Profile: Dr. Mahesh Kumar is Principal Agronomist in the Maize Section, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, PAU, Ludhiana, with over 21 years of research and academic service. His expertise lies in maize agronomy, focusing on sowing methods, nutrient and weed management, and crop geometry. He has extensively studied genotype responses to nutrient levels under varying sowing dates, high plant density, and seasonal planting methodologies to optimize nutrient uptake and moisture use. Dr. Kumar has contributed to the release of several maize hybrids of different maturities and developed eco-friendly nutrient management strategies. With over 150 publications, including 50 research papers in reputed journals, he has also participated in national training programs, collaborative projects, and maize monitoring teams. He serves as Warden of Hostels No. 1 and 15 since 2014, guides UG and PG research, and works directly with farmers through field demonstrations of improved technologies.

Research Interests:

1. Studies on the response of maize genotypes to various nutrient levels under different sowing dates under Punjab conditions
2. Studies on response of maize genotypes to high plant density vis a vis nutrient availability
3. Studies on planting methodology of maize during different seasons to enhance nutrient uptake and moisture conditions.

Research Projects:

1. All India Coordinated Maize Improvement Project (ICAR-4)
2. Front line Demonstrations on Maize (ICAR)
3. Evaluation of maize hybrids during Kharif and spring season developed by private sector at PAU, Ludhiana

Research Publications (Last 5 Years):

1. • Sandhu S, Yousuf N, Singh G and Kumar M (2023). Deciphering variability for heat tolerance index in maize hybrids and identification of stress resilient heterotic combinations. Journal of Environmental Biology. Volume 44 : 193-199
   • Kumar M and Garg T (2022). Yield performance of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids under different nutrient levels.  The Journal Plant Science Research 38 (2):813-816
   • Kaur, H., Ahmadi, K., Kumar, S. and Kumar, M. (2022).  Associations between charcoal rot disease and grain yield in different sowing dates in spring maize (Zea mays L.). Indian Phyto pathology75: 741-747 https://doi.org/10.1007/s42360-022-00493-w
   • Sarkar, A., Sandhu, S., Pal, L., Kushwah, A. and Kumar, M. (2022). Productivity-based assessment of tolerance to high plant density stress in tropical maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines and their single cross hybrids. Indian J Genet. Plant Breed 82(2): 153-160
   • Sandhu, S., Kumar, M. and Dass, S. (2021). Maize – an alternative cereal for crop diversification in changing climate. Maize Journal (October 2021) 10 (2): 68-73
   • Garg, T., Singh, G., Chawla, J S.,  Sandhu, SK.,  Jindal, J.,  Kaur, H.  andKumar, M. (2019). Exploring teosinte (Zea mays spp. mexicana L.) for generating novel variants in maize: some research initiatives at PAU. Agricultural Research Journal 56 (4) : 789-792

Awards/Honours/Distinctions:

• MTAI Fellow award 2024 (Natural Resource Management & Social sciences)honored by Maize Technologists Association of India, ICAR-IIMR, Ludhiana

Membership of professional societies:

– Life membership of Maize Technologists Association of India (MTAI), New Delhi

– Life membership of Haryana Agronomist Association CCSHAU, Hisar

– Life membership of The Indian Society of Agronomy New Delhi

Courses Teaching:

Agron103 : Crop Production Technology

Agron. 201: Production Technology for kharif crops

Agron. 509: Agronomy of Dodder and Forage crops                  

Student Guidance:

1. D.: Ms. MotingePriyankaBalasaheb (L-2023-A-07-D)

M.Sc: Ms. Shilpa (L-2024-A-019-M)