Yield prediction models were developed for plantations of Acacia mangium and Acacia auriculiformis raised under the Kerala Forestry Project in Southern Kerala, India based on the data gathered from temporary sample plots laid out in plantations in the region. The data consisted of girth at breast-height and total height of trees, collected from sample plots of size 20 m x 20 m. Yield prediction models were constructed using Schumaher functions. Height-diameter equations and site index curves were also developed along with the yield prediction models. The fitted equations had high coefficient of determination. The mean Annual Increment (MAI) of commercial volume (over-bark volume of the tree up to a lower limit of 10 cm girth over bark in m³) reached its maximum at 7 years for A. mangium. At 6 years, the MAI ranged from 25 m³ ha^-1 in good sites to 14 m³ ha^-1 in poor sites. In the case of A. auriculiformis, the MAI of commercial volume was only nearing its maximum at 8 years. At 6 years, the MAI ranged from 20 m³ha^-1 in good sites to 7 m³ha^-1 in poor sites. For A. mangium, the MAI of pulpwood volume (under-bark volume of the tree up to a lower limit of 15 cm girth under bark in m³) ranged from 19 m³ ha^-1 at good sites to 10 m³ ha^-1 at poor sites, while in the case of A. auriculiformis, the range of MAI of pulpwood volume was from 14 m³ ha^-1 at good sites to 8 m³ ha^-1 at poor sites when extrapolated at 6 years in both the cases.

Specific gravity of wood was measured of samples collected at breast height of Poplars planted at two locations of Punjab viz. central plain region (Ludhiana) and semi-arid region (Bathinda). Significant differences among clones were noticed at both the locations. Specific gravity ranged from 0.403 to 0.475 in central plain region and from 0.356 to 0.436 in semi-arid region. The genotype x environment interaction was also significant. The genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were low (2.88 to 5.88%). The heritability was moderate (40.82%) in central plain region and high (64.82%) in semi-arid region. Selection of promising clones for end use of wood on basis of specific gravity has been discussed.

Thirty four candidate plus clumps of Bambusa bambos were selected from 17 locations of Tamil Nadu and assembled in the mother nursery at Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam. Studies were undertaken in the mother nursery at six months after planting to elicit information on the correlation and path coefficients of Bambusa bambos. The characters leading shoot length, average shoot length, number of internodes per shoot, average internodal length, average culm diameter, leaf length and leaf width were found to be positively correlated with number of culms. Path coefficient analysis revealed that the average internodal length, leading shoot length, average shoot length, leading shoot diameter, average culm diameter have both direct and indirect effect on number of culms at six months after planting.

Effect of five Agroforestry Systems (AFS) on soil properties and forms of nitrogen was studied 15 years after their adoption, comparing with natural forest (to serve as control) of same age group in an Acidic Alfisol of Meghalaya. The soil pH was maintained in all the AFS except silvi-horti-pastoral system, but the same system registered maximum organic carbon content (2.19%), while agrisilviculture and agrihorticulture AFS recorded lower organic carbon content compared to control. The base saturation percentage and effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) were higher by 6.5 to 63.6 and 23.3 to 111.7 per cent, respectively, over control in different AFS. All the systems except multistoreyed AFS had higher values of different forms of acidity as compared to control. Multistoreyed AFS registered maximum values of available N, NH₄⁺-N, NO₃^-N and mineral N among all the systems, although total N content was quite low (0.18%) as compared to other systems such as control (0.19%), agrihorticulturer and silvihortipastoral AFS (0.20%) indicating, higher rate of N mineralization in this system. Organic carbon, ECEC, exchangeable bases and base saturation had positive correlation with all forms of N and all the forms of N were significantly correlated with each other.

Documenting variations among Teak populations for morphology, phenology, growth rate, relative immunity to insect/disease attack and timber quality are very essential for its fine-scale genetic improvement. Further, there is a need to develop simple morphological descriptors, to characterize elite genotypes that can be easily and reliably adoptable at the field level. Such descriptors would form the basis for rouging operations and for verifying the clonal identity in seed orchards. Therefore, an attempt was made to characterize fifty Teak clones of Karnataka State based on leaf characters. Seven qualitative leaf traits viz. leaf petiole, leaf texture, leaf shape, leaf tip/leaf base shape, leaf pubescence and leaf colour were adopted to describe each of the fifty genuine Teak clones of Karnataka observing three ramets of each clone. Intra clonal differences were not present for all the seven traits suggesting that there were no admixtures among the ramets. Based on the key developed, majority of the Teak clones of Karnataka could be delineated. Perhaps this is the first ever leaf descriptor-based key to identify Teak clones developed after observing large number of Teak clones. This key can be easily adopted to describe new clones from other regions also. Based on the variations observed, new descriptors can be developed. Hence the key is open-ended, upgradeable and useful.

The present investigation deals with the assessment of floral diversity in open stress sites and under plantation of Bursera penicillata (Sasse & Moc… HK. ex Stocks) Engl. And to identify new introductions and elimination of species in plantations of different spacings. Elimination of the species in Bursera penicillata plantation under different spacing showed variations between 13 to 15. The maximum elimination of 15 was found in 2 m x 2 m spacing followed by 4 m x 4 m spacing (14), 3 m x 3 m (13) and 5 m x 5 m spacing (13). With respect to new introductions, the maximum was found in 5 m x 5 m spacing (16), followed by 3 m x 3 m (11), 4 m x 4 m (9) and 2 m x 2 m (7). Elimination was found to be maximum in family Poaceae (4), followed by Papilionaceae (3), Convolvulaceae (2), Caesalpiniaceae (2), Nyctaginaceae (1), Cyperaceae (1) and Malvaceae (1). As far as new introductions were concerned, 5 species were introduced in Poaceae family followed by one each in Convolvulaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Sterculiaceae and Papilionaceae.

Selection of phenotypically superior tree in forestry is very effective as even a small genetic gain can be of immense benefit when distributed over a large plantation area annually. On the basis of important growth parameters twenty superior trees were selected. Six months old progenies of these trees were studied. Phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variations and correlation coefficients were calculated.

Nitrogen and Phosphorus resorption efficiency were studied along fertility gradient in eight native tropical tree species planted on coal mine spoil. The N and P resorption efficiencies decreased with increasing spoil fertility in all the tree species. The legumes and non-legumes potentially differed in terms of N and P resorption efficiently. The leguminous species had a higher efficiency for P resorption and a lower efficiency for N resorption than the non-leguminous species.

The growth and survival characteristics of Bombax ceiba L. (Bombacaceae) were studied to select outstanding plus trees. From 568 trees surveyed in and around Jabalpur, 9 could be marked as plus trees selected. The plus trees were found resistant to the attack of defoliator, termites and other parasites and also varied significantly in other physical parameters.

Pre-sowing seed treatments of Albizia lebbeck, on germination parameters were studied under both laboratory and nursery conditions. It was found that seeds pre-treated with concentrated sulphuric acid for 8 minutes followed by soaking in cold water for 3 hours gave significant germination under both the experimental conditions. The seeds subjected to boiling water for 4 to 7 minutes followed by cooling in cold water for 12 to 18 hours also proved to be effective in promoting germination.

Iris proantha Diels (Iridaceae) reported first time for India from Dibang Valley District of Arunachal Pradesh.

Schefflera agasthiyamalayana V.S. Manikam, C. Murugan, V. Sundaresan & GJ. Jothi sp. Nov., is described and illustrated. The new species appears to be related to Schefflera venulosa (With. & Arn.) Harnes, from which it is easily distinguishable by inflorescence and fruits.

Bagworms (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) are generally regarded as minor pests of forest trees. Here the psychid, Brachycyttarus subteralbatus is reported for the first time as a pest of Eucalyptus torelliana. The larvae feed on the leaves in large numbers and cause severer defoliation.

Desmodium dolabriforme Benth. (Fabaceae), so far known to occur only in Tamil Nadu has been newly located from Kerala at Arienkavu in Kollam District. Information about its distribution and possible reasons of rarity are discussed. Detailed description and illustration are also provided based on fresh specimens, as supplement to the protologue.

The paper throws light on the reasons for endemism of Calophyllum austroindicum – an economically important species occurring in the periphery of rivers and interior of forests in Tirunelveli Hills, Tamil Nadu. Present study has revealed that, possibly the endemism is caused by the fact that the population and reproduction biology is influenced by natural calamities, biotic and abiotic factors. The reduction in the germinability of the seeds is due to its recalcitrant nature. This species is also critically endangered. Both in situ and ex situ methods of conservation are proposed to overcome the possibility of extinction of this species.

Cinnamomum dubium Nees, reported for the first time from India. A detailed description, illustration and relevant notes etc. are provided.

Bulbophyllum serratotruncatum Seidenf. Is reported as a new record for India from the South Andaman Island. A brief description with illustrations is provided.

A new species of Memecylon courtallense (Melastomataceae), collected from the Courtallum Hills of Tamil Nadu, India is described and illustrated.

Cassipourea ceylanica (Gardn.) Alston, an inland Rhizophoraceae member, hitherto known only from Southernmost parts of Western Ghats and Sri Lanka is being reported here from Northern Western Ghats, Goa. It is of considerable phytogeographic interest as it shows disjunct distribution.

Ban Oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) is important both economically and silviculturally and used as fuel, fodder, and timber and also as a nurse crop to other coniferous. Epidemic infestation of Lymantria obfuscata has been reported first time on ban oak forests in Rajgarh Forest Division, Himachal Pradesh. Observations on its occurrence, population abundance and extent of infestation have been recorded. Brief note on life history and host plants of this pest is also given.

Species of Lantana have invaded and overspread almost all the part of the country and is found growing as an aggressive colonizer even up to 1,500 m above m.s.l. in the Northwestern Himalayas. The rapid encroachment of the species in cultivable waste, forest gaps and other marginal areas including grasslands has threatened the forestry plantations, grassland productivity and even agriculture and horticulture areas to a great extent. In fact it has become a nuisance for the foresters as well as for the farming community. Many control and eradication measures for the species have been worked out but all have their limitations. The present biocontrol study was carried out with the basic idea of parasitizing the weed with Cuscuta spp. The process of parasitizing the Lantana spp. With Cuscuta spp. Has been standardized and it has also been observed that the parasite (Cuscuta spp.) does hamper/restrict the growth behaviour of the host (Lantana spp.).

Pinus roxburghii Sargent (Chir pine) is one of the important species among the six Himalayan pines. Like other forest species, Chir pine is a wind-pollinated conifer characterized by a considerable variation. Since clonal multiplication through grafting is one of the best techniques to provide viable, improved propagating stocks in large quantities for further utilization in clonal seed orchards for the production of superior seed. Keeping in view the importance of chir pine for the lower Himalayan areas, work on standardization of grafting technique was undertaken. Various grafting techniques were employed to achieve high grafting rate. A success of 29.55 per cent under partial shade and 46.79 per cent in open conditions have been achieved through top bud cleft grafting.

Leucostegia immersa (Wall. ex Hook.) Presl, belonging to Davalliaceae is reported as a new record for Arunachal Pradesh from Mehao Wildlife sanctuary, Lower Dibang Valley District, a graceful, rare fern with full citations, correct nomenclature, detailed description, distribution, material studied of plant.

Twelve species of the genus Plagiochila (Dumort.) Dumort., have been described and illustrated from Great Himalayan National Park and its environs in Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh. Of these P. elegans and P. richteri are extremely rare in the study area, whereas P. duthiana, P. mundaliensis, P. nepalensis, P. parvifolia and P. sciophila are quite common. The others show restricted distribution. The phytoclimatic conditions in the Sainj Valley of the Park appear to be more congenial for the growth of the genus.

Coluria R.Br. (Rosaceae), hitherto unrecorded from India is reported for the first time from North District of Sikkim.

A new species of Jasminum Linn., viz. J. agastyamalayanum, from Kerala, India is described and illustrated.