Contents Division of Garden Management, 08 Education, Information & Training Director 10 12 15 Dr. P G Latha Publication Committee Chairman Dr. N Mohanan, Scientist F Members Dr. K B Vrinda, Scientist E2 Dr. P Padmesh, Scientist E2 Dr. P K Suresh Kumar, Scientist E2 Dr. Mathew Dan, Scientist E1 Dr. S Sreekumar, Scientist E1 Dr. C K Biju, Scientist C Dr. S R Suja, Scientis C Smt. Rasiya Beegam, Scientist A Arboretum Ficus Humboldtia Shri. K P Pradeep Kumar, Technical Ofcer Gr. V Dr. Anil John, Technical Ofcer Gr. III Registrar 16 17 19 Finance Ofcer Design and Layout Shri K P Pradeep Kumar Printed and Published by Director, JNTBGRI Published in October 2015 Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute Thiruvananthapuram – 695 562, Kerala, India E-mail : [email protected] Website : www.jntbgri.res.in Orchard for Printed at Lesser Known Koppara Enterprises, Kollam - 691004 Fruit Plants Syzygium Palmetum 22 28 30 Cover: Ficus benghalensis L. (Banyan tree) Planted in the Arboretum in 1987 Ornamental Cacti & Other Photo: Pradeep Kumar K P Garden Bromeliads Succulents 32 33 35 37 38 Wild Ornamental Central Plants Water Plants Gymnosperms Fernery Nursery 39 42 46 Visitors’ Management Centre Garcinia Division of Plant Genetic Resource 70 47 52 55 Medicinal, Aromatic & Spice Plants Gingers 62 65 Division of Biotechnology & Carnivorous Bamboo Bioinformatics Plants Orchid Biology Biology 82 95 103 Division of Division of Division of Conservation Phytochemistry& Ethnomedicine& Biology Phytopharmacology Ethnopharmacology 113 Library and Information Services 141 Cultural Programmes 142 Visitors 144 Visually Challenged Children’s Camp 146 Prof. A Abraham Centenary Celebrations 155 Extension & Training 156 Kerala Science Congress 167 Awards, Honors, Memberships in Professional Bodies 196 Ph. D. Awarded 195 Evaluation of Ph D thesis 197 Collaboration with other Institutions 199 Patents 199 Publications 199 Books 199 Division of Chapters in Books 199 Plant Systematics & Research Papers Published 201 Evolutionary Science Popular Articles 207 Participation in Seminars/Symposia/ 128 Conferences/Workshops 207 Externally funded Projects 220 Research Council 224 JNTBGRI Management Committee 224 Staff 2012 - 2014 224 Division of Microbiology iv Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute DirectorFrom the ’s Desk... uring the period from April 2012 to March 2014, the Institute witnessed a great deal of research and developmental activities. The live plant conservatories were enriched manifold through exploration trips successfully undertaken. Distribution and sale of plants to the public, governmental and non-governmental agencies continued uninterrupted. A project on conservation of Garcinia species of the Western Ghats and another one on the development of compost from garden waste sponsored by NABARD were initiated. Many studies were undertaken on taxonomy, reproductive biology and breeding to utilize the plant resources in a sustainable manner. Several extension / awareness activities were initiated. A granite sculpture of Van Rheede’s “Hortus Malabaricus”, the legendary book of medicinal plants adorns the entrance to Itty AchuthanVaidyan’s herbal garden. Tissue culture mass multiplication of economically important plants went on through a one crore RKVY project. Conservation biotechnology, bioproduction of plant specic compounds, bioprospecting of plant genetic resources, development of bioinformatics database packages, training and extension services continued. The studies of population structure and gene ow system of endemic plants, reproductive biology of RET species and plant animal interaction were pursued further. DBT Committee in discussion with the Honb’le Chief Minister about Takeover Plan Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute v JNTBGRI Annul Report 2012-’13 & 2013-’14 Chemical prospecting of potential plant species continued. Ethnobotanical surveys and documentation of Traditional Knowledge on Biodiversity received top priority. Preclinical drug discovery and elucidation of their molecular mechanism added to the Institute's strength in product development. Phylogenetic, evolutionary and biogeographic studies included molecular aspects of microbes, mushrooms and owering plants. The Institute library operation and services was automated and accessible to staff from their desktops. All these activities have become possible only with the total dedication and commitment of JNTBGRI staff, who have always worked for the Institute's excellence. An effort by all of us to get the Institute taken over in total by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt. of India has culminated in the grant of a mega project (C 6.75 Crore) to the Institute to be implemented in collaboration with a handful of national laboratories at the end of which DBT would consider the same. Our beloved Chief Minister and all the decision makers of the Govt. of Kerala, the DBT, New Delhi and the other funding agencies have helped us to surge forward. We salute them all and promise that the Institute would continue to go ahead by leaps and bounds in the years to come. Dr. P G Latha vi Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute JNTBGRI Annul Report 2012-’13 & 2013-’14 The tranquil stream within the Itty Achuthan Vaidyan Garden Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute vii Division of Garden Management, Education, Information & Training The Division looks after the development and maintenance of ex-situ conservatories, Arboretum, Bromeliads, Cacti and Succulents, Conservatory for Rare Plants, Fernery, Orchard for lesser known fruit plants, Ornamental garden, Palmetum, Pinetum, Water plants and Wild ornamental plants. Activities of Central Nursery and Visitors’ Management Centre are also managed. The main ofce complex with the visiting Scientists’ Guest House overlooking it. Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute JNTBGRI Annul Report 2012-’13 & 2013-’14 8 Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute JNTBGRI Annul Report 2012-’13 & 2013-’14 Arboretum Elaeocarpus tuberculatus planted in 1987 Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute 9 JNTBGRI Annul Report 2012-’13 & 2013-’14 a. Arboretum a view; b. Inauguration of the yearly maintenance of Arboretum by local laborers under 'Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), during 2014 Besides the 750 holdings of the previous year, 30 travancorensis Wight & Arn., Turpinia malabarica species of elegant tree saplings introduced to the Gamble, Vatica chinensis L., and an unidentied Arboretum include Calophyllum austroindicum Artocarpus species. JNTBGRI Arboretum, now holds Kosterm.ex Stevens, Chionanthus mala-elengi over 780 tree species. Curious plants such as (Dennst.) P. Green, Cinnamomum riparium Gamble, Strophanthus hirsutus and Kunsteleria keralensis Dillenia bracteata Wight, Dysoxylum binectariferum owered in the Arboretum. Under Mahatma Gandhi (Roxb.) Hook. f., Elaeocarpus recurvatus Corner, National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) Garcinia gummigutta var. papilla (Wt.) N. P. Singh, Yojana of Peringamala Grama Panchayath, weeding Garcinia cowa Roxb. ex DC, Garcinia puspangadaniana and cleaning of the whole Arboretum was carried out Sabu et al., Goniothalamus wayanadensis (Bedd.) which gave a face lift to the Arboretum. Over 3000 Bedd, Hopea erosa (Bedd.) Slooten, Syzygium seedlings of various native species were sold to the tamilnadensis Rathakar. & Chithra, Terminalia public and NGOs through the Sales Unit. 10 Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute JNTBGRI Annul Report 2012-’13 & 2013-’14 Ficus The genus Ficus (Moraceae) is one among the largest genera in owering plants with more than 850 species world over. This tropical genus is represented in India by about 100 species, mainly in peninsular India and North-eastern regions. The plants are of various economic importance such as fruit plants (F. carica and F. auriculata), medicinal plants (F. benghalensis L., Ficus microcarpa L. f., Ficus racemosa L. and F. religiosa L.) form the 'Nalpamara' of Ayurveda and ornamental plants, (Indian rubber plant F. elastica and Krishna's butter cup Ficus benghalensis cv 'Krishnae'). 70 species are represented in our collection, mainly Indian species from all over the country. A few exotic species from Africa are also grown. A bonsai presentation of all these species is also maintained. Ficus microcarpa L. f. planted during 1987 Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute 11 JNTBGRI Annul Report 2012-’13 & 2013-’14 a. Ficus auriculata Lour.; b. F. benghalensis var. krishnae (C. DC.) Corner; c. F. benjamina L.; d. F. cyathistipula Warb.; e. F. dalhousiae Miq.; f. F. drupacea Thunb. 12 Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute JNTBGRI Annul Report 2012-’13 & 2013-’14 a. Ficus hispida L. f.; b. F. racemosa L.; c. F. microcarpa L. f.; d. F. tsjahela Burm. f. Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute 13 JNTBGRI Annul Report 2012-’13 & 2013-’14 Humboldtia The genus Humboldtia (Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae) is endemic to peninsular India with an extended distribution of only one species (H. laurifolia Vahl) in Sri Lanka. Out of the seven species in this genus, ve are represented in our collection. All the species bear very attractive owers and are potential ornamental plants. Humboldtia in the Garden a. Humboldtia brunonis Wall. b . H. decurrens Bedd. ex Oliv.;