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lant nitrogen is important in determining the growth and quality of ornamental plants,” explained Ranjeeta Adhikari, a Ph.D. student in horticulture and landscape architecture. “But indoor growers have limited options for simple, reliable and affordable technology to measure it.” Through her research at Purdue University, Adhikari has taken steps toward removing the limitations.
Adhikari’s fascination with indoor plants stems from her childhood in Nepal. There, she helped her mother care for the family’s extensive kitchen garden. “Tending the plants built up an interest and passion for agriculture.”
Adhikari studied as an undergraduate at Nepal’s Tribhuvan University. There, she earned a scholarship to complete a master’s degree in horticulture at an agricultural university in the Indian state of Maharashtra. In 2016, Adhikari traveled to the United States with her husband, who enrolled in a doctoral program at Purdue.
As she explored doctoral programs for herself, the work of Purdue researcher Krishna Nemali, assistant professor of controlled environment agriculture, grabbed her attention. Nemali focused on vegetables and ornamentals grown in greenhouses and vertical farms using hydroponic production systems. “I applied and was offered a research assistantship for a Ph.D.,” Adhikari recalled.
Adhikari’s research focuses on developing and improving smart sensors to measure nitrogen in plants. She also aims to understand plant responses to nitrogen supply and optimization.
Using data that Adhikari generated, the Nemali Lab has developed affordable smart sensors that use smartphone images to analyze plant traits, including nitrogen status.
“I’m thrilled to be able to give growers in the greenhouse industry a new technology to help in sustainable production,” said Adhikari.
In addition to being a “great mentor,” Adhikari credits Nemali’s involvement in Extension with giving her opportunities to speak at seminars and interact with growers to improve her communication and leadership. Adhikari earned an award recognizing her outstanding research and Extension work in the floriculture sector from the American Floral Endowment in 2020.
After graduating this spring, Adhikari plans to stay in the United States to continue her Extension activities and work in controlled environment agriculture and crop physiology.
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To achieve her goal, Nixon’s social science research focuses on people whose livelihoods are tied to the Swat and Kabul Rivers in northern Pakistan.
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Student’s travels and research clarify cost of Pakistanis’ climate change adaptations
“As the environment is changing, people are encountering many stressors that are driving them to adapt,” explained Becca Nixon. “I want to help support strategies that align with their values and improve their well-being.”
To achieve her goal, Nixon’s social science research focuses on people whose livelihoods are tied to the Swat and Kabul Rivers in northern Pakistan.
Read Full Story >>>
Student’s research looks for answers at Purdue to questions raised at home in Nigeria
Adebukola Dada grew up on a Nigerian farm where her father raised various plants and animals. “If our crops did not do well, I asked my dad to tell me why,” Dada recalled. “That’s up to you to figure out,” her father replied. Now a Ph.D. student in agronomy, Dada is on her way to finding the answers.
Read Full Story >>>
Student embraces research opportunities in America, plant pathology
Agriculture was supposed to be a quick detour for Tiffanna Ross. Just one semester while she waited for space to open in the University of Guyana’s undergraduate biology program.
“But I developed a liking for agriculture and it worked out for the best,” said Ross, now a doctoral student in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at Purdue.
Read Full Story >>>