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Home > Faculties >Faculty of Agriculture > Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry |
| GENESIS |
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The present department of Agricultural Chemistry was functioning as a division under the department of Agriculture. The department of Agriculture was elevated to Faculty status in the year 1963. The Division of Agricultural Chemistry established in the year 1963 was functioning up to 1980. During 1981, the Division of Agricultural Chemistry was upgraded as a full-fledged department. Realizing the importance of Soil Science in the field of Agricultural education, the Post-Graduate program in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry was started in the year 1980. Dr. S.Chandrasekaran a reputed soil scientist and The Best Teacher Awardee (1987-1988) by the Government of Tamil Nadu, was the first Head of the Department, who was responsible for the release of the salt tolerant high yielding rice variety Annamalai Uvar Nel (AU-1). He did pioneering work on the use lignite humic acid and lignite flyash in maximizing crop yields. He also served as Dean, Faculty of Agriculture during 1986-1989 and retired from active service on 30.06.1989.
Prof. S.Kaliyaperumal succeeded Dr. S.Chandrasekaran as the Head of the Department and served up to 1991. Dr. B.Ragupathy was the Head of the department from 1991 to 2002. His contribution on the use of lignite flyash as a source of silica and other nutrients in improving soil fertility and productivity are worth mentioning.
Dr.R.Govindasamy served as Head of the department from 2002-2004. He made remarkable contribution on the use of lignite derived humic acid for sustainable crop yields.
Dr.M.Ravichandran, Professor of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry is heading the department since 01.08.2004.
The Department has 22 teaching staff with 6 Professors, 1 Associate Professor and 15 Assistant Professors. Out of them 14 members are having Ph.D., degree.
The Department offers Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry courses to B.Sc. (Ag.) and B.Sc. (Horti.) students. It also offers M.Sc. (Ag) programme (full-time and Part-time) and Ph.D. ( Research / Course work programme) in full-time/ part- time/ external registration mode in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry.
Instrumentation Techniques and Isotopes in Agricultural Research, Soil Physical Chemistry, Plant Biochemistry, Chemistry of Submerged Soils, Degraded Lands and Management and Agricultural chemicals in Environment are the optional subjects offered along with the core subjects at the Post-graduate level.
The Department has received grants from UGC under the XI plan programme with an outlay of 10 lakhs and under NON-SAP programme with an outlay of 20 lakhs and from DST– New Delhi under FIST programme with an outlay of Rupees 38.00 lakhs for augmenting infrastructural facilities.
The department has been recognized as one of the Chapters of " The Indian Society of Soil Science, New Delhi". |
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| RESEARCH |
Research achievements |
| The Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry released a saline tolerant rice variety Annamalai Uvar Nel (AU-1) which yields 6.2 t ha-1 in normal soil and 3.2 t ha-1 in saline water (2 dSm-1) irrigated Soils. For the safe disposal of Neyveli Lignite Fly Ash, technology has been developed to utilize the Fly Ash as an amendment for improving physical and chemical properties of soil and also as a source of nutrient to crops like sorghum, finger millet, peanut and sesame. The department involved in the development of reclamation technology for the Neyveli lignite mines back filled areas and ash pond areas. The department offers consultancy services to National Thermal Power Corporation for effective disposal of lignite fly ash in agriculture. |
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i) Ph.D. : The Department has so far produced 19 Ph.Ds., out of which 7 scholars were full – time students, 10 were part – time scholars and 2 pursued their Ph.D. under external registration.
At present, 10 scholars are doing Ph.D., out of which 8 are part-time scholars and 2 are pursuing through external registration mode from State Department of Agriculture and Indian Forest Service.
The scholars are given research topics pertaining to regional and national importance covering soil fertility, soil genesis, remote sensing & land use planning and environmental management. |
ii) M.Sc. (Ag.) : Totally, 112 post graduates have been produced by this department and 5 more students are pursuing their M.Sc. (Ag) programme. |
iii) Projects on hand & new projects sanctioned: The Department was recognized by ICAR during 1978-81 itself and sanctioned a project on the “ Use of ground saline water with rice in flooded rice soils”. Under this project, a saline tolerant rice variety Annamalai Uvar Nel (AU-1) was released. The department involved in three collaborative research projects of the Faculty of Agriculture. They include, reclamation of back filled areas of NLC (1992-1997), Fly Ash disposal (1996-1999) and Pond Ash reclamation (1998 – 2003) with DST, Fly Ash mission and Ministry of Coal, respectively to the tune of 36.44 lakhs.
So far 48 research projects with a total out lay of 179.80 lakhs funded by UGC, DST, TNSCST, International Potash Institute, Indian Potash Research Institute and Private Agro Chemical firms were completed. |
The ongoing research projects in the Department are as follows |
S.No |
Name of the Project |
Principal Investigator
Co-Investigator |
Funding Agency |
Period |
Rs(in lakhs) |
1. |
Effect of NPK and humic acid formulations on the performance of bhendi |
D.Elayaraja- PI |
TNSCST |
2010-11 |
0.06 |
2. |
Waste minimization through Co-composting of on and off farm waste for sustainable crop productivity & soil health |
A.Angayarkanni- PI
P.Poonkodi-Co-PI
M.V.Sriramachandrasekaran-Co-PI |
Ministry of Environment and Forest |
2010-12 |
40.0 |
3. |
Assessment of potassium on turmeric at different farmers’ location in Inceptisols |
Dr.P.K.Karthikeyan- PI-I
DrM.Ravichandran- PI-II |
IPI -Switzerland |
2010-12 |
$ 3450 |
4. |
Effect of sulphate of potash on the yield and quality of rice |
Dr.P.K.Karthikeyan- PI-I
DrM.Ravichandran- PI-II |
Pot.Res.Inst, India,Gurgoan |
2011-12 |
1.05 |
5. |
Characterization and evaluation of calcium boro-humate – A new boron fertilizer for efficient management of boron to tomato |
Dr.K.Dhanasekaran- PI
Dr.D.Venkatakrishnan-Co-PI |
UGC – New Delhi |
2011-14 |
5.53 |
6. |
Soil health management through micronutrient fortified bio resources for sustainable vegetable production in salt affected soils |
Dr.N.Senthilkumar-PI
Dr. P.Poonkodi-Co-PI |
UGC – New Delhi |
2011-14 |
6.59 |
7. |
Bio – Sequestering terrestrial carbon in the rice production systems of the deltaic agro - system |
Dr.M.Ravichandran- PI
Dr.M. Ganapathy Co- PI
Dr. S.Arunageetha Co-PI
Dr.S.Srinivasan Co- PI |
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DST |
2011-14 |
52.68 |
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In addition, a consultancy project for Public Works Department, Tamil Nadu was also completed to the tune of 7.25 lakhs. Presently, this department also offers consultancy service to six centers on use of fly ash in agriculture in and around NTPC centres viz., Simhadri, Dadri, Talcher, Vindhyachal, Singarauli and Talcher Kaniha to the tune of 50.86 lakhs. |
The ongoing consultancy projects in the Department are as follows |
1 |
Show case project on Use of Fly ash in Agriculture in and around NTPC – Vindhyachal . |
Dr.K.Arivazhagan |
NTPC– Vindhyachal |
2010- 11 |
6.53
Lakhs |
2 |
Show case project on use of fly ash in agriculture in and around NTPC – Talcher Kaniha |
Dr.K.Arivazhagan |
NTPC–Talcher Kaniha |
2011-12 |
7.00 Lakhs |
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iv) Degrees Awarded : |
S.No. |
Name of the course |
No. of recipients |
1. |
M.Sc.(Ag.) in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry |
112 |
2. |
Ph.D. in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry |
19 |
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Workshop : The Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry has organized the following workshop |
i. IPNI sponsored National workshop on “Role of potassium nutrition to sustain crop production in Tamil Nadu” on January 22nd 2010.
ii. UGC sponsored National workshop on “Organic waste reclamation, recycling and reuse for sustainable agriculture” on February 24-25 on 2011.
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Special Lectures:
The staff members in the Department regularly deliver special lectures at the State and National level Institutes and farming community. Special lectures by reputed scientists are also organized for the benefit of students and research scholars. |
Guest Lectures:
The staff members deliver guest lectures in the form of lead papers in International, National and State level seminars and conferences. They also deliver guest lectures for NSS students and students of other Faculties of Annamalai University for their academic pursuit. |
Refresher Course :
The Department has organized a UGC sponsored Refresher course on “Resource management for sustainable eco-friendly agriculture in the 21st century” during January 31 to February 20, 2006. |
Seminars:
The Department has organized the following seminars/ symposia |
i) National seminar on “Humic acids in agriculture” during 1989.
ii) National seminar on “Recent trends and use of humic substances for sustainable agriculture” on February, 11-12, 2002.
iii) National Seminar on “ New frontiers of soil science research towards sustainable agriculture” during March 11-12, 2005.
iv) National seminar on “Recent advances in soil health and crop management for sustainable agriculture” during February 26-27, 2009.
v) National seminar on “New challenges and opportunities in soil organic matter Research” on February 26, 2010.
vi) International symposium on “Recent advances in potassium fertilizer recommendations for agricultural and horticultural crops” on March 4, 2011.
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| Other Activities : |
i)The staffs of the department provide appropriate suggestions to farmers for soil and crop improvement through frequent field visits to villages and also through TV and Radio talk. Awareness on the importance of soil testing is created among farmers through village meetings. The research results obtained are transmitted to farmers through method demonstrations during Farmers’ day exhibition in and around in the Faculty of Agriculture. Soil and Irrigation water samples of the farmers in and around Chidambaram are analyzed and their suitability and methods of management of problem are explained to the farmers. The nutrient disorders on crops and soils in the farmers’ fields are diagnosed and suitable corrective measures are suggested
ii) Dr.Pactricia Imas, India Coordinator, Switzerland and Dr. Arik Helig, Director, Central Arava Science centre, Central Arava Agricultural research & Development, Israel visited the department in connection with a collaborative research project and delivered lectures.
iii) Dr. Eldad Sokolowski Co-ordinator India & China , IPI , Switzerland made an academic visit to the department during March 4, 2011.
iv) A Chinese delegation led by Mr. Alon Gill from Dead Sea Works, Israel visited the department during October, 2010
v) The staff members have published more than 10 text books for the benefit of Agricultural and Horticultural students on the subject Human nutrition, Analytical chemistry, Plant biochemistry, Pedology, Soil fertility, Fundamental of soil science, Chemistry of crops, Chemistry of pesticides and Use of fertilizer and manures in agriculture.
vi) The staff members of the department have visited various countries viz., Germany, USA, China, Thailand, Australia and Nepal to present their research papers.
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MOU Signed : Nil |
Department Library:
The Department has a very good library with research journals of National and International importance. It has a wide range of collection of text books, reprints, popular National and International magazines, Educational CDs and books for competitive examinations. |
Staff awarded – Distinctions :
The staff members of the department are actively involved in research and the awards received by them bears ample testimony to their dedication to Agricultural research. |
| i) Dr. M.V.Sriramachandrasekaran |
a. Crop Research Award 2004 by Gaurav Society Agriculture Research Information centre, Haryana.
b. APSI Distinguished Plant Scientist award 2005 by the Academy of Plant Sciences, India, Muzaffarnagar.
c. Best paper Research Award 2005 in the National seminar on Appropriate Technologies for sustainable Horticulture.
d. Best Teacher Award 2008 by Annamalai University
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| ii) Dr.R.Singaravel |
a. Awarded the Indian Society of Soil Science Zonal Award for the best PhD thesis presentation for the year 1999.
b. Awarded the Endeavor fellowship by Government of Australia to pursue a post Doctoral research work at Murdoch University, Australia from April – November, 2010.
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| iii) Dr. N.Senthilkumar |
a. Junior scientist award for the year 2008 by National Environmental Science Academy
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| iv) Dr. K.Sivakumar |
a. Junior scientist award for the year 2005 by National Environmental Science Academy
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Equipment laboratories : The Department has well equipped undergraduate, postgraduate, Instrumentation and ICT laboratories to cater to the needs of students and research scholars. The instruments available in the different labs are Nitrogen auto analyser with digestor (Kjel plus), Soxotherm (Kjel plus ), refrigerator centrifuge (Remi), Pressure plate apparatus, UV spectrophotometer, Flame photometer, Nephalometer, IR Moisture Balance (LCGC), FTIR ( Brooker), AAS (ELICO), CN Analyser (LECO ), SPAD chlorophyll meter and other basic equipments. All the labs are provided with LCD facilities. The post graduate students and research scholars avail the exclusive ICT facilities available in the department for their research work. |
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