One of the basic requirements for sustainable management is building up of information on the natural resources and process of utilisation. In the western Himalayan eco region it is highly required due to total dependency on these resources for fuel/fodder collection. The result is significant land cover dynamics and fragmentation of forest and natural hazards. These forest resources have until recently dominated in the mountains but are today decreasing due to forest invasion – which in turn changes human land use practices. The present paper focuses on land cover dynamics vis-à-vis topography in Huinyal watershed situated in Garhwal Himalayas. This study contributes examples from mountainous regions where human activities have re-shaped the ecosystem. The geospatial tool has been used to analyse the land cover dynamics along the topography. The results significantly report the cover dynamics is dependent on the aspect due to sun illumination. The altitude and slope is no more a barrier for resource extraction and the human activity zone is shifting towards higher altitudes and slopes. The changes are also defined along the road and settlements.

Albizia lebbeck seeds reflected variations in size and weight among the natural seed lot. They were categorized into four statistically different groups based on their average 100-seed weight. Each of these groups showed variations in per cent germination and seedling quality. Bold seeds recorded high germination percentage. They also recorded higher germination value and Dickson’s Quality Index as compared to light seeds. Seed pretreatment increased per cent germination and enhanced homogeneity resulting reduction in cull percentage. Mechanical scarification gave the best result while long duration (>15 minutes) of sulphuric acid pretreatment was deleterious for germination.

The effect of different seed sources was studied on germination, survival and early seedling growth of Populus ciliata. The study revealed that seed sources had statistically significant effects on seed germination and seedling growth. Germination percentage was positively and significantly correlated with shoot length, root length, total seedling length, vigour index and number of leaves/seedling. There was a significant but negative correlation between latitude and shoot length, root length, vigour index and number of leaves/seedling. The germination and vigour index was positively and significantly correlated with altitude. Therefore, the seeds from the source with lower latitude and higher altitude should be collected.

Genetic variation in seedling characteristics was studied in 15 seedlots collected from selected trees representing different regions of Peninsular India and selected clones planted in CSO at Walayar (Kerala). Significant variations were obtained in a nested ANOVA in all the six characteristics, viz., seedling height, collar diameter, number of nodes, leaf length, leaf breadth and leaf length/breadth ratio measured at 3 months and 6 months of age in nursery. Genetic correlation among characters changed as the age advanced. Narrowsense heritability was higher for seedling height, collar diameter and number of nodes at 3 months than at 6 months and vice versa for leaf length, leaf breadth and leaf length/breadth ratio. Possibilities of using these seedling characteristics in measuring genetic distance between populations is also discussed in this paper.

A geographic and taxonomic overview of the non-indigenous plant species of the Barda Hills and its surroundings based on the “Flora of Saurashtra” has been presented. The flora of the Barda Hills and its surroundings accounts for 999 plant species of which 192 plant species have expanded their range within Saurashtra under human influence either as naturalized Indian species or are of non-Indian origin (exotic species) consisting of 154 species (80.20%) in 54 families forming a diverse group in terms of their taxonomic composition and geographic origin. Of which the Asteraceae, Leguminosae (Caesalpiniaceae, Mimosaceae) and Poaceae are most important. The ratio of species to family is low. Most of the species are litter from America (39.11%) or Africa (29%) and Asia. The species - range size distribution differs between naturalised Indian and exotic species; the latter on an average being more widespread within a span of ten decades the exotic flora has almost double the species reported in 1910.

Bryum tuberosum Mohamed & Damanhuri is reported here as new record for the bryophyte flora of India.

A new variety Glochidion hohenackeri (Muell.- Arg.) Bedd. var. kothayarense J. Jothi & V.S. Manickam (Euphorbiaceae) is reported from Agasthiyamalai, Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu, India. Latin diagnosis, detailed description and illustrations are provided.

This paper deals with carbon stock in litter and soil of the old growth Pinus roxburghii (Pine) plantation. The Pine plantation was raised in the year 1926 and due to the mortality of Pine is being replaced by some broad-leaved species, in patches, constituting four plant communities. The study of these communities, viz. Pure Pine, Pine – Michelia, Mixed Pine and Pure Cinnamomum camphora community shows that carbon content and organic carbon percentage was higher in Pine-Michelia and Mixed Pine communities than in Pure Pine and Pure C. camphora communities, therefore it may be concluded that Pine plantation mixed with broad -leaved is beneficial in carbon stock as well as organic carbon percentage, the litter of mixed Pine forest with higher base content is less acidic, less able to complex on protein and much easier to decompose than acidic litter of Pure Pine forests.

Different potting matrices using soil, sand and farm yard manure in different ratios were evaluated for raising Acacia auriculiformis seedling in nursery. Soil alone as a potting matrix for nursery growth of A. auriculiformis prevented germination of the seedlings and their subsequent growth. Although the root length was not influenced by the matrix composition, the growth of the secondary and tertiary roots were inhibited in soil in the absence of sand or FYM. Addition of a mixture of fertilizers, however, did not have any significant effect on the parameters monitored except for the dry weight of the seedlings. Soil, sand and FYM at a volumetric ratio of 2:1:2 was found to be the best among the tried combinations for A. auriculiformis seedlings.

Field trial comprising of fifteen provenances of Populus ciliata Wall. ex Royle was carried out during 1997 at Solang Nallah, Manali (Himachal Pradesh). The study was performed in a Randomized complete Block Design with three replications so as to find the suitable provenance for carrying out afforestation activities in the region and also from agro-forestry point of view. Significant differences with respect to growth performance were observed amongst various provenances. Based on the overall growth in respect of height and diameter provenances, viz. Mussoorie and Kullu Gushani had shown better performance over the remaining provenances under trial. These two provenances have therefore, been recommended for large-scale plantation in Manali region of Kullu Valley, Himachal Pradesh.

The spiralling whitefly Aleurodicus dispersus Russell has been found to breed on 25 host plants in Western Ghats of South India which includes 10 new host records.

Seasonal trends in leaf micronutrients concentration of Morus alba and Albizia stipulata were studied during the active growth period (bud break to leaf abscission). In both the species while, Fe and Mn concentration showed accumulation, the Zn, Cu and Na concentration decreased with the advancement of season. Mo concentration decreased with the increase in leaf age in Morus alba whereas in Albizia stipulata it fluctuated in the first half of the growing season and displayed consistent accumulation towards leaf senescence. The seasonal average concentration of Fe, Zn and Na was higher in Morus alba and that of Mn, Cu and Mo in Albizia stipulata.

Acacia auriculiformis and Acacia nilotica one-day sun dried seeds with moisture content of 11.02% and 8.34% were stored in gunny bags and air tight plastic containers. The results indicated that seeds with good germination percentage (>60%) can be stored for 6-8 months in gunny bags and 10-12 months in air tight plastic containers at room temperature for Acacia auriculiformis and Acacia nilotica, respectively. Acacia auriculiformis and Acacia nilotica seeds were nicked, immersed in hot water and soaked in sulphuric acid to improve germination and to determine their effects on germination and vigour of subsequent seedling growth. Nicking showed highest germination percentage and germination energy for both species, but most of the resultant seedlings were in the low vigour class. For Acacia auriculiformis soaking of seeds in acid for 30 minutes and immersing seeds in hot water for 5 minutes and 1 minute produced high germination and germination energy and the most of the seedlings were in high vigour category. For Acacia nilotica hot water treatment for 1 minute and H2SO4 for 30 minutes produced a high germination percentage and the seedlings represented high growth vigour.

The present study highlights the community diversity and dominance spectrum of species in four abandoned shifting cultivation fallows in Karbi Anglong (Assam) of north-east India. In the study area 51 species belonging to 24 families were recorded as a component of fallow lands. Lantana camara and Chromolaena odorata showed their dominance in 5 and 10 years fallow with highest Importance Value Index (136.52 and 33.37 in 5 years, 18.97 and 53.52 in 10 years fallow, respectively). Gradual elimination of Imperata cylindrica from higher age fallows was noticed. Bamboo species, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii and Melocanna baccifera expressed their dominance in 15 to 20 years fallows. The fallow vegetation was replaced by shade intolerant broad-leaved species like Actinodaphne obovata, Artocarpus spp., Callicarpa arborea, Dysoxylum procerum, Erythrina stricta etc. during 10 to 20 years period as a form of secondary forest. Species diversity increased from 5 years fallow onward with maximum in 15 years fallow and declined later on. The highest similarity was observed in the fallow pair of 15-20 years.

Effect of harvest time and pre-sowing treatment on germination behaviour of Anogeissus latifolia seeds was studied. In pre-sowing treatment, the seeds treated with concentrated H2SO4 for one minute gave highest germination per cent (1.50), germination energy (1.11%) and germination value (0.29%). In harvest time, the seeds collected during 2nd fortnight of March gave maximum germination (1.06%), germination energy (0.72%) and value (0.167%). Though non-significant, but maximum germination per cent (2.33%) was displayed by seeds collected in the 2nd fortnight of March and treated with concentrated H2SO4 acid for one minute.

The effect of ascorbic acid in artificial diet on the growth and development of Plecoptera reflexa from larva to adult has been studied. For want of ascorbic acid, the moths obtained from such diets were relatively small in size, malformed body and short life-span.

Albizia procera is a multipurpose tree of immense potential in forestry pursuits. In this very difficult-to-root species, lack of adventitious rhizogenesis in shoot cuttings creates problem in clonal propagation and mass multiplication. However, significant adventitious rooting has been achieved in softwood juvenile cuttings taken from seedlings. Low concentration (100 ppm) of IBA enhances induction and growth of adventitious roots. The technique would help in clonal propagation of Albizia procera especially in case of half-sib progenies of selected superior genotypes and hybrids of known parentage.

The paper presents a preliminary account of the vegetation pattern and floristic diversity in the catchment area of the Pong Dam wetland in Himachal Pradesh. Brief description of 41 species of algae with line drawings of ca. 22 species have been provided, which include one new record for Indian territory. Some significant observations related to the habitat and their ecology have been made, with a note on their status of occurrence and distribution in India.

The collateral hosts distribution and description of adult psyllid (Heteropsylla cubana Craw.) is given in this paper. Isyndus heros Fab. is a new predator of psyllid, Heteropsylla cubana Craw. Its description and predation studies are also given briefly. An adult bug can suck 500 psyllids during its life-times.

Fresh twigs of Lantana camara on small industrial hydro steam-distillation unit yield 0.056% oil. GC-MS analysis of the oil shows that susquiterpenes are the major constitutes of the oil. Among these, b-Caryophyllene (17.53%), Germacrene-D (19.55%) and b-Curcumene (10.22%) as the major components. Economics of the processing has been worked out and it has been found that essential oil extraction from the twigs of Lantana is a viable alternative to check the spread of this weed and at the same time makes use of this as a source of substantial income to the people.

The present paper reports on a new locality record for Acrophorus paleolulatus Pichi-Sermolli (Peranemataceae), a graceful rare West Himalayan fern with full citations, correct nomenclature, detailed description, distribution, material studied along with detailed pen and ink drawing and photograph of plant.