National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI)

The National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) has recently achieved a breakthrough by successfully cultivating the Eustoma flower, which is native to Mexico and America, in Odisha. This follows the successful cultivation of the same flower at the NBRI campus in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

About the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI)

• Location: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

• Constituent Institute: NBRI is part of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), one of the most prominent scientific bodies in India.

• Focus: The institute is a multi-disciplinary plant research center, internationally recognized for its basic and applied research in various fields of plant sciences.

History and Evolution

• Origin: NBRI was initially established as the National Botanic Gardens (NBG) by the State Government of Uttar Pradesh. In 1953, it was taken over by CSIR.

• Renaming: In 1978, the institute was renamed National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), marking its expanded role in applied and developmental research in plant sciences.

• Research Areas: NBRI focuses on several strategically important areas, including plant diversity, biotechnology, plant-environment interaction, and the development of plant-based technologies.

Key Objectives of NBRI

1. Research on Plant Diversity: Studying both indigenous and exotic plant species, including rare and endangered species.

2. Technological Development: Creating new plant and microbial sources with commercial value.

3. Germplasm Repository: Building and maintaining a germplasm repository to preserve valuable plant species.

4. Identification and Exchange: Providing expertise in plant identification, garden layouts, and landscaping.

5. Dissemination of Knowledge: Sharing research findings through publications, training, and extension activities.

Research Divisions at NBRI

NBRI conducts its research under seven specialized divisions:

1. Plant Diversity, Systematics, and Herbarium: Studying plant species diversity and taxonomy.

2. Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, and Product Development: Focused on developing plant-based pharmaceutical products.

3. Plant Ecology and Environmental Technologies: Researching the interaction of plants with their environment and developing technologies to address environmental challenges.

4. Molecular Biology and Biotechnology: Exploring the genetic and molecular aspects of plant improvement.

5. Plant Genetic Resources and Improvement: Developing plant breeding techniques for better productivity and resilience.

6. Botanical Garden, Plant Conservation, and Agro-Technologies: Focusing on conservation and the development of agricultural technologies.

7. S&T Management: Managing science and technology initiatives within the institute.

State-of-the-Art Facilities

• Botanic Garden: NBRI houses a well-maintained botanic garden spread over 25 hectares, with collections of around 5,000 indigenous and exotic plant species.

• Herbarium: The institute boasts a herbarium containing 253,103 reference collections of both flowering and non-flowering plants from India.

• Field Research Stations: NBRI operates two field research stations at Banthra.

Global Recognition and Contributions

• Global Expertise: NBRI has made significant contributions in biotech and microbial technologies, herbal products, and plant databases. It is a key contributor to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

• Government Recognition: The institute is recognized by various ministries and departments of the Government of India, as well as international bodies like the United Nations for its work in traditional knowledge and intellectual property rights.

• National Repository: NBRI has been recognized as one of the National Repositories for Indian flora under the National Biodiversity Authority.

Notable Achievement: Cultivation of Eustoma

• Exotic Flower: Eustoma, a flower native to Mexico and America, is not typically found in India. However, NBRI’s research has made it possible to successfully grow this exotic flower in Odisha, a significant achievement in the field of plant cultivation and research.

Conclusion

The National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) continues to be at the forefront of plant research and conservation, not only in India but also globally. Its latest achievement in cultivating Eustoma and its extensive work in plant biotechnology, conservation, and environmental sustainability showcases the institute’s leadership in plant sciences. As it continues to push the boundaries of research, NBRI’s contributions are vital for biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and economic growth through plant-based technologies