To study the nitrogen fertilizer effect on growth and morphological traits in Myrica esculenta, a pot experiment was conducted under nursery conditions with four different nitrogen fertilizer doses i.e. 0, 20, 40, 80 kg/ha. Maximum plant height, collar diameter, number of leaves and root per plant together with root length were observed in 20 kg N/ha treatment. However, leaf, stem, root biomass produced per plant was higher in 80 kg N/ha as compared to other treatments. On seasonal analysis basis growth and biomass values were observed significantly different as compared to treatments effect and interaction between season x treatments. However, in case of root shoot ratio higher values were recorded in summer followed by winter and summer season. The seasons, treatments and their interactions i.e., seasons x treatments were observed significantly different with each other.

Logs of Khaya anthotheca wood has been studied for assessing the suitability of 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 minute 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. 1.05 N/mm² pressure for the manufacture of ply wood was found to be the best. The physical and mechanical properties of K.anthotheca particleboard were studied. The particleboards were tested for determining the strength and dimensional stability. The tensile strength (internal bond strength 0.68 N/mm²) passed the German and British standard specifications; bending strength (modules of rupture 11.25 N/mm²) passed the Indian Standard but did not pass the German and British standard specifications.

The present paper reports the occurrence of insects damaging Eucalyptus in nursery stage. Out of nine insects recorded, seven species observed as occasional defoliating species, viz. Achaea janata (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae), Catapsilia crocale Cramer (Lepidoptera : Pieridae), Dasychira grotei Moore (Lepidoptera : Lymantriidae), Eurema hecabe Linnaeus (Lepidoptera : Pieridae), Hyposidra talaca (Walker) (Lepidoptera : Geometridae), Lymantria sobrina Moore (Lepidoptera : Lymantriidae) and  Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae), one rare sap-sucking species, Chrysocoris purpureus Westwood (Heteroptera : Pentatomodae) and one gall making species, Leptocybe invasa Fisher & LaSalle (Hymenoptera : Eulophidae). Among the nine species collected, six defoliators and one sap sucker are new addition to the Eucalyptus entomology. Further, H. talaca is the first record of occurrence on Eucalyptus in India. On the basis of percentage infestation/damage caused by above insects, L. invasa, commonly known as blue gum chalcid wasp, was recorded only as a key insect pest in nursery stage of Eucalyptus. The results have been discussed in the light of the present observations.

Two taxa of the genus Scutellinia (Pyronemataceae, Pezizales) are recognized in Ladakh by analysis of macro- and micro-morphological characteristics, substrates and geographical distributions. These include Scutellinia setosa and S. setosa var. muscivorum var. nov., which are new records for India.

A threatened species is any plant or animal species that is at risk of extinction. The present study was conducted in tarai region of Kumaun, Uttarakhand between the years 2008 to 2011 in three different sites and eight communities. During the study it was found that 28 plant species belonged of threatened categories. The present study concluded that, conservation is urgent necessity in this area.

Vindhyam range of Uttar Pradesh, India comprises 149 alien species under 106 genera belonging to 44 families. On analysing the data it was observed that 73% of alien species are from tropical America including South America and 10.5% from tropical Africa. Present study is based on several years of intensive exploration of the area. Excursions were under taken in different areas at regular intervals. During excursions information regarding important alien species with their legitimate botanical name, families, local name brief description along with flowering and fruiting time were recorded.

Xenochila integrifolia (Mitt.) Inoue is described and illustrated from Anjaw district in Arunachal Pradesh and North and West districts of Sikkim.This constitutes the first record of its occurrence in Arunachal Pradesh.

Four taxa of family Fabaceae viz. Eriosema chinense Vogel, Indigofera exilis Grierson & Long, Desmodium concinnum var. retusum (D. Don) Ohashi and Crotalaria medicaginea Lam. var. herniarioides (Wight & Arn.) Baker, are being reported for the first time from Uttarakhand.

Trichodesma amplexicaule Roth (Boraginaceae), is reported here as a new record to the flora of Orssia. Brief description and photographs are provided.

Critical study of Types, protologues, fresh and herbarium specimens of Herminium monorchis (Linnaeus) Robert Brown and Herminium haridasanii Nageswara Rao has revealed their conspecificity. Accordingly, the later has been reduced here as a heterotypic synonym of Herminium monorchis. Taxonomic consequences of both the taxa have been discussed. A detail of taxonomic citations, synonymy, description, illustrative photo plate, distribution and specimens examined is provided here for easy understanding of this species.

A taxonomic account of the genus Artabotrys R. Br. from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands along with a new record for India is presented. Of the three species recorded from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Artabotrys hexapetalus (L.f.) Bhandari is widely distributed; A. speciosus Kurz and  A. nicobarianus D. Das are endemic to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India and  Artabotrys suaveolens (Bl.) Bl. is reported here as a new record for India from Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve.

Twelve species are recorded as additions to the lichen flora of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. Bulbothrix ventricosa (Hale & Kurokawa) Hale, Chiodecton malmei G. Thor and Relicina relicinula (Müll. Arg.) Hale are reported as new records for India. Bulbothrix, Dichosporidium, Enterographa, Heterodermia and Lecanographa are generic additions to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Prismatomeris fragrans subsp. andamanica (Ridl.) J.T. Johanss. has been rediscovered from other than its type locality, after a lapse of about 100 years. A short description along with relevant notes is provided here for further collection and identification in field.

Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary having an area of 454 ha is located in Perambalur District of Tamil Nadu. This Sanctuary attracts a large congregation of waterbirds. Sedges form a major constituent of this wetland ecosystem. The present study for a period of two years on the sedges of this area has resulted in the collection of 29 species belonging to 7 genera of which 12 species have ethnobotanical and medicinal properties.

The work deals with the studies on grasses of Scott Christian College campus, Nagercoil, Tamilnadu, India. A total of 61 taxa belonging to 45 genera under 7 tribes were gathered.

Crotalaria paniculata Willd. is reported for the first time from Kerala although it is commonly found in all the other three states of South India. Further, discussion is made about its questionable occurrence in Java (Indonesia) and opined here that it is endemic to South India. C. paniculata var. nagarjunakondensis Thoth. is raised to the specific level based on cordate cuspidate bract, absence of stipules, length of calyx teeth as well as 2-seeded pods.

Prunus ceylanica (Wight) Miq. (Rosaceae) a species under endangered categories of IUCN is collected after eight decades from West Bengal from the protected areas of North Bengal.

The present study is based on exhaustive collection and enlisting of 139 species of ferns occurring at Tungnath and 20 other adjoining localities ranging from 1000-4000m altitude. It is an important part of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (also known as the largest Protected Area in Western Himalayas) situated in Rudraprayag district of Garhwal Himalayas. The entire area from Rudraprayag to Tungnath is provided with unique ecological sites that favours the occurrence of great many ferns over here and quite many species are of rare status. Chandra (1979) mentioned 71 species, Joshi et al. since 2002 revealed the occurrence of 64 species from the area. The recent collections of pteridophytes carried out during 2011-12, based on which the diversity and distribution patterns, habitat preference, altitudinal distribution, rarity, ecological sites and conservation status are worked out.

The present investigation deals with the diversity of climbers, trailers and parasitic plants in botanical garden, Botanical Survey of India, Central Regional Centre, Allahabad, U.P. There are 75 species under 61 genera belonging to 27 families. The climbers here discussed were cultivated (as some species of Cucurbits), wild and ornamental. The species were listed according to Bentham and Hooker’s system of classification with their botanical name, family, habit, phenology and uses.