Mozhdeh Osku | Fruit trees | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Mozhdeh Osku | Fruit trees | Best Researcher Award

University of Tehran, Iran

Mozhdeh Osku is a Ph.D. student at the University of Tehran, specializing in plant physiology and molecular biology with a focus on drought stress in pistachio hybrids. Her research aims to develop drought-resistant pistachio cultivars to enhance crop resilience under climate stress. She has conducted a research fellowship in Italy and contributed to international collaborations on stress tolerance mechanisms. Mozhdeh has published in high-impact journals such as BMC Plant Biology and Frontiers in Plant Science, investigating osmotic adjustment and physiological responses in pistachio rootstocks. Her work integrates applied science with sustainability goals in horticultural crop improvement.

Profile:

🎓 Academic Background:

Mozhdeh Osku is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences at the University of Tehran. Her research focuses on drought stress adaptation in novel pistachio hybrids, combining molecular biology and physiological analysis to support sustainable crop development.

🌍 International Experience:

She completed a research fellowship in Italy, contributing to collaborative international projects on abiotic stress tolerance, which enhanced her global scientific perspective.

📚 Research Contributions:

Mozhdeh has co-authored peer-reviewed publications in reputable journals such as:

  • BMC Plant Biology: Revealing drought tolerance strategies in pistachio clonal hybrids

  • Frontiers in Plant Science: Physiological and molecular responses of drought-resistant pistachio rootstocks

Her work provides valuable insights into osmotic adjustment, stress physiology, and rootstock development.

🌱 Research Focus:

🔬 Drought Stress Physiology
🌰 Pistachio Hybrids
🧬 Molecular and Genetic Analysis
🌾 Sustainable Crop Production

🏅 Professional Impact:

Mozhdeh’s research is geared toward creating drought-resilient pistachio cultivars, offering practical solutions for agriculture in water-limited and climate-affected regions.

Publication:

  • Revealing drought tolerance strategies in pistachio clonal hybrids: Role of osmotic adjustment
    BMC Plant Biology, 2025, May 2.
    DOI: 10.1186/s12870-025-06583-x

  • Physiological and molecular responses of two contrasting drought resistance pistachio interspecific hybrid rootstocks
    Frontiers in Plant Science, 2025, April 22.
    DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2025.1515819

 

Anshul Kumar | Fruit Science | Young Researcher Award

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Dr Anshul Kumar |  Fruit Science | Young Researcher Award

Assistant Professor at Shoolini University, India

Dr. Anshul Kumar is an Assistant Professor specializing in Fruit Science at the MS Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Shoolini University. With a strong academic and research background, he is actively engaged in teaching, mentoring, and contributing to advancements in horticultural science.

Profile:

🎓 Academic Background:

  • Ph.D. (Fruit Science), Dr. Y.S. Parmar UHF, Nauni – 70.50% (2021)

  • M.Sc. (Fruit Science), Dr. Y.S. Parmar UHF, Nauni – 74.00% (2017)

  • B.Sc. (Hons.) Horticulture, Dr. Y.S. Parmar UHF, Nauni – 73.80% (2015)

📚 Research Highlights:

M.Sc. Thesis

Title: Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth, Yield and Fruit Quality of Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.)

  • Demonstrated that integrated use of fertilizers, organic manure, and bio-fertilizers can reduce costs, enhance soil health, and increase productivity.

Ph.D. Thesis

Title: Identification and Characterisation of Bud Sports in Apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.)

  • Over 10,000 apple trees screened; 19 distinct bud sports identified.

  • 4 bud sports registered with ICAR-NBPGR with IC & INGR numbers.

  • Research published in Scientia Horticulturae.

👨‍🏫 Professional Experience:

Assistant Professor (Fruit Science)

Shoolini University, Himachal Pradesh
Tenure: 3 Years
Responsibilities:

  • Teaching, Research, and Extension.

  • Leading projects on:

    • Strawberry germplasm evaluation

    • Dragon fruit nutrition/orchard management

    • Cold stress evaluation in Hippophae spp.

Agri/Horti Officer

Himalayan Action Research Centre (HARC) – ILSP Project by Govt. of Uttarakhand & IFAD
Focus:

  • Sustainable rural livelihood enhancement through agriculture, horticulture, and allied sectors.

  • Vocational training, agri-business strategies, and market linkage development.

🏆 Awards & Recognitions:

  • INGR Numbers: INGR 20103 – INGR 20106 (Apple bud sports)

  • IC Numbers: IC-0647748 – IC-0647751

  • RASSA Prof. Ram Nath Singh Best Ph.D. Thesis Award (2022)

  • Outstanding Student Award (2016)

  • Best Sports Person Award (2012–13)

  • Represented in multiple Inter-University Sports Meets (Badminton, Volleyball)

🧠 Trainings & Workshops Attended:

  1. Advanced Agricultural Techniques (DST, 2022) – 7 days

  2. Technological Advancements in Horticulture & Forest Crops (DST, 2022) – 7 days

  3. National Online Training on Conservation, Management – 5 days

Publication Top Notes:

  1. Kumar, A., Sharma, D.P., Kumar, P., Sharma, G., & Suprun, I.I. (2022). Comprehensive insights on Apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) bud sport mutations and epigenetic regulations. Scientia Horticulturae, 297, 110979. [Citations: 20]

  2. Kumar, A., Kumar, P., Sharma, A., Sharma, D.P., & Thakur, M. (2022). Scientific insights to existing know-how, breeding, genetics, and biotechnological interventions pave the way for the adoption of high-value underutilized super fruit Sea buckthorn (Hippophae spp.). South African Journal of Botany, 145, 348–359. [Citations: 19]

  3. Gill, K., Kumar, P., Kumar, A., Kapoor, B., Sharma, R., & Joshi, A.K. (2022). Comprehensive mechanistic insights into citrus genetics, breeding challenges, biotechnological implications, and omics-based interventions. Tree Genetics & Genomes, 18(2), Article 9. [Citations: 18]

  4. Kumar, A., Sharma, D.P., Dogra, R.K., Singh, G., Sharma, R., & Kumar, P. (2022). Identification and characterization of Apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) bud sports mutations in the apple growing Northwestern Himalayan region. Scientia Horticulturae, 304, 111308. [Citations: 7]

  5. Kumar, A., Sharma, D.D., Sharma, D.P., Shylla, B., & Sharma, S. (2019). Effect of integrated nutrient sources on fruit quality of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) under mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 8(2), 1120–1123. [Citations: 7]

  6. Kumar, A., Sharma, D.D., Sharma, D.P., Shylla, B., Singh, U., Verma, P., … (2024). Integrated Nutrient Management as a Low Cost and Eco-Friendly Strategy for Sustainable Fruit Production in Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.). International Journal of Fruit Science, 24(1), 18–32. [Citations: 6]

  7. Kumar, A., Mushtaq, M., Kumar, P., Sharma, D.P., & Gahlaut, V. (2024). Insights into flowering mechanisms in apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) amidst climate change: An exploration of genetic and epigenetic factors. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – General Subjects, 130593. [Citations: 6]

  8. Padhan, A., Kumar, A., Pathirana, R., Sharma, D.P., Thakur, D.S., Rana, V.S., … (2024). Potential of wild, underutilized Actinidia callosa and Actinidia strigosa from Northeast India for kiwifruit breeding. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 71(1), 39–52. [Citations: 6]

  9. Kumar, A., Dangi, G., Kumar, P., Sharma, D.P., Sharma, G., Sangwan, P., … (2024). Exploring pollination mechanisms in walnut: Production and breeding perspectives. South African Journal of Botany, 171, 673–681. [Citations: 1]

  10. Kumar, A., Negi, M., Joshi, Y., Dangi, G., Sharma, D.P., & Sharma, K.C. (2024). Anti-hail nets under hailstorm incidence: Impact on apple orchard dynamics. New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science, 1–21.

  11. Sharma, D.P., Singh, N., & Kumar, A. (2020). Pollination assisted production of fruit crops. National Seminar on Smart Horticulture, 1, 87–94.

  12. Kumar, A., Gautam, S., Smakaria, S., Negi, N., & Abrol, D. (2024). Epigenetic regulation of pre- and postharvest quality traits in fruits and vegetables. In Bioengineered Fruit and Vegetables (pp. 185–218).

 

Arun kumar | Fruit science | Best Researcher Award

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Mr Arun kumar | Fruit science | Best Researcher Award

Ph.D. Scholar at Lovely Professional University, Punjab, India

Arun Kumar is a dedicated researcher in horticulture and post-harvest technology, specializing in nano-coatings, fruit preservation, and sustainable agricultural practices. He holds an M.Sc. in Horticulture (Fruit Science) from Lovely Professional University, Punjab, and a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Agriculture from Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Ambala.

Profile:

🎓 Educational Background:

  • M.Sc. (Horticulture – Fruit Science), Lovely Professional University, Punjab (2023)

  • B.Sc. (Agriculture) Hons., Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Ambala (2021)

🔬 Research Focus & Contributions:

Arun Kumar specializes in post-harvest technology, nano-coatings, and sustainable agricultural practices. His M.Sc. thesis focused on the effect of nano silicon dioxide coatings on winter guava quality, contributing to enhanced fruit preservation techniques.

📜 Intellectual Property & Innovation:

  • 9 Copyrights on post-harvest storage, edible coatings, and sustainable agriculture

  • 3 Patents (Recommended), including innovations in vermicomposting and nano-coating applications

🏆 Awards & Recognition:

  • Best Researcher Award – Vigyan Varta Magazine (2022)

  • Emerging Scientist Award – Vigyan Varta Magazine (2022)

Publication Top Notes:

  • Vikanksha, A. K., & Singh, J. (2023). Trends in hydroponics practice/technology in horticultural crops: A review. International Journal of Plant & Soil Science, 35(2), 57-65.

  • Kumar, N. (2024). Hydroponics and environmental bioremediation. Springer Nature Switzerland.

  • Kumar, A., & Singh, J. (2024). Microbial synthesized nanoparticles in environment management. In Microbiome-Based Decontamination of Environmental Pollutants (pp. 381-401).

  • Thakur, V., Kumar, A., & Singh, J. (2024). Mycobial nanotechnology in bioremediation of wastewater. In Microbes Based Approaches for the Management of Hazardous Contaminants (pp. 1-11).

  • Vikanksha, A., Kumar, A., & Singh, J. (2024). Hydroponic root mats for wastewater treatment: A review. In Hydroponics and Environmental Bioremediation: Wastewater Treatment (pp. 269-296).

  • Himanshu, Sharma, S., Rana, V. S., Ankit, Thakur, V., Kumar, A., Prachi, …, & others. (2024). Unlocking the sustainable role of melatonin in fruit production and stress tolerance: A review. CABI Agriculture and Bioscience, 5(1), 103.

  • Mirza, A., Kumar, A., Singh, G., Arya, S. K., Bhalla, A., & Singh, J. (2024). Microbial technology: Tools for waste management; environmental sustainability and environmental safety. In Microbial Applications for Environmental Sustainability (pp. 41-70).

  • Thakur, V., Sharma, S., Kumar, A., Kumar, A., Kumar, R., Sharma, N., Thakur, S., & others. (2025). Exploring the impact of agrovoltaics on horticultural crop yields and environmental stress mitigation: A comprehensive review. Ecological Frontiers.

  • Kumar, A., Vikanksha, A., & Singh, J. (2025). Rhizosphere microbiome and plant tolerance against biotic agents. In Plant Microbiome and Biological Control: Emerging Trends and Applications.

  • Kumar, A., Singh, J., Verma, P., & Kundana, M. (2024). Seed germination and seedling growth as pretentious by various growing media in Red Lady-786 papaya. Journal of Applied & Natural Science, 16(3).

  • Thakur, V., Jassal, P. S., Kumar, A., Bhatia, A., Mirza, A., & Singh, J. (2024). Enzyme biotechnology toward cleaner production in industry. In Enzyme Biotechnology for Environmental Sustainability (pp. 33-53).

  • Kumar, A., & Singh, J. (2024). Importance of microbial surfactants in heavy metal remediation. In Microbiome-Based Decontamination of Environmental Pollutants (pp. 97-122).

  • Kumar, A., Thakur, V., & Singh, J. (2023). Enhancing shelf life of winter guava “Allahabad Safeda” fruits using nanoemulsion coatings. Journal of Food Chemistry & Nanotechnology, 9(S1), S594-S601.

  • Singh, J. (2023). Mutation breeding in citrus.

  • Vikanksha, A. K., & Singh, J. (2023). Horti-silviculture system of farming.

  • Kumar, J. S. A., & Vikanksha, A. (2022). Nano-silicon coating on fruit crops: Review. The Pharma Innovation Journal, 11(11), 2395-2400.

  • Kumar, A., & Singh, J. (2024). Integrated pest management through biological control. In The Role of Entomopathogenic Fungi in Agriculture (pp. 54-76).

  • Mirza, A. A., & Singh, J. (2024). Modern trends in horticulture.

  • Kumar, A., Vikanksha, H., & Singh, J. (2024). Maximizing sustainability through vertical farming and urban agriculture. In Smart and Sustainable Agricultural Technology (pp. 395).