This paper describes the structural and compositional pattern of forest communities in the temperate and sub-alpine zones of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. It gives information about 344 species belonging to 227 genera and 95 families of vascular plants recorded between 2100 to 3600m amsl. These species include 40 trees, 64 shrubs and 240 herbaceous species distributed within 13 forest communities. It was found that the density of trees, seedlings, saplings and shrubs was higher in temperate zone than sub-alpine zone. However, density of herbs was lower in temperate zone in comparison to sub-alpine zone. This paper also gives information on distribution of native, endemic, economically important and rare-endangered species in different communities. Finally, the communities and species have been prioritized for conservation.

A study was conducted to evaluate the soil fertility status under six different agroforestry species in Himachal Pradesh. Soil reaction was found to be nearly neutral under all the vegetations with lesser variability which showed pH stability. Bulk density was observed lower in the soils under different vegetations as compared to control in all the depths. Organic carbon and organic matter was higher in the soils under different vegetation as compared to control. Organic carbon was decreasing down the profile under all the vegetation and maximum in upper layers. Among the vegetations, maximum (1.38 %) organic carbon was observed in the soils under Bauhinia variegata followed by Morus alba (1.33 %), Grewia optiva (1.30 %), Toona ciliata (1.28 %), Albizia chinensis (1.22 %) and the least was under Celtris australis (1.20 %).  The availability of nitrogen was higher in the surface soils under different vegetations in comparison to soils without any vegetation. The pattern of availability of phosphorous and its distribution in soil profile was therefore similar to that of organic carbon and nitrogen. Ex. potassium content varied from (97.17 kg/ha to 195.29 kg/ha) in all the depths under different vegetation, as compared to control (83.27 kg/ha to 139.87 kg/ha). pH and bulk density under barren land was statistically different at 0.05 level with the pH and bulk density under different plantations. Organic carbon in the soils under barren land showed statistically significant differences with the soils under different plantations.

Studies for assessing the suitability of Hoop-pine (Araucaria cunninghamii) wood for plywood and particleboard manufacture. It was found that 1.5 mm thick smooth and figured veneer can be made and dried easily. Three-ply plywood were made using veneer of this species bonded with liquid urea formaldehyde glue of 50% solid content, extended with wheat flour and catalyzed (ammonium chloride) with 2% hardener under the specific pressures, viz, 1.05 N/mm², 1.40 N/mm², 1.76 N/mm² in three replications at 6 minutes press time and 120^°C press temperature. Dry and wet shear test were conducted on the sample and their shear load at failure per unit area and percentage of wood failure were determined. 1.40 N/mm² pressure was found best for the manufacture of plywood. The physical and mechanical properties of hoop-pine particleboard were studied. The particleboards were tested for determining the strength and dimensional stability. The tensile strength passed the German and British standard specifications, bending strength found to nearest the Indian Standard but did not pass the German and British standard specifications.

Ten leguminous species viz Alysicarpus longifolius, Clitoria tarnatea, Crotalaria burhia, Crotalaria medicaginea, Indigofera argentea, Indigofera linnaei, Indigofera sessiliflora, Mimosa hamata, Mucuna pruriens and Rhynchosia minima were assessed for soil biological activity and its nutrients status from some degraded Western Rajasthan soils. The rhizospheric soil was assessed for acid and alkaline phosphatase activity, dehydrogenase activity, soil organic carbon, NO₃^- N, NH₄⁺ N, moisture content and relative neigbhour effects. Soil organic carbon (SOC), N0₃^- N, NH₄⁺ N, phosphatase, dehydrogenase activity and moisture content was observed higher than control in the rhizospheric soils of all species. Relative neighboring effect (RNE) indicates that species are not influenced by each other. However, soil pH remains around 8 and there was varying degree of RNE between and among the species. In most of the species except Indigofera argentia, I. sessiliflora and Crotalaria medicaginea all other performed well. It was observed that soil moisture played an important role in the soil biological enzyme activities. On the basis of results obtained, Mimosa hamata, Rhynchosia minima, Mucuna pruriens, Clitoria tarnatea and Crotalaria burhia performed best. Further studies are required to be carried out in this direction.

Oriented strand board (OSB) was prepared using poplar wood with different resin content of phenol formaldehyde. It was observed that modulus of rupture and screw withdrawal of face and edge was more in oriented strand board as compare to solid wood. Internal bonding strength was very less in oriented strand board as compare to solid wood. It was also observed that most of the properties improve with increase in resin content.

The natural regeneration in Juniperus polycarpos is quite low due to seed dormancy. While studying the seed germination behaviour of Juniperus polycarpos, a twin seedling was found germinated from a single seed which has been reported. This is the first instance of occurrence of polyembryonic seedlings in Juniperus polycarpos which have been reported in this paper. The twin seedlings have been resulted due to the phenomenon of polyembryony which is of rare occurrence in this species, however, the production of twin seedlings has been reported earlier also in other forest tree species. The twin seedlings were found to be independent having separate taproots and cotyledons. The seedlings were later transplanted in a polybags filled with Soil: Sand: FYM (2:1:1 :) to observe the further growth of twin seedlings. After three months, it was noticed that both the twin seedlings shriveled and died where as normal seedlings continued to grow normally and produced all the essential features of a plant.

During surveys for the collection of folicolous fungi from the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, two new species of Zygosporium were found, these are described and illustrated as Zygosporium cocos and Zygosporium dilleniae from leaves of Cocos nucifera and Dillenia pentagyna respectively.

Oenospila flavifusata Walker is recorded as a pest of Garcinia xanthochymus Hook. f. ex T. Anderson from Southern Western Ghats. About 40% of the plants were infested by the pest. Young leaves and immature fruits are eaten by the larva.

The biology of common Indian species Apion (Thymapion) majorinum Fst. has been studied in detail. The variations in food habits of 31 other species have been given in relation to feeding behaviour of Apion (T.) majorinum Fst. The importance of Apion amplum (Fst.) and Apion clavipes Gerst. as pests of edible legumes and Apion corchori Mar. as destroyer of jute has been stressed. The species attacking stems, roots, leaves and flowers including buds have been listed separately. These species attack members of plant families Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Polygonaceae and Malvaceae.

In present communication, based on authors own collection from North Sikkim and critical herbarium study, Cheilanthes tibetica Fraser-Jenk. & Wangdi is being reported for the first time from India.

Desmodium scorpiurus (Sw.) Desv. (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) is reported for the first time from Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh. Detailed description, photographs and relevant notes are provided.

The present communication reports the first authentic specimen of Eulophia spectabilis (Dennst.) Suresh from Uttarakhand.

Two mosses viz., Myurella sibirica (C. Muell.) Reim. and  Bryum retusifolium Card. et Vard. have been identified from Govind Wildlife Sanctuary (Uttarakhand), which are new additions to western Himalaya.  M. sibirica was earlier reported from East Nepal, while Bryum retusifolium Card. et Vard. was earlier known from eastern Himalaya and South India. The morpho-taxonomical details of Indian taxa are provided.

Present paper deals with orchid diversity in Assam. A total of 328 taxa of orchids belonging to 97 genera are enumerated in alphabetical order followed by their ecology and distribution. About 89 orchids of Assam having ecological importance are being conserved in the Assam Bio-Resource Centre (ABRC) in ex-situ condition.

The present study was conducted in the central tarai region of Kumaun, Uttarakhand in the year 2008-2011.The study area located in Lalkuan, Kichha and Pantnagar. Sixty three ornamental plant species were found during study period which is also used as utilitarian. The number of plant species which was introduced from the other native places was 47. Ornamental plants play important roles in society, religion and science.

The present paper deals with 789 cultivated plants, in which dicots 671 species and monocots 118 species were collected from gardens, cultivated fields, parks, along roadsides planted as an avenue trees and adjoining forests areas of the Rajasthan state.

A preliminary study on pteridophytic flora of Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary, Mizoram has been carried out. A total of 33 species are enumerated for the first time from the Sanctuary. This includes three new distributional records viz., Leptochilus pedunculatus (Hook. & Grev.) Fraser-Jenk., Phymatosorus cuspidatus (D.Don) Pic. Serm., Microlepia hancei Prantl from Mizoram. An identification key along with a brief taxonomic description and distribution of each species has been provided in this communication.

The genus Nechamandra Planch. is reported for the first time from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. The present paper provides brief description with photograph and short note for easy identification.

Parthenium argentatum A. Gray, an introduced species is reported on the basis of herbarium specimens prepared from cultivated plant. A brief description alongwith distribution, ecological observation, illustration, photographs, etc. are provided herewith to facilitate easy identification of the species.