Agronomy News

Five Graduate Students from Agronomy Lab Participate in Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony

The Agronomy Lab is proud to announce that five of its graduate students in the Master of Science in Environmental Studies—Binaya, Asmita, Manish, Srijana, and Prakriti—participated in the Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony, marking the successful completion of their academic journey. Their accomplishments reflect the lab’s ongoing commitment to excellence in graduate education and research. We congratulate them on this significant milestone and wish them continued success in their future endeavors.

Deepak's Soybean Research featured in Farms

https://www.farms.com/ag-industry-news/research-finds-practical-way-to-improve-soybean-protein-059.aspx

Dr. Anuj Chiluwal’s Soybean Protein Article Recognized as Wiley Top Viewed Article

Kentucky Ag Connection highlights Deepak's research on improving soybean feed quality

https://kentuckyagconnection.com/news/late-season-nitrogen-may-improve-soybean-feed-quality

Deepak's Soybean Research Featured in Kentucky State University News

https://www.kysu.edu/news/2026/5/soybean-research-offers-new-path-to-strengthen-seed-protein.php

Manish Pandit published an article in MDPI – Agronomy Journal

Pandit et al., 2026: Biological Nitrogen Fixation in Soybean: Mechanisms, Benefits, Sustainability, and Future Prospects

https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy16100946

Deepak published an article in Frontiers in Plant Science – Plant Nutrition

Khatri et al., 2026: Can biochar and late-season nitrogen fertilization overcome the sulfur-containing amino acid deficiency and improve oil stability in soybean seeds?

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2026.1849670

Binaya Published an article in Frontiers in Agronomy:

Baral et al., 2026: Response of acidic silt loam soil properties to biochar application under soybean cultivation.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2026.1719143

Surekha wins a award for poster competition at 10th Annual Experee Credit Union Student Research Day at Kentucky State University 🎉
https://www.kysu.edu/news/2026/5/annual-expree-research-day-celebrates-student-ideas-and-faculty-excellence.php

Agronomy Lab celebrates outstanding achievements at the 10^th Harold R. Benson Agricultural Luncheon at Kentucky State University:
i) Dr. Anuj Chiluwal received the Faculty of the Year Award in Research
ii) Manish Pandit received an Outstanding Graduate Student Award

Manish Published an article in Journal of Agriculture and Food Research:

Pandit et al., 2026: Impact of supplemental nitrogen application at different reproductive stages on soybean and seed composition.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2026.102968

Manish Pandit was recognized as an Outstanding Graduate Student for the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Kentucky State University’s 2026 Academic Honors Convocation.

https://www.kysu.edu/student-affairs/registrar/commencement/KYSU%202026%20Academic%20Honors%20Convocation.pdf

Deepak Published an article in Journal of Agriculture and Food Research:

Khatri et al., 2026: Biochar and late-season nitrogen fertilization effects on soybean yield and seed quality.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2026.102941

Binaya Published an article in Frontiers in Agronomy:

Baral et al., 2026: Response of acidic silt loam soil properties to biochar application under soybean cultivation.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2026.1719143

Manish defended his Master's Thesis, April 2026 🎓

Thesis title: "Impact of Supplemental Nitrogen Application at different Reproductive States on Soybean Yield and Seed Composition."

Anjan's award featured on KSU News

Soybean planting time research earns Kentucky State graduate student second-place honor at ASA Southern Section meeting.

https://www.kysu.edu/news/2026/2/soybean-planting-time-research-earns-ksu-student-second-place.php

Anjan received the ASA Southern Conference 2026 Poster Competition Award at Louisville, Kentucky, USA

Surekha joins our team

Agronomy Lab welcomes Surekha Panthi. Her position strengthens late season nitrogen management and soil health improvement.

Binaya defended his Master's Thesis, December 2025 🎓

Thesis title: "Groundwater Nitrate and Phosphate Dynamics under a Long-Term Organic Crop-Livestock system with Goat Grazing."

Asmita defended her Master's Thesis, November 2025 🎓

Thesis title: "Impact of Goat Integration in Organic Corn-Soybean Systems on Soil Health: A Long-term Rotational Trial."

Susma secured 1st place among graduate participants in the poster competition at 2025 GIS Day Research Symposium.

KSU honored Deepak's 2025 Expree Student Research Day win at the School of Business Federal Reserve Luncheon

Susma and Dashanta join our team

Agronomy Lab welcomes Susma Adhikari and Dashanta Gray. Their addition strengthens late season nitrogen management, crop physiology, aerial phenotyping, and soil health improvement.

Lalit published a peer-reviewed paper in Elsevier Journal

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atech.2025.101276

Sudip's research featured on KSU News: Kentucky Graduate Student Sudip Poudel Publishes Research in Nature Portfolio Journal

https://www.kysu.edu/news/2025/08/sudip-poudel-publishes-nature-portfolio-journal.php

Sudip published a peer-reviewed paper in Nature Portfolio Journal

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-12590-7

Suraj published a peer-reviewed paper in Atmosphere Journal

https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16070880

Dr. Chiluwal featured as a guest on The Field, Lab, Earth Podcast

https://fieldlabearth.libsyn.com/soybean-seed-protein-decline-with-dr-anuj-chiluwal

Four Graduate Students from Agronomy Lab Participate in Class of 2025 Commencement Ceremony

The Agronomy Lab is proud to announce that four of its graduate students in the Master of Science in Environmental Studies—Lalit, Deepak, Prashant and Sudip—participated in the Class of 2025 Commencement Ceremony, marking the successful completion of their academic journey. Their accomplishments reflect the lab’s ongoing commitment to excellence in graduate education and research. We congratulate them on this significant milestone and wish them continued success in their future endeavors.

Lalit’s research featured on Kentucky Ag Connection: KSU Alumnus Advances Drone Based Soybean Research

https://kentuckyagconnection.com/news/ksu-alumnus-advances-drone-based-soybean-research

Lalit’s research featured on KSU News: KSU Alumnus Identifies the Most Effective Sensor for Plant Height Estimation in Soybean

https://www.kysu.edu/news/2025/05/plant-height-estimation-in-soybean.php

Deepak takes top prize for Oral Presentation at 2025 Annual Student Research Day

https://www.kysu.edu/news/2025/05/2025-annual-student-research-day.php

Sudip’s research featured on KSU News: Graduate Student Spearheads Study on Soybean Seeds

https://www.kysu.edu/news/2025/05/study-on-soybean-seeds.php

Dr. Chiluwal featured as a guest on The Crop Science Podcast Show

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT-1nEataDA

Deepak published a peer-reviewed paper in Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment

http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/agg2.70128

Dr. Chiluwal published a peer-reviewed review paper in Agronomy Journal

https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/agj2.21731

Lalit published a peer-reviewed paper in Frontiers in Plant Science

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2025.1488760

Prashant receives graduate student oral presentation award at ASA, CSSA, SSSA conference

https://www.kysu.edu/news/2024/12/ksu-graduate-student-awarded-for-their-research-in-soil-health.php

Dr. Chiluwal’s award featured on ARD updates: Five nab top awards during ARD symposium

https://wwwcp.umes.edu/ard/wp-content/uploads/sites/58/2024/06/ARD-Updates-May2024.pdf

Dr. Chiluwal and Sudip’s ARD award featured on KSU News

https://www.kysu.edu/news/2024/04/ksu-ARD-symposium-2024.php

Sudip published a peer-reviewed paper in MDPI Agronomy

http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14040763

Sudip takes the Nepalese Agricultural Professionals of Americas International Scientific Conference Graduate Oral Competition Award at Maryland, USA

KSU recognizes Sudip for ARD winning achievement at 8th annual Harold R. Benson Agriculture Luncheon, 2024

Kentucky State University proudly recognizes Sudip Poudel, one of our graduate students, for his remarkable performance at the biennial 1890 Association of Research Directors (ARD) Symposium, Nashville, Tennessee. He was honored at the 8th Annual Harold R. Benson Agriculture Luncheon, KSU, April 25, 2024, with a KSU recognition award. His achievement reflects his commitment to scientific rigor and effective communication on a global stage.

Outstanding Master’s Student Honor Awarded to Sudip by Kentucky State University at 8th Annual Harold R. Benson Agriculture Luncheon, April 25, 2024

Kentucky State University honored Sudip for his outstanding contributions to graduate research. He was honored at the 8th Annual Harold R. Benson Agriculture Luncheon, KSU, April 25, 2024, as an outstanding Master’s Student in the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources. His work exemplifies the scholarly impact that defines our graduate community.

Sudip Earns Graduate Student Oral Presentation Award in bi-annual ARD conference Oral Presentation Competition in Plant Health and Production

Dr. Chiluwal Receives Prestigious B.D. Mayberry Young Scientist Award

Dr. Chiluwal was honored with the prestigious B. D. Mayberry Young Scientist Award at the 2024 Association of 1890 Research Directors Biennial Research Symposium in Nashville, Tennessee. The award is given biennially during the symposium to an outstanding early career researcher among all 1890 Land Grant Universities in the United States. Each University can nominate one candidate for the award who earned his or her doctoral degree in the last 5 years. Dr. Chiluwal is the first faculty from Kentucky State University to receive the recognition.

Our research featured on KSU News: Kentucky State University receives funding to study soybean production

https://www.kysu.edu/news/2023/08/ksu-receives-funding-soybean-production.php

Our research featured on Brownfield Ag News: Kentucky State receives grant to fund soybean production study

https://brownfieldagnews.com/news/kentucky-state-receives-grant-to-fund-soybean-production-study/

Our research featured on Farms News: Kentucky State University Receives Funding to Study Soybean Production

https://www.farms.com/news/kentucky-state-university-receives-funding-to-study-soybean-production-199300.aspx

Our research featured on WEKU Radio: KSU agriculture research grants to include $600K for soybean study

https://www.weku.org/the-commonwealth/2023-07-25/ksu-agriculture-research-grants-to-include-600k-for-soybean-study