M.Sc. (Botany), Ph. D (Botany – Plant Biotechnology)

Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology

19 years of research experience in the area of Plant Science and Biotechnology. Engaged in various basic as well as applied aspects of plant sciences. Worked on sterility and fertility of Asclepiads, pollen physiology and pollen-stigma interaction in some members of Asclepiadaceae and Labiatae, in vitro conservation of spices germplasm, production of somaclones and somatic hybrids of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton.) for high yield and resistance to diseases, etc.
The present areas of research interest are Plant Genetic Resources Conservation, Plant Tissue Culture, In vitro conservation, Biochemical (Isozyme) and molecular markers. The area of doctoral research was developing In Vitro Technology for Genetic Conservation of Some Genera of Zingiberaceae.
Presently engaged in tissue culture and in vitro conservation of medicinal plants and their characterization using chemical and molecular markers.

1. Micropropagation and in vitro conservation of Operculina turpethum and genetic fidelity analysis (Principal Investigator, 2005-08 (3 years), Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, Govt. of Kerala
2. Large scale micropropagation and organic home-stead farming of medicinal plants in rural areas as a means of economic empowerment of rural women in three districts of Northern Kerala (Co-Principal Investigator, 2005-08 (3 years), National Medicinal Plants Board, Govt. of India

National Level

1. Received the ICAR Team Research Award 1994 - 1996 for multidisciplinary research and outstanding contribution in the field of Horticultural Science (Spices Biotechnology)
2. Jawaharlal Nehru Award for PG Agricultural Research 2004 in the field of Crop improvement - Germplasm Conservation, from Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

State Level

1. Received the Young Scientist Award for the year 1995 from the State Committee on Science, Technology and Environment at the Seventh Kerala Science Congress.
2. Best Poster Award: Life Sciences, 18th Kerala Science Congress

Guidance to Post Graduate Students: Guided the project work of 40 Post Graduate students of Biotechnology, Life Sciences and Plant Sciences of various universities

Ph. D Research guidance: The application for recognition as research guide for Ph. D is under the consideration of Kannur University

Membership in Societies

1. Member, International Association for Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology
2. Member, Society for Biology and Biotechnology
3. Life Member, Gregor Mendel Foundation (GMF), Calicut University, India

Total Publications

1 Booklet, 1 Chapter in Book, 43 Research / review articles, 4 Technical Reports

Selected Publications

1

Nirmal Babu K., Samsudeen, K., Minoo D., Geetha S.P. and P.N. Ravindran 2005. Tissue Culture and Biotechnology of Ginger. In: P.N. Ravindran and K. Nirmal Babu (Ed.) Ginger - The Genus Zingiber. CRC Press, Roca Raton. pp. 181-210.

2

Ravindran, P.N., Geetha S.P. and Nirmal Babu, K. 2004. Underutilized Herbs and Spices. In: Peter K.V. (Ed.) Hand Book of Herbs and Spices. Vol. 2, Woodhead Publishing Co., UK. pp. 53-103.

3

Raghu A.V., Geetha S.P., Gerald Martin, Indira Balachandran and P.N. Ravindran 2006. Direct shoot organogenesis from leaf explants of Embelia ribes Burm.f. – a vulnerable medicinal plant. J. Forest Research, 11(1):57-60.

4

Satheesh George, Geetha S. Pillai, Sudhakar Raja S., Indira Balachandran and P.N. Ravindran 2006. In vitro cultivation of Bacopa monnieri in growth regulator free medium. J. Tropical Medicinal Plants, 7(1) 91-94.

5

Gerald Martin, S.P. Geetha, A.V. Raghu, Indira Balachandran and P.N. Ravindran 2005. Micropropagation of Holarrhena pubescens. J. Tropical Medicinal Plants, 6(1): 111-115.

6

Geetha, S.P., Manjula C., John, C.Z., Minoo D., Nirmal Babu K & Ravindran P.N. 1997. Micropropagation of Kaempferia galanga L. and K. rotunda L. J. Spices and Aromatic Crops, 6 (2): 129-135.

7

Geetha S.P., Nirmal Babu K., Rema J., Ravindran P.N. and Peter K.V. 2000. Isolation of protoplasts from cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton.) and ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.). J. Spices and Aromatic Crops 9 (1): 23-30.

8

Nirmal Babu K., Geetha S.P., Minoo D., Ravindran P.N. and Peter K.V. 1999. In vitro conservation of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton.) germplasm. Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter, 119: 41-45.

9

Nirmal Babu K., Rema J., Geetha S.P., Minoo D., Ravindran P.N. and Peter K.V. 1992. Micropropagation of betel vine(Piper betle L.). J. Spices and Aromatic Crops, 1(2): 160-162.

10

Sridevi P, Geetha S.P. and Namboodiri A.N. 1990. Solubility differences in sporopollenin of pollen and pollinial walls. Current Science, 59 (6): 324-325.