Nature has gifted man with trees for his sustainable livelihood. Trees are an integral part of any landscape. Apart from beautifying our surroundings, trees are used functionally to improve the quality of environment particularly in urban areas, where the environment is degrading at a faster rate. The significance of growing trees is widely understood in recent days. The book on ‘Flowering Trees’ begins with describing India’s heritage in growing trees, the spiritual and religious significance of trees and role of trees in indigenous landscaping and sacred groves, where their main function is conservation of biodiversity. The functional values of trees in modern landscaping such as to reduce glare, climate modification, pollution control, their ecological value and various uses for aesthetic purposes are dealt with in detail in this book. Avenure planting is also described in detail. Principles and designs for planting trees, methods of planting, cultural practices, pruning, problems in tree growing and various methods to overcome them are also described. The psychological effects of plants on human beings and the astrological significance of trees are discusses in this book. The book includes detailed descriptions of ornamental, economic and medicinal trees. Separate chapters on trees for bonsai and renewable energy are also included in this book.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR C.K. Geetha
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.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR P.K. Rajeevan
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 Agriculture 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, Kocchi/ He has visited Kenya, Saudi Arabia, 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 seminars on Floriculture (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 Boars 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 HIS Gold medal for his contribution and leadership in Floriculture for the year 2005.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR P.K. Sudhadevi
Dr. (Mrs.) P.K. Sudhadevi completed her Post graduation and doctorate4 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 ion 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.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR P.K. Valsalakumari
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 book/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 Floriculture at the kerala Agricultural university and a winter school on “Flori Business in the changing Global scenario: issues and strategies†sponsored by ICAQR. 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 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.
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