Our group is working on sustainable agricultural systems which include crop diversification, improved production and process technologies of medicinal, aromatic and industrial crops, carbon sequestration, precision farming; climate change adaptation. We have developed agro technologies for medicinal and aromatic plants viz., Crocus sativus, Picrorhiza kurrooa, Trillium govanianum, Saussurea lappa, Inula racemosa, Aconitum heterophyllum, Hypericum perforatum, Acorus calamus, Rosa damascena, Tagetes minuta, Salvia sclarea, Hippophae spp. etc.

2012 MASHAV Fellowship by Israel Govt. 2010 ISA Associateship Award 2010 Travel grant from Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India 2005 DST Fast Track Project for Young Scientists 1998 Merit Certificate and scholarship in PhD. Programme 1995 Merit scholarship in MSc. Programme ICAR NET (1998, 2001 & 2004), Member NASI

Publications during the last Five years

1. Raj, Y., Dindhoria K, Kumar, P., Pati, A.M., Kumar, R*., and Kumar R*. 2025. Sculpturing Hypericum perforatum L.-rhizosphere with plant-specific and un-specific beneficial rhizobacteria distinctively tailors rhizosphere bacterial community structure to accumulate differential amounts of specialized metabolites. Ind. Crops Prod. (Accepted) (IF 5.6).
2. Anjali Thakur, Babita Thakur and Rakesh Kumar* 2025. Post-Harvest Management of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Current Trends and Recent Advances. Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants https://doi.org/10.1080/0972060X.2025.2461495. (IF2.1).
3. Saizal Jamwal,  Avnesh Kumari, Veeraprakasam Veeragurunathan, Kamalesh Prasad, Arup Ghosh*,  and Rakesh Kumar*, 2025. Enhancing growth, yield, essential oil content, and composition of holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.) using red algae-based bio-stimulant under acidic conditions of the Western Himalayas. BMC Plant Biology. 25:84 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06064-1. (IF4.3) 
4. Jamwal, S., Thakur, M., Walia, S. and Kumar., R. 2024. Effect of season on essential oil content and composition of Palmarosa [Cymbopogon martini (Roxb.) Will. Watson] cultivated in the mid-hill conditions of the Western Himalayas. Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources, 15(4), 546-554. DOI: 10.56042/ijnpr.v15i4.10342 (IF: 0.8).
5. Thakur, P., Paul, A., Raj, Y. and Kumar, R. (2024). Apple Cultivation in Nontraditional Areas: Novel Perspectives and Advances- A Review. Journal of Horticultural Research, 32(2), DOI: 10.2478/johr-2024-0017.
6. Saizal Jamwal, Meghna Thakur, Swati Walia and Rakesh Kumar* 2024. Variation in productivity and essential oil composition of aromatic grasses grown in mid-hill conditions of the Western Himalayas. Horticulture Environment and Biotechnology. 65:817–829. DOI:10.1007/s13580-024-00610-w  (IF 2.4).
7. Shalika Rathore, Kanchan Kundlas and Rakesh Kumar*, 2024. Variability in essential oil content and constituent profile of damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) at altered intervals of harvest in the Indian Western Himalaya. Journal of Applied Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jarmap.2024.100537 (IF 3.9).
8. Yog Raj, Anil Kumar, Sareeka Kumari, Rakshak Kumar, and Rakesh Kumar. 2023. Comparative genomics and physiological investigations supported multifaceted plant growth-promoting activities in two Hypericum perforatum L.-associated PGPR for microbe-assisted cultivation. Microbiology Spectrum. 10.1128/spectrum.00607-23. (9.043).
9. Shalika Rathore, Srijana Mukhia, Rakshak Kumar and Rakesh Kumar*. 2023. Essential oil composition and antimicrobial potential of aromatic plants grown in the mid-hill conditions of the Western Himalayas. Scientific Reports. 13:4878https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-31875-3. (IF 4.996).
10. Neha Chaudhary, Deepak Kothari, Swati Walia, Arup Ghosh Pradip Kumar Vaghela and Rakesh Kumar*. 2023. Biostimulant enhances growth and corm production of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in non-traditional areas of North western Himalayas. Frontiers in Plant Science. Sec. Plant Nutrition. Vol.14 . https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1097682. (IF 6.627).
11. Neha Chaudhary, Swati Walia and Rakesh Kumar*. 2023. Functional composition, physiological effect and agronomy of future food
    quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.): A review. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 118 (2023) 105192. (IF 4.52).
12. Swati Walia, Pawan Kumar, Dinesh Kumar and Rakesh Kumar*. 2023. A preliminary study on suitability of growing ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) in the western Himalayan region. Plant Soil and Environment  69(2): 71-80. https://doi.org/10.17221/288/2022-PSE. (IF 2.40).
13. Yog Raj, Nilofer Ali, Aparna Maitra Pati and Rakesh Kumar,* 2022. Cleaner production technologies for the amelioration of soil health, biomass, and metabolites in Ocimum basilicum L. under Indian western Himalayas. Frontiers in Plant Science. Sec. Plant Physiology 13:976295. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2022.976295 (IF 6.627).
14. Amit Kumar, Mamta Devi, Rakesh Kumar and Sanjay Kumar. 2022. Introduction of high value Crocus sativus (Saffron) cultivations in new non-traditional regions of India through ecological modelling. Scientific Reports 12, 11925 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-15907-y. (IF 4.996).
15. Shalika Rathore and Rakesh Kumar*. 2022. Dynamics of phosphorus and biostimulants on agro-morphology, yield and essential oil profile of German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) under acidic soil conditions of the western Himalaya. Front. Plant Sci., Sec. Plant Physiology. .https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.917388  (IF 6.627).
16. Shalika Rathore  and Rakesh Kumar* 2022. Essential oil content and compositional variability of lavandula species cultivated in the mid hill conditions of the western Himalaya. Molecules. 2022 Jun; 27(11): 3391. doi: 10.3390/molecules27113391 (IF 4.927).

17.      Kumar, A., Singh, S., Pal, PK, Kumar, R Sharma, RK., Kumar. D. 2022. CSIR-IHBT-TM-09 (IC0630603; INGR20103), a Marigold (Tagetes minuta) Germplasm with High biomass yield 58.11kg/plot (24sqm). Essential Oil Content 0.343%.  Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources 35 (1), 131-131.

8. Singh, S., Kumar, A., Pal, P.K., Kumar, R., Sharma, R.K. and Kumar D 2022. CSIR-IHBT-RD-04 (IC0635435; INGR20105), a Damask Rose (Rosa damascena) Germplasm for High Flower Yield 4.92 kg/plot (12sqm). Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources 35 (1), 132-132
9. Shalika Rathore, Srijana Mukhia, Smita Kapoor, Vinod Bhatt, Rakshak Kumar and Rakesh Kumar. 2022. Seasonal variability in essential oil composition and biological activity of Rosmarinus officinalis L. accessions in the western Himalaya. Scientific Reports 12, 3305 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-07298-x (IF 4.379).
10. Swati Walia, Shalika Rathore, Saizal Jamwal and Rakesh Kumar. 2022. The combined response of elevated CO₂ and temperature on Valeriana jatamansi Jones with worm manuring in the western Himalaya: Integrating growth, biomass and quality. Horticulture Environment and Biotechnology. 63, 161–172. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-021-00386-3 (IF 1.842).
11. Swati Walia, Shalika Rathore and Rakesh Kumar. 2022. Elucidating the mechanisms, responses and future prospects of medicinal and aromatic plants to elevated CO2 and elevated temperature. Journal of Applied Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. Volume 26, February 2022, 100239.   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jarmap.2021.100365 (IF 3.4).
12. Ramesh Chauhan, Sanatsujat Singh, Vikas Kumar, Ashok Kumar, Amit Kumari, Shalika Rathore, Rakesh Kumar and Satbeer Singh. 2022.  A comprehensive review on biology, genetic improvement, agro and process technology of German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.).  Plants, 11, 29. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11010029 (IF 4.658).
13. Shalika Rathore, Yog Raj, Pritam Debnath, Manish Kumar, and Rakesh Kumar. 2022. Ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, agrotechnology, and conservation of Inula racemosa Hook f. - A critically endangered medicinal plant of the western Himalaya. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 283: 114613 (IF 5.195). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2021.114613
14. Janardan Singh, Rakesh Kumar, Anil K. Choudhary, Shilpa and Shalika Rathore 2021. Agricultural diversification through medicinal and aromatic crops – A review. Indian Journal of Agronomy. 5th IAC Special Issue: Volume II: 73-83.
15. Swati Walia, Tirthankar Banerjee and Rakesh Kumar*. 2021. Efficacy of weed management techniques on weed control, biomass yield and soil herbicide residue in transplanted wild marigold (Tagetes minuta L.) under high rainfall conditions of western Himalaya. Agronomy. 11, 2119. https://doi.org/10.3390/ agronomy11112119 (IF 3.949).
16. Shalika Rathore and Rakesh Kumar*. 2021. Agronomic interventions affect the growth, yield, and essential oil composition of German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) in the western Himalaya. Industrial Crops and Products 171, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2021.113873.  (IF 5.645).
17. Swati Walia and Rakesh Kumar. 2021. Elucidating the yield and quality response of Tagetes minuta L. intercropped with Zea mays L. under different spacing in the western Himalayas. Industrial Crops and Products. Volume 171, 1. Doi:   171.113850. (IF 6.449).
18. Shalika Rathore, Vinod Bhatt and Rakesh Kumar, 2021. Post-harvest storage and distillation time of Cymbopogon flexuosus (Nees ex Steud.) W. Watson biomass affects essential oil content and composition in the Western Himalaya. Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants. 24:4, 826-840.DOI: 10.1080/0972060X.2021.1957721  (IF 1.699).
19. Yog Raj, Anil Kumar, Sampa Das, Vidyashankar Srivatsan, Dinesh Kumarand Rakesh Kumar. 2021. A comparative analysis of compositional and phytochemical attributes in fruits of low chilling apple varieties cultivated in eastern and western Himalaya. Scientia Horticulturae. 286; 110221. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2021.110221 (IF 4.342).
20. Deepak Kothari, Rajesh Thakur and Rakesh Kumar.  2021. Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) - Gold of the spices: a comprehensive review. Horticulture Environment and Biotechnology. 62 (3) DOI. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-021-00349-8.(IF 2.138).
21. Meenakshi Thakur and Rakesh Kumar. 2021. Light conditions and mulch modulates the damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) yield, quality and soil environment under mid hills conditions of the western Himalaya. Industrial Crops and Products.  Volume 163, May 2021, 113317 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2021.113317 (IF 6.449).
22. Deepak Kothari, Meenakshi Thakur, Robin Joshi, Amit Kumar, and Rakesh Kumar, 2021.  Agro-climatic suitability evaluation for saffron production in areas of the Western Himalaya. Frontiers in Plant Science. DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.657819. (IF 6.627).
23. Kaundal, M., Sharma, R., Vats, S.K., Singh, B. and Kumar, R., 2021. Elevated CO2 temperature and vermicompost effect on growth, phenology, biomass and hypericin content of Hypericum perforatum in the western Himalayas. Plant Physiology Reports 1-12. DOI: 10.1007/s40502-021-00571-7.
24. Swati Walia and Rakesh Kumar. 2021. Nitrogen and sulfur fertilization modulates the yield, essential oil and quality traits of wild marigold (Tagetes minuta L.) in the western Himalaya. Front. Plant Sci., 18 January 2021 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.631154  (IF 5.753).
25. Bahuguna, S., Anchal, S., Guleria, D., Devi, M., Meenakshi, Kumar, D., Kumar, R., Murthy,P.V.S andKumar, A.2021.Remote sensing for commercially important aromatic crops in India for its efficient monitoring and management. Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing. (IF 1.563).
26. Swati Walia and Rakesh Kumar, 2021. Wild marigold (Tagetes minuta L.) biomass and essential oil composition modulated by weed management techniques. Industrial Crops and Products. 161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2020.113183 (IF 5.645).
27. Meenakshi Thakur and Rakesh Kumar 2021. Mulching: Boosting crop productivity and improving soil environment in herbal plants. Journal of Applied Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants.  20(1):100287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jarmap.2020.100287 100287 (IF 3.4).
28. Shalika Rathore, Pritam Debnath and Rakesh Kumar*. 2021.Kuth Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch.: A critically endangered medicinal plant from Himalaya.  Journal of Applied Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. 20(4):100277: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jarmap.2020.100277 (IF 3.4).
29. S.G. Eswara Reddy, Shalini Rana, Arti Rana, Shudh Kirti Dolma and Rakesh Kumar 2021.Seasonal incidence and monitoring of Helicoverpa armigera Hubner on damask rose (Rosa × damascena Herrm.) by sex pheromone traps in western Himalaya (India).Journalof Applied Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. 20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jarmap.2020.100270(IF 3.4).
30. Rathore S and Kumar R. 2021. Vermicompost fertilization and pinching improves the growth, yield and quality of super food (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) in the western Himalaya.  Acta Physiologae Plantareum 43: 23 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-020-03184-z (IF 2.354).
31. Meenakshi Thakur and Rakesh Kumar 2021.  Microclimatic buffering on medicinal and aromatic plants: A review. Industrial Crops and Products. Volume 160, February 2021, 113144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2020.113144.  (IF 5.645).
32. Munish Kaundal and Rakesh Kumar 2020. Effect of elevated CO₂ and elevated temperature on growth and biomass accumulation in Valeriana jatamansi Jones. under different nutrient status in the western Himalaya. J Agromet 22 (4) 419-428 (IF 0.548).
33. Meenakshi Thakur and Rakesh Kumar 2020. Foliar application of plant growth regulators modulates the productivity and chemical profile of damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) under mid hill conditions of the western Himalaya. Industrial Crops and Products 158.:113024. Doi.: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2020.113024 (IF 5.645).
34. Swati Walia, Vinod Bhatt and Rakesh Kumar* 2020. Influence of drying processing on essential oil yield and composition of wild marigold (Tagetes minuta L.) in the western Himalayas. Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants23:4, 686-696, DOI: 10.1080/0972060X.2020.1810137 (IF 1.699).
35. Swati Walia and Rakesh Kumar 2020. Wild marigold (Tagetes minuta L.) an important industrial aromatic crop: liquid gold from the Himalaya, Journal of Essential Oil Research, DOI: 10.1080/10412905.2020.1813211(IF 1.963).
36. Shalika Rathore, Swati Walia, Renu Devi and Rakesh Kumar, 2020. Review on Trillium govanianum Wall. ex D. Don: a threatened medicinal plant from the Himalayas. Journal of Herbal Medicine.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hermed.2020.100395 (IF 3.032).
37. Debnath, P., Rathore, S., Walia, S., Kumar, M., Devi R. and Kumar, R. 2020. Picrorhiza kurroa: A promising traditional therapeutic herb from higher altitude of western Himalayas. Journal of Herbal Medicine.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hermed.2020.10035823: 100358 (IF 3.032).
38. Walia, S., Mukhia, S., Bhatt, V., Rakshak and Kumar, R. 2020. Variability in chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Tagetes minuta L. essential oil collected from different locations of Himalayas. Industrial Crops and Products 150, 112449 Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2020.112449 (IF 5.645).

Total Research Publications  118

Popular articles       19

Conference papers/ abstracts  50  

Training manual                    5

Book Chapters  5

Booklets   3

Technical staff

Dr Kiran Singh Saini, Senior Technical Officer,

Dr Arvind Verma, Technical Officer

PhD students

Ms Surbhi Sharma

Project staff

Dr Babita Thakur

Dr Swati Walia

Ms Surbhi Sharma

Ms Saizal Jamwal

Mr Ayush Paul

Ms Sumedha Thakur

Ms Priyanka Raj

Ms Shalini Jariyal

Ms Swati

Ms Anjali Kumari

Mr Akhilesh Kumar Sharma

Mr Ankush Garla

Mr Shubham

Mr Aditya

Ms Nidhi Negi

Start up

Mr GK Vashisht