Dr. U. SURENDRAN

Residential address :

101, East Car Street, Boothapandy,
Kanyakumari Dist - 629 852,
Tamil Nadu, India.
Tel : 04652 - 281012

Address for Correspondence :
Research Associate,
Dept. of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry,
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,
Coimbatore – 641 003. Tamil Nadu, India


Career Objective :

A Researcher position in Soil chemistry where teamwork is most preferred. Possesses a high degree of professionalism and dedication to science and society. Focused and hard working; willing to take up the extra mile for the human welfare

Academic Profile :

Ph.D in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry during 2005 with OGPA of 9.77/10.00 from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore – 641 003, India.

Master’s degree in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
during 2000 with OGPA of 9.36/10.00 from Annamalai University,
Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu. (Gold Medalist)

Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture during 1998 with 71.40 per cent from Agra University (Presently Dr. BR Ambedkar University), Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

Certificate course in Integrated Soil Fertility Management by Asia Pacific Regional Training Centre (APRTC), Thailand and passed with distinction.

PG Diploma in Computer Applications (PGDCA) from IFG-ACE, a Reputed computer firm.

Certificate course in Geographic Information System (GIS) through Distance education from University of Madras, Chennai.

Passed Hindi prathamic exam conducted by Dhakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha, Madras

Research Profile

Masters Thesis entitled “Studies on the effect of split application of MOP& SOP on growth & uptake of rice in low land soils”.

Doctoral programme Thesis entitled “On-farm nutrient budgeting and system’s approach to evolve nutrient management strategies”

Medals and Honors :
Acted as expert referee for the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, Society of Chemical Industries (SCI), London, UK

Awarded Assistant professorship from Agricultural Scientist Recruitment Board (ASRB) through National Eligibility Test (NET)

Awarded Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University for pursuing doctoral programme.

Awarded Gold medal for distinction in post graduation.

Expertise in :

• Analyses of soil physico-chemical properties

• Analysis of nutrient content in plants and quality parameters particularly, Rice and Maize

• Conducting research at laboratory, field experiments and pot culture studies

• Conducting survey work for generating data pertaining to specific work.

• Interpretation of data with various Statistical packages like MSTAT, AGRES, IRRISTAT, SPSS.

• Preparing seminars, projects and scientific manuscripts.

Instruments handled :

• Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS)

• Scanning UV-IR Spectrophotometer

• HPLC – for separation of pesticidal compounds

• Automatic Nitrogen Analyzer

Computer Proficiency :

• Operating skills in Windows and DOS platform on packages like MS-Office.

• Crop modeling- monitoring using DSSAT, QUEFT, NUTMON, NUMASS AND OVERSEER programmes

• Designed a software program for “Targeted Yield approach” using Visual Basic and MS Access.

• Good exposure in data analyses with spreadsheet packages

• Operating skills in imaging, editing and designing using Photo editing packages like Adobe Photoshop 7.0, Coral Draw

• Good exposure to Internet Environment in retrieving scientific literatures and participated in different online forums.

• Expertise in analyzing data using statistical packages like AGRES, AGDATA, IRRISTAT.

Working Experience :

Name of the Employer :
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641 003, India
Sponsored by Council of Scientific and Industrial research (CSIR)

Designation : Research Associate, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry

Period of service : Jan 2005 to Till date

Name of the Employer :
Kerala Forest research Institute, Peechi, Kerala
Sponsored by ACIAR, CSIRO, Australia

Designation : Research Fellow, Division of Soil Chemistry

Period of service : Sep 2004 to Jan 2005

Name of the Employer :
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,
Coimbatore - 641 003, India , Sponsored by
Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd.(NLC)

Designation : Senior Research Fellow, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry

Period of service : May 2003 to June 2004

Name of the Employer :
Kerala State Govt. Vocational Higher Secondary education

Designation : Guest Lecturer

Period of service : Aug 2001 to Oct 2001

Name of the Employer :
DHAN Foundation, NGO, Madurai UNDP Project

Designation : Development Associate

Period of service : April 2001 to July 2001.

Research papers
International

• Surendran, U and V. Murugappan “A micro and meso level modeling study for assessing sustainability in semi arid tropical agro ecosystem using NUTMON –Toolbox” Submitted and Accepted by Journal of sustainable agriculture, The Haworth Press Inc.,NY United States (Article in Press)

• Surendran, U, V. Murugappan, R.Jagadeeswaran and A.Bhaskaran. “Nutrient budgeting at district scale in a semi-arid tropical region of Asia” Submitted and Accepted by Journal of food Science and agriculture, Society of Chemical Industry, London UK (Article in Press)

• Surendran,U., K.Arivazhagan, V. Suresh and S.Marimuthu. 2005. Split application of Muriate of Potash and Sulphate of Potash on growth, yield attributes, uptake and availability of nutrients in lowland rice cv. PY-5. Accepted for publication by Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Sri Lanka. July Issue, (Article in Press)

• Surendran,U., K.Arivazhagan, V. Suresh and S.Marimuthu. 2005. Effect of split application of muriate of potash and Sulphate of potash on yield and nutrient availability of rice cv. PY 5. Research on Crops Vol 6 (3) : (Article in press). Published by Agricultural Research Information Centre, Hisar, India.

National

• Surendran, U, V. Murugappan, R.Jagadeeswaran, A.Bhaskaran and Rama Subramoniam, S. 2005. Predicting the potential production of various rice genotypes using DSSAT CERES-Rice model and estimating the yield gap under various agroecological regions of Tamil Nadu. Bull. Agric. Sci vol III: 29-34. Published by National Environment Science Academy, New Delhi

• Surendran, U, L.Devarajan, V. Murugappan and Rama Subramoniam, S. 2005.Particulate and mineral associated organic matter in water stable aggregates as affected by mineral fertilizer and humic acid application.Bull. Agric. Sci vol III: 35-38. Published by National Environment Science Academy, New Delhi.

• Rama Subramoniam, S., Subbiah, S., Duraisami, V.P. and U.Surendran. 2005. Micronutreints and Pseudomonass fluorescens on yield and yield characteristics and quality of Thompson seedless grapes. Bull. Agric. Sci vol III:17-23. Published by National Environment Science Academy, New Delhi

• Rama Subramoniam, S., Chandra sekaran, A., James Pitchai and U.Surendran. 2005. Influence of fly ash and industrial wastes on chemical properties of lateritic soils and yield of rice under ela conditions. Bull. Agric. Sci vol II 7-10 . Published by National Environment Science Academy, New Delhi

• Arivazhagan. K, S. Natarajan and U.Surendran. 2004. Effect of split application of different potassic fertilizers on yield and nutrient uptake by rice cv. PY 5. J. Ecobiol. 16(3): 175-180

• Surendran. U, K. Arivazhagan and N. Senthil Kumar. 2003. Effect of timing of potassic fertilizers on yield of rice and nutrient availability in soil. Ann. Pl. Soil Res. 5(1): 116-117.

Review papers

• Presented a review paper on "Recycling of Organic and Industrial Wastes as Manures – Potential and Prospects " in the short course of Ecofriendly recycling of organic and industrial wastes for sustainable soil health conducted by AC&RI, Madurai, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, during Nov 5-14,2003

• Presented a Lead paper on "Pragmatic approaches in soil fertility management for sustainable agriculture” in UGC sponsored national Seminar on NEFROSSA- 2005 conducted by Annamalai University, Tamil nadu during march 11th and 12th 2005.

• Presented a review paper on "Soil Health- Issues and Strategies", Centenary Year Publication, Published by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003

Popular articles

• Surendran.U and R.Jagadeeswaran. 2004. Decicion Support System as a new tool for increasing the productivity in rice. Kisan World. p 50.

• U. Surendran and N.Senthil Kumar. 2003. Soil information systems (RS and GIS) in wasteland development. Environment and People. .

• N.Senthil Kumar and U. Surendran. 2002. Vermicomposts - in Ecofriendly evergreen revolution. Kisan World. p 49

Book / Chapters

• Published a book entitled “Soil science of Somayanur series- A Colluvial soil in Tamil Nadu” Directorate of Publications, TNAU, Coimbatore.

Bulletins

• A bulletin entitled "Humic acid -An organic crop energizer" – Joint publication from CSCMS, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and CARD, Neyveli Lignite Corporation

Research Abstracts
International Abstracts

• Presented a abstract entitled "Boron adsorption on semiarid soils of Tamil Nadu, India", in The 3rd International Symposium on All Aspects of Plant and Animal Boron Nutrition September 9 to13, 2005 Huazhong Agricultural University Wuhan, China

• Presented a extended summary entitled 'Genotypic evaluation of rice for tolerance to zinc stress under hydroponic culture' in 15th International Plant nutrition colloquium (IPNC) held in China

• Presented a abstract entitled “Particulate and Mineral associated Organic Matter in Water stable aggregates as affected by Mineral fertilizer and humic acid” in International Seminar conducted by NESA at New Delhi.

• Presented a abstract entitled “Synergistic effect of Azozspirillum and Pseudomonas in Nitrogen and Phosphorus uptake and Yield of Cotton” in International seminar conducted by NESA at New Delhi

• Presented an abstract entitled "Predicting the Potential Production of Various Rice Genotypes Using DSSAT CERES- Rice Model and Estimating the Yield Gap under Various Agro-Ecological Regions of Tamil Nadu in Third International Symposium on Intelligent Information Technology in Agriculture (ISIITA) in Beijing

National Abstracts

• Presented an abstract entitled “Predicting the potential production of various rice genotypes using CERES- Rice model and estimating the yield gap under various Agro- Ecological regions of Tamil Nadu" in NEFROSSA, Conducted by Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu .

• Presented a abstract entitled “Effect of split application of Potassic fertilizers on growth and yield of rice cv. PY 5” in National Seminar on “Developments in Soil Science” at 65th Annual convention at NBSS&LUP, Nagpur, Maharastra.

• Presented an abstract entitled "Effect of flyash and pressmud as an amendment from pond ash" in National Seminar on “Global Strategies in Biological sciences” at Muthayammal College of Arts and Science, Rasipuram, Tamil Nadu.

• Presented an abstract entitled “Effect of timing of K fertilization on growth of rice and nutrient availability of rice soils" in National Seminar on Advances in Agricultural Resource management at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam, Tamil Nadu.

• Presented an abstract entitled “Integrated nutrient management for semidry/rainfed rice" in National Seminar on Advances in Agricultural Resource management at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam, Tamil Nadu.

Achievements in Research / Technology

• Developed a Systematic Approach for evolving the nutrient balance / audit (NPK- macronutrients) sheet using NUTMON-Toolbox at different spatial viz., Field / Farm / District / Regional level

• Validated the NUTMON –Toolbox, a nutrient balance calculating software (developed by Wageningen University, Netherlands and Agricultural Economics Research Institute (LEI), The Hague, The Netherlands) for Coimbatore and Erode districts of Tamil Nadu, India.

• Methodology Optimization using NUTMON-Toolbox for Monitoring On-farm Nutrient Flow and Stock for Policy Interventions to Mitigate Undesirable Trends in the maintenance of Soil Fertility

• Used DSSIFER (Developed by TNAU- Decision Support System for Integrated Fertilizer Recommendation - DSSIFER) as a management option to mitigate the trend of negative balance observed in the western zone.

• Calibrated and Validated CERES-Maize model of Decision Support System for Agro technology Transfer (DSSAT- Developed by IFDC) for Technology Option for Maximizing Production and Productivity of Maize

• Designed a software program for calculating the Fertilizer Prescription by "Targeted Yield approach” using Visual Basic and MS Access.

• Derived Fertilizer prescription equation for maize based on Targeted Yield Concept .

• Simulated the potential production of different rice genotypes in various agro-ecological regions of Tamil Nadu using CERES-Rice a sub module of DSSAT and the Yield gap of these cultivars were also derived.

• Identified the Plant Growth Regulating (PGR) Activity - (IAA) of Humic acid (Neyveli Lignite Corporation) - Using the watercress (Lepidium Sativum ) seeds obtained from Italy.

• Conducted On Farm trials (OFT) to study the compatibility of Humic acid (NLC) with Micronutrients and the results tend to be Positive.

• Acted as an expert referee in the journal of "The journal of Science of Food and Agriculture -JSFA" Published by Society of chemical Industry, London, UK.

Seminars Handled:

• A comparative assessment of biodynamic, organic, precision and conventional farming

• Nutrient cycling and its impact on sustainable agriculture

• Nutrient pest interaction- A review

Research projects

• Identifying the yield gap and assessing the potential production of rice cultivars in different agro –ecological regions using crop growth simulation model- DSSAT (CERES-Rice)

• Particulate and mineral associated organic matter influenced by humic acid and fertilizer application

• Identification of growth regulating activity of Humic acid- A organic product obtained from Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC)

• Assessing the impact of fertilizer, slash application and inter cropping on growth of Eucalyptus and fertility status of Eucalyptus grown soil

• Iron acquisition by sorghum cultivars

Seminars/ Symposia/ Conferences/Training attended

• National Seminar “Developments of soil science” at Nagpur, Maharashtra 2000

• National Seminar on Global Strategies in Biological sciences at Rasipuram, Tamil Nadu, 2003.

• National Seminar “Agricultural Resource management” at Killikulam, Tamil Nadu, 2003

• National Seminar “Recent Trends in Environmental Sciences” at New Delhi, 2004

• National Seminar “NEFROSSA” at Chidambaram, Annamalai University, 2005

• National Seminar “ Reversing the trends in declining crop productivity at Tamil Nadir Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 2005

• Attended one day training in Skills on scientific presentation and writing at Tamil Nadir Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 2005

Membership

• Indian Society of Soil Science (ISSS)- New Delhi.

• Indian Society of Agricultural Resource Management, Coimbatore

References

Prof. V. Murugappan, Ph.D
Director
Centre for Soil and Crop Management Studies
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,
Coimbatore- 641 003, India.

Dr. L.Devarajan, Ph.D
Professor
Soil Physics Unit
Dept. of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,
Coimbatore – 641 003, India.

Dr. R. N. Roy, Ph.D
Senior Officer
Land and Water Development Division
Food and Agriculture organization (FAO) of the United Nations
Di Caracalla, Rome.