Career
  • 1950 -1953 Wayne Township School.  Vocational Agricultural Teacher, Union City, Indiana.
  • 1953 -1956 Church of the Brethren Mission. Teacher and vice principal at Waka Teacher Training College, Biu, Nigeria. 
  • 1956 -1958 Purdue University Agronomy Department.  Teaching assistantship, Lafayette, Indiana.
  • 1958 -1960 Driver High School,. Vocational agriculture teacher, Winchester, Indiana.
  • 1960 -1969 Church of the Brethren Mission. Principal of Secondary Boarding School, Waka, Biu, Nigeria.  Assistant Field Secretary for the Mission in Nigeria.  Coordinator of the Christian Rural Fellowship of West Africa.  Acting Superintendent of Schools (1 Year). Chairman, Mission Rural Development Committee for farmer assistance and guidance. 
  • 1964 -1965 Nettle Creek School Corporation.  Vocational agriculture teacher, Hagerstown, Indiana.  
  • 1969 -1970 Purdue University Agronomy Department. Assistantship to Director of Indiana Grain Sorghum Commercial Testing Program and part-time graduate instructor of agronomy for junior and senior students.
  • 1970 -1973 Purdue University Agronomy Department.  Full-time graduate research assistant appointed as Assistant Director of Purdue-AID Sorghum Project. Supervised all project field operations in Indiana and Puerto Rico from planting through harvest and storage. Supervised sorghum breeding nursery planning and management.  Supervised computerization of field books, planning, and laboratory data analysis. Supervised and coordinated team of 4 technicians and 20 staff and graduate students.  Represented Purdue-AID Sorghum Project at the First Intra-American Sorghum Symposium, Brasilia (August1972).  Directed International Sorghum Protein Yield and Quality Trials and Breeding Nursery Seed Distribution Program in 19 countries. Continued as Director of the Indiana Grain Sorghum Commercial Test Program.
  • 1973 -1975 Purdue University Agronomy Department.  Research agronomist appointed as Assistant Director of the Purdue-AID Sorghum Project.
  • 1975 -1992 International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh, India. Program Leader, Principal Training Officer, Human Resource Development Program.  Coordinator of Post Doctoral Fellowships, Senior Research Fellowships, Research Fellowships, Research Scholarships (MSc and PhD degrees), six-month and national scientist applied-training programs, and apprenticeships. Mentored training participants representing 87 countries in all disciplines of the Institute.  Chaired or served on committees related to training, workshops, principal staff housing, staff council, computer management, editing of scientific publications, air-pollution control, transport management, cost management, regional technology-exchange systems, and staff policy.  Served as an official signatory for the Institute for over 10 years. Retired December 31, 1992.
 
Education
  • 1945   Ohio State Farmer Degree
  • 1945   High School Diploma, Jackson Township School, Union City, Ohio
  • 1945 -1947   Manchester College, Indiana
  • 1947 -1950 B.Sc.   Agricultural Education, Purdue University
  • 1956 -1958 M.Sc.   Agronomy, Soil Fertility, Plant Science, and Agricultural Education, Purdue University 
  • 1959   Life Teaching Certificate, State of Indiana
  • 1969 -1973 Ph.D.   Agronomy, Genetics, Physiology, Nutrition, and Agricultural Education, Purdue University

Research
  • M.Sc. (1958) Influence of Nitrogen Rates and Frequency of Clipping on Yield and Root Development of Bromegrass and Orchardgrass
  • Ph.D. (1973) Nutritional Quality of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench as Estimated by Polyphenols, Crude Protein, Amino Acid Composition and Rat Performance

Memberships
  • Alpha Zeta
  • American Genetics Association
  • American Society of Agronomy
  • American Society of Animal Science
  • CERES
  • Church of the Brethren
  • Future Farmers of America
  • Crop Science Society of America
  • Kappa Delta Pi
  • Society of Sigma Xi
  • Who's Who in America
  • Who's Who in the East

Publications
  • Oswalt, D.L., Bertrand, A.R., and Teel, M.R.  1959. Influence of nitrogen fertilization and clipping on grass roots.  Soil Science Society of America 23:228-230.
  • Oswalt, D.L., Schaffert, R.E., Pickett, R.C., and Axtell, J.D.  1972.  Relationships of chemical composition to biological values of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.  American Society of Agronomy Abstracts. p. 70.
  • Oswalt, D.L.  1972.  Proceedings of first international sorghum symposium.  Brasilia, Brazil.  August 28-31. 
  • Srinivasan G., and Oswalt, D.L.  1972.  Rat growth response related to grain sorghum.  Journal of Animal Science. 35:1110.
  • Schaffert, R.C., Oswalt, D.L., and Pickett, R.C.  1972.  Genotype by environment interaction effects for grain yield, protein, lysine, oil, and seed weight for Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.  American Society of Agronomy Abstracts. p. 19.
  • Hankins, B.J., Oswalt, D.L., and Weinland, K.M.  1972.  Prussic acid in forages.  Purdue University Agronomy Cooperative Extension Service.  AY 196 Mimeo.
  • Axtell, J.D., Pickett, R.C., Oswalt, D.L., Jambunathan, R., and Srinivasan, G.  1972.  Components of nutritional quality in grain sorghum.  Proceedings of CIMMYT-Purdue International Symposium on Protein Quality in Maize.  El Batan, Mexico.
  • Oswalt, D.L., Ibrahim, H.A, Cummings, D.  1973.  The influence of tannins and nutritional quality of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench as estimated by weanling rat weight gain.  American Society of Agronomy Abstracts. p. 65.
  • Pickett, R.C., and Oswalt, D.L.  1973.  Sorghum nutritional quality improvement.  Proceedings of International Sorghum Symposium held in Hyderabad, India.  Sorghum in the Seventies.
  • Axtell, J.D., Mertz, E.T., Pickett, R.C., Srinivassan, G., Jambunathan, R., Srinavasan, G. 1973. In Proceedings of CIMMYT-Purdue International Symposium on Protein Quality in Maize. CIMMYT, Mexico City, Mexico
  • Oswalt, D.L., Ibrahim, H.P., Axtell, J.D., Srinivassan, G.  Department of Agronomy, Purdue University. Presented at American Society of Animal Science Meetings, University of Nebraska. July 30, 1973.
  • Schaffert, R.E., Oswalt, D.L., and Axtell, J.D.  1974.  Effects of supplemental protein on the nutritive value of high and low tannin Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench for the growing rat.  Journal of Animal Science. 39:500-505.
  • Schaffert, R.E., Lechtenberg, V.L., Oswalt, D.L.,  Axtell, J.D., Pickett, R.C. and Rhykerd, C.L.  1974.  Effect of tannin on in vitro dry matter disappearance in sorghum grain.  Crop Science. 14:640-643.
  • Ibrahim, H.A., Axtell, J.D., Oswalt, D.L., and Srinivasan, G.  1973.  Effect of tannin in grain sorghum on rat growth.  Journal of American Science. 37:281.
  • Oswalt, D.L.  1974.  Testa and tannin characteristics associated with nutritional quality in Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench grain.  American Society of America Abstracts. p. 107. 
  • Oswalt, D.L.  1974.  Improved protein quality in cereal crops: Present utilization and future possibilities.  Proceedings of First World Population Society Meeting.  Washington, D.C., February 1974.
  • Featherston,W.R., Rogler, J.C., Axtell, J.D., and Oswalt, D.L.  1975.  Nutritional value of high lysine sorghum grain for the chick.  Poultry Science. 54:1220-1225.
  • Oswalt, D.L.  1975.  Management practices and factors limiting sorghum yields in low production situations.  Proceedings of International Sorghum Workshop.  Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.  January 1975.
  • Oswalt, D.L.  1975.  Estimating the biological effects of tannins in grain sorghum.  Proceedings of International Sorghum Workshop.  Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.  January 1975.
  • Oswalt, D.L. and Axtell, J.D.  1975.  Identifying grain sorghum varieties with a testa and low concentrations of tannins.  Crop Science.
  • Axtell, J.D., Oswalt, D.L., Mertz, E.T., Pickett, R.C., Jambunathan, R., and Srinivasan, G.  1975.  Components of nutritional quality in grain sorghum.  In High-Quality Protein Maize, Dowden, Hutchinson and Ross, Inc. PO Box 699, Stroudburg, PA. pp. 374-386.

Articles
  • Cooper, D.T., Gelaw, Bantayhu, Mohan, D.P., Mukuru, Samwiri, Oswalt, D.L., Schaffert, R.C., Singh, Rameshwar, and  Pickett, R.C. coordinator. (Purdue) Sorghum Research at Purdue University.  Vol. 14, SORGHUM NEWSLETTER. 1972.
  • Oswalt, D.L. and Pickett, R.C. (Purdue) The Status of Protein Evaluations and the World Sorghum Collection.  Vol. 15, SORGHUM NEWSLETTER. 1972
  • Oswalt, D.L., and Pickett, R.C. (Purdue) International Protein Yield Trials and Evaluation. Purdue- Aid Sorghum Project.  Vol. 15, SORGHUM NEWSLETTER. 1972.
  • Oswalt, D.L.  1975. A Comparison of Three-row and One-row Plots for the  Evaluation and Selection of Lines for Protein Content. International Sorghum Workshop, Mayaguaz, Puerto Rico (January)
  • Oswalt, D.L. and Picket, R.C. Influences of Tanins on Estimates of Protein Quality in Sorghum Bicolor (L.) Moench. 1975.
  • Oswalt, D.L. The Influence of Photoperiod Length and Temperature on Floral Initiation in Grain Sorghum.
  • Oswalt, D.L. Guidelines for Writing Materials and Methods.


Reports
  • Indiana Commercial Sorghum Testing Program Reports.  1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, and 1974.  (125 on mailing list.)
  • Research Progress Reports: Inheritance and Improvement of Protein Quality and Content in Sorghum.  Department of Agronomy, Agricultural Experiment Station, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.  AID Report, Department of State, Washington, D.C.   Co Editor Reports;  1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, and 1974.  (600 on mailing list representing 68 countries.)
  • Oswalt, D.L. Feed the Chickens Good Quality Grain Sorghum, but Maintain Partial Bird Protection. Department of Agronomy, Purdue University. 1974.
  • Oswalt, D.L. (Purdue) Select Line Protein Evaluation. Vol. 17, Sorghum Newsleter. 1974
  • Oswalt, D.L. (Purdue) Sources of Downy Mildew Resistant Varieties (Grain Sorghum). Vol. 17, Sorghum Newsletter, 1974
  • Axtell, J.D., Oswalt, D.L., Rambo, G., Tuite, J., Aflotoxins and Fungi in Sorghum Seed. 1975. Lilly Endowment Funds. 1st Report, January 1975.
  • Handbook: GRAIN SORGHUM NURSERY MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK WITH SELECTED PROCEDURES FOR ESTIMATING GRAIN QUALITY AND QUANTITY. 1975.  D.L. Oswalt. Department of Agronomy, International Programs in Agriculture, Agriculture Experiment Station, Purdue University. pp. 47
  • Grain Sorghum International Protein Yield and Quality Trials -  Report No. 1. 1973.  Purdue University Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin; Report No. 2. 1974.  Purdue University Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin; Report No. 3. 1975.  Purdue University Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin  
  • Skill Development Series: Human Resource Development Program Publications, ICRISAT, P.O.  Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh 502 324, India.
  • SDS no   1:  A Glossary for Crop Improvement. 1991 (Revised July 1992). Nagur, T., Oswalt, D.L., and Faujdar Singh. pp. 44  
  • SDS no   2:  Agronomic Practices for Experimentation. 1991 (Revised July 1992). Dasgupta, S.K., and Oswalt, D.L.  pp. 41
  • SDS no   3:  Groundnut Production Practices. 1991.  Faujdar Singh and Oswalt, D.L. pp. 40
  • SDS no   4:  Genetics and Breeding of Groundnut. 1992.  Faujdar Singh and Oswalt, D.L. pp. 56
  • SDS no   5:  Management Procedures for Pearl Millet Improvement. 1992.  Nagur, T., Biwakar, B., and Oswalt, D.L. pp. 76.
  • SDS no   6:  Major Diseases of Groundnut. 1992.  Faujdar Singh and Oswalt, D.L. pp. 48
  • SDS no   7:   Major Insects of Groundnut. 1992.  Faujdar Singh and Oswalt, D.L. pp. 32
  • SDS no   8:   Management Procedures for Millet Breeding. 1992.  Nagur, T., and Oswalt, D.L.  pp. 34
  • SDS no   9:   Pigeon Pea Botany and Production Practices. 1992.  Faujdar Singh and Oswalt, D.L. pp. 38
  • SDS no 10:  Genetics and Breeding of Pigeon Pea. 1992.  Faujdar Singh and Oswalt, D.L. pp. 52
  • SDS no 11:  Management Procedures for Evaluation of Pearl Millet and Sorghum Grain Quality. 1992.  Nagur, T., Subramanian, V., and Oswalt, D.L. pp. 38
  • SDS no 12:  Pest Management in Pigeon Pea. 1992.  Faujdar Singh and Oswalt, D.L. pp. 44
  • SDS no 13:  Research Planning and Data Handling. 1992. Diwakar, B. and Oswalt, D.L. pp. 67
  • 10.1081/E-ESS-120044479 POTASSIUM NUTRITION: SOIL OF THE SEMI-ARID TROPICS, Encyclopedia of Soil Science; Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; Editor: Rattan Lal; Taylor and Francis Group, 270 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, W1T3JH. Registered in England and Wales- Number 3099067   Published on: 17 November, 2008

​Family
  • Born on November 12, 1927 to Herschel and Theora Oswalt in Darke County, Ohio
  • Brother -- Eldon K. born 19 February, 1936 in Darke County, Ohio
  • Wife -- S. Jean Eidemiller, married on June 24, 1950
  • Daughter -- Karen Sue born on October 9, 1954 in Garkida, Nigeria; married Robert D Hott on July 24, 1976
  • Son -- Kris Sydney born on June 19, 1957 in Lafayette, Indiana
  • Grand Children -- Christopher (married to Adrianne Astuno), Genevieve (married to Joshua Bowden),  Elsbeth       
  • Great Grand Children -- Adelaide Elisabeth Hott, November 15, 2011; Carsten James Hott, May 18, 2014; Levi Ward Bowden, October 19, 2015; Silas Miller Bowden, September 2, 2018