 was India’s first female plant scientist, known for her work in botany and cytogenetics. She advanced plant breeding and earned the Padma Shri.){kind=link}
Janaki Ammal (1897-1984). India’s first prominent female plant scientist, renowned for her pioneering contributions to botany and cytogenetics. A trailblazer in her field, she worked with the Botanical Survey of India, conducted groundbreaking research in plant breeding, and was honored with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award. Her work on sugarcane and eggplant genetics had lasting impacts on agricultural science.
Early Life and Education
Born in Kerala, Ammal pursued higher education at a time when few Indian women entered scientific fields. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Queen Mary’s College, Madras, and a master’s in botany from the University of Michigan, where she later obtained her Ph.D. in cytogenetics—the study of chromosome structure and function.
Scientific Contributions
Ammal’s research focused on plant hybridization and polyploidy, a genetic condition where organisms have more than two sets of chromosomes. Her work at the Royal Horticultural Society, Wisley, and later at the Botanical Survey of India, helped improve sugarcane varieties, enhancing yield and disease resistance. She also studied the geographical distribution of plant species, contributing to India’s ecological understanding.
Legacy and Recognition
In 1957, Janaki Ammal was awarded the Padma Shri for her scientific achievements. She later became the first woman to lead the Botanical Survey of India. Despite facing gender barriers, she mentored young scientists and advocated for environmental conservation, warning against deforestation long before it became a global concern.
Later Years and Death
Ammal spent her later years conducting research and writing. She passed away in 1984, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneer in Indian botany and a role model for women in STEM.