Dr. Vimal Kumar: Assistant Professor cum Junior Scientist at Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour-813210, Bihar, India
Dr. Vimal Kumar is an Assistant Professor-cum-Junior Scientist in the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry at Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour. With a passion for sustainable agriculture and soil health, he has developed extensive expertise in soil moisture dynamics, irrigation management, and nutrient cycling. His multidisciplinary research aims to enhance crop productivity while conserving natural resources.
Online Profile
Education
Dr. Kumar completed his M.Sc. (Ag.) and Ph.D. (Ag.) in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry at the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, one of India’s premier agricultural institutions. He successfully qualified the highly competitive ICAR-NET examination, demonstrating his academic excellence and research potential.
Research Focus
His research focuses on improving water use efficiency in crop production, understanding soil moisture retention capacity, evaluating the effects of amino acid-based biostimulants, and assessing nitrate leaching under various cropping systems. Additionally, he has contributed to projects addressing drinking water quality and soil nutrient management.
Experience
At Bihar Agricultural University, Dr. Kumar plays an active role in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses in soil science and agricultural chemistry. Alongside his teaching duties, he leads research projects, mentors students, and engages in extension activities aimed at transferring scientific knowledge to farmers and stakeholders.
Research Timeline & Activities
During his M.Sc., Dr. Kumar pioneered research on soil profile moisture retention capacity, which provided new insights into soil-water relations.
His Ph.D. research explored the “Effect of Irrigation Schedules and Amino Acid-Based Biostimulants on the Water Use Efficiency of Potato Crop,” combining field experimentation with advanced soil analysis techniques.
Currently, he leads a research project titled “Assessment of Nitrate Leaching Behaviour in Soil under Different Cropping Systems” at the Agricultural Research Farm of BAU, Sabour, under the SSLUP Scheme.
Additionally, he contributed to a UGC-funded project focusing on drinking water quality assessment at Banaras Hindu University.
Awards & Honors
Dr. Kumar’s contributions have been recognized with several prestigious awards such as the Young Researcher Award, Best Thesis Award, Young Scientist Award, and accolades for Best Poster & Oral Presentation at various national and international conferences organized by scientific societies.
Top Noted Publication
(Example) Kumar, V., et al. (Year). “Effect of Irrigation Schedules and Amino Acid-Based Biostimulants on Water Use Efficiency in Potato.” Journal of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Volume(Issue), pages. DOI.
Kumar, V., Raha, P., Patel, C., Verma, D. K., & Singh, A. K. (2025). Foliar application of commercial amino acids biostimulants on nutrient uptake and quality of potato tuber. Discover Applied Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-025-07759-8
This study investigates the effects of foliar application of commercially available amino acid-based biostimulants on nutrient uptake and tuber quality in potatoes. The research demonstrated significant improvements in nutrient absorption and enhanced tuber quality parameters, suggesting a promising strategy for sustainable potato production. Dr. Kumar led the experimental design and data analysis.Kumar, V., Raha, P., Patel, C., Verma, D. K., Kohli, A., Singh, A. K., & Singh, D. R. (2025). Optimizing Marketable Tuber Production in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) with Irrigation and Biostimulants Application. Potato Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11540-025-09897-3
This publication focuses on optimizing irrigation schedules combined with biostimulant applications to maximize marketable potato tuber yield. The research offers practical insights into improving water use efficiency and crop productivity. Dr. Kumar contributed extensively to field experiments and manuscript preparation.Kumar, V. (2018). Organic sources use of amino acids based biostimulants and irrigation schedule on yield: Water use efficiency relationship on potato tuber. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry.
In this earlier work, Dr. Kumar examined the interaction between organic amino acid biostimulants and irrigation management on potato yield and water use efficiency. This foundational research provided critical data on sustainable irrigation practices in potato cultivation.
Strengths for the Young Researcher Award
Innovative and Impactful Research in Sustainable Agriculture
Dr. Kumar has demonstrated exceptional innovation by integrating amino acid-based biostimulants with irrigation scheduling to improve water use efficiency and nutrient uptake in potato cultivation. His work addresses critical challenges in sustainable agriculture, contributing to enhanced crop productivity while conserving vital natural resources such as water and soil nutrients. This research not only advances scientific understanding but also offers practical solutions to farmers facing water scarcity and soil degradation.Strong Academic Credentials and Demonstrated Research Excellence
Graduating from one of India’s top agricultural institutions, Banaras Hindu University, Dr. Kumar has consistently exhibited academic excellence. His qualification of the highly competitive ICAR-NET exam underscores his solid grasp of theoretical concepts and research methodologies. This strong academic foundation has enabled him to undertake complex research projects that have yielded meaningful and publishable outcomes.Multidisciplinary Approach to Complex Agricultural Problems
Dr. Kumar’s research encompasses various facets of soil science and agricultural chemistry, including soil moisture dynamics, nutrient cycling, nitrate leaching, and water quality assessment. His ability to apply an interdisciplinary lens enhances the relevance and applicability of his findings, providing comprehensive strategies that address both crop productivity and environmental sustainability.Leadership and Mentorship in Research and Academic Activities
In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Kumar has successfully led multiple research projects funded by prestigious schemes such as SSLUP and UGC. His role as a project leader involves designing experiments, supervising fieldwork, data analysis, and disseminating results through publications and presentations. He also mentors undergraduate and postgraduate students, fostering the next generation of researchers and practitioners in soil science.Recognition by the Scientific Community and Prolific Scholarly Output
Dr. Kumar has been honored with numerous awards such as the Young Researcher Award, Best Thesis Award, and Young Scientist Award, reflecting peer recognition of his research quality and impact. He has published extensively in high-impact journals and contributed book chapters and reviews. His scholarly output demonstrates a consistent commitment to advancing knowledge and influencing best practices in agriculture.