Manoj Shrivastava | Soil Fertility | Best Researcher Award

Dr Manoj Shrivastava |  Soil Fertility |  Best Researcher Award

Principal Scientist at  ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute,  India

Dr. Shrivastava has over 25 years of experience in agricultural research, specializing in soil physics, soil fertility, soil microbiology, climate-smart agriculture, conservation agriculture, and system sustainability. He has collaborated with diverse stakeholders across government, international agencies, and NGOs, and has made significant contributions to research, training, and policy development in environmental soil science and plant nutrition.

 

Publication Profile

Education:

  • Ph.D. in Biochemistry (Soil Biochemistry & Microbiology) – University of Mumbai, India (2008)
  • Postdoctoral at University of Texas at El Paso (2022) and University of South Australia (2010-11).
  • M.Sc. in Soil Science – G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India (1994)

Professional Experience:

  • Principal Scientist (2016-present) – ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
  • Senior Scientist (2013-2016) – ICAR-IARI
  • Scientific Officer (1999-2013) – Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai

Key Achievements:

  • Publications: Co-authored over 85 peer-reviewed research articles, edited 2 books, and holds 3 patents in agriculture and soil science.
  • Awards & Fellowships:
    • Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowship (2021)
    • Cleanup Conference Fellowship, Australia (2019)
    • Best Researcher in Environmental Science by IARD (2020)
    • Excellence in Research Award by SVWS (2017)
    • Distinguished Scientist (Soil Science) by Venus International Foundation (2016)
  • Notable Research:
    • Developed a multinutrient soil extractant (Indian Patent No. 358936).
    • Created high-efficiency P and Zn fertilizers for climate-smart agriculture.
    • Bioremediation studies on heavy metals like Cd, Ni, Pb, and arsenic.

Research & Project Leadership:

Dr. Shrivastava has led or contributed to numerous large-scale projects, including:

  1. Climate Adaptation & Mitigation: Co-PI for adaptation-mitigation strategies for climate change, funded by ICAR (2021-2026).
  2. Soil Health & Pollution Mitigation: PI for projects on biogas bioslurry utilization and fly ash usage in agriculture.
  3. Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Co-PI on ICAR-funded projects assessing agricultural impacts on air pollution and emissions (2014-2021).

Citations:

  • Total Citations: 2,084 (1,778 since 2019)
  • h-index: 21 (20 since 2019)
  • i10-index: 38 (34 since 2019)

Publication Top Notes

  • Hazardous heavy metals contamination of vegetables and food chain: Role of sustainable remediation approaches-A review
    S Kumar, S Prasad, KK Yadav, M Shrivastava, N Gupta, S Nagar, …
    Environmental Research, 179, 108792 (452 citations, 2019)
  • Environmental applications of chitosan and its derivatives
    SK Yong, M Shrivastava, P Srivastava, A Kunhikrishnan, N Bolan
    Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 233, 1-43 (131 citations, 2015)
  • KSM soil diversity and mineral solubilization, in relation to crop production and molecular mechanism
    M Shrivastava, PC Srivastava, SF D’souza
    Potassium Solubilizing Microorganisms for Sustainable Agriculture, 221-234 (94 citations, 2016)
  • Arsenic toxicity in rice (Oryza sativa L.) is influenced by sulfur supply: impact on the expression of transporters and thiol metabolism
    S Srivastava, JJ Akkarakaran, S Sounderajan, M Shrivastava, …
    Geoderma, 270, 33-42 (90 citations, 2016)
  • Effect of ZnO nanoparticles on growth and biochemical responses of wheat and maize
    A Srivastav, D Ganjewala, RK Singhal, VD Rajput, T Minkina, …
    Plants, 10 (12), 2556 (89 citations, 2021)
  • Phosphate-solubilizing microbes: diversity and phosphate solubilization mechanism
    M Shrivastava, PC Srivastava, SF D’souza
    Role of Rhizospheric Microbes in Soil: Volume 2: Nutrient Management and … (86 citations, 2018)
  • Utilisation of agro-industrial waste for sustainable green production: a review
    R Singh, R Das, S Sangwan, B Rohatgi, R Khanam, SKPG Peera, S Das, …
    Environmental Sustainability, 4 (4), 619-636 (78 citations, 2021)
  • Monitoring of engineered nanoparticles in soil-plant system: A review
    M Shrivastava, A Srivastav, S Gandhi, S Rao, A Roychoudhury, A Kumar, …
    Environmental Nanotechnology, Monitoring & Management, 11, 100218 (71 citations, 2019)
  • Circular economy fertilization: Phycoremediated algal biomass as biofertilizers for sustainable crop production
    GK Sharma, SA Khan, M Shrivastava, R Bhattacharyya, A Sharma, …
    Journal of Environmental Management, 287, 112295 (67 citations, 2021)
  • Conservation agriculture had a strong impact on the sub-surface soil strength and root growth in wheat after a 7-year transition period
    S Mondal, D Chakraborty, TK Das, M Shrivastava, AK Mishra, …
    Soil & Tillage Research (63 citations, 2019)
  • Phytofiltration of arsenic from simulated contaminated water using Hydrilla verticillata in field conditions
    S Srivastava, M Shrivastava, P Suprasanna, SF D’souza
    Ecological Engineering, 37 (11), 1937-1941 (60 citations, 2011)
  • Protein for human consumption from oilseed cakes: A review
    R Singh, S Langyan, S Sangwan, B Rohtagi, A Khandelwal, …
    Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 101 (55 citations, 2022)
  • Bioremediation potential of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) for decontamination of cadmium in soil
    D Salaskar, M Shrivastava, SP Kale
    Current Science, 1359-1363 (51 citations, 2011)
  • Heavy metal hyperaccumulator plants: the resource to understand the extreme adaptations of plants towards heavy metals
    M Shrivastava, A Khandelwal, S Srivastava
    Plant-metal Interactions, 79-97 (39 citations, 2019)
  • Rock phosphate enriched post-methanation bio-sludge from kitchen waste based biogas plant as P source for mungbean and its effect on rhizosphere phosphatase activity
    M Shrivastava, SP Kale, SF D’Souza
    European Journal of Soil Biology, 47 (3), 205-212 (39 citations, 2011)
  • Production of biofuels options by contribution of effective and suitable enzymes: Technological developments and challenges
    R Singh, S Langyan, B Rohtagi, S Darjee, A Khandelwal, M Shrivastava, …
    Materials Science for Energy Technologies, 5, 294-310 (29 citations, 2022)
  • Integrated nutrient management reduced the nutrient losses and increased crop yield in irrigated wheat
    S Darjee, M Shrivastava, S Langyan, G Singh, R Pandey, A Sharma, …
    Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 69 (8), 1298-1309 (28 citations, 2023)
  • Effect of integrated and balanced nutrient application on soil fertility, yield and quality of Basmati rice
    P Srivastava, PC Srivastava, US Singh, M Shrivastava
    Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 55 (3), 265-284 (28 citations, 2009)
  • Survival of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria against DNA damaging agents
    M Shrivastava, YS Rajpurohit, HS Misra, SF D’Souza
    Canadian Journal of Microbiology, 56 (10), 822-830 (24 citations, 2010)
  • Zinc-and magnesium-doped hydroxyapatite nanoparticles modified with urea as smart nitrogen fertilizers
    B Sharma, M Shrivastava, LOB Afonso, U Soni, DM Cahill
    ACS Applied Nano Materials, 5 (5), 7288-7299 (23 citations, 2022)

 

Muhammad Awais | Soil Science | Young Scientist Award

Dr Muhammad Awais | Soil Science | Young Scientist Award

Post-doctoral Researcher at  Henan Agricultural University, China

Dr. Muhammad Awais is a post-doctoral researcher in the Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at Henan Agriculture University, where he also collaborates with the Henan International Joint Laboratory of Laser Technology in Agriculture Science and the State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science. His work focuses on sustainable agriculture, employing advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for soil analysis, crop management, and environmental monitoring.

 

Publication Profile

🎓 Education:

  • Ph.D. in Renewable Energy, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Pakistan, with co-supervision at Technical University of Denmark, specializing in biomethane production and advanced oxidation processes for biomass (2013-2018).
  • M.Phil. in Molecular Biology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Pakistan (2012).
  • M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees from PMAS Arid Agriculture University and University of the Punjab, Pakistan, respectively.

📜 Research Expertise:

Muhammad Awais has a research focus on sustainable agriculture and advanced technologies in environmental science. His recent work integrates AI, machine learning, and spectroscopy for soil and crop management. He has also pioneered photovoltaic solutions for sustainable irrigation and bioenergy solutions through biogas production from agricultural waste.

🧪 Professional Experience:

  • Post-Doctoral Researcher at Henan Agriculture University and the Henan International Joint Laboratory of Laser Technology (2023-present)
  • Head of Department / Assistant Professor, University of Sialkot, Pakistan (2021-2022)
  • Assistant Professor, COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan (2019-2020)
  • Lecturer and Researcher, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Pakistan, with roles in biomethane production projects (2013-2019)

🎖 Honors and Awards:

  • Principal Investigator, Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan-funded project on nano-composite water purification (2020)
  • HEC Indigenous Fellowship and International Research Support Initiative

📈 Professional Impact:

  • Citations: 557 (537 since 2019)
  • h-index: 12
  • i10-index: 16

Publication Top Notes

  • Identification of Lead Compounds against Scm (fms10) in Enterococcus faecium Using Computer Aided Drug Designing
    MA Rasheed, MN Iqbal, S Saddick, I Ali, FS Khan, S Kanwal, D Ahmed, …
    Life 11 (2), 77, 97 (2021)
  • Bioconvection Flow in Accelerated Couple Stress Nanoparticles with Activation Energy: Bio-Fuel Applications
    SU Khan, K Al-Khaled, A Aldabesh, M Awais, I Tlili
    Scientific Reports 11 (1), 3331 (2021)
  • Methane Production and Kinetic Modeling for Co-digestion of Manure with Lignocellulosic Residues
    M Awais, M Alvarado-Morales, P Tsapekos, M Gulfraz, I Angelidaki
    Energy & Fuels 30 (12), 10516-10523 (2016)
  • TiO2/UV Based Photocatalytic Pretreatment of Wheat Straw for Biogas Production
    M Alvarado-Morales, P Tsapekos, M Awais, M Gulfraz, I Angelidaki
    Anaerobe 46, 155-161 (2017)
  • Screening of Native Hyper-Lipid Producing Microalgae Strains for Biomass and Lipid Production
    F Kabir, M Gulfraz, GK Raja, M Inam-ul-Haq, M Awais, MS Mustafa, …
    Renewable Energy 160, 1295-1307 (2020)
  • Analysis of Generalized Micropolar Nanofluid with Swimming of Microorganisms over an Accelerated Surface with Activation Energy
    Z Abdelmalek, SU Khan, M Awais, MS Mustfa, I Tlili
    Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry 144, 1051-1063 (2021)
  • Photo-Catalytic Pretreatment of Biomass for Anaerobic Digestion Using Visible Light and Nickel Oxide (NiOx) Nanoparticles Prepared by Sol-Gel Method
    L Zhu, M Awais, HMA Javed, MS Mustafa, I Tlili, SU Khan, MS Shadloo
    Renewable Energy 154, 128-135 (2020)
  • Photocatalytic Pretreatment of Commercial Lignin Using TiO2-ZnO Nanocomposite-Derived Advanced Oxidation Processes for Methane Production Synergy in Lab
    YM Chu, HMA Javed, M Awais, MI Khan, S Shafqat, FS Khan, MS Mustafa, …
    Catalysts 11 (1), 54 (2021)
  • Bioherbicidal Ability and Weed Management of Allelopathic Methyl Esters from Lantana camara
    T Anwar, H Qureshi, MH Mahnashi, F Kabir, N Parveen, D Ahmed, U Afzal, …
    Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences 28 (8), 4365-4374 (2021)
  • Biodiesel Production from Melia azedarach and Ricinus communis Oil by Transesterification Process
    M Awais, SA Musmar, F Kabir, I Batool, MA Rasheed, F Jamil, SU Khan, …
    Catalysts 10 (4), 427 (2020)
  • Determination of In Vivo Biological Activities of Dodonaea viscosa Flowers against CCL4 Toxicity in Albino Mice with Bioactive Compound Detection
    ZW Tong, H Gul, M Awais, S Saddick, FS Khan, M Gulfraz, U Afzal, …
    Scientific Reports 11 (1), 13336 (2021)
  • Immunoinformatics-Based Prediction of Recombinant Multi-Epitope Vaccine for the Control and Prevention of SARS-CoV-2
    MA Rasheed, S Raza, A Zohaib, MI Riaz, A Amin, M Awais, SU Khan, …
    Alexandria Engineering Journal 60 (3), 3087-3097 (2021)
  • Metal Oxides and Ultraviolet Light-Based Photocatalytic Pretreatment of Biomass for Biogas Production and Lignin Oxidation
    M Awais, MS Mustafa, MA Rasheed, F Jamil, SMZA Naqvi
    BioResources 15 (1), 1747 (2020)
  • Remote Estimation of Wheat Yield Based on Vegetation Indices Derived from Time Series Data of Landsat 8 Imagery
    S Naqvi, MN Tahir, GA Shah, RS Sattar, M Awais
    Applied Ecology & Environmental Research 17 (2) (2019)
  • Quantification of Biochemical Compounds in Bauhinia Variegata Linn Flower Extract and Its Hepatoprotective Effect
    H Gul, M Awais, S Saddick, Y Ahmed, FS Khan, E Ahmed, U Afzal, …
    Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences 28 (1), 247-254 (2021)
  • BMT: Bioinformatics Mini Toolbox for Comprehensive DNA and Protein Analysis
    MN Iqbal, MA Rasheed, M Awais, W Chammam, S Kanwal, SU Khan, …
    Genomics 112 (6), 4561-4566 (2020)
  • In Silico Identification of Novel B Cell and T Cell Epitopes of Wuhan Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) for Effective Multi Epitope-Based Peptide Vaccine Production
    MA Rasheed, S Raza, A Zohaib, T Yaqub, M Rabbani, MI Riaz, M Awais, …
    MDPI AG (2020)
  • Comparative Study on the Usability of Lignocellulosic and Algal Biomass for Production of Alcoholic Fuels
    F Kabir, M Gulfraz, GK Raja, M Inam-ul-Haq, I Batool, M Awais, U Habiba, …
    BioResources 14 (4), 8135-8154 (2019)
  • Analysis of the Spike Proteins Suggests Pangolin as an Intermediate Host of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2)
    S Raza, MT Navid, W Zahir, MN Khan, M Awais, T Yaqub, M Rabbani, …
    (2021)
  • Mesophilic Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Cattle Manure with Malus domestica and Dalbergia sissoo during Biomethane Potential Assays
    M Awais, M Gulfraz, MJ Asad, F Kabir, KS Khan, S Naqvi
    BioResources 13 (2), 3144-3156 (2018)

 

Yogendra ND | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr Yogendra ND |  Soil Science |  Best Researcher Award

Sr Scientist at  CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, India   

Dr. Yogendra N.D. is a Senior Scientist specializing in Agronomy and Soil Science at the CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) Research Centre in Bengaluru, India. Born on June 22, 1986, he has made significant contributions to agricultural research, particularly in the area of medicinal and aromatic crops.

Profile:

🎓 Academic Background

  • B.Sc. (Ag.) in Agriculture (2008) – UAS, Bengaluru (70.10%)
  • M.Sc. (Ag.) in Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry (2010) – UAS, Bengaluru (86.20%)
  • Ph.D. in Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry (2015) – UAS, Bengaluru
    • Thesis: “Effect of seaweed liquid extract (SLE) on growth, yield, and biochemical constituents of wetland rice (Oryza sativa L.)”
    • Guide: Dr. P. K. Basavaja

🧑‍🔬 Professional Experience

  • Senior Research Fellow – UAS, Bengaluru (Feb 2011 – Jun 2011)
  • Research Associate – AICRP on STCR, UAS, Bengaluru (Jul 2011 – Sep 2011)
  • Senior Research Fellow – AICRP on STCR, UAS, Bengaluru (Jun 2014 – Jun 2015)
  • Research Associate – UAHS, Shivamogga (Jul 2015 – May 2016)
  • Scientist – CSIR-CIMAP, Bengaluru (May 2016 – May 2021)
  • Senior Scientist – CSIR-CIMAP, Bengaluru (May 2021 – Present)

🏆 Awards & Recognitions

  • Best Overall Image (2013) – IPNI
  • Photo Contest – Symptoms of Nutrient Deficiencies (2014) – BC Fertilis
  • 2nd Prize in the Nitrogen Category (2015) – IPNI

📊 Citation Metrics

  • Citations: 185 (Total), 151 (Since 2019)
  • h-index: 6 (Total), 5 (Since 2019)
  • i10-index: 5 (Total), 4 (Since 2019)

Publication Top Notes:

  • Effect of seaweed sap as foliar spray on growth and yield of hybrid maize
    PK Basavaraja, ND Yogendra, ST Zodape, R Prakash, A Ghosh
    Journal of Plant Nutrition 41 (14), 1851-1861. Cited by: 67 (2018)
  • Effect of silicon on real-time nitrogen management in a rice ecosystem
    ND Yogendra, BH Kumara, N Chandrashekar, NB Prakash, MS Anantha, …
    African Journal of Agricultural Research 9 (9), 831-840. Cited by: 31 (2014)
  • Influence of seaweed saps on germination, growth, and yield of hybrid maize under Cauvery Command of Karnataka, India
    S Dilavarnaik, PK Basavaraja, ND Yogendra, A Ghosh
    International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences 6 (9), 1047-1056. Cited by: 21 (2017)
  • Real-time nitrogen management in aerobic rice by adopting leaf color chart (LCC) as influenced by silicon
    ND Yogendra, BH Kumara, N Chandrashekar, NB Prakash, MS Anantha, …
    Journal of Plant Nutrition 40 (9), 1277-1286. Cited by: 12 (2017)
  • Effect of calcium silicate on yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of wetland rice
    ND Yogendra, NB Prakash, MT Malagi, BH Kumara, RM Kumar, …
    Plant Archives 13 (1), 89-91. Cited by: 11 (2013)
  • Geo-reference based soil fertility status in Hassan district of Karnataka, India for development of nutrient plan
    PK Basavaraja, P Dey, HM Saqeebulla, ND Yogendra
    Cited by: 9 (2017)
  • Effect of soil test-based fertilizer application on yield and nutrient uptake by hybrid maize under dryland condition
    PK Basavaraja, K Naik, CR Nethradhani Raj, ND Yogendra
    The Mysore Journal of Agricultural Sciences 48 (4), 514-521. Cited by: 6 (2014)
  • Comparative morphological assessment of lemongrass (Cymbopogon spp.) cultivars for oil yield, chemical composition, and quality parameters under southern region of India
    ND Yogendra, M Nazeer, MK Yadav, K Baskaran, VS Pragadheesh, …
    Madras Agricultural Journal 108. Cited by: 4 (2021)
  • Effect of calcium silicate and need-based nitrogen on pest management in aerobic rice (Oryza sativa L.)
    BH Kumara, ND Yogendra, NB Prakash, AK Amarendra Kumar
    Cited by: 4 (2016)
  • Effect of long-term fertilizer experimentation on growth, yield, and availability of nutrients in finger millet in alfisol soils of Bengaluru
    CV Manuja, MR Suma, ND Yogendra, N Chandrashekar, RC Gowda
    Madras Agricultural Journal 100 (Jul-Sep), 1. Cited by: 4 (2013)
  • Assessment of soil moisture stress-induced variability in oil content and composition in mint species
    D Kumar, A Punetha, A Khan, P Suryavanshi, ND Yogendra, RC Padalia
    Biochemical Systematics and Ecology 113, 104774. Cited by: 3 (2024)
  • Effect of Calcium Silicate on Nitrogen Management by Adopting LCC in Aerobic Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
    BH Kumara, ND Yogendra, M Kumar, NB Prakash
    Madras Agricultural Journal 101 (Jul-Sep), 1. Cited by: 3 (2014)
  • Studies on physico-chemical properties of different vineyards in Bijapur Taluk, Karnataka
    AC Mahendra, H Asangi, ND Yogendra
    African Journal of Agricultural Research 8 (16), 1477-1481. Cited by: 3 (2013)
  • Effect of calcium silicate and need-based nitrogen management in aerobic rice
    BH Kumara, ND Yogendra, NB Prakash, MS Anantha, N Chandrashekar
    ORYZA-An International Journal on Rice 50 (4), 358-364. Cited by: 2 (2013)
  • Livelihood enhancement and resource use efficiency under lemongrass intercropping with food crops
    ND Yogendra, PE Keerthi, M Nazeer, AC Jnanesha, RS Verma, …
    Ecological Frontiers 44 (2), 266-274. Cited by: 1 (2024)
  • Floral biology insights into essential oil yield and chemical composition in davana (Artemisia pallens Bess), a high-value aromatic plant of India
    RR Kumara, PE Keerthi, ND Yogendra
    Journal of Spices and Aromatic Crops 32 (1), 80-89. Cited by: 1 (2023)
  • Biodiversity of medicinal plants in the dry deciduous (thorny scrub) forest of Karnataka, India
    R Ravikumara, P Keerthi, N Yogendra
    Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Sciences 44 (1-2), 46-54. Cited by: 1 (2022)