Agri varsity scientists, students bag 9 awards at horticulture meet

The Department of Vegetable Science, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has brought laurels to the university by bagging nine awards at the 11th Indian Horticulture Congress-2025 and International Meet on ‘Horticulture for Inclusive, Equitable and Sustainable Growth’, held at the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bengaluru, Karnataka, recently.

The prestigious event witnessed participation from leading national and international research institutions, reflecting the latest advances in horticultural science and innovation.

The achievement highlights the department’s outstanding contributions to scientific innovation, molecular research and applied horticultural sciences. Faculty members and students from the department excelled in both oral and poster presentation categories, showcasing the depth, quality, and diversity of research being carried out at the PAU.

Dr Madhu Sharma and Dr Jiffinvir Singh Khosa, vegetable breeders, and Dr Gagandeep Kaur Chahal, plant physiologist, received the ‘Best Oral Presentation Awards” for their pioneering research on vegetable crops.

In addition, students of the department also excelled by securing awards in both poster and oral presentation categories, reflecting the department’s strong culture of mentorship, academic excellence and research innovation.

In the poster presentation category, Garima Verma was recognised for her study on functional genomics related to premature bolting in onion while Harnoor Kaur Dhillon earned appreciation for her work on anther structure in CMS brinjal.

Monisha T received an award for her research on root-knot nematode resistance in eggplant and Jaswant Prajapati was honoured for his contribution to gynoecious bearing in sponge gourd.

Babanjeet also received an award for his research on nutrient priming in tomato seedlings, emphasising the role of micronutrient treatments in improving seedling vigour and growth.

In the oral presentation category, Johar Singh was awarded for his study on molecular bioprospecting of GDP-L-Galactose Phosphorylase gene(s) in pumpkin, focusing on genes responsible for vitamin C biosynthesis and their potential for enhancing the nutritional value of cucurbits.

Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, congratulated the scientists and students of the department for their outstanding achievements.