Dr. H.P Bhagya
Scientist (Spices, Plantation, Medicinal and Aromatic plants)
Advancing sustainable cashew production through innovative research in high-density planting, canopy management, nursery standardization, interstock grafting and carbon sequestration. Her work focuses on developing improved production technologies and climate-resilient cultivation practices for enhancing productivity and sustainability in cashew.
Qualification
Ph.D. in Horticulture
Year of Birth
1988
Present Position
Scientist
Discipline
Spices, Plantation, Medicinal & Aromatic plants
Mobile
30+
Research Papers10+
Book Chapters20+
Popular Articles8+
Major AwardsAbout the Scientist
Brief Work Experience
Professional Summary
Dr. Bhagya H. P. has contributed extensively to research on cashew and oil palm, with a focus on genetic improvement, nursery technologies, carbon sequestration and sustainable crop production. Her work has supported the development of improved cashew varieties, value-added products and elite genetic stocks, while advancing climate-resilient cultivation practices.
She has standardized several nursery techniques in cashew, including interstock grafting, soilless media, biobag cultivation, rootstock standardization and varietal response to graft success. Her research also includes carbon sequestration studies in coconut, oil palm and cashew, along with consultancy projects on strengthening the cashew value chain and collaborative research under the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Cashew.
Her contributions to oil palm research include germplasm collection, conservation, evaluation and molecular characterization, leading to the registration of 11 elite genetic stocks and the identification of polymorphic markers and QTLs associated with yield traits. She has also been granted seven copyrights for oil palm technologies and developed digital tools, including germplasm database software and the Kannada-based "Oil Palm Crop Doctor" application.
Associated with the development of the cashew varieties Nethra Jumbo-2 and Nethra Samruddhi. Contributed to the development of value-added products from cashew apple, participated in the registration of several cashew genetic stocks with special traits, and earned multiple copyrights for cashew technologies.
Beyond research, she has actively organized webinars, delivered training programmes, farmer lectures and technical advisory services, while contributing to technology dissemination, extension activities and genetic improvement programmes for both cashew and oil palm.
Projects & Scientific Contributions
Current Projects
Institute Research Projects
- Effect of inter-stocks in cashew (Anacardium occidentale) for improving tree architecture, vigour and orchard performance.
- Canopy management in cashew under an ultra-high-density planting (UHDP) system for enhanced productivity and efficient orchard management.
- Carbon cycling, carbon sequestration and nutrient dynamics in cashew orchards to promote sustainable production systems.
Publication Summary
Representative Research Papers
Influence of dwarf inter-stock on inter-stock grafting in cashew (Anacardium occidentale).
Bhagya H. P., Adiga J.D., Thondaiman V., Manjesh G.N., Babli Mog, Veena G.L., Rajashekara H., Siddanna Savadi & Manjunatha K. (2025).
Carbon sequestration potential in cashew (Anacardium occidentale) plantations under the west coast region of Karnataka.
Bhagya H. P., M. Shamsudheen, J.D. Adiga, M. Babli, K. Manjunatha & S. Savadi (2025).
Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) germplasm genome-wide association analysis for oil yield traits utilizing microsatellite markers.
Bhagya H. P., Kalyana Babu B., Mathur R.K., Ramajayam D., Ravichandran G. & Anitha P. (2024).
Development of elite mother palms from the best-performing slow-vertical-growth oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) genotypes.
Pedapati A., Suresh K., Mathur R.K., Ravichandran G., Kumar P.N., Bhagya H. P., Babu B.K. & Narayana K.S. (2024).
Assessing D×D oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) genotypes for relevant bunch traits: Implication for promising breeding line development.
Anitha Pedapati, Mathur R.K., Ravichandran G., Suresh K., Kalyana Babu B. & Bhagya H. P. (2024).
Awards, Achievements & Professional Recognition
Best Woman Young Scientist Award
Conferred by the National Gladiolus Trust during the Global Conference on Smart Horticulture for Prosperity and Nutritional Security (GCSH-2025), organized by the College of Horticulture, University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka.
Best Research Paper Award
Received for the research paper "Influence of dwarf interstock in cashew for inducing dwarfness" during the Global Conference on Smart Horticulture for Prosperity and Nutritional Security (GCSH-2025).
Young Scientist Award
Awarded at the International Scientist Awards on Engineering, Science and Medicine, organized by the VDGOOD Professional Association, recognizing outstanding research contributions.
Dr. B. R. Barwale Outstanding Ph.D. Thesis Award
Conferred by the Indian Academy of Horticultural Sciences (IAHS), New Delhi in recognition of outstanding doctoral research in Horticulture Biotechnology.
University Gold Medal
Awarded by the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore for securing the highest OGPA in M.Sc. Horticulture (Plantation, Medicinal, Aromatic and Spice Crops).
Laboratory Members
Cashew Research & Field Activity Gallery
A glimpse of field experiments, nursery technology demonstrations, high-density planting systems, canopy management studies, carbon sequestration research, and extension activities supporting sustainable and climate-resilient cashew production.
Contact Information
Available for scientific collaboration, research partnerships, postgraduate guidance and technical consultation on cashew production technologies, nursery standardization, interstock grafting, canopy management, high-density planting systems, carbon sequestration and sustainable plantation crop management.
Office
ICAR – Directorate of Cashew Research
Puttur, Dakshina Kannada,
Karnataka – 574202