Agroforestry has high potential for simultaneously satisfying three important objectives viz., protecting and stabilizing the ecosystems; producing a high level of output of economic goods; and improving income and basic materials to rural population. Besides, Agroforestry is capable to conserve natural resources through various systems under different Agroclimatic regions. The livelihood security through Agroforestry and its potential in meeting basic needs viz., food, fuel, fodder, and employment generation are highlighted in this article. From the perspective of different Agroclimatic zone, suitable Agroforestry systems have been compiled along with estimated investment needs for extension/development support and net returns for the same. Among the agroclimatic zones, the highest estimated investment needs are in case of Western plateau and hills (Rs. 2320 crores) followed by Western dry region (Rs. 2072 crores). A breakup of Agroforestry practices has been outlined to increase the area under Agroforestry from its current level of 7.45 million ha to 25.36 million ha by next two decades. The potential of Agroforestry in meeting the deficit of demand and supply in timber, fodder supply, bioenergy sector through tree biomass and meeting the food/fruit security has been enumerated. The direct benefits like employment generation and indirect ones like carbon sequestration and environment restoration have been emphasized in respect of various Agroforestry systems.

An evaluation was made on the performance of three tree species viz. Alnus nepalensis D. Don. Melia azadirachta A. Juss. and Gmelina arborea Roxb. and their interactive effects on crop yield during establishment period. The seedlings of all tree species survived better under cropped than un-cropped plots. At the age of 36 months, the maximum height and collar diameter (CD) were attained by Melia azadirachta A. Juss. (356.53 cm and 9.54 cm) and minimum by Alnus nepalensis D. Don. (106.16 cm and 3.91 cm). The seedlings under cropped area became significantly (P<0.05) taller and thicker in comparison to un-cropped area. The yield of Ginger and Turmeric was found better under tree-crop association than pure crops after a 3-yr period. Our results depict that tree-crop association may provide better micro-site conditions like soil moisture and nutrients than control (pure crop) and may favour better crop productivity.

The composition of forest vegetation along an altitudinal gradient (400 to 650m) in Simbalwara Wildlife Sanctuary was studied during August, 2003. The forest is composed of 53 species of trees, 32 of shrubs and 175 of herbs. The plant communities identified at 400-525m and 525-650m elevation range were Shorea robusta – Mallotus philippensis and Shorea robusta – Terminalia alata respectively.  On the basis of importance value index (IVI), Shorea robusta was the dominant tree species at both the elevation ranges. The distribution pattern of plant species was random and contiguous at both the altitudes. The concentration of dominance was lower and index of diversity higher for plant species at both the altitudes Index of diversity for trees was 4.390 and 3.942 at 400-525m and 525-650m elevation range respectively. The index of similarity for trees, shrubs and herbs between two altitudes was 0.64, 0.65 and 0.54 indicating remarkable degree of similarity in plant species. The population structure of tree species is represented mainly by two patterns, one represented by greater proportion of individuals in seedlings stage indicating frequent reproduction and another indicating more individuals in intermediate girth classes with absence of seedlings. If the latter trend continues for longer period, the species may disappear from the area in near future.

A study was conducted to determine genetic diversity and its structure in (A. nilotica L. Willd. ex del.) in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Genetic diversity studies based on biometric and biochemical approaches revealed that half-sibs of Tamil Nadu origin were not distinctly clustered together while half–sibs from Karnataka were grouped together in distinct smaller sub clusters as per their geographic origin. Isozyme analysis revealed that all the three markers used in this study brought out different patterns of diversity. Dwindling natural populations which are basic resources for future breeding programmes require conservation. The results of the study will be valuable for provenance identification, strategies for conservation of genetic variation, prospect for improvement and assessment of the potential of locally adopted tree sources.

Pinus gerardiana has restricted distribution and has been put in endangered category due to indiscriminate cone/seed collection leading to complete lack of natural regeneration in the species. Owing to poor nursery performance, seeds were subjected to six stratification periods under four stratification temperatures regimes to break dormancy and enhance germination and growth of seedlings in the nursery. 60 days stratification period under 4±1oC temperature significantly improved germination (64.35%) and seedling parameters in the species. The study assumes importance for production of quality planting material for the afforestation programme in the fragile and poor site conditions prevailing in Chilgoza growing zone.

In the present communication the details of seedling morphology in taxonomic study of two common Asteraceous weeds viz. Ageratum conyzoides L. and A. houstonianum Mill. from Varanasi District, Uttar Pradesh have been provided. Some juvenile characters of seedlings are found to be very useful in distinguishing the taxa studied and have been utilized for formulation of key at species level. RS values at different leaf stages, date of appearance of different leaves and total observation period were also recorded.

Hippophae salicifolia D. Don is a dioecious plant species in which female plant genotypes are commercially preferred over the male genotypes. The fruit berries have rich medicinal and nutraceutical properties due to large amount of vitamins, essential oils, proteins, fatty acids, free amino acids and flavanoids present. Primary limitation for breeding Hippophae salicifolia is its dioecious nature, as gender cannot be identified by traditional methods. Therefore, some reliable and quick methods need to be developed. The isozyme analysis was conducted for ten enzyme system viz. alcohol dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, phosphorylase, aspartate amino transferase, a-esterase, b-esterase and acid phosphatase. Three enzyme systems viz., malate dehydrogenase, catalase and peroxidase showed considerable and very useful variation among the staminate and pistillate genotypes of Hippophae salicifolia. The staminate and pistillate genotypes could be distinguished with the help of sex specific isozyme markers, thereby indicating the immense potential of isozymes in gender identification in Hippophae salicifolia.

The combination of different concentration of substrate (0.10M, 0.15M, 0.20 and 0.25M; KNO3) with different pH of buffer (0.2M KH2PO4 of the pH 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8.0, 8.5 and 9.0) solution were tried for the nitrate reductase activity of Mimosa hamata Willd. leaves. Maximum nitrate reductase activity was observed in the combination of buffer solution of 0.20 M having pH 7.7 and substrate solution of the concentration 0.20 M.

Moringa moth (Noorda blitealis Walker) has become an important pest on Moringa tree in the Southern Rift Valley of Ethiopia. The insect is indigenous to this region where it feeds on Moringa leaves and causes damage for decades. During severe damage periods the whole branches of Moringa stenopetala becomes defoliated and causes vegetable shortage to the rural and urban communities in the semi-arid low land areas. This paper deals with screening of Moringa accessions from different localities for resistance to the defoliator insect. Forty-six Moringa accessions planted at Arbaminch Chanomille research and fruit nursery site were assessed for resistance to N. blitealis in the field by visual damage rating and in the laboratory by choice and no-choice feeding assay. 0 to 4 insect damage-rating scales with separate descriptions were used to evaluate the accessions. In the overall evaluation the field results are reliable because they were supported and complemented by the no-choice test.

The present study was undertaken in a moist deciduous forest of Indo-Gangetic Plain in Tikri forest of Gonda District to assess the effect of biotic disturbances on standing biomass. Three Sites selected on the basis of the disturbance gradient showed sequential differences in standing biomass. On the basis of different disturbance levels, three forests were categorized as dense, open and scrub forest corresponding to the degree of degradation. It is suggested that extraction of forest resources should be made on selection basis instead of overextraction and a minimum basal area of about 30m2/ha must be maintained to provide the various ecosystem services, which are equally important with the wood supply.

The growth performance of Mulberry tree (Morus spp.) was carried out at Central Sericultural Germplasm Resources Centre (CSGRC), Hosur after 10 years establishment in ex-situ field gene bank. The girth of the plant, which is suitable for tree formation was, recorded both in exotic and indigenous Mulberry accessions. Comparative performance indicates that exotic plants performed well than indigenous for all the traits studied. The frequency distribution on different growth traits showed fluctuation and variation. The analysis of variance indicates considerable variability among the accessions, which was significant at 1% level. The coefficient of variation was higher in exotic accessions, which indicates more variability exists among them. The relationships of plant girth vs. shoot numbers, leaf yield, shoot weight and biomass weight showed high significant correlation. Other parameters showed interrelationship among themselves. The study facilitates selection of mulberry accessions based on its growth performance for multipurpose use i.e., tree, fodder, fuel and high biomass.

An attempt has been made to study the soil bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes population in Seabuckthorn stand soil at different altitudinal zones in different seasons. Among different altitudinal zones greater microbial population size was recorded in Seabuckthorn stand soil of middle elevation zone (altitude 2400-2700 m asl) followed by lower elevation zone (altitude 1800-2400 m asl) and lower was found in upper elevation zone (2700-3200 m asl). Bacterial, fungal and actinomycetes population was comparatively more in rhizospheric region of Seabuckthorn plant than non-rhizospheric soil. Non-Seabuckthorn site soil always harboured less population of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes compared to Seabuckthorn stand site soil.

Rhizobacteria offer as a potential tool against diseases in certain crops. Pseudomonas fluorescens is one such useful bacterium employed in crops to contain the pathogens. P. fluorescens was collected from eleven different locations from the rhizoplane of healthy trees and its antagonistic potential was tested against Fusarium solani.  Pf-8 strain collected from Khizrabad, Yamuna Nagar (Haryana) was found to be highly antagonistic for use in future studies.

The paper deals with 15 grass species that have been wrongly reported in various earlier publications as occurring in Tamil Nadu. This lapse is due to wrong identifications and wrong interpretation of the word ‘Madras’ appearing on old collections and in literature. Various early collectors and authors used this word to mean different geographical areas, viz. (i) Madras Presidency of British period comprising most of Southern India (ii) Madras State of India after independence comprising present day Tamil Nadu, parts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala (iii) the present day Tamil Nadu (old name Madras State) and (iv) the present day Chennai city (old name Madras City). This has created utter confusion about the actual distribution of these and many such plants. A detailed search and study of materials available in all relevant herbaria and critical evaluation of earlier literature revealed that the species mentioned in this paper even though reported as occurring in Tamil Nadu has never ever been collected from that area. The present paper aims at setting the records straight so that further confusion can be avoided.

A knowledge of insect biodiversity and patterns of distribution becomes necessary for a better understanding of insect ecology and behavior, as well as to design sampling programs for rapidly assessing pest density and phenological forecasting. In the state of Tamil Nadu about 62 species of acridids or short horned grasshoppers (Order: Orthoptera; Family: Pyrgomorphidae and Acrididae) have so far been recorded. Inventorying of acridids was carried out by surveying, sorting, cataloguing, quantifying and mapping of entities such as individuals, populations, species, habitats and ecosystems. The resulting data were used for further analysis of various parameters of biodiversity. The acridids recorded in Tamil Nadu inhabit a wide range of ecosystems. The present study was focused towards the acridid biodiversity in Tamil Nadu, their occurrence, distribution, richness and abundance from different vegetation sites viz., wasteland, grassland, forestland, and cropland as well as at different altitudes. From the 58 selected study sites in Tamil Nadu, over a period of 24 months, a total of 37 species belonging to 2 families and 11 subfamilies were recorded during the period of survey. The study depicted maximum species richness in forest ecosystem followed by wasteland, grassland and cropland. The diversity decreased with increase in altitude reaching a peak at 1100 MSL. A insignificant positive correlation was obtained between species richness for the longitudinal gradients and a negative correlation was obtained between species richness and the latitudinal gradients, while a significant negative correlation was observed with the altitudinal gradients.

Pteridophytes do not form dominant vegetation anywhere on the earth surface now, but have been replaced by the seed-bearing plants. Their occurrence in several small patches relays the message of richness. During the present study, 24 species of Pteridophytes were inventoried from Vilavancode, Kalkulam and Thovalai sacred groves of Kanyakumari district, Southern Western Ghats, India. Some of them are well known for their economic values. The species richness was more or less similar in the first two sacred groves, however, it was reduced to 6 in Thovalai. The terrestrial Pteridophytes were dominant over epiphytes. The lithophytic species were least in number. As a result of rapid urbanization and biotic interference these important plants are under threat and their population is being reduced, due to the ever-increasing human population. Some rare, endangered and endemic species are still present only in some pockets of this district and are conserved by indigenous people in the form of sacred groves.

Pot experiments were carried out under nursery conditions during 2005-2006 to study the response of Deodar seedlings to inoculations with ectomycorrhizae (Pisolithus tinctorius, Laccaria laccata and Suillus granulatus), forest litter and different levels of phosphorus. Various plant growth characteristics (plant height, root length, collar diameter and plant biomass) and ectomycorrhizal root colonization responded significantly to ectomycorrhizal inoculation, forest litter and phosphorus. Among the ectomycorrhiae, inoculation of Pisolithus tinctorius proved most beneficial for all plant growth parameters and ectomycorrhizal root colonization followed by Laccaria laccata and Suillus granulatus. The treatment combination of Pisolithus tinctorius along with phosphorus dose of 75 mg plant-1 proved to be the best treatment for all the studied characteristics.

The genus Lindbergia Kindb. is reported here with the species L. koelzii R.S.Williams as new to Peninsular India.

Genus Hyophila Brid.; a moss belonging to subfamily Barbuloideae, family Pottiaceae is represented by 7 species in India; out of these, three species: H. involuta (Hook.) Jaeg., H. rosea Williams and H. comosa Dix. et P. Vard. occur in Central India. Earlier H. rosea alone was reported from Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve (PBR) but during floristic studies of bryophytes of PBR, which is well known for its biodiversity and is rich in bryophytic vegetation, H. involuta has been encountered for the first time. This taxon has been earlier reported from several other localities and shows wide distribution in India in Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Arunachal Pradesh, Upper Assam, South India and Western Himalayas etc. H. involuta is characterised by dioecious plants, erect dark green habit and radiculose stem (5-18 mm in size). Leaves are oblong, spathulate, carinate with percurrent costa, 1.8-2.8 mm x 0.56-0.86 mm, seta erect, capsule cylindrical with beaked operculum. Peristome is absent and spores are small, brown coloured, spherical, 8-12 µm in diameter. The species is distributed in various localities of PBR: Tamia Valley, Jambu Dweep. Near Police Training School, Near Forest Office, Pandav Caves and Bee Fall. H. involuta closely resembles with H. rosea which occurs in the same vicinity, in leaf size and shape, leaf cells and shape of capsule; however, it differs in its radiculose habit, uniform leaf arrangement, longer seta and smaller spores from the latter species.

Goodenia koningsbergeri (Back.) Back. ex Bold., Ginalloa helferi Kurz and Sciaphilla secundiflora Thwaites ex Benth. are reported as new records for the flora of India from the South Andaman Island. Goodenia forms a new generic addition to the flora of India. Brief descriptions and illustrations are provided.

Eugenia discifera Gamble (Myrtaceae) is relocated other than type locality is described with a colour plate for the further collection and identification in field.

Fungi are one of the most important biodeteriogens that grow on old building of historical and religious importance and damage a lot. During this study biodeterioration caused by fungi on the historical monument of Doon valley was conducted on two monuments of Guru Ram Rai Darbar Sahib and Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple.  The study was conducted in various seasons i.e. rainy, winter and summer.  A total number of thirty-three fungi were isolated in Darbar Sahib and thirty-four in Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple. Maximum numbers of fungi were isolated during rainy season in both the monuments.  Mainly genera of Zygomycetes and Deuteromycetes have isolated in which Aspergillus, Fusarium, Rhizopus and Penicillium are more common.

Impatiens raziana Bhaskar & Razi, a rare endemic balsam of Western Ghats, so far known only from the type locality has been collected from two more localities. A detailed description and illustration based on fresh specimens is provided for easy identification of the species.

Two labiates, Elsholtzia major (Hook. f.) V. S. Kumar & B. D. Sharma and Isodon rugosus (Wall. ex Benth.) Codd are reported for the first time from Arunachal Pradesh, India. The former species is hitherto known only from Uttarakhand and Sikkim Himalaya, while the latter although widely distributed from Afghanistan to China, its report from this state is a new record to NE India.

Termitomyces striatus (Beeli) R. Heim have been illustrated and is being described for the first time from Jammu and Kashmir state. Its habitat description, taxonomic features, edibility and ethnomycological details have been incorporated in the present communication.

Wissadula periplocifolia (Linn.) Pers. ex Thw. (Malvaceae) is described as a new record for Orissa. A brief description along with photograph is given for easy identification of the taxon.

This paper deals with the occurrence of five rare, endemic, red-listed and endangered plants such as Buchanania lanceolata Wight, Syzygium bourdillonii (Gamble) Rathakrishnan & N.C. Nair, S. travancoricum Gamble, Begonia trichocarpa Dalz., and Pseudoxytenanthera bourdillonii (Gamble) Naithani of angiosperms collected from Velliangiri hills, a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the Western Ghats of Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu. They are reported for the first time from Tamil Nadu state. Correct nomenclature, brief descriptions, specimen examined and critical notes if any, along with phenological and distributional data are given for each species to facilitate for further collections and easy identification.

Two thalloid liverwort namely Cyathodium smaragdinum Schiffn. (Cyathodiaceae) and Riccia billardieri Mont. & Nees (Ricciaceae) have been recorded for the first time from the Andaman Islands. The family Ricciaceae is reported here for the first time from this Oceanic Islands. The same have been described with relevant photo and SEM micrographs.

The present paper deals with ecological relationships of insects (Arthropoda – Animalia) with ferns (Pteridophyta-Plantae). It is based on field observations during the collection of ferns from various areas of Garhwal particularly Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts.

The paper records the occurrence of Erythrodecton malacum (Kremp.) G. Thor, an interesting species of lichen in the family Roccellaceae as new generic and specific record for India.

A new species, Canscora sanjappae, allied to C. diffusa (Vahl) R. Br. ex Roem. & Schult. from Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka is described and illustrated.