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Department of Botany established in 1964, is one of the oldest departments in Shivaji University. The department started functioning with enrolling nine students for the M.Sc. course and three teachers (Two lecturers and one demonstrator). Since the time the department moved in its own premises on the University Campus (1966), it has progressed rapidly with increases in student number as well as faculty strength. At present, the department admits 55 students for M.Sc. course and the sanctioned faculty is fifteen. Further, there is a non-teaching / technical staff of fourteen members. During the course of last forty five years, the department introduced following specializations for M.Sc. Senior Course.
Plant Physiology
Mycology and Plant Pathology
Angiosperm Taxonomy
Cytogenetics and Plant Breeding
Energy, Ecology and Environment
Marine Botany
Plant Biotechnology
Palaeobotany *
Plant Protection*
Pollution*
Besides, two interdisciplinary subjects viz. Plant Protection and Pollution were also taught as specializations for some period. Both classical and applied aspects of the subjects of Botany have been taken into consideration while framing the M.Sc. syllabus and an attempt is always made to keep it in tune with the modern trends and UGC policy. The department conducts SET-NET coaching program as well as Remedial Coaching courses. Along with M.Sc. Course department has been conducting M.Phil. course and Ph.D. program.. So far 119 students obtained M.Phil. degree while 165 students were awarded Ph.D. degrees in different branches of Botany. Majority of the past students of the department have opted for teaching profession while some past students occupy important positions in administration and research fields. A few past students have also earned reputation as successful industrialists. The department was instrumental.
In starting UGC sponsored Faculty Improvement Program (FIP) and under this activity 79 teacher fellows obtained M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees. The department organized 13 refresher courses for college teachers and few workshops on the revisions in B.Sc. syllabus. Many of the faculty members have served as resource persons in their respective specializations in refresher courses organized at other universities. Some faculty members are also involved in teaching of interdisciplinary subjects such as Sericulture, Agrochemicals and Pest Management, Environmental Science and Biotechnology.
The research work in the department was oriented towards both classical and applied components of the subject. Since Shivaji University is situated in close vicinity of Western Ghats, there is rich biodiversity in some regions within its jurisdiction. Hence, an exhaustive attempt is made to investigate Angiosperm flora and Fungal flora in different regions. This study was supplemented with study of fossils in some regions of the Gondawana land. Initially, a coastal district Ratnagiri was affiliated to Shivaji University. In view of significant role of coastal ecosystem in stabilizing the coastline and marine productivity, various aspects of marine algae, mangroves and mangrove associates have been studied. As Shivaji University is functional on the rural agricultural background, research priority has been given to the problems of understanding the crop failure due to various diseases and their management, stress factors such as soil water deficit, soil salinity, flooding , weeds and .with this view the physiology of some important crops and weeds in the region has been investigated. Cytogenetical studies of several promising medicinal plants are also carried out and tissue culture technology has been employed for the micropropagation of the endangered species. In view of severe loss of plant wealth of the region in modern times, special attention is also given to conservation of various promising and threatened species. To achieve the above research objectives, besides, relying solely on the University and UGC resources the department has always tried to generate the resources through projects and research schemes of various agencies such as U.S. Department of Agriculture (PL-480 scheme), DST, DAE, CSIR, DBT, DOD, DOEN, MPCB and MoEF. This has greatly helped the department in supporting the research students with research fellowships and providing various research facilities such as 1) Botanical Garden, 2) Polyhouses, 3) herbarium, 4) Tissue Culture Laboratory, 5) Radiotracer Laboratory, 6) Sophisticated Equipments, 7)Computers. The research work carried out in the department has appeared in more than 780 papers published in various national and international journals and is also presented in seminars and conferences from time to time.
The department organized an International Photobiology Conference. at Mahabaleshwar in 1981, National symposium on Mangroves in 1985, National Seminar on Wetlands in 2005 and International Seminar on Changing Scenario in Angiosperm Taxonomy in 2007. Two National workshops on ‘Grass Systematics’ and four Mangrove Awareness Programmes have also been organised by the department.
The department organized Science Exhibitions for school students, Essay Competition for college students and Seminar Competition for PG students. Some faculty members also offer consultancy services to different agencies. Under extension activities Department provides services in identification of plants and pathogens and also solving problems of productions. The faculty members are actively involved in various programmers for promotion of scientific awareness among people through popular lectures in schools and colleges, popular articles (in regional language Marathi), Radio and TV talks. Further some members also participated in farmer rallies as resource persons. Some faculty members guided Nature Club activities and participated in exploration of flora. An attempt is also made by some faculty members to promote activities of Marathi
Vidnyan Parishad, Indian Women Scientist Association and other scientific societies. The department has established effective linkages with various state level Institutes, Govt. department and National Institutes.
Department of Science and Technology (DST) has considered the department for FIST Funds for improvement of S & T Infrastructure and sanctioned a Grant of Rs. 20 lacks in June 2004. In April 2007, the Dept. was recognized as a SAP-DRS-I Department by U.G.C. and was given a grant of Rs. 47, 54,000/- for Five years. Further a grant of Rs. 20 lacks has been recently received through Special Assistance Program from U.G.C. for three years from 2008, the Botanical Garden of the department has been recently recognized as a ‘Lead Garden’ by MOEF and is supported accordingly.
All these developments clearly speak of the bright future of the department as one of the leading centers of Botanical Research in India.
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