Janaki Ammal: Pioneering Indian Botanist and Cytogeneticist Who Transformed Plant Genetics and Advocated for Conservation”
Janaki Ammal, whose full name was Janaki Ammal Edavalath Kakkat, was a renowned Indian botanist and cytogeneticist. She made significant contributions to the fields of plant breeding and genetics. Janaki Ammal was born on November 4, 1897, in Tellicherry, a town in present-day Kerala, India. She belonged to a well-educated and socially progressive Nair family.
Janaki Ammal’s early education took place in her hometown, where she attended Malabar Christian College. In 1921, she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Queen Mary’s College in Madras (now Chennai). Her interest in botany led her to pursue a Master’s degree in the subject, which she completed at Presidency College, Chennai, and obtain her PhD in plant genetics from the University of Michigan in the United States.
After completing her education, Janaki Ammal joined the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in London, where she worked under the renowned plant geneticist Albert Charles Seward. At Kew, she gained expertise in plant cytology and cytogenetics, focusing on the study of chromosomes and their role in inheritance. Janaki Ammal’s research work involved the study of ferns and flowering plants, and she became a leading authority in the field.
One of Janaki Ammal’s significant contributions was her research on sugarcane, where she developed techniques for the large-scale production of hybrid sugarcane varieties through crossbreeding. This breakthrough was instrumental in improving sugarcane cultivation, leading to increased productivity and disease resistance. Her research on sugarcane also involved the study of its chromosome numbers, which helped in understanding its genetic makeup.
Janaki Ammal’s expertise in cytogenetics and her research on chromosomes played a crucial role in understanding the chromosomal variations in several Indian plant species. Her work involved studying the chromosomes of various plants and comparing them to identify differences and similarities. She published several research papers and articles on her findings, contributing significantly to the understanding of plant genetics and evolution.
In addition to her scientific contributions, Janaki Ammal was known for her strong character and determination. She faced numerous challenges as a woman scientist during a time when the field was predominantly male-dominated. Despite these obstacles, she persevered and left an indelible mark on the fields of botany and cytogenetics.
Janaki Ammal received several accolades and honors throughout her career. In 1977, she was awarded the Padma Shri, one of the highest civilian awards in India, for her contributions to science. She was also elected a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences and the Indian National Science Academy.
While Janaki Ammal’s scientific achievements are widely recognized, there are lesser-known aspects of her life. She had a deep connection with her homeland and actively participated in the Indian independence movement. She was close friends with prominent Indian leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. Janaki Ammal was passionate about preserving India’s rich plant diversity and advocated for the protection of endangered species and their habitats.
Janaki Ammal passed away on February 7, 1984, leaving behind a rich legacy in the fields of botany and genetics. Her work continues to inspire future generations of scientists, particularly women, to pursue careers in scientific research and make significant contributions to the understanding of the natural world.
Resources
1. “Celebrating Janaki Ammal, Botanist and a Passionate Wanderer of Many Worlds”
https://thewire.in/science/janaki-ammal-magnolia-edathil
2. “Remembering EK Janaki Ammal, India’s first woman PhD in Botanical Sciences” by Neha Sasi
3. “Remembering Dr Janaki Ammal, pioneering botanist, cytogeneticist and passionate Gandhian” by Geeta Doctor – Women in Science