I am currently serving as an Assistant Professor at the Meerut Institute of Technology, Meerut. I have also served as a peer reviewer for reputable scientific journals, reviewing three manuscripts in agriculture and plant sciences. I hold a Ph.D. in Horticulture with a specialization in Floriculture and Landscaping Architecture, reflecting a strong academic foundation and a commitment to advancing agricultural sciences.
With a distinguished academic and research profile, I have received three prestigious international awards recognizing my scientific contributions, and I hold three patents that demonstrate my innovative approach and dedication to developing practical horticultural solutions. My scholarly output includes 24 research and review papers published in reputed national and international journals, 27 popular science articles, 11 book chapters, and authorship of 8 books—collectively showcasing my expertise and passion for knowledge dissemination.
EDUCATION
PhD Horti [Floriculture and Landscaping Architecture] from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut
Evaluation of a Novel Organic–Microbial Nutrient Medium for Enhancing Growth, Flowering, and Soil Health in Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Pusa Basanti Mukesh Kumar, Veena Chaudhary, Vidisha Chaudhary, Vinukonda Rakesh Sharma, Ravi Kumar, Chetan Chauhan, Krishna Kaushik, Devanshu Shukla, Arun Lal Srivastav, Rajan Bhatt, Graciela Dolores Avila-Quezada, Mohamed A. Mattar Horticulturae, 2026 A novel plant nutrient media was developed from vermicompost through microbial organisms and organic soil obtained from mango orchards. The novel nutrient media was evaluated to assess the efficacy of the novel media as both a sole and integrated nutrient source for flower production of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Pusa Basanti in sandy loam soil. The results demonstrated that marigold flower yield was maximized when the novel plant nutrient media comprised 50% of the novel nutrient media combined with the recommended dose of chemical fertilizers, compared to chemical fertilizers alone. Post-harvest soil analysis revealed that treatments with this novel nutrient media, both alone and in combination with inorganic fertilizers, significantly enhanced nutrient availability (NPK), increased soil organic carbon content, and improved microbial activity and soil enzyme function. Principal component analysis identified flower yield per plant, number of flowers per plant, and seed yield as key variables explaining maximum variability, suggesting these traits as primary selection criteria for performance optimization, and the treatments T4 (78.01) and T5 (85.15) had the highest positive scores on PC1, indicating superior performance for yield-contributing traits. These findings indicate that integrating novel nutrient media into agricultural practices could provide developing countries with an effective strategy for addressing the environmental challenges associated with excessive inorganic fertilizer use while maintaining crop productivity.
Advanced biotechnological tools towards achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) for mitigation of microplastics from environments: a review Mukesh Kumar, Veena Chaudhary, Ravi Kumar, Manoj Kumar Yadav, Chetan Chauhan, Satya Prakash, Devanshu Shukla, Rishubh Motla, Krishna Kaushik, Virendra Pal, Mahesh Kumar, Rajat Singh, Arul Lal Srivastav Discover Sustainability, 2025 These days, we can use molecular biology methods like genetic engineering and gene editing to create modified microorganisms that can efficiently degrade microplastics. The background to recognize new species of microorganisms, gene pools, interaction networks, and pathways of reaction from different microbial consortiums is provided by techniques like metagenomics, meta-transcriptomics, meta-proteomics, metabolomics, microbiomics, etc. High-level expression of enzymes that break down plastic, including reductases, hydrolases, depolymerases, and esterases, has also been found using meta-omics techniques. These methods’ great accuracy, speed, and sensitivity make them applicable to studies on the role of microbiota in the breakdown of microplastics (MPs). Furthermore, these new enzymes’ attachment to the polymer substrate can be predicted using computational tools like molecular docking and computational biology, and this prediction can be verified in vitro for environmentally viable applications. In the literature that is currently accessible, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN) are also examined in relation to microplastic (MP) reduction. In order to comprehend the potential of microbes in the microplastics degradation, this review examines the role of meta-omics and computational tools to achieve the SDGs of the United Nations (UN) in a cumulative way. Future directions have also been covered, and the review also emphasizes the difficulties encountered when applying genome engineering and meta-omics techniques.
Optimization of integrated sources of nutrients and foliar application of micronutrients on growth, flowering and yield of marigold (Tagetes erecta L) cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda Devanshu Shukla, MUKESH KUMAR, Chetan Chauhan, Krishna Kaushik, Rohan Tomar, Ujjwal Sirohi, Mahima Sharma, Rishubh Motla, Manoj Kumar Singh Plant Science Today, 2025 The study was conducted to evaluate the impact of foliar application of micronutrient and integrated nutrient sources on the “growth, flowering, and yield” of Marigold cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda in year 2021–2022 in randomised block design (RBD) with three replications. Among the treatments, the highest plant height and spread were observed in plants treated with T2 (100% RDF with foliar spray of 0.5% ZnSO4). The greatest number of branches per plant and maximum total dry matter were recorded under T6 (75% RDF with foliar spray of 0.5% ZnSO4 + 0.5% FeSO4). For flowering parameters, T6 also resulted in the minimum days to first flowering, longest flowering duration, highest number of flowers per plant, maximum flower weight, and maximum petal weight, while the largest flower diameter was found in T2. Regarding yield, the highest flower yield per plant, flower yield per hectare, and seed yield per flower were observed under T6 with the foliar spray of 0.5% ZnSO4 + 0.5% FeSO4. It was concluded that from an economic perspective, treatment T6 was determined to be the most efficient
Integrated Nutrient Management’s Impact on Dahlia Cultivation (Dahlia variabilis L.) cv. Zail Singh Krishna Kaushik, Mukesh Kumar, Ravi Kumar, Kedar Mahadev Gheware, Devanshu Shukla, Rohan Tomar, Abhay Vedwan, Vishal Srivastava, Mahima Sharma, Shivani Chahar Bioresources, 2025 The experiment was conducted during the winter season of 2022–2023 at the Horticultural Research Centre, SVPUA&T, Meerut, to evaluate the impact of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) on Dahlia variabilis L. cv. Zail Singh using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 19 treatments and three replications. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed among treatments for vegetative growth, flowering, and soil parameters. Treatment T12 (50% RDF + poultry manure + Azotobacter + VAM) recorded the maximum number of primary branches (9.75), leaf area (97.75 cm²), leaf area index (0.048), chlorophyll index 55.45 mg/m²), and nitrogen index (26.62 mg/m²), showing approximately 81% improvement over the control (100% RDF). T17 (25% RDF + vermicompost + Azospirillium + VAM) produced the largest stem diameter (14.30 mm), stalk diameter (10.30 mm), and flower diameter (18.00 cm). T5 enabled early color break (6.58 days), T10 extended vase life (7.10 days), while T6 and T7 significantly enhanced soil nutrient availability, and T14–T15 improved soil organic carbon, EC, and pH. In contrast, the control (T1) consistently recorded the lowest values across traits. These findings demonstrated that integrating organic manures and bio-inoculants with reduced levels of chemical fertilizers significantly enhanced crop performance and soil health, offering a sustainable strategy for ornamental horticulture.
In Vitro Propagation Journey of Ornamental Gladiolus (Gladiolus Species): A Systematic Review Analysis Based on More Than 50 Years Research Mukesh Kumar, Veena Chaudhary, Ujjwal Sirohi, Jitender Singh, Manoj Kumar Yadav, Satya Prakash, Arvind Kumar, Vipin Kumar, Virendra Pal, Chetan Chauhan, Krishna Kaushik, Devanshu Shukla, Rishubh Motla, Satendra Kumar, Sunil Malik Horticulturae, 2024 Traditional gladiolus propagation methods are now supplemented with in vitro propagation to meet the demands of modern floriculture in terms of quick production of disease-free, quality planting material. Due to virus infections, vegetative propagation in gladiolus in the field is slow, and is a serious concern in the propagation of gladiolus. In vitro propagation provides an enormous increase in propagation rate and the ability to produce disease-free plant material. Numerous elements, including cultivars, explant type, size of explants, position of explants on medium, plant growth regulators and certain additives, incubation conditions, and sub-culturing time, all have a significant impact on in vitro clonal propagation of gladiolus plants as well as the development of in vitro cormel efficiency. There are certain obstacles and challenges that arise in the in vitro development of plants and the cormels of gladiolus. However, numerous studies and review reports on gladiolus for in vitro propagation have been reported, but very little is known about the factors influencing gladiolus’ in vitro effectiveness. In the present review, we focused on and analyzed research data accumulated over 50 years on diverse strategies for in vitro propagation such as direct, indirect organogenesis, and somatic embryogenesis, as well as various factors such as physical, nutritional, and hormonal influences on in vitro propagation, in vitro cormel formation efficiency, difficulties that arise, and new insights into in vitro development in gladiolus from the available literature worldwide. Future possibilities for further improvement in the in vitro propagation of ornamental gladiolus are also discussed. The current review provides insight into a comprehensive protocol for gladiolus in vitro propagation and emphasizes the importance of continuously advancing tissue culture techniques and factors influencing the in vitro efficiency towards improving in vitro plantlets and cormels in gladiolus (Gladiolus spp.).
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Synergistic Effects of Integrated Nutrient Management and Foliar Micronutrients on Growth, Flowering and Bulb Yield of Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) cv. Prajwal V Kumari, M Kumar, V Kumar, A Kumar, CS Kumar, S Chahar, V Ahlawat, ... Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology 29 (4), 588-596 , 2026 2026
Recent Advances in Sustainable Agricultural Production: Insights into Artificial Intelligence Integration R Motlaa, M Kumar, R Kumar, S Chahar, A Vedwan, M Sharma, D Shukla, ... Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology 29 (4), 146-167 , 2026 2026
Evaluation of a Novel Organic–Microbial Nutrient Medium for Enhancing Growth, Flowering, and Soil Health in Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Pusa Basanti M Kumar, V Chaudhary, V Chaudhary, VR Sharma, R Kumar, C Chauhan, ... Horticulturae , 2026 2026
Integrated Nutrient Management's Impact on Dahlia Cultivation (Dahlia variabilis L.) cv. Zail Singh. K Kaushik, M Kumar, R Kumar, KM Gheware, D Shukla, R Tomar, ... BioResources 20 (4) , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
Effect of Humic Acid Application Methods on Growth, Flowering, and Yield of African Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda S Bhati, R Rao, M Kumar, A Singh, R Kumar, R Motla, D Shukla, ... Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology 28, 122-133 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
Effects of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth, Flowering, and Yield of Tuberose (Agave amica L.) cv. Prajwal R Rao, S Bhati, M Kumar, A Singh, R Kumar, R Motala, D Shukla, ... Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology 28 (9), 1187-1196 , 2025 2025 Citations: 5
Microbial enriched vermicompost efficiently substitutes soil nutrients, microbial populations and enzymatic activity for the growth and yield of tuberose (Agave amica Medik … M Kumar, V Chaudhary, V Chaudhary, R Kumar, K Kaushik, R Bhatt, ... Folia Microbiologica, 1-16 , 2025 2025 Citations: 5
Chayote: An Important Cucurbitaceous Vegetable Crop K Kaushik, KM Gheware, M Kumar, M Wamiq, M Kumar, K Chaturvedi, ... IntechOpen , 2025 2025
Effect of Sources of Nutrients, Corm Priming with Coconut Water and Eco-friendly Floral Preservatives on Postharvest Quality of Gladiolus (Gladiolus hybridus Hort) cv. Pusa Chandni M Kumar, R Kumar, A Singh, V Pal, K Kaushik, D Shukla, M Kumar Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology 28 (6), 1201-1209 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Advanced biotechnological tools towards achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) for mitigation of microplastics from environments: a review M Kumar, V Chaudhary, R Kumar, MK Yadav, C Chauhan, S Prakash, ... Discover Sustainability 6 (1), 264 , 2025 2025 Citations: 5
Influence of Integrated Nutrient Management on Yield and Economic Returns of Flower and Tuber Production in Dahlia (Dahlia variabilis L.) cv. Zail Singh K Kaushik, M Kumar, R Kumar, KM Gheware, R Tomar, D Shukla, ... Agriculture Association of Textile Chemical and Critical Reviews Journal … , 2025 2025
Influence of organic manures on the growth, flowering, yield, and quality of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)(cv. Pusa Narangi) R Himaja, KM Gheware, K Kaushik, VM Prasad International Journal of Advanced Biochemistry Research 9 (6), 230-233 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Agri Magazine S Dash E-Magazine) 2, 03 , 2025 2025
IMPLICATIONS OF DIFFERENT COMBINATIONS OF INORGANIC, ORGANIC, AND BIOFERTILIZERS ON GROWTH OF DAHLIA (DAHLIA VARIABILIS L.) CV. ZAIL SINGH K Kaushik, M Kumar, M Singh, Kumar, S Singh, Pal, S Malik, B Singh, ... Plant Archives 25 (1), 308-319 , 2025 2025
Innovative Eco-friendly approaches to enhance the vase life of cut flowers: A comprehensive review M Kumar, R Kumar, R Motla, M Sharma, D Shukla, K Kaushik, R Singh Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology 27 (12), 36-45 , 2024 2024 Citations: 9
Value addition in floriculture: The potential of flower processing and by-products. MY Sanjay Koushal, Sima Amrut Sarvade, Amit Lohar, Krishna Kaushik, C ... International Journal of Advanced Biochemistry Research 8 (11), 523-529 , 2024 2024
Determining the effect of integrated nutrient management (INM) on the growth of Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) cv. Rajat Rekha R Tomar, S Malik, M Kumar, S Kumar, SP Singh, B Singh, A Chandra, ... Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology 27 (10), 669-675 , 2024 2024 Citations: 4
CHARACTERIZATION OF MUTANT TUBEROSE LINES INDUCED BY GAMMA RAYS AND EMS IN WESTERN UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA. A Chandra, S Kumar, M Kumar, S Malik, B Singh, R Tomar, K Kaushik, ... Plant Archives (09725210) 24 (2) , 2024 2024
THE RISE OF VERTICAL GARDENS: TRANSFORMING BY URBAN SPACES. K Premalatha, MA Sneha, YH Preeti, J Sherly, K Kaushik, K Sharma, ... Plant Archives (09725210) 24 (2) , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
In Vitro Propagation Journey of Ornamental Gladiolus (Gladiolus Species): A Systematic Review Analysis Based on More Than 50 Years Research M Kumar, V Chaudhary, U Sirohi, J Singh, MK Yadav, S Prakash, ... Horticulturae 10 (2), 148 , 2024 2024 Citations: 16
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
In Vitro Propagation Journey of Ornamental Gladiolus (Gladiolus Species): A Systematic Review Analysis Based on More Than 50 Years Research M Kumar, V Chaudhary, U Sirohi, J Singh, MK Yadav, S Prakash, ... Horticulturae 10 (2), 148 , 2024 2024 Citations: 16
Innovative Eco-friendly approaches to enhance the vase life of cut flowers: A comprehensive review M Kumar, R Kumar, R Motla, M Sharma, D Shukla, K Kaushik, R Singh Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology 27 (12), 36-45 , 2024 2024 Citations: 9
Sustainable horticulture practices: an environmental-friendly approaches M Kumar, K Kaushik, S Singh, S Kumar, A Rai, R Kumar, S Yadav, ... Pharma Innovation J 12, 4777-4782 , 2023 2023 Citations: 6
Effects of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth, Flowering, and Yield of Tuberose (Agave amica L.) cv. Prajwal R Rao, S Bhati, M Kumar, A Singh, R Kumar, R Motala, D Shukla, ... Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology 28 (9), 1187-1196 , 2025 2025 Citations: 5
Microbial enriched vermicompost efficiently substitutes soil nutrients, microbial populations and enzymatic activity for the growth and yield of tuberose (Agave amica Medik … M Kumar, V Chaudhary, V Chaudhary, R Kumar, K Kaushik, R Bhatt, ... Folia Microbiologica, 1-16 , 2025 2025 Citations: 5
Advanced biotechnological tools towards achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) for mitigation of microplastics from environments: a review M Kumar, V Chaudhary, R Kumar, MK Yadav, C Chauhan, S Prakash, ... Discover Sustainability 6 (1), 264 , 2025 2025 Citations: 5
Rooftop gardening: A modern approach of production in urban areas K Kaushik, P Praanjal, M Kumar, S Singh, AK Singh, D Kumar, M Wamiq, ... Pharma Innov. J 12, 4766-4770 , 2023 2023 Citations: 5
Modern technologies in horticulture M Wamiq, M Kumar, K Kaushik, A Kumar Modern Concepts in Farming 123 , 2022 2022 Citations: 5
Determining the effect of integrated nutrient management (INM) on the growth of Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) cv. Rajat Rekha R Tomar, S Malik, M Kumar, S Kumar, SP Singh, B Singh, A Chandra, ... Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology 27 (10), 669-675 , 2024 2024 Citations: 4
Effect of plant growth regulators on growth parameters of bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) cv. MGH-4 M Wamiq, M Gaur, K Kaushik, D Kumar, V Gangwar, KM Gheware, ... Int J Environ Clim Change 12 (11), 2441-2447 , 2022 2022 Citations: 4
Integrated Nutrient Management's Impact on Dahlia Cultivation (Dahlia variabilis L.) cv. Zail Singh. K Kaushik, M Kumar, R Kumar, KM Gheware, D Shukla, R Tomar, ... BioResources 20 (4) , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
Effect of Humic Acid Application Methods on Growth, Flowering, and Yield of African Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda S Bhati, R Rao, M Kumar, A Singh, R Kumar, R Motla, D Shukla, ... Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology 28, 122-133 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
THE RISE OF VERTICAL GARDENS: TRANSFORMING BY URBAN SPACES. K Premalatha, MA Sneha, YH Preeti, J Sherly, K Kaushik, K Sharma, ... Plant Archives (09725210) 24 (2) , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Value addition in floriculture: The potential of flower processing and by-products S Koushal, SA Sarvade, A Lohar, K Kaushik, CS Reddy, M Yampalla International Journal of Advanced Biochemistry Research 8 (11), 523-529 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Effect of Sources of Nutrients, Corm Priming with Coconut Water and Eco-friendly Floral Preservatives on Postharvest Quality of Gladiolus (Gladiolus hybridus Hort) cv. Pusa Chandni M Kumar, R Kumar, A Singh, V Pal, K Kaushik, D Shukla, M Kumar Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology 28 (6), 1201-1209 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Influence of organic manures on the growth, flowering, yield, and quality of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)(cv. Pusa Narangi) R Himaja, KM Gheware, K Kaushik, VM Prasad International Journal of Advanced Biochemistry Research 9 (6), 230-233 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Effect of integrated nutrient management and foliar application of micronutrients on vegetative and quality attributes of Gladiolus (Gladiolus hybridus Hort.) cv. White Prosperity. Y Kaur, S Malik, M Kumar, S Kumar, SP Singh, R Gangwar, K Kaushik, ... International Journal ofAgricultural and Statistical Sciences 19 (1), 959-966 , 2023 2023 Citations: 1
Use of nanotechnology in horticulture M Kumar, S Prakash, V Kumar, M Wamiq, A Kumar, K Kaushik Annals of Horticulture 16 (1), 6-13 , 2023 2023 Citations: 1
The Effect of Different Concentrations of GA3 and NAA on Growth and Flowering of Asiatic Lily (Lilium× asiatica) cv. Litouwen under Naturally Ventilated Polyhouse Conditions of … KM Gheware, K Kaushik, R Gangwar, M Wamiq, U Fatmi International Journal of Environment and Climate Change 12 (12), 1196-1201 , 2022 2022 Citations: 1
Leaf chlorophyll, nitrogen concentration, plant growth, flower yield and quality of hyacinth ( H. orientalis ). K Kaushik, SE Topno, V Bahadur, VM Prasad 2021 Citations: 1
