Dr. Ali Haidar Shah is an ICAR ASRB NET (2025) qualified scientist working as a Senior Research Fellow in Division of Floriculture and Landscaping, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu. He obtained his B.Sc. (Hons.). Agriculture and Master’s degree from SKUAST Jammu in 2018 and 2020 and Ph.D. from Dr Yspuhf, Nauni, Solan, H.P. in 2024. He has published 20 research/review papers in the journals of national and international repute, 2 books as First Author, 5 book chapters, 2 patents, 20 newspaper articles. He is a lifetime member of National and International Scientific/Non-government/Agricultural Welfare Societies.
Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner, Government of India, has led more than 15 externally funded and institutional research projects and published 121 research papers, 28 books, 35 popular articles, 17 book chapters, and 11 technical bulletins. He contributed to policy development, including the Curriculum Development Framework under the National Agricultural Higher Education Project of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, and played a key role in developing seven ornamental crop varieties and establishing a Model Floriculture Centre at GBPUA&T, Pantnagar. He has developed 12 nationally important technologies and holds 23 copyrights/patents. As National Co-ordinator, he established a Monitoring and Evaluation Cell and facilitated the creation of 16 CAAST Centres in cutting-edge areas such as genomics, climate-smart agriculture, and digital agriculture. He has actively contributed to national extension programmes like Farmer FIRST, Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav, and Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, strengthening the science–society interface. He also served on the Task Force for Promotion of Agarwood in the North-Eastern Region, promoting sustainable cultivation and value addition. As Horticulture Commissioner and Mission Director of the National Bamboo Mission and National Honey and Bee Keeping Mission, he advanced sustainable horticulture and the “sweet revolution.” He is also leading the National Mission on Oil Palm toward edible oil self-sufficiency. Earlier, as CEO of the Coconut Development Board, he promoted value addition and climate-resilient production systems, and chaired the Technical Working Group of the International Coconut Community. Honoured with the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Award, he has made enduring contributions to Indian agriculture, including establishing the National Makhana Board.
Dr Imtiyaz T Nazki is a Professor/Chief Scientist. Division of Floriculture and Landscape Arcitecture, Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST-K Shalimar. Dr Nazki has done B.Sc. and Ph.D. from SKUAST-K and has done M.Sc. from PAU, Ludhiana, Punjab. He has experience in Research Teaching and Extension of more than 20 years. He is a renowned Scientist of the country in the field of Flower Breeding, Production and Landscaping. He has contributed to research area a lot. He has published 90 research papers, 10 reports, 10 general articles, 15 book chapters, 01 book and 01 policy paper. He is a lifetime member of many International and National Societies. Presently, he is heading Centre of Excellence for Tulips at Kukernag Anantanag and Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr. Nitesh Kaushal is an ICAR NET (2023) Qualified Scientist currently contributing to the CSIR Floriculture Mission as a Senior Project Associate at CSIR-IHBT, Palampur. His academic journey, firmly rooted in Horticultural Science, began with a B.Sc. in Horticulture from Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University. He then specialized with an M.Sc. in Horticulture (Floriculture and Landscape Architecture) from Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry. He earned his Ph.D. in Floriculture and Landscape Architecture from the same university. Currently, he is a Senior Project Associate at CSIR-IHBT, Palampur. He actively bridges research and practice through the CSIR Floriculture Mission, applying his expertise to promote sustainable and profitable floriculture.
Part-I: Foundation
1. Introduction to Lotus: Historical and Cultural Significance of Lotus......3
Part-II: Genetics, Breeding and Varieties
2. Genetics of Lotus (Nelumbo spp.) .........................................................31
Part-III: Production Technology
3. Agroecology and Site Selection for Lotus Production...........................59
Part-IV: Production Scenario and Economics
4. Global Production and Trade of Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera).................141
Part-V: Institutions, Research and Policy
5. Institutions Involved - India ................................................................205
Part-VI: Challenges, Innovations and Future Thrust
6. Constraints and Bottlenecks.................................................................215
Part-VII: Supporting Chapters
7. Ethnobotany, Nutrition, and Medicinal Uses.......................................223
Bibliography.........................................................................................229
