The PG Department of Botany, Khalsa College Amritsar (KCA) today organized a two day  national conference on ''Plant Sciences: Network in Health and Environment' in which experts discussed issues before agriculture, health, rising energy requirements and environment. 

 In his key note address, Dr. Anil Sood, Former Acting Director, Floriculture CSIR-IHBT,Palampur, highlighted the new areas of research in plant sciences which will revolutionize the way the crops are maintained. He said the plants can provide scientists with a window to many types of biological phenomena and help answer fundamental biological questions. He threw light on the fundamentals of the research parameters in plant sciences- DNA, Genes and Genomes.    Dr. Sood also emphasized that investments in the research and development  will help farmers to get long-term economic benefits and preserve environment.

 The Conference is sponsored by Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India to provide a shared forum for researchers and academicians to discuss the current trends of research in plant sciences.    Earlier, the conference was inaugurated by Khalsa College Governing Council honourary secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina who said by the adoption and exploration of innovative methodologies in the field we can face the chalenges before farmers and floriculturists. He stressed on new economically relevant traits in crop species, deeper investigations into plant diversity and adaptation, and expanded translation of basic science to practical applications.   The conference was attended by scientists, R&D professionals, faculty, research scholars and experts from educational institutions, government and non government organizations.

The two Technical session for presentation of Research papers was chaired by Prof. Avinash Nagpal , Prof. Adarsh Pal Vig and Prof. Saroj Arora respectively and the abstract and paper presentors included Prof. Raj Kumar Salar, Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Dr. Geetika Sirhadi, Punjabi University, Prof.P.S.Bedi, GNDU, Prof. Renu Bharadwaj, GNDU and Dr. Munruchi Kaur, Punjabi University.  

Conference Co-ordinator Prof. Kirandeep Kaur Hundal delivered the vote of thanks to conclude the first day of the conference. Dr. Rajbir Singh, Organizing Secretary appreciated all the participants for enriching the audience through their valuable research work and faculty members for making this seminar successful. The other present included Dr.Harjinder Singh, Dr. Madhu, Dr. Prabhjit Kaur, Dr. Paramjeet Kaur, Dr. Harpreet Kaur, Dr. Maninder Kaur, Dr. Saraswati, Prof. Ramandeep Kaur, Prof. Aishwarya Gurung and Prof. Sandeep Kaur.