Significant Research Outcome2025-26 

• The eco-friendly biogenic synthesis of Silver nanoparticles using sandalwood leaf extract has resulted in enhanced crop yield in groundnut and cowpea by 22% and 25% respectively. The Phytosynthesized nanoparticles lead to better yield, germination and stress tolerance as compared to chemically synthesized commercial silver nanoparticles
• Identified ten previously unreported fungal pathogens linked to grain discoloration disease in rice. This finding expands the understanding of the disease etiology and help to develop targeted disease management strategies.
University had published the Re-delineation of Zone-4, Zone-5 and Zone-6 in Status report of Zone-5 and Zone-6 in 2017. Now, Government has allocated the budget to extend the same for Re-delineation of all 10 Agro-climatic zones (ACZ) of Karnataka.
• Model IFS were recommended by UASB in 2017 and 2024. In its 2025-26 state budget Government has allocated funds to develop IFS models for all the Districts in each ACZ
• A total of Seven MoU/ MoAs were signed with different institutions for conducting collaborative research of mutual interest.
• Government has announced to establish 5000 Agro Processing Centre (APC) in the state, based on Model APCs established on pilot scale at Aradeshanahalli village in Devanahalli taluk of Bengaluru Rural district, Kuthanagere village in Magadi taluk, Bangalore (South) district and Bebi village in Pandavapura taluk of Mandya district.

Research Highlights 

New varieties released
• Two Hybrids viz., one each in sunflower (KBSH-88), Castor (BCH-162) and three varieties viz., 1 each in sorghum (CNGS-1), turmeric (IISR Pratibha) and black turmeric (CHNBT-1) have been recommended for release during 2025-26. All these five varieties / Hybrids have been accepted by State Variety Release Committee on 13.01.26 for representing the same in Central Variety Release Committee meeting

Varieties Notified in Gazette of India 

• Two Hybrids viz., one each in sunflower (KBSH-88), Castor (BCH-162) and three varieties viz., 1 each in sorghum (CNGS-1), turmeric (IISR Pratibha) and black turmeric (CHNBT-1) have been recommended for release during 2025-26. All these five varieties / Hybrids have been accepted by State Variety Release Committee on 13.01.26 for representing the same in Central Variety Release Committee meeting

Varieties Notified in Gazette of India

• Varieties / hybrids developed by UASB viz. Maize hybrid (MAH 15-84), Sunflower hybrid (KBSH-90), Niger (KBN–2) and Cowpea (KBC-12) were notified in the Gazette of India 13.05.2025 and they will be included in seed chain from the current year.

New technologies developed for inclusion in Package of Practices

• A total of 26 new technologies in various crops on different aspects including 18 in crop production and 8 in crop protection have been recommended for inclusion in the package of practices.

Technologies Developed for Commercialization
• Eight Memorandums of Agreement (MoA) were signed, and licenses were granted to eight institutions to produce and market one food product, one variety and three hybrids earning an income of Rs.30.5 Lakhs.

New Research Projects
• A total of 41 new research projects (Govt. of India: 6, RKVY: 5, Govt. of Karnataka: 10, Adhoc : 8, other funding agencies: 12) have been sanctioned to the University since February, 2025 by various funding agencies with a total outlay of Rs. 2709.58 Lakhs. University has sponsored 2 Research Projects based on local problems with an outlay of Rs. 4.5 lakhs.

MoU/ MoAs Signed with other Institutions
• A total of 39 MoU/ MoAs and were signed with different institutions for conducting collaborative research of mutual interest.

New Chemicals / Varieties / Molecules Tested
•The University has undertaken the testing of 712 new varieties /lines/chemicals/molecules for control of pests /diseases / weeds / soil analysis and agricultural equipment and generated revenue of Rs. 389.39 lakhs.

Seed Production
• National Seed Project, UAS, Bengaluru has estimated to produce 1,271 quintals of Breeder seed production in cereals, pulses and oilseeds and 8,744 quintals of Quality Seed in different crops

Research in Progress
Crop Improvement
• Among 3700 cowpea accessions, For the first time in the world, University has identified 2 Germplasm lines IC263015 and IC738260 as Photo and thermo insensitive lines. Germplasms IC263015 has been registered at Genetic stock of NBPGR on December 26, 2025. Registration of IC738260 line is under progress.
• Soybean Variety KBSL-25 from Bangalore centre has been promoted to Advanced varietal trials to be screened at National level.
• KBSH-91 has been accepted to be presented to Central Variety Release Committee for national release

Crop Production
• Machine learning-based assessment of future climate impacts on pigeon pea productivity for near (2025-2040), mid (2041-2070), and far future (2071-2100) periods indicate that BRG-1 (July) and TTB-7 (June) are the most promising for climate adaptation, exhibiting superior yield stability.
• Standardized the operating procedures of drone-based spraying of nutrient and growth regulators in finger millet and pigeonpea
• A new herbicide-based weed management strategy was identified, comprising Fluazifop-p-butyl, Fomesafen and Quizalofop-p-ethyl was promoted for on-farm testing.
• In REWARD project, 1,77,760 Land Resource Inventory cards were generated and sent to the respective districts for distribution to the farmers

Crop Protection
• Established a sensitive LAMP–CRISPR Cas12a system for rapid detection of sheath rot causing organism Sarocladium oryzae in rice.
• Complete kit and in vitro method for identifying the Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene in rice is developed. This offers a robust, specific, and sensitive internal control solution for plant molecular diagnostics.
• Rapid, highly sensitive, and specific Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA)–CRISPR Cas12a–based system for detecting Magnaporthe oryzae, the pathogen responsible for blast disease in rice, wheat, pearl millet, finger millet, foxtail millet, and various other grasses.
• A survey conducted on the mite diversity in Karnataka state revealed the presence of 25 species of phytophagous mites in association with 89 host plant species. A total of 7 DNA sequences (ITS 2-07) belonging to 05 species of plant-associated mites were submitted to the NCBI – GenBank database during the year.

Agricultural Engineering
• Multi-Crop Processing Machine is included in RFP document of 2025 for Subsidy Scheme of Dept. of Agriculture GoK.
• Developed Universal pulses pods sheller and Maize sheller for variable sized cobs
• Development of automated universal deseeder-cum-deskinner for different types of fresh green pulse pods, automated castor thresher and decorticator, sub-baric processor for conditioning, roasting and popping of millets and millet-based Kori Rotti making machine is under progress

Allied Sciences
• Procedure on extraction of sericin from waste cocoons is standardized.
• Developing an AI and IoT-enabled smart beekeeping system that continuously monitors hive temperature, humidity, weight, and acoustics to assess colony health, detect stress or disease early, and provide real-time alerts is under progress
• A trained artificial intelligence–based method, apparatus, and system has been developed to analyze and accurately determine silk authenticity, type, and weaving method, thereby overcoming the limitations of conventional manual and chemical testing approaches
• Women Farmer Interest Groups were formed and trained in crop-based enterprises, leading to the establishment of Four FSSAI-registered units producing millet- and tamarind-based products. These enterprises generated a monthly income of ₹30,000