Scientist Profile

Dr. P. Geetha

Dr. P. Geetha

Senior Scientist (Agronomy), Division of Crop Production
ICAR - Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore Email: ponmanigeetha_2004@yahoo.com
  • Research interests: Cane agronomy, sugarcane based cropping system and integrated farming system. Research focuses on improving sugarcane yield, quality, and resilience to environmental stresses. Current research also explores soil health and biodiversity, particularly the role of soil microbiomes.
  • Conducting field demonstration of sugarcane-based farming system
  • Life member of Indian Society of Agronomy (ISA), New Delhi
  • Life member of society for sugarcane research and development (SSRD), Coimbatore
  • Life member of SADHNA, – Society for Advancement of Human and Nature, Solan Himachal Pradesh, India  
  •  Title: ISMA Network project – Improving water use efficiency and economizing water use in sugarcane cultivation in subtropical India

Agency: Indian Sugar Mill Association, New Delhi

Amount: 54 Lakhs

  • Awarded ASPEE Research Fellowship for M.Sc Research programme
    at National Level     by American Spring and Pressing Works, ASPEE Research Foundation, Mumbai (2000).
  • Awarded Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund for Ph.D Research programme at National Level by Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund,
    New Delhi, India (2005).
  • Secured 25th rank at National level in Agricultural Research Service (ARS) exam conducted by the Agricultural Scientist Recruitment Board (ASRB), New Delhi, India (2009).
  • Awarded Young Scientist of the Year Award, 2009 by National Environmental Science Academy, New Delhi, India for contribution in the field of Agronomy.
  • Awarded Best Poster award for the presentation of “Profitability assessment of sugarcane based intercropping system under wide row planting” International symposium on sugarcane research Since Co 205: 100 years and Beyond (Sucrosym-2017): 18-21 Sep, 2017, Coimbatore, India.
  • Awarded Best Poster award for the presentation of “Standardizing agro techniques for true seed seedlings with special reference to intra row spacing and planting depths” International symposium on sugarcane research Since Co 205: 100 years and Beyond (Sucrosym-2017): 18-21 Sep, 2017, Coimbatore, India.
  • Received Best outstanding research paper award by Novel research Academy, 2019.
  • Society for Sugarcane Research & Development (SSRD) Best Paper Award 2017 for the Research Paper “Tayade, A.S., P. Geetha, S. Anusha, R. Dhanapal, and K. Hari. 2017. Effect of green cane trash blanketing and microbial consortia application on soil compaction and productivity of mechanically harvested sugarcane ratoon crops.
  • Most Cited Paper Award, for the research paper
    S. Tayade, P. Geetha, R. Dhanapal and K. Hari. 2016 “Effect of in-situ trash management on sugarcane under wide row planting system, during 2022.  Society for Sugarcane Research & Development (SSRD).
  • Awarded best oral presentation in 1st INTERNATIONAL FARMING SYSTEMS CONFERENCE (IFSC 2025)” during 7-9th March 2025 at
    ICAR – Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research Modipuram, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.
  • Best book published in Tamil 2023. Agricultural Scientific Tamil Society, New Delhi

Research articles

  • Anusha, S., Geetha, P., Krishnapriya, V., Tayade, A. S. and Arun Kumar, R. 2025. Management of diverse weed flora in widely spaced sugarcane plant crop in tropical India through sequential and tank mix application of herbicides.  Sugar Tech 27(2): 418-432.
  • S. Tayade,* P. Geetha*, Anusha. S. C. Palaniswamib and P. Govindaraj. 2023. Agronomic evaluation of sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid) genotypes for its cane yield and quality under different fertilizer levels. Journal of Sugarcane Research. 12, 186-191.
  • Arun Kumar R., S. Vasantha, R. Gomathi, Hemaprabha G., Alarmelu A, V. Sreenivasa, Krishnapriya V, Alagupalamuthirsolai M, Hari K, Palaniswami. C, Mohanraj K, Appunu C, Geetha P, A.S. Tayade, Anusha S, V Vinu, Valarmathi R, Pooja Dhansu, Mintu Ram Meena. 2023. Rapid and non-destructive methodology for measuring canopy coverage at an early stage and its correlation with physiological, morphological traits and yield in sugarcane. Agriculture 2023, 13, 1481. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13081481 (NAAS. 9.41).
  • S. Tayade, P. Geetha and Anusha. S. 2023. Production efficiency and Agro-Economic analysis of Sugarcane + Blackgram intercropping system under Tropical Indian condition. AATCC Review, 2023. (NAAS. 6.78).
  • S. Tayade*, S. Vasantha, S. Anusha, R. Arun Kumar, G. Hemaprabha , P. Geetha 1, V. Krishnapriya, K. Sammi Reddy, Rajan Bhatt, Manzer H. Siddiqui* & Mahipal Singh Kesawat. 2023. Water‑efficient genotypes along with conservation measures significantly reduce the green and blue water footprints in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) Scientific Reports. 13:13229. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-40223-4 (NAAS: 11.00).
  • Geetha. P and A. S. Tayade 2022. Resource use efficiency and yield advantage of sugarcane based cropping system in tropical India. Sugar tech, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12355-022-01204-5 (NAAS: 7.59).
  • S. Tayade*, S. Vasantha, S. Anusha, R. Arun Kumar, G. Hemaprabha , P. Geetha , V. Krishnapriya, K. Sammi Reddy, Rajan Bhatt, Manzer H. Siddiqui* & Mahipal Singh Kesawat. 2023. Water‑efficient genotypes along with conservation measures significantly reduce the green and blue water footprints in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) Scientific Reports. 13:13229. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-40223-4 (NAAS: 11.00).
  • Arun Kumar R., S. Vasantha, R. Gomathi,.. Geetha P, A.S. Tayade, Anusha S, V Vinu, Valarmathi R, Pooja Dhansu, Mintu Ram Meena. 2023. Rapid and non-destructive methodology for measuring canopy coverage at an early stage and its correlation with physiological, morphological traits and yield in sugarcane. Agriculture 2023, 13, 1481. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13081481 (NAAS. 9.41).
  • Tayade, A. S., Geetha, S. Anusha, R. Arun Kumar, C. Palaniswami and P. Govindaraj. 2022. Effect of spatial and genotypic variability on heat and energy use efficiency in sugarcane under Tropical Indian conditions. Journal of Crop and Weed. 17(2): 01-08. (NAAS: 5.46).
  • Tayade, A.S., Geetha, P. and Anusha, S. Standardizing Planting Agro-techniques for Sugarcane Tissue Culture Plantlets and Bud Chip Settlings. Sugar Tech 23, 1097–1104 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12355-021-01003-4. (NAAS: 7.5)
  • Geetha. P., A. S. Tayade, R. Arun kumar and Rajesh kumar, 2019. Light interception in sugarcane based intercropping system. Journal of Agro meteorology. 21(2): 20-19.
  • Arun Kumar, R., Vasantha, S., Tayade, A. S., Anusha, S., Geetha, P. and Hemaprabha, G. 2019. Physiological efficiency of sugarcane clones under water limited conditions. Transactions of the ASABE 63(1): 133-140 s ISSN 2151-0032.
  • Geetha, A. S. Tayade, C. A. Chandrasekar, T. Selvan, Rajesh Kumar 2018. Agronomic Response, Weed Smothering Efficiency and Economic Feasibility of Sugarcane and Legume Intercropping System in Tropical India. Sugar Tech. 21(5), 838-842. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12355-018-0689-9.
  • Tayade, A. S., Geetha, S. Anusha, R. Dhanapal, and K. Hari. 2018. Bio-intensive Modulation of Sugarcane Ratoon Rhizosphere for Enhanced Soil Health and Sugarcane Productivity under Tropical Indian Condition. Sugar Tech 21 (2), 278–288.
  • Dhanapal, R., Tayade A. S, A. Baskaran and Geetha. Efficient Water Management in Sugarcane with Composted Coir Pith and Sugarcane Trash under Tropical Indian Conditions. Sugar Tech., 2018. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12355-018-0593-3.

Book chapters

  • Tayade, A. S., Geetha, P., Anusha, S., Arunkumar, R., & Vasantha, S. (2023). Agro-technologies to Sustain Sugarcane Productivity under Abiotic Stresses. In Agro-industrial Perspectives on Sugarcane Production under Environmental Stress (pp. 231-266). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.
  • Geetha. P 2023. Agronomy of sugarcane. In: Training manual on Quality seed production through Micropropagation in Sugarcane. Eds. D. Neelamathi, C. Jayabose and G. Hemaprabha. ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute- Coimbatore. Extension publication 332(2023). pp. 61-70.
  •  Geetha. P 2023. Cane Agronomy. In Improved Sugarcane Production Technologies. Eds. D. Puthira pratap and P. Murali. ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute- Coimbatore. Extension publication.pp. 55-65.
  • S. Anusha and P. Geetha. Cane Agronomy. 2023. In: Advances in Sugarcane Cultivation. Editors: Rajula Shanthy and G. Hemaprabha. Pg: 26-44.
  • P. Geetha, Tayade, A. S., Rajula Shanthy, T., Palaniswami, C. and S. Anusha. 2023. Sugarcane based farming system. In: Advances in sugarcane cultivation. Editors: Rajula Shanthy, T. and Hemaprabha, G. pp: 106-113.
  • S. Anusha and P. Geetha. 2023. Sugarcane Ratoon Management. In: Advances in sugarcane cultivation. Editors: Rajula Shanthy, T. and Hemaprabha, G. pp: 138-142.
  • Tayade, A.S., P. Geetha and S. Anusha. 2021. Climate Smart Agronomy Practices for the Management of Abiotic Stresses in Sugarcane. In. Physiological Interventions for Developing Climate Resilient Commercial Crops. Edited by: R. Gomathi, A.H. Prakhash and Bakshi Ram. Published by: International Books & Periodical Supply Service, (Publisher of Scientific Books), New Delhi, 110034.ISBN No.:978-93-85267-27-7. Pg. No. 130-155.
  • Bakshi Ram and P. Geetha, 2021. Sugarcane based Farming System – The Best Strategy for Doubling Farmers income. In. Integrated Farming System in Sugarcane: Ensuring Production, Profit and Nutritional Security. Editors: P. Geetha, Bakshi Ram, A.S.Tayade, T. Rajula Shanthy & C. Palaniswami, N.Thavaprakaash & D. Rajakumar. Published by: ICAR – Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore – 641007. pp: 1-7.
  • Tayade, A.S., P.Geetha and Anusha.S, 2021. Sugarcane Settling Production for Income Generation. In. Integrated Farming System in Sugarcane: Ensuring Production, Profit and Nutritional Security. Editors: P. Geetha, Bakshi Ram, A.S.Tayade, T. Rajula Shanthy & C. Palaniswami, N. Thavaprakaash & Rajakumar. Published by: ICAR – Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore – 641007. pp: 52-60.
  • S. Tayade, P. Geetha and S. Anusha. 2021. Integrated Nutrient Management in Sugarcane. In the Book: Recent Scientific Advances in Sugarcane Cultivation for Doubling Farmers’ Income Dr. Editors Bakshi Ram, G. Hemaprabha, Ratna Nashine, K. Mohanraj, P. Murali and Rayees Ahmad Shah. pp. 303-309. Dilpreet Publishing House, Ariana Publishers & Distributors New Delhi-110 018 (India). pp. 291-302.

Books published:

  • P. Geetha, Bakshi Ram, A.S.Tayade, T. Rajula Shanthy,  C. Palaniswami, N. Thavaprakash and D. Rajkumar. 2021 Integrated Farming System in Sugarcane: Ensuring Production, Profit and Nutritional Security. ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, ISBN: 978-93-85267-31-4.
  • P. Geetha, A.S.Tayade,  T. Rajula Shanthy,  C. Palaniswami,  G. Hemaprabha, N. Thavaprakash  and D. Rajkumar. 2022. கரும்பு சார் ஒருங்கிணைந்த பண்ணை முறை.  ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, ISBN: 978-93-85267-1.
  • P. Geetha, A.S.Tayade, T. Rajula Shanthy, C. Palaniswami, G. Hemaprabha, N. Thavaprakash and D. Rajkumar. 2021. गन्ने में एकीकृत कृषि प्रणाली: सुनिश्चित करना उत्पादन, लाभ और पोषण सुरक्षा. ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, ISBN: 978-93-85267-27-1.