Present study was carried out to assess the structure and regeneration of Sal forests in Shiwalik region of Kumaun Himalaya. Vegetation analysis and tree canopy density was determined by using quadrat and densitometer, respectively. Density of seedlings, saplings and trees was 490-14067, 37-1233, and 273-863 ind.ha^-1 respectively. The basal area was 0.12-5.44 m² ha^-1 reported for saplings and 25.4-77.6 m² ha^-1 for trees. Regeneration of Sal was found good in Sal mixed dense forest followed by Sal open forest and Sal dense forest, respectively. Regeneration of Sal was assisted by the presence of associated tree species as well as the sufficient sunlight availability on ground due to adequate opening of canopy trees in Sal forest. Thus it is concluded that the density of tree canopy, sunlight availability and also associated tree species impacted the regeneration of Sal in the region.

Nursery experiments were carried out to evaluate three different pre-emergence herbicides on weed control efficiency, seedling survival and seedling growth of Teak nursery. Three days after planting the stumps in poly bags, pre emergence herbicides viz. atrazine (50% WP), pendimethalin (30% EC) and oxyfluorfen (23.5% EC) were applied as herbicide spray with water at different concentrations on the nursery bags using knapsack sprayer. Thirty and sixty days after application of herbicides, observations were made on number of leaves/stump, number of secondary roots/stump, dry matter production (g seedling^-1) and survival parentage of Teak seedling in each treatment. Weed control efficiency was worked out on the basis of weed dry weight (g) recorded in each treatment at 30 days after application of herbicides. To evaluate the efficency and compatibility of pre-emergence herbicides on seedling growth of Teak were observed through phytotoxic scoring on 3 days interval up to 30 days and 15 days interval up to 60 days after application of herbicides. The results revealed that the compatibility of application of pre-emergence herbicide of atrazine at 0.50% - 1.0% can be effectively control weeds without impairing the seedling growth of Tectona grandis.

The study conducted on four populations of P. kesiya using cpSSR markers reported that the overall genetic diversity was higher (H_T=0.547) as compared to within population genetic diversity (H_S=0.285). Gene flow estimate was found to be relatively low (N_m=0.543). The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed 51.09% of the variation to be within population and 48.91% of the variation to be among populations. UPGMA clustering segregated the populations into a single cluster and the identity matrix showed that the population from Jowai was genetically distinct and requires special attention. The study highlighted sufficient levels of genetic variation among the populations of this region which should be conserved. Information obtained from this study can be useful in setting up proper management strategies for the conservation of P. kesiya forest in Northeast India.

The investigation was carried out to analyse the proximate principles and nutrients of the Bamboo species and to standardize their lopping period. The five Bamboo species viz., Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Nees. D. strictus (Roxb.), D. hookeri var. parishii, B. arundinacea (L.) and B. nutans Wall. was harvested at monthly interval during the winter months - December, January and February. The study reveals that the Bamboo leaf contains 56.84 to 77.12 percent dry matter, 15.06 to 17.30 percent crude protein, 2.77 to 6.90% ether extract, 32.71 to 44.83% Nitrogen Free Extract. The study concludes that from fodder point of view B. arundinacea (L.) is the best species whereas mineral content are good in D. hamiltonii Nees. From the present study it is concluded that all the evaluated Bamboo species are good source of nutrients (dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, total ash and nitrogen free extract) and can be utilized to ameliorate the ever increasing forage shortage in the hill area.

Genomic DNA extraction from forestry tree species require young leaf samples to obtain high-quality DNA for molecular based study. For some study, leaf samples must be collected from remote areas and are difficult to transport long distances. We developed alternative method of DNA extraction from inner bark of Cedrus deodara. We used 2.5% PVP for removal of phenolic compound and apply high concentration of sodium chloride to removes polysaccharides. Extracted DNA gives positive amplification with PCR using random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers.

Bombax ceiba L. is a fast-growing tree found in greater part of India. It is strong light-demander, resists mild frost and is found to be unaffected by drought. The species is planted on a wide scale, but superior germplasm is not available for planting. Germplasm of Assam is known to grow faster than north Indian germplasm. Between-stand as well as between-tree within-stand variation was observed for fruit and seed traits in Karbi Anglong district in Assam. The study suggests that it would be worthwhile to intensively select superior stands as well as superior trees in the state, carry out their progeny testing and clonal evaluation for producing superior germplasm for plantation purposes.

Neolamarkia cadamba (Roxb.) is a fast growing species recognized as a raw material for match wood industry, pulp wood, plywood industry. Seeds from thirty CPTs of Neolamarkia cadamba across the India were collected and evaluated in nursery for various growth and variability parameters. Significant variation was recorded for shoot length, root length, collar diameter, root shoot ratio, biomass production, sturdiness quotient, volume index and quality index among 30 genotypes. FCRIAC 6 (Pantnagar), have outperformed in seven growth parameters studied, followed by FCRIAC 11 (Chandrapur), FCRIAC 19 (Ragihosalli), FCRIAC 20 (Kodigehalli), FCRIAC 26 (Nashik) performing better in six growth parameters.  Shoot length, biomass production and volume index registered high genetic estimates. Heritability was high for all the growth characters. PCV values were slightly higher for all the parameters compared to GCV. Collar diameter, shoot length and root length positively and significantly correlated with biomass, volume index, sturdiness quotient and quality index both genotypically and phenotypically. These results will assist in early selection of good performing and fast growing genotype for raising plantations as well as during further investigation in field trials.

The present study was conducted in Goshal, one of the largest villages of cold desert district of Lahaul in Himachal Pradesh, India, during 2010 to 2013 to carry out photosynthetic study and water use efficiency of various species growing in the cold deserts. We classified the study area into three major ecosystems viz; Forest Ecosystem, Alpine Pasture Ecosystem and Agro- ecosystem and found that in Forest Ecosystem Salix alba was most water use efficient tree with maximum photosynthetic rate of 36.61µ mol/m²/sec However in case of Alpine Ecosystem Podophyllum peltatum (0.014534) and Artemisia brevifolia in Agroecosystem was most water use efficient species. Thus we recommend these species for Agroforestry and aforestation purpose in the cold desert area as dry land cultivation is not possible in Agro-ecosystem and for cultivated area the only source of water is through glacial melts from the upper mountain reaches.

Eight coprinoid macrofungi representing three genera (Coprinus, Coprinellus and Coprinopsis) collected between 2012 to 2014 from various altitudinal locations of Ladakh have been studied.These include two Coprinus (C. comatus and C. quadrifidus), three Coprinellus (C. disseminatus, C. micaceus and C. truncorum) and three Coprinopsis (C. atramentarea, C. lagopus and C. picacea) species which were recorded for the first time from Ladakh region Jammu and Kashmir State. In the present paper, all the eight taxa have been described and illustrated with field photograph and camera lucida drawings. A taxonomic key for identification of all these species has also been incorporated.

Surveys conducted during the year 2013-2014 in East Baihar Forest Range of North Balaghat Forest Division, Madhya Pradesh, revealed the occurrence of heartwood borer, Hoplocerambyx spinicornis Newman (Coleoptera : Cerambycidae) in Sal forests of beat Bimori (Compartment No. 1596 and 1599). Out of total 20 marked Sal trees, 11 trees were recorded as borer affected due to the presence of holes and wood dust at the base of the tree and others 9 trees showed only roll secretion. The borer affected trees were belong to type T1 (2 trees), T3 (5 trees), T5 (3 trees) and T7 (1 tree). The GBH of borer affected trees varied from 106 -180 cm and 64 -130 cm in case of trees with roll secretion. During the present survey, feeding holes of woodpecker bird were observed on the borer affected tree trunk of Sal.

Memecylon sivagirianum, is described and illustrated as a new species from the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India. The differences to similar taxa are discussed.

Occurrence of Solanum villosum Mill. (Solanaceae) is reported for the first time from Odisha in the Eastern Ghat region of India. A detailed description along with phenological data, distribution and photographs of the species is provided for easy identification.

Habenaria sahyadrica K.M.P.Kumar, T.K.Nirmesh, V.B.Sreek. & Kumar, a terrestrial orchid is reported here as new record for Karnataka state from BRT Wildlife Sanctuary.

Apocopis mangalorensis (Hochst. ex Steud.) Henrard and Sporobolus ioclados (Trin.) Nees, (Poaecae), collected from different localities in Kadapa district are being reported as a new distributional records to the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Five species, viz., Pohlia ludwigii (Schwaegr.) Broth. (Bryaceae), Philonotis mollis (Dozy & Molk.) Mitt. (Bartramiaceae) Homaliodendron exiguum (Bosch & Sande Lac.) Fleisch. (Neckeraceae), Cyathophorella burkillii (Dixon) Broth. (Hypopterygiaceae ) and Claopodium assurgens (Sull. & Lesq.) Cardot (Thuidiaceae Schimp.) have been recorded for the first time from Darjeeling district of West Bengal and reported as new to the state. Detailed description and illustration of all the recorded species have been provided.

Allophylus rheedei (Wight) Radlk. and Crotalaria angulata Mill. are reported for the first time from Odisha state. Detailed description, photo plate and relevant notes are provided.

Syzygium neesianum Arn., a Myrtaceous tree species is reported for the first time for Karnataka from  South Canara and Coorg district. A brief description along with photo image of the herbarium specimenis provided herewith for further study.

Cynanchum arnottianum Wight (Asclepiadaceae), a long lost species, is being recollected after over a century in Kumaun Himalaya.

Rubus L. (Rosaceae), hitherto unrecorded from Central India is reported for the first time from the area represented by Rubus ellipticus Smith. Detailed description, ecological observation alongwith photographs are provided for easy identification of the taxon in the field.

Eriolaena stocksii Hook. f. & Thomson ex Mast. is reported for the first time from Odisha state. Earlier it was reported from Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Detailed description, photo plate and relevant notes are provided.