A quantitative and qualitative assessment of mycorrhiza development was made in uninoculated seedling stock of Pinus roxburghii raised from seeds of twenty provenances. Significant differences were observed in mycorrhiza formation by indigenous mycorrhizal fungi representing seven distinct groups of provenances. Kuthnoor, Dharashu, Deha and Dibkhan provenances form a separate group which shows significantly higher values for short root formation, mycorrhizal roots and per cent mycorrhizal roots per plant in relation to group of Dharmshala, Bhader Kali, Mashobra, Neri Nissoo and Chabal Ki Dhar provenances which show significantly lower values for all the three parameters. Six forms of mycorrhizae were observed out of which one, light to dark brown, smooth form was predominant in association with thirteen provenances followed by smooth, brown, loose hyphal and yellow to sepia in groups of seven, six and five provenances, whereas others were restricted to one and two provenances.

In vitro plantlet production of Eucalyptus tereticornis was established using nodal segments as explants. Healthy calli were produced on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg1-1 BAP and 2.0 mg1-1 IAA. Shoot buds were induced from callus sub-cultured on MS medium supplemented with BAP (2 and 4 mg1-1). The shoots were rooted on MS medium supplemented with IAA and IBA. Rooted plantlets were transferred to sterile soil mixture under mist chamber conditions.

A study was undertaken to find out the soil nutrient dynamics in two of the teak plantations during the early period of teak based on the fertilizer applied and also taking into account of the nutrients returned by litter fall. N, Ca and Mg have decreased from the initial level over the study period. P shows good improvement whereas there is not much change in K. The OC content of soils of one plantation has decreased whereas in the other it has shown some improvement.

The objective of this study is to look at the forest plantation management system in the UMC and the problems associated with it. Fire and domestic animal grazing are the primary problems in the forest management. These problems are highly associated with remoteness of the areas and large extend covered by Beat Forest Officers (BFOs). Newly implemented watershed projects were interested in planting species other than pinus. Low plant spacing was practised with the increase of slope. Pinus, acacia and eucalypts were grown in low or medium fertile soil and indigenous species only in high fertile soils. Major soil conservation measures are agronomic such as contour planting, organic bunds, patch weeding and low slashing. Species selection mainly based on climate and land use pattern. Overall survival rate of indigenous species is less than that of exotic species.

Post lopping regeneration of seven years old Albizia amara in a silvopastoral system was studied at semiarid conditions of Jhansi with the aim to optimise leaf fodder production besides thinning out the wide and dense tree canopy. A significant positive correlation was found in yearly fodder (r = 0.96 in all lopping treatments) and fire-wood (r = 0.92 in T1 and T2; r = 0.88 in T3) production from lopped trees with the rainfall. Based on an analysis of fodder and fire-wood production, trend of branch regeneration and tree growth, it is evident that it may be possible to obtain substantial fodder and fire-wood supplies from this species at 75 per cent lopping intensity/year during the winter lean period on a sustained basis.

The persent study deals with the status and patterns of agroforestry practices in Tarai region of Kumaun. The study was made in three villages (Narayanpur, Ganeshpur and Gangapur) of Udham Singh Nagar District lying between 28.90 N latitude and 79.40 E longitude. Among the trees planted poplar is most preferred species. Study of agroforestry patterns reveals that bund planting is predominant in the areas following with wayside and field plantations. In these villages 100% farmers have adopted agroforestry practices thereby reducing pressure on the surrounding natural forests.

Association of VAM Fungi with forty legume trees growing in the Godavari belt was investigated. All the trees showed the VAM infection, but with varying incidence. Altogether 37 species which, however, varied in their belonging to Acaulospora (12), Entrophosphora (2), Gigaspora (3), Glomus (16), Sclerocystis (1) and Scutellospora (3) were recorded.

An experiment was conducted to find out the effect of Prosopis juliflora plantation on reclamation of saline-sodic soils. Prosopis juliflora was planted in the year 1984 in vertic ustochrepts having EC2.5 from 1.0 to 7.1 ds m-1 and ESP 23.7 to 64.0 at different depths in soils profile. The results revealed that the EC 2.5 was lower under Prosopis as compared to fallow (barren) land and decreased from 0.99 to 0.38 ds m-1. The ESP decreased from 17.7 to 6.7 in the span of 7 years. The infiltration rate increased by 100% under Prosopis plantation as compared to fallow barren land. Slight improvement in organic matter and olsen's P2O5 have also been observed. The total biomass production was 17,459 kg/ha in the period of 7 years which gave net profit of Rs. 5170/ha and soils become normal for agricultural production.

As assessment of VA mycorrhizal association in 21 naturally occurring seedlings of shrub and tree species belonging to 19 genera and distributed among 16 families collected from a 12 years old iron ore mine reject dump was made. Spore densities of iron ore mine rejects and adjacent undisturbed site were also studied. It was observed that the seedlings of all the species studied, showed mycorrhizal infection. The mycorrhizal infection varied from 25% to 98% in the different species. It was observed that the spore densities of the iron ore mine rejects was very low as compared to that of adjacent undisturbed areas.

The study reveals the structure of chir pine community along two aspects and four elevational zones in Garhwal Himalaya. The findings indicated that chir pine prefers sunny slopes with xeric conditions and is dominated in the drier south facing slopes. Therefore it should be recommended for the naked and drier slopes of Garhwal Himalaya as a pioneer species for vegetation cover.

Farmers have come forward for commercial teak cultivation on their individual lands. The cultivation practices of teak were identified and recommended for use to the farmers. The extent of adoption of these practices by 92 farmers in Akola District of Maharashtra State revealed that the farmers have planted recommended species of teak at appropriate time and distance. The adoption of intercrops, interculture operations, manures and fertilizers, and plant protection measures were found to be poor. The farmers need to be convinced about the usefulness of these practices for healthier plant growth. The literature on teak cultivation in local language be brought out to equip the farmers with necessary knowledge. Skill training on planting and plant protection be arranged for farmers. The procedure of lending loan in cash in yearly instalments be introduced. Healthy stumps at proper time may also be made available to prospective growers.

Studies on root-knot nematodes of Paulownia fortunei and P. tomentosa were undertaken both in the nursery and experimental plots at New Forest, Dehra Dun. Both Paulownia spp. were found susceptible to root-knot nematodes which were identified as M. incognita and M. javanica of which the latter was predominent. Root-knot nematode incidence was found to be 60% in P. fortunei and 46.67% in P. tomentosa in the nursery whereas 40% in young sapplings of P. fortunei in the experimental plots. Pathogenicity test was successfully conducted. Application of furadan in soil reduced gall formation in inoculated plants by 57.14% and increased plant biomass by 61.78% as compared to inoculated control plants without nematicide. On the other hand, application of deoiled neem cake @ 5g and 10g/pot controlled gall formation to the extent of 73.21 and 96.64% respectively and enhanced plant biomass by 105.27 and 174.48% respectively.

The present communication records the attitude of farmers towards agro-forestry programme in Kerala. The most important finding of the study is that many of the farmers are neutral or undecided in their attitude towards the Agro-forestry programme. Present study also indicated that the important constraints perceived by farmers were, viz., the unavailability of water, unavailability of desired plant species, and smaller size of land holding. Like-wise the important constraints perceived by Agro-forestry personnel were, viz., the inadequacy of staff, counterpropaganda by certain organisations, inadequacy of publicity and extention work. The Agro-forestry programme can be a success in Kerala if necessary steps are taken to overcome these constraints.

A study was carried out on ravinous land consisting of eroded slopes, to compare the growth of transplants and directly sown plants of Acacia nilotica var. cupressiformis. The trees were four years old and were of same seed origin. Five trees were selected for each category, and were dug out along with their whole root system. The trees were measured for diameter and height growth, shoot-root ratio, spread of root system, etc. The results indicate that performance of directly sown plants was better than transplants in terms of height and diameter growth and shoot-root ratio. It can be concluded that under rainfed conditions, where the site conditions are harsh, directly sown plants perform better than the transplants provided the species is matched to the site.

A study was initiated at Regional Research Station, Bijapur on performance of tree species on eroded soils of Northern dry zone of Karnataka during the year 1989. It was observed that Leucaena leucocephala, Albizia lebbeck and Acacia auriculiformis are fairly better establishing species whereas tree species like Casuarina equisetifolia and Butea monosperma are not suitable in denuded vertisols of Northern Karnataka.

Thirty provenances of Prosopis cineraria (Khejri) collected from 5 states in India, and raised at Hisar (290 10' N, 750 46 ' E and 215 m alt.) showed significant (P<0.01) variations in growth and biomass of plants at 1 year age. The plant height and diameter varied from 29.3 cm to 97.0 cm, and 0.34 to 0.80 cm, respectively. the number of branches varied from 3 to 16. The seedling biomass varied significantly (P<0.01) from 6.6 g in Gulberga provenance to 60.9 g in Sirsa provenance.

Impatiens johnii Barnes was rediscovered from Eravikulam National Park, Idukki District, Kerala after a lapse of 67 years. A detailed description, illustrations and relevant notes are provided.

Collar rot of Bauhinia purpurea caused by Rhizoctonia solani was recorded for the first time in India. The fungus also attacked cotyledons and caused rotting to varying extent. The disease was effectively controlled by seed treatment with Thiride @ 6g/kg and soil drenching with Dithane M-45 (0.3%) @ 20 ml per tube in root trainers prior to sowing of seeds.

Hopea canarensis Hole has been rediscovered from the type locality after a lapse of nearly 80 years. A detailed taxonomic description has been given followed by local names, flowering and fruiting period, distributional data and specimens examined. A complete list of associated plants in different strata with important ecological observation is also provided. The major differentiating characters of the Hopeas in India, the history of the H. canarensis collected and described, etc., is also dealt with. A tabulation is given to distinguish two closely allied Hopea species and the taxonomical significance with updated literature has also been provided.

Iris japonica Thunb., a species from Japan and China has been found naturalised in India and constitutes an addition to the flora of Sikkim. Detailed description and illustration are provided for its easy identification.

Iris ruthenica Ker var. uniglumis Spach is reported for the first time from India. Detailed description and illustration is provided for easy identification.