PAU Soil Scientist Conferred with Top Honour

Chief soil chemist and former Head of Department (HOD) of the Department of Soil Sciences at the Punjab Agriculture University (PAU), Dr. Om Prakash Choudhary received 'Prof Baldev Singh Dhillon Distinguished Professor Chair Award'. The latter also served as the additional charge of the University librarian during his tenure at PAU.

He was recently elected as a fellow member of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) and the Indian Society of Soil Salinity and Water Quality.

Dr. Choudhary received the honour from the University vice-chancellor, Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, himself a renowned agricultural biotechnologist.

Notably, Dr. Choudhary holds a staggering academic career and is a recipient of two gold medals and a University Roll of Honour. He has been a part of crucial research projects in the field.

His carefully thought-out research helped predict solidity hazards and develop site-specific technologies for the wise and effective use of saline and sodic waters, resulting in significant increases (25–30%) in crop productivity and financial gain for the farmers.

Previously, he was elected to the prestigious National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) for his scientific contributions in the field of Natural Resource Management.

Since 2017, he has also held the positions of Director of the Center for Advanced Faculty Training and Director of the Electron Microscopy and Nanotechnology Laboratory (CAFT). He has an exceptional academic record and was inducted into the University Roll of Honor in addition to receiving two gold medals.

His contributions to research include the creation of site-specific technologies for the wise and effective use of saline and sodic waters as well as precision N management through 26 recommendations for farmers.

He has published more than 300 times, including 94 research papers in prestigious national and international journals, 9 books (written or edited), 19 review papers and book chapters, 68 proceeding papers, and more.

About the award:

Prof Baldev Singh Dhillon, former vice chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University from 2011 to 2021, is the well-known agricultural scientist. The Professor Chair Award under his name is given to mark the contribution of the awardee in the field of farming and agriculture.