Dr Sadasivan is well known for his work in mycology and plant pathology. His work on fungal wilts has attracted wide attention. His research work has considerable bearing on such fundamental concepts as production of toxins and antibiotics in soil and in the rhizosphere of plants and the changes in the physiology of the host. His recent studies concern the occurrence of blast disease of rice and its relationship with night temperatures. This has explained the hitherto unsolved problems of the causes of breakdown of resistance in rice to blast.