Research Laboratory

Climate-resilient Agronomy Lab

Decoding crop resilience for a changing climate

The Climate-resilient Agronomy Lab at Patuakhali Science and Technology University investigates how staple crops such as rice and cotton survive submergence, drought, and coastal salinity. By decoding the ERF SUB1A-1 signaling axis and silicon-nanoparticle cross-talk, the lab translates molecular physiology into field-ready interventions that protect food security across Bangladesh's vulnerable coastal belt.

Explore Research Meet the PI

Climate-resilient Agronomy Lab facility 1

Climate-resilient Agronomy Lab facility 2

Climate-resilient Agronomy Lab facility 3

Climate-resilient Agronomy Lab facility 4

PSTU · Coastal Bangladesh

Dr. Gopal Saha, Ph.D.

Professor · Department of Agronomy, Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU)

Dr. Gopal Saha is a distinguished Professor in the Department of Agronomy at Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU), directing the Climate-resilient Agronomy Lab. Former Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Wageningen University and Research (WUR), Netherlands, and Ph.D. from Sunchon National University, South Korea, Dr. Saha focuses on decoding the ERF SUB1A-1 signaling axis, silicon-nanoparticle cross-talk, and physiological adaptation pathways in rice and cotton under climate extreme submergence, drought, and coastal salinity.

Dr. Gopal Saha, Ph.D. - Principal Investigator

Prof. Dr. Gopal Saha

Principal Investigator · CRA Lab

Teaching Overview

Undergraduate Courses

AGR 211Seed Science and Technology
AGR 221Weed Science
AGR 411Environmental Science and Crop Production
AGR 421Farms and Farming

Master's Courses

Agronomy

AGR 6102Stress Agronomy
AGR 6108Microclimate
AGR 6209Environmental Agronomy

Climate-Smart Agriculture

CSA 6103Crop Modeling
CSA 6202Stress Management for CSA

Areas of Research

Decoding
plant survival
under coastal
climate
extremes

At the Climate-resilient Agronomy Lab, PSTU, we trace how a rice or cotton plant senses submergence, salinity, drought, and heat - from an ERF transcription factor switching on inside the nucleus to a silicon-amended field plot standing through a tidal surge at Dumki. Four pillars, one bench-to-field pipeline.

Plant Stress Physiology

Pillar

Nutrient Management in Crop Plants

Pillar

Biochar Technology

Pillar

Climate-Smart Agriculture

Pillar

Funded Projects & Grants

A concise view of the lab's highest-priority funded work, showing what is ongoing and what has been completed.

No funded projects to display.

People

Research Team

Graduate researchers, contributors and alumni of the Climate-resilient Agronomy Lab at PSTU.

CurrentPatuakhali Science and Technology University

Sree Chiranjit Samaddar

M.S. Research Scholar

M.S. Candidate

Research Interest: Abiotic stress (salinity, drought, waterlogging, submergence, and temperature) effects on crop physiology, adaptation, and management.

chiranjitsamaddar43@gmail.comEmail

CurrentPatuakhali Science and Technology University

Mitu Datta

M.S. Research Scholar

M.S. Candidate

Research Interest: Crop stress physiology, climate-resilient agriculture, and crop improvement for sustainable food production.

mitudatta.pstu@gmail.comEmail

CurrentPatuakhali Science and Technology University

Karabi Padma Saha

M.S. Research Scholar

M.S. Candidate

Research Interest: Plant Stress Physiology and Adaptation, with a focus on anaerobic germination (AG) and submergence tolerance mechanisms in rice.

karabi7957@gmail.comEmail

CurrentPatuakhali Science and Technology University

Aditi Das Tule

M.S. Research Scholar

M.S. Candidate

Research Interest: Plant stress physiology and climate-resilient agronomy

aditidastuli@gmail.comEmail

CurrentPatuakhali Science and Technology University

Rahul Roy

M.S. Research Scholar

M.S. Candidate

Research Interest: Sustainable agriculture and climate-smart farming systems.

rahulroy4641@gmail.comEmail

CollaboratorPatuakhali Science and Technology University

Rahul Sadhu Prince

Contributor

Research Interest: Plant stress tolerance and biofortification research.

sadhurahul581@gmail.comEmail

AlumniPatuakhali Science and Technology University

Hridoy Chandra Dey

M.S. Alumni

M.S. in Agronomy

Research Interest: Abiotic stress (salinity, drought, waterlogging, submergence, temperature); silicon transporter gene characterization in cotton heat stress; genome-wide and gene expression profiling.

hridoydey879@gmail.comEmail

AlumniPatuakhali Science and Technology University

Md. Faridul Islam

M.S. Graduate Alumni

M.S. in Agronomy

Research Interest: Molecular genetics and crop stress tolerance research.

agrfarid@gmail.comEmail

Join Our Research Group at PSTU

We welcome motivated M.S. and Ph.D. scholars interested in plant molecular genetics, abiotic stress physiology, silicon biology, and climate-smart agriculture.

Prospective Student Inquiry

Outreach & Engagement

Beyond the Bench - Connecting Science with Society

Knowledge only matters when it reaches the field, the classroom, and the wider scientific community. This is a snapshot of our recent published work, filed innovations, and professional service to the agronomy community.

Recent Publications

Latest peer-reviewed research

The latest ten publications from our lab, presented in a compact citation-focused view.

View on Google Scholar

Silicon application improves physiological efficiency and yield of upland cotton by increasing nutrient acquisitions

Kupdhoni, R., Somaddar, U., Khalil, M. I., Ferdoes, J., Das, P., Dey, H. C., ... and Saha, G.

2025Cite

Assessing Comparative Yield and Yield Contributing Traits of Hybrid Rice Varieties Transplanted as Over-Aged Seedlings in the South-Central Coastal Ecosystem of Bangladesh

Khalil, M. I., Ahamed, M. S., Somaddar, U., Dey, H. C., Mamun, S., ... and Saha, G.

2025Cite

Biochar-based fertilizers improve nutrient use efficiency in sunflower grown on a subtropical tidal soil

Al-Amin, M., Mim, M. J., Alam, S. M. M., Saha, G., Masud, M. M., Jindo, K., Kader, M. and Mia, S.

2025Cite

Unraveling the genetic enigma of rice submergence tolerance: Shedding light on the role of ethylene response factor (ERF)-encoding gene SUB1A-1

Khalil, M. I., Hassan, M. M., Samanta, S. C., Chowdhury, A. K., Hassan, M. Z., Ahmed, N. U., ... and Saha, G*.

2024Cite

Root system response and yield of irrigated rice in relation to irrigation, Potassium and Nitrogen under subtropical conditions

Kaysar, M. S., Sarker, U. K., Kheya, S. A., Hasan, A. K., Hossain, M. A., Somaddar, U., ... Saha, G and Uddin, M. R.

2023Cite

Effect of Reproductive Stage-Waterlogging on the Growth and Yield of Upland Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

Somaddar, U., Mia, S., Khalil, M.I., Sarker, U.K., Uddin, M.R., Kaysar, M.S., Chaki, A.K., Robin, A.H.K., ... Saha, G*.

2023Cite

Variations in Root Morphology and Yield among Rice Varieties in Response to Potassium under Subtropical Conditions

Kaysar, M. S., Sarker, U. K., Monira, S., Hossain, M. A., Somaddar, U., Saha, G., ... and Uddin, M. R.

2023Cite

Exploring relationship among nitrogen fertilizer, yield and nitrogen use efficiency in modern wheat varieties under subtropical condition

Sarker, U. K., Uddin, M. R., Hossain, M. A., Somaddar, U., and Saha, G.

2023Cite

Assessment of seedling salinity tolerance of Bangladeshi coastal rice landraces using morpho-physiological stress indices

Somaddar, U., Mim, S.K., Dey, H.C. and Biswas, A. ... Saha, G*.

2023Cite

Water Stress Induced Changes in Root Traits and Yield of Irrigated Rice under Subtropical Condition

Kaysar, M.S., Sarker, U.K., Monira, S., Hossain, M.A., Mokarroma, N., Somaddar, U., Saha, G., Hossain, S.F., Chaki, A.K. and Uddin, M.R.

2023Cite

Patents

Patents & Innovations

Translating research into protectable IP

Translating silicon-nanoparticle and biochar research into filed intellectual property - practical fertilizer innovations targeted at coastal Bangladeshi agriculture.

Filed2023Bangladesh

Silicon-Nanoparticle Fortified Biofertilizer Formulation for Coastal Salinity Mitigation in Rice

Inventors: Saha, G., Somaddar, U., Khalil, M. I.

A novel nano-silicon fertilizer composition designed to alleviate coastal salinity and submergence stress in rice cultivation.

Published2022Bangladesh

Biochar-Embedded Slow-Release Silicon Composite for Submerged Paddy Fields

Inventors: Saha, G., Kaysar, M. S., Sarker, U. K.

Composite material combining biochar with slow-release silicon for improving rice resilience under prolonged submergence.

Other Professional Engagement

Service to the Scientific Community

Keynotes, editorial boards, training & advisory work

Beyond publishing, the lab regularly contributes as keynote speaker, guest editor, peer reviewer, workshop resource person, and technical advisor to universities and national bodies.

Keynote2023

Invited Keynote on Silicon-Based Bio-Fertilizers for Sustainable Coastal Agriculture

Keynote Speaker · PSTU-WUR Climate Smart Agriculture Conference

Delivered a keynote alongside Wageningen University scientists on nano-silicon applications in coastal agronomy.

Editorial2023

Guest Editor - Special Issue on Plant Physiological, Biochemical, and Molecular Responses to Abiotic Stresses

Guest Editor · Plants (MDPI, IF: 4.658)

Inviting global researchers to contribute to the Q1 special issue.

Workshop2022

Hands-on Training on Molecular Markers for Crop Stress Tolerance

Resource Person · Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC)

Three-day workshop for young faculty and graduate students on PCR-based stress-marker genotyping.

ReviewerOngoing

Regular Peer Reviewer for Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Plants, Agronomy, Sustainability

Peer Reviewer · Multiple Q1 Journals

Reviewed 30+ manuscripts annually in plant stress physiology and agronomy.

MembershipOngoing

Life Member - Bangladesh Society of Agronomy & Krishibid Institution Bangladesh

Member · BSA & KIB

Active member contributing to national agronomy discourse and policy discussions.

Advisory2023

Technical Advisory on Coastal Salinity Management for PSTU Experimental Fields

Technical Advisor · Patuakhali Science and Technology University

Advised university administration on salinity-mitigation protocols for research plots.

Want to collaborate or invite a talk? Get in touch

Research Activity

At a Glance

A quick visual tour of our labs, field sites, instruments, and team at work across submergence, salinity, molecular, and climate-smart research.

Connect and Academic Collaboration

Get in Touch and Academic Inquiries

For postgraduate admission, research collaboration, guest lectures, or scientific queries regarding plant stress physiology.