Ekta Pandey | Plant Stress Physiology | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Ekta Pandey | Plant Stress Physiology | Best Researcher Award

Research Scholar at Aligarh Muslim University | India

Ms. Ekta Pandey is a dedicated research scholar at Aligarh Muslim University specializing in Environmental Stress Plant Physiology with a strong focus on salinity tolerance, plant–microbe interactions and sustainable crop improvement approaches, recognized for her emerging contributions to abiotic stress biology through influential publications including Potential Uses of Nanotechnology in Agriculture Sustainability: Concerns Now Raised, Salinity: Its Influence on the Environment and Sustainable Agriculture and the Strategies Involving Phytoprotectants Against It, Prospects for the Use of Metabolomics Engineering in Exploring and Harnessing Chemical Signaling in Root Galls, Plant Metabolomics Based on Single-Cell Technology, Dissecting Stress-Tolerant Traits of CRISPR-Edited Crops by High-Throughput Omics Technologies, and Resilient Capacity Against Rising Temperature Gained by Coordinated Approaches of CRISPR/Cas with Functional Genomics, along with impactful journal contributions such as AMF-Mediated Mitigation of Cd-Induced Toxicity in Cicer arietinum, Application of Rhizobium Alleviates Cadmium Stress-Induced Damage to Growth and Yield, Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Induced Protection: A Plant Immunity Perspective, Morphological and Biochemical Responses of Vicia faba Grown on Fly Ash Amended Soil, Mitigating Salt Stress in Lens culinaris Through Rhizobium-Enhanced Photosynthesis and Antioxidant Defense, From Stress to Strength: Improving Fenugreek Seed Germination Under Saline Conditions with Moringa Leaf Extract Priming, and Linking the Interaction of Salicylates and Jasmonates for Stress Resilience in Plants, reflecting her expertise in physiological, biochemical and molecular strategies that strengthen plant adaptation under harsh environments; her academic journey is further distinguished by multiple book chapters, collaborative research works, peer-review service for reputed international journals, and ongoing scientific contributions that aim to advance climate-resilient agriculture, enhance crop productivity under salinity stress, and develop innovative biostimulant-based and microbe-assisted solutions for future sustainable farming systems.

Profile : Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications : 

Kumari, R., Pandey, E., Bushra, S., Faizan, S., & Pandey, S. (2024). Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) induced protection: A plant immunity perspective. Physiologia Plantarum, 176(5), e14495.

Bushra, S., Faizan, S., Badar, A., Pandey, E., Kumari, R., & Akhtar, M. S. (2024). AMF-mediated mitigation of Cd-induced toxicity in Cicer arietinum and their influence on growth, photosynthesis efficiency, cell viability, antioxidants and yield attributes. South African Journal of Botany, 164, 9–22.

Bushra, S., Faizan, S., Badar, A., Kumari, R., & Pandey, E. (2024). Application of rhizobium alleviates the cadmium stress-induced damage to growth, photosynthetic efficiency, cell viability and yield by up-regulating antioxidants in Cicer arietinum L. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, 43(6), 2014–2026.

Khan, F., Pandey, E., Fatima, S., Khan, A., Zeb, S. Z., & Ahmad, F. (2023). Prospects for the use of metabolomics engineering in exploring and harnessing chemical signaling in root galls. In Root-Galling Disease of Vegetable Plants (pp. 309–338). Springer.

Hussain, A., Faizan, S., Kumari, R., & Pandey, E. (2024). Morphological and biochemical responses of Vicia faba grown on fly ash amended soil in the presence of Rhizobium leguminosarum and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 31(31), 44361–44373.

 

Kuna Karthik | Horticulture | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Kuna Karthik | Horticulture | Best Researcher Award

PhD at Dr YSR Horticulturual University | India

Mr. Kuna Karthik is a dedicated horticultural researcher and floriculture specialist whose academic journey and professional pursuits reflect a deep commitment to advancing ornamental crop science, plant propagation, and sustainable landscape practices, having cultivated strong expertise in floriculture, landscaping, plant tissue culture, nursery management, crop production, and ornamental plant physiology, with his scholarly interests shaped through extensive research on Ixora floral enhancement, micronutrient optimization, Spathiphyllum micropropagation, and innovative horticultural technologies, and supported by strong academic training in horticulture and floriculture and landscape architecture, where he has contributed significantly to scientific literature through research papers, conference presentations, book authorship, and editorial work, focusing on themes such as in vitro propagation, ex vitro hardening techniques, micronutrient dynamics, postharvest improvement, nursery industry development, nanotechnology applications in floriculture, bioluminescent ornamentals, and sustainable growing media, while also enriching the academic community through multiple book chapters addressing topics including tissue culture of ornamentals, protected cultivation of high-value floricultural crops, biophilic architecture, phytoremediation, urban horticulture, landscape maintenance, integrated nutrient management, soil health, and the sustainable management of horticultural stresses, and further demonstrating leadership and academic engagement through oral and poster presentations at national and international platforms, with recognition for outstanding research communication, along with strong technical proficiency in experimental design, scientific writing, molecular analysis, and plant tissue culture protocols, combined with effective communication skills, attention to detail, multilingual abilities, and a passion for continuous learning, making Mr. Kuna Karthik a promising horticultural professional committed to innovation, sustainability, and excellence in the fields of floriculture and landscaping.

Profile : ORCID

Featured Publications : 

Kuna, K. (2025, November 10). The orchid-pollinator connection: Biology and ecological adaptations. Just Agriculture Magazine.

Kuna, K. (2025, November 7). Role of micronutrients in enhancing floral quality and postharvest shelf life in Ixora. In 2nd International Electronic Conference on Horticulturae (Conference proceedings).

Kuna, K., Ganga, M., & Visalakshi, M. (2025, August 18). Impact of micronutrients on floral quality, plant physiology and shelf life of Ixora coccinea. Journal of Experimental Agriculture International.

Kuna, K. (2025, August 18). Impact of micronutrients on floral quality, plant physiology and shelf life of Ixora coccinea. Journal of Experimental Agriculture International.

Kuna, K. (2025, August 9). Optimizing in vitro callus induction from Spathiphyllum leaf and petiole explants. Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology.

Afsaneh Heydari | Horticulture | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Afsaneh Heydari | Horticulture | Best Researcher Award

Researcher at Shiraz University | Iran

Dr. Afsaneh Heydari is a dedicated researcher at Shiraz University whose work focuses on agricultural meteorology, climate variability, and the hydro-environmental systems of arid and semi-arid regions. Her research explores the interconnections between the Middle East and the West Indian Subcontinent in the context of climate change, particularly examining the modulation roles of the Atlantic Meridional Oscillation (AMO) and monsoon cloud dynamics. Through advanced statistical and computational modeling, she has provided valuable insights into spatial disparities in climate trends and their implications for regional agriculture and water management. Her collaborative research, published in high-impact journals such as Climate (MDPI), demonstrates strong analytical rigor and contributes meaningfully to understanding climate-driven challenges affecting food and water security. Dr. Heydari’s work bridges hydrology, climatology, and sustainable resource management—making her a deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award for her innovative contributions to advancing scientific knowledge in climate change impacts and adaptation strategies within horticultural and agricultural ecosystems.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publications

All-optical XOR, XNOR, NAND and OR logic gates based on photonic crystal 3-DB coupler for BPSK signals. Journal of Optical Communications.

Application of UV/Vis spectrophotometry based on using least squares support vector machine and continuous wavelet transform methods for the simultaneous analysis of antibiotics drugs in tablet formulation: Comparison with HPLC method.

Heydari, A., Nazemosadat, M. J., & Hosseinzadehtalaei, P. Climate change in the Middle East and the West Indian Subcontinent: Geographic interconnections and the modulation roles of the extreme phases of the Atlantic Meridional Oscillation (AMO) and the monsoon cloudiness. Climate.

Cristina Oliveira | Horticulture | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Cristina Oliveira | Horticulture | Best Researcher Award

Professor at Instituto Supeior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa | Portugal

Prof. Dr. Cristina Oliveira is a distinguished horticultural scientist whose academic excellence and research leadership have significantly advanced agricultural innovation and sustainability. With 76 publications, an h-index of 20, and 1,821 citations from 1,580 documents, her scholarly impact is widely recognized. She holds a professorship at the Instituto Superior de Agronomia, University of Lisbon, where she teaches and coordinates key courses in olive cultivation, fruit production, and horticultural systems. Her educational background and career reflect a strong integration of scientific inquiry with practical agricultural solutions. Prof. Oliveira’s professional experience includes coordinating national and international R&D projects, supervising over 100 master’s and six doctoral theses, and serving on the scientific committees of major international congresses. Her research interests span fruit tree physiology, irrigation management, crop water use efficiency, and post-harvest fruit quality under changing climate conditions. Skilled in experimental design, data interpretation, and multidisciplinary collaboration, she effectively bridges academic research with industry application. Recognized for her contributions, she has served as President of ADISA and a board member of the Operational and Technological Center for Fruit and Vegetables (COTHN). Prof. Oliveira’s dedication to innovation, sustainability, and academic mentorship firmly establishes her as a leading figure in horticultural research and education.

Profile : Scopus 

Featured Publications

Oliveira, C. M., et al. (2025). Single and basal crop coefficients for temperate climate fruit trees, vines, and shrubs with consideration of fraction of ground cover, height, and training system. Plant Stress.  (Cited by 4).

Oliveira, C. M., et al. (2025). Single and basal crop coefficients for estimation of water requirements of subtropical and tropical orchards and plantations with consideration of fraction of ground cover, height, and training system. Plant Stress. (Cited by 7).

Oliveira, C. M., et al. (2025). Single and basal crop coefficients for estimation of water use of tree and vine woody crops with consideration of fraction of ground cover, height, and training system for Mediterranean and warm temperate fruit and leaf crops. Plant Stress. (Cited by 15).

Oliveira, C. M., et al. (2025). Effect of heading cuts on branch growth of ‘Encore’ mandarin. Plant Stress. (Cited by 2).

Oliveira, C. M., et al. (2024). Analysis of petiole sap nutrients using rapid and standard methods and its relation to leaf analysis of fertilized Malus domestica cv. Gala. Horticulturae.