JANAKI AMMAL
Dr. Janaki Ammal Edavaleth Kakkat (1897–1984) was an Indian botanist, geneticist, and cytologist who is remembered as a pioneer in her field and a trailblazer for women in science in India. Her remarkable life combined path-breaking scientific research, an independent spirit, and a deep commitment to nature conservation.
Early Life and Education: Janaki Ammal was born on November 4, 1897, in Tellicherry (now Thalassery), Kerala, into a family that valued education. Unlike many women of her time, she chose a scholarly life over marriage—a courageous decision in the early 20th century.
She completed her bachelor’s degree at Queen Mary’s College, Chennai, followed by a B.A. (Hons.) in Botany from Presidency College in 1921. She began her career teaching at the Women’s Christian College, Madras.
Her academic brilliance won her a Barbour Scholarship to the University of Michigan, USA, where she earned a Master’s degree in 1925. She later returned to Michigan as the first Oriental Barbour Fellow and completed her D.Sc. in 1931, becoming one of the first Indian women to receive a Ph.D. in the United States.
Scientific Contributions:
🌱 Cytogenetics and Plant Genetics: Janaki Ammal specialised in cytogenetics—the study of chromosomes and inheritance. Her research improved the scientific understanding of plant evolution and genetics.
🌱 Sugarcane Research: Her most celebrated work was at the Sugarcane Breeding Institute in Coimbatore, where she studied chromosome numbers and cross-bred varieties of sugarcane. She developed a high-yielding, sweeter variety of sugarcane suited for India’s climate. This earned her the title “The Woman Who Sweetened India’s Sugarcane” and helped India become self-sufficient in sugar production. She also proved that Saccharum spontaneum, a sugarcane species, originated in India.
🌱 Chromosome Atlas of Cultivated Plants (1945): While working at the John Innes Horticultural Institution in England, she co-authored this landmark reference book with C.D. Darlington. It remains an invaluable resource for plant breeders and geneticists worldwide.
🌱 Magnolias and Ornamentals: At the Royal Horticultural Society, UK, she worked on the cytogenetics of ornamental plants, particularly magnolias. By using the chemical colchicine, she created new tetraploid varieties. The Magnolia Kobus Janaki Ammal, named after her, remains a living tribute to her contributions.
🌱 Other Research: Her studies extended to eggplant, bamboo, medicinal plants, and many other economically important species. Her work deepened the scientific world’s understanding of plant evolution and diversity.
Career and Conservation Work: In the 1950s, after returning to India, Janaki Ammal was appointed as the first Director of the Central Botanical Laboratory of the Government of India in Lucknow. She later served as the Director-General of the Botanical Survey of India and as Scientific Advisor to the Government of India.
She was also a passionate environmentalist. She played a key role in the “Save Silent Valley” movement in Kerala, which protected one of India’s most precious tropical forests from destruction by a hydroelectric project.
Recognition and Legacy:
Padma Shri (1977) – Awarded by the Government of India for her outstanding contribution to science.
E.K. Janaki Ammal National Award (1999) – Instituted by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change in her honour, awarded for excellence in taxonomy and biodiversity studies.
Several plant species, including Magnolia Kobus Janaki Ammal, bear her name.
Dr. Janaki Ammal never married, dedicating her entire life to science and conservation. She passed away in 1984, but her green legacy continues to inspire generations of scientists and students alike.
Conclusion: Dr. Janaki Ammal was more than a botanist—she was a visionary scientist, conservationist, and a role model for women breaking barriers in male-dominated fields. From sweetening India’s sugarcane to saving its forests, her life was a testimony to how science, when combined with passion, can transform society.
