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Thrust Area

• Cytogenetics
• Mycology & Plant Pathology
• Algal Physiology
• Angiosperm Taxonomy
• Plant Physiology
• Ecology

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Significant Achievements

• An important feature of the department is its well laid out 12 hectare Botanical Garden and 10 hectare Plant Conservatory with special features of Tropical House, Cactus House, Fern House, Poly House, Net House and experimental area for growing plants for research being carried in the department.
• Cytomorphological diversity of flowering plants has been explored from the forests of Pachmarhi hills ( Central India ), Nilgiri and Palni hills ( South India ) and N. W. Himalayas including trans-Himalayan cold deserts.
• Exploration and evaluation of phytochemical diversity of some important medicinal plants.
• Cytotaxonomy of ferns has been carried out from Central India, South India and Eastern and Western Himalayas.
• The floras of Patiala, Sirmour, Chamba, Kullu districts have been published.
• Extensive and intensive cytological analysis has been carried out on legumes, composites, trees, weeds, grasses and plants belonging to Labiatae and Acanthaceae.
• Systematics of Basidiomycetes fungi with particular reference to order Agaricales and Aphyllophorales from Uttrakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir have been carried out.
• Survey of post harvest diseases of fruits, vegetables and multi-purpose tree species of Punjab.
• Cultivation studies on the agro-waste materials have been carried out on commercially important mushrooms viz. Lentinus squarrosulus, L. conatus, L. torulosus, Calocybe indica and Pleurotus florida.
• Extensive studies on physiology, biochemistry and genetics of cyanobacteria and cyanophages have been made.
• Mechanism of akinete differentiation in cyanobacteria has been studied.
• Phytoremediation potential of Azolla and blue green algae has been studied.
• Biodegradation of Pesticide by cyanobacteria
• Production of Natural colour from Microalgae.
• Production, characterization and applications of exopolysaccharides from cynobacteria.
• Biodegradation of Pesticide by cyanobacteria.

The Department has well established and internationally recognized Herbarium and Museum, having more than 5000 plant specimens. Another important aspect of the department is that it has a rare Botanical Photo Gallery.

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Major Research Projects, Minor Projects

#	Title of Research Scheme	Sponsoring Agency	Name of Principal Investigator(s)
1	Plant Conservatory-Biosystematics of Punjab Sedges	Punjabi University Patiala	Dr. S. S. Bir
2	Cytological studies on woody taxa of Himalayan and Central Indian Forests	U. G. C.	Dr. S. S. Bir & Dr. B. S. Gill
3	Cytogenetics of Indian Trees	Punjabi University , Patiala	Dr. S. S. Bir & Dr. B. S. Gill
4	Biosystematics of grasses and sedges of North Western and Central India	U. G. C.	Dr. S. S. Bir
5	Biosystematics and Ethnobotanical studies on North Indian Mushrooms	Punjabi University , Patiala	Dr. S. S. Saini
6	BSI District Flora Project (Chamba district)	Botanical Survey of India	Dr. M. Sharma
7	Physiological and genetical studies on sporulation in blue-green algae	U. G. C.	Dr. T. A. Sarma
8	Physiological, biochemical and genetical studies on Vaucheria	U. G. C.	Dr. T. A. Sarma
9	A genetical study of glutamine metabolism and its relation to nitrogen fixation and sporulation in blue-green algae	CSIR	Dr. T. A. Sarma
10	Studies on temperature sensitive mutants of cyanophage N-1 active against Nostoc muscorum	CSIR	Dr. T. A. Sarma
11	Repair mechanism in nitrogen fixing blue green algae	UGC	Dr. T. A. Sarma
12	Mechanism of action of growth regulating substances in the production and differentiation of callus on stem cuttings of important timber tree species	UGC	DR. P. Kumar
14	Pyrenomycetous fungi of North West India	UGC	Dr. J. S. Dargan
15	Biology of wood rotting fungi and its role in wood degradation of North-West Indiantrees	CSIR	Dr. J. S. Dargan
16	Pyrenomycetous fungi of Eastern Himalayas	UGC	Dr. J. S. Dargan
17	Cytogenetic effects of water contaminated with industrial effluents	UGC	Dr. M. I. S. Saggoo
18	Studies on North-West Indian Agarics	UGC	Dr. N. S. Atri
19	District Flora Project Gurdaspur District ( Punjab )	BSI	Dr. S. S. Bir
20	DOEn Index to chromosomes of Indian Pteridophytes	Deptt. of Environment & Forests	Dr. S. S. Bir & Dr. S. C. Verma
21	Taxonomy of Indian Pteridophyta "Pteridophytic Taxonomy Laboratory" Project	Punjabi University , Patiala	Dr. S. M. Vasuveda
22	Aphyllophorales of North West India	UGC	Dr. Gurpaul Singh
23	Biosystematic and ethnobotanical survey of North Indian Mushrooms	UGC	Prof. S. S. Saini & Dr. N. S. Atri
24	A search for probable genetic probes for the transfer of nif genes from Nostoc muscorum mediated by Cyanophage N-1	CSIR	Dr. T. A.Sarma
25	Reproductive Biology and Germplasm Evaluation and Conservation of N. W. Indian Trees of Social Foretsry Importance	UGC	Dr. B. S. Gill & Dr. V. K. Singhal
26	Cytogenetics of Ornamental compositae	UGC	Dr. R. C.Gupta
27	In situ monitoring the genotoxic potentialities of polluted sites in Patiala	UGC	Dr. M. I. S. Saggoo
28	Biosystematics of Avena Linn from North West India	UGC	Dr. (Mrs.) M. Sidhu
29	Cytogenetics of Hardwoods from the forests of Chamba and Kullu Hills of H. P.	UGC	Dr. V. K. Singhal
30	Studies on Russulaceous fungi of Western Himalayas	UGC	Dr. N. S. Atri
31	Evaluation of Indian Medicinal plants for their potentialities of counteracting cytotoxicity of known environmental chemical agents	UGC	Dr. M. I. S. Saggoo
32	To evaluate the Potential of immobilized algae to Scavenge heavy metal ions from polluted aquatic systems	CSIR	Dr. J. I. S. Khattar
33	Mycoflora associated with multipurpose trees of Punjab	UGC	Dr. J. S. Dargan
34	Morphophysiological studies on growth and development of certain species of Araucaria and Podocarpus	UGC	Dr. P. Kumar
35	Reproductive biology of crop weeds of North West India	UGC	Dr. (Mrs.) M. Sidhu
36	Eco-physiological investigations on food legumes with special reference to proteins, aminoacids, saccharides, alkaloids and phenolic products	UGC	Dr. Amarjeet Singh
37	Studies on Thelephoroid fungi that effect timber and its tree species from North West India	UGC	Dr. Gurpaul Singh
38	To screen blue-green algal germplasm from Paddy fields of Patiala district with biofertilizer potentialities	UGC	Dr. J. I. S. Khattar
39	Departmental Research Support under Special Assistance Programme Part I of UGC	UGC	Programme Co-ordinator, Prof. T. A. Sarma (April 1999- March 2004)
40	Bumble bee diversity and its role in conserving the high altitude vegetation germplasm in the Himalayan region	Ministry of Environment & Forests Govt. of India	Dr. M. I. S. Saggoo
41	Fungal and Insect diseases of forest trees of Punjab and their management strategies	Govt. of Punjab	Prof. J. S. Dargan
42	Departmental Research Support under Special Assistance Programme Part II of UGC	UGC	Co-ordinator Prof., Prof. R. C. Gupta
43	ASIST of UGC	UGC	Co-ordinator Prof. R. C. Gupta
44	FIST	DST	Co-ordinator Prof. R. C. Gupta
45	Evaluation of cyanobacterial strains from paddy fields for pesticide degradation	CSIR	Dr. D. P.Singh- PI, Prof. J. I. S. Khattar Co-PI
46	A search for cyanobacterial strains producing novel exopolysachharides	CSIR	Prof. J. I. S. Khattar PI, Dr. D. P. Singh Co-PI
47	Brassinosteroid regulated antioxidant defence system of Brassica juncea L. under temperature stress using biochemical and molecular approaches	UGC	Dr. Geetika Sirhindi
48	Exploitation of extremophilic cyanobacteria for the production of phycobiliproteins as natural colours	UGC	Prof. J. I. S. Khattar
49	Departmental Research Support under Special Assistance Programme Part III of UGC	UGC	Co-ordinator Prof. R. C. Gupta, Deputy Co-ordinator Prof. N. S. Atr
50	Diversity analysis and bioprospecting of thermophiloic cynobacteria from North-Western Himalaya for industrial value addition	SERB-DST	Prof. J. I. S. Khattar PI, Dr. D. P. Singh Co-PI (2013-2016)
51	Effect of 28-homobrassinolide oxidative and sugar metabolism and reproductive potential in Brassica juncea under temperature stress	UGC	Dr. Geetika Sirhindi (2013-2016)
52	Comparative study of Jasmonic Acid and Methyl-Jasmonate effect on photosynthesis, growth and antioxidant defence system of Brassica oleraceae L.	SERB-DST	Dr. Geetika Sirhindi (2014-2017)
53	Diversity of poroid and resupinate, non-poroid agaricomycetous fungi in Punjab	DST	Dr. Avneet Pal Singh (2014-2017)
54	Optimization and Lab scale Production of carotenoides from micro algae.	CSIR	Prof. D P Singh (PI), Prof. JIS Khattar (Co-PI)
55	DSA-I Under SAP	UGC	Prof. JIS Khattar (Cordinator), Prof. Munruchi Kaur (Co-Cordinator)
56	FIST	DST	Prof. JIS Khattar (Cordinator)
57	Strengthening and up gradation of Botanic Garden	MOEF & CC	Prof. JIS Khattar (Cordinator)

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INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES

1. Herbarium and Museum: The Herbarium and Museum was established in the Botany Department in 1967 and is presently housed in a separate building adjacent to the department. The ground floor of the building is devoted to the Museum whereas the first floor to the Herbarium. In the museum, the materials are displayed group-wise in museum jars and show-cases numbering more than 2050. In this section large numbers of specimens of cultivated plants of Punjab showing symptoms of common diseases are preserved. Photographs of Indian medicinal plants, exotic cacti, Indian forest types, mushrooms and individual trees are also displayed. Paintings show the history of vegetation in various geological eras. Fossil specimens of Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms and Angiosperms are also procured for study purposes. A separate section is made for economic plants. species of important timbers of Punjab showing annual growth rings are also displayed. Besides, research publications and books published from the department are also displayed for consultation by the researchers. Plants for museum are collected from the Eastern and Western Himalayas, Punjab and adjoining states, Okha Port, Rameshwaram, Kodai Kanal, Ooty, Palghat, Pachmarhi, Mysore, Calicut, Valley of flowers, Darjeeling, Hem Kunt, Badri Nath, Kinnaur, Kedar Nath, Gangotri, Rohtang Pass, Churdhar Peak, Yamunotri, Kashmir Valley, Mt. Abu, Chakrata, etc. The herbarium is considered as one of the best amongst the Indian Universities. It has been recognized by the International Bureau of Plant Taxonomy, Netherlands with PUN as its abbreviation. It has a collection of nearly 65,000 Angiosperms, 4600 Pteridophytes, 2,500 Fungi and 600 Algal specimens which are well preserved/mounted, identified and catalogued. The angiosperm flora is separated into two sections as Monocots and Dicots, and is further arranged according to Bentham and Hooker's system of classification. The herbarium is especially rich in collection of Indian Pteridophytes which are arranged according to Jermey and Crabe's system of classifications.

   
   Click Here to View Online Herbarium
   
   
   

   

   

   

   
   
   

2. Photo Gallery: Botanical photo gallery, a unique feature of the department, is housed on the top floor of the Herbarium & Museum building of the department. It has been divided into ten sections which include Agriculture, Indian forests, Plants and Human Welfare, Poisonous plants, Ornamental plants, Sacred plants, Ferns, Fungal Diversity, Rare and Endangered plants and Horticulture. Nearly 300 photographs have been displayed in these sections. In the Gallery there is a separate section for the display of portraits of eminent scientists.

   
   
   
   

   

   
   
   

3. Botanic Garden: The Botanic Garden attached to the department is well laid and spread over an area of 12 hectares of land with sound underground irrigation facilities, concrete roads and zigzag paths. The major plantations in the garden are on the basis of Bentham and Hooker's Natural System of Classification of plants'. About half of the area of garden is under 'Arboretum' where broad-leaved indigenous and exotic trees, high altitudinal conifers and flowering trees of aesthetic and recreational values along with timber trees occupy a place of prominence. The plant wealth of the garden includes 450 species of trees, shrubs and climbers from various regions of Himalayas and other parts of the country. Each plant is provided with a name plate, giving information about the botanical name, family and country of origin. Two green houses, one glass house and a tropical plant house are of special interests which have a fairly good collection of succulents, ferns and other shade-loving plants. The Tropical plant house stands out as good attraction which has facilities for providing artificial rain. The Rosarium has a collection of 48 types of roses and Bougainvillea garden houses 36 types of Bougainvilleas. The desert garden has a collection of over 60 cacti and succulents.

   
   
   
   

   

   
   
   

4. Plant Conservatory: In order to conserve the vanishing flora of the Punjab State, a plant conservatory was established on September 17th, 1976 in the Botanic gardens which is spread over 10 hectares of land and is a research oriented project. In addition to the conservation of germplasm of indigenous and exotic plant wealth, major emphasis is being given to the collection of economic and timber trees along with introduced flora so that the successfully established species be released for cultivation in the various parts of the state.

5. Poly-House, Net-House: Ministry of Environment & Forests, New Delhi has provided a grant of Rs. 14 lac for the Improvement of Infrastructure facilities existing in the Botanical Gardens of Punjabi University, Patiala. One Poly-House and one Net-House have been developed in the conservatory of the department. Poly house is air-cooled, temperature regulated with mist spray to control and maintain relative humidity. Poly-house is meant for Micro-propagation and conservation of rare and endangered plant species. Net-house is also equipped with automatic mist spray system and is suitable for hardening of plant species.
   
   
   
   

   
   
   
6. Herbal Garden: A well laid out herbal garden has been established in the plant conservatory section with about 100 medicinal plants.
   

   

   

   

   
   
   

7. Departmental Library: About 8,000 books related to different fields related to botany and allied subjects is available in the Departmental library. Nearly 20 journals are available to the researchers. On-line facility for other journals is also available.

8. Central Instrumentation Lab: All the main research equipments are kept in fully Air-Conditioned centralized lab. Entry in the logbooks by the research workers is obligatory. Instruments are used by teachers, research scholars and M. Sc. & M. Phil. students of Botany Department as well as scientists from other departments such as Biotechnology, Zoology, Human Biology and Pharmaceutical Studies of this University, teachers and students of Thapar college of Engineering and Technology, Patiala and various Degree Colleges of Patiala. In another room, the distillation units and instruments to be operated at room temperature are kept (like AAS, Metabolic Shaker, Incubator, etc.).
   
   
   
   

   
   
   
9. Research Labs: Pertaining to Molecular Cytogenetic, Mycology Culture, Algal Physiology and Bioinformatics has been established in the Department.

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Photo Gallery

Alumni Association

Department of Botany at Punjabi University, Patiala was established on February 1, 1967. Since its inception, a large number of students have obtained their M.Sc., M.Phil. And Ph.D. degrees in Botany. The department is proud in the sense that most of its students are well settled in India and abroad and are serving the society at different levels. Many of the students of this department have joined administrative services at National and State level and are placed at very high positions. Most of the others have chosen teaching and research as their career and are serving in various Universities, Research Institutes and Colleges. It was felt that to bring alumni of Botany Department at one platform, Alumni Association of Botany Department at Punjabi University, Patiala, India be formed. This will help in igniting the belongingness we have with the Botany Department. Through this forum all alumni of Botany Department will also be in touch with one another and will be able to share their achievements and progress. Alumni Association of Botany Department at Punjabi University was thus formed during 2012. All alumni of Botany Department at Punjabi University are invited to join Alumni Association.

Click to download membership form

Click to download Alumni Directory

For information regarding Alumni Association please mail at : alumnibot@rediffmail.com

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