The present paper deals with the land degradation in shiwaliks and deliberation of suitable Agroforestry Models for conservation and sustainable production of natural resources in this region. The Agroforestry practices recommended vary from silvipasture systems to meet fuel wood and fodder demands to agrisilviculture system (Poplar +Wheat +Fodder; Quercus+ Maize-Wheat; Grewia + Soybean - Wheat etc.) for food and fodder, hortisilvipasture system (Mango + Poplar + Paddy - Wheat; Plum + Morus + Soybean – Wheat; Apple + Pea, etc) for fruit, fodder and other products. The paper also highlights the employment opportunities through Agroforestry in the region.

A sample survey was conducted on the homestead Bamboo plantation of the district of Chittagong in Bangladesh in 1992. A total of 14 rural thanes having a sample of 272 ha land area in the district were covered under the survey. The district has varieties of Bamboos among which Bambusa vulgaris, Melocanna baccifera and Bambusa tulda are most common species. The purpose of the survey was to estimate total Bamboo resource, its cultivated area, households with Bamboo cultivation, rate of cultivation, harvest and stocking per hectare and per clump. A Stratified Two Stage Sampling Design was followed for the survey. A sample of 900 households was considered for the purpose. The results showed that the area under Bamboo cultivation, number of clumps and number of culms were 3694 ha, 937764 and 48821592 respectively. About 42% households harvest Bamboos every year. The number of Bamboos per hectare and per clump were estimated to be 15331 and 69 respectively. A picture of overall Bamboo situation in the present homestead Agroforestry System of Bangladesh is shown on the basis of the survey results. The role of Bamboo as its contribution and economic importance is also mentioned. The necessity for assessment and monitoring of the resource is emphasized.

Vegetation composition, species diversity, Shannon-Wiener Index and regeneration behaviour of tree species in silviculturally managed felling and non-felling sites of the Deodar (Cedrus deodara (Roxb.ex Lambert.) G. Don forest of the Chakrata Forest Division, Uttarakhand, India was analysed. Plant density (plants ha-1) was higher in felling sites (350 ha-1) than the non felling sites (300 ha-1). Total basal cover (TBA, cm2 100 m-2) was also found higher in felling sites (7375) than non-felling site (3949). The diversity index and species richness were higher for shrubs and herbs at felling site. Dominant species (Cedrus deodara) has shown good regeneration potential as evidenced by the presence higher sapling and seedlings in felling site. Canopy opening by felling operation created the route for the invasion of the new shrub and herb species and regeneration of dominant tree species at felling site.

Phytosociological study of the restored bamboo plantation and natural bamboo plantation was carried out in the Kalsi Forest Division of Doon valley. The study was conducted on the three strata (Tree, Shrub and Herb) in both sites viz. Bamboo forest as well as natural forest. The study reveals that maximum density (10020 plants/ha, 5 plants/ha and 3 plants/ha) was recorded for Bamboo sites for tree, shrubs and herbs respectively. Meanwhile, maximum number of species richness (19) was recorded for tree and (28) for shrub and herbs for natural forest. Concentration of dominance showed reverse trend to diversity index. The maximum value of concentration of dominance (0.90, 0.20 and 0.10) was recorded for tree, shrub and herb species of Bamboo forest.

Established open pollinated seedling seed orchard of Grewia optiva Drummond (60 families) established at main campus of Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan during July 2000 was evaluated for various morphometric parameters as per standard methodology, viz., height, diameter, current years’ leaf production, leaf area, fresh leaf weight, leaf dry weight, total fresh leaf biomass and leaf dry matter contents. Growth parameters among the different genotypes showed a wide range of variation. The means of the morphometric parameters of different families of Grewia optiva recorded a maximum mean height (6.75 m), diameter (8.88 cm), leaf dry matter content (59.40%), estimated number of leaves (2230.30) fresh weight of leaves (81.33 g/100 leaves), dry weight of leaves (44.56 g/100 leaves), leaf area (68.10 cm2) and total green biomass (1760.74 g). Studies concluded that differences are due to genetic factors. The identified families on the basis of morphometric traits can be used for long term breeding programmes to achieve significant gains from diverse populations.

Among exotic tree species, Poplar (Populus deltoides) is a winter deciduous tree species, which produces maximum litter in a single flush for maintaining soil fertility of plantations through its decomposition and release of nutrients and are chosen primarily for their capacity to achieve high growth rates and wood production over a wide range of sites. Besides these, the short rotation cycle of plantation has one major problem of depletion of nutrients that is caused by frequent harvest of plant, which leaves the site unfertile as a huge quantity of nutrients are removed. Keeping these points in view, the present study was conducted to estimate the biomass production and nutrient removal by eight years old Poplar plantation raised at different spacing in a replicated randomized block design having three spacing of 5 x 4 m, 10 x 2.5 m and 15 x 2.5 m in research area of Department of Forestry, C CSHAU Hisar. Biomass of all the plant parts decreased with increasing tree spacing except that the differences between 10 x 2.5 m and 15 x 2.5 m spacing in respect of leaves and branches biomass were not significant. The total tree biomass including litter fall was higher in 5 x 4 m (415 t/ha) followed by 10 x 2.5 m (330 t/ha) and 15 x 2.5 m (192 t/ha) spacing. Concentration of both primary and secondary nutrients in different plant parts differed significantly at different spacing. Maximum nutrient concentration was recorded in leaves at 15 x 2.5 m spacing. However, Poplar stem accounted for maximum uptake of all the nutrients. Among poplar spacing, closer tree spacing of 5 x 4 m recorded maximum uptake of both primary and secondary nutrients except that K and Mg uptake was maximum at 10 x 2.5 m spacing.

The study was carried out to determine the growth behaviour and rooting pattern of Flemingia semialata at early stage with intercrops. The plant growth attributes increased significantly due to raising of vegetable crops in interspaces during kharif, rabi and zaid seasons. The maximum increase was recorded in plant height, basal girth, total and inoculable shoot length to the tune of 24.4, 20.0, 67.7 and 113.3 per cent, respectively under single row planting system of Flemingia semialata for winter lac crop with vegetable crops (Okra, Garlic and Bitter Gourd) as compared to sole single planting pattern (without intercrops). Whereas the maximum increase in number of leaves per bush and leaf area index (LAI) were 77.16 and 87.68 per cent, respectively at paired row planting for summer lac crop with vegetable crops Schedule I. The main root and rootlets length and number of rootlets per bush of the host plants increased by 13.82, 21.55 and 16.22 per cent, respectively on account of raising intercrops as compared to no intercrops (control).

This paper describes the flowering and fruiting phenology of 30 woody plant species in a mixed dry deciduous forest, Anaikatty hills. A total of 150 individuals of woody plants belonging to 30 species and 15 families (24 tree species and 6 shrubs) were observed for flowering and fruiting phenology. The flowering peak was recorded during April and May and the fruiting peak in June, July. Ficus benghalensis that fruited during fruit scarcity appear to play a keystone role in the study area.

Mulberry semilooper, Hemerophilla atrilineata Butler (Lepidoptera: Geometriidae) which was earlier a minor insect pest of Mulberry in Kashmir is now emerging as a major pest. In this relevance basic information on its occurrence, biology, damage symptoms and severity has been recorded during 2009 cropping season. Field survey on the seasonal occurrence of H. atrilineata under temperate agro-climatic region of Kashmir valley revealed that the infestation started from second fortnight of July and continued through first fortnight of October and it ranged from 0.01% to 12.62%. The peak infestation was noticed at the end of the season. The present study reveals that the pest is distributed in most parts of the valley, except southern part. Semilooper infestation on bush and tree plantations of Mulberry ranged from 0.20 to 11.88%. Pest infestation in tree plantation is delayed by about a month in comparison to bush plantation. Of the five varieties of Mulberry observed, Goshoerami recorded maximum infestation by semilooper, followed by Chinese white. The percent damage index however, was least with Goshoerami. The studies revealed that the early instar larvae of H. atrilineata makes pin holes in the Mulberry leaves and completely defoliates the Mulberry plants at the later stages. Under field conditions, the pest is active between July to October and completes two generations in between. With the availability of new flush of Mulberry leaf in last week of June, emergence of adult was also observed.

Field survey was conducted in Singrauli coalfields to detect the suitable woody plant species for revegetation of coal mine spoils. Of the eleven woody species reported, the leguminous Acacia catechu and Butea monosperma and non-leguminous Adina cordifolia, Baswellia serrata, Holarrhena antidysenterica, Nyctanthes arboe-tristis and Woodfordia fruticosa are the potential woody species for the revegetation of coal mine spoils in a dry tropical environment.

Pittosporum viridulum Nayar & al., a Nigiri endemic species reported for the first time from Kerala. This species was described based on fruiting specimens collected from Kozhipalam in Nadugani forest of Tamil Nadu and their floral details are unknown yet. It is described and illustrated here based on a fresh collection to facilitate its easy identification.

Twenty genotypes of Cymbidium elegans were studied for 23 quantitative morphological characters to assess the variability. The data related variability parameters of plant height, plant spread, inflorescence length, raceme length and flower number, and flower width and flower height etc. are reported. The lip lobe distance was found to be most variable (cv 53.83 %) parameter followed by vegetative shoot per pseudobulb (cv 42.17) and flower width (cv 37.77 %). Dorsal sepal length was the least (cv 4.93 %) variable parameter. The positive and significant relation was observed between flower number   leaf width (0.485**), inflorescence length (0.473**) and raceme length (0.676**).

Habenaria stenopetala Lindl. (Orchidaceae) is known for its variability. Study of live materials of this species from different regions of Orissa supported this view. Morphology of this species from field observations supplemented with study of herbarium materials has been discussed in this communication.

Phyllanthus nozeranii Rossignol and Haicour and Phyllanthus simplex var. gardnerianus (Wight) Muell. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae), the two new records for state of Maharashtra are described herein. Details of morphology, phenology, ecology and distribution have been provided.

Saussurea hookeri C.B. Clarke is recorded as new to the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Angiosperms are one of the most important biodeteriogens that grow on old building of historical and religious importance and cause biophysical and biochemical decay. During these study angiosperms caused biodeterioration to the historical monuments of Doon valley was studied. This study was conducted on two monuments of Doon valley i.e. Darbar Sahib and Tapkeshwar Temple.  The study was conducted in various seasons i.e. rainy, winter and summer. A total number of twenty-four angiosperms were collected from Darbar Sahib and thirty-six from Tapkeshwar Temple. Maximum number of genera was collected during rainy season from both the monuments in which genera of Asteraceae, Scrophulariaceae and Poaceae were more common.

The present study was undertaken to uncover the diversity of root nodulating Rhizobium and associated wild legumes growing in coastal regions of Bay Islands. The exploration of coastal areas of South Andaman showed occurrence of 5 unique wild legumes and in that two viz., Vigna marina and Mucuna monosperma were found to grow in seashore areas. The earlier had abundant canopy and pods even under submergence of sea water during high tide and the second one was capable of growing in the backwater of sea. Results show that the five Rhizobum isolates associated with these wild legumes exhibit similar kind of reaction to various biochemical test with few exceptions. Among the isolates WL1 and WL12 associated with V. marina and M. monosperma, respectively showed high salt tolerance and that grew up to 1000mM NaCl in vitro, which is unique finding.

Dendrophthoe falcata var. pubescens, commonly known as Loranthus is one of the important epiphytic parasites of Teak plantations, which can cause substantial economic losses. It is generally observed that certain clones harbour a higher number of Loranthus than others. However, susceptibility of different Teak clones to Loranthus infestation has not been documented in India. Here we report on the clonal variation for this aspect in one of the Teak clonal seed orchards (CSOs) of Karnataka. All the ramets in the CSO (n=625) were scored for the number of mistletoes on them. A weighted score was developed to assess clonal variation for Loranthus infestation, considering percent ramets infested and the number of mistletoes per individual. Around 37 percent of the ramets in the CSO were infested by at least one parasite, which is akin to the infestation levels among neighboring Teak plantations. However, significant variation for the Loranthus infestation was observed among 24 clones studied. Clones- MySS1 and MySS2 were found to be least infested (i.e. 3.8 and 4.0% ramets), whereas clone- MyHaV2 showed highest Loranthus infestation of 48.1%. Although the influence of origin of clone on the Loranthus infestation was significant, provenancial effect on the trait was weak. Based on the score developed, four clones (viz., MySS1, MySS2, MyHaD2 and MyHaD1) were classified as ‘tolerant’, five clones were under ‘highly susceptible’ (viz., MyHuT4, MyHuT5, MyHuT8, MyHaV4 and MyHaV2) and rest of the 15 clones were ‘susceptible’. None of the clones were absolutely resistant against Loranthus infestation. Perhaps this is the first report on clonal variation for Loranthus infestation in Karnataka. We discuss the plausible reasons for such clonal variation.

A new variety of Ceropegia viz., Ceropegia attenuata Hook. var. mookambikae is described and illustrated.

The present report relates with the tricotyledony noticed during an experiment carried out to study the germinatiom and vigour of seeds of Aconitum spicatum Stapf.

Actinodaphne nicobarica M.Gangop. is merged with A. angustifolia Nees var. latior Nees.

The present note reports the authentic recollection of Thelypteris tenera (Roxb. in Griff.) C.V. Morton ex Fraser-Jenk. (Family: Thelypteridaceae) from the West Himalaya after a century. A brief description is provided to facilitate its easy identification in the field along with ecological note and distribution in India and world.

The present communication deals with the taxonomic and ecological enumeration of the weed flora of the campus and adjoining area of G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar. Being situated on Himalayan foothills and spreaded in a vast campus of more than 16000 acres, the university has been a world-famous center of agricultural and botanical activities. In the present investigation carried out during, 2007-2009, that 149 species of the angiospermic weeds belonging to 34 families were collected, of which 105 weed species were from 29 dicot families and 44 species were from 5 monocot families Distribution and seasonal variations of the collected species were also recorded.

Ampelopteris prolifera (Retz.) Copel. and Sphaerostephanos unitus (L.) Holttum are member of the family thelypteridaceae which are collected for the first time in Uttar Pradesh.

The wetlands of North Bihar harbour diverse macrophytes in free floating (8.55%), rooted floating (12.82%), unanchored submerged (3.42%), anchored submerged (6.84%) and emergent (68.37%) forms. The emergent habit appears to be fittest for survival in all the wetlands (ditches, lakes, ponds, chaurs, marshes). Amongst the recorded 117 species of macrophytes, the monocots (50.42%) dominate over algae (1.71%), ferns (2.57%) and dicots (45.30%).

The vegetation of Kudiraimozhi theri was analyzed during the years 2003- 2007. Out of 510 species 16 species were identified as endemics to South India. But only 5 plant species are given in this paper.

The paper deals with 4 taxa viz. Graphis cycasicola A.W.Archer & Elix, G. farinulenta Müll.Arg., G. japonica (Müll.Arg.) A.W.Archer & Lücking and G. kousyuensis (Horik. & M.Nakan.) Lücking as new records for Indian lichen flora.

A new species, Zingiber diwakarianum, allied to Z. neesanum (J. Graham) Ramamoorthy, from North Western Ghats, India is described and illustrated.

A new species, Canscora devendrae, allied to Canscora sanjappae Diwakar and R. Kr. Singh, from Western Ghats, India is described and illustrated.