Tag: Agriculture

Soumik Dey Roy, Agriculture, Best Innovator Award

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Mr. Soumik Dey Roy: Assistant Professor at Department of Agriculture, Brainware University, Barasat, Kolkata - 700125, India

  • Title / Designation: Mr.

  • Name: Soumik Dey Roy

  • Current Role / Designation: Assistant Professor

  • Organization / Institution: Department of Agriculture, Brainware University, Barasat, Kolkata – 700125

  • Country: India

  • Subject Track: Agriculture

  • Key Area of Expertise: Agricultural Entomology

  • Award Category: Best Innovator Award

Soumik Dey Roy is an Assistant Professor of Agriculture with specialization in Agricultural Entomology, currently pursuing his Ph.D. at Palli Siksha Bhavana, Visva-Bharati University. He has developed a strong academic profile integrating teaching, field-based research, scholarly publishing, and editorial responsibilities. His work focuses on advancing sustainable and eco-friendly pest management strategies through ecological, biological, and technological interventions, while actively contributing to undergraduate education and research capacity building.

Online Profile

Google Scholar Profile

He maintains a robust academic and professional presence through publications in national and international peer-reviewed journals, edited books, and reputed academic publishers such as Springer Nature, Wiley, Elsevier (Academic Press), and CABI. His research outputs are indexed in SCOPUS and Web of Science, and he actively contributes as an editor, reviewer, and subject expert for multiple journals. He also engages in science communication through popular articles and web platforms to disseminate research-based agricultural knowledge.

Since 2021, his research publications have received 14 citations, with 13 citations recorded in recent years, reflecting growing scholarly visibility. He currently holds an h-index of 2, indicating emerging research impact within the fields of agricultural entomology and sustainable pest management.

Education

He is currently enrolled in a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program in Agricultural Entomology at Visva-Barati University, where he secured an excellent GPA of 8.89/10 in coursework. He completed his Master of Science in Agriculture with specialization in Agricultural Entomology from Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya with an OGPA of 8.94/10, followed by a Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Agriculture from the same university with an OGPA of 8.22/10. In addition, he qualified the UGC-NET examination in Environmental Sciences in 2024 with a high percentile score of 98.64, reflecting strong interdisciplinary academic competence.

Research Focus

His research interests broadly encompass arthropod ecology, insect morphology, and plant–arthropod interactions, with a strong emphasis on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and biological control approaches. He actively works on entomopathogenic nematodes, bio-efficacy evaluation of pesticides, insecticide dose-response dynamics, and plant parasitic nematode ecology and management. His emerging research areas include ecological and landscape engineering, smart agriculture, and the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning for sustainable crop protection.

Experience

He has been serving as Assistant Professor in the Department of Agriculture at Brainware University, Kolkata, since January 2025, following earlier appointments as Contractual and Visiting Assistant Professor at the same institution. He has substantial experience in delivering theory and practical courses under ICAR Fifth and Sixth Deans’ Committee curricula, supervising laboratory and field experiments, mentoring undergraduate research projects, and contributing to academic planning and quality assurance activities.

Research Timeline & Activities

His research career formally began during his postgraduate studies with extensive field experimentation on groundnut agro-ecosystems during the Rabi season of 2021–22. Since 2023, he has maintained a consistent research output with publications in reputed journals, book chapters, edited volumes, and patents. Alongside research, he remains actively involved in peer review, editorial board responsibilities, faculty development programs, rural agricultural extension (RAWE), experiential learning initiatives, and interdisciplinary research collaborations.

Awards & Honors

He has received academic recognition through qualification of the UGC-NET examination, selection for editorial and associate editor roles in multiple national and international journals, and life or annual memberships in professional scientific societies such as the Entomological Society of India. His innovative research contributions have resulted in several Indian patent publications related to pest management technologies, agricultural machinery, biotechnology, and AI-based advisory systems.

Top Noted Publication

His most notable publications include high-impact review and research articles in journals such as CABI Reviews, Indian Journal of Entomology, Agricultural Engineering International (CIGR Journal), and other SCOPUS and Web of Science indexed outlets. These works address critical issues in sustainable pest management, entomopathogenic nematodes, insecticide hormesis, crop–pest interactions, and eco-friendly agricultural practices, contributing meaningfully to both applied and theoretical entomology.

  • Ray, J., Ghosh, P. K., Banik, S., Duary, S., Pramanik, M., Dey Roy, S., & Roy, S. (2024).
    Exploring Agriculture in the Age of Drones: A Comprehensive Review. African Journal of Biological Sciences, 6(3), 216–229.
    Citations: 3

  • Mahata, K. S., Mochary, S., Dey Roy, S., & Mohanta, R. (2025).
    Development and testing of self-propelled type rotary forage harvester. Agricultural Engineering International: CIGR Journal, 27(1), 72–84.
    Citations: 2

  • Dey Roy, S., & Mukhopadhyay, A. K. (2025).
    Harnessing Hormesis: Exploring Insecticide Dose-response Dynamics for Sustainable Pest Management. Uttar Pradesh Journal of Zoology, 46(4), 12–28.
    Citations: 2

  • Dey Roy, S., Singh, S., Jagdev, G., Kumari, N., & Kapare, S. (2024).
    Major and minor insect pests of Glycine max L. and their management. International Journal of Entomology Research, 9(11), 69–75.
    Citations: 2*

  • Dey Roy, S., & Mukhopadhyay, A. K. (2024).
    Population Dynamics of Major Sucking Pests Infesting Rabi Groundnut in West Bengal. Indian Journal of Entomology, 86(4), 1296–1298.
    Citations: 2

 

Article Details

  • Article Title: Effect of weather variables and guild interactions in the seasonal patterns of arthropod fauna in Solanum melongena agro-ecosystem

  • Journal: International Journal of Tropical Insect Science (Springer Nature)

  • Publication Year: 2026

  • Article Type: Research Article

  • Article Publication Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42690-025-01739-6

The research article titled “Effect of weather variables and guild interactions in the seasonal patterns of arthropod fauna in Solanum melongena agro-ecosystem” was published on 19 January 2026 in the International Journal of Tropical Insect Science. The study was conducted at the Central Research Farm, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Gayeshpur, West Bengal, and is based on extensive field observations across 11 consecutive cropping seasons between 2021 and 2023. It documents the diversity and seasonal dynamics of 73 arthropod species associated with eggplant cultivation, categorized into functional ecological guilds, with detailed analysis of climatic influences and inter-species interactions.

Novelty

The novelty of this study lies in its long-term, multi-seasonal assessment of arthropod community structure within a brinjal agro-ecosystem under varying climatic conditions. Unlike short-term or single-season studies, this research integrates weather variables with guild-based interaction analysis, revealing complex antagonistic, complementary, and mutualistic relationships among pests, predators, and ants. The simultaneous evaluation of climate drivers and trophic interactions provides new ecological insights into how abiotic and biotic factors collectively shape pest population dynamics.

Scientific Impact

This study contributes significantly to the field of agricultural entomology by advancing the understanding of climate-mediated arthropod population regulation in horticultural systems. By quantifying correlations between weather parameters and key pest and predator species, the research strengthens ecological forecasting approaches for pest outbreaks. The guild-interaction framework adopted in the study offers a robust model for future agro-ecological research aimed at enhancing resilience in crop protection under climate variability.

Practical and Applied Impact

The findings have strong applied relevance for developing adaptive and sustainable pest management strategies in eggplant cultivation. Insights into seasonal pest pressure, predator effectiveness, and ant–aphid mutualism can inform precise timing of interventions and conservation of natural enemies. By emphasizing ecological interactions rather than chemical dependency, the study supports integrated pest management (IPM) approaches aligned with climate-smart agriculture and long-term crop sustainability.

Strength for the Best Innovator Award

1. Long-Term, Multi-Seasonal Data Collection

Strength: The study spans 11 consecutive cropping seasons, capturing inter-annual variability in arthropod populations and weather conditions.

Innovation: Most studies are short-term; this multi-season approach provides robust, high-resolution insights into temporal dynamics and improves predictive accuracy.

Impact: Enables reliable identification of trends and seasonal peaks, crucial for adaptive pest management and ecological modeling.

2. Integration of Weather Variables with Guild Interactions

Strength: The study links abiotic factors (temperature, rainfall, humidity) with biotic interactions among pests, predators, and ants.

Innovation: Combines climate science and community ecology, revealing how environmental conditions mediate trophic interactions.

Impact: Provides a predictive framework for anticipating pest outbreaks under climate variability, supporting climate-smart agriculture.

3. Functional Guild-Based Analysis of Arthropod Communities

Strength: Arthropods are categorized into functional guilds (herbivores, predators, parasitoids, mutualists), rather than just taxonomic groups.

Innovation: Enables a mechanistic understanding of ecosystem interactions, including antagonistic, complementary, and mutualistic relationships.

Impact: Offers a practical tool for IPM planning, allowing farmers to leverage natural predator-prey dynamics instead of relying solely on chemicals.

4. Application to Sustainable and Adaptive Pest Management

Strength: Findings provide actionable guidance on timing interventions, conserving beneficial species, and reducing chemical inputs.

Innovation: Moves beyond descriptive ecology to applied solutions, directly benefiting agricultural sustainability.

Impact: Supports eco-friendly IPM strategies, increasing crop resilience and long-term productivity under changing climatic conditions.

5. Contribution to Ecological Forecasting and Agro-Entomology

Strength: Establishes quantitative links between climatic variables and key pest/predator species.

Innovation: Offers a scientifically rigorous model for predicting arthropod population dynamics, which can be adapted to other crops and regions.

Impact: Advances precision agriculture, enabling farmers and policymakers to implement proactive, data-driven pest management.

Malsawmtluanga Hnialum, Agriculture, Best Innovator Award

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Mr. Malsawmtluanga Hnialum: Ph. D. Scholar at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India

Title/Designation: Mr.
Name: Malsawmtluanga Hnialum
Current Role/Designation: Ph.D. Scholar
Organization/Institution: Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India
Subject Track: Agriculture
Key Areas of Expertise: Taxonomy, Biodiversity, Plant Protection
Award Categories: Best Innovator Award

Malsawmtluanga Hnialum is a dedicated Ph.D. scholar in Agricultural Entomology at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, with a strong focus on insect biodiversity, taxonomy, and integrated pest management. He has a keen interest in lepidopteran diversity, ecological modeling, and sustainable strategies for managing agricultural pests. Over the years, he has contributed extensively to scientific literature through research articles, book chapters, and books, and has collaborated with multiple national and international researchers. His work bridges classical entomology with modern approaches, such as citizen science and predictive modeling, reflecting a commitment to both academic excellence and practical agricultural solutions.

Online Profiles

ORCID Profile

Education

He earned a B.Sc. in Agriculture from Central Agricultural University, Imphal (2020), followed by an M.Sc. (Ag) in Agricultural Entomology from Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola (2022). Currently, he is pursuing his Ph.D. at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, specializing in Agricultural Entomology. Throughout his academic journey, he has consistently focused on insect ecology, pest management, and the application of modern tools and techniques to agricultural research.

Research Focus

His doctoral research investigates the diversity, taxonomy, and elevational distribution of Noctuoidea (Lepidoptera) in Mizoram, aiming to provide comprehensive baseline data for biodiversity conservation and pest management. His master’s research focused on the ovicidal efficacy of various insecticides against the cotton pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella), providing insights into sustainable pest control measures. He is also involved in ecological niche modeling, climate-based predictions of pest distribution, and the integration of citizen science data to enhance agricultural decision-making.

Experience

He has participated in numerous national and international seminars, conferences, and workshops, presenting both oral and poster presentations on topics such as pest management, insect taxonomy, and sustainable agricultural practices. He has hands-on experience in laboratory experiments, field surveys, and modern analytical techniques, including molecular data analysis and statistical modeling using R. He has also been involved in mentoring students and contributing to collaborative research projects that address real-world agricultural challenges.

Research Timeline & Activities

Since 2022, his research has progressed from evaluating insecticidal efficacy against pink bollworm eggs to comprehensive biodiversity assessments of moth species in Mizoram. He has systematically studied ecological patterns, altitudinal diversity gradients, and climate impacts on species distribution. Alongside publishing research articles and book chapters, he has contributed to edited volumes, popular science articles, and co-invented an agricultural pollination drone device (2025), demonstrating his ability to translate research into practical agricultural technologies.

Awards & Honors

His contributions have been recognized through prestigious fellowships and awards, including the National Fellowship for Higher Education, the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Fellowship for doctoral students, and the Young Entomologist Award at the 2nd International Agriculture Conference. He has also been acknowledged for his active participation in workshops, seminars, and conferences that focus on innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and pest management.

Top Noted Publication

Among his impactful publications, a key study is: Hnialum, M., Narayanasami, C., Soundararajan, R. P., et al. (2025). Ecological niche modelling and future distribution prediction of Thysanoplusia orichalcea (Fabricius, 1775) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) using citizen science data and CMIP6 projections in India. Oriental Insects, 1-24. This research combines citizen science, predictive modeling, and climate projections to forecast pest distribution, highlighting his expertise in integrating field entomology with modern analytical tools for sustainable pest management.

  • Ecological niche modelling and future distribution prediction of Thysanoplusia orichalcea (Fabricius, 1775) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) using citizen science data and CMIP6 projections in India
    Oriental Insects, 2025-12-04. DOI: 10.1080/00305316.2025.2593875
    Contributors: Malsawmtluanga Hnialum, Chitra Narayanasami, Raga Palanisamy Soundararajan, Santosh Ganapati Patil, Kumaraperumal Ramalingam, Balasubramani Venkatasamy, Dilipsundar Natarajan, Pachuau Lalruatfeli, Bawlchhim Lalmuanzuala, Bimal Kumar Sahoo
    This study integrates citizen science observations and climate model projections to predict future distribution patterns of the cabbage looper moth across India, offering valuable insights for pest management under climate change scenarios.

  • Taxonomic notes on lichen moths (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Lithosiini) from Mizoram, India
    International Journal of Tropical Insect Science, 2025-09-11. DOI: 10.1007/s42690-025-01605-5
    Contributors: Malsawmtluanga Hnialum, Chitra Narayanasami, Balasubramani Venkatasamy, Soundararajan Raga Palanisamy, Kumaraperumal Ramalingam, Santosh Ganapati Patil, Amrit Sekhar Mallick, Dilipsundar Natarajan
    Provides updated taxonomic descriptions and distribution records of lichen moth species in Mizoram, enhancing regional biodiversity knowledge.

  • Enhancing the yield of black gram (Vigna mungo L.) using organic seaweed extract
    Plant Science Today, 2025-08-25. DOI: 10.14719/pst.9092
    Contributors: Pachuau Lalruatfeli, Ramanujam Krishnan, Ponnusamy Janaki, Hnialum Malsawmtluanga, B Lalmuanzuala, J Lalremliana
    Demonstrates the use of organic seaweed extracts to improve growth and yield of black gram, supporting sustainable and organic agricultural practices.

  • A review on lepidopteran studies in Mizoram: Overview, present status, hurdles and prospects, along with a compiled checklist of moths
    Plant Science Today, 2025-08-12. DOI: 10.14719/pst.8997
    Contributors: H Malsawmtluanga, N Chitra, R P Soundararajan, GP Santosh, R Kumaraperumal, V Balasubramani, N Dilipsundar
    Comprehensive review of Lepidoptera research in Mizoram, highlighting challenges, research gaps, and providing a detailed checklist of regional moth species.

  • Alpha diversity with increasing altitude and Rapoport’s rule adherence: Elevational trends in Noctuoidea (Lepidoptera) of Mizoram, India
    Biodiversity Data Journal, 2025-04-25. DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.13.e152977
    Contributors: Malsawmtluanga Hnialum, Chitra Narayanasami, Santosh Patil, Soundararajan Palanisamy, Kumaraperumal Ramalingam, Balasubramani Venkatasamy, Amrit Mallick, Dilipsundar Natarajan, Arulkumar Gopal, Lalmuanzuala B
    Analyzes elevational diversity patterns in Noctuoidea moths, testing Rapoport’s rule, and providing insights into biodiversity distribution in northeastern India.

  • Redescription of Cryptophlebia ombrodelta (Lower, 1898) (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae), an emerging pest of leguminous medicinal plants with new host record from India
    Plant Science Today, 2025-01-15. DOI: 10.14719/pst.5914
    Contributors: A S Mallick, C Narayanasamy, S R Palanisamy, E Thiyagarajan, D Natarajan, M Hnialum, V Manickam
    Provides a redescription and updated host record of a pest species affecting leguminous medicinal plants, highlighting its emerging importance in agriculture.

Strengths for the Best Innovator Award

  1. Innovative Research in Agricultural Entomology
    He has pioneered research combining classical entomology with modern tools such as ecological niche modeling, climate projections (CMIP6), and citizen science to predict pest distributions, enabling proactive and data-driven pest management strategies.

  2. Contribution to Biodiversity and Taxonomy
    His work on the diversity, taxonomy, and elevational trends of moth species in Mizoram has filled critical knowledge gaps in regional Lepidoptera biodiversity, producing checklists, taxonomic notes, and review articles that serve as reference points for future research.

  3. Integration of Sustainable Agricultural Practices
    Through studies like enhancing black gram yield using organic seaweed extracts and evaluating eco-friendly pest management methods, he demonstrates the practical application of research toward sustainable and climate-resilient farming.

  4. Development of Technological Innovations
    He has co-invented an agricultural pollination drone device, showcasing his ability to translate research insights into tangible agricultural technologies that improve productivity and efficiency, reflecting true innovation.

  5. Recognition and Leadership in Scientific Contributions
    His awards, fellowships, and extensive publications in high-impact journals underline his excellence and thought leadership in agricultural sciences. He actively mentors students and collaborates internationally, promoting innovation and knowledge dissemination in the field.