Dr. Upendra Sainju, USDA-ARS, Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory, Sidney, MT 59270, United States
Dr. Upendra Sainju is a distinguished Soil Scientist with a Ph.D. in Soil Science from the University of Kentucky (1989). He holds an M.S. from the University of Florida (1982) and a B.S. in Agriculture from the University of Udaipur, India (1973). Dr. Sainju has been a Research Soil Scientist at USDA-ARS-NPARL in Sidney, MT since 2004, progressing from GS-12 to GS-15. His career spans roles as a Research Associate at Fort Valley State University and postdoctoral positions at Washington State University and Rutgers University. His expertise in soil science and agriculture has significantly contributed to the field. 🌱📚
Publication Profile
Google Scholar
🌱 Education
Dr. Upendra Sainju earned his Ph.D. in Soil Science from the University of Kentucky in 1989. He holds an M.S. in Soil Science from the University of Florida (1982) and a B.S. in Agriculture from the University of Udaipur, India (1973).
📚 Professional History
Dr. Sainju has served as a Research Soil Scientist at USDA-ARS-NPARL in Sidney, MT since 2004, advancing from GS-12 to GS-15. His previous roles include Research Associate at Fort Valley State University, and Postdoctoral Associate positions at Washington State University and Rutgers University. He also served as a Visiting Professor at Tribhuvan University, Nepal.
🏆 Honors and Awards
Dr. Sainju received the USAID scholarships for his studies in India and Florida. He was awarded the Outstanding Scientist Award by Fort Valley State University in 2004. He is a Fellow of both the Soil Science Society of America (2014) and the American Society of Agronomy (2015). His exceptional contributions earned him USDA-ARS Certificate of Merit Awards (2011-2019) and recognition for a keynote presentation in Cape Town, South Africa (2016).
Research Focus
Dr. Upendra Sainju’s research primarily focuses on soil science and sustainable agriculture. 🌾 His work explores the effects of tillage, cover crops, and nitrogen fertilization on soil organic carbon and nitrogen. He investigates soil carbon dioxide emissions, soil carbon sequestration, and nitrogen mineralization in various cropping systems. His studies also delve into the impact of cover crops on soil properties, microbial biomass, and overall soil health. 🌱 Dr. Sainju’s research aims to enhance agricultural practices for improved soil management and sustainability, contributing valuable insights to both environmental quality and crop productivity. 🌍📈
Publication Top Notes
- Long-term effects of tillage, cover crops, and nitrogen fertilization on organic carbon and nitrogen concentrations in sandy loam soils in Georgia, USA 🌾 – 447 citations, 2002
- Winter cover crop effects on soil organic carbon and carbohydrate in soil 🍂 – 438 citations, 1997
- Mineral nutrition of tomato 🍅 – 339 citations, 2003
- Soil carbon dioxide emission and carbon content as affected by irrigation, tillage, cropping system, and nitrogen fertilization 🌍 – 283 citations, 2008
- Winter cover cropping influence on nitrogen in soil 🌾 – 265 citations, 1997
- Biculture legume–cereal cover crops for enhanced biomass yield and carbon and nitrogen 🌱 – 263 citations, 2005
- Winter cover crops for sustainable agricultural systems: influence on soil properties, water quality, and crop yields 🌿 – 260 citations, 1997
- Nitrogen mineralization and availability of mixed leguminous and non-leguminous cover crop residues in soil 🌾 – 257 citations, 1998
- Cover crops and nitrogen fertilization effects on soil aggregation and carbon and nitrogen pools 🏞️ – 255 citations, 2003
- Tillage, crop residue, and nutrient management effects on soil organic carbon in rice-based cropping systems: A review 🍚 – 236 citations, 2017
- Carbon dioxide flux as affected by tillage and irrigation in soil converted from perennial forages to annual crops 🌱 – 217 citations, 2008
- Soil carbon and nitrogen sequestration as affected by long-term tillage, cropping systems, and nitrogen fertilizer sources 🌾 – 216 citations, 2008
- Cover crop root distribution and its effects on soil nitrogen cycling 🌿 – 205 citations, 1998
- Tillage, cover crop, and kill‐planting date effects on corn yield and soil nitrogen 🌽 – 185 citations, 2001
- Carbon supply and storage in tilled and nontilled soils as influenced by cover crops and nitrogen fertilization 🌱 – 178 citations, 2006
- Tillage, cover crops, and nitrogen fertilization effects on soil nitrogen and cotton and sorghum yields 🌾 – 158 citations, 2006
- Cover crop effect on soil carbon fractions under conservation tillage cotton 🌿 – 153 citations, 2007
- Cover cropping enhances soil microbial biomass and affects microbial community structure: A meta-analysis 🦠 – 150 citations, 2021
- North American soil degradation: Processes, practices, and mitigating strategies 🌍 – 150 citations, 2015
- Regulation of soil CO2 and N2O emissions by cover crops: A meta-analysis 🌾 – 148 citations, 2019