I. Dept of Agronomy
a) Multi Institutional Linkages of the Department for Student Research
|
Sl. No. |
Master’s / Doctorate Degree |
Linkage Institution |
Number |
|
1 |
Master’s degree project |
MoU with ICAR–CTCRI |
3 |
|
2 |
Master’s degree project |
MoU with CSIR–NIIST |
2 |
|
3 |
Doctorate degree project |
MoU with CSIR–NIIST |
1 |
|
4 |
Doctorate degree project |
In collaboration with IIT Palakkad |
1 |
b) Extension Activities of the Department (2024–25)
|
Activity |
Details |
|
No. of trainings organized |
2 |
|
Participants |
100 |
|
Extension videos |
19 |
|
Agronomy YouTube channel subscribers |
1530 |
c) Honours Received by the Faculty and Students of the Department
|
Award / Recognition |
Recipient(s) |
Event / Organization |
Year |
|
Best Poster Award – Season-long weed management in upland rice through rice husk-biochar nanocarrier based 2,4-D herbicide |
Susha, V. S. & Lisha Jose Kappen |
ISWS Biennial Conference “Climate-smart Weed Management for Global Food Security”, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India |
2024 |
|
Outstanding M.Sc. Thesis Award |
Ms. Koya Madhuri Mani |
ARRW (Association of Rice Research Workers) |
2024 |
|
Best Thesis Award |
Mr. Chinmaya Sahoo |
2nd International Conference on Natural Farming Innovations: Enhancing Soil Health and Seed Quality with AI and Drones for a Greener Agricultural Future, jointly organised by GNFSC, ISA, CIMMYT, and BHU, University of Delhi |
Nov 3–4, 2024 |
|
Best Poster Award |
Ms. Lisha Jose Kappen |
ISWS Biennial Conference “Climate-smart Weed Management for Global Food Security”, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India |
2024 |
|
WSU Dual Degree Scholarship |
Arindam Deb & C. Reguram |
Western Sydney University |
2024 |
|
Selected as Nodal Officer, Agricultural Knowledge Centre (Thiruvananthapuram District, Varkkala Block) |
Dr. Atul Jaypal, Assistant Professor (Agronomy) |
Kerala Agricultural University |
2024 |
II. Dept of Plant Physiology
Honours and Awards (2023–2025)
|
Recipient |
Award / Recognition |
Event / Organization |
Date / Year |
|
Nalishma Raghu (2019-21-007) |
Best Research Paper Award (Poster) |
National Conference on Tropical Tuber Crops for Sustainability, Tradition, Agri-Food Systems & Resilience, ICAR–CTCRI, Thiruvananthapuram |
28–29 Nov 2023 |
|
Mr. Anandu S. (2019-09-006) |
First position in Poster Presentation & Best Poster Award |
High-End Workshop by Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) |
18–23 Mar 2024 |
|
Dr. Beena R |
3rd Prize – Best Research Publication |
Based on research papers published (01.01.2023 – 31.12.2023) |
2023 |
|
Ms. Amrutha Vijaykumar (2020-21-014) |
Future Food Systems CRC Scholarship (fully funded) for PhD in Agronomy & Soil Science |
University of New England |
2024 |
|
Dr. Beena R |
1st Prize – Best Research Publication |
Based on research papers published (01.01.2024 – 31.12.2024) |
2024 |
|
Ms. Reshma Mohan (2022-21-043) |
Western Sydney University Postgraduate Research Scholarship |
Western Sydney University |
2025 |
|
Ms. Amrutha Vijaykumar (2020-21-014) |
P.K.R. Nair Prize for Outstanding Post Graduate Research in Agriculture & Forestry – Best PhD Thesis in Agriculture |
Kerala Agricultural University |
2024 |
Major Events & Programmes (2024–25)
|
Event |
Organizer / Collaborator |
Date |
|
International Seminar on “Climate Resilient Rice for Kerala” |
Department of Plant Physiology |
07.03.2024 |
|
Seminar on “Protecting and Leveraging Plant Genetic Resources of Kerala” |
Department of Plant Physiology (Funded by Kerala State Biodiversity Board) |
07.03.2025 |
|
Rice Day Programme |
Dept. of Plant Physiology in collaboration with KSBB (Coordinators: Dr. Beena R & Dr. R. V. Manju) |
26.05.2025 |
|
World Environment Day Celebration – Plantation of 16 forest tree species |
Dept. of Plant Physiology in collaboration with KSBB |
05.06.2025 |
Special Research Milestone (2025)
-
KAU joined NASA’s Axiom Mission (25 June 2025)
-
Different varieties of seeds (Rice – Uma, Jyothi; Tomato – Vellayani Vijay; Pulse – Kanakamony; Brinjal – Surya; Sesame – Thilathara) were carried by Astronaut Shubhanshu Sukhla to the International Space Station (ISS).
-
Objective: To study the effect of microgravity on seeds.
-
After ISS exposure, seeds will be returned to Earth, planted under controlled environments, and monitored for changes in growth, resilience, and productivity.
-
III. Department of Agricultural Entomology
Awards / Recognitions (2025)
|
Sl. No. |
Name(s) |
Award / Recognition |
Event / Conference |
Date & Venue |
|
1 |
Reji Rani O. P. |
Best Oral Presentation Award – “Biosafety of the entomopathogenic fungus Lecanicillium saksenae Kushwaha (Kurihara) and Sukarno to non-target organisms” |
2nd International Conference on Biological Control, Bengaluru |
26–28 March 2025 |
|
2 |
Dr. Amritha V. S. & Thasnifa Bindhi Sharief |
First Place – Oral Presentation “Smart Bees, Sustainable Cities: Community-Led Artificial Insemination for Hybrid Honeybee Development” |
International Seminar on Innovative Policies and Community-Led Solutions for Sustainable Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture |
22 May 2025 |
|
3 |
Shree Naveena P. & O. P. Reji Rani |
Best Poster Presentation Award – “Biopriming with Lecanicillium saksenae: Unlocking Rice Yield Potential” |
37th Kerala Science Congress, KSCSTE & KAU Vellanikkara |
07–10 February 2025 |
|
4 |
Nithya P. R. & Dr. Reji Rani O. P. |
Certificate of Appreciation – Development of technology “Chitin Enriched Lecanicillium Oil (CELO)” |
Inaugural Function of K-AgTech Launchpad, College of Agriculture, Vellayani |
14 March 2025 |
Workshops / Training Conducted (2025)
|
Sl. No. |
Title of Programme |
Target Group |
Date |
|
1 |
Hands-on Training on Pesticide Residue Analysis in Fruits and Vegetables |
Assistant Professors |
March 2025 |
|
2 |
Hands-on Training on Pesticide Residue Analysis in Fruits and Vegetables |
Assistant Professors |
April 2025 |
|
3 |
Hands-on Training Programme on Beekeeping |
BSF Soldiers |
2025 |
Technology Transfer (2025)
|
Technology |
Details |
|
CELO (Chitin-enriched Lecanicillium Oil) |
Transferred to NABARD Incubation Centre by Reji Rani O. P. & Nithya P. R. |
IV. Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops
Achievements & Awards
| S.No | Recipient(s) | Year | Award / Recognition | Event / Organiser | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr. Sreekala G. S., Assistant Professor | 2025 | Best Horticulturist Award | 5th International Conference, Agri Meet Foundation in collaboration with ICAR New Delhi, Southern Federal University Russia, ICARDA Lebanon, ICAR Atari Jabalpur, Vishwabharathi, Shantiniketan West Bengal, ICAR DCR Puttur, ICAR NDRI Karnal, MHU Karnal, SKLTSHU Telangana, MGUVV Durg Chhattisgarh, UVKV West Bengal, NABARD; conducted at BGGI Sangrur Punjab, IKG Punjab Technical University | Recognized for outstanding contributions in horticultural research and innovations. |
| 2 | S. N. Shibana, Deepa S. Nair, G. S. Sreekala, P. Shalini Pillai, Swapna Alex, K. N. Anith, Ancy Joseph | 2024 | Oral Presentation – Second Prize | International Seminar on Spices, KAU 2024 | Paper: Growth, yield and secondary metabolite elicitation in response to chitosan application in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) |
| 3 | Shibana S. N., Deepa S. Nair | 2024 | Poster Presentation – Second Prize | National Seminar on Climate Smart Agriculture for Sustainable Soil and Plant Health in Plantation Crops, Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Kayamkulam | Paper: Chitosan mediated enhancement in turmeric |
| 4 | Ms. Surya N. A., II Year M.Sc. Student (2022-12-020) | 2024 | Best Oral Presentation | Two-Day National Seminar on “Innovative Strategies for Global Nutrition Security: Focus on Fortification”, College of Agriculture, Vellayani | Paper: Development of ready-to-eat coconut inflorescence dietary supplement |
| 5 | Smt. Thanuja T. T. (In-service Ph.D.) | 2025 | Poster Presentation – Second Prize | International Seminar on Innovative Policies and Community-Led Solutions for Sustainable and Peri-Urban Agriculture | Poster: Probiotic fermentation for virgin coconut oil production: A sustainable model for urban and peri-urban agriculture |
| 6 | Rakhi R., Sarada S., Deepa S. Nair | 2025 | Second Prize | International Seminar on “Innovative Policies and Community-Led Solutions for Sustainable Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture” | Project: Smart Greenhouse Farming in Cities: A Future-Proof Approach to Sustainable Food Production, under Theme 4: Technology and Smart Solutions for Urban Agriculture |