Agricultural Systems Research Unit Site Logo
ARS Home About Us Helptop nav spacerContact Us En Espanoltop nav spacer
Printable VersionPrintable Version     E-mail this pageE-mail this page
Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture
Search
  Advanced Search
Administration & Location Support Staff
Agricultural Systems Unit Scientists & Technicians
Pest Management Unit Scientists & Technicians
NPARL Organizational Chart
 
You are here: People & Places /

Upendra M. Sainju

Research Soil Scientist

 

Upendra Sainju.Upendra M. Sainju

 
Phone: 406.433.9408
Fax: 406.433.5038
  


 
• Education • Current Research • Research Experience • Accomplishments • Publications • Other Publications • 

 

 

 

 

Additional Pages: Research Projects,* Publications*

*Taken from the Agricultural Research Information System (ARIS) database.
 
 
 
 
EDUCATION

 
B.S. Agriculture 1973 University of Udaipur, Udajpur, Rajasthan, India
M.S. Soil Science 1982 University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Ph. D. Soil Science 1989 University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY


 
CURRENT RESEARCH

 

1973-1980

Assistant Soil Scientist and Agronomist, Dept. of Agriculture, Kathmandu, Nepal

1980-1982

Graduate Research Assistant, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

1983-1986

Visiting Professor, Institute of Forestry, Tribhuvan University, Hatauda, Nepal

1986-1989

Graduate Research Assistant, Forestry Dept., University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

1989-1990

Research Associate, Agronomy Dept., University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

1990-1991

Postdoctoral Associate, Center for Coastal and Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, NJ

1991-1995

Postdoctoral Associate, Crop and Soil Sciences Dept., Washington State University Research and Extension Center, Puyallup, WA

1995-2004

Research Associate, Agricultural Research Station, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA

2004-Present

Research Agronomist, USDA, ARS Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory

 

 

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

 

Dr. Sainju is currently working on the effects of tillage, crop rotation, crop diversity, cropping intensity, and cultural practices on soil aggregation, organic matter concentration, microbial activities, nitrogen mineralization, and carbon and nitrogen sequestration in dryland areas. He is also engaged in studying the effects of irrigation management, nitrogen fertilization rates, and cultural practices in nitrate-nitrogen movement in soil that affects water quality, soil organic matter level, and nitrogen mineralization in irrigated land. He is also involved in the development of methodology for determination of soil aggregation for dryland and irrigated areas and extraction method for determining ammonium and nitrate-nitrogen concentrations in the soils of various textures amended with or without plant residue.


 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

 

Dr. Sainju has conducted research on soil and crop management practices, crop nutrition, soil fertility, soil biochemistry, and rhizosphere dynamics for efficient nitrogen uptake and reduced nitrogen leaching, carbon and nitrogen sequestration, improved soil and water qualities, and sustainable crop production. His areas of expertise include soil carbon and nitrogen cycling, nitrogen management, fertilizer use, soil organic matter and biochemical properties, root growth, nutrient uptake, and crop production. During his eight years of working on the long-term effects of tillage, cover crops, and nitrogen fertilization on crop production, carbon sequestration in plant and soil, soil nitrogen fertility, microbial activities, and nitrogen leaching at Fort Valley State University, he developed a management practice consisting of conservation tillage, cover cropping, and nitrogen rate that sustains crop production, improves soil and water qualities, and reduces the rate of nitrogen fertilization as compared with the conventional practice. He has authored and co-authored 30 research and Extension publications on soil organic matter dynamics, nitrogen management, root growth, waste management, and crop production.


 

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS: (for the past 10 years)
Please note: The most recent publications by this scientist may not yet be listed here. Please check the ARIS "Publications" page for possible new titles.

  • Sainju, U.M., Jabro, J.D., Stevens, W.B. 2008. Soil carbon dioxide emission and carbon sequestration as influenced by irrigation, tillage, cropping system, and nitrogen fertilization. Journal of Environmental Quality. 37:98-106.
  • Sainju, U.M., Schomberg, H.H., Singh, B.P., Whitehead, W.F., Tillman, P.G., Lachnicht Weyers, S.L. 2007. Cover crop effect on soil carbon fractions under conservation tillage cotton. Soil and Tillage Research. 96(2):205–218. (PDF)

  • Sainju, U.M., Lenssen, A.W., Caesar, T., Waddell, J.T. 2007. Dryland plant biomass and soil carbon and nitrogen pools as influenced by tillage and crop rotation. Soil and Tillage Research. 93:452-461.

  • Sainju, U.M., Singh, B.P., Whitehead, W.F., Wang, S. 2007. Accumulation and crop uptake of soil mineral nitrogen as influemced by tillage, cover crops, and nitrogen fertilization. Agronomy Journal. 99:682-691.

  • Sainju, U.M., Caesar, T., Lenssen, A.W., Evans, R.G., Kolberg, R.L. 2007. Long-term tillage frequency and cropping intensity effects on dryland residue and soil carbon fractions. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 71(6):1730-1739. (PDF)

  • Caesar, T., Caesar, A.J., Gaskin, J.F., Sainju, U.M., Busscher, W.J. 2007. Taxonomic diversity of predominant culturable bacteria associated with microaggregates from two different agroecosystems and their ability to aggregate soil in vitro. Applied Soil Ecology. 36(1):10–21.

  • Sainju, U.M., Singh, B.D., Whitehead, W.F., Wang, S. 2006. Carbon Supply and Storage in Tilled and Non-Tilled Soils as Influenced by Cover Crops and Nitrogen Fertilization. Journal of Environmental Quality 35:1507-1517. (PDF)

  • Sainju, U.M., Whitehead, W.F., Singh, B.P., Wang, S. 2006. Tillage, cover crops, and nitrogen fertilization effects on soil nitrogen and cotton and sorghum yields. European Journal of Agronomy. 25:372-382. (PDF)

  • Sainju, U.M. 2006. Carbon and nitrogen pools in soil aggregates separated by dry and wet sieving methods. Soil Science. 171(12):937-949. (PDF)

  • Sainju, U.M., Jabro, J.D., Stevens, W.B. 2006. Soil carbon dioxide emission as influenced by irrigation, tillage, cropping system, and nitrogen fertilization. Workshop on Agricultural Air Quality. pp. 1086-1098. (PDF)

  • Sainju, U.M. 2006. Cover crops for sustaining vegetable production, improving soil and water qualities, and controlling weeds and pests. In R. Dris (ed.) Vegetables: Growing environment and mineral nutrition” W.F.L. Publishers. Helsinki, Finland. p. 281-296.  (PDF)

  • Sainju, U.M. and Dris, R. 2006. Sustainable production of tomato. In R. Dris (ed.) “Crops: Growth, quality, and biotechnology”, WFL Publishers, Helsinki, Finland.

    p. 190-216. (PDF)

  • Sainju, U.M., Lenssen, A., Caesar-TonThat, T., and Waddell, J. 2006. Tillage and crop rotation effects on dryland soil and residue carbon and nitrogen. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 70:668-678. (PDF)

  • Sainju, U.M., Terrill, T.H., Gelaye, S., and Singh, B.P. 2006. Soil carbon and nitrogen pools under long-term productivity of rhizoma peanut and perennial weeds management systems. Agronomy and Soil Science. 52(1):45-59. (PDF)

  • Sainju, U.M., Lenssen, A.W., Caesar, T., and Waddell, J.T. 2006. Carbon Sequestration in Dryland Soils and Plant Residue as Influenced by Tillage and Crop Rotation. Journal of Environmental Quality. 35:1341-1347. (PDF)

  • Sainju, U., Lenssen, A., Evans, R., Caesar, T., and Waddell, J. 2005. Tillage, Crop Rotations, and Cultural Practices Effects on Dryland Soil and Crop Residue Carbon and Nitrogen. Abstract, International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture for Food, Energy and Industry.

  • Schomberg, H.H., Tillman, P.G., Lachnicht Weyers, S.L., Timper, P., Olson, D.M., Sainju, U.M., Phatak, S., Whitehead, W., Singh, B. 2005. Multidisciplinary Approach to Enhancing Sustainability in Cotton Production in the Southeastern Usa [abstract]. the Asa-Cssa-Sssa International Annual Meetings, November 6-10, 2005, Salt Lake City, Utah. Cdrom.

  • Sainju, U.M., Whitehead, W.F., Singh, B.P. 2005. Biculture Cover Crops for Enhanced Biomass Yield and Carbon and Nitrogen. Agronomy Journal. 97:1403-1412. (PDF)

  • Sainju, U.M., Singh, B.P., Whitehead, W.F. 2005. Tillage, Cover Crops, and Nitrogen Fertilization Effects on Cotton and Sorghum Root Biomass, Carbon, and Nitrogen. Agronomy Journal. 97:1279-1290. (PDF)

  • Schomberg, H.H., Tillman, G., Timper, P., Lachnicht Weyers, S.L., Olson, D.M., Sainju, U.M., Phatak, S., Lamb, M.C., Whitehead, W., Utley, S. 2005. Enhancing Sustainability in Cotton Production Through Reduced Chemical Inputs, Cover Crops, and Conservation Tillage. Final Project Report Lso1-121 to the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (Sare) Program.

  • Sainju, U.M., Whitehead, W.F., Singh, B.P. 2005. Carbon Accumulation in Cotton and Sorghum As Influenced by Tillage, Cover Crops, and Nitrogen Fertilization. Plant and Soil Journal. 273(1-2):219-234.

  • Caesar, T., Caesar, A., and Sainju, U. 2004. Isolation, Identification, and Characterization of Soil Aggregating Bacteria in Soil Microaggregates. Abstract, American Society of Agronomy Meetings.

  • Sainju, U.M., Whitehead, W.F., Singh, B.P. 2004. Tillage, Cover Crops, and Nitrogen Fertilization Effects on Cotton and Sorghum Yields and Nitrogen Uptake[abstract]. American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of America. Paper No. 3396.

  • Sainju, U.M., Terrill, T.H., Gelaye, S., Singh, B.P. 2004. Seasonal Variation in Rhizoma Peanut and Perennial Weeds Biomass and Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Pools [abstract]. American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of America. Paper No. 3397.

  • Sainju, U.M., Whitehead, W.F., and Singh, B.P. 2003. Agricultural management practices to sustain crop yields and improve soil and environmental qualities. The Science World Journal 3:768-789.

  • Sainju, U.M., Dris, R., and Singh, B.P. 2003. Mineral nutrition of tomato. Journal of Food, Agriculture, and Environment. 1:176-183.

  • Sainju, U.M., Whitehead, W.F., and Singh, B.P. 2003. Cover crops and nitrogen fertilization effects on soil aggregation and carbon and nitrogen pools. Canadian Journal of Soil Science 83:155-165.

  • Sainju, U.M., Terrill, T.H., Gelaye, S., and Singh, B.P. 2003. Soil aggregation and carbon and nitrogen pools under rhizoma peanut and perennial weeds. Soil Science Society of America Journal 67:146-155.

  • Sainju, U.M., Singh, B.P., and Whitehead, W.F. 2002. Long-term effects of tillage, cover crops, and nitrogen fertilization on soil organic carbon and nitrogen concentrations in sandy loam soils in Georgia, USA. Soil and Tillage Research 63:167-179.

  • Sainju, U.M., Singh, B.P., and Yaffa, S. 2002. Soil organic matter and tomato yield following tillage, cover cropping, and nitrogen fertilization. Agronomy Journal 94:594-602.

  • Sainju, U.M., and Singh, B.P. 2001. Tillage, cover crop, and kill-planting date effects on corn yield and soil nitrogen. Agronomy Journal 93:878-886.

  • Sainju, U.M., Singh, B.P., and Whitehead, W.F. 2001. Comparison of the effects of cover crops and nitrogen fertilization on tomato yield, root growth, and soil properties. Scientia Horticulturae 91:201-214.

  • Sainju, U.M., Rahman, S., and Singh, B.P. 2001. Evaluating hairy vetch residue as nitrogen fertilizer for tomato in soilless medium. HortScience 36:90-93.

  • Sainju, U.M., Singh, B.P., and Whitehead, W.F. 2000. Cover crops and nitrogen fertilization effects on soil carbon and nitrogen and tomato yield. Canadian Journal of Soil Science 80:523-532.

  • Yaffa, S., Sainju, U.M., Singh, B.P., and Reddy, K.C. 2000. Fresh market tomato yield and oil nitrogen as affected by tillage, cover cropping, and nitrogen fertilization. HortScience 5: 1258-1262.

  • Sainju, U.M., Singh, B.P., Rahman, S., and Reddy, V.R. 2000. Tillage, cover cropping, and nitrogen fertilization influence tomato yield and nitrogen uptake. HortScience 35:217-221.

  • Sainju, U.M., Singh, B.P., Rahman, S., and Reddy, V.R. 2000. Tomato root growth is influenced by tillage, cover cropping, and nitrogen fertilization. HortScience 35:78-82.

  • Sainju, U.M., Singh, B.P., Rahman, S., and Reddy, V.R. 1999. Soil nitrate-nitrogen under tomato following tillage, cover cropping, and nitrogen fertilization. Journal of Environmental Quality 28:1837-1844.

  • Sainju, U.M., Singh, B.P., and Yaffa, S. 1999. Tomato yield and soil quality as influenced by tillage, cover cropping, and nitrogen fertilization. p. 104-113. In. J.E. Hook (ed.). Proceeding 22nd Annual Southern Conservation Tillage Conference for Sustainable Agriculture. 6-8 July 1999. Tifton, GA. Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station Special Publication 95. Athens, GA.

  • Singh, B.P., and Sainju, U.M. 1998. Role of winter legume cover and conservation tillage in sustainable tomato production. p. 730-736. In N. El Bassam, R.K. Behl, and P. Prochhow.(ed.) Sustainable Agriculture  for Food, Energy, and Industry. 22-28 June 1998. Braunschweig, Germany.

  • Sainju, U.M., Singh, B.P., and Whitehead, W.F. 1998. Cover crop root distribution and its effects on soil nitrogen cycling. Agronomy Journal 90:511-518.

  • Singh, B.P., and Sainju, U.M. 1998. Soil physical and morphological properties and root growth. HortScience 33:966-971.

  • Kuo, S., and Sainju, U.M. 1998. Nitrogen mineralization and availability of mixed leguminous and non-leguminous cover crop residues in soil. Biology and Fertility of Soils 26:346-353.

  • Sainju, U.M. and Singh, B.P. 1997. Winter cover crops for sustainable agricultural systems: Influence on soil properties, water quality, and crop yields. HortScience 32:21-28.

  • Kuo, S., Sainju, U.M., and Jellum, E.J. 1997a. Winter cover cropping influence on nitrogen in soil. Soil Science Society of America Journal 61:1392-1399.

  • Kuo. S., Sainju, U.M., and Jellum, E.J. 1997b. Winter cover crop effects on organic carbon and carbohydrate in soil. Soil Science Society of America Journal 61:145-152.

 OTHER PUBLICATIONS (for the past 10 years)

  • Sainju, U.M. 2008. Tillage, cropping sequence, and nitrogen fertilization effects on dryland soil nitrogen and malt barley yield. Proc. 2008 Great Plains Soil Fertility Conference. March 4-5, 2008. Denver, Co.
  • Sainju, U.M. 2007. Carbon and nitrogen storage in dryland soil aggregates as influenced by long-term tillage and cropping system. p. 88-89. In: A. Chabbi (ed.) Proc. International Symposium on Organic Matter Dynamics in Agro-Ecosystems. July 16-19, 2007. Poitiers, France.
  • Sainju, U.M., Z.N. Senwo, E.Z. Nyakatawa, I.A. Tazisong, and K.C. Reddy. 2007. Tillage, cropping system, and nitrogen fertilizer source effects on soil carbon and nitrogen sequestration. p. 446-447. In: A. Chabbi (ed.) Proc. International Symposium on Organic Matter Dynamics in Agro-Ecosystems. July 16-19, 2007. Poitiers, France.
  • Caesar-TonThat, TC., Caesar, A.J., Gaskin, U.M Sainju, W.B. Stevens. 2007. Ecology and Function of Culturable Microbes in Soil Aggregation. p. In Tian-Xiao Liu (ed). Soil Ecology Research Developments. Nova Publishers.
  • Sainju, U.M., Z.N. Senwo, E.M. Nyakatawa, I.A. Tazisong, and K.C. Reddy. 2007. Soil carbon and nitrogen pools as influenced by tillage, cover crop, poultry manure, and nitrogen fertilization. Final Project Report to Alabama A & M University (58-5436-6-410).
  • Engel, R., and U.M. Sainju. 2007. Fertilizer induced losses of nitrous oxide gas from Montana dryland cropping systems. Fertilizer Advisory Committee Progress Report – 2006. Montana State University, Bozeman, MT.
  • Sainju, U.M. 2006. Cover crops for sustaining vegetable production, improving soil and waterqualities, and controlling weeds and pests. p. 281-296. In R. Dris (ed.) Vegetables: Growing environment and mineral nutrition” W.F.L. Publishers. Helsinki, Finland. Submitted May 12, 2005. Accepted on October 3, 2005. Published March 27, 2006.
  • Sainju, U.M. and R. Dris 2006. Sustainable production of tomato. p. 190-216. In R. Dris (ed.) “Crops: Growth, quality, and biotechnology”, WFL Publishers, Helsinki, Finland. Date of submission: May 5, 2005; date of acceptance: December 12, 2005; and date of publication: March 28, 2006.
  • Singh, B.P., M. Bader, D.M.G Granberry, W.T. Kelley, G. Boyham, U.M. Sainju, S. Phatak, P.E. Sumner, M.J. Bader, T.M. Webster, A.S Culpepper, D.G. Riley, D.B. Langston, and G.G. Fonsak. 2006. Sustainable vegetable production. p. 1-38. In. R. Dris (ed.). Vegetables: Growing environment and mineral nutrition. W.F.L. Publishers. Submitted May 12, 2005. Accepted on October 3, 2005. Published March 27, 2006.
  • Sainju, U.M., J.D. Jabro, and W.B. Stevens 2006. Soil carbon dioxide emissions as influenced by irrigation, tillage, cropping system, and nitrogen fertilization. p. 1086-1098. In: V.P. Aneja et al. (eds.) Workshop on Agricultural Air Quality: State of Science. June 5-8, 2006. Potomac, MD. http://ncsu.edu/airworkshop Submitted: January 25, 2006. Accepted March 31, 2006. Published: June 5, 2006.
  • Sainju, U.M., R.G. Evans, and W.M. Iversen. 2006. Irrigation system effects on soil carbon and nitrogen under sugarbeet and barley in Northern Great Plains. p. 286-291. In A. Schlegel (ed.) Proceedings of the 2006 Great Plains Soil Fertility Conference. March 7-8, 2006. Denver, CO. Submitted on December 19, 2005. Accepted on March 7, 2006. Published on March 7, 2006.
  • Follett, R., J. Johnson, T. Parkin, U.M. Sainju, and others. 2006. GRACEnet (Grrenhouse Gas Reduction through Agricultural Carbon Enhancement network): An assessment of soil carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas mitigation by agricultural management. Mode Code: 5402-11120-NEW-00L Northern Plains Area. USDA-ARS, Fort Collins, CO.
  • Singh, B.P., U.M. Sainju, D. Lee, and W.F. Whitehead. 2005. Effect of tillage methods and cover crops on the properties of cultivated soils. P. 1-8. In: International Agricultural Engineering Conference. 6-9 December 2005. Bangkok, Thailand.
  • Schomberg, H.H., P.G. Tillman, P. Timper, S. Lachnight-Weyers, D.M. Olson, U.M. Sainju, S. Phatak, C.M. Lamb, W. Whitehead, and S. Utley. 2005. Enhancing sustainability in cotton production through reduced chemical inputs, cover crops, and conservation tillage. Final project report LS01-121 to eastern SARE program. http://www.sare.org/reporting/report_viewer.asp?pn=LS01-121&ry=2004&rf=1
  • Terrell, T.H., U.M. Sainju, S. Gelaye, and B.P. Singh. 2000. Long-term productivity of rhizoma peanut and alfalfa in central Georgia. p. 260-264. Proceeding 2000 Forage and Grassland Conference. 16-19 July 2000. Madison, WI.
  • Sainju, U.M., B.P. Singh, and S. Yaffa. 1999. Tomato yield and soil quality as influenced by tillage, cover cropping, and nitrogen fertilization. p. 104-113. In. J.E. Hook (ed.). Proceeding 22nd Annual Southern Conservation Tillage Conference for Sustainable Agriculture. 6-8 July 1999. Tifton, GA. Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station Special Publication 95. Athens, GA.
  • Singh, B.P., and U.M. Sainju. 1998. Role of winter legume cover and conservation tillage in sustainable tomato production. p. 730-736. In N. El Bassam, R.K. Behl, and P. Prochhow.(ed.) Sustainable Agriculture for Food, Energy, and Industry. 22-28 June 1998. Braunschweig, Germany.

 Back to Top 

     
Last Modified: 05/05/2008
ARS Home | USDA.gov | Site Map | Policies and Links 
FOIA | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Nondiscrimination Statement | Information Quality | USA.gov | White House