Dr. B. P. Pal Rose Garden at Dr. YSRHU

Recognizing the importance of Horticulture and its growth potential in Andhra Pradesh, Government of Andhra Pradesh established Andhra Pradesh Horticultural University at Venkataramannagudem, WestGodavari district on 26thJune, 2007. Subsequently it was renamed as Dr. YSR Horticultural University during 2011. The University has mandate for education, research and extension activities in Horticulture and allied sectors. College of Horticulture, Venkataramannagudem was established in the year 2007 as constituent college of Dr.YSR Horticultural University, Venkataramannagudem. Horticultural crops like vegetables, flowers, fruits, medicinal and aromatic plants are cultivated for catering to the needs of hand on experience to students in gaining knowledge and skill on various cultivation practices. College farm demonstrates new technologies in production and protection aspects.
On account of immense importance and diversity of rose, a devoted rosary was provided at the door step of College Academic Block in an area 2200 m2. Modern horticultural classes of roses such as Hybrid Teas, Floribundas, Grandifloras, Miniatures, Shrubs and Climbers are planted for real time comprehension of knowledge on these categories.
A total of 200 cultivars are maintained in this garden which includes latest ones viz.,The M. S. Swaminathan Rose and Jewel of Monkombo. Beautiful flowers with exquisite shapes in varied colours are observed by UG and PG students while expanding their knowledge on the crop. Weed mats are laid over paths for suppression of weeds and conservation of moisture.
Students are involved in special horticultural practices such as pruning, dis-budding and bending etc. Identification of pests, diseases, physiological disorders and their control measures are demonstrated for effective learning. Characteristic traits of diverse groups of roses are studied in this rose garden. On account of immense contributions, the garden was named in the honor of Dr. B.P. Pal, who was an eminent rose breeder of international repute. This facility is another feather in the crown of university and is established to cater to the academic and research needs of students, faculty and farmers.

The rose garden was inaugurated by Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor Dr. T. Janakiram on 25.02.2022. A beautiful statue of Dr. B.P. Pal arranged in the middle of garden was unveiled in commemoration of the occasion. The inauguration was complemented by the blessings of Padma Vibhushan Prof. M.S. Swaminathan.

Eminent Rose breeders, admirers and scientists of vast experience like Dr. S. Edison (Former Director, CTCRI, Trivandrum), Dr. Narendra Dadlani (Former Director of Horticulture, Govt. of India, New Delhi) Dr. K.V. Prasad (Directorate of Floriculture Research, Pune), Mr. M. S. Veeraraghavan, IAS (Retd.) (Famous Rose breeder, Kodaikanal), Mr. Sriram (Managing Director, Sri K. Gopalaswamy Iyengar Son’s Rose Garden, Bangalore), Dr.P. Rama Krishna (Sir Arthur Cotton Nursery Men Association, Kadiyam) addressed the staff and students on this occasion. All the distinguished University officers of Dr.YSRHU along with faculty and students of College of Horticulture, Venkataramannagudem attended the programme.

On this occasion Dr. T. Janakiram (Vice-Chancellor, Dr.YSRHU) accorded his valuable message that Ornamental horticulture has become a part of modern life style. Floral decorations, crafts, dry flowers and interior- scaping offer new avenues for employment in floriculture sector, which is one of the fastest growing sectors with high business potential and prospects. Nowadays, it is highly lucrative to trade diverse floricultural products viz. cut-flowers, loose flowers, dry flowers, bulbs and tubers, pot plants, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical compounds, essential oils, natural colorants, seeds, tissue culture plants in domestic and overseas markets is highly lucrative.

Besides regular review curriculum at Dr. YSRHU, substantial focus was contemplated on the development and maintenance of a Technology Park, Exclusive diversity spot for modern classes of Rose named as Dr. B.P. Pal Rose Garden etc. Dr. B.P. Pal who was an eminent breeder of international repute has been honored by the devoted rose garden and inauguration of the garden and unveil of Dr. B.P. Pal statue by father of green revolution Prof. M.S. Swaminathan is remarkable.

Dr. Benjamin Peary Palwas (26 May 1906-14 September 1989)

Dr. Benjamin Peary Palwas born in 1906 in Jalandhar. He was earlier known as Brahma Das Pal. He completed Bachelor and Master’s degree in Science at Rangoon University and pursued Ph.D at the University of Cambridge.

He started his career as a Rice Research Officer in Burma in 1932 and moved to Pusa in Bihar as a second Economic Botanistat the Imperial Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa. He then shifted to Delhi along with the institute and became the Director of the institute in September 1950. As a plant breeder of international repute, Dr Pal is well known for his work on crop improvement, in particular for evolving rust-resistant varieties of wheat.
He became the first Director General of Indian Council for Agricultural Research in 1965. He was largely responsible for the first phase of India’s Green Revolution.
He founded the The Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding, the oldest and most prestigious registered society of practicing Geneticists and Plant Breeders from public and private institutions and the students pursuing Genetics and Plant Breeding disciplines, where he has vital role to play in fostering the progress of Science of Genetics and Plant Breeding in the country.
The Society was founded 60 years ago in January, 1941 at the Indian Congress Session at BHU, Varanasi by a group of Indian geneticists and plant breeders of that time led by Late Dr. B. P. Pal. The first secretary and also the first editor of the Society’s official publication, The Indian Journal of Genetics & Plant Breeding. Dr. B.P. Pal graced the presidentship of the Society four times- 1947, 1948, 1957 and 1977.
Pal founded the Rose and Bougainvillea Societies of India, the Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding while also serving as the editor of its journal.
Contribution to Rose:
From his boyhood days in Burma, growing roses was Dr Pal’s passionate hobby. Pal (1972) has described in his book Rose in India 242 rose cultivars released in India. Most of them have been listed in the catalogues of rose nurseries in India.
A total of one hundred and five rose cultivars are said to be bred by him, including; ‘ROSE SHERBET’, ‘DELHI APRICOT’, ‘DELHI PINK PEARL’, ‘DELHI WHITE PEARL’.
Some rose cultivars bred in India evolved by B. P. Pal like Mohini and Banjaran were recognized in the U.S.A and the UK with very good reports. An active participant at rose shows, Dr Pal won several trophies, including the ICI Challenge Trophy for developing new seedling rose, which he won ten times.
He authored wonderful books like, “The Roses in India”, “Beautiful Climbers of India”, “Flowering Shrubs of India”, “Bougainvilleas and Environmental Conservation and Development” with simple and clear expressions.
Besides Dr Pal was conferred numerous awards, like Birbal Sahni Medal by Indian Botanical Society(1962), Medal byAgri-Horticultural Society of India (1970), He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1959,Padma Bhushan in 1968 and Padma Vibhushan in 1987.

Glimpses of the event: