Horticulture Science Series : Vol: 12: Flowering Trees

Trees are an essential component of any landscape, providing both aesthetic and functional benefits. They have long been recognized as important for improving the quality of the environment, particularly in urban areas where the environment is deteriorating at an accelerated rate. The significance of planting trees is now widely understood.

The book Flowering Trees begins by discussing Indias history of tree cultivation, the spiritual and religious significance of trees, and the role of trees in indigenous landscaping and sacred groves, where their primary function is the conservation of biodiversity. The book also covers the practical uses of trees in modern landscaping, such as reducing glare, modifying the climate, and controlling pollution, as well as their ecological value and various aesthetic uses. Avenue planting is also described in detail. The book also covers principles and designs for planting trees, methods of planting, cultural practices, pruning, and various methods to overcome common problems in tree growing. Additionally, the book discusses the psychological effects of plants on humans and the astrological significance of trees.

The book provides detailed descriptions of ornamental, economic, and medicinal trees. Separate sections on trees for Bonsai and renewable energy are also included.

Prof. K V. Peter, basically a horticulturist, a plant breeder and a University teacher is an acknowledged research manager. As Vegetable Breeder, he developed bacterial wilt resistant varieties in tomato, eggplant and chilli. The variety Pant C1 which he developed along with late Dr. P.J.Mathai is resistant to viral leaf curl and thrips. He authored the bulletin 'Statistics and computer programmes in biometric research' published by G.B.Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar in 1976. Prof. Peter established a spices biotechnology facility at Indian Institute of Spices Research, Calicut and nurtured an active team of scientists who worked out the protocols for rapid multiplication of 32 spices including black pepper and cardamom. In vitro conservation of spices germplasm consisting 36 species and 315 accessions are now accomplished, along with know-how for minimal growth methods. Prof. Peter provided effective managerial support to the Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Calicut to possess the world's largest collection of black pepper and cardamom germplasm. The high production technologies developed by the team of scientists led by Prof. Peter could push up cardamom productivity from 70 Kg/ha in 1992-93 to 149 Kg/ha in 1997-98. Black pepper productivity also shot up from 268 Kg/ha during 1992-93 to 311 Kg/ha in 1995-96. The technology package for protected cultivation of bush black pepper would make available green pepper throughout the year. Prof. Peter edited 10 books and is author or co-author of 13 books/bulletins and 124 research papers. Prof. Peter edited 3 volumes of 'Handbook of Herbs and Spices' published by Woodhead Publishing Company,UK and CRC,USA. Ha co-authored the Handbook of Industrial Crops published by Haworth Press, USA. The National Book Trust of India published the book Plantation Crops authored by him. He was Director of Research, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara providing research guidance and support to over 724 scientists. He is a Fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi and Fellow of National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad. He was awarded the 'Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award' by Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi conferred 'Recognition Award 2000'. The University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore bestowed 'M. H. Marigowda Award' to him for outstanding contributions in Horticultural Sciences. He is the recipient of Silver Jubilee Medal for outstanding contributions in vegetable research, instituted by the Indian Society of Vegetable Science, Varanasi, UP. During 1991-2000, he got the then National Research Centre of Spices elevated into Indian Institute of Spices Research. Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi conferred The Best Institute Award on IISR for its research contributions to spices.Scientists of IISR were encouraged to receive national recognitions like Jawaharlal Nehru Award, Hari Om Trust Award, Best Team Research Award etc. during the period (1991-1998) Dr. Peter was Chairman, QRT, Indian Institute of Vegetable Research,Varanasi and All India Co-ordinated Vegetable Improvement Project (1998-2003), Member Secretary, QRT, Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Trivandrum (1983-1988), Member, Standing Committee,Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi (2004-2005) and Member, Spices Board of India (1991-1998). He was Member, Governing Board, ICAR (2002-2005) and Member, Board of Management IARI, New Delhi (2003-2006). Prof. Peter is now Member, Task Force (Plant Biotechnology) DBT, UGC-DBT Human Resource Development, DST Task force on Women in Science and Chairman, RAC, National Research Centre for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Anand.

Born on 17th May, 1948 in the Island village of Kumbalangi, he had secondary school education at St. Peters High School, Kumbalangi, pre-degree at Maharajas College, Ernakulam, B. Sc. (Ag) at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Vellayani and Mastoral and Doctoral degrees at G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar and post doctoral training at USDA, BARC-W, Maryland. He attended scientists meet at Bangladesh, Taiwan, Goudeloupe (FWI) and USA. He is co-ordinator of two network projects on plant biotechnology, funded by Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.The Research Team led by him received the National Award For Processing and Product Development given by The Department Of Biotechnology.Under his Vice Chancellorship at Kerala Agricultural University, the University received 1st prize during 2001-2002, 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 and 3rd prize during 2004-2005 in academic performance on all India basis from ICAR, New Delhi. The ICAR New Delhi conferred. The Sardar Patel Award for the Best ICAR Institution 2003 to Kerala Agricultural University for allround performance. Four New Krishi Vigyan Kendras were established to serve farming community in 4 districts of Kerala.Dr Peter is Vice-Chancellor, Kerala Agricultural University since June, 2001.He guided several students for M.Sc and Ph.D programmes in the Universities of Calicut, Kerala Agricultural University and GBPUAT, Pantnagar.

Dr. Peter is the S/o Late Kuruppacharil Devasi Varkey, Kumbalangi. His wife is Mrs. Vimala Peter. He has two sons Mr. Anvar K. Peter, MCA and Mr. Ajay K. Peter, B. Tech. MBA student.

Dr.(Mrs.) P.K. Valsalakumari, Ph.D obtained her B.Sc.(Hort), M.Sc (Hort) and Ph.D from Kerala Agricultural University with distinction. She joined as Junior Instructor in the same University in 1977. At present she is holding charge of the Head of the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University. She has been associated with active research, teaching, and extension activities in fruits, flowers and landscaping. She has handled several courses in the areas of ornamental gardening, landscape horticulture and floriculture for the undergraduate and post graduate students. She has guided 10 students for their M.Sc and 2 students, for Ph.D. She has been associated with landscaping of the campus and consultancy services to public and private institutions in landscaping and floriculture. Dr. Valsalakumari has 120 research papers to her credit including those presented in national and international conferences and seminars and 21 books/ chapters in books as editor, author or co-author and a number of training manuals and popular articles. She has implemented 8 externally funded research projects by ICAR, NHB, DBT and BARC and is the Co-Principal Investigator of several projects. She has played a major role in the organization of a National Seminar and the National symposium of the Indian Society of Ornamental Horticulture in Floriculture at the Kerala Agricultural University and a winter school on 'Flori Business in the changing Global scenario: Issues and strategies' sponsored by the ICAR. Dr. Valsalakumari has organized a number of training programmes in tree planting, ornamental gardening, nursery management, floriculture and cultivation of anthurium for the benefit of the officials of the Department of Agriculture and farmers. She has also established commercial nurseries and demonstration plots of anthurium and other flower crops in the University and in farmers' field for the transfer of technology. Dr. Valsalakumari is the life member of Scientific societies like Indian Society of Ornamental Horticulture and is the referee of National journals. She is the associate Project Co-ordinator (Floriculture) and member of the Board of Studies of Kerala Agricultural University. She has served as external examiner of several universities. She has visited Thailand, Singapore and Malayasia to attend International Conferences and Shows. She served as judge in the International orchid show conducted in Malaysia in July,2007.

Dr. P.K. Rajeevan obtained his B.Sc. (Ag) and Ph.D. from Kerala Agricultural University and M.Sc. (Ag) in Horticulture from Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University. He joined the Kerala Agricultural University in 1978 as Assistant Professor and is presently serving as the Associate Dean, College of Horticulture and as Floriculturist of AICRP on Floriculture (Vellanikkara Centre). He has guided 8 M.Sc. and 3 Ph.D. students in Floriculture Dr. Rajeevan has been actively associated with research works on fruits and flowers. For the last 20 years he has been working on orchids, anthuriums, foliage plants and other tropical ornamentals and has made significant contributions in the areas of mass propagation, standardization of agro techniques, standardization of post harvest technology etc. He has operated various research and development projects funded by ICAR, DST and NHB. He has prepared projects for development of floriculture for the Government of Kerala and landscape projects for several Governmental organizations, including that for the international airport, Kochi. He has visited Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Mauritius, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Sri Lanka on various assignments like representing India in International Orchid shows, offering consultancy service in floriculture, serving as a member of a committee constituted by the Government of Kerala supported by APEDA in Floriculture market exploration studies etc. He has participated in several national and international seminars and has also served as resource person in training programmes organized in various parts of the country including Lakshadweep and the Andamans. He is also acting as consultant for floriculture development for the Government of Goa. He has organized national symposium of the Indian Society of Ornamental Horticulture and a National seminar on Floricutlure (Flori 2020) at the Kerala Agricultural University. He has also conducted over 100 training programmes in floriculture and allied areas for the benefit of farmers and agricultural officers.

Dr. Rajeevan has served as member of the General Council (Senate) of Kerala Agricultural University, Joint Secretary of Indian Society of Ornamental Horticulture, External member of the Board of Studies in TNAU, Member QRT of NRC, Orchids and Councillor of The Orchid Society of India. He is now serving as Project Co-ordinator (Floriculture) of Kerala Agricultural University and Vice President of Indian Society of Ornamental Horticulture. He has published 141 research papers, 28 books/ chapters in books and 42 popular articles. He has also done TV and radio programmes on various aspects of floriculture and landscaping. He was awarded HSI Gold Medal for his contribution and leadership in Floriculture for the year 2005.

Dr. (Mrs.) P.K. Sudhadevi completed her Post graduation and doctorate degrees in Horticulture from Kerala Agricultural University with brilliant academic records. She has vast experience of 25 years in teaching, research and extension activities in Horticulture. She handled three externally aided projects as Principal Investigator and was associated with the implementation of three other schemes. She handled several projects on plantation crops, spices, medicinal, aromatic and fruit crops as Principal Investigator in KAU. Dr. Sudhadevi, is the Scientist who released the first pineapple hybrid in India 'Amritha' in association with other Scientists of KAU for which she was honoured by the Hon. Minister for Agriculture of the state. She attended several national and international seminars and presented papers. She has published over 55 research papers in national and international journals and symposia and chapters in 6 books and several popular articles. She also has 6 books published on her credit on different aspects of Horticulture.

Dr. Sudhadevi is life member of one International Scientific Society and several reputed bodies in India. She is presently working as Professor in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture of College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University.

Dr. (Mrs.) C.K. Geetha completed her B.Sc and M.Sc degree and Ph.D. in Horticulture with First Rank, from the Kerala Agricultural University. She has vast experience of about 25 years of teaching, research and extension in Horticulture. She has been teaching undergraduate and post graduate students since 1986 and guided few Ph.D and M.Sc students. She has handled two externally aided schemes as Principal Investigator and 10 scheme as Co-investigator/ Associate, funded by various reputed bodies/ institutions. Dr. C.K. Geetha has published over hundred research papers in national and international journals and symposia, eight books, chapters in two books and several popular articles. She received the Certificate of Appreciation from the Vice Chancellor, KAU for operating the External Aided Projects in the University Dr. C.K. Geetha is life member of some reputed Indian Scientific Societies in the field of Horticulture and member in the Board of UG and PG Examinations in some of the reputed Agricultural Universities in India. She participated as a judge in the 7th Ipoh International Orchid Festival 2007 held at Perak, Malaysia. Presently she is working as Professor, Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University.