Dr. T. Geretharan

Thangavelautham Geretharan began his academic career at the Eastern University, Sri Lanka where he received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. Before started his academic career, he worked in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) project. He completed Master of Philosophy in Crop Science from the University of Peradeniya after doing the Master in Organizational Management in the same University. During his Master of Philosophy, he followed all the courses required to obtain Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Statistics.

Afterwards, he started his PhD at Massey University, New Zealand, with the assistance of New Zealand Fertilizer Association Scholarship. During his PhD, he received Bert Quin Award for his outstanding contribution to the New Zealand Soil Science. In addition, he received cash award in ‘Rising Soil Stars Science Communication’ competition in Wageningen University, The Netherlands. He completed his PhD in December 2019 and obtained Massey University, New Zealand Dean's Graduation Award. In addition to being as a faculty member, Gere is also a farmer and working hard in paddy field to produce food for his family and others.

Indexed Journal Publication

• Geretharan, T., Jeyakumar, P., Bretherton, M., &  Anderson, C. W. (2020). Fluorine and white clover: Assessing fluorine's impact on Rhizobium leguminosarum. Journal of Environmental Quality, 49(4), 987-999
• Geretharan, T., Jeyakumar, P., Bretherton, M., & Anderson, C. W. (2018) Defining a standard method to measure the total and bioavailable concentration of fluorine in New Zealand soils. Microchemical Journal,142, 94-101

 
Refereed Journal Publication

• Geretharan, T., Sangakkara, U.R. and Arulnandhy, V., (2020). Influence of nitrogen fertilizer and duration of Purple Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) interference on Onion (Allium cepa) growth and yield in minor seasons in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka. AGRIEAST: Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 14(1), pp.11-26. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/agrieast.v14i1.81
• Kokularathy, S., Geretharan, T and Nishanthi, S. (2016) Comparison of growth and yield of dry seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.) in natural and conventional farming systems.International Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies (IJMS), 3(2), 61-70
• Harris, K. D., Suthaharan, S. and Geretharan, T. (2016) Effects of spacing and level of Nitrogen on growth and bulb yield of red onion (Allium cepa Var. Ascalonicum).International Journal of Advanced Research and Review (IJARR), 1(3), 39-50
• Harris, K. D., Geretharan, T., Dilsath, M. S. A., Srikrishnah, S. and Nishanthi, S. (2015) Critical period of weed control in radish (Raphinus sativus L.) AGRIEAST Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 10, 6-10
• Heerthiha, S., Premanandarajah, P. and Geretharan. T. (2013) Effect of paddy straw enrichments on nitrogen availability in sandy regosol. AGRIEAST Journal of Agricultural Sciences. 9, 42-46
• Geretharan, T., Sangakkara, U. R., and Arulnandhy, V. (2011) Competitive performance of Purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) and Onion (Allium cepa L.) as affected by different sources of nitrogen. Tropical Agricultural Research, 23(4),290–299.
• Geretharan, T., Sangakkara, U. R., and Arulnandhy, V. (2010) Effect of Purple Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) population densities on Onion (Allium cepa) as influenced by Nitrogen in the Eastern province of Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research, 22(4),348-355.

Conference Presentation – International

• Geretharan, T., Jeyakumar, P., Bretherton, M., & Anderson, C. W. N. (2019) Consequences of Fluorine accumulation on Allophanic soil. Fertilizer and Lime Research Centre Workshop, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
• Geretharan Thangavelautham., Paramsothy Jeyakumar., Christopher WN Anderson.,& Mike Bretherton. (2018). Effect of fluorine (F) on Rhizobia growth and morphology.New Zealand Society of Soil Science Conference, Napier
• Geretharan, T., Jeyakumar, P., Anderson, C. W. N. Bretherton, M. (2018) sorption and desorption of fluoride in compost and lime amended soils, School of Agriculture and Environment Symposium, Massey University, Palmerston North 
• Geretharan, T., Jeyakumar, P., Bretherton, M., & Anderson, C. W. N. (2018) Effect of Fluorine on Rhizobia: A respiration - inhibition assay. In: Farm Environmental Planning – Science, policy and practice. (Eds L. D. Currie and C. L. Christensen).http://flrc.massey.ac.nz/publications.html . Occasional Report No. 31. Fertilizer and Lime Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. 4 pages
• Geretharan, T., Jeyakumar, P., Anderson, C. W. N. Bretherton, M. (2017) MicroRespTM: A tool for determine the effect of soil F on soil Microbial activity.Institute of Agriculture and Environment Symposium, Massey University, Palmerston North 
• Thangavelautham, G., Jeyakumar, P., Anderson, C. W. N. Bretherton, M. (2017) Application of MicroResp TM system to determine the effect of soil fluorine on soil microbial activity. Vision for the Future: Institute of Agriculture and Environment Symposium, Massey University, Palmerston North.
• Geretharan, T., Jeyakumar, P., Anderson, C. W. N., & Bretherton, M. (2017) Effects of soil properties on bioavailability of fluorine to microorganisms. In: Science and Policy: nutrient management challenges for the next generation. (Eds L. D. Currie and M. J.Hedley). http://flrc.massey.ac.nz/publications.html. Occasional Report No. 30. Fertilizer and Lime Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. 5 pages.
• Thompson Morrison, H., Anderson, C., Jeyakumar, P., Geretharan, T., Cavanagh, J., & Robinson, B. (2017). Cost-benefit analysis of cadmium management in New Zealand’s horticultural soils. In: Science and Policy: nutrient management challenges for the next generation. (Eds L.D. Currie and M. J. Hedley).http://flrc.massey.ac.nz/publications.html. Occasional Report No. 30. Fertilizer and Lime Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. 4 pages 
• Cavanagh, JE., Yi, Y., Munir, K., Lehto, N., Robinson, B., Gray, C., Geretharan, T., Jeyakumar, J., Thompson-Morrison, H., & Anderson, C. (2017). Understanding the influence of soil properties on plant uptake of cadmium in New Zealand agricultural soil. In: Science and Policy: nutrient management challenges for the next generation. (Eds L.D. Currie and M. J. Hedley). http://flrc.massey.ac.nz/publications.html. Occasional Report No. 30. Fertilizer and Lime Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. 11pages
• Geretharan Thangavelautham., Paramsothy Jeyakumar., Christopher WN Anderson.,& Mike Bretherton. (2016). Effect of lime and compost on fluorine bioavailability and microorganisms in New Zealand horticultural soils. Soil, a Balancing Act Downunder, Joint Conference for the NZ Society of Soil Science & Soil Science Australia, Queenstown.
• Nishanthi, S., Geretharan, T., Sutharsan, S. and Paskaran, A. (2015). Effect of Em and selected local available organic solutions on seed germination of tomato. Proceedings of the National Symposium on Agriculture (NSA 2015), Faculty of Agriculture, Eastern University, Sri Lanka, 5^th August 2015, p 11 – 15 
• Tharani, S.A., Harris, K.D., Geretharan, T., Paskaran, A. and Viharnaa, R. (2014).Effect of different potting media on growth and yield of Capsicum. International Conference (ICE 2014), 4^th & 5^th Dec. 2014, Eastern University, Sri Lanka.
• Lavanya, L., Geretharan, T., and Harris, K. D. (2013) “Effect of organic manure and inorganic fertilizer on growth and yield of carrot (Daucus carrota L.)”. Proceedings of the Second Annual Science Research Sessions, South Eastern University, Sri Lanka, 3^rd December 2013, p 3
• Delina, E. J. P., Thivyatharsan, R., and Geretharan, T. (2013) “Adaptability of integrated crop-livestock farming systems to climate change”. Proceedings of the International Conference of the Eastern University, Sri Lanka, 12 – 13 September 2013, p 65
• Sivashankary, K., Geretharan, T., Rajendran, M., and Harris, K. D. (2013) “Effects of foliar application of different growth promoting substances on growth and yield of Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)”. Proceedings of the Third International Symposium of South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 6 – 7 July 2013, Vol. II, p 38 – 41
• Saranyah, K., Geretharan, T., and Harris, K. D. (2012) “Determination of optimum initial bulb weight of onion (Allium cepa L.) using polynomial regression model”. The Second International Symposium, South Eastern University, Sri Lanka, 25 – 27 May 2012, p 79 - 81
• Geretharan, T., Sangakkara, U. R., and Arulnandhy, V. (2011) “Competitive performance of Purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) and Onion (Allium cepa L.) as affected by different sources of nitrogen”. Tropical Agricultural Research, Vol. 23(4): p 290 – 299.
• Geretharan, T., Sangakkara, U. R., and Arulnandhy, V. (2010) Effect of Purple Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) population densities on Onion (Allium cepa) as influenced by Nitrogen in the Eastern province of Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research Vol.22(4): p 348-355.
• Srikrishnah, S., Seran, T. H. and Geretharan, T. (2009) Factors influencing the selection and utilization of vegetable seeds in Manmunai South and Eruvil Pattu D.S division of Batticaloa district. Proceedings of the 8^th Annual Research Session, Eastern University, Sri Lanka, p. 170-174
• Geretharan, T. Thivahary, V. and Kajamuhan, A. (2004). Optimum sporulation period and inoculation interval of Trichoderma harzianum integrated with some selected soil treated fungicides. Proceedings of the 2^nd Annual Research Session, Eastern University, Sri Lanka, p.45-50
• Geretharan, T. and Kajamuhan, A. (2003). Integration of Trichoderma harzianum with some selected fungicides to control seed and seedling rot in Brinjal. Proceedings of the Sri Lanka Association of the Advancement of Science, 59^th Annual Session, Abstract of Papers,p. 57
• Geretharan, T. and Kajamuhan, A. (2003). Mycelial growth of Trichoderma harzianum with different fungicides. Proceedings of the Sri Lanka Association of the Advancement of Science, 59^th Annual Session, Abstract of papers, p. 55

Book published

• Natural Farming (ISBN 978-955-44337-1-7) (Tamil)

• Agronomy
• Climate change on Crop production
• Contaminants in Agriculture Soils
• Regenerative Agriculture

• CS 1202 Seed Science and Technology
• CS 3101 Crop Production Technology
• CS 3209 Weed Management
• CS 4105 Climate Change and Crop production

• Massey University, New Zealand Dean's Graduation Awards
• Bert Quin Award for the outstanding third year PhD student in New Zealand SoilScience, awarded by the New Zealand Society of Soil Science
• George Mason Sustainable Land Use Scholarship 2019, Massey University, New Zealand
• George Mason Sustainable Land Use Scholarship 2018, Massey University, New Zealand
• Ravensdown Agricultural Research Scholarship 2018, Massey University, New Zealand
• Ravensdown Agricultural Research Scholarship 2017, Massey University, New Zealand
• Helen E Akers PhD Scholarship 2016, Massey University, New Zealand
• European Association of Geochemistry (EAG) cash award for ‘Rising Soil Stars Science Communication’ in Wageningen University, The Netherlands

• Head, Department of Crop Science (November 2019 – to date)
• Project Coordinator, AHEAD World Bank Project, Faculty of Agriculture (May 2020 – to date)
• Activity Coordinator, ELTA-ELSE Department AHEAD Project – September 2019 –April 2019
• Student Counsellor – 2014, 2015 and 2016