Dr. Ashok Kumar holds a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Agriculture (2003) and M.Sc. (Soil Science) (2005) from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana and Ph.D. (Soil Science) (2021) from Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pardesh. He joined PAU, Ludhiana at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ferozepur in 2010 and is presently serving as District Extension Scientist (Soil Science) at PAU-FASC, Sangrur. Dr. Kumar has experience in research, extension and farmer outreach in the domain of sustainable soil, water and nutrient management. Additionally, Dr. Kumar has conducted extensive adaptive research trials (ARTs), on-farm trials (OFTs), front line demonstrations (FLDs), and multi-location evaluations of efficient soil, water, and nutrient management technologies in rice, wheat, maize, cotton crops.

Professional Accomplishment:

Research Publications (maximum upto 5):

1. Aulakh M. S. and Garg* A. K. (2007) Yields and nutrient use-efficiency in groundnut-sunflower cropping systems in Punjab, India. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 31 (1): 89-110. (NAAS rating 8.62) DOI: 10.1300/J064v31n01_09.
2. Aulakh M. S., Garg A. K. and Kabba B. S. (2007) Phosphorus accumulation, leaching and residual effects on crop yields from long-term applications in subtropics. Soil Use and Management 23: 417- 427. (NAAS rating 9.67) DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-2743.2007.00124.x.
3. Garg, A. K. and Aulakh, M. S. (2010) Effect of long-term fertilizer management & crop rotation on accommodation & downward movement of phosphorus in semi-arid sub-tropical irrigated soils. Communication in Soil Science and Plant analysis 41(7): 848-864. Taylor & Francis Publishers, USA. (NAAS rating 7.58) DOI:10.1080/00103621003592366.
4. Aulakh, M. S., Manchanda, J.S., Garg, A.K., Kumar, S., Dercon, G. and Nguyen, M. L. (2012) Crop production and nutrient use efficiency of conservation agriculture for soybean-wheat rotation in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of North Western India. Soil & Tillage Research 120: 50-60. Elsevier publishers (NAAS rating 13.37) DOI:10.1016/j.still.2011.11.001.
5. Kumar, S., Garg,A. K. and Aulakh, M. S. (2016) Effects of conservation agriculture practices on physical, chemical and biological attributes of soil health under soybean-rapeseed rotation. Agricultural Research 5 (2), 145-161. (NAAS rating 5.95) DOI 10.1007/s40003-016-0205-y.
6. Aulakh, M. S., Garg, A. K., Manchanda, J. S., Dercon, G., and Nguyen, M. L. (2017) Biological nitrogen fixation and fate of applied 15N-fertilizer in succeeding wheat under conventional tillage and conservation agriculture practices. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 107: 79-89 (NAAS Rating: 9.87). ISSN 1385-1314DOI:10.1007/s10705-016-9816-8.
7. Benbi, D. K., Sharma, S., Toor, A. S., Brar, K., Sodhi, G. P. S., and Garg, A. K. (2016) Differences in soil organic pools and biological activity between organic and conventionally managed rice-wheat fields. Organic Agriculture. ISSN 1879-4246. Doi: 10.1007/s13165-016-0168-0. pp. 1-14.
8. Garg, A. K. Aulakh, M. S. and Manchanda, J. S. (2018) Effects of integrated use of inorganic fertilizer, farmyard manure and crop residue on crop production, nutrient uptake and protein in soybean-rapeseed cropping system under conventional tillage and conservation agriculture in subtropics. International Journal of Agriculture Sciences. 10 (23): 7559-7565. (NAAS rating: 4.58) ISSN: 0975-3710) DOI:10.9735/0975-3710.
9. Garg, A. K., Kaushal, R. and Rana, V. S. (2020) Impact of vermicompost, poultry manure and jeevaamrit on growth parameters of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) cv. Allison. International Journal of Plant & Soil Science 32 (18): 31-40. (NAAS Rating: 5.07). DOI:10.9734/ijpss/2020/v32i1830389.
10. Kaur R, Singh M and Garg, A. K. (2023) Impact of cluster frontline demonstrations (CFLDs) of oilseeds on productivity and profitability of Gobhi Sarson in Sangrur district of Punjab. Journal of Oilseed Brassica, 14 (1): 85-88. ISSN 0976-1454 (NAAS Rating: 4.77).
11. Bhatt, R., Oliveira, M. W., Verma, K. K., Garg, A. K., Kaur, G, Laing, A. M., Chandra, M. S., Majumdar, D. (2023)Challenges, scope, and upcoming strategies for direct seeding of rice: A global meta-analysis. AMA- Agricultural Mechanization in Asia Africa and Latin America 50 (4): 12825-12863. ISSN: 0084-5841. (NAAS rating: 6.29).
12. Garg A. K. (2023) Review of changes in soil chemical and biological characteristics when farming practices switch from conventional to organic. Environment and Ecology 41 (2B): 1276-1281 (April-June 2023). ISSN 0970-0420. (NAAS rating: 5.25)
13. Garg, A. K., Kaushal, R., Rana, V. S. and Pritpal-Singh (2023) Assessment of Yield, Quality and Economics of Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa Allison) production as influenced by integrated nitrogen management strategies in Indian lower Himalayas. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-023-01429-7 (NAAS rating: 9.61)

Awards/Honours/Distinctions: (Exclude best poster/paper presentations, Appreciation letters etc.)        

1. Awarded Dr. J. S. Kanwar Memorial Scholarship in the elective subject of Soil Science during the academic year 2002-2003.
2. Merit certificate awarded on account of having obtained an OCPA more than 8.00 during B. Sc Agriculture and M. Sc. (Soil Science) from PAU, Ludhiana and Ph.D. (Soil Science) form Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, HP.
3. Best KVK Award (Zonal)-2013 Awarded to KVK Patiala team by ICAR, New Delhi
4. S. Khush Team Award for Excellence In Transfer of Technology to Farmers at State Level
5. Best Extension Scientist Award for outstanding contribution in the field of soil science at 3^rd National Conference of The Society of Krishi Vigyan on “Natural Farming, Organic Farming and Chemical Farming In Indian Agriculture: Present Scenario and Way Forward” 17 to 19 Oct, 2022 at Ujjain, MP.