An experiment was conducted to evaluate the germination, survival, growth performance and biomass yield of nine indigenous multipurpose tree species of Eastern Himalayan region. On average, highest germination (> 80 %) was recorded in Artocarpus heterophyllus, Duabanga grandiflora and Michelia champaca. Germination in the species like Murraya koenghii and Terminalia myriocarpa ranged between 60.0-75.0%. Lowest germination, however, was recorded in Mesua ferrea (35.80%). After one year of growth, the survival percentage was recorded highest in Aquilaria malaccensis (87.80%), followed by M. champaca (85.23%). Among various species, lowest survival was recorded in Phoebe goalparensis (52.70%). So far in height growth was concerned, T. myriocarpa exhibited the highest (61.77cm), followed by D. grandiflora (60.07cm). Aquilaria malaccensis, however, exhibited lowest height growth (44.26cm). Likewise, collar diameter growth was also recorded highest in the seedlings of T. myriocarpa (0.83 cm), followed by D. grandiflora (0.78 cm). Lowest collar diameter growth was recorded in M. ferrea (0.49cm). Significant (P= 0.05) variations were recorded in germination, survival and growth performance of different tree species. Strong positive correlation (P= 0.01) was recorded between height and collar diameter growth of the seedlings. Significant variations (P = 0.05) were also observed in total biomass of the seedlings. Among various species, T. myriocarpa had the highest biomass (19.07g/seedlings) after one year of growth, followed by M. champaca (18.57g/seedling). Lowest biomass (7.11g/seedling) was recorded in A. malaccensis. Data on root-shoot ratio exhibited that A. heterophyllus, M. koenghii and M. ferrea had the comparatively heavier root systems than the other species. Height (P= 0.01) and collar diameter (P= 0.05) growth of the seedlings also exhibited significant positive correlation with biomass accumulation in the seedlings.

Vegetation characteristics of southern secondary moist mixed deciduous forest of Trichur district of Kerala were assessed by random sampling through census quadrat method. Twenty plots (0.1ha) were evaluated from Chalakudy, Chimmony, Peechi and Vazhani regions of the district; with 0.5 ha area from each locality, covering two ha area in total. A sum total of 2919 individuals belonging to 208 species of 89 families were recorded from the 20ha area studied comprising, 81 tree species (38.94%), 21 shrubs (10.10%), 58 herbs (27.88 %) and 48 climbers (23.08 %). In terms of number of species per unit area, an average of 34 species recorded per quadrate (0.1ha). For trees, shrubs, herbs and climbers these values were 16, 5, 6 and 7 respectively. The dominant association of the study area is of Xylia xylocarpa - Lagerstroemia microcarpa - Grewia tiliifolia and Terminalia paniculata. Comparatively high species diversity index value is registered for trees but with a very low value for shrubs.

The present study was undertaken to study genetic relationships of sixteen accessions of Dendrocalamus strictus Roxb. on the basis of morphological characters and RAPD markers. Considerable variability was found among the accessions analyzed, yet, no significant relationship exhibited between genetic variation estimated by morphological and RAPD characters. The analysis of genetic relationship in Dendrocalamus strictus using morphological and RAPD banding data can be useful for framing plant improvement, conservation and management strategies.

The effect of different temperatures and substrates on germination and growth of Teak seedling was studied. The germination percentage recorded after 9 weeks of sowing significantly higher at 30°C than at 25°C and 20°C. Vermiculite as a substrate gave highest germination but on par with that of Sand + Soil + FYM. The shoot length and number of leaves did not vary due to substrates, whereas, higher temperature (30oC) had favourable effect on these parameters compared to other temperature regimes studied.

Poplar is an important Agorforestry tree species of North-Western India and is widely adopted by farmers due to its high economic returns. This paper reports the results of a trial involving 16 clones planted in semi-arid region of Punjab. The data collected on survival and growth traits at age of 2 and 4.5 year were analyzed and genetic parameters were worked out. Significant differences among clones were found for diameter at 4.5 year and for height at both the ages. Clones ‘D-4’, ‘104’, ‘L-188/84’ ‘L-313/85’, ‘G-48’, ‘L-71/84’ and ‘L-154/84’ were found to be superior having higher volume production. The phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation were relatively higher for volume (21.17 to 29.24 and 9.96 to 23.90%). The broad sense heritability was 55.21, 66.29 and 66.80 per cent for diameter, tree height and volume, respectively at age of 4.5 years.

Acacia nilotica is an important tree species in the semi-arid and arid zones of the world. It is fast growing, drought resistant, multipurpose legume tree. The inoculation of AM fungi may be useful in ensuring higher biomass production and establishment of Acacia nilotica in alkaline soil. AM fungi favoured biomass accumulation, dry weight and nutrient uptake. Its population was enhanced, when AM fungi received improved supplies of phosphate and nitrogenous fertilizers. The principal benefit to the plant being increased nutrients uptake and consequent improved growth, yields and nodulation in legume tree.  The results of present investigation showed that after 180 days of inoculation, the maximum shoot (53.2 cm/plant), root (55.2 cm/plant) length, collar diameter (0.53 cm/plant), number (15.10/plant) and dry weight (1.11 g/plant) of root nodules under soil treated with AM along with phosphate and nitrogenous fertilizers. The phosphorus (0.23%) and nitrogen (0.69%) were also found maximum after 180 days in AM inoculated plants in comparison to uninoculated plants. The uninoculated plants were showed minimum growth performances and biomass production in the soil treated only with fertilizers.

Presently auto-octoploidy has been induced in an induced auto-tetraploid som, Persea bombycina (2n=24), the principal food plant of muga silkworm (Antheraea assamensis Helfer), through colchicine treatment (0.5%). Auto-octoploids showed deterioration in almost all the morphological features in contrast to tetraploid which seem to be the optimum ploidy level. Auto–octoploid is highly susceptible to stem diseases and dwarf in growth nature.

The Banasknatha forest division in Gujarat harbours a large number of Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) in spite of highly patchy, fragmented and degraded forests, high human population in adjacent villages, enormous agricultural expansion and continuous encroachment on bear habitat, and high cattle grazing pressure. As a result, attacks on human beings and agricultural crop damage by Sloth Bears are sharply evident. Although, Sloth Bears are unpredictable in their attacking behaviour, therefore, it is very important to understand the attacking and mauling behaviour and activity pattern of Sloth Bears, which may help develop the local people to avoid Bears. Forty-seven human injuries occurred from 1968 - 2008 and most of these incidences took place when Bears were active. Information about the attacking behaviour and the nature of human injuries had been collected by intriguing interviews with the mauled victims. In 58% cases, the Sloth Bear charged spontaneously, during daytime, and then attacked repeatedly. Four casualties occurred when a mother and cub(s) were together, 43 attacks were by a single bear. Injuries to the victims included injury to hands (upper half) and legs (lower half), due mainly to biting and used claws (n = 29) and injuries to the head, forehead, face, and body (n =18).

Mulberry plant is very much susceptible to fungal diseases like other agricultural and horticultural plants which cause severe loss in quality and production of leaf. Several foliar fungal diseases have been observed during the survey particularly during the rainy season. Sometimes diseases caused heavy crop losses and also reduced the leaf quality and directly affecting the production of quality cocoons. Damp and humid conditions of the Valley increase the development of pathogens. Therefore, studies on period of occurrence and degree of incidence of different diseases of mulberry were carried out during 2001-2005 with a view to ensure high productivity of quality leaf.

The productivity of trees can be increased through improved cultural practices. A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of clonal Eucalypt (Eucalyptus tereticornis) in four irrigation treatments in Punjab. The four irrigation levels were: no irrigation, irrigation at cumulative pan evaporation (CPE) of 180, 120 and 60 mm. The growth parameters increased significantly with increase in the level of irrigation. These were the lowest in unirrigated plants (GBH 30.40 cm, height 9.59 m, clear bole 6.29 m and crown spread 7.13 m2) and the highest at 60 mm CPE (GBH 51.37 cm, height 18.24 m, clear bole 8.53 m and crown spread 10.92 m2). The concentrations of nutrients in the leaves of plants were the highest (N 13.8 g/kg, P 1.38 g/kg and K 7.8 g/kg) in unirrigated plants, which decreased significantly with increase in the level of irrigation.

Sacred groves are spiritually charged and holy places having patches of vegetation in its climax state and which have been protected by local people on socio-religious grounds. In real sense sacred groves are the oldest existing form what was known as ancient Botanical Garden. The present paper deals with the Glitter of plant diversity in the sacred grove of Kharar, district Muzaffarnagar (U.P); for, to the best of the knowledge of the investigator, the road leading to this arena is untrodden. The study records 120 angiosperms belonging to 45 families.

The present study was taken to study the interspecies grafting of Mesua ferra scion on root stock of Calophyllum inophyllum, Garcinia indica and Mamea suriga. Result showed the C. inophyllum produced successful grafts of Mesua ferra with survival percentage of 100.

A study was conducted in 19 villages of 4 sites in three ecozone namely gullies and ravines; degraded pastureland and desertic/sand dune in common access resources (CARs) of theThar region of Rajasthan. The study revealed that the high floral diversity with 22 species in Kundal in Barmer district and low floral diversity in sandy area of Mokal and Ramgarh in Jaisalmer district had 12 species each respectively. Carbon stock in the form of vegetation ranged from 0.24 to 1.81 Mg ha-1 whereas soil organic carbon ranged from 1.13 to 5.18 Mg ha-1. Selective removal and overgrazing has resulted in encroachment of Prosopis juliflora and other shrubs of low value in most of the CARs. The study indicated that changes in floral diversity and soil organic carbon are the best indicator of degradation.

Incidence of seed pests, seed weight loss and their impact on germinability were studied in Syzygium malabaricum seeds. The seeds were found infested by insects representing the orders Coleoptera, Diptera and Lepidoptera. The percentage of infestation in the seeds varied from 24 to 31.2 with an average of 27.5. The incidence of Coleoptera (Calandra sp.) was high with 64% followed by Diptera 22% and Lepidoptera 14 %. The percent weight loss in seeds due to infestation by the grubs of Calandra sp. ranged from 9.06 to 38.75 with an average of 27.69. Also, the study revealed that the percentage germination is inversely proportional to the percentage damage of seeds.

Coniella australiensis, C. fragariae, C. granati, C. minima and C. petrakii causing foliage infection in 18 forest species in natural forests, plantations and forest nurseries in Kerala State, India are reported. Six species of Eucalypts, E. camaldulensis, E. citriodora, E. grandis, E. pellita, E. urophylla, E. tereticornis and many clones and provenances of E. tereticornis were found affected with various species of Coniella. Careya arborea, Cleistanthus collinus, Garcinia gummi-gutta, Gmelina arborea, Macaranga peltata, Mikania micrantha, Myristica sp., Persea macrantha, Tabernaemontana heyniana, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia paniculata, Syzygium caryophyllatum were the other host plants affected with Coniella species. Among the five species of Coniella affecting the forest tree species, C. fragariae was the most widespread and predominant pathogen and caused foliage disease in 12 forest tree species.

A study was conducted to estimate the soil organic carbon pool in different land uses in Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. Soil samples were collected from three land uses viz. Forests, Plantations and Horticulture up to 30 cm depth. Under forests land use, soil organic carbon (SOC) pool was estimated in Sal (Shorea robusta), Deodar (Cedrus deodara), Quercus (Quercus leucotrichophora), Chir (Pinus roxburghii) and Miscellaneous forests. Under horticulture land use SOC was estimated in Apple, Guava, Mango and Litchi orchards and under plantation land use SOC was estimated in block plantations of Eucalyptus and Teak. Maximum SOC pool was observed in the soils under Deodar up to 30 cm depth (94.07 t ha-1) followed by Quercus (78.09 t ha1), Sal (56.60 t ha-1), Chir (49.80 t ha-1) and the least was under Miscellaneous (49.20 t ha-1). SOC pool under Deodar was significantly different from the SOC pool under Quercus, Sal, Chir pine and Miscellaneous and SOC pool under Quercus was also significantly different from Sal, Chir and Miscellaneous species. SOC pool under Sal, Chir pine and Miscellaneous did not differ significantly from each other. SOC pool in the soil under Teak plantation was 55.65 t ha-1 and under Eucalyptus it was 41.77 t ha-1. Apple orchards have maximum SOC pool i.e. 33.80 t ha-1 while all other orchards viz. Mango, Guava and Litchi have not much variation in the amount of SOC pool and have 23.60, 21.62 and 20.98 t ha-1 respectively. Major increase was observed in SOC pool under forests (236.44 %) as compared to plantation and 88.39 % as compared to horticulture land use.

The damage impact of Teak defoliator, Hyblaea puera Cramer (Lepidoptera: Hyblaeidae) and leaf skeletonizer, Eutectona machaeralis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), was measured in 27 Teak clones of Madhya Pradesh origin, planted during the year 1995 in Teak seed orchard (TSO), Nanditola, Seoni (M.P.). On the basis of three years (2002-2004) damage assessment, field study revealed differential clonal response due to variation in feeding potential among the Teak clones. Clones PT-26, 45 of Seoni Rukhar and SKC-2, 3, 4, 11 of Seoni Kurai were recorded to be the least preferred (ranked as highly resistant), whereas only one clone, PT-5 of Seoni Rukhar was recorded as the most preferred (ranked as highly susceptible) to both Teak defoliator and leaf skeletonizer. Highly resistant Teak clones showed early leaf flushing. The differential response of H. puera and E. machaeralis may be due to variation in genotypes of Teak.

The present paper describes the rich ectomycorrhizal diversity existing in forests of Pahalgam in district Anantnag of Kashmir valley. Eight hitherto unreported ectomycorrhizal fungi from Jammu and Kashmir State, collected and identified during the survey conducted in March - October 2006 are described.

Mineral nutrients, proximate principles and genetic parameters estimation was carried out in 26 clones/ genotypes of White Mulberry (Morus alba L.). Clones S54, S146, S30, ME-65, China White and K2- Panchkula Early showed superior values for most of the leaf mineral nutrients and proximate principles than others. Moderate heritability and moderate to high genetic gain were observed for crude protein, ether extract and dry matter   whereas low to moderate heritability and genetic gain were found for rest of the parameters.

The biological spectrum of Lal Dhang Forest Range of Lansdowne Forest Division in Garhwal Himalaya reveals that the vegetation of this region is phanero-therophytic. The life forms observed are phanerophytes (42.1%), therophytes (37%), chamaephytes (11.6%), cryptophytes (7.4%), and hemicryptophytes (1.9%). The percentage of therophyte is higher in comparison to Raunkiaer’s normal spectrum. The higher percentage of therophytes was due to the biotic disturbances, particularly due to human interference.

Leptolejeunea apiculata (Horik.) S.Hatt., a taxon so far known only from China and Japan has been described for the first time in Indian bryoflora from West district of Sikkim, India.

A new distributional record of Zeuxine longilabris (Lindl.) Benth. ex Hook. f. from Malkangiri district of Orissa is reported here.

The present communication deals with a new species of the genus Stigeoclonium  Kütz., viz. S. iyengarii  R.K.Gupta & D.Singh sp. nov., described from Sikkim, India.

Occurrence of Eulophia flava (Orchidaceae) is being confirmed in the Eastern Ghats eco-region, collected from the forests of Kadapa in Andhra Pradesh. A detailed description, photographs and critical notes are provided.

The flora of Baghpat (U.P.) comprises 566 species belong to 371 genera distributed among 102 families of flowering plants. Poaceae (60 species) Fabaceae (41 species) are the largest families among monocotyledons and dicotyledons respectively. There are 39 families which are represented each by single species and single genus. The 11 families are represented by single genus but more than one species.

Poeciloneuron pauciflorum Bedd. is an endemic and critically endangered tree species restricted to Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve in Southern Western Ghats, India. This species was earlier recorded from only one locality namely Mahendragiri. Present study from Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary has discovered the populations of this species from 12 additional sites. These sites recorded in this study are saplings. Populations of this species are highly fragmented due to plantations and roads. This study also has reassessed the IUCN criterion to evaluate the threat category of this species.

The genus Populus L. belongs to the family Salicaceae Mirb., mainly distributed in the Northern temperate regions. It consists of about 35 species in the world and about 8 species in India. The 8 Indian species of Populus L. belong to 5 sections viz. Populus, Leucoides Spach, Tacamahaca Spach, Aigeiros Duby and Turanga Bunge. The section Tacamahaca Spach is the major one having 3 species in Indian distribution. These three species of the section Tacamahaca Spach are discussed in detail along with a plate and an illustration. A key to the species is also provided for better understanding of the relationship between these three species.

Arenaria serpyllifolia and A. neelgherrensis are closely allied, very similar and confused species, likely A. melandryoides and A. melandryiformis, A. polytrichoides and A. densissima are also very similar and posing problem in identification. After a critical study of herbarium specimens at CAL & BSI, A. neelgherrensis has been reduced as a variety under A. serpyllifolia, A. melandryiformis as a variety under A. melandryoides and A. densissima as a variety under A. polytrichoides. A key to the varieties involved, short descriptions, distribution and notes are provided. In addition to this, three endemic and endangered species are also discussed.

Present study enumerates 48 species of lichens belonging to 25 genera and 13 families from different vegetations in Koppa region of Western Ghats, Karnataka. Physciaceae, Parmeliaceae are the dominant families in the area with 9 species each, while Parmotrema is the most common genus with 8 species. The Shanon-Weiner diversity (H’ = 3.63) and Simpson’s richness value (D = 0.02) indicate high species richness. Lichen-Host plant interaction in different vegetations reveals Randia dumetorum supports large number of Lichen species, whereas host plant with less than 20 cm GBH (Girth at Breast Height) supports more number of lichens than large trees (>20 cm GBH). The study will act as the base line information for future bio-monitoring studies in the area.

Pecteilis rawatii Kumar & Veldkamp (Orchidaceae) is an invalid species vide Article 37.4 of Vienna Code (McNeill et al., 2006). Nomenclatural consequences for the same are discussed.

Bulbophyllum hirtum (Sm.) Lindl., so far known from the North-East part of India is being first time reported from Western Himalaya.

A new species, Theriophonum danielii, is described and illustrated. The species differs from its closely allied species, Theriophonum  infaustum N. E. Br. in having different shaped leaf, long petiole, short spathe, short spadix, long sterile flowers and black dotted staminate flowers.

Ipomoea aculeata is newly recorded from the state of Kerala. Description, nomenclature and illustrations are provided to facilitate identification.

Onychium siliculosum (Desv.) C. Chr. (Family: Cryptogrammaceae) and Pteris wallichiana Agardh (Family: Pteridaceae) are being reported for the first time as additions to the fern flora of Nainital hills. A brief description along with ecology and distribution in India and world are provided to facilitate for their easy identification in the field.

Stylosanthes hamata (L.) Taub. is reported first time from West Bengal, India. The detailed description along with illustration is provided.

The flora of Hamirpur and Mahoba districts of Bundelkhand region Uttar Pradesh comprise 602 species of 388 genera belong to 106 families. The Monocots are represented by 132 species of which 93 belongs to Cyperaceae and Poaceae alone. The remaining 39 species are distributed under 17 families. The floristic composition shows that the Leguminosae is the largest family, which is represented by 97 species and 48 genera. Out of 106 families, 50 families are represented by one genus only, in which 40 families are represented by a single species. The ten dominant families comprise 187 genera and 341 species. Vegetation, phyto-geographical affinities and biological spectrum of these districts are discussed in the paper.