Shivani_Kathi

Shivani Kathi, Ph.D. Student and TA

skathi@ttu.edu 

 Shivani Kathi is from Hyderabad, India. She pursued her Bachelor's in General Agriculture from P.J.T.S. Agricultural University, Rajendranagar. After that, she moved to United States, to further her education and explore more in-depth research opportunities. In 2018, she graduated from Texas A&M University-Kingsville with a master's degree in Plant and Soil Science. During her time as a graduate student, she did research on super-absorbent polymers which could be a way to improve plant growth during drought stress. Her research interests include reducing production costs and optimizing plant establishment through cultural and stress management practices and to evaluate the sustainable practices that are affordable and practical for the horticultural industry.

Publications

Kathi, S.**, Umphres-Lopez, A., Simpson, C.R., and Schuster, G. 2021. Superabsorbent polymers improve water retention, reduce nitrate leaching, and result in improved tomato growth and development. HortScience. 56 (12).  https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI16089-21  

Kathi, S.**, Singh, S., Laza, H., Thompson, L., Li, W., and Simpson, C.R.^ 2022. Increasing Vitamin C through agronomic biofortification of arugula microgreens. Scientific Reports. 2022, 12:13093 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-17030-4  

Presentations

Kathi, S., Simpson, C., Umphres, A., Schuster, G. Incorporation of corn-starch-based polymer reduces leaching and improves tomato production, Lone Star Hort Forum, January 10-12, 2022.

Kathi, S.R., Poudyal, S. and Simpson, C. Evaluating the efficacy of different bioreactor systems for removal of nitrate in runoff water. American Society of Horticultural Sciences annual meeting. Denver, CO. August 5-9, 2021.

Kathi, S., Umphres-Lopez, A., Simpson, C. and Schuster, G. Impacts of different rates of superabsorbent polymer (SAP) on leachate, nitrogen, and growth of tomatoes. American Society of Horticultural Sciences annual meeting, Virtual Conference. August 9-13, 2020.

Kathi, S., Anoruo, A., Simpson, C., Umphres, A., Nelson, S., & Schuster, G. Effect of different doses of Super-Absorbent Polymer (SAP) on Water and Nitrogen Retention in Soil, and on the Growth and Development of Tomato and Determination of Optimal Rate of SAP, 73rd Annual meeting of the Subtropical Agriculture and Environments Society Meeting, February 8, 2019.