The School of Agriculture at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences brings together faculty from eleven academic divisions — Agronomy, Genetics and Plant Breeding, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Extension, Agricultural Entomology, Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Plant Pathology, Horticulture, Crop Physiology & Bio Chemistry, Agricultural Engineering, and Veterinary Sciences. The school prepares students to address real-world challenges in crop production, natural resource management, and rural livelihoods through a blend of classroom learning, laboratory work, and field-based research.
Our faculty are active in research, consultancy, and extension work across areas such as climate-resilient cropping systems, plant breeding and genetics, soil health and fertility management, integrated pest and disease management, post-harvest technology, agricultural statistics and economics, and precision agricultural engineering. Through interdisciplinary research, farmer outreach, and hands-on field training, they prepare students for careers in agricultural research, extension services, agribusiness, and higher education.
Faculty Experts
The School of Agriculture provides students, industry partners, and collaborators with access to expertise spanning agronomy and farming systems, plant breeding and genetics, agricultural economics and extension, entomology, soil science, plant pathology, horticulture, crop physiology, agricultural engineering, and veterinary sciences.
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Our Faculty Members
Dr. D. Nirmal, M.E., Ph.D.
Dr. D. Nirmal is a Professor of Electronics and Communication Engineering with 18+ years of experience in teaching and research. He holds a Ph.D. in Nano Device Modelling, an M.E. in VLSI Design, and a B.E. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. His research interests include nanoelectronics, graphene, carbon nanotubes, GaN technology, nanoscale device modelling, device simulation, and sensors. He has 120 journals, 55 international conferences, and 13 book/chapter publications.
Dr. P. Jegathambal is a Professor at the Water Institute, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. She holds a Post Doctoral Programme qualification in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering from RWTH Aachen, a Ph.D. in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering from IIT Madras and RWTH Aachen, an M.E. in Environmental Engineering, and a B.E. in Civil Engineering. Her research interests include water and wastewater treatment, hydrological modelling, AI/ML and data analytics, GIS and remote sensing, and sustainable water resources management. She has led several externally funded projects and holds three granted patents in water treatment technologies. She is also a DAAD Research Ambassador (India) for 2025-2028.
Dr. R. Philip Sridhar is a Professor of Agricultural Entomology in the Division of Agricultural Entomology at the School of Agriculture, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, an M.Sc. in Agriculture and a B.Sc. in Agriculture from Annamalai University. His research interests include host plant resistance, biological control, apiculture, and sericulture. His publications focus on biological control, parasitoids, pest management, and insect infestation in agricultural crops.
Dr. J. Vimalin Hena is an Assistant Professor of Agricultural Microbiology in the Division of Agricultural Microbiology at the School of Agriculture, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. from Bharathiar University, an M.Phil. from Bharathidasan University, and M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees from Bharathidasan University and Bharathiar University, respectively. Her research interests include protein profiling, compound isolation and purification, and drug designing. Her publications focus on bioactive compounds, antimicrobial activity, and microbial isolation.
Dr. P. Ramesh Kumar is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, School of Agriculture, at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. in Biotechnology, an M.Phil. in Coastal Aquaculture, an M.Sc. in Plant Biotechnology, and a B.Sc. in Plant Biotechnology. His research interests include phytochemical characterization, computational genetic engineering, soil health monitoring sensors, and nanodelivery systems for bioactive compounds. His publications cover biotechnology, nanotechnology, sensors, computational modelling, and plant-based therapeutic research.
Dr. M. Suguna Devakumari is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry at the School of Agriculture, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Environmental Sciences and a B.Sc. in Agriculture from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Her research interests include environmental chemistry and bioremediation of pollution. Her publications focus on antibiotic residue removal, soil and groundwater quality, effluent irrigation, solid waste management, and biofertilizers.
Dr. K. Indira Petchiammal is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Genetics and Plant Breeding at the School of Agriculture, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. (Ag) in Plant Breeding and Genetics and a B.Sc. in Agriculture from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Her areas of interest include plant hybridization, cytoplasmic genetic male sterility, haploid production in rice, and resistance breeding. Her publications focus on molecular characterization and pigeonpea breeding.
Dr. N.B. John Kingsly is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Genetics and Plant Breeding at the School of Agriculture, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Plant Breeding and Genetics and a B.Sc. in Agriculture from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. His areas of interest include germplasm characterization, plant hybridization, and resistance breeding for biotic and abiotic stresses. His publications focus on wheat germplasm evaluation and drought-tolerance breeding in rice.
Dr. N. Devasena is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Genetics and Plant Breeding at the School of Agriculture, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Plant Breeding and Genetics and a B.Sc. in Agriculture from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Her research interests include conventional and molecular breeding, stress resistance, nutrient-use efficiency, and crop improvement. She has 32 research articles, including 13 Scopus-indexed publications.
Dr. S. Praveena Katharine is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry at the School of Agriculture, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Agriculture and a B.Sc. in Agriculture from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Her research interests include Soil Test Crop Response studies and fertilizer recommendation under Integrated Plant Nutrition System. Her publications focus on soil fertility, integrated plant nutrition, fertilizer recommendations, crop yield, and climate change.
Dr. A. Asha Monicka is an Assistant Professor of Agricultural Process Engineering in the Division of Agricultural Engineering, School of Agriculture, at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D., M.Tech., and B.Tech. from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Her research interests include design of processing equipment, drying technology, and value addition. Her publications focus on coconut grading and characterization, processing technologies, and storage stability and antioxidant activity of encapsulated carotenoids.
Dr. R. Samundeswari is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, School of Agriculture, at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D., M.Sc., and B.Sc. from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Her research interests include climate-resilient agriculture, nutrio-physiology, and stress physiology. Her publications focus on physiological and biochemical variation in small millets, characterization of millet crops under rainfed conditions, and physiological responses of rice genotypes to environmental stresses.
Dr. V. Kavitha is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Agricultural Economics at the School of Agriculture, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, and a B.Sc. from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Periyakulam. Her areas of interest include natural resource economics, microfinance, agricultural marketing, and production economics. Her publications focus on agricultural finance, organic farming, marketing, resource sustainability, and production economics.
Dr. E. Adlin Pricilla Vasanthi is an Assistant Professor of Agricultural Entomology in the Division of Agricultural Entomology at the School of Agriculture, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Agriculture and a B.Sc. in Agriculture from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Her research interests include termite taxonomy and botanical pesticide extraction and formulation, with publications focusing on termite management and plant-based biopesticides.
Dr. B. Madhumitha is an Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology in the Division of Agriculture at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D., M.Sc., and B.Sc. from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Her research interests include plant virology, molecular host-pathogen interaction, and eco-friendly management of plant diseases. Her research publications focus on Mungbean Yellow Mosaic Virus, disease resistance, and molecular characterization.
Dr. B. Navaneetham is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Agricultural Economics at the School of Agriculture, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. and MBA from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, and a B.Tech. from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Her areas of interest include agricultural supply chain management, farmer organisation management, marketing and value addition, entrepreneurship, and technology business incubators. Her publications focus on farmer producer companies, agricultural sustainability, marketing, and retail management.
Dr. J. Lydia Pramitha is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Genetics and Plant Breeding at the School of Agriculture, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and a B.Sc. from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Her areas of interest include nutrigenomics, breeding for biotic and abiotic stresses, and plant genetic resource conservation. Her publications focus on phytic acid, maize genetics, sesame breeding, and hybrid development.
Dr. K. Sharmili is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Agronomy at the School of Agriculture, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. (Agri) from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and a B.Sc. (Agri) from Agricultural College and Research Institute, TNAU, Killikulam. Her areas of interest include intercropping in millets, cropping systems, and farming systems. Her publications focus on millet and pulse intercropping, sustainable agriculture, cropping strategies, and rainfed farming.
Dr. Karishma Sebastian is an Assistant Professor of Post-Harvest Technology in the Division of Horticulture, School of Agriculture, at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. She holds an M.Sc. in Horticulture and a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Agriculture from Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur. Her research interests include development of novel products from minor fruits and refining value chains in fruits. Her publications focus on post-harvest management, value addition, packaging, storage, and fruit production.
Dr. Sangamesh R Hiremath is an Assistant Professor of Agricultural Entomology in the Division of Agricultural Entomology at the School of Agriculture, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Entomology, an M.Sc. in Entomology, and a B.Sc. in Horticulture. He is ICAR-NET qualified and received the Jawaharlal Nehru Scholarship for doctoral studies. His research interests include taxonomy of longhorned beetles and the bio-ecology and management of borer pests.
Dr. Umesh Chimmalagi is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Horticulture, School of Agriculture, at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, an M.Sc. in Agriculture (Horticulture) from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, and a B.Sc. in Horticulture from the University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot. His research interests include vegetable breeding and standardization of production technology for vegetables, with publications on tomato and brinjal.
Dr. P. Amrutha is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Plant Pathology at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayani, an M.Sc. in Plant Pathology, and a B.Sc. in Agriculture from Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur. Her research interests include biocontrol, fungal pathology, endophytes, pathogen characterisation, and integrated disease management. She has published research on strawberry diseases, biocontrol agents, fungicide management, and Piriformospora indica.
Dr. Shely Mary Koshy is an Assistant Professor of Agricultural Extension in the Division of Agricultural Extension at the School of Agriculture, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Agricultural Extension and a B.Sc. in Agriculture from Kerala Agricultural University. She is UGC-NET qualified in Adult Education, Continuing Education, Andragogy and Non-Formal Education. Her research interests include ICT in Agricultural Extension and Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Agriculture, with publications on agricultural information delivery and farmer extension services.
Dr. Manjula B. S. is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Horticulture, School of Agriculture, at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Horticulture with specialization in Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, and a B.Sc. in Horticulture. Her research interest is Horticulture, with publications focusing on genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance, growth, yield, and quality traits of dahlia. She has also received a best paper award for research on dahlia.
Dr. V. Suresh is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Horticulture, School of Agriculture, at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. in Spices, Plantation, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, an M.Sc. in Horticulture, and a B.Sc. in Horticulture. His research interest is Horticulture, with publications focusing on nutrient management, crop growth and yield, pruning and foliar nutrition, genetic diversity, and organic amendments. He has also authored a book on spices, plantation, medicinal and aromatic plants.
Dr. Jeevitha D is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Horticulture, School of Agriculture, at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. from UAS, Dharwad, an M.Sc. from UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru, and a B.Sc. in Horticulture from UHS, Bagalkot. Her research interests include vegetable breeding, onion variety and hybrid development, hybrid seed production, and germplasm enhancement. She has contributed to research on onion genetic diversity, fertigation, hybrid performance, disease resistance, and storage life.
Dr. Dhanusha Balakrishnan is an Assistant Professor of Agricultural Extension in the Division of Agricultural Extension at the School of Agriculture, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. from Kerala Agricultural University and a B.Sc. from Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri. Her research interests include gender analysis, subaltern studies, climate change, vulnerability assessment, and climate-smart agriculture. Her publications focus on climate-adaptive extension, agripreneurship, tribal agricultural labourers, and social exclusion.
Dr. B. Balaganesh is an Assistant Professor of Soil Science in the Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. in Agriculture with specialization in Soil Pedology, an M.Sc. in Agriculture, and a B.Sc. in Agriculture. His expertise includes soil fertility management, controlled-release fertilizers, crop nutrition, soil health assessment, precision agriculture, and sustainable agriculture. He has 34 research publications, a book, five book chapters, a patent, and funded research projects.
Dr. R. Mohanapriya is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Agronomy at the School of Agriculture, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, an M.Sc. from AC&RI, Killikulam, and a B.Sc. from PGP College of Agricultural Sciences, Namakkal. Her areas of interest include irrigation, weed, and nutrient management. Her publications focus on irrigation and weed management, rice production, soil and crop management, and organic cultivation.
Dr. Nivethitha M is an Assistant Professor of Seed Science and Technology in the Division of Genetics and Plant Breeding at the School of Agriculture, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, an M.Sc. from Sam Higginbottom University, and a B.Sc. from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Her areas of interest include seed science, seed production and quality, seed enhancement, crop physiology, biotechnology, and climate change mitigation. She has published research articles and book chapters in seed science and crop improvement.
Dr. Lokeshwari M is an Assistant Professor of Agricultural Statistics in the Division of Agricultural Economics at the School of Agriculture, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Statistics from ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, an M.Sc. from Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, and a B.Sc. from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Her research interests include time series forecasting, artificial intelligence, crop yield prediction, and disease and pest detection. She has published research articles on AI and crop yield prediction.
Dr. Divya Sebastian is an Assistant Professor of Livestock Production and Management in the Division of Agricultural Sciences at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. She holds an M.V.Sc. in Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology and a B.V.Sc. in Veterinary Sciences from Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. Her research interests include cell culture studies, molecular docking, in vivo drug efficacy testing, and ethnopharmacology. She has published research on molecular docking and bioactive compounds related to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and lipid accumulation.
Our administrative and technical staff keep the School of Agriculture's laboratories, farms, and field stations running, enabling faculty and students to focus on teaching, learning, and research.
Mr. Samuel Rajdurai
Mr. Samuel Rajdurai serves as a Lab Technician Gr. II in the School of Agriculture at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. He supports laboratory operations by maintaining equipment, preparing samples, and assisting faculty and students during practical sessions and research experiments, contributing to the smooth functioning of the school's teaching and research laboratories.
Mr. V. Nelson
Mr. V. Nelson serves as a Farm Supervisor in the School of Agriculture at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. He oversees day-to-day farm operations, including crop management, irrigation scheduling, and field maintenance, while coordinating farm labour and supporting faculty-led field trials and student practical training on the university's agricultural farms.
Ms. Sherlee Singamala
Ms. Sherlee Singamala works as a Lab Technician Gr. II in the School of Agriculture at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. She assists faculty and students with laboratory preparation, handling of equipment and reagents, and upholding safety standards, helping practical classes and research activities run efficiently across the school's divisions.
Ms. Esther Jacob C
Ms. Esther Jacob C is a Lab Technician Gr. II in the School of Agriculture at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. She provides technical support in the laboratories, assisting with sample preparation, equipment upkeep, and day-to-day activities that enable faculty and students to carry out practical training and research work smoothly.
Ms. Agnes Monisha D
Ms. Agnes Monisha D serves as a Lab Technician Gr. II in the School of Agriculture at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. Her responsibilities include assisting with laboratory setup, maintaining instruments and consumables, and supporting faculty and students during experiments, helping sustain a well-organized and functional laboratory environment for the school.
Mr. Philip Stains Immanuel R
Mr. Philip Stains Immanuel R serves as a Farm Supervisor in the School of Agriculture at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. He manages field operations such as land preparation, cultivation schedules, and harvest activities, and works closely with faculty and students to support ongoing agricultural research trials and hands-on field-based learning.
