## Janaki Ammal Biography

**Edavaleth Kakkat Janaki Ammal** (4 November 1897 – 7 February 1984) was one of India's most renowned botanists and cytogeneticists, and a pioneering woman scientist whose work had a profound impact on plant breeding, genetics, and biodiversity conservation. Born in Tellicherry (now Thalassery) in the Malabar district of present-day Kerala, she grew up in a large, progressive family that valued education. At a time when few Indian women pursued higher education—especially in science—Janaki Ammal forged a bold and distinctive path.She completed her early education in Kerala and earned a Bachelor's degree in Botany from Queen Mary's College, Madras (now Chennai). She later earned an Honors degree from Presidency College, Madras. ​​Intent on deepening her knowledge, she went to the United States in 1924 to study at the University of Michigan under the prestigious Barbour Scholarship. There, she earned a master's degree in botany and then a Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) degree in 1931, becoming one of the first Indian women to receive a doctorate in a scientific field from an American. university.Janaki Ammal specialized in cytogenetics, the study of chromosomes and their role in heredity. Her early research focused on plant breeding and hybridization, particularly in sugarcane and eggplant. At the time, India's sugar industry relied heavily on varieties that were less productive than those grown elsewhere. While working at the Sugarcane Breeding Institute in Coimbatore, she applied cytogenetic principles to develop sugarcane hybrids better suited to Indian climatic conditions. Her research helped increase sugar yields and reduce dependence on imported varieties. By analyzing chromosome numbers and creating polyploid hybrids, she made significant contributions to strengthening India's agricultural base.

In the 1930s and 1940s, Janaki Ammal worked in the United Kingdom at institutions such as the John Innes Horticultural Institution and later at the Royal Horticultural Society in Wisley. During this time, she collaborated with the renowned geneticist C.D. Darlington. Together, they wrote the influential book *Chromosome Atlas of Cultivated Plants* (1945), which documented the chromosome numbers of thousands of plant species. This work became an essential reference for botanists and geneticists worldwide and further enhanced her international reputation.Despite facing discrimination during the colonial era as both a woman and a person of Indian origin, Janaki Ammal's scientific achievements earned her respect in scientific circles worldwide. After India gained independence in 1947, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru invited her to return to India to help rebuild the Botanical Survey of India (BSI). She played a key role in reviving the institution and strengthening botanical research in the country. She later served as director of the Central Botanical Laboratory in Allahabad and helped rebuild botanical and ecological research throughout India.Janaki Ammal was also deeply committed to preserving India's rich plant diversity. Long before environmental conservation became a global movement, she recognized the importance of protecting native species and forest ecosystems. She spoke out against large-scale deforestation and monoculture plantations, which threatened biodiversity. Her ecological sensitivity, combined with her scientific expertise, placed her at the forefront of environmental thinking in India.

During her long career, she received numerous honors and recognition. In 1957, she became the first woman scientist to receive the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian awards. She was elected a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences and the Indian National Science Academy. The University of Michigan honored her with a Special Alumnus Award, and several plant species have been named after her for her contributions to botany.Beyond her scientific achievements, Janaki Ammal's life is a testament to perseverance and mental strength. As a woman from a marginalized community in colonial India, she overcame social and institutional barriers to pursue a distinguished career in international science. She remained unmarried and devoted her life to research, mentoring, and public service. Those who worked with her remembered her as disciplined, caring, and calm.Even in her later years, she continued to conduct research and advocate for environmental protection. She worked at the Madras University Centre for Advanced Study in Botany and remained active until the age of eighty. Her work on cytotaxonomy—the classification of plants using chromosome data—helped improve understanding of plant evolution and species relationships.Janaki Ammal passed away in 1984, leaving behind a profound legacy in science and conservation. Today, she is celebrated as a trailblazer for women in STEM in India and a pioneer of plant conservation.