Smart Lawn: Care and Management presents a science-based and technology-oriented approach to the establishment, maintenance and sustainable management of lawns and turfgrass systems. The book treats a lawn as an integrated plant–soil–water–equipment system, emphasizing that successful management should begin with site assessment, appropriate turfgrass selection and sound establishment practices rather than routine application of inputs.

The book progresses from the fundamentals of lawn and turf systems, turfgrass biology, adaptation and landscape planning to practical aspects of seasonal lawn management, soil and site preparation, Indian lawn-grass cultivation, mowing, irrigation, nutrition, machinery, automation and safety. It also addresses integrated weed management, insect and disease diagnosis, organic lawn management and sustainable turf practices.

A major strength of the book is its treatment of smart and precision lawn management. It incorporates digital scouting, GIS, remote sensing, drones, soil-moisture sensing, artificial intelligence, digital twins, automated irrigation and decision-support systems. The book emphasizes diagnosis before intervention, appropriate thresholds, calibration before automation, and verification after management actions.

Dr. Ajai Kumar Tiwari is a Principal Scientist in Floriculture and Landscaping at the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, with over 23 years of experience. His expertise spans genetic improvement of ornamental crops, advanced post-harvest management, and sustainable landscape architecture. He holds a Ph.D. in Horticulture from G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar. He also earned his M.Sc. (Agriculture) and B.Sc. (Agriculture) from Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur, receiving an ICAR Junior Research Fellowship and the University Gold Medal, respectively.
Dr. Tiwari has developed five chrysanthemum varieties: Pusa Sunderi, Pusa Lohit, Pusa Swarna, Pusa Ivory  and Pusa Dhaval. His extensive research is reflected in over 120 publications in peer-reviewed journals, three authored books, and numerous book chapters. He has secured over Rs. 346 lakhs in external research funding as PI/Co-PI from agencies like DBT, ICAR, and DST. An academic leader, he has co-advised four Ph.D. students and serves as a Visiting Professor at the College of Agriculture, MGUG Gorakhpur, UP. His accolades include the SHRD Fellowship (2024), Best Research Paper Award (2019), Young Scientist Associate (2012) from Hi-tech Horticultural Society Meerut, the Rajiv Gandhi Excellence award (2013) from India International Friendship Society, New Delhi, and multiple Young Scientist Awards (2014, 2016) from the Society of Extension Education and Management in Agriculture, Jhansi, and the Society for Scientific Development in Agriculture and Technology (SSDAT), Meerut.
Dr. Ritu Jain is a Principal Scientist in the Division of Floriculture and Landscaping at ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi. She holds M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Horticulture from Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, and joined the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in 2007. Her research centers on postharvest technology, value addition in flower crops, and potted plant production. Dr. Jain has standardized drying technologies for chrysanthemum, rose, and marigold, promoting value-added products and enhancing farm women's livelihoods in IARI-adopted villages, Commercialized Dry Flower Technology. She has served as PI/Co-PI in externally funded projects by DST, DBT, and PPV&FRA. She maintains rich germplasm collections of bougainvillea and other ornamentals and introduced the “Walk and Learn Path” concept for student learning. With over 250 publications, she has guided postgraduate students and received accolades such as the CHAI Fellowship (2012), Outstanding Horticultural Women Scientist Award  (2019) by SHRD, Best Paper Award (2019) by ISOH, SHRD Fellowship (2021),  Best Reviewer Award, Hindi Vishisht Pravakta Puraskar  (2012) by IARI, New Delhi, Editor of journals namely; Annals of Agricultural Research, Current Horticulture and  Journal of Ornamental Horticulture.
Dr. Babita Singh is a Senior Scientist at ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi. She holds M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Horticulture (Floriculture & Landscaping) from G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar. Her research focuses on turf grass management, postharvest technology, value addition in ornamentals, and production technology, emphasizing innovation and sustainability. Her work includes abiotic stress management in turf grasses, standardization of drying technologies for traditional flowers, value addition from waste flowers, and eco-friendly textile processing using rose-derived natural dyes. She has also developed protocols for extending vase life and improving packaging of cut and loose flowers. Dr. Singh has been crucial in turf grass and Bougainvillea germplasm maintenance and served as PI for PPV&FRA-funded projects. Her publication record includes approximately 150 works. She has received the Young Women Scientist Award, Best Reviewer Award, Best Paper Award, and Best Hindi Article Award. She has completed tree audit consultancy projects for DMRC, EDMC, and CPWD, and actively contributes as Editor of Annals of Agricultural Research, Treasurer of the Indian Society of Ornamental Horticulture, and a life member of several professional societies. As a postgraduate teacher, she mentors students, demonstrating her commitment to horticultural research, teaching, and practical applications.
Dr. Markandey Singh is a distinguished Principal Scientist and Head with over 25 years of experience in floriculture research and teaching. He spent 12 years at CSIR-IHBT, Palampur, before joining ICAR-IARI, New Delhi. His work focuses on crop improvement and production technologies for commercial flower crops. Dr. Singh has developed seven rose varieties (Himalayan Wonder, Himalayan Glory, Pusa Mahak, Pusa Alpana, Pusa Lakshmi, Pusa Bhargava, Pusa Glory), three marigold, three chrysanthemum and two Ornamental Kale varieties. He pioneered Alstroemeria agrotechnology and introduced Lilium for cut flower and bulb production in high-altitude areas like Lahaul & Spiti, transforming the region into a major off-season Lilium producer. His academic contributions include 60 research papers, four books, 20 book chapters, 15 technical manuals, and 90 popular articles. Dr. Singh is Vice-President of Rose Society of India and Vice-President (North Zone) of Rose Federation of India. He received a DST Govt. of India Fellowship to Taiwan (2010) and recognition for Rural Development Award in Himachal Pradesh (2005). He is a Fellow of the Indian Society of Ornamental Horticulture, The Society for Horticultural Research and Development, The Society of Tropical Agriculture, New Delhi, and the International Society of Noni. Dr. Singh has received the “Lotus Puraskar” of the Indian Society of Ornamental Horticulture for his significant contribution in the area of Floriculture.

Chapter 1. Lawn and Turf Systems: Scope, Functions, Quality and Terminology

Chapter 2. Turfgrass Biology, Adaptation and Landscape Planning

Chapter 3. India-Focused Seasonal Lawn Calendar

Chapter 4. Soil, Water and Site Preparation for Turfgrass Establishment

Chapter 5. India Lawn Grass: Cultivation and Entrepreneurship Economics

Chapter 6. Lawn Mowing and Turfgrass Management

Chapter 7. Turfgrass Water Management: from Plant–Water Relations to Smart Irrigation

Chapter 8. Soil Fertility, Turf Nutrition and Precision Input Stewardship

Chapter 9. Turf Machinery, Automation, Calibration, Maintenance and Safety

Chapter 10. Weed Ecology and Integrated Weed Management of Lawn and Turfgrasses

Chapter 11. Insects, Mites, Diseases and Integrated Turf Health Protection

Chapter 12. Organic Lawn and Turf Management

Chapter 13. Digital Scouting, GIS, Remote Sensing, AI and Decision Support