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:

• Scopus
• Orcid
• Google Scholar

🎓 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).