Sukhbir Singh, an assistant professor of vegetable production systems within Texas Tech University's Department of Plant & Soil Science, is set to receive a national Crop Science Society of America Early Career Award, university officials announced today. The honor will be presented at the organization's annual awards luncheon on Monday (Oct. 30) in St Louis, Missouri.

The CSSA award recognizes individuals who have made an outstanding contribution in crop science within seven years of completing their final degree. The honoree receives a certificate and $2,000.

Singh's collaborative research broadly centers on developing and implementing environmentally safe production techniques to optimize profitability and sustainability of high-value specialty crops and alternative crops. He has authored 40 peer-reviewed publications and 65 abstracts in various conference proceedings. 

In the past his work has focused on several aspects of organic and conventional vegetable production in several production systems such as open field, greenhouse and high tunnel. His specific focus is on sensor-based irrigation management; nutrient management; biotic and abiotic stresses physiology; disease and pest control; cropping systems, and soil fertility management.

Prior to joining the Tech faculty in 2016, Singh worked as a graduate research assistant at New Mexico State University's Department of Plant & Environmental Sciences, and a research associate in the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (New Delhi) National Professor Project at Punjab Agricultural University.

Singh received his bachelor's degree and master's degree in agronomy from Punjab Agricultural University (Ludhiana, India). He also received a master's degree in plant and environmental sciences from New Mexico State University. His doctorate in plant and environmental sciences is from New Mexico State University. He is an active member of Crop Science Society of America, American Society of Agronomy, and the American Society for Horticultural Science.

CONTACT: Glen Ritchie, Chair, Department of Plant & Soil Science, College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-4325 or glen.ritchie@ttu.edu

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