• Modelling studies for groundwater management and its augmentation.
• Protected cultivation of high-value crops (Soilless media/Hydroponics/Aeroponics, etc.).
• Water saving technologies using IoT, artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques.
• Technology development and dissemination in surface and sub surface drip irrigation.
• Drainage technologies for water logged area.
• Soil and Water Conservation technology for Kandi area.

1. Technology for detection and removal of harmful gases in tube well pits: The problem of accumulation of harmful gases has been found in tube well pits after the onset of monsoon period. When a person goes into these pits for repair and maintenance of pump sets, he feels difficulty in respiration and become unconscious after few minutes and may die if he remains in pit for longer time. The analyses of air samples show the presence of more carbon dioxide, increase in nitrogen and decrease in oxygen contents. A simple technology for detection and removal of harmful gases in tube well pits was recommended which has been well adopted by the farmers and extension agencies of the state. . Just lower a lighted kerosene lamp inside the pit before entering the pit. If it blows out, it indicates the presence of harmful gases below that point. Several methods were suggested to remove these harmful gases. Because of this, many farmers have been saved from the harmful effects of accumulated gases in tube well pits. It was because of this recommendation that the Govt. of Punjab included this as a cause of paying compensation to the affected farmers.

2. Roof top water harvesting for groundwater recharge: Rooftop rainwater harvesting being simple, economical and eco-friendly can be used for artificial recharge of groundwater recharge at mass level in the State of Punjab. This will not only improve the quality of ground water but also check the declining of water table problem to some extent. Beside this it will improve the roads condition and mosquitoes problem. More than 100 rooftop rainwater harvesting structures have been installed in different parts of the State, in consultation with the department.

3. Multiple well point system: The multiple well point system was conceived, designed, installed and tested in the experimental area of Golewala watershed for tapping floating thin layer of good quality water without much turbulence in the lower saline water zone. It consists of number of well points arranged in a line and interconnected to each other through a horizontal pipe line (lateral) buried at about 70 – 100 cm below the ground level, pumped centrally. The laterals are brought to centrally located sump such that delivery points remains about 15 cm above the sump floor level and the sump floor level should be kept about 2 m below the expected water level in the sump. The moment water is lowered in the sump through pumping, the sub-surface water starts moving from well points into the sump under siphon action. The multiple well point systems were then found to be technically feasible and economically viable

4. Low cost net house: Design of low cost net house with an average life of structure 25 year has been approved by the State Farmer’s Commission, Chandigarh.

5. Design of modified green house: A modified greenhouse was designed by increasing side ventilation area and providing top ventilations (windows at the top). This helped in optimizing environmental parameters viz. Temperature, relative humidity, and solar radiation for favourable plant growth and the farmers will be able to use the poly house for crop production throughout the year.

6. Mulch Laying Machine: Tractor Driven Mulch laying machine can be used for making beds, laying of mulch and drip laterals with the help of tractor. Total operational cost of the machine is about Rs. 2129/- per hectare. There is saving of 31.78 % and 68.8 % in cost of operation over partially mechanized operation (Bed planter + Manual Mulch + Manual Drip Laying) and completely manual operation respectively. Plastic laying mulching machine saves 81.43 % and 95.20 % labour over partially mechanized operation and completely manual operation respectively.

7. Development of rooftop/terrace vegetable nutrition garden model for urban and peri-urban population using soil-less media.

Punjab Agricultural University has become the pioneer to develop rooftop/terrace vegetable nutrition garden model for urban and peri-urban population using soil-less media. The technology has been developed under All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Plasticulture Engineering and Technology, operating in the Department of Soil and Water Engineering.

Salient features:

• It requires only 12.6 sq m (net area = 4.2 m x 3.0 m) and gross area is of 20 sq m ( 5.5 m x 3.6 m )
• The vegetable produced will be sufficient for a family of 2-4 persons.
• With Staggered sowing/transplanting, the vegetables would be available round the year.
• The approximate cost of this model is around Rs. 35000/

Salient REC Recommendations:

The salient achievements under drip irrigation system which not only results in increase in yield but also saves 20 % fertilizers through fertigation are as follows:

1. Response of Potato to different levels of Irrigation and fertigation with drip irrigation: Drip irrigation results not only in increase in yield but also helps saves 39% water over conventional method of irrigation.

2. Response of Chilli under drip irrigation with different irrigation and fertigation levels: Drip irrigation results not only in increase in yield but also helps saves 47% water over conventional method of irrigation.

3. Response of Wheat under drip irrigation with different irrigation and fertigation levels: Drip irrigation results saving 39% water over conventional method of irrigation. 14.1% higher yield with drip irrigation system as compared with conventional irrigation system.

4. Response of Onion under drip irrigation with different irrigation and fertigation levels: Drip irrigation results in saving of 44 % water over conventional method of irrigation. 82.1% higher yield with drip irrigation system as compared with conventional irrigation system.

5. Response of Spring Maize under drip irrigation with different irrigation and fertigation levels: Drip irrigation results in saving of 40 % water over conventional method of irrigation.

6. Response of Pea under drip irrigation with different irrigation and fertigation levels: Drip irrigation results in saving of 50 % water over conventional method of irrigation.

7. Response of Brinjal under drip irrigation with different irrigation and fertigation levels: Drip irrigation results in saving of 44 % water over conventional method of irrigation.

8.Response of Sugarcane under drip irrigation with different irrigation and fertigation levels: Drip irrigation results in saving of 35% water over conventional method of irrigation.39 tons/hahigher yield with drip irrigation system as compared with conventional irrigation system.

• Goyal P, Sharda R, Siag M and Biwalkar N (2023) Development of the crop coefficient for vertically trained cucumber vines grown in soilless media under naturally ventilated greenhouse conditions. Irrig Drain 72: 377-89.
  https://doi.org/10.1002/ird.2793
• Sharma Y, Sidana B K, Kumar S, Kaur S, Sekhon M K, Mahal A K and Mehan S (2023) Pre and post water level behaviour in punjab: impact analysis with DiD approach. Sustainability, 15: 2426.
• Singla C, Aggarwal R, Kaur S and Sharma R (2023) Analysis of meteorological parameter changes using Mann-Kendall statistical tests in Indian Punjab. Mausam 74: 207-13.
• 122: 337-43. (NAAS Rating: 7.10).
• Digra A, Kaushal A, Loshali D C, Kaur S and Bhavsar D (2022) Temporal land use/Land cover change analysis in Kotla sub-watershed of Rupnagar district (Punjab) using remote sensing and GIS. J Indian Soc Remote Sens 50: 1371–91. (NAAS- 7.56)
• Garg N, O P Choudhary, S Thaman, Sharma V, Singh HHH, Vashistha M, K S Sekhon, Sharda R, M S Dhaliwal (2022)
  Effects of irrigation water quality and NPK-fertigation levels on plant growth, yield and tuber size of potatoes in a sandy loam alluvial soil of semi-arid region of Indian Punjab. Agric Water Manag 266:107604.
  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.202107 (IF:6.525). (NAAS:10.52)
• Gulati D, Satpute S, Kaur S and Aggarwal R (2022) Estimation of potential recharge through direct seeded and transplanted rice fields in semi-arid regions of Punjab using HYDRUS-1D. Paddy Water Environ 20: 79-92. (NAAS:7.52)
• Hansara G D S, Singh, J P and Sahota P P (2022) Composite radial filter for removal of agrochemicals from agricultural runoff. Water Supply 22: 6130-41 [NAAS Rating: 7.75].
• Kaur A, Singh K G and Singh Angrej (2022) Effect of varying photoperiods with red and blue supplemental LED lighting on the growth, yield and quality of Lactuca sativa var. Capitata 'Iceberg' grown in soilless media under protected cultivation. J Plant Nutr 46: 1019-38,
  https://doi:10.1080/01904167.2022.2067765 (NAAS: 7.71)
• Kaur N, Kaur S, Tsolakis N, Mishra N and Srai J S (2022) Managing groundwater demand through surface water and reuse strategies in an overexploited aquifer of Indian Punjab. Model Earth Syst Environ 9: 2009-26.
• Kaur H, Kingra P K, Singh R, Kaur S and Singh S (2022) Simulation of climate change impact on water productivity of maize in central Punjab. Mausam 73: 673-82.https://doi.org/10.54302/mausam.v73i3.248.(NAAS:6.64)
• Kaur G, Upadhyay P, SK Sra, M Gupta, S Rakesh, S Sharma and VK Sardana (2022)Genome wide association studies for acid phosphatase activity at varying phosphorous levels in Brassica juncea L. Front Plant Sci 13: 5210
• Mehraj U Din Dar and J P Singh (2022) Assessment of DRAINMOD-NII model for prediction of nitrogen losses through subsurface drained clay under cultivation in south west Punjab, India. Water Supply 22:7732-49. Doi: 10216/ws.2022.326 [NAAS Rating: 7.75].
• Pandey K, Singh K G and Singh Angrej (2022) Multi sensors based smart nutrient reuse system for closed Soilless culture under protected cultivation. Comput Electron Agric 204:107495. https:/doi.org/10.1016 /j. Compaq. 2022107495 (NAAS: 11.57)
• Akao P K, Singh B, Kaur P, Sor A, Avni A, Dhir A, Verma S, Kapoor S, Phutela U G, Satpute S, Sharma S, Avisar D, Sandha K S and Mamane H (2021) Coupled microalgal–bacterial biofilm for enhanced wastewater treatment without energy investment. J Water Process Eng 41: 102029.
  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2021.102029 (I F: 5.485).
• Saggi M, Jain S, Bhatia A S, and Rakesh S(2022)
  Proposition of new ensemble data-intelligence model for evapotranspiration process simulation. J Ambient Intell Humaniz Comput. Pp 1-17.
  https://doi.org/10.1007/s12652-021-03636(NAAS:7.31)
• Sharma S, Singh P, Angmo P and Satpute S (2022) Total and labile pools of organic carbon in relation to soil biological properties under contrasting land-use systems in a dry mountainous region. Carbon Manag 13: 352-71. (NAAS Rating: 9.18)
• Sharma N, Kaushal A, Yousuf A, Sood A, Kaur S, and Sharda R (2022) Geospatial technology for assessment of soil erosion and prioritization of watersheds using RUSLE model for lower Sutlej sub-basin of Punjab, India. Environ Sci Pollut Res. Pp 1-17. (IF:5.190)
• Singhal N, SiagM, SharmaP, ShardaR and SinghH (2022) Impact of moisture regimes on yield and soil microbial population in pea (Pisum sativum). Indian J Agric Sci 92: 572-76.
• Singh L, Kaushal A, Singh J and Sharda R (2022) Structural stability analysis of naturally ventilated polyhouses under different conditions. J Agri Sci Tech 24: 1189-1204. (NAAS rating: 7.10).
• Singh MC, Satpute S, Prasad V and Sharma K K (2022) Trend analysis of temperature, rainfall and reference evapotranspiration for Ludhiana district of Indian Punjab using non-parametric statistical methods. Arab J Geosci 15: 275.
  https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-022-09517-1 [IF:1.985/NAAS Rating: 7.83]
• Singh MC, Sharma K K and Prasad V (2022) Impact of ventilation rate and its associated characteristics on greenhouse microclimate and energy use. Arab J Geosci 15: 275.
  https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-022-09587-1 [IF:1.985/NAAS Rating: 7.83].
• Singh MC, Poonia S, Satpute S, Prasad V and Singh S (2022) Estimating Seasonal Reference Evapotranspiration using Limited Weather Data. J Agrometeorol 24: 99-102.
  https://doi.org/10.54386/jam.v24i1.786 [IF:0.55//NAAS Rating:6.55]
• Singla C, Aggarwal R, and Kaur S (2022) Groundwater decline in Central Punjab-Is it a warning? Groundw Sustain Dev 16: 100718. [NAAS: 6.27].
• Abdrabbo M A A, Farag A A, Radwan H A, Heggi M A M, Aboelsoud H M, Singla C, and Sharda R (2021) Climate change impact on economic and irrigation requirements for sugarcane crop in Egypt. Future Food: J Food Agric Soc 9: 1-10.
• Afnan A, Singh K.G. and Singh Angrej (2021)Development and evaluation of nutrient reuse system in soilless media grown cucumber under protected cultivation. J Plant Nutr 44: 1241-57. (NAAS: 7.13)
• Das S, Kaur S, Jutla A (2021). Earth Observations Based Assessment of Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Surface Water Quality of Buddha Nala, Punjab, India. Water. 13:1363.
  https://doi.org/10.3390/w13101363 (NAAS:8.54)
• Dhillion M, Kaur S, Sidana B K, Aggarwal R (2021) Groundwater Irrigation and Energy Nexus in Central Punjab – Trends and Analysis. J Agric Dev Pol 31: 222-27(NAAS:3.61)
• Jalota S K, Vashisht B B and Kaur S (2021) Field water budget of crops as influenced by soil texture, climate change and management interventions. Agric Res J 58:373-82. (NAAS:5.44)
• Kaur N, Kaur S, Kaur P and Aggarwal R (2021) Impact of climate change on groundwater levels in Sirhind Canal Tract of Punjab, India. Groundw Sustain Dev 15:100670.(NAAS:6.27)
• Satpute S, Singh M C and Sunil Garg (2021) Assessment of irrigation water requirements for different crops in central Punjab, India. J Agrometeorol 23: 481-84.
  https://doi.org/10.54386/jam.v23i4.183 (NAAS Rating: 6.47)
• Singh B, Kaur S, Litoria, P K, and Das S (2021). Development of web enabled water resource information system using open source software for Patiala and SAS Nagar districts of Punjab, India. Water Pract Technol 16: 989-90.wpt2021050.
  https://doi.org/10.2166/wpt.2021.050. (NAAS: 6.78)
• Sidhu BS, Sharda R and Singh S (2021) Spatio-temporal assessment of groundwater depletion in Punjab, India. Groundw Sustain Dev 12: 100498.
• Sidhu BS, Sharda R and Singh S (2021) An assessment of water footprint for irrigated rice in Punjab. J Agrometeorol 23: 21-29.
• Singh K G and Singh A (2021) Growth and yield of tomato in soilless media under naturally ventilated polyhouse. Indian J Hortic 78: 297-303 (NAAS: 6.16).
• Singh M C, Pal V, Singh S and Satpute S (2021) Wheat yield prediction in relation to climatic parameters using statistical model for Ludhiana district of central Punjab. J Agrometeorol 23:122-26.
  https://doi.org/10.54386/jam.v23i1.97 [IF:0.55/NAAS Rating:6.55]
• Singh M C, Singh J P, Singh K G, Gupta O P and Kumar G (2021) Computation of vapour pressure deficit and crop transpiration via development of a web based computer module. J Agrometeorol 23:381-388.
  https://doi.org/10.54386/jam.v23i4.141 [IF:0.55/NAAS Rating:6.55]
• Singh M C, Yousuf A and Prasad V (2021) Morphometric and principal component analysis–based prioritization of reservoir catchments using geospatial techniques for land and water conservation aspects in North-West India. Arab J Geosci 14:598.
  https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-06822-z [IF:1.985/NAAS Rating: 7.83].
• Singhal N, Sharma P, Sharda R, Siag and Cutting NG (2021) Assessment of growth, symbiotic traits and yield of pea (Pisum sativum L.) under different irrigation methods. Indian J Agric Sci 91:1378–81.
• https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2021.102029 (Impact factor 5.485).

M. Tech. (Soil and Water Engineering)

M. Tech. (Remote Sensing and GIS in collaboration with Punjab Remote Sensing Centre)

Ph.D (Soil and Water Engineering)

PG Courses (Soil and Water Engineering)

PG Courses (REMOTE SENSING AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM)