Shravanilakshmi V | Sericulture | Women Researcher Award

Published on by Agri Scientist

Ms. Shravanilakshmi V | Sericulture | Women Researcher Award

M.Sc. (Agri.) Sericulture Student at University of Agricultural Sciences | India

Shravanilakshmi V is a dedicated sericulture researcher with a strong commitment to advancing sustainable silk production through scientific innovation and applied research. Her expertise spans mulberry cultivation, silkworm health, organic manure applications, and eco-friendly farming practices. She is passionate about empowering sericulture farmers by developing strategies that improve productivity while maintaining environmental sustainability. With a deep interest in transforming agricultural waste into valuable resources, Shravanilakshmi has contributed to pioneering research in circular economy approaches for sericulture. Her work bridges scientific knowledge and farmer-centric solutions, positioning her as a promising young scientist in agricultural and sericultural sciences.

Professional Profile

Google Scholar

Education

Shravanilakshmi pursued her academic career in agriculture with excellence, culminating in a Master of Science in Sericulture from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore. Her postgraduate research focused on enhancing mulberry productivity and silkworm performance through organic inputs, particularly liquid organic manure derived from sericulture by-products. Prior to her master’s, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the same university, developing a strong foundation in agricultural practices and research methodologies. Her education emphasized both theoretical knowledge and practical application, equipping her with the skills required to address contemporary challenges in sustainable sericulture and agricultural biotechnology.

Professional Experience

As a researcher at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Shravanilakshmi gained substantial hands-on experience in both laboratory and field-based sericulture practices. She worked extensively on developing innovative methods to recycle silkworm litter into organic manure, demonstrating its positive impact on mulberry growth and cocoon yield. Her professional journey includes active involvement in student research projects, symposium presentations, and collaborations with senior scientists. She also participated in rural agricultural work experiences and agro-industrial training, enhancing her exposure to diverse farming systems. Through these experiences, Shravanilakshmi has built expertise in integrating sustainable practices into sericulture for the benefit of farming communities.

Research Interest

Her primary research interest lies in advancing sustainable sericulture through organic farming and innovative waste management strategies. She is particularly focused on exploring the reuse of silkworm litter as an organic input to improve soil health, enhance mulberry leaf quality, and boost cocoon productivity. Shravanilakshmi is also keen on studying the role of sericulture by-products in circular economy models, linking agricultural sustainability with economic growth. Additionally, she has an interest in biomedical applications of silk, including its potential in tissue engineering. Her broad research outlook reflects her vision of combining agricultural productivity with ecological responsibility.

Award and Honor

Shravanilakshmi has been recognized for her academic excellence and research contributions through several prestigious awards. She received the University Resident Merit Scholarship for two consecutive years, highlighting her consistent academic achievements. Her innovative work in sericulture earned her the Young Sericulture / Silk Scientist Award at an international conference, as well as the National Excellency Award in Research from the WELRED Foundation. These honors reflect her dedication, innovation, and impactful contributions to the field. In addition to awards, she has also been invited to present her research at multiple national and international forums, showcasing her scientific leadership.

Research Skill

Shravanilakshmi has developed a diverse range of technical and research skills that strengthen her scientific profile. She is proficient in silkworm rearing, including both bivoltine and multivoltine species, as well as chawki management and disease diagnosis. Her expertise extends to mulberry agronomic practices and laboratory-based techniques such as soil and leaf nutrient analysis, microbial culture, and microscopy. She has strong skills in experimental design, data analysis, and report writing, which she applies in her numerous publications. Her ability to connect field-based sericulture practices with advanced laboratory techniques highlights her versatility as a researcher committed to applied innovation.

Publications

Shravanilakshmi has made significant contributions to scientific literature, authoring and co-authoring numerous research articles in reputed journals. Her publications cover diverse areas such as the use of silkworm litter as liquid manure, its effects on mulberry growth, soil fertility, microbial activity, and silkworm productivity. She has also published on advanced topics like biomedical applications of spider silk, circular economy approaches in sericulture, and nematode management in mulberry cultivation. With more than twenty research papers, conference abstracts, and reviews to her credit, her scholarly work demonstrates her commitment to advancing knowledge and creating practical solutions in sericulture science.

Shravanilakshmi, V.*, Kankanawadi, N., Jekinakatti, B., Kruthika, M. S., & others. Potentiality of silkworm litter in circular economy. Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology.

Shravanilakshmi, V.*, Shwetha, G. V., & Veenita, M. K. Spider silk as a next generation biomaterial: Advances in biomedical and tissue engineering applications. Archives of Current Research International.

Aramani, K., Veenita, M. K., Shravanilakshmi, V*., & Shwetha, G. V. Floral trait variation among selected mulberry genotypes and its implications for hybridization. Journal of Experimental Agriculture International.

Aramani, K., Veenita, M. K., Sushmitha, C., Shravanilakshmi, V.*, & others. Therapeutic potential of the silkworm (Bombyx mori L.): A biomedical perspective. Journal of Scientific Research and Reports.

Shravanilakshmi, V.*, Kankanawadi, N., Veenita, M. K., Aramani, K., & others. A review of parametric and AMMI models for genotype × environment (G × E) interaction in mulberry. Archives of Current Research International.

Conclusion

Through her academic excellence, innovative research, and dedication to sustainable agriculture, Shravanilakshmi V has emerged as a promising young scientist in the field of sericulture. Her work integrates ecological responsibility with economic viability, offering practical solutions to farmers while addressing global sustainability goals. By transforming agricultural waste into valuable organic resources and exploring the biomedical potential of silk, she has broadened the scope of sericulture research. With her proven record of publications, awards, and technical expertise, Shravanilakshmi is poised to continue contributing significantly to the scientific community and to the development of sustainable agricultural systems worldwide.

Nikita Kankanawadi | Sericulture | Women Researcher Award

Published on by Agri Scientist

Nikita Kankanawadi | Sericulture | Women Researcher Award

Project Assistant at Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, India

Nikita Kankanawadi is an accomplished agricultural professional specializing in sericulture, with a strong foundation in scientific research, technology integration, and sustainable farming practices. Her academic journey and practical exposure have shaped her expertise in silkworm breeding, disease management, and mulberry cultivation. She has participated in prestigious international and national training programs, enhancing her skills in smart agriculture and entrepreneurship. Nikita’s passion for innovation in agriculture is evident from her active involvement in conferences, workshops, and research projects. She combines scientific rigor with practical field knowledge, contributing meaningfully to advancements in sericulture and related agricultural domains.

Professional Profile

ORCID 

Education

Nikita holds an M.Sc. (Agriculture) in Sericulture from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, where she developed advanced expertise in silkworm biology, breeding, and disease resistance. She earned her B.Sc. (Agriculture) from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, building a solid foundation in crop sciences, pest management, and sustainable farming. Her early academic journey at renowned institutions instilled a deep commitment to agricultural innovation. Complementing her formal education, she engaged in specialized training programs, enhancing her technical knowledge in AI applications, biotechnology, and agribusiness strategies, further preparing her for impactful contributions to agricultural research and development.

Professional Experience

Nikita has gained extensive practical experience through rural agricultural work, agro-industrial attachments, and research collaborations. She has worked directly with farmers to evaluate high-temperature and disease-tolerant silkworm hybrids across multiple districts in Karnataka. Her fieldwork included assessing raw silk quality, analyzing reeling performance, and addressing sericulture challenges at the grassroots level. Nikita’s professional exposure spans international training in Finland, where she learned smart agriculture technologies, and diverse national-level programs focusing on livestock, aquaculture, and sustainable farming. Her ability to bridge academic research with field application makes her a valuable contributor to agricultural development initiatives.

Research Interest

Nikita’s research interests encompass silkworm breeding, disease resistance, mulberry improvement, and value-added products from sericulture. She is particularly fascinated by integrating biotechnology, molecular biology, and artificial intelligence into sericulture for yield enhancement and disease control. Her work also explores the potential of mulberry leaves in herbal products, sustainable cocoon production, and women’s empowerment in sericulture. She is committed to advancing eco-friendly, high-quality silk production methods and promoting sericulture as a sustainable livelihood option. Her research vision aligns with bridging traditional practices and modern innovations to create resilient and profitable sericulture systems for future generations.

Award and Honor

Nikita’s dedication to excellence has earned her numerous accolades, including the Best Poster Presenter Award during UASB Science Week 2024 and the Best M.Sc. Thesis Award by the Green Plant Agrotec Foundation. She topped NPTEL courses in Nanotechnology in Agriculture, earning a Gold Medal, and in Soil Science and Technology, receiving a Silver Medal. She was awarded the Dr. H. R. Arakeri Merit Scholarship and successfully qualified for the UGC-National Eligibility Test in December 2024. Her achievements reflect her commitment to academic and professional excellence, innovative thinking, and impactful contributions to agricultural research and education.

Research Skill

Nikita possesses strong research skills, including experimental design, field trials, laboratory analysis, and statistical evaluation. She has expertise in silkworm rearing, hybrid evaluation, disease diagnosis, and quality assessment of cocoons and raw silk. Her proficiency extends to mulberry germplasm evaluation, gene action studies, and biochemical analyses. She is adept at scientific writing, having authored original research papers, review articles, and popular publications. Additionally, she is skilled in data interpretation, use of AI tools in agriculture, and the preparation of value-added sericulture products. Her blend of technical competence and creative problem-solving enhances the depth and applicability of her research.

Publications

Nikita has made significant scholarly contributions through original research articles, review papers, and popular articles. Her research covers areas such as high-temperature and disease-tolerant silkworm hybrids, mulberry leaf utilization, genetic variability studies, and women’s participation in sericulture. She has published reviews on biotechnological advances, hormonal regulation in silkworms, and medicinal properties of mulberry. Her popular writings highlight contemporary issues and opportunities in sericulture, such as space-based silk production, Ahimsa silk, and sustainable livelihoods. These publications demonstrate her ability to address both scientific and societal aspects of agriculture, making her work relevant to academia, industry, and rural communities.

Kankanawadi, N., Veenita, M. K., Shwetha, G. V., Aramani, K., Sindhu, G. S., & Tejaswini, A. S. (2025).   20-Hydroxyecdysone in silkworm biology: Molecular mechanisms of biosynthesis, development and biotechnological applications. Uttar Pradesh Journal of Zoology.

Field evaluation of new bivoltine silkworm foundation crosses tolerant to high temperature and muscardine disease.

Reeling and raw silk assessment of new double hybrids tolerant to high temperature and muscardine disease at Central Silk Technological Research Institute.

Women's participation and constraints in sericulture: A study from Karnataka, India.

Conclusion

Nikita Kankanawadi’s journey reflects a harmonious blend of academic excellence, field expertise, and research innovation in agriculture, particularly sericulture. Her contributions extend beyond laboratory and fieldwork to encompass community engagement, women’s empowerment, and sustainable agricultural practices. With a strong record of publications, awards, and professional training, she is well-positioned to influence the future of silk production and mulberry-based innovations. Her vision is to advance sericulture through modern science while preserving its traditional roots, ensuring it remains a viable, profitable, and environmentally friendly enterprise for generations to come.