Dr. M. Alagupalamuthirsolai

Scientist Profile

Research interests and current focus

Understanding responses of pulses, spices and sugarcane crop to changing climate
Determining physiological basis of tolerance
Screening germplasm collections for tolerance to extreme temperature and moisture stress

Current focus: Developing water stress management strategies in sugarcane under the changing environment

Outreach and extension

Technology outreach

Summer management in black pepper by using antitranspirants
Black pepper can be grown under high altitude area (>1000msl) by adopting early shade regulation and irrigation
Management of virus infected black pepper plantations through soil and plant health maintenance

Advisories to the farmers

Precautionary and mitigation plan for cultivation of black pepper in Malnad during excessive rainfall

Success stories

Soldier solid in pepper farming” (Ex-service man turned successful planter by adopting ICAR-IISR technologies)
Triumph of small cardamom growers in Idukki

Reported cases

Snails -the monsoon lover and the enemy of spice planters

(A case study about snails in spice plantations in Kodagu and Chikmangaluru district and their management)

Organized training programme to the farmers

One day training program and exposure visit to the farmers
Recent advances in production and processing of major spices (DASD sponsored, 2018)
Scientific and technological interventions for improving production and quality of major spices (2019)
Provided lecture and exposure field visit on “Advanced production technologies in Spices crops” to the farmers from Pudukottai (2022)

Implementation for NEH/TSP/SCSP

As a committee member, involved in promotion of vegetable nutritional garden with improved varieties under Tribal Sub Plan, Irulam village, Wayanad (2021)
Published technical bulletin on “Livelihood Improvement of Scheduled Caste Farmers Through Improved Spices Cultivation Practices” (2022)
Published extension bulletin on “Advanced production technologies in large cardamom” for the farmers in NEH regions (2022)
Organized group meeting and established linkage between KVKs of NEH regions under ICAR-ATARI to address the declining in large cardamom production in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh (2022)

Translation of package of practices of crops and varietal details in the regional language

Package of practices in “Black pepper” (Tamil)-2020
Package of practices in “Small cardamom” (Tamil)-2020
Package of practices in “Ginger” (Tamil)-2020
Turmeric-Production technologies (Tamil)-2022
ICAR-AICRP on Spices Varieties (Tamil)-2022

Membership in professional societies

Indian Society for Plant Physiology
Indian Society for Pulses Research and Development
Indian Society for Spices
Indian Society for Plantation Crops
National Academy of Biological Science
Bose Science Society
Society for Sugarcane Research & Development

List of current external funded project

Title: Evaluation of biofertilizer and biostimulant combination in
sugarcane

Agency: BOMLIFE Private Limited, Kolkata

Amount: ₹ 15,78,840/-

Awards and honours

Awards from the Department and Societies

Awarded for having passed Hindi Language (Regular) Parangat examination
Fellow of Indian Society for Spices considering valuable contributions to the cause of spices
Fellow of Bose Science Society in recognition of outstanding contribution to the promotion of scientific research in the field of Plant Physiology
Award of Excellence in Research by a professional society (Genesis Urban and Rural Development Society)

Best Oral Presentation Award

Alagupalamuthirsolai M et al. 2018. Effect of light intensity on physiology, yield, quality and insect pest incidence of small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton). In: National seminar on “Abiotic Stress Management-Challenges and opportunities” held during October 25-26, 2018 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore.

Alagupalamuthirsolai M et al. 2018. Factors determining the midday depression of photosynthesis in small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) under summer climate. In: International Conference on advances in Agriculture and Allied Science technologies for Sustainable development (ICAAASTSD-2018) held during 10-11 February, 2018 at Osmania University, Hyderabad.

Sivaranjani R et al. 2021. Effect of foliar application of chemical elicitors on growth, physiological and biochemical responses of turmeric under rainfed condition. In: International plant physiology virtual symposium on “physiological intervention for climate smart agriculture” held during 11-12 March, 2021 at ICAR-SBI, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

Alagupalamuthirsolai M et al. 2022. Effect of Exogenous Melatonin on Water Stress Alleviation in Small Cardamom. In: International Conference on Recent Trends in Molecular Physiology of Horticultural Crops under Abiotic Stress held during 4-5 December 2022 at Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu.

Alagupalamuthirsolai M et al. 2022. Variation in Weather Condition on Yield and Bio-active Components in Indian Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton). In: International conference “AGRI INNOVA 2023” held during 11-12 August, 2023 at The Indian Agriculture college, Radhapuram, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu.

Gomathi R et al. Co 14012 – A climate resilient superior variety for tropical & sub-tropical India. In: 81^st STAI Annual Convention and International Sugar Expo 2023 held during 6-8, September 2023 at Travancore International Convention Centre, Trivandrum, Kerala.

Alagupalamuthirsolai M et al. 2023. In: 8^th National conference on Agricultural Scientific Tamil Society held during 25-26 February 2023 at TNJFU, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu.

Krishnapriya V et al. 2023. Structural Attributes of Leaf Rolling in Commercial Hybrids and Germplasm Clones of Sugarcane. In: National Seminar on “Research Imperatives for Sustaining Sugarcane, Sugar and Ethanol Production” held on August 25, 2023 at ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, India.

Alagupalamuthirsolai M et al. 2025. Effect of co-occurrence of high night temperature and water deficit stress in sugarcane. In: International conference on Advances in Plant Health Improvement for Sustainable Agriculture held during 14-16, February, 2025 at VOC Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam, Tamil Nadu.

Best Poster Presentation Award

Sarathambal C et al. 2020. Arbuscular mycorrhiza mediated effect on growth, nutrient uptake, physiological and biochemical activities of black pepper cuttings. In: International E-conference on “multidisciplinary approaches for plant disease management in achieving sustainability in agriculture” held during 6-9^th October, 2020 at University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka.

Swetha sudhakaran et al. 2021. Delineation of cumin production zone beyond boundaries based on climate analogues and soil suitability. In: International SYMSAC X held during 09-12 February, 2021 at ICAR-IISR, Kozhikode, Kerala.

Alagupalamuthirsolai M et al. 2021. Distinctive small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) varieties have differential diurnal pattern in leaf water status and gas exchange parameters. In: International plant physiology virtual symposium on “physiological intervention for climate smart agriculture” held during 11-12 March, 2021 at ICAR-SBI, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
Ankegowda SJ et al. 2025. Evaluation of cardamom genotypes through moisture stress tolerance through multi location evaluation. In: National Symposium on Spices and Aromatic Crops – Strategies for Smart Production, Product Diversification and Utilization held during 07-09 January, 2025 at ICAR-IISR, Kozhikode, Kerala.

Research Publications

Dinesh R, Sreena CP, Sheeja TE, Srinivasan V, Subila KP, Charles Sona IP, Vijesh Kumar, Anusree M, Alagupalamuthirsolai M, Jayarajan M and Sajith V. 2024. Co-resistance is the dominant mechanism of co-selection and dissemination of antibiotic resistome in nano zinc oxide polluted soil. Journal of Hazardous Materials.485:136885. NAAS Rating: 19.6
Murugan M, Ashokkumar K, Alagupalamuthirsolai M, Anandhi A, Ravi R, Dhanya MK and Sathyan T. 2022. Understanding the Effects of Cardamom Cultivation on Its Local Environment Using Novel Systems Thinking Approach-the Case of Indian Cardamom Hills. Frontiers in Sustainable Food System. 6:728651. NAAS Rating: 10.70
Murugan M, Alagupalamuthirsolai M, Ashokkumar K, Anandhi A, Ravi R, Rajangam J, Dhanya MK and Krishnamurthy KS (2022) Climate change scenarios, their impacts and implications on Indian cardamom-coffee hot spots; one of the two in the world. Frontiers in Sustainable Food System. 6:1057617. NAAS Rating: 10.70
Sarathambal C, Srinivasan V, Jeevalatha A, Sivaranjani R, Alagupalamuthirsolai M, Peeran MF, Mukesh Sankar S, George P and Dilkush F. 2024. Unravelling the synergistic effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and vermicompost on improving plant growth, nutrient absorption, and secondary metabolite production in ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.). Frontiers in Sustainable Food System. 8:1412610. NAAS Rating: 10.70
Krishnapriya V, Karpagam E, Vasantha S, Arun Kumar R, Anusha S, Vinu V, Alagupalamuthirsolai M and Gomathi R. 2024. Deficiency, critical threshold, and sufficiency levels for hydroponic supplementation of major nutrients for evaluating sugarcane under controlled conditions. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition. 24(1): 1002–1014. NAAS Rating: 9.60
Murugan M, Kuruvila A, Anandhi A, Pooja A, Ashokkumar K, Dhanya MK, Subbiah A, Alagupalamuthirsolai M and Sritharan N. 2023. Cardamom agro-environmental interrelationships analysis in Indian cardamom hills. Frontiers in Climate. 5:1107804. JCR Impact Factor: 3.3. NAAS Rating (6.00 + 3.3 = 9.3)
Alagupalamuthirsolai M, Sivaranjani R, Ankegowda SJ, Murugan M, Krishnamurthy KS, Sharon Aravind and Honnappa Asangi. 2020. A study of essential oil constituents from capsules, physiological and quality parameters of small cardamom ecotypes [Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton] growing in the Western Ghats, India. Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants. 23(6): 1253-1264. NAAS rating: 8.40
Alagupalamuthirsolai, M, Ankegowda S.J., Murugan M., Sivaranjani R, Balaji Rajkumar & Akshitha H.J. 2019. Influence of Light Intensity on Photosynthesis, Capsule Yield, Essential Oil and Insect Pest Incidence of Small Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton), Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants. 22(5): 1172-1181. NAAS rating: 8.40
Ankegowda SJ, Alagupalamuthirsolai M, Sivaranjani R, Peeran MF, Krishnamurthy KS and Shivakumar MS. 2022. Variability in Essential Oil Constituents, Antioxidant Activities and Yield of Elite Small Cardamom Lines (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) Under Moisture Deficit Stress. Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants, 25(5), 1062–1076. NAAS rating: 8.40
Geethalakshmi V, Ramesh T, Alagupalamuthirsolai M, and Lakshmanan. (2011). Agronomic evaluation of rice cultivation systems for water and grain productivity. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science. 57(2), 159–166. NAAS rating: 8.40
Sarathambal C, Sivaranjani R, Srinivasan V, Alagupalamuthirsolai M, Subila KP and Anamika B. 2022. Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation on growth, mineral nutrient uptake, photosynthesis and antioxidant activities of black pepper cuttings. Journal of Plant Nutrition. 46(10): 2508–2524.NAAS rating: 8.10
Gomathi R, Kohila S, Viswanathan R, Krishnapriya V, Appunu C, Arun Kumar R, Alagupalamuthirsolai M, Manimekalai R, Elayaraja K and Kaverinathan K. 2024. Comparative Proteomic Analysis of High-Temperature Response in Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.). Sugar Tech. 27:193–207. NAAS rating: 7.90
Alagupalamuthirsolai M, Murugan M, Ashokkumar K, Ankegowda SJ, Vellaikumar S, Srinivasan V, Honnappa Asangi, Akshitha HJ, Mohammed Faisal Peeran, Sivaranjani R and Arun Kumar R. 2024. Bio-active essential oil components in small cardamom as influenced by weather elements. AMA, Agricultural Mechanization in Asia, Africa and Latin America. 55(04):17549–60. NAAS rating: 6.30
Sivaranjani R, Zachariah TJ, Alagupalamuthirsolai M and Thankamani CK. 2022. Foliar Spray of Elicitors on Physiology and Quality Responses in Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.). Indian Journal of Agricultural Research. 56(5):567-572. NAAS rating: 5.60
Alagupalamuthirsolai M, Vijayalakshmi C, Basu PS and Jagdish Singh. 2015. Physiological evaluation of mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) cultivars for heat tolerance. Journal of Food Legumes. 28(2): 128-132. NAAS Rating: 5.54
Senthilkumar M, Paulraj S, Alagupalamuthirsolai M, Singh Mohan, Singh Jagdish. 2016. Synergistic effect of Mesorhizobium ciceri and 1-amino cyclopropane 1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase producing rhizobacteria on chickpea growth and yield. Journal of food legume. 29(1); 37-42. NAAS rating: 5.54
Alagupalamuthirsolai M, Ankegowda SJ, Mohammed Faisal Peeran, Akshitha HJ, Balaji Rajkumar and Narendra Chaudhary. 2018. Effect of Natural Growth Enhancer on Growth, Physiological and Biochemical Attributes in Black Pepper (Piper nigrum L.). Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci. 6: 2857-2866.NAAS rating: 5.38
Peeran MF, Alagupalamuthirsolai M and Sarathambal C. 2019. Morphological and molecular characterization of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. Vanilla inciting root and stem rot disease in Vanilla. Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci. 8(04): 1578-1590. NAAS rating: 5.38
Alagupalamuthirsolai M, Ankegowda SJ and Krishnamurthy KS. 2018. Effect of different shade levels on growth, physiology and biochemical characteristics of small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton). Current Journal of Applied Science and Technology. 28(3):1-9. NAAS rating: 5.32
Alagupalamuthirsolai M, Ankegowda SJ, Sharon Aravind. 2018. Factors determining the midday depression of photosynthesis in small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) under summer climate. Multilogic in science. 7: 525-528. NAAS rating: 5.20
Alagupalamuthirsolai M, Renuka Suresh, Thankamani CK, Srinivasan V, Sivaranjani R, Krishnamurthy KS, Sarathambal C, Gobu R, Honnappa Asangi, Akshitha HJ, Mohammad Faisal Peeran and Balaji Rajkumar. 2023. Application methodology and physiological insights of melatonin hormone for water stress alleviation in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.). International Journal of Environment and Climate Change. 13(8):219–228. NAAS rating: 5.20
Saljuna KP, Thankamani CK, Alagupalamuthirsolai M, Krishnamurthy KS and Gayathri Pavithran. 2024. Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Nutrient and Quality Changes in Zingiber officinale Rosc. Journal of Scientific Research and Reports. 30(4):36–44. NAAS rating: 5.17
Alagupalamuthirsolai M, Srinivasan V, Sarathambal C, Thankamani CK, Krishnamurthy KS and Subila KP. 2021. Development of screening method for moisture deficit tolerance of black pepper genotypes. International Journal of Environment and Climate Change. 11(2):157-164. NAAS rating: 5.16
Sreenivasa V, Amaresh, Nunavath A, Dhanya VG, Abhishek GJ, Mahadevaiah C, Pazhany AS, Alagupalamuthirsolai M, Kumar A, Durai AA, Kumar R, Minturam M, Appunu C and Hemaprabha G. 2024. Evaluation of Superior Cross Combinations and Identification of Better Parental Stocks from Early Clonal Trials in Sugarcane. Archives of Current Research International. 24(2):32–38. NAAS rating: 5.13
Alagupalamuthirsolai1 M, Vijayalakshmi C, Krishna Surendar KS and Sritharan N. 2020. Effect of Heat Stress on Photosystem II, Antioxidant Activity and Micronutrient Concentration in Contrasting Cultivars of Greengram (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek). International Journal of Plant & Soil Science. 32(11): 73-81.NAAS rating: 5.07
Alagupalamuthirsolai M, Renuka Suresh, Srinivasan V, Thankamani CK and Gobu R. 2024. Effects of chemicals on water stress alleviation in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) rooted cuttings. Eco. Env. & Cons. 30(1):398–402. NAAS rating: 5.05
Amit Kumar, Raghavendra Singh, Subhash Babu, Saurav Saha, Bhutia TL, Devi EL, Ramgopal Laha, Mishra VK, Krishnamurthy KS, Alagupalamuthirsolai M and Rakesh Kumar Bairwa. 2022. Productivity and profitability assessment of organically grown ginger-based intercropping systems in terraced land of Sikkim Himalayas. Ann. Agric. Res. New Series. 43(4):1–6. NAAS rating: 4.62
Saljuna KP, Thankamani CK, Krishnamurthy KS, Gayathri Pavithran and Alagupalamuthirsolai M. 2023. Effect of growth regulators on the growth and yield of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) under polyhouse condition, Journal of Plantation Crops. 51(1): 16–22. NAAS rating: 4.66
Gomathi R, Chandran K, Arun Kumar R, Alagupalamuthirsolai M and Krishnapriya V. 2022. Impact of waterlogging stress on juice quality in sugarcane cultivated in tropical India. Journal of Sugarcane Research. 12:85–91.NAAS rating: 4.54
Alagupalamuthirsolai M, Vijayalakshmi C and Basu PS. 2015. Effect of high temperature on flowering pattern, pollen germination and pod setting in mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek). International journal of plant reproductive biology. 7(1): 59-66.NAAS rating: 4.47

Books

Gomathi R, Arun Kumar R, Krishnapriya V, Alagupalamuthirsolai M, Pooja D and Vasantha S (Eds.), 2023. Laboratory Techniques in Sugarcane Physiology. Plant Physiology section, ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.

p 1-123. ISBN: 978-93-85267-37-6

Book chapters

Ashokkumar K, Murugan M, Dhanya MK, Alagupalamuthirsolai M, Sathyan T and Silvas JP. 2021. Plant Breeding Approaches for Cardamom Improvement In: Ashokkumar K, Murugan M and Dhanya MK (Ed.) Cardamom [Elettaria cardamomum (l.) Maton] production, breeding, management, phytochemistry and health benefits. Nova Science Publishers, Inc. New York. 53-82.
Gomathi, R., R. Arun Kumar V. Krishnapriya, and Alagupalamuthirsolai. 2023. Management of Post-Harvest Deterioration and Flowering in Sugarcane. In: Improved Sugarcane Production Technologies. Editors. D. Puthira Prathap and P. Murali Published by. G. Hemaprabha, The Director, ICAR-SBI, Coimbatore. 114-129.
Krishnapriya V, Alagupalamuthirsolai M, Arun Kumar R, Gomathi R. 2024. Physiological and biochemical screening methodologies for drought and salinity tolerance. In: Climate Smart Sugarcane Agriculture for Food and Energy Security in India. G. Hemaprabha and C. Appunu (Eds.) Course Manual of ICAR sponsored Winter School. Jan 31 – Feb 20, 2024. ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore. ISBN: 978-93-85267-42-0; 374p.
Arun Kumar, G. Hemaprabha, S Anusha, V. Krishnapriya, V. Sreenivasa, V. Vinu, S.Vasantha, AS Tayade, M. Alagupalamuthirsolai, D. Pooja, R. Gomathi, K. Hari, C. Appunu, C. Palaniswami. 2024. Physiological Basis of Water Productivity, Nutrient Use Efficiency and Radiation Use Efficiency in Sugarcane Clones R. In: Climate Smart Sugarcane Agriculture for Food and Energy Security in India. G. Hemaprabha and C. Appunu (Eds.) Course Manual of ICAR sponsored Winter School. Jan 31 – Feb 20, 2024. ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore. ISBN: 978-93-85267-42-0; 374p.
Gomathi R, Alagupalamuthirsolai M, Arun Kumar R, Krishnapriya V, Balasubramanian S, Karuppaiyan R and Hemaprabha G. 2023. High Throughput Sampling using Optical Properties (Understanding and Application). Plant Physiology section, ICAR-SBI, Coimbatore. p120. ISBN:978-93-85267-38-3.
Krishnapriya V, Anusha S, Vinu V, Nisha M, Adhini S. Pazhany, Prathima PT, Arunkumar R, Alagupalamuthirsolai M and Gomathi R. 2024. Sugarcane Metabolomics and Its Applications in Value Addition. In: Suresha, GS, Krishnappa G, Palanichamy M, Mahadeva Swamy HK, Kuppusamy H, Govindakurup H. (eds) Value Addition and Product Diversification in Sugarcane. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-7228-5_5