The Department of Botany was initiated in Sree Venkateswara University (Accredited by NAAC A+) at the foot hills of Lord Sri Venkateswara in the year 1959 under the stewardship of Founder Prof. Iruvanti Madhusudhana Rao and started offering regular M.Sc. course. Further, the Department made it great leaps and strides under the leadership of Prof. V. S. Rama Das and had been recognized as a strong centre for Plant Physiology both National and International levels along with other distinguished faculty, Prof. A. Seshagiri Rao, Prof. M. V. Nayudu Prof. G. Rajeswara Rao.  So far 2000 Post-graduate Degrees, 225 M.Phils and 155 Ph.Ds. Degrees were awarded by the Department. The Department also organized several Refresher Course, Summer School for University and College Teachers. The Department has undertaken several major research projects funded by International Scientific Agencies like UNEP, USDA, IAEA, IFS etc. and National Scientific Organizations like UGC, CSIR, DST, DAE, DNES, MoEF, DBT, TTD, APCOST and A.P. Biodiversity Board.
 The Department was recognized as one of the International Centers for Photosynthesis research under UNEP programme and achieved indelible mark of Excellence through its pioneering research contributions. So far about 1200 research papers have been published from the Department in reputed National and International Scientific Journals.  The members of the faculty have received National and International Awards. Many research students have received Young Scientists awards from INSA, ISCA, DST, UGC and A.P. Academy of Sciences. The UGC is awarding Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for SC/ST Research Students; DST Inspire Fellowship for First Rank Holder in Post graduate in Dr. Moulana Azad National Fellowship. The Post-graduate Students are also receiving Indira Gandhi National Fellowship for Single Girl Child.  The Alumni of the Department have good track of carriers and have occupied high positions in reputed academic, administrative, research and scientific organizations both in India and Abroad.
Plant Physiology has been the major thrust area of research of the Department. In recognition of its original contributions made in the recent past, the department was selected for Special Assistance under DRS Phase I, II & III (1985-2003) and COSIST (2001-2006) Programmes by the University Grants Commission. The on-going Departmental Programmes are the DST- FIST, Level-1 (2009-2014) and BSR (Basic Scientific Research) and UGC-SAP funded by UGC (2012-2013). These programmes made the Department to strengthen the infrastructural facilities for teaching and research activities. The faculty members have organized / participated in several International and National Seminars / Conferences / Workshops.
The Department has been carrying collaborative research work with National and International Institutes like IISc., UAS, Bangalore, ICRISAT, Hyderabad, and BIOTRIM, A.P. Forest Department, Tirupati.
The Department also entered into MoU  with National and International organizations like A.P. Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Board, Hyderabad (2007-2017);  St. Laurent Institute, The George Washington University, USA (2008-2018);  Yunnan Academy of Forestry, Kunming, China (2010-2020);  University of Colombo, Sri Lanka (2012-2022).
   The Department is strong in the area of Plant Physiology.  Other fields of current interest in research includes, Plant Biotechnology, Molecular Plant Pathology, Phytomedicine and Biodiversity & Conservation, Biosystematics, Plant Breeding, Reproductive Biology.
 Since its inception (1959), 53 Batches of M. Sc. Botany Students nearly 2000 Post Graduates, 180 Ph. D and 200 M.Phil Degrees were awarded. 25 members of Alumni students-as faculty in the Department of Botany, S. V. U, Tirupati.; 5 members in the other Dept. of S.V.U, TPT; 40 members in other Universities in India and Abroad. 50 students as Scientists in International Institutions, 50 Students as Directors and Principal Scientists in National and International Laboratories; 50 Members in State and Central Admistrative Officers (IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS and Group I, II of A.P State Services). Nearly 1000 members in Teaching Profession of UG and PG Colleges and in Schools. Nearly 500 Members in Sericulture, Banking, Public and Private Sector Officers. The UGC Awarded Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for SC/ST Research Students.; The Post-graduate Students are also receiving Indira Gandhi National Fellowship for Single Girl Child. Nearly 7 Research Scholars were qualified for CSIR NET, APSET, GATE, (2009-13). And also received nearly 10 fellowships for research by UGC-BSR, INSPIRE, RGNF, MANF etc.