Linking soil enzymes and microbial community dynamics with organic carbon fluctuations for sustaining the soil health Manisha Negi, Pardeep Kumar, Anjali Chauhan, Saurabh Sharma, Happy Dev Sharma, Kapil Sharma Scientific Reports, 2026 In the mountainous regions, where irrigation water is scarce and temperatures are less than ideal, we aimed to explore the combined effects of mulching and organic manure on organic carbon fluctuations, microbial populations and enzymatic activities in soil under ginger. A two-year field study (2021 and 2022) was conducted at Dr. YS Parmar University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, using a split plot design. Main plot treatments included grass (straw) mulch, black plastic mulch (25 and 100 µ thickness). Sub plot treatments consisted of farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost (VC) and sheep-goat manure (SGM), alone or in combination. Grass mulch showed the highest soil organic carbon content (19.02 g kg− 1), viable bacteria (132.65 × 106 ± 1.66 cfu g− 1 soil), fungi (35.73 × 103 ± 1.86 cfu g− 1 soil), actinomycetes count (45.50 × 103 ± 0.78 cfu g− 1 soil) and enzymatic activities (646.17 ± 8.77 µg of p-NPP g− 1 soil hr− 1 acid phosphatase, 6.16 ± 0.15 mg TPF g− 1 soil per 24 h dehydrogenase and 17.84 ± 0.20 mg NH3-N g− 1 soil per hr urease) among mulches. Among the sub plot treatments, FYM combined with 50% RDF (recommended dose of fertilizers) through FYM and SGM generated the best results in terms of soil organic carbon (17.63 g kg− 1) microbial counts (135.40 × 106 ± 2.58 cfu g− 1 soil viable bacteria, 39.93 × 103 ± 1.92 cfu g− 1 soil viable fungi and 44.48 × 103 ± 0.99 cfu g− 1 soil) and enzymatic activities (524.06 ± 11.33 µg of p-NPP g− 1 soil hr− 1 acid phosphatase, 6.55 ± 0.10 mg TPF g− 1 soil per 24 h dehydrogenase and 18.04 ± 0.17 mg NH3-N g− 1 soil per hr urease). Positive correlations were observed between soil organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, microbial populations and enzymatic activities. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed two key components explaining 94.5% of the total variance in soil health parameters under mulching and manuring, with PC1 (79.4%) dominated by organic carbon, microbial counts and enzymatic activities and PC2 (15.1%) mainly associated with enzymatic functions. The synergistic effects of grass mulch and FYM with SGM provide a blueprint for resilient soil ecosystems.
Multivariate elucidation of soil-microbial-physiological interactions under bio-organic nutrient modules in kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa A. Chev.) Manish Nagu, Vishal Singh Rana, Dharam Paul Sharma, Rajesh Kaushal, Anjali Chauhan, Himanshu Mehta, Shivanshu Garg, Saurabh Gangola, Faheema Khan, Shifa Khan, Kahkashan Perveen BMC Plant Biology, 2026 Organic formulations are emerging as sustainable and eco-friendly solutions for enhancing crop production and promoting long-term agro-ecosystem resilience. The present investigation was carried out on kiwifruit cv. ‘Allison’ under mid-hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh. The study aimed to assess the influence of integrated nutrient management modules comprising organic manures, biofertilizers (UHF-Jeevanu Khad) and Jeevamrit-based formulations on plant physiological traits, soil physico-chemical and chemical properties, and microbial activity. A field experiment, laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) with seven treatments and three replications, revealed significant improvements in physiological parameters, specifically, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate, which collectively enhanced overall plant metabolic efficiency. Among the treatments, the combination of 75% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) and 25% UHF-Jeevanu Khad significantly enhanced soil macronutrients, namely N, P and K by 17.75, 20.58 and 19.78%, respectively, over their sole application, along with notable improvements in micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu), indicating improved nutrient dynamics. Microbial populations, including bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes, increased substantially under organic inputs, indicating enhanced microbial activity in the rhizosphere, which may improve root-microbe interactions and nutrient cycling. Multivariate statistical analyses including principal component analysis (PCA) and heatmap cluster revealed strong associations among microbial, nutrient and physiological traits, with the treatment comprising 75% RDF combined with 25% UHF-Jeevanu Khad, and the treatment involving RDF at 800:600:800 g N:P:K per vine forming distinct, high-loading clusters. Correlation analysis showed significant positive relationships between available nitrogen and photosynthetic rate (r = 0.983), stomatal conductance (r = 0.964) and chlorophyll content (r = 0.958), indicating close linkage between nutrient availability and plant physiological performance. Additionally, multiple regression analysis (R2 = 0.9938) identified available nitrogen and photosynthetic traits as dominant predictors of yield. The integration of organic manures, biofertilizers and Jeevamrit-based formulations with recommended fertilizers enhanced soil fertility, microbial activity and plant physiological performance, thus supporting sustainable kiwifruit production in mid-hill regions. These findings underline the importance of combining organic and microbial inputs with conventional practice to improve nutrient cycling, plant health and productivity.
Isolation, characterisation and evaluation of biocontrol agents against Fusarium wilt of capsicum in mid hills of Himachal Pradesh M Raghul, S Hemalatha, C Velavan, G Vanitha, A Vidhyavathi Plant Science Today, 2026 This study analyses long-term yield trends of major crops in Tamil Nadu from 1965-66 to 2023-24 using descriptive statistics, compound annual growth rate (CAGR), Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and linear regression. The analysis revealed notable inter-crop yield inequalities, with maize and groundnut exhibiting the greatest productivity increase. Meanwhile, pulses and minor millets continued to underperform. ANOVA validated the existence of significant yield disparities between the crops, emphasising the need for differentiated policy interventions. The trends also revealed consistent increases in groundnut and paddy, though maize exhibited more volatile yields. The results suggest some crops need more concentrated efforts, while some need to be neglected to optimise productivity and climate-resilient approaches need to be implemented. This study, in addition to advanced seamless frameworks for yield assessments, also provided India and other developing countries with a planning model for evidence-based agricultural strategies.
Growth response of zinc as nano-fertilizer in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) G Bhardwaj, P S Brar, A Chauhan, J C Sharma, Y S Parmar Journal of Horticultural Sciences, 2025 The study was carried out to determine ideal zinc concentration for its use as nano-fertilizer, through application of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles in tomato and sweet pepper. Two-years pot experiment was carried out in completely randomized block design, comprised of seven treatments with three replications. ZnO nanoparticles were applied as seed treatment [T2 (50 mg/L), T4 (100 mg/L), and T6 (150 mg/L)] and foliar application [T3 (50 mg/L), T5 (100 mg/L), and T7 (150 mg/L)], respectively, and control with no nanoparticles application. Results revealed that plant height, root length, number of primary branches, plant biomass, yield, and nutrient uptake of tomato and sweet pepper showed the highest significant response to ZnO nanoparticles (50 mg/L) applied through foliar application. On the other hand, seed treatment of ZnO nanoparticles (50 mg/L) registered significant higher nutrient content. Study concluded that 50 mg/L was ideal concentration of ZnO nanoparticles that proved to be effective in enhancing sustainability by improving growth, yield, nutrient content and uptake of tomato and sweet pepper.
Bacterial Endophytes of Medicinal Plants: Applications and Recent Developments Minakshi Sharma, Gaurav Sood, Anjali Chauhan Current Microbiology, 2025 Endophytic bacteria are endosymbionts that reside within plant tissues without causing apparent disease in the host. Bacteria employ various traits (lipopolysaccharides, flagella, pili, twitching motility, etc.) to colonize host plants. In this colonization process a variety of compounds released by plants in addition to bacteria play a key role in plant growth. Endophytes are in symbiotic association with their host plant and show beneficial effect on them using various direct and indirect mechanisms of plant growth promotion. In addition to plant growth promotion, endophytes also confer stress tolerance in the current scenario of climate change. Furthermore, endophytes have emerged as an important source of novel metabolites, enzymes of industrial importance and as stress alleviators of host plant, but still several features of endophytic associations are unknown. However, little is documented about plant growth-promoting endophytes (PGPE) of medicinal plants. Current review focused on the drivers of endophyte community structure with an attempt to relate it with plant growth promotion, its mechanisms and the current as well as future aspects of molecular techniques to reveal these communities. In-depth knowledge of the mechanism of host infection and role of endophytes could be exploited to enhance agricultural productivity in terms of plant growth promotion and biocontrol.
Antifungal potential of native strain isolated from rhizosphere soil of Valeriana jatamansi from temperate regions of Himachal Pradesh Journal of Applied Horticulture, 2014
Strain of Bacillus circulans isolated from apple rhizosphere showing plant growth promoting potential Current Science, 2010
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Multivariate elucidation of soil-microbial-physiological interactions under bio-organic nutrient modules in kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa A. Chev.) M Nagu, VS Rana, DP Sharma, R Kaushal, A Chauhan, H Mehta, S Garg, ... BMC Plant Biology 26 (1), 651 , 2026 2026
Integrating bamboo-derived biochar into Morus-based agroforestry for improved soil fertility, crop productivity and environmental sustainability in the North-Western Himalayas S Kapoor, R Bishist, P Sharma, P Prakash, A Chauhan, KL Gautam, ... Biomass and Bioenergy 212, 109295 , 2026 2026
Sustainable valorization of unutilized marigold flowers for eco-friendly herbal gulal production and its storability effects on quality attributes A Kumar, B Kashyap, SR Dhiman, A Chauhan, B Bhargav, N Sharma, ... Waste Management 218, 115521 , 2026 2026
Biocontrol and plant growth-promoting potential of native rhizobacteria from Actinidia deliciosa against Fusarium root rot R Gupta, S Verma, S Kumar, M Tomar, A Chauhan Indian Phytopathology, 1-10 , 2026 2026
Emerging Non-Invasive Imaging Tools for Andrological Assessment in Male Reproduction: The Role of Infrared Thermography and Color Doppler Ultrasonography D Lakhanpal, S Kumar, TK Mohanty, M Bhakat, A Chauhan, B Kumar, ... Reproductive Sciences, 1-17 , 2026 2026
Bullying among students ecological insights from a school based adolescent health survey, Himachal Pradesh, India D Bahl, D Mehra, N Patel, S Mohanty, SS Das, R Garg, G Sethi, ... Plos one 21 (4), e0345468 , 2026 2026
466 Evaluating Intratumoral Carboplatin Concentrations Following LITT in Glioblastoma and the Impact of Combined Therapy on Murine Overall Survival G Hey, A Chauhan, N Thomas, M Frain, R Kumar, M Tomdio, M Kozuch, ... Neurosurgery 72 (Supplement_1), 136-137 , 2026 2026
Linking soil enzymes and microbial community dynamics with organic carbon fluctuations for sustaining the soil health M Negi, P Kumar, A Chauhan, S Sharma, HD Sharma, K Sharma Scientific Reports , 2026 2026
Rhizosphere Bacterial Community Associated with Apple Orchards in the Cold Desert of Himachal Pradesh A Chauhan, SV Shankar, NC Sharma, R Kaushal, SR Mohanty, T Ladon Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 1-19 , 2026 2026
Implementation research to scale up the women and infants integrated interventions for growth study (WINGS) in Himachal Pradesh: Protocol for a quasi-experimental, mixed … AS Jadaun, J Kumar, B Gadapani Pathak, S Devi, PK Thakur, G Beri, ... Plos one 21 (2), e0341048 , 2026 2026
Testicular temperature gradient and vascular perfusion as predictors of semen quality in summer-stressed Murrah bulls D Lakhanpal, TK Mohanty, M Bhakat, R Arunkumar, RK Baithalu, ... Journal of Thermal Biology, 104409 , 2026 2026
Isolation, characterisation and evaluation of biocontrol agents against Fusarium wilt of capsicum in mid hills of Himachal Pradesh Y Punia, A Shukla, M Gupta, A Chauhan, B Gupta, A Sharma, M Devi, ... Plant Science Today 13, 10889 , 2026 2026
Synergistic Potential of Microbial Consortia for the Management of Fusarium Wilt and Growth Enhancement in Strawberry ( Fragaria ananassa ) M Tomar, A Rana, D Sharma, G Singh, A Chauhan Applied Fruit Science 68 (1), 31 , 2026 2026
Growth response of zinc as nano-fertilizer in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) G Bhardwaj, PS Brar, A Chauhan, JC Sharma Journal of Horticultural Sciences 20 (2) , 2025 2025
Effect of Fertilizer Module on Quality Production of Annual Chrysanthemum ( Glebionis coronaria (L.) Spach) and Enriching Soil Health S Lohia, BS Dilta, P Sharma, A Chauhan Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 56 (22), 3177-3186 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
In Vitro Remediation of Cu, Ni and Pb by Metallotolerant Fungi Isolated from Soil of Low Hills S Verma, RK Aggarwal, SK Bhardwaj, A Chauhan, G Agrawal International Journal of Environmental Research 19 (6), 229 , 2025 2025
Bacterial Endophytes of Medicinal Plants: Applications and Recent Developments M Sharma, G Sood, A Chauhan Current Microbiology 82 (11), 519 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
Synergistic Effect of Organic and Inorganic Sources of Nutrients on Biological properties of soil, Growth attributes and Yield of Direct Seeded Rice (Oryza sativa L.). A Chauhan, SK Yadav, AK Diwakar, J Singh, M Kumar, M Shashwat, ... Ecology, Environment & Conservation (0971765X) 31 (4) , 2025 2025
Bioplastics as next-generation eco-friendly materials: A comprehensive review S Sharma, G Kumar, SK Bhardwaj, A Chauhan, A Rathi, J Kumar, K Sahil, ... Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy 27 (10), 5009-5027 , 2025 2025 Citations: 10
Diverse plant growth-promoting bacteria as microsymbionts in nodules of Leucaena leucocephala G Kumar, A Chauhan, S Sharma, M Saini Folia Microbiologica, 1-14 , 2025 2025
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Microbial xylanases and their application in pulp biobleaching: a review A Walia, P Mehta, S Guleria, A chauhan, JP Sharma 3Biotech 3 (11), 1-12 , 2017 2017 Citations: 366
Plants having potential antidiabetic activity: a review A Chauhan, PK Sharma, P Srivastava, N Kumar, R Dudhe Der Pharmacia Lettre 2 (3), 369-387 , 2010 2010 Citations: 266
Efficiency of plant growth‐promoting P‐solubilizing Bacillus circulans CB7 for enhancement of tomato growth under net house conditions P Mehta, A Walia, S Kulshrestha, A Chauhan, CK Shirkot Journal of basic microbiology 55 (1), 33-44 , 2015 2015 Citations: 203
Phosphate solubilization potential and stress tolerance of Eupenicillium parvum from tea soil P Vyas, P Rahi, A Chauhan, A Gulati Mycological research 111 (8), 931-938 , 2007 2007 Citations: 123
Tricalcium phosphate solubilization and nitrogen fixation by newly isolated Aneurinibacillus aneurinilyticus CKMV1 from rhizosphere of Valeriana jatamansi and its growth … A Chauhan, S Guleria, PP Balgir, A Walia, R Mahajan, P Mehta, ... brazilian journal of microbiology 48 (2), 294-304 , 2017 2017 Citations: 111
Strain of Bacillus circulans isolated from apple rhizosphere showing plant growth promoting potential P Mehta, A Chauhan, R Mahajan, PK Mahajan, CK Shirkot Current science, 538-542 , 2010 2010 Citations: 111
Effect of Bacillus subtilis Strain CKT1 as Inoculum on Growth of Tomato Seedlings Under Net House Conditions A Walia, P Mehta, A Chauhan, CK Shirkot Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological … , 2014 2014 Citations: 99
Endophytic Bacteria: Role in Phosphate Solubilization A Walia, shiwani Guleria, A chauhan, P mehta In book: Endophytes: Crop Productivity and Protection, 61-93 , 2017 2017 Citations: 98
Molecular characterization of alkaline protease of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SP1 involved in biocontrol of Fusarium oxysporum S Guleria, A Walia, A Chauhan, CK Shirkot International Journal of Food Microbiology 232, 134-143 , 2016 2016 Citations: 85
Impact of fungicide mancozeb at different application rates on soil microbial populations, soil biological processes, and enzyme activities in soil A Walia, P Mehta, S Guleria, A Chauhan, CK Shirkot The Scientific World Journal 2014 (1), 702909 , 2014 2014 Citations: 81
Purification and characterization of detergent stable alkaline protease from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SP1 isolated from apple rhizosphere S Guleria, A Walia, A Chauhan, CK Shirkot Journal of basic microbiology 56 (2), 138-152 , 2016 2016 Citations: 74
Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and their biological properties for soil enrichment and growth promotion A Chauhan, R Saini, JC Sharma Journal of Plant Nutrition 45 (2), 273-299 , 2021 2021 Citations: 70
Potential of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens for biocontrol of bacterial canker of tomato incited by Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. michiganensis S Gautam, A Chauhan, R Sharma, R Sehgal, CK Shirkot Microbial pathogenesis 130, 196-203 , 2019 2019 Citations: 70
Plant growth promoting traits of phosphate-solubilizing rhizobacteria isolated from apple trees in trans Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh P Mehta, A Walia, A Chauhan, CK Shirkot Archives of microbiology 195 (5), 357-369 , 2013 2013 Citations: 65
Optimization of cellulase-free xylanase production by alkalophilic Cellulosimicrobium sp. CKMX1 in solid-state fermentation of apple pomace using central … A Walia, P Mehta, A Chauhan, CK Shirkot Annals of microbiology 63 (1), 187-198 , 2013 2013 Citations: 64
Purification and characterization of cellulase-free low molecular weight endo β-1,4 xylanase from an alkalophilic Cellulosimicrobium cellulans CKMX1 isolated from … A Walia, P Mehta, A Chauhan, S Kulshrestha, CK Shirkot World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology 30 (10), 2597-2608 , 2014 2014 Citations: 60
Genetic fidelity assessment of long term in vitro shoot cultures and regenerated plants in Japanese plum cvs Santa Rosa and Frontier through RAPD, ISSR and SCoT markers M Thakur, V Sharma, A Chauhan South African Journal of Botany 140, 428-433 , 2021 2021 Citations: 51
An overview of fungal chitinases and their potential applications D Thakur, A Bairwa, B Dipta, P Jhilta, A Chauhan Protoplasma 260 (4), 1031-1046 , 2023 2023 Citations: 49
Mycovirus associated hypovirulence, a potential method for biological control of Fusarium species M Sharma, S Guleria, K Singh, A Chauhan, S Kulshrestha Virusdisease 29 (2), 134-140 , 2018 2018 Citations: 47
Characterization of plant growth promoting Bacillus strains and their potential as crop protectants against Phytophthora capsici in tomato R Sharma, A Chauhan, CK Shirkot Biological Agriculture & Horticulture 31 (4), 230-244 , 2015 2015 Citations: 41