Dr. Umesh Chimmalagi

Dr. Umesh Chimmalagi is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Horticulture at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, where he has been serving since September 2021. He holds a Ph.D. in Horticulture with specialization in Vegetable Science (Tomato) from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, an M.Sc. in Horticulture with specialization in Vegetable Science (Brinjal) from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, and a B.Sc. in Horticulture from the University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot. His academic and professional expertise encompasses vegetable breeding, crop improvement, protected cultivation, germplasm characterization, crop production, farm management, and horticultural research.

His research interests include genetic variability and combining ability, vegetable crop improvement, protected cultivation, grafting, post-harvest management, and the production of vegetable and fruit crops. His doctoral research focused on recombinational and induced variability in tomato, while his master’s research addressed variability studies in brinjal. His research and project activities have included breeding and evaluation of tomato, okra, onion and watermelon, establishment and evaluation of dragon fruit germplasm, cape gooseberry germplasm collection, bioactive compound analysis in grapes and guava, and horticultural interventions for tribal livelihood development. He has also contributed to research on grapes, water apple, date palm, onion, ridge gourd, chickpea and other horticultural crops.

Dr. Umesh Chimmalagi has contributed to more than 40 publications, including Scopus-indexed and UGC-listed research articles, with research metrics including an h-index reported in the supplied profile and publications on vegetable breeding, crop improvement, protected cultivation, fruit crops and physiological responses to environmental stresses. His scholarly contributions also include book chapters and popular articles on natural farming, plant breeding methods, farmers’ income, dryland horticulture, onion production, vegetable processing and grafting. He has received UAS Meritorious Awards for his M.Sc. and Ph.D. studies and a Best Thesis Award. His innovation activities include a published patent on polymer-based drug delivery systems for anti-cancer drugs and a submitted patent on Amla Herbal Tea.

At Karunya, Dr. Chimmalagi has been involved in teaching, research, student guidance, farm management and institutional activities, including management of large-scale farm operations, protected cultivation systems, research teams, admissions, placements, ELP programmes and ICAR accreditation activities. He has handled courses including Fundamentals of Horticulture, Production Technology of Vegetables and Spices, Production Technology of Fruits and Plantation Crops, Ornamental Crops, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Landscaping, Growth and Development of Horticultural Crops, Breeding of Fruit Crops, and nursery management and protected cultivation. He also has industry experience as a Junior Breeder (Tomato) at Nusun Genetic Research Ltd., Hyderabad, where he worked on genotype evaluation and breeding and seed production activities. He has participated in national and international conferences, workshops and training programmes and has completed online courses in agricultural statistics, animal nutrition, integrated pest management, entrepreneurship development and functional foods.