Dr. Renuka is a distinguished soil scientist who secured the top rank in the Ph.D. Soil Science Common Entrance Test (CET) at SKUAST Kashmir, reflecting her strong academic foundation and subject expertise. She is currently working as a Young Professional at SKUAST Jammu, Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, under a DBT-funded research project, where she is actively involved in advanced research addressing soil health, sustainability, and climate-resilient agriculture.

Research Interests & Expertise

Her research broadly focuses on:

• Soil health and sustainable agriculture

• Soil microbiome and nutrient cycling

• Heavy metal pollution, bioaccumulation, and remediation

• Organic farming and low-budget natural farming

• Biochar, vermicomposting, and eco-friendly soil amendments

• Smart agriculture, AI, remote sensing, and deep learning applications in soil science

• Emerging areas such as microplastics in soil and phytonanoparticles

Publications & Scholarly Output

Dr. Renuka has an impressive scholarly record with 14 research publications, including:

• 8+ book chapters published with reputed publishers such as Springer Nature, Vital Biotech, Kripa-Drishti Publications, and Astitva Prakashan

• 1 edited/authored book on modern agricultural innovations

• 11 popular and scientific articles in recognized agricultural journals and magazines
  Her work demonstrates both scientific rigor and societal relevance, bridging fundamental soil science with practical agricultural solutions.

Innovation & Patents

Granted Patent

• Indian Patent: “Solar Panel for Agriculture Activities”

• Patent No.: 387327-001

This innovation highlights her contribution to renewable-energy-based agricultural technologies, supporting sustainability and energy-efficient farming practices.

Patent Under Process

In addition to her granted patent, Dr. Renuka is currently associated with another patent under process that is closely aligned with her core research domain.

• Title (Under Process): Soil Pollutant Detector Device

The invention relates to a newly designed Soil Pollutant Detector Device, as set forth in the specification. The design focuses on the detection and assessment of soil pollutants, contributing to improved soil quality monitoring, environmental safety, and sustainable land management.

The claimed portion of the design emphasizes structural novelty and functional efficiency, enabling early detection of soil contaminants relevant to agriculture and environmental protection. This innovation has strong potential applications in precision agriculture, soil health assessment, pollution management, and climate-resilient farming systems.

Complete patent details, technical specifications, and supporting documentation can be shared as required for evaluation and verification.

Academic Service & Professional Contributions

Dr. Renuka actively contributes to the scientific community as:

• A reviewer for reputed journals including Current World Environment and Plant Science Today

• A GOLD member of the International Journal of Plant and Soil Science

• An Editorial Board Member (Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry) of Just Agriculture Magazine

Awards & Recognition

• Topper, Ph.D. Soil Science CET – SKUAST Kashmir

Eligibility for Young Researcher Award 

Dr. Renuka is highly eligible for the Young Researcher Award (Scientific Laurels) due to her outstanding early-career achievements, including high-impact publications, international book chapters with Springer, a granted Indian patent, active involvement in DBT-funded research, and consistent academic service as a reviewer and editorial board member. Her interdisciplinary research, innovation-driven approach, and commitment to sustainable agriculture strongly align with the objectives and evaluation criteria of the Young Researcher Award, making her a deserving candidate for this prestigious recognition.