111 (2020) 110834
Raveendran,P., Kesavan Subaharan, Vibina Venugopal, K.P.Chandran, P.S.Prathiba and M.Suchitra. 2019. Essential oils in management of coconut. Rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros. Indian Journal of Entomology 81 (3) : 603 - 608
Venugopal, V. and Subaharan, K. 2019. “Electrophysiological and behavioral response of red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) to fermented coconut sap neera”, Journal of Plantation Crops, 47(2), pp. 82-89. doi: https://doi.org/10.25081/jpc.2019.v47.i2.5767.
Venugopal, V., & Subaharan, K. (2019). Olfactory response of red palm weevil, Rhynchophorous ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae), to host / food volatiles. Journal of PlantationCrops, 47(1),41-47.
P. Ravindran, Kesavan Subaharan, K.P. Chandran, V. Vibina, T.M. Subrahmaniyan and K.P.Sonu. .2019. Controlled delivery of essential oils for the management of rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros L.) in coconut. Journal of Plantation Crops 47 (1) : 37 – 40
Eurekha,S., K.M.Sreekumar, K.Subaharan,B.Ramesha and T.Santosh Kumar. 2019. Study on adult emergence, female calling and mating behavior in Maruca vitrata in Kerala. Entomon 44(1):73-78.
PS Prathibha, ARV Kumar, K Subaharan, V Venugopal. 2018. Influence of abiotic factors on behaviour and adult emergence pattern of white grub, Leucopholis coneophora Burmeister (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Phytoparasitica.46 (3): 341- 353.
J.Stanely, S.Chandraskaran, G.Preetha and K.Subaharan. 2018.Evidence of male pheromone in Conogethus punctiferalis (Lepidoptera:Pyralidae). Journal of Entomological Science 53 (4): 455- 466.
Nidhi Rawat, Sandhya, Kesavan Subaharan, M Eswaramoorthy and Gautam Kaul. 2017. Comparative in vivo toxicity assessment places multiwalled carbon nanotubes at a higher level than mesoporous silica nanoparticles. Toxicology and Industrial Health, 33(2): 182–192.
Nidhi Rawat, Sandhya, Kesavan Subaharan, M Eswaramoorthy and Gautam Kaul. 2017. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles is comparatively safer than Zinc Oxide NP which can cause profound steroidogenic effects on pregnant mice and male offspring exposed in utero. Toxicology and Industrial Health, 34 (8): 507 -524
K.S. Shameer, Andrea Clavijo McCormick, Kesavan Subaharan and M. Nasser.2017. Volatile organic compounds in healthy and Opisina arenosella Walker (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae) infested leaves of coconut palms. Entomon 42(2): 121-132
P. S. Prathibha,K. Subaharan and A. R. V. Kumar. 2017. Toxicity and dissipation of soil insecticides applied in the management of arecanut white grub, Leucopholis burmeisteri Brenk. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Phytoparasitica.45: 155 -163
Bakthavatsalam, N and Kesavan Subaharan.2016. Innovations in insect pest management: Interventions using insect derived volatiles. Indian Journal of Plant Genetic Resources 29(3): 399 -401
Vibhuti Munjal, Agisha Valiya Nadakkakath, Neelam Sheoran, Aditi Kundu, Vibina Venugopal, Kesavan Subaharan, Suseelabhai Rajamma, Santhosh J. Eapen, Aundy Kumar.2016. Genotyping and identification of broad-spectrum antimicrobial volatiles in black pepper root endophytic biocontrol agent, Bacillus megaterium BP17. Biological Control ,92: 66-76 –
Pawan Kumar Agrawal, Baldev Raj, Sindhu Radhakrishna Abraham Verghese, Kesavan Subaharan and Ankita Gupta. 2016. Human animal conflict. Current Science, 111 (10). 1581 -1582.
Abraham Verghese, Bakthavatsalam and Kesavan Subaharan. 2016. Chemoecological approaches for insect borer pest management. Current Science 111 (5): 783 – 784.
Verghese, A., Subaharan, K. and Sreerama Kumar, P. 2015. New, safer molecules and biocontrol technologies for integrated pest management in crops. Current Science, 109(10): 1766–1767.
ADNT. Kumara, M.Chandrasekariah, K.Subaharan and A.K.Chakravarthy. 2015. Periodicity of adult emergence and sexual behavior of coconut black headed caterpillar, Opisina arenosella Walker (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae). Phytoparasitica 43(5) :701- 712.
NeelamSheoran, AgishaValiyNadakkakathb, VibhutiMunjala, Aditi Kundu, Kesavan Subaharan, VibinaVenugopal, Suseelabhai Rajamma, Santhosh J. Eapen, Aundy Kumar. 2015. Genetic analysis of plant endophytic Pseudomonas putida BP25 and chemo-profiling of its antimicrobial volatile organic compounds. Microbiological Research 173: 66–78.
Patil, J, Rajkumar and Subaharan.K.2014. Virulence of Steinernema carpocapse and Heterorhabditis indica against coconut rhinoceros beetle Oryctes rhinoceros. Indian Journal of Nematology, 44:73-81.
Anna Späthe, Andreas Reinecke, Shannon B Olsson, Subaharan Kesavan, Markus Knaden and Bill S Hansson. 2013.Plant species- and status-specific odorant blends guide oviposition choice in the moth Manduca sexta. Chemical Senses 38(2): 147 - 159.
Shannon B. Olsson, Subaharan Kesevan, Astrid T. Groot, Teun Dekker, David G. Heckel, and Bill S.Hansson. 2010. Ostrinia revisited: Evidence for sex linkage in European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis pheromone reception, BMC in Evolutionary Biology, 10:285
Ravikumar, N., Subaharan,K., Janakiraman, T.N., HemalathaThiagarajan and B.M.K.Raju. 2013. Detecting motion of insects in varied environments using digital image analysis. Journal of Agrometereology. 1 -5:
Chalapathi Rao, N.B.V.Emmanual and Subaharan,K.2013. Impact of olfactory conditioned parasitoid, Goniozus nephantidis in suppression of Opisina arenosella in field conditions in Andhra Pradesh. Journal of Plantation Crops,41(3): 460 -462
Arunachalam, V, AgustineJerard, Elain Apsara, C.Jeyabose, Subaharan,K, Ravikumar,N, and Palanisami,C.2013. Digital phenotyping of coconut and morphological traits associated with eriophyid mite, Aceria guerreronis infestation. Journal of Plantation Crops 41(3):417 -424.
Rajamanikam,K., Jhonson,I., and Subaharan,K.2013. Evaluation of egg larval predator anthocorid bug, Cardiostethus exiguous against Opisina arenosella in Tamilnadu. Journal of Plantation Crops, 41 (3): 444-446.
Kesavan Subaharan, ARV.Kumar and PrabhuGaniger. 2012. Electrophysiological responses of chaffer beetle, Holotrichia serrata (F.) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Journal of Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences, 12: 155 – 159.
Kesavan Subaharan, Charles Sahayaraj, A.R.Prasad and N.Ravikumar. 2012. Effect of sub lethal dose of insecticides on electrophysiological and behavioral response of Bracon brevicornis a parasitoid of coconut black headed caterpillar, Opisina arenosella. International Journal of Innovative Horticulture 1 (1): 74 – 78.
Subaharan,K, Ravikumar, N and Prasad, A.R. 2011. Electrophysiological and behavioral response of Goniozus nephantidis to plant and host volatiles. Journal of Plantation Crops 39 (1): 78-85.
Technology Developed and Commercialized
1. Absorption and delivery of molecules using nanoporous materials
Technology is used for controlled delivery of tomato pinworm and Fall armyworm pheromone.
2.Rearing techniques for multiplication of housefly pupal parasitoid, Spalangia
This technology provides the technique for mass rearing housefly pupal parasitoid, Spalangia. The parasitoids are multiplied and used to contain fly population in cattle and poultry shed.
3.Rearing techniques for multiplication of housefly pupal parasitoid, Nasonia vitripennis
This technology provides the technique for mass rearing housefly pupal parasitoid, Spalangia. The parasitoids are multiplied and used to contain fly population in cattle and poultry shed.
4.Controlled release dispenser for delivery of semiochemicals
A controlled delivery matrix is developed for release of pheromone of coconut rhinoceros beetle, red palm weevil, rice yellow stem borer and brinjal shoot and fruit borer.
5.Insect formulations and methods there of
A method was developed to produce nanoemulsion of plant derived parts. The nanoemulsion is used as a repellent to manage the pest.
6.Variety released entering seed chain : Kalpa Haritha
Kalpa Haritha released has entered into seed chain. The variety has very less incidence of eriophyid mite infestation (8.87%), in comparison to 60.07% in the local control (WCT) under field conditions and is a boon to the coconut growers across the country to tide over the mite damage.
The variety has been released during 2012 and the planting material is being sold to farmers / developmental agencies and hence entered the seed chain.
