A SOMEWHAT unusual report was published under the heading ‘Scientists warn of plant knowledge loss as botany studies dropped’ (May 26). It declares that US scientists are warning that the plant world could become a virtual mystery in the coming decades. As a consequence, college students would increasingly shy away from studying botany in favour of more modern technology-related programmes. Furthermore, The US Science Foundation’s research statistics has stated that since 1988 the number of universities offering botany has dropped by half.

The US National Centre for Education Statistics has recorded that fewer than 400 undergraduate degrees were awarded in the US in 2012.

The warning of plant knowledge lost as botany studies dropped seems hardly realistic. To strengthen this statement, some arguments are presented as follows:

According to Oxford Dictionary (9th edition), the meaning of the word botany included all the scientific information concerning plants, e.g. plant physiology, plant anatomy, plant genetics, plant ecology, plant distribution, plant classification (taxonomy) and plant economic importance. As such it becomes rather evident that the word botany has been used by US scientists in a traditional or restricted sense of plant taxonomy. It does not seem possible that the word botany would lose its wider utility and importance.

The knowledge of plant statistics is immeasurable because plants provide basic material to sustain life. Food grains, fruits, vegetables, etc., are consumed in great quantities by humans and animals on a daily basis.

Various industries based on plant products include sugar, food preservation, textile and construction industries. All of these industries enjoy a high economical potential. Therefore, it is concluded that the study of botany can not loose its importance and utility.

Dr S. Iftikhar Ahmed

Manchester

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2015

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