Sivakumar Karthikeyan

@tnau.ac.in

Assistant Professor (Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry)
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

Sivakumar Karthikeyan


            Download Compact PDF  
https://researchid.co/sivakumark

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Soil fertility ,soil pedology , Remote Sensing and GIS ,Forest Soil Carbon Sequestration
6

Scopus Publications

Scopus Publications

  • Enhancing cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) productivity and seed quality through foliar application of organic and inorganic amendments
    Anu, V Manonmani, R Jerlin, S Vanitha, R Sivakumar, G Preetha, Jha Rashmi
    Plant Science Today, 2026
    Cold plasma technology represents a groundbreaking innovation in sustainable agriculture, particularly for optimizing the germination dynamics, physiological vigor and resilience of leguminous crops. As a non-thermal ionized gas, cold plasma induces intricate physicochemical modifications in seed architecture, enhancing surface hydrophilicity, permeability and imbibition kinetics. These transformations expedite germination, activate key enzymatic cascades and fortify antioxidative defense mechanisms, thereby bolstering legume adaptation to environmental stressors. Furthermore, cold plasma has been shown to regulate gene networks associated with stress tolerance, nitrogen assimilation and metabolic efficiency, culminating in improved plant vigor and yield stability. Beyond seed enhancement, cold plasma serves as an eco-compatible strategy for microbial decontamination, effectively neutralizing phytopathogens on legume seeds without compromising viability. It also extends post-harvest longevity by mitigating spoilage and oxidative degradation. Recent advancements have leveraged cold plasma in synergy with nanotechnology to facilitate targeted nutrient delivery, while its integration with magnetic field exposure has demonstrated enhanced metabolic activation and water absorption in leguminous seeds. Additionally, machine learning applications are refining plasma treatment protocols, enabling precise optimization tailored to specific crop requirements. As a transformative and environmentally sustainable agronomic tool, cold plasma holds profound implications for advancing legume cultivation while reducing reliance on chemical inputs. Its capacity to enhance seed vigor, stress tolerance and crop productivity underscores its potential as a pivotal innovation in climate-resilient, high-efficiency agricultural systems. Further exploration and technological refinement will unlock new frontiers, establishing cold plasma as a cornerstone of modern legume agronomy.
  • NANOSCALE ZERO VALENT IRON PARTICLES (nZVI): AN EFFECTIVE SOLUTION FOR METHYL ORANGE AZO DYE REMOVAL
    Ettiyagounder Parameswari, Selvaraj Paul Sebastian, Subramanian Arulmani, Veeraswamy Davamani, Periyasamy Kalaiselvi, Preetha Remadevi, Karthikeyan Sivakumar
    Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, 2025
    Nanoscale Zero Valent Iron (nZVI) particles were used to remove color from a water-soluble azo dye, methyl orange, using batch and column experiments.The particles rapidly reduced the color, reaching equilibrium within 20 minutes.Complete color removal was achieved using 0.6 g L -1 of nZVI when the initial concentration of methyl orange was 100 mg L -1 , and the pH was 3. The maximum decolorization ratio of 97% was achieved within 10 minutes, with the pH playing a significant role.Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyze the decolorization products, revealing that 98% of the MO was converted to N, N-dimethyl--phenylenediamine by the nZVI particles.Additionally, the equilibrium relationship between the sorbent and sorbate was determined.Besides, Kinetic studies provided insights into the adsorption rate and its mechanisms.
  • Effect of fertilizer and organic carbon source combined with foliar spray of nano zinc and seaweed extract on growth and yield of Red bhendi
    N SenthilKumar, P Poonkodi, S Venkatesan, V Arunkumar, K Sivakumar
    Plant Science Today, 2025
    An experiment was Carried out at farmer’s field in Sivapuri village, Chidambaram taluk, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu during January-April, 2023 to examine the effects of fertilizer andorganic carbon source with foliar spray of nano zinc and seaweed extract on growth and yield of red bhendi (Kashi Lalima var VROR 157). Kashi Lalima is a red okra variety released by IIVR, Varanasi, in 2019. The fruits are reddish-purple in color and exhibits tolerance to yellow vein mosaic disease and okra leaf curl virus. Red-fruited okra has received much attention from consumers due to its appealing color and health-promoting constituents. The experiment was laid in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. The treatments included,T1 - control, T₂ - 100 % RDF, T3 – 100 % RDF + nano zinc @ 0.1 % (3 times FS), T4 - 100 % RDF + SWE @ 2.5 % (3 times FS), T5 – 100 % RDF + OCS @ 2.5 t ha-1, T6 - 100 % RDF + OCS @ 5.0 t ha-1, T7 - 100 % RDF + OCS@ 2.5 t ha-1+ nano zinc @ 0.1 % (3 times FS), T8 - 100 % RDF + OCS @ 5.0 t ha-1 + nano zinc @ 0.1 % (3 times FS), T9 - 100 % RDF + OCS @ 2.5 t ha-1 + SWE @ 2.5 % (3 times FS), T10 - 100 % RDF + OCS @ 5.0 t ha-1 + SWE @ 2.5 % (3 times FS). The result showed that treatment T8 - 100 % RDF + OCS @ 5.0 t ha-1 + nano zinc @ 0.1 % (3 times FS) was the most effective exhibiting better growth, yield, yield attributes and quality characters.
  • Long-term fertilization and manuring effects on the nexus between sulphur distribution and SOC in an Inceptisol over five decades under a finger millet–maize cropping system
    B. Gokila, G. Manimaran, D. Jayanthi, K. Sivakumar, G. Sridevi, S. Thenmozhi, M. Elayarajan, A. Renukadevi, R. Sudha, P. Balasubramanian
    Scientific Reports, 2024
    Our investigation revealed that alterations in sulphur (S) pools are predominantly governed by soil organic carbon (SOC), soil nitrogen (N), microbial biomass, and soil enzyme activities in sandy clay loam (Vertic Ustropept) soil. We employed ten sets of nutrient management techniques, ranging from suboptimal (50% RDF) to super-optimal doses (150% RDF), including NPK + Zn, NP, N alone, S-free NPK fertilizers, NPK + FYM, and control treatments, to examine the interrelation of S with SOC characteristics. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was utilized to analyze the functional groups present in SOC characterization across four treatments: 100% NPK, 150% NPK, NPK + FYM, and absolute control plots. Principal component analysis (PCA) was then applied to assess 29 minimal datasets, aiming to pinpoint specific soil characteristics influencing S transformation. In an Inceptisol, the application of fertilizers (100% RDF) in conjunction with 10 t ha−1 of FYM resulted in an increase of S pools from the surface to the subsurface stratum (OS > HSS > SO42−–S > WSS), along with an increase in soil N and SOC. FT-IR spectroscopy identified cellulose and thiocyanate functional groups in all four plots, with a pronounced presence of carbohydrate—protein polyphenol, sulfoxide (S=O), and nitrate groups specifically observed in the INM plot. The PCA findings indicated that the primary factors influencing soil quality and crop productivity (r2 of 0.69) are SOC, SMBC, SMBN, SMBS, and the enzyme activity of URE, DHA, and AS. According to the study, the combined application of fertilizer and FYM (10 t ha−1) together exert a positive impact on sulphur transformation, SOC accumulation, and maize yield in sandy clay loam soil.
  • Correction to: Long-term fertilization and manuring effects on the nexus between sulphur distribution and SOC in an Inceptisol over five decades under a finger millet–maize cropping system (Scientific Reports, (2024), 14, 1, (9758), 10.1038/s41598-024-60357-3)
    B. Gokila, G. Manimaran, D. Jayanthi, K. Sivakumar, G. Sridevi, S. Thenmozhi, M. Elayarajan, A. Renukadevi, R. Sudha, P. Balasubramanian
    Scientific Reports, 2024
    The original version of this Article contained a repeated error in the Affiliations, where ‘Tamil Nadu Agricultural University’ was incorrectly given as ‘Tamil Nadu Agricultural Chemistry’.
  • Influence of Eucalyptus Agroforestry on Crop Yields, Soil Properties, and System Economics in Southern Regions of India
    Karuppanan Ramasamy Ramesh, Harshavardhan Krishnarao Deshmukh, Karthikeyan Sivakumar, Vipan Guleria, Rathod Digvijaysinh Umedsinh, Nathakrishnan Krishnakumar, Alagesan Thangamalar, Kathirvel Suganya, Mariyappan Kiruba, Thiru Selvan, Padmanaban Balasubramanian, Chinnaswamy Ushamalini, Gurusamy Thiyagarajan, Saminathan Vincent, Palani Rajeswari, Shanmugavel Bavish, Arsha Riaz, Kuppusamy Senthil
    Sustainability Switzerland, 2023
    Agroforestry benefits farmers, making it a sustainable alternative to monoculture. To create a viable Eucalyptus clone-based agroforestry system, a field experiment was carried out in Tamil Nadu, India. The economics and changes in the soil qualities were evaluated by growing agricultural and horticultural crops, namely pearl millet, sorghum, maize, sesame, small onions, green gram, and red gram, as intercrops under eight-month-old eucalyptus clone trees using a randomised block design in three replications at a spacing of 3 m × 1.5 m. The plots for the intercrops and the eucalyptus clones were kept apart for comparison. Maize showed the greatest drop in plant height during all the phases, including 30 DAS, 60 DAS, and harvest, while small onions showed the least reduction in plant height. Sesame and small onions showed the greatest drop in dry matter production, whereas sorghum showed the least. In terms of the intercrop yield reduction, maize had the biggest reduction and green gram had the lowest. Red gram had the largest crop equivalent yield, whereas maize had the lowest. The volume of the trees was generally increased more favourably by red gram than by green gram. The intercrops had some effects on the nutrients in the soil. Red gram intercropping had the highest levels of EC, soil organic carbon, available soil nitrogen, available soil phosphorus, and available soil potassium, while the sole tree treatment had the lowest levels. Small onions, red gram, and sesame were the crops; tree + small onion, tree + red gram, and tree + sesame were the intercrop combinations with the highest gross income, net income, and B:C in the intercropping treatment alone. Tree + green gram had the highest land equivalent ratio (LER) and the red gram, sesame, and small onion intercrops were shown to be the most profitable. Although the present study supports a complementary relationship, the lack of awareness among farmers of Eucalyptus allelopathy formed the major limitation.