Expertise in one line : Identification of new PGPR cultures for field crops and mass multiplication of Biofertilizers.
Notable contributions :
Designed and standardized the Organic Farming package for sugarcane in NC Zone.
Developed Soil Test Based Fertilizer Recommendations for Specific Targeted Yield of Sugarcane(Plant crop and Ratoon crop) In clay loam Soils (Inceptisols) of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Accomplished the complete mapping of soil fertility status in Srikakulam district by sampling all the 38 mandals along with GPS coordinates under Tribal Support Plan. Prepared Fertility maps (pH, EC, OC, available P, available K, Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn) for Srikakulam district with ARC GIS software.
Contrived isolation and identification of nitrogen fixing bacteria Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifoli through 16Sr RNA analysis for new biofertilizer production for Rajmash crop.
Achieved isolation and identification of an endophyte through 16Sr RNA analysis for new biofertilizer production for sugarcane crop in North Coastal AP.
Initiated research work on Identification of efficient Plant Growth-promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) for enhancement of groundnut yields.
Worked on study of suitability of mesta varieties for paper pulp making and identified AMV-5 variety with high biomass production for making paper pulp.
Associated in release of four mesta varieties viz., AMV-5 (Durga) at CVRC in 2006; AMV-7 (Janardhan) at CVRC in 2011: AMV-8 at CVRC in 2019 and AMV-9 (Aditya) at CVRC in 2019.
Also associated in release of four sugarcane varieties Viz., 2000A 225 (Revathi) at CVRC in 2015 :2003A 255 (Simhadri) at SVRC in 2015: 2009A 107 (Vasista) at SVRC in 2020 and 2009A 252 (Naveen) at SVRC in 2020.
Delivered around 80 lectures as guest speaker in different forums to Agricultural Officers Agricultural Extension Officers, farmers, factory extension personnel, etc., on aspects viz., Fertilizer management in different crops, Nutrient recycling with different crop residues, soil testing and soil health, Organic farming, Nutrient deficiencies and remedial measures etc.,
Research Interests:
Identification of new PGPR cultures for development of crop specific biofertilizers.
Organic farming in field crops.
Research on value addition in Mesta and allied fibre crops.
Professional recognition :
Initiated my research career 29 years ago in the research wing of Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Andhra Pradesh. Since, the year 1993 carried out research on Integrated Nutrient Management in Mesta, Jute, Cotton, Sunhemp, Agave, Ragi, rice and Sugarcane crops.
Established new biofertilizer production unit worth (Rs.72.16 lakhs) during 2014-15 and liquid bio fertilizer production unit worth (Rs.200 lakhs) during 2016-17 under RKVY and produced 110 tonnes of lignite based and 8,000 litres of liquid biofertilizers (Rhizobium, Phosphobacteria, Azatobactor, Azospirillum and Potash releasing bacteria) worth Rs.64.0 lakhs and supplied to farmers directly and through Agriculture and allied departments.
Strengthened Soil Science laboratory as Full pledged laboratory for Soil, Plant, Organic manures and Irrigation water analysis with the knowledge gained in three weeks training programme on “ANALYTICAL PROCEDURES, INSTRUMENTATION and QA/QC” organized by Soil and Water Science Department,University of Florida, Gainsville, Florida, USA and generated income of Rs. 23.0 lakhs.
Research publications :
International/National Journals : 46
Conference proceedings: 26
Books and Book chapters: 02
Technical bulletins:09
Popular articles: 49
Awards & Honours :
Awarded Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) fellow ship for Ph.D work on “Phosphorous fertilizer use efficiency of Green gram using Radioactive isotope (P32)”.
Smt. Alluri Achayamma memorial prize and adjudged as “Best woman scientist” of North Coastal AP for the year 2008 for the significant contributions in the field of Soil Science on 31.1.2008 at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Anakapalle.
Sri A.V.Krishnaiah Memorial Gold Medal for the Eminent scientist in Agricultural Sciences working in Andhra Pradesh for the year 2008 during 42nd annual Convocation of ANGRAU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad on 21.07.2010.
Sri C.SudarsanaRaju memorial prize for Meritorious Research Scientist for outstanding contributions in the field of Sugarcane for the year 2012 during Kisanmela celebrations of RARS, Anakapalle on 05.02.2013.
VR Durgamba Charitable trust endowment award for Best Sugarcane Scientist working in ANGRAU for adopting organic farming in sugarcane cultivation in Andhra Pradesh for the year 2013 during 47th Convocation of ANGRAU on 04.01.2016.