Tag: Best Innovator Award
Devi Lal Kikraliya, Agriculture, Best Innovator Award
Dr. Devi Lal Kikraliya: Senior Research Fellow (SRF) at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Alwar-I, Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner, Jaipur, India
Article Details
The study titled “Partial substitution of herbicides with sorghum allelopathic extract and its impact on productivity of wheat and soil microbes” investigates an integrated weed management approach in wheat cultivation (Triticum aestivum).
It evaluates the use of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) allelopathic extract (rich in sorgoleone) in combination with reduced doses of synthetic herbicides (clodinafop + metsulfuron).
Key measured outcomes include:
- Grain yield of wheat
- Weed suppression efficiency
- Soil bacterial and fungal population dynamics
- Treatment comparisons between different extract concentrations and herbicide combinations
Published in Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, 2026, Volume 57, Article 148.
Novelty
The main novelty lies in the partial replacement strategy rather than full substitution of herbicides.
Key innovative elements:
- Integration of a plant-derived allelopathic extract with chemical herbicides in a sequential application system
- Simultaneous evaluation of agronomic performance and soil microbial response
- Use of different sorghum extract concentrations (1:2 and 1:3) under field conditions
The study moves beyond conventional weed control research by combining chemical + biological weed suppression with soil microbiological assessment in a single framework.
Impact
The study shows meaningful agronomic and environmental impact:
- Highest grain yield reached 4543 kg/ha
- Yield improvement of 34.87% over weedy control
- Comparable performance between two optimized treatments (1:2 and 1:3 extract combinations)
- Increased soil microbial populations under sorghum extract treatments
Overall impact:
- Demonstrates that herbicide dose reduction is possible without yield penalty
- Provides evidence supporting integrated weed management systems
- Suggests improvements in soil biological health alongside productivity gains
Originality
The originality is moderate to high based on applied agricultural research standards.
Distinct contributions include:
- Field-level validation of sorghum allelopathic extract in combination with herbicides
- Focus on microbial population shifts (bacteria and fungi) in response to treatments
- Linking allelopathic activity (sorgoleone effect) with both weed suppression and soil biological enhancement
However, the approach builds on established knowledge of allelopathy, so the conceptual novelty is incremental rather than entirely new.
Experimental Rigor
The experimental design appears agronomically sound, with:
- Multiple treatment groups including control and combinations
- Field-based validation rather than laboratory-only study
- Statistical differentiation of treatment effects
- Measurement at different crop growth stages (e.g., 60 DAS and harvest)
Limitations in rigor (based on abstract-level information):
- Likely reliance on culture-based microbial enumeration rather than molecular microbial profiling
- No indication of multi-year or multi-location validation
- Limited mechanistic insight into soil biochemical pathways
Overall rigor: moderate to strong for agronomic field experimentation, but limited depth in advanced microbial ecology methods.
Sustainability Impact
The study has strong sustainability relevance:
- Reduces dependence on full-dose synthetic herbicides
- Enhances soil microbial activity, supporting soil health
- Encourages use of plant-based allelopathic resources
- Potential reduction in chemical residue accumulation in agricultural soils
Sustainability significance:
- Supports transition toward integrated and eco-friendly weed management
- Improves long-term soil productivity potential
- Aligns with sustainable intensification of cereal production systems
Applicability
The findings are practically relevant for wheat-based farming systems:
Potential applications:
- Integrated weed management programs combining bio-extracts and reduced herbicide doses
- Adoption in regions facing herbicide overuse or early resistance issues
- Use in sustainable or low-input farming systems
Constraints:
- Sorghum extract preparation may require additional labor and standardization
- Scaling up bio-extract use may face logistical challenges
- Farmer adoption depends on cost-effectiveness and ease of preparation
Overall applicability: moderate to high, with strongest relevance in research-oriented or progressive farming systems rather than fully mechanized large-scale operations without adaptation.
Research Portfolio
Dr. Deviraj Lal Kikraliya is an agronomy researcher currently serving as Senior Research Fellow at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Navgaon (Alwar-I), Rajasthan. He is dedicated to agricultural innovation with a strong focus on sustainable crop production, weed ecology, and soil health management. He combines academic excellence with practical field experience, particularly in dryland and semi-arid agricultural systems. He is also actively involved in extension activities and farmer-oriented agricultural technologies.
Online Profile
He maintains an active academic and professional presence through peer-reviewed journal publications, research conferences, training programs, and poster presentations at national and international levels. His work is aligned with eco-friendly agriculture, particularly integrated weed management and natural farming systems. He contributes to knowledge dissemination in agronomy through research collaborations, institutional programs, and field demonstrations under KVK systems.
Education
He earned his Ph.D. in Agronomy (2025) from S.K. Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner, with research on crop geometry and Jeevamrut application in groundnut. He completed his M.Sc. (Agronomy) in 2022 from Agriculture University, Jodhpur, focusing on herbicide and sorghum extract interactions in wheat. His B.Sc. Agriculture (2019) was also completed from S.K. Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner, where he gained foundational training in crop production, soil science, and agricultural practices. He has consistently maintained strong academic performance throughout his educational journey.
Research Focus
His core research interests include integrated weed management, allelopathic plant extracts, herbicide efficiency, crop geometry optimization, and organic/natural farming approaches. He also focuses on soil fertility enhancement, nutrient cycling, and microbial activity in agricultural soils. His work emphasizes improving crop yield and quality while minimizing chemical inputs and promoting environmentally sustainable farming systems.
Experience
He has extensive hands-on experience in agronomic research, including field trials, crop management, and data recording under different agro-climatic conditions. In laboratory settings, he has worked on nutrient analysis (N, P, K), micronutrient estimation, soil microbial population studies, and quality parameter evaluation of crops like wheat and groundnut. He is also experienced in conducting farmer training, demonstration trials, and extension activities through Krishi Vigyan Kendra programs.
Research Timeline & Activities
His research journey began during his B.Sc. with RAWEP training at KVK Lunkaransar in 2019, where he gained practical exposure to rural agricultural systems. During his M.Sc. (2020–2022), he conducted experimental research on weed management in wheat using herbicides and plant extracts. From 2022 to 2025, his Ph.D. research focused on groundnut production systems involving crop geometry and Jeevamrut application. He has also actively participated in multiple national and international conferences, training programs, and scientific workshops throughout his academic career.
Awards & Honors
He has received several prestigious academic awards including the University Gold Medal in M.Sc. Agronomy, Prof. R.P. Jangir University Gold Medal, and ASRB NET qualification. He was awarded the NET/SLET Fellowship by the Government of Rajasthan and has also been recognized with the Young Researcher Award (2025) and Excellent Research Trial Award (2024). Additionally, he received the AIASA Cabinet Member Award (2017) for academic and leadership contributions.
Strength for a “Best Innovator Award”
1. Innovation in Integrated Weed Management (IWM)
A key strength is the development of novel integrated weed control strategies combining sorghum allelopathic extract with reduced doses of herbicides. This partial substitution approach reduces chemical dependency while maintaining weed suppression efficiency, making it a practical innovation for modern wheat-based systems.
2. Advancement in Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Agriculture
The work strongly supports environmentally sustainable farming systems by reducing herbicide load and enhancing soil biological activity. The integration of plant-based allelopathy aligns with eco-friendly agriculture and long-term soil health improvement goals.
3. Strong Field-Level Validation in Real Farming Conditions
Research conducted through field experiments under wheat cultivation systems provides high practical relevance and reliability. Unlike lab-only studies, the findings demonstrate real-world applicability in agronomic conditions, increasing adoption potential for farmers.
(Institutions involved: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Alwar-I, Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner)
4. Soil Health and Microbial Impact Assessment
A distinctive strength is the inclusion of soil microbial dynamics (bacteria and fungi populations) alongside yield and weed control evaluation. This adds a biological sustainability dimension rarely integrated into conventional herbicide studies, strengthening scientific depth.
5. Strong Academic–Extension–Research Integration
The profile reflects a balanced combination of research, farmer training, and extension activities, ensuring that innovations are not only developed but also transferred to field-level practice. This strengthens real-world impact and scalability of technologies developed.
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Kalaiarasan Muthupandi, Marine Science, Best Innovator Award
Mr. Kalaiarasan Muthupandi: Assistant Professor and Principal at Paraprofessional Institute of Industrial Fishing Technology, Tamil Nadu Dr. J Jayalalithaa Fisheries University, India
Article Details
The article titled “Length–Weight Relationships for Reef Fishes Inhibiting a Tropical Biodiversity Hotspot” was published on 14 May 2026 in Thalassas: An International Journal of Marine Sciences (Volume 42, Article 118). The research was conducted by Muthupandi Kalaiarasan and co-authors focusing on reef-associated fish species from the Gulf of Mannar. The study analyzed 2,472 fish specimens collected from Keelamundal, Keelakarai, and Mandapam fishing grounds using bottom-set longline methods. Thirteen commercially important reef fish species belonging to Lutjanidae, Lethrinidae, Epinephelidae, and Terapontidae families were examined to estimate length–weight relationships and relative condition factors.
Novelty
The study presents updated and region-specific length–weight relationship parameters for reef fishes from the Gulf of Mannar, an internationally recognized tropical marine biodiversity hotspot. Unlike earlier generalized assessments, this research provides gear-specific biological data generated through standardized bottom-set longline sampling. The inclusion of multiple commercially important reef-associated species under a single comparative framework enhances the novelty of the work. Additionally, the integration of relative condition factor analysis offers deeper ecological insights into fish health and habitat suitability under present environmental conditions.
Impact
The findings have significant implications for fisheries biology, stock assessment, and marine ecosystem management. Accurate length–weight relationship data are essential for estimating fish biomass and monitoring population dynamics in coral reef ecosystems. The study supports evidence-based fisheries regulation and contributes to improving sustainable harvesting strategies in the Gulf of Mannar region. The research also strengthens baseline scientific datasets required for future ecological monitoring, climate-change impact studies, and biodiversity conservation programs in tropical reef ecosystems.
Originality
This work demonstrates originality through its comprehensive evaluation of commercially exploited reef fishes across multiple fishing grounds within the Gulf of Mannar. The comparative assessment of positive, negative, and isometric growth patterns among species provides new biological understanding of reef fish growth dynamics in Indian coastal waters. The study further distinguishes itself by linking observed growth variations with habitat characteristics, morphology, and ecological distribution, thereby extending beyond conventional fisheries data reporting.
Experimental Rigor
The research was conducted using systematic field sampling and statistically validated analytical methods. A large sample size of 2,472 individuals ensured strong data reliability and reduced sampling bias. The authors employed standard fisheries science methodologies to calculate allometric coefficients and relative condition factors. Strong correlation coefficients (r² = 0.951–0.990) confirmed the robustness of the length–weight models generated during the study. The inclusion of multiple fish families and geographically distinct fishing grounds further strengthened the scientific rigor and reproducibility of the investigation.
Sustainability Impact
The study contributes directly to sustainable marine resource management by generating biological reference data necessary for ecosystem-based fisheries management. The findings support responsible exploitation of reef fish populations by improving understanding of growth patterns, fish health, and biomass estimation. Such information is crucial for preventing overfishing and protecting ecologically sensitive coral reef habitats in the Gulf of Mannar. The research aligns with global sustainable development goals related to life below water, marine biodiversity conservation, and sustainable fisheries governance.
Applicability
The outcomes of this study are highly applicable for fisheries departments, marine conservation agencies, policymakers, and researchers involved in coastal resource management. The generated length–weight relationship parameters can be used in stock assessment models, fishery monitoring programs, biodiversity studies, and ecosystem simulations. The dataset also provides practical utility for future comparative studies on reef fish ecology in tropical marine environments. Moreover, the results can assist in designing region-specific conservation strategies and sustainable harvesting regulations for commercially important reef fishes in Indian coastal waters.
Research Portfolio
Dr. K. Kalaiarasan Muthupandi is a distinguished fisheries engineering academician, researcher, and fisheries technology expert from Tamil Nadu, India, currently serving as Assistant Professor (Stage 2) and Principal i/c at the Directorate of Incubation and Vocational Training in Fisheries, Ramanathapuram, under Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University. Over the past 11 years, he has built a strong academic and research profile in Fishing Technology, Fisheries Engineering, Navigation and Seamanship, Marine Communication, and Sea Safety Systems. His professional contributions integrate research, teaching, training, and technology transfer aimed at improving sustainable marine fisheries and enhancing the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities. He has played an important role in developing innovative fishing gear systems, promoting fisher safety awareness, and strengthening vocational fisheries education through practical skill-based learning programmes. Dr. Kalaiarasan is also recognized for his contributions to fisheries extension literature, educational manuals, and fisher-oriented technical training materials in both English and Tamil languages.
Online Profile
Dr. Kalaiarasan is academically associated with Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University, one of India’s leading fisheries universities dedicated to fisheries science, technology, and coastal development. Through his institutional role, he has actively contributed to fisheries education, marine technology training, incubation activities, and industry-linked vocational programmes for fishers, students, and coastal entrepreneurs. His scholarly profile includes research publications, technical manuals, ICAR e-courses, fisheries engineering textbooks, practical workbooks, and extension pamphlets covering fishing gear technology, marine engines, navigation, seamanship, refrigeration engineering, and fisheries safety systems. He has also participated in national and international fisheries conferences, symposiums, and technical forums where he presented research findings related to sustainable fishing practices, hook optimization, indigenous fishing technologies, and marine ecosystem management.
The researcher has received a total of 94 citations, including 79 citations since 2021, showing growing academic recognition and research impact. The researcher holds an h-index of 6 overall and 5 since 2021, reflecting consistent scholarly contributions and citation performance. Additionally, the i10-index stands at 4 overall and 3 since 2021, indicating that several publications have been cited more than ten times in academic literature.
Education
Dr. Kalaiarasan completed his Master of Fisheries Science in Fisheries Engineering and Technology with specialization in Fishing Technology. His academic training concentrated on Advanced Fishing Gear Technology including longlines, gillnets, traps, pots, and innovative fishing systems designed for efficient and sustainable fish harvesting. He also specialized in Navigation and Sea Safety with expertise in marine communication systems, navigational signals, deck equipment, marine engines, life-saving appliances, and survival-at-sea techniques. During his academic journey, he was awarded the TANUVAS Merit Fellowship for outstanding postgraduate academic performance. He further received the prestigious UGC Merit Fellowship to pursue doctoral-level research at Central Institute of Fisheries Education, one of India’s premier fisheries research and higher education institutions. His academic background provided a strong interdisciplinary foundation combining fisheries engineering, marine technology, safety systems, and applied fisheries research.
Research Focus
Dr. Kalaiarasan’s research primarily focuses on sustainable fisheries engineering technologies and ecosystem-based marine fisheries management. His major research interests include fishing gear optimization, hook and longline efficiency studies, trap and pot engineering, marine safety technologies, indigenous fishing systems, fisheries refrigeration engineering, and fisher-centric technology innovations. He has conducted extensive investigations on gear selectivity, catch efficiency, hook size optimization, and gear modifications for commercially important marine species in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay regions. His research also explores traditional fishing knowledge systems, sustainable reef fisheries, floating and FRP cage technologies for aquaculture, and fisheries ecosystem conservation strategies. In addition, he has worked on training systems related to navigation, seamanship, marine meteorology, marine communication, disaster preparedness, and survival at sea. His multidisciplinary research integrates engineering principles with practical fisheries applications to improve resource sustainability, fisher safety, and marine livelihood resilience.
Experience
Dr. Kalaiarasan possesses more than a decade of experience in fisheries education, research, extension, vocational training, and institutional administration. As an academician, he has contributed extensively to curriculum development, fisheries engineering practical training, marine safety education, and student mentoring activities. He has served as Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator for several funded projects supported by agencies such as the Government of Tamil Nadu, NADP, TANII, BOBP-IGO, ICAR, and Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation. His professional experience includes coordinating large-scale fisheries infrastructure and training projects such as the establishment of Fisheries Training Institutes, Safety-at-Sea Training Facilities, and Deep Sea Fishing Technology Training and Management Centres. He has also led numerous fisher training programmes on marine engine maintenance, deep sea fishing techniques, navigation, gillnet fabrication, and marine communication technologies. Through these activities, he has significantly contributed to human resource development and skill enhancement among coastal fishing communities in Tamil Nadu.
Research Timeline & Activities
Throughout his career, Dr. Kalaiarasan has actively participated in research and development projects addressing fisheries technology modernization and sustainable marine resource utilization. His early research activities focused on traditional fishing systems, mud crab fishing gears, and fishing gear performance studies in Pulicat Lake. Subsequently, he worked on designing FRP cages for mud crab fattening and floating cage systems for pearl spot culture. Later, his research expanded into deep sea fisheries, reef fisheries, longline technology, and marine ecosystem sustainability in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay regions. He has contributed to the modernization of fishing gear technologies through studies on hook number optimization, hook shape efficiency, catch selectivity, and species composition analysis. Dr. Kalaiarasan has also coordinated fisheries training initiatives under SANKALP and Naan Mudhalvan Finishing School schemes, conducting programmes on deep sea fishing, marine engine repair, boat driver certification, and gillnet making. In addition to research projects, he has authored technical manuals, course materials, ICAR e-courses, extension pamphlets, and practical workbooks aimed at strengthening fisheries vocational education and technology dissemination.
Awards & Honors
Dr. Kalaiarasan has received several academic distinctions and professional recognitions for his contributions to fisheries engineering and marine technology research. He was honored with the “Best Research Paper 2014” award by the Agricultural Science Tamil Society, New Delhi, for introducing modified collapsible fish traps designed to improve fishing efficiency and operational convenience. He received the UGC Merit Fellowship for pursuing doctoral research at CIFE Mumbai, reflecting his academic excellence and research potential in fisheries engineering. Earlier, he was awarded the TANUVAS Merit Fellowship during his postgraduate studies in Fisheries Engineering and Technology. His contributions to fisher safety systems, fisheries vocational education, indigenous fishing technology documentation, and sustainable fisheries development have earned appreciation from academic institutions, fisheries departments, and marine research communities. His continuous involvement in capacity-building programmes and technology-oriented fisheries development initiatives further highlights his commitment to advancing India’s marine fisheries sector.
Strength for the Best Innovator Award
Research Innovation Excellence
Kalaiarasan Muthupandi has demonstrated exceptional innovation in fisheries engineering through his extensive work on sustainable fishing technologies, reef fisheries management, fishing gear optimization, and fisher safety systems. His research integrates engineering principles with practical marine applications, resulting in improved fishing efficiency, ecosystem conservation, and resource sustainability. His contributions to longline systems, hook optimization studies, collapsible fish traps, FRP cage technologies, and indigenous fishing systems highlight his ability to develop innovative and field-oriented solutions for the fisheries sector. The publication of impactful scientific studies in reputed international journals further reflects his research originality and innovation-driven scientific approach.
Societal and Coastal Community Impact
One of the strongest qualities supporting his candidature for the Best Innovator Award is his direct contribution to coastal livelihood development and fisher welfare. Through vocational fisheries education, marine safety training, and technology transfer programmes, he has positively impacted fishing communities across Tamil Nadu. His active involvement in fisher training on deep-sea fishing, navigation, marine communication, marine engine maintenance, and sea safety has strengthened human resource development within the marine sector. His extension-oriented innovations have improved operational safety, reduced risks at sea, and promoted sustainable fishing practices among traditional fishing communities.
Leadership in Fisheries Technology Development
As Assistant Professor and Principal i/c at Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University, Dr. Kalaiarasan has shown outstanding leadership in fisheries education, institutional development, and technology modernization. He has coordinated several major projects funded by national and state agencies including ICAR, TANII, NADP, BOBP-IGO, and the Government of Tamil Nadu. His leadership in establishing fisheries training institutes, deep-sea fishing technology centres, and safety-at-sea training facilities demonstrates his administrative capability and long-term vision for strengthening India’s fisheries infrastructure. His ability to bridge academia, industry, and community needs is a major strength for innovation recognition.
Scientific Contributions and Research Impact
Dr. Kalaiarasan’s growing research influence is reflected through his strong publication profile, citation impact, and interdisciplinary contributions to fisheries engineering and marine sciences. His research portfolio includes international journal articles, technical manuals, ICAR e-courses, extension publications, and practical fisheries training materials in both English and Tamil. With 94 citations, an h-index of 6, and consistent scholarly productivity since 2021, he has established a credible academic presence in sustainable marine fisheries research. His recent publication on reef fish length–weight relationships in the Gulf of Mannar provides scientifically valuable baseline data for stock assessment, biomass estimation, and ecosystem-based fisheries management.
Commitment to Sustainability and Future Fisheries Development
A defining strength of Dr. Kalaiarasan’s innovation profile is his commitment to sustainable marine resource utilization and environmentally responsible fisheries development. His research consistently focuses on balancing fishery productivity with marine ecosystem conservation. By promoting selective fishing technologies, sustainable reef fish exploitation, indigenous ecological knowledge, and fisher-centric engineering solutions, he contributes to long-term marine biodiversity protection and climate-resilient fisheries management.