Prof. S.N. Rao

Prof. S.N. Rao, a distinguished horticultural scientist and administrator was born in an agricultural family of Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh on September 10, 1924. After early education in India, he received his M.Sc. degree in Horticulture from the University of California, Davis, U.S.A. in 1951 and Ph.D. in Horticulture from Michigan State University, East Lansing, U.S.A. in 1954. Professor Rao worked in the Research Laboratory of Michigan State University, U.S.A. before returning to India.

Dr Rao has served the cause of horticultural research, education and development in various capacities as Professor of Horticulture, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Agricultural Institute, Sehore, Madhya Pradesh; Senior Horticulturist, Fruit Research Stations, Kodur and Sangareddy, Andhra Pradesh; Director of Research, Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, Hyderabad and as Chairman, Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation. During a period spanning four decades, Dr Rao has contributed very significantly to Horticultural Research, his major contributions being in hormonal regulation, fruiting and flowering in mango, sapota, guava, passion fruit and vegetable crops. During his tenure as Professor of Horticulture in Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh Agricultural Universities, he established the College Orchards and Botanical Gardens.

As Director of Research, he was responsible for planning, coordination, controlling and execution of research policies and programmes of Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University in the faculties of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Farm Forestry and Home Science through a network of 59 experimental stations spread all over the state.

Professor Rao’s significant contribution for horticultural development in the country has been well recognized by his nomination to various national and state level committees such as scientific panel for fruits, plantation crops,medicinal and aromatic plants of ICAR, New Delhi; Quinquennial Review Team for the All India Co-ordinated Fruit Improvement Project and High Power Committee of Horticultural Research review of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore.

In addition to being President of the Horticultural Society of India, he was Life Member, Royal Horticultural Society, London; Member of the United Nations Development Programme, Advisory Committee of Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru etc. He was senior member on the Committee for starting a College of Horticulture and Forestry in Arunachal Pradesh as part of the Central Agricultural University, Pasighat.