Distribution pattern of different forms of phosphorus and acidity were studied in surface soil samples collected from important land management systems viz., Bun cultivation, Terrace cultivated Land and Natural forest on hill slopes of Ri-bhoi District, Meghalaya. Total, exchangeable and pH dependent acidities decreased after closed burning of plant biomass under Bun farming, maximum decrease (87%) being recorded in exchangeable acidity, but the values of acidities after two years of Bun cultivation were in the same range to their initial values. Soils under terrace land recorded the highest values of all kinds of acidity. Closed burning under bun cultivation resulted manifold increase in Ca-P and Saloid-P and 38.3 per cent increase in Fe-P while Ai-P decreased by more than 9 times. The dominant form of inorganic P were Fe-P, reductant soluble P and occluded-P (97%) and existed in the order of reductant soluble P> occluded P> Fe-P under various land use systems on sloppy lands.

With a view to assess microbial diversity and fertility status of sholas of Nilgiris and adjoining vegetation, a laboratory study was carried out at Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam. In general, the density of microflora varied widely among sholas as well as between shola and other vegetation. The density of bacteria and actinomycetes was found to be higher in Longwood shola, while Thai shola exhibited greater bacterial diversity. Among the shola rhizosphere, Evodia lunu ankenda harboured greater number of bacteria and actinomycetes. The physico-chemical analyses of soil samples showed that sholas were less acidic with higher organic carbon content, available macronutrients viz., nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compared to the adjoining grasslands, tea plantations and mixed plantations of Blue gum and Black wattle.

Seeds of three leguminous tree species (Acacia nilotica, Prosopis cineraria and Leucaena leucocephala were treated with six pre-sowing treatments viz. Control, soaking in cold water, hot water treatment, boiling water treatment, acid treatment (conc. H2SO4) for 15 minutes and acid treatment for 30 minutes. Significant differences were observed among treatments in all tree species. Boiling water treatment recorded highest germination in Acacia nilotica (72.3%), Prosopis cineraria (54%) and Leucocephala (68.3%).

A nursery study was conducted to find out the effect of organic extract sprays on growth and biomass production of Casuarina seedlings. Among the extracts, spraying of vermicast and vermiwash type 1 exerted the maximum influence on all the growth parameters. Vermiwash type II was significantly superior to cowdung extract and control (water spray) but inferior to above two treatments.

To study the influence of temperature and containers on seed storability of Albizia lebbeck, seeds were stored at three different temperatures viz. -4±1^oC, 4±1^oC and room temperature (19-22^oC) and three different storage containers viz. Canvas bag, plastic bags and glass jars for 16 months. The storage study revealed that the seed stored at 4±1^oC remained 52 per cent germination even after 16 months of storage, while it was 46 per cent at -4±1^oC. Among the seed storage containers, plastic containers showed their superiority over other containers. The interaction study revealed that maximum germination percent (54%) was obtained when the seeds were stored in plastic jars at 4±1^oC temperature after 16 months of storage.

AM colonization and growth rate of Acacia melanoxylon in native undisturbed soils and open cast coal mine dumped soils of Singareni coal mines was investigated. The native soil was found to harbour all the six AM fungal endophytes in association with different host plants. Resting spore population was found to be in significant levels. In contrast, AMF spore population was almost absent in dumped soils and the plants habituating these dumps were found to be either non-mycorrhizal or sparsely colonized. Acacia melanoxylon sapling grown in nursery with topsoil of native undisturbed soils have shown good. AM colonization, nodulation and vegetative growth whereas the saplings grown in dumped soils have shown neither the AM infection nor nodulation. A mixture of dumped soil and undisturbed top soil significantly improved the AM infection, resting spores, nodulation and growth of the seedlings. These studies indicate that the saplings grown in topsoil could be employed as a means of reinoculating the AM fungi and thus reclamation of coal mine disturbed soils.

In this paper a general account of the vegetation pattern of the Valmiki National Park has been described. About 700 species spread over 459 genera and 117 families are reported. Apart from this, rare and threatened plants, endemic species, economically important plants and factors affecting the vegetation are also discussed. Conservation measures are proposed to protect the natural vegetation.

Peucedanum dhana Buch.-Ham. ex C.B. Clarke var. dalzellii C.B. Clarke (Apiaceae) is endemic to Central and Western India. The present collection from Bangalore extends its distribution further towards Southern part of Karnataka State. Hitherto unreported ethnobotanical uses of this plant are also provided.

The present information depicts a systematic procedure adapted in the Entomological Laboratory of IFGTB for mass production of some Teak insect pests through modified artificial diets. The purpose is, the selection of the initial diet and its subsequent changes in the ingredients to obtain optimal growth, development and reproductive efficiency of experimental insects for bioassay studies and other biological control programs.

Aerial part of Semecarpus kathalekanensis Dasappa were subjected for soxhlet extraction by using solvents petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol and distilled water. The preliminary phytochemical analysis of extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, steroids, saponins and tannins. The antifeedant activity of extracts was studied at 4% and 2% concentrations respectively; on third instar larvae of Teak defoliator, Hyplaea puera. The ethanol and distilled water extracts showed maximum antifeedant activity and gave over 85 per cent protection of Teak leaves, followed by petroleum ether extract from Hyblaea puera. The result indicated that the ethanol and distilled water extracts have maximum antifeedant activity. The chloroform extract has shown moderate antifeedant activity.

The present study analyses the impact of vehicular pollution on five dominant trees at three different polluted sites of Srinagar city Kashmir Valley. Data indicates that the various physiological parameters viz. Chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, total chlorophyll, NPK contents, and carbohydrate level of tree foliage suffered heavy reductions due to pollution stress. The data also indicates that higher per cent reductions were recorded in the foliar samples collected from the tree species growing at Athwajan experiencing a suspended particulate matter (SPM) load of 651 mg/m^-3 and No_x concentration of 42 mg/mg^-3. The per cent reductions with respect to control are, however, minimum at other sites like Tourist Reception Center (TRC) and Iddghah which are comparatively less polluted. Among the various trees species Platinus orientalis suffered lesser reductions followed by Ailanthus altissima, Salix alba, Ulmus wallichiana and Celtis australis.

Three species of the Whitefly genus Dialeuropora Quaintance & Baker viz., D. decempuncta (Quaintance & Baker), D. heptapora Regu & David and D. pterolobiae David & Subramanium are known to occur in India. Studies on the host plants indicated that D. decempuncta infests 34 plant species of which 16 are new host records, D. heptapora infests only Hiptage sp., while D. pterolobiae in 9 host plants of which eight are new host records.

Sporobolus tetragonus Bor and S. wallichii Munro & Trin. Were collected from Varanasi and Chandauli Districts of Uttar Pradesh respectively. These two taxa are not reported earlier from the State of Uttar Pradesh. Complete description and other details are provided.

Artificial (Wooden) nest boxes were successfully adopted by Spotted Owlet (Athene brama) and Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) which accomplished egg laying in 9.80 and 74.50% boxes, out of total 51 boxes, installed at eight different sites at one location. Egg laying by Common Myna was accomplished repeatedly for second and third time in 23.53 and 3.92% nest boxes respectively after successfully raising the previous brood. Breeding success of 35.71 and 77.86% was achieved in Spotted Owlet and Common Myna. None of the birds adopted and accomplished breeding in 33 boxes installed at two different sites, 15 and 18 boxes at each site, at another location owing to the dominance of Barn Owl, Tyto alba and Tree mouse, Vandeleuria oleracea dumeticola at the respective sites. Timing and site of installation served as contributing factors while predation and parasitism acted as limiting factors in nest box breeding. Higher breeding performance of Common Myna was recorded in artificial nest boxes than in natural cavity nesting.

As a part of the genetic improvement programme of Eucalyptus grandis in Kerala, India, plus trees were selected from the existing plantations and these were screened for their genetic superiority. Sixty four families were tested at two sites, one in grass land (Vallakkadavu) and another in area near evergreen forest (Muthanga). The results showed that there was highly significant family-site interaction and growth was better at the site near evergreen forest. It is also seen that performance of families differ from site to site. In general the genotypic coefficient of variation is low, which indicates the narrow genetic base and that the seed origin of all the E. grandis plantations in Kerala must be the same. Both family and single tree heritability as well as the genetic gain were also very low. However, at Muthanga 7 percent gain can be expected for growth by selecting 10% of the total families while at Vallakkadavu it is only 4 per cent. Family selection is recommended in cases of low single tree heritability. Significant amount of non-additive genetic variation was reported in E. grandis for growth characters and this also supports the relevance of family selection as well as clonal propagation.

Out of the six Himalayan conifer species found in India, Pinus gerardiana Wall. Commonly known as Chilgoza or Neoaza pine is prized for its edible and highly nutritious nuts. Since the species is restricted to small patches in the Indian Himalayas and is also facing biotic interferences leading to nearly lack of natural regeneration thus listed as an endangered species in the Red Data Book. Like other conifers. Pinus gerardiana too is difficult to regenerate through vegetative means. Standardization of grafting technique was undertaken with the objective to provide plenty of improved planting material for both establishment of clonal seed orchard and also for plantation purposes. After various grafting experiments, a success of more than 70 per cent has been achieved. The details of the developed grafting technology have been discussed in details.

The study was carried out to standardize the growing medium for better germination and seedling growth in Himalayan spruce (Picea smithiana). The seed germination and seedling growth was assessed in six different growing media. Out of these growing media, humus medium resulted in maximum seed germination. The collar diameter, seedling length, seedling dry weight and seedling vigour index were also found maximum in humus growing medium.

The paper enumerates 35 taxa as new record for the flora of Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve based on authors’ own collections. Correct nomenclature with citation, family name, brief distinguishing characters, abundance, habitat, exact locality of occurrence, field number and flowering and fruiting period of each taxon has been presented. The findings are significant in view of the Article-7 of CBD and Clause-36 of Biological Diversity Bill 2000.

With the isolation of Taxol, an exciting drug, from Taxus baccata, the species is over exploited all over its distributional range in Kashmir Himalaya and other regions, putting it into the list of rare and endangered species. As the seed raised plants add little growth, propagation by stem cuttings within its original climatic zone was tried by the institute and a considerable success was achieved after making use of the different auxins (IAA, IBA and NAA) in different concentrations. Of the ten treatments studied, IBA at 500 ppm performed best of all the treatments regarding rooting behaviour viz.; callusing percentage, rooting percentage, number of roots and length of roots per cutting. The results achieved through the applications of auxins may possibly be the only practical and viable option for augmenting its natural regeneration and also for the large scale propagation and cultivation. The technique evolved will be most handy and can be applied anywhere in its natural habitat.

Cassia tora L. has considered to be widely distributed in the tropics of both the hemisphere. In India it is distributed throughout the tropical plains. Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the foot hills of Himalaya. In present work, the species is first time reported from Ladakh, which is most elevated and extremely cold province of India.

Ulmus glabra (Huds.) is a hardwood species valuated for it wood in Hyrcanian forest. Information on the vegetative propagation on this species is currently few. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a range of Indole-3butyric acid (IBA) concentration (1000, 2000, 4000, 6000 and 8000 p.p.m) in combination with two types of media (Perlite and Perlite + peat + sand). On the rooting capacity of Ulmus glabra (Huds.) hardwood and semi-hardwood cuttings. No rooting was observed on the cuttings of Ulmus glabra (Huds.) with control treatment (no IBA) in both types of cuttings. Whereas different rooting percentage were observed on the cuttings treated with IBA combined with two; types of media. The highest rooting percentage were 21.1% for hardwood and 71% for semi-hardwood cuttings when they were treated with IBA (8000 p.p.m) + mixed media. Among the hormones does the best rooting percentage was found at the treatment of 8000 p.p.m IBA. The results indicated that the combination of IBA with mixed media is highly effective in increasing rooting capacity when compare to the perlite. There were no significantly different in root count of cuttings between 8000 and 6000 p.p.m. IBA treatment.

Seeds in Acacia species show seed coat imposed dormancy which results in delayed and irregular germination and is a constraint for efficient nursery management and large scale plantation programmes. Seeds of A. leucophloea, A. holosericea, A. tortilis, and A. victoreae were subjected to various physico-chemical dormancy breaking treatments. The seeds after giving appropriate dormancy breaking treatment were further stored at room temperature, 4^oC and -20^oC to understand the effect of storage conditions on seed quality. In A. victoreae and A. holosericea hot water treatment at 70^oC for 30 minutes, and 80^oC for 10 minutes respectively; and in A. leucophloea and A. tortilis sulphuric acid treatment for 20 minutes and 40 minutes were found to be best treatment for breaking dormancy. Storage of seeds after giving dormancy breaking treatments shows varied response in all four species as indicated by changes in germination percentage, rate of germination, root and shoot vigour and vigour index as measured periodically over 30 months. Seeds of all the four species show a decline in seed quality attributes at ambient storage temperature. In A. leucophloea, A. holosericea and A. tortilis the decline was observed after 6 months (with complete loss of viability in 30 months in A. leucophloea, while in A. victoreae decline had set in after 18 months of storage. Storage under lower temperatures, however, proved to be better. The study indicates that seeds given dormancy breaking treatments can be stored under 4^oC and -20^oC temperature conditions for 30 months without any significant quality loss. This would allow flexibility in seed handling as the seeds can be given bulk dormancy breaking treatments and stocked as ready to sow seeds for distribution later.

Schizophyllum commune Fr. is first time being reported to cause canker and die-back in Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. From Dehra Dun, India. Pathogenicity tests proved the pathogenic nature of the fungus.

Luisia secunda Seidenf., a species endemic to Thailand is collected from Darjeeling District of West Bengal (India) and is reported as an addition to the Orchid flora of India.

3 species viz. Dirinaria confusa D.D. Awasthi, Heterodermia pandurata (Kurok.) J.C. Wei and Heterodermia squamulosa (Degel.) W.L. Culb. Area reported for the first time from India.

The present study aims to make a comparative account of quantitative structure of mangroves in two Islands of Sunderban Biosphere Reserve in terms of frequency, density and abundance. The study was done by quadrate analysis at selected zones of the sample sites. 17 plant species are taken into consideration, out of which 7 are present in both the Islands. Among these, Avicennia alba shows highest frequency in Lothian and both Avicennia alba and Excoecaria agallocha in Sajinakhali. Avicennia alba shows high abundance and density in Lothian and Sajinakhali in comparison to other common species; but its abundance and density level are higher in Lothian Island.