The present investigation deals with the chemical characteristics/composition of the natural waters of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR), located within Kerala and Karnataka States respectively. Waters of both localities differ significantly in their chemical characteristics and composition. The waters of NBR - Kerala are bereft of dissolved minerals in their per unit volume, irrespective of their sources and location. Calcium ions dominate within cations and bicarbonate within anions. Carbonate ions are conspicuously absent in all waters. In contrast to above, the waters of Karnataka have sufficient dissolved minerals in their per unit volume and magnesium ions are prominent within cations and chloride within anions in large number of water bodies. Carbonate ions are sufficiently present in majority of the waters. In both localities, the calcium and magnesium ions show a close resemblance in their concentration but sodium ions exhibit an erratic variation. The waters of NBR - Kerala are neutral to moderately alkaline in reaction (pH 7.0-8.4) but the Karnataka waters show comparatively high alkalinity (pH 7.0-9.0). The waters of NBR - Kerala have been categorized as C1S1 class and thus, found to be highly suitable for safe use either by the flora, fauna or even by the soils of the area but the waters of NBR - Karnataka, barring a few, have been categorized as C2S1 class and thus, suitable for fauna but may create problem of alkali hazards within soils and for plant species which are susceptible to sodium ions concentration. The present study pertinently suggests that to compensate the mineral deficiency especially in carnivores, the salt-licks having sufficient minerals may be placed in the entire biosphere reserve under Kerala and within Karnataka, it may be placed within those area which are not covered by artificial tanks.

The present study was carried out on six forest sites dominated by Quercus leucotrichophora and Q. floribunda forests to assess variations in floral biodiversity and community with changes in microclimatic conditions between 2090 and 2200 m elevation in Nainital on 3 different aspects. The composition of tree layer was more or less similar across the studied sites. The impact of aspect change on shrub and herb species diversity and density was also insignificant possibly because of little change in altitude and canopy cover (above 70%) in the studied sites.

This paper describes the status and tree species diversity of Semi-Evergreen forests in Chitteri Hills, Tamil Nadu. Stratified random sampling method and distribution of sample plots using vegetation maps prepared from IRS LISS III FCC was used to study the tree species having girth >30 cm at breast height. A total number of 466 stems from 51 tree species were recorded from the study area representing 24 families and 40 genera.  The total basal area was 21.92 m2. Anogeissus latifolia was the highest contributor (19.29%) followed by Memecylon edule (17.93%), Psydrax dicoccos (11%) and Nothopegia colebrookiana (10%). Memecylon edule (47.26), has the highest IVI value followed by Anogeissus latifolia (46.77), Psydrax dicoccos (38.34) and Nothopegia colebrookiana (28.87). Percentage of family important value was high in Combretaceae followed by Anacardiaceae, Verbenaceae, Rubiaceae, Ebenaceae and Euphorbiaceae. Shannon-Weiner and Simpson diversity Index value were 2.76 and 0.11.

Tectona grandis (Teak) is one of the most valuable timber producing species of India. However, seeds of this species from dry regions show poor germination due to dormancy.  To overcome dormancy, a total of 140 pre-sowing treatments, which consisted of scarification, pre-chilling and chemical-soaking, were applied to the seeds of Teak. All germination parameters and root-shoot ratio were significantly improved after cold water soaking (15 days) + humid storage (15 days). However, the growth characters and dry weight of seedlings were significantly higher when the seeds were soaked in GA3-100ppm for 48 hrs as compared to rest of the treatments. For farmers and nursery persons point of view the easy and cost-effective method of presowing treatment of water soaking for 15 days + humid storage for 15 days is recommended.

An attempt was made to study the productivity and fertility of cropped marginal lands as influenced by residual effect of some tree species. A field experiment was carried out in split-plot design with 15 treatment combinations comprising four tree species viz., Leucaena leucocephala, Sesbania grandiflora, Wendlandia exserta, Eucalyptus tereticornis and control (open) in main plot and three crops viz., Wheat, Mustard and Maize in sub-plots with three replications. The tree species were felled after 8 years of their plantation and then three crops were grown for judging the residual effect of tree species. Considerable variation in biomass of components for different tree species was noticed. A positive residual effect of all the tree species on crop yield was recorded and the increase in yield was in between 10-31% more as compared to control. Electrical conductivity and pH were lower under L. leucocephala and decreased from 0.81 to 0.43 dSm-1 and 8.6 to 7.8, respectively. Available N, P2O5, K2O and organic carbon were also noted relatively high with L. leucocephala followed by S. grandiflora. This study infers that tree species are effective in bringing about improvement in fertility and productivity of the soil.

Forty nine exotic and indigenous clones of Poplar were evaluated for eight morphological traits. These clones have shown considerable variability for all the parameters. Wide range of GCV and PCV was observed for petiole length, diameter and plant height. The heritability estimates were high for almost for all traits accompanied by fair amount of genetic advance. Genotypic correlation coefficients were higher than the corresponding phenotypic values for most of the character combinations. Plant height showed positive and significant correlation with plant diameter indicating that selection can play a great role in the improvement of Poplar clones.

Present communication deals with seedling morphology and taxonomy of Parthenium hysterophorus L., a well-known exotic weed from Varanasi region, Uttar Pradesh, India. Seedling morphology is observed for 44 days up to 5th true leaf stage. Seedling morphology showed that seed germination is epigeal, the seedlings are macranga type and phanerocotylar. The seed leaves are isocotylar, opposite and persist up to 6th true leaf stage, obovate, entire, green, smooth with less distinct veins. The first true leaf was ovate, entire, dark green, hairy, veination unicostate reticulate. Subsequent leaves were same as first true leaf, but margin denate at 2nd or 3rd true leaf stage. Fourth or 5th true leaves were peltate with lyrate margin and oblique base.

A study was conducted for production of high-quality seedlings for domestication and large-scale commercial cultivation of Panax assamicus. The germination behaviour of graded seeds and post germination growth under different growing media were different. The results of germination percentage in highest to lowest order were in sand and leaf mould sand in 1:1 ratio. The effect of graded fruits containing double seeds showed highest germination per cent than fruits containing only one seed. Similarly, depulped seeds with darker brown seed coat showed higher than seeds with light brown seed coat. The post germination growth of seedling germinated out of two seeded fruit was highest among all the treatment.

Eucalyptus hybrid, Mangifera indica and Melia azedarach were treated with different concentrations of CCA, ACA and Copper lignate. Pinus roxburghii (Pine) was also treated with the same preservatives and used as reference species. Two experiments for different periods i.e. 4 and 5 years were conducted in the same cooling tower. Observations in terms of weight loss were taken. It was found that Melia azedarach (Melia), Pinus roxburghii and Eucalyptus hybrid (Eucalyptus) performed excellently when treated with CCA at 16 kg/m3 retention throughout the period of investigation. While ACA (16 kg/m3) and CCA (i) (consisting As2O3.2H2O) treated samples were protected considerably but were not comparable with CCA treated samples. Copper lignate (1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 kg/m3) treated samples (10 x 2.5 x 0.6 cm3) of all species, could not perform satisfactorily. Visual observations of Mangifera indica (Mango) samples indicated heavy attack of soft rot fungus on the sample in the 3rd year of experiment itself, thus indicating none of the preservative treatment being able to protect Mango wood samples. Thus, Eucalyptus hybrid (heartwood) and Melia azedarach  treated with CCA can be recommended for smaller size samples used in cooling towers whereas for bigger size of wood used in cooling towers, where strength is important criteria, bigger samples i.e. stake test (45 x 5 x 4 cm3)  is required.

A new twig canker disease of Cinnamomum camphora caused by Pestalotiopsis versicolor has been reported for the first time and studied in detail.

An extensive survey was made in arid zone of Haryana, India for recording symptoms of Dalbergia sissoo mortality and for collecting roots and rhizospheric soil samples from ten sites having declined Sissoo trees. Isolation of fungus Fusarium solani was done from roots and rhizospheric soil. The pathogencity tests of isolated fungus were conducted on Sissoo seedlings under different conditions. Wilting was most pronounced symptom associated with mortality in this area besides others like drying from top, oozing and debarking. All sites (except one) frequently yielded F. solani from root bits and rhizospheric soil depending on the location. The pre and post emergence damping off of Sissoo seedlings inoculated with F. solani proved pathogencity of isolated fungus. High humidity, heavy soil texture and more soil saturation were proved positively correlated with pathogencity of F. solani.

Litter production and decomposition are important in nutrient cycling and detritus based food chain. Litter production in mangrove varies widely with species, forest type, stand age, geographical location and environmental parameters (e.g. rainfall, temperature, wind). Higher rate of litter production is observed at the lower latitudes (tropical region) and it decreases linearly with increasing latitude (sub-tropical region). Decomposition of leaf litter is characterized by an initial leaching of soluble organic and inorganic compounds with subsequent colonization by micro-organisms, which initiates physical and biological fragmentation of plant material. Litter degradation rate varies with species, geographical location, degree and frequency of tidal inundation, climatic and edaphic factors and presence of litter consuming fauna in the mangrove forest. In mangroves, higher rate of microbial decomposition of litter is observed in litter with lower content of tannin and leaves with thin cuticle, wet season and lower tidal inundation classes.

Beauveria bassiana, was isolated from the infected pupal cadavers of Ectropis deodarae (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), a defoliator of Cedrus deodara, from Jhungi area of Sundernagar Forest Division, Himachal Pradesh. The native isolate of the fungus was tested to assess its virulence on Acraea issoria (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), commonly known as Yellow Coster. A dose mortality bioassay experiment using seven doses of Beauveria bassiana was conducted on third instar larvae of the butterfly that defoliate Debregeasia hypoleuca in and around Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Results indicate that 76% larval mortality is possible using 6.77 Spores/ml of aqueous solution of this entomopathogenic fungus. The LD50, calculated using ‘Probit Analysis’ was 3E+07 spores per ml. of water suspension and at 95% confidence, the lower limit is 3E+06 (2983882.87517) and upper limit is 1.9E+08 (186770301.094). This study indicates that the Jhungi isolate of Beauveria bassiana would be an effective microbial pathogen to control the lepidopteran defoliator.

Response of cutting height viz., 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 m was examined on biomass productivity and plant nutrient concentration of four multipurpose tree species viz., Morus alba, Celtis australis, Bauhinia variegata and Grewia optiva of North-West Himalaya. Morus alba accumulated maximum leaf+branch biomass followed by Grewia optiva, Celtis australis and Bauhinia variegata, respectively. The productivity of leaf, branch and their total improved with increase cutting height up to 2.0m under all species. The leaf N, K, Ca and Mg concentrations, irrespective of cutting heights demonstrated a significant variation among species.  However, leaf P concentration showed negative trend to those observed for leaf N, K, Ca and Mg concentrations. With increasing cutting height irrespective of species, leaf N, P, K, Ca and Mg concentrations improved markedly. The species x cutting height interaction evinced a significant effect on leaf nutrient concentration. The branch, N, P, K, Ca and Mg concentrations, irrespective of cutting heights showed significant variation among species. The nutrient concentrations evinced a positive trend with increase in cutting height. The species x cutting height interaction demonstrated significant effect on branch nutrient concentration.

Harvesting and intervening in forest with regard to their capability and capacity is necessary in order to promote quality, quantity and breeding of forest stand. On the other hand, extraction of logs and their products is one of the most important operations in harvesting which is generally carried out by machinery along skid trail network. Therefore, determining skid trails and taking into consideration the related standards is necessary in order to reach harvesting objectives. GPS was used to survey skid trails and existing road network of Shafaroud Forest District number 3 and then a Map of skid trail network was prepared. The prepared Map covered 1059 hectares of Shafaroud Forest District Number 3. Then with the use of environmental factors and analyzing them the area was divided into suitable and unsuitable areas: Unsuitable areas are; areas with slope of more than 65%, soil susceptible to land slide, areas with ruined forest (volume less than100m3/ha), areas which contain Porotia, Diospirus and Pertrocaria species, areas with no trees, rural areas and valleys. Suitable areas are; areas with slope of less than 65%, areas with suitable soil, good drainage and suitable texture, areas that have volume of more than 100m3/ha, area which have Fagus and Carpinus species, etc. GIS Arc view/Arc info and etc were used to digitize and prepare related Maps and in order to find suitable areas and avoiding environmental damages the most suitable skid trails network were designed which covers 801ha of total area of district. Finally, the existing skid trails network Map was compared with the most suitable designed skid trails network. The results showed that 712 ha of the area that were covered by existing skid trails network were unsuitable areas for designing and constructing skid trails network and therefore causes environmental damages and also only 347 ha of the area that were covered by existing skid trails network were suitable areas. Meanwhile 454 ha of total District which were suitable areas, were not covered by the existing skid trails network. These areas were considered when designing the new skid trails network. The results of this research can be used in designing more appropriate skid trails with less environmental damages.

Photosynthetic performance of six tropical evergreen forest species, representing three successional groups was studied using the chlorophyll fluorescence technique. The study showed that the maximum photosynthetic efficiency could be seen under less light conditions in Palaquium ellipticum and Cullenia exarillata and in high light conditions in Macaranga peltata. The study also showed that in species such as Actinodaphne bourdillonii and Clerodendrum viscosum, analysis of photosynthetic performance alone might not be sufficient to categorize them into different successional groups. Thus, an integrated study on phenology, growth and survivability patterns and photosynthetic performance of tropical evergreen species to assign them the successional status is suggested.

A preliminary study of lower group of plants from Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary revealed the occurrence of 36 species of lichens, 20 species of bryophytes and 81 species of pteridophytes. Under bryophytes the following 7 species Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum majus, Homaliodendron flabellatum, Rhodobryum roseum, Theriotia sp., Thuidium delicatulum, Tortella tortuosa are new records to Kerala. All species are enumerated along with their frequency of occurrence.

The woody plants of Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have been dealt with. The critical study on collections as well as published literature revealed the occurrence of 168 species belonging to 114 genera and 44 families. A systematic enumeration of the species along with their habit, flowering and fruiting periods, uses and localities have been provided.

The Indian lac insect, Kerria lacca (Kerr) is an economically important insect, which is cultured widely for its products of commerce. Lac insects have been reported to thrive on more than 400 plant species. Occurrence of K. lacca on Euphorbia pulcherrima (Poinsettia), an ornamental plant has been reported for the first time. The infestation level on this plant species is indicative of its potential as an economic host for lac culture for summer crop.

Malaxis cylindrostachya (Lindl.) Kuntze is described as a new orchid record for the flora of West Bengal.

Population structure of endemic Pteris subquinata is given along with the ecology of the substrata. Gametophytes collected from the nature were analyzed for the sexuality which revealed that the gametophyte populations are generally unisexual but when isolated gametophytes were grown, they became bisexual. Reasons of being endemic are discussed.

Three species viz., Aconitum bhutanicum Yuchi Kadota, Taraxacum lanigerum van Soest and T. ludlowii van Soest have been described as new records for India from Pin Valley National Park, Lahaul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh.

Critical studies conducted on the pollinaria of 20 species of the subtribe Goodyerinae Klotzsch (Orchidaceae) have revealed that the pollinarium structure is an important character for distinguishing different species of the subtribe Goodyerinae. Based on the pollinarium characters, an artificial key and a photo plate of the pollinaria is provided for easy identification of these species.

The present study reveals that the fire has a beneficial effect at seedling stage but high incidence of fire every year leads to death of natural regeneration of Chir pine. It is evident from the result that some morphological parameter of seedling such as number of sprouted shoots was more in burnt seedlings as compare to unburnt. The dormant buds of Chir pine seedling sprouted after fire incidence.

The present paper deals with an account of aquatic angiosperms of Bundelkhand region. The plant specimens of aquatic and marshy plants were studied from Duthie herbarium of Botany Department of Allahabad University, Allahabad belonging to four Districts of Bundelkhand region i.e. Banda (including Chitrakoot), Jalaun, Lalitpur and Hamirpur (including Mahoba). In all 179 species belonging to 97 genera and 49 families have been recorded. Out of these 30 species were not reported in Flora of Upper Gangetic Plain (Duthie, 1903-1923).

Velliangiri hills in Coimbatore District of Tamil Nadu form a portion of the Western Ghats. Floristic diversity assessment study was conducted in the study area, which resulted in the collection of 1200 species of Angiosperms out of which 19 species viz., Elaeocarpus munronii, E. recurvatus, Crotalaria longipes, C. priestleyoides, Medinella malabarica, Hydrocotyle conferata, Vanasushava pedata, Hedyotis swertioides, Ophiorrhiza brunonis, Psychotria johnsonii, Anaphalis beddomei, Vernonia travancorica, Smilax wightii, Disporum leschenaultianum, Brachycorythis iantha, Coelogyne nervosa, Habenaria richardiana, Fimbristylis kingii, F. uliginosa are rare and endemic to Southern Western Ghats.

Oil-bodies in 24 species of leafy liverworts belonging to order Jungermanniales are described from East Sikkim.