Lucknow: The two-day flower exhibition hosted by the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) concluded successfully on Sunday. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, gardening enthusiasts, and residents from Lucknow and beyond, who gathered to explore and learn about a wide variety of plants.
During the exhibition, a total of 16 trophies and 147 awards were distributed to participants across various categories. This year, 17 exhibitors from Lucknow and other cities showcased an impressive 205 entries, making the event a resounding success.
Key Highlights of the Exhibition
The event featured a special appearance by Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR, New Delhi, who served as the chief guest. She inaugurated several key publications, including the CSIR-NBRI Calendar 2025, a book on neem-based agricultural technology, a product catalog on dehydrated floral crafts, and the CSIR-NBRI Annual Report 2023-24.
Dr. Kalaiselvi also unveiled four new varieties of chrysanthemum developed by NBRI:
- NBRI ‘Stuti’: A dwarf, “no-pinch-no-stake” variety, ideal for pots and displays.
- NBRI ‘Jagannath’: Another dwarf, highly floriferous variety with small flowers, suitable for gardens and borders.
- NBRI ‘Saraswati’: A compact, densely flowering white variety, attracting bees due to its high pollen yield, making it excellent for honeybee cultivation.
- NBRI ‘Padma’: A deep pink, cut-spray variety ideal for floral arrangements and pot culture.
Innovations and Agreements
The event also marked the transfer of NBRI’s 90K SNP Cotton Chip technology to ILS Limited in the presence of Dr. Kalaiselvi. Furthermore, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between NBRI and the Genome Foundation to enhance public awareness and promote research and innovation in genomics and biotechnology.
New Facilities and Products
Dr. Kalaiselvi inaugurated a central plant propagation facility at NBRI and launched two new fragrances—Frotus-Rudra and Frotus-Kumbh—based on belpatra oil. These fragrances are derived from the leaves and fruit of the bel tree, adding a unique touch to India’s aromatic landscape.
Promoting Heritage and Conservation
During her visit to NBRI’s remote research center in Banthra, Dr. Kalaiselvi inaugurated the India Heritage Tree Garden. This initiative aims to identify, conserve, and propagate heritage trees, some of which are over a century old and hold historical significance related to India’s freedom struggle.
Acknowledgments and Closing Remarks
Dr. Kalaiselvi commended NBRI Director Dr. Ajit Kumar Shasni for his leadership and the institute’s remarkable achievements in research and societal contributions. She expressed her admiration for NBRI’s transformation from a royal garden into a leading research institution attracting farmers, startups, and entrepreneurs.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by senior scientist Dr. K.J. Singh, acknowledging the contributions of participants, visitors, and citizens of Lucknow. Esteemed guests, including Dr. P.K. Trivedi, Director of CIMAP, and Dr. Radha Rangarajan, Director of CSIR-CDRI, were also in attendance.
The flower exhibition not only showcased NBRI’s innovative developments but also highlighted its commitment to conservation, technology, and community engagement.
