The emphasis of the department is to engage in contemporary and translational research related to plant biology and their application in agriculture, environment, secondary metabolites and eco-toxicology. The on-going programs are in alignment with the mission of discovery, translation and training.  Several medicinal plants, including orchids are being extensively studied to characterize the active ingredients and their identification by molecular Barcoding. Improving nutritional content, enhancing germination capabilities and overcoming pest resistance are some of the ongoing programs.