GOPU BALRAJ

@srmist.edu.in

Assistant Professor (Horticulture)
SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology

GOPU BALRAJ


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https://researchid.co/drbgopu

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Ultra High Density Planting cultivation of fruit crops
Canopy management
Protected cultivation, hydrophonics and aeroponics
Nursery management
Landscape and ornamental horticulture
Horticulture therapy
Cut flower production
Organic horticulture
Terrace gardening
Dragon fruit cultivation
8

Scopus Publications

98

Scholar Citations

4

Scholar h-index

3

Scholar i10-index

Scopus Publications

  • Deciphering the Identity of the Root-knot Nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii Infecting Guava (Psidium guajava L.) Through Morphological and Molecular Tools
    S. Sarrvesh Lakshman, N. Ashokkumar, S. Rageshwari, B. Gopu, S. Dharani
    Indian Journal of Agricultural Research, 2026
    Background: Root-knot nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii has emerged as a major constraint to guava (Psidium guajava L.) cultivation in tropical regions, particularly in association with the guava wilt–nematode disease complex. Accurate identification of the nematode species is essential for understanding its distribution and developing effective management strategies. Methods: Soil and root samples were collected from guava orchards affected by wilt symptoms in Tamil Nadu. Adult females were dissected from infected roots and examined for perineal pattern morphology, while second-stage juveniles (J2) were analysed for key morphological and morphometric characters. Molecular identification was performed using species-specific primers with amplification of the ITS and COI regions, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Result: The perineal pattern of adult females was oval with a high dorsal arch and absence of lateral lines, characteristic of M. enterolobii. J2 exhibited a hemispherical head, slender tail with a rounded terminus and stylet length ranging from 14.5-16.2 µm. Molecular analysis confirmed the identity of M. enterolobii and the ITS and COI sequences were deposited in GenBank under accession numbers PX667703-PX667705 and PX658232–PX658234, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed close clustering of the isolates with reference M. enterolobii sequences.
  • Fertigation effects on productivity, soil nutrients and microbial population of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) plantation in the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India
    A Ravanachandar, G Vaidehi, K Prakash, B Gopu, M Sudhakaran
    Plant Science Today, 2025
    An experimental study was conducted to analyze the impact of fertigation with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizers on soil nutrients and microbial communities in a cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) plantation in the Western Ghats of Pollachi. The experiment followed a randomized block design with seven Fertigation treatments. Treatments included soil application (control) and twice-weekly applications of conventional fertilizers at 75 %, 100 % and 125 % of the recommended doses, along with equivalent water-soluble fertilizers (WSF). The experiment was replicated three times. With 125 % recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) applied as a water-soluble fertilizer by fertigation, the soil provided the highest levels of N, P and K throughout the year. Applying water-soluble fertilizer and conventional fertilizers through the drip system at lower levels (75 %) resulted in much higher values of soil microbial activity. Plants receiving 100 % RDF as water-soluble fertilizer through drip fertigation recorded the highest pod counts (31.74 and 25.97 in the first year; 32.41 and 26.18 in the second year) and maximum dry bean yields (1931.69 and 1501.84 g per tree) during the respective seasons. Compared with ring basin irrigation, drip irrigation reduced N, P and K fertilizers requirements for cocoa by up to 25 % of the recommended dose.
  • Clonal Propagation of Vernonia elaeagnifolia
    C. Kanimozhi, R. Angelin Silviya, B. Gopu
    Agricultural Science Digest, 2025
    As the inclusion of plants in architecture is increasing in the recent years, the need of finding the best propagation techniques for the plants that adds aesthetic value is also increasing. This study focusses on identifying the best diameter of softwood cutting for promoting the propagation of Vernonia which is called as the ‘Curtain Creeper.’ The present investigation was carried out at SRM Urban Farm Centre, SRM Institute of Science and Technology during the period of 2021-2022. The softwood cuttings of Vernonia with three different diameters as 1 to 1.5 cm, 2 to 2.5 cm and 3 to 3.5 cm were taken and propagated under controlled condition by adopting completely randomized design (CRD). In each treatment, ten observations were recorded for different plant growth parameters. Among the different softwood cuttings of Vernonia, the cuttings with 3 to 3.5 cm (T3) diameter recorded highest mean values of stem thickness, stem length, number of roots, root length and leaf branches.
  • Sustainable Urban Landscaping
    Regenerative Agriculture, 2024
  • Standardization of organic manures on growth of winter cherry (Withania somnifera)
    Suresh V, R. Kousalya, B. Gopu, J. Kabariel, A. Rajkumar
    Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology, 2023
    The field experiment was conducted at RVS Padmavathy College of Horticulture, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, in 2019. The Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) was used to plan the investigation and consists of two factors viz., factor I - soil application (S1 – farmyard manure at 25.0tonnes/hectare, S2 – vermicompost at 2.50 tonnes/hectare, S3 – VAM at 25.0kilogram/hectare and S4 – phosphobacteria at 2.0kilogram/ hectare) and factor II – (F1 – humic acid at 0.3 percentage and F2 – panchakavuya at 3 percent) constituting eight treatments. The interactions between soil and bio-stimulant application greatly influenced plant height, secondary branches, leaf length, leaf width, and stem girth. Among the treatments, S2F1 (vermicompost at 2.50 tonnes/hectare + humic acid at 0.3 per cent) observed the highest plant height (26.14cm and 40.67cm at 60 and 120 DAS, respectively), number of secondary branches (4.95), leaf length (7.50cm), leaf width (4.50cm) and stem girth (1.45cm).
  • Synergistic Effect of Leaf Count for Flower Induction in Mango cv. 'Himampasand'
    Agriculturae Conspectus Scientificus, 2023
  • Screening of tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) genotypes by inducing systemic resistance against early blight disease caused by Alternaria solani
    Rex B, Gopu B, Vinothini N, Prabhu S
    Journal of Applied and Natural Science, 2023
    Early blight of tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) incited by Alternaria solani is highly destructive disease in the world. Environmental factors significantly impact early blight epidemics, leading to the loss of up to 78 per cent of tomato production. Twenty tomato genotypes were used in this study to identify the early blight resistant and susceptible genotypes selected to represent a range of reactions when screened under field conditions. The tomato plants were evaluated for early blight disease by using Per cent Disease Index (PDI). Pusa Uphar (20.18%) and Sankaranti (20.18%) showed resistance to early blight disease among the twenty genotypes. Anaka Kerala (61.25%), Arka Vikas (61.76%), Pusa Rohini (53.65%), Ashoka (50.60%) and Paiyur1 (56.08%) genotypes were found highly susceptible based on early blight disease intensity. Spore inoculation of A. solani was sprayed into tomato plants, it was discovered that the number of defense-inducing compounds viz., total phenols, peroxidase (PO), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) has increased. Among the genotypes, Pusa Uphar (T2) and Sankaranti (T1) genotypes showed a high level of defense enzyme production. After tomato plants were exposed to pathogens through artificial inoculation, the activity of these defensive enzymes and compounds was highly induced in the resistant and sensitive germplasm than in the control.
  • Canopy management in mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Alphonso with reference to flowering, yield and quality characters under ultra high density planting
    Journal of Applied Horticulture, 2014

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Deciphering the Identity of the Root-knot Nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii Infecting Guava (Psidium guajava L.) Through Morphological and Molecular Tools.
    SS Lakshman, N Ashokkumar, S Rageshwari, B Gopu, S Dharani
    Indian Journal of Agricultural Research 60 (3), 416 , 2026
    2026
  • Biochemical Characterization using Multivariate Analysis in Fruits of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Cultivars in North Western Agroclimatic Zone of Tamil Nadu
    SK Jenito Samuel, V Gopi, B Gopu, R Sathya, M Rajasekar, P Vinoth
    Agricultural Science Digest, 1-6 , 2026
    2026
  • Deciphering the Identity of the Root-knot Nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii Infecting Guava (Psidium guajava L.) Through Morphological and Molecular Tools
    S Sarrvesh Lakshman, N Ashokkumar, S Rageshwari, B Gopu, S Dharani
    Indian Journal of Agricultural Research, 1-7 , 2026
    2026
  • Physiological and floral responses of mango (Mangifera indica) cv. Banganapalli to pre-flowering chemical treatments
    T Magizhnan, K Prakash, B Gopu, R Nagajothi
    Journal of Applied and Natural Science 17 (4), 1502 - 1508 , 2025
    2025
  • Sustainable approach to optimize flowering and yield in acid lime (Citrus aurantiifolia Cv. Balaji) using pre-harvest elicitors
    V Sathiyanarayanan, K Prakash, B Gopu, P Chandrasekaran
    Journal of Applied and Natural Science 17 (4), 1825 - 1829 , 2025
    2025
  • Fertigation effects on productivity, soil nutrients and microbial population of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) plantation in the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India
    A Ravanachandar, G Vaidehi, K Prakash, B Gopu, M Sudhakaran
    Plant Science Today 12 (sp4), 1-8 , 2025
    2025
  • BIOSTIMULANT APPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE FLOWER PRODUCTION OF JASMINE (Jasminum auriculatum L.)
    G Rajiv, M Kalaimani, J Jiji Allen, S Shakila, B Gopu
    Agricultural Research Journal 62 (1), 122-125 , 2025
    2025
  • Influence of Biochar Amended Media on Root Development and Microbial Dynamics in Guava Propagation
    S Nithiyasri, A Akino, B Gopu, A Kaliyaperumal
    Biological Forum an International Journal 17 (8), 80-85 , 2025
    2025
  • Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Growth Performance of Ratoon Banana (Musa spp.) cv. Poovan
    P Sangeetha, V Deepika, B Gopu
    Journal of Biology and Nature 17 (2), 287-293 , 2025
    2025
  • Role of pre-harvest elicitors in modifying yield and quality parameters of acid lime cv. Balaji under hasta bahar conditions
    V Sathiyanarayanan, K Prakash, B Gopu, P Chandrasekaran
    International Journal of Plant & Soil Science 37 (8), 362-372 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 1
  • Assessment of Yield Contributing Traits Using Correlation Coefficient Analysis in Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Cultivars from Southern India
    SK Jenito Samuel, V Gopi, B Gopu, R Sathya
    International Journal of Plant & Soil Science 37 (8), 348-353 , 2025
    2025
  • Impact of Pre-harvest Fruit Bagging on Physical and Organoleptic Qualities of Guava var. Lucknow 49 under Ultra High Density Planting
    J Reshma, B Gopu, A Akino, S Mohanasundaram
    Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology 28 (8), 130-138 , 2025
    2025
  • Impact of Post-harvest Chemical Dipping Treatments on Quality Parameters of Banana (Musa spp.) cv. Poovan (AAB)
    PS Harish, V Gopi, B Gopu, A Akino
    International Journal of Plant & Soil Science 37 (8), 220-227 , 2025
    2025
  • Clonal Propagation of Vernonia elaeagnifolia
    C Kanimozhi, R Angelin Silviya, B Gopu
    Agricultural Science Digest 45 (3), 555-558 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 1
  • Optimization of Phenological Stages and Growth of Guava cv. Taiwan Pink through Organic Amendments and Bioinoculants
    K Manojkumar, A Akino, B Gopu, R Angelin Silviya
    Biological Forum an International Journal 17 (7), 142-147 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 2
  • Integrated application of organic manures and rhizosphere bioinoculants enhances yield in white fleshed dragon fruit (Selenicereus undatus)
    A Bojan, B Gopu, V Gopi, R Angelin Silviya
    International Journal of Horticulture and Food Science 7 (8), 35-39 , 2025
    2025
  • Liquorice: A Brief Overview of Its Nutritional Profile
    G Rajiv, JJ Allen, K Elango, S Shakila, B Gopu, RK Jegadeeskanth, ...
    Liquorice, 1-10 , 2025
    2025
  • Exploring the impact of different rooting media on the growth and development of protray grown papaya (Carica papaya L.) var. Red Lady
    RS Hariwinsrimedha, B Gopu, A Akinod, S Rageshwari, S Shanmugam
    International Journal of Agriculture and Food Science 7 (7), 319-322 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 1
  • Effect of pre-flowering chemicals spray on flowering, yield and quality attributes in Mangifera indica L.
    T Magizhnan, K Prakash, B Gopu, R Nagajothi
    Journal of Innovative Agriculture 11 (4), 8-18 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 2
  • Synergistic Effects of Kojic Acid and Calcium Lactate on the Fruit Quality of Banana (Musa spp.) cv. Poovan (AAB)
    S Sandeep, B Gopu, A Akino, R Nagajothi
    Biological Forum – An International Journal 16 (12), 159-163 , 2024
    2024

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Canopy management in mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Alphonso with reference to flowering, yield and quality characters under ultra high density planting
    B Gopu, TN Balamohan, P Soman, P Jeyakumar
    Journal of Applied Horticulture 16 (1), 50-53 , 2014
    2014
    Citations: 36
  • Effect of growth retardants on yield and yield contributing characters in mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Alphonso under ultra high density plantation
    B Gopu, TN Balamohan, V Swaminathan, P Jeyacumar, P Soman
    Int. J. Curr. Microbiol. Appl. Sci 6, 3865-3873 , 2017
    2017
    Citations: 15
  • Canopy management in mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Alphonso under high density planting system
    TN Balamohan, B Gopu
    National conference on value chain management in mango, 29-37 , 2014
    2014
    Citations: 11
  • Screening of tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) genotypes by inducing systemic resistance against early blight disease caused by Alternaria solani
    B Rex, B Gopu, N Vinothini, S Prabhu
    Journal of Applied and Natural Science 15 (1), 100 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 7
  • Crop regulation using chemicals for flowering and fruit set in mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Alphonso under ultra high density planting
    B Gopu, TN Balamohan
    Trends in Biosciences 8 (2), 436-441 , 2015
    2015
    Citations: 4
  • Canopy management studies in mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv
    B Gopu
    Alphonso under ultra high density planting. M. Sc (Hort.) thesis submitted … , 2011
    2011
    Citations: 4
  • Canopy Management In Sapota (Achras sapota L.)
    B Gopu, TN Balamohan
    Global Journal For Research Analysis (GJRA) 4 (VII), 52-53 , 2015
    2015
    Citations: 3
  • Effect of pruning intensities on chlorophyll and flowering characters in mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Alphonso under ultra high density planting.
    B Gopu, TN Balamohan, P Soman, P Jeyakumar
    Madras Agricultural Journal 100, 214-218 , 2013
    2013
    Citations: 3
  • Optimization of Phenological Stages and Growth of Guava cv. Taiwan Pink through Organic Amendments and Bioinoculants
    K Manojkumar, A Akino, B Gopu, R Angelin Silviya
    Biological Forum an International Journal 17 (7), 142-147 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 2
  • Effect of pre-flowering chemicals spray on flowering, yield and quality attributes in Mangifera indica L.
    T Magizhnan, K Prakash, B Gopu, R Nagajothi
    Journal of Innovative Agriculture 11 (4), 8-18 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 2
  • Urban Gardening For The Pandemic
    C Kanimozhi, B Gopu, TM Thiyagarajan
    AgroScience Today 1 (1), 0017-0020 , 2020
    2020
    Citations: 2
  • Canopy Management in Mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Alphonso with reference to Growth and Physiological Characters under Ultra High Density Planting
    B Gopu, TN Balamohan, P Soman, P Jeyakumar
    Madras Agricultural Journal 101 (oct-dec), 1 , 2013
    2013
    Citations: 2
  • Role of pre-harvest elicitors in modifying yield and quality parameters of acid lime cv. Balaji under hasta bahar conditions
    V Sathiyanarayanan, K Prakash, B Gopu, P Chandrasekaran
    International Journal of Plant & Soil Science 37 (8), 362-372 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 1
  • Clonal Propagation of Vernonia elaeagnifolia
    C Kanimozhi, R Angelin Silviya, B Gopu
    Agricultural Science Digest 45 (3), 555-558 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 1
  • Exploring the impact of different rooting media on the growth and development of protray grown papaya (Carica papaya L.) var. Red Lady
    RS Hariwinsrimedha, B Gopu, A Akinod, S Rageshwari, S Shanmugam
    International Journal of Agriculture and Food Science 7 (7), 319-322 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 1
  • Evaluating the Efficacy of Macropropagation Techniques for Red Banana (Musa acuminata) Using Biocontrol Agents
    J Harish, S Anandhi, S Rageshwari, N Ashokkumar, B Gopu
    Journal of Experimental Agriculture International 46 (10), 782-793 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 1
  • Standardization of organic manures on growth of winter cherry (Withania somnifera)
    V Suresh, R Kousalya, B Gopu, J Kabariel, A Rajkumar
    Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology 16 (12), 5593-6 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 1
  • Standardization of Growing Media for Palak (Beta vulgaris var. bengalensis) var. Arka Anupama under Shade Net Conditions
    B Gopu, P Mathankumar, R Kumaresh, C Kanimozhi
    2022
    Citations: 1
  • Effect of Uniconazole, Paclobutrazol and Ethephon on Flowering and Fruit Set in Mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Himampasand under Ultra High Density Planting
    B Gopu, TN Balamohan
    Trends in Biosciences , 2015
    2015
    Citations: 1
  • Deciphering the Identity of the Root-knot Nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii Infecting Guava (Psidium guajava L.) Through Morphological and Molecular Tools.
    SS Lakshman, N Ashokkumar, S Rageshwari, B Gopu, S Dharani
    Indian Journal of Agricultural Research 60 (3), 416 , 2026
    2026