In the present investigation, an attempt was made to demonstrate how regular scientific harvesting and silvicultural management practices could avoid over congestion and enhance quality and overall productivity of old existing bamboo plantations in India. Infrastructure development, irrigation facilities and various silvicultural activities were carried out regularly at the project site through out the project t duration of four years. Four different silvicultural treatments including the control were established in irrigated as well as rain fed research plots. The findings revealed that maximum number of new bamboo shoots, their maximum average height and girth were observed in 100% decongestion of culms in a clump followed by 33% decongestion of culms in a clump and 25% decongestion of culms in a clump treatment with respect to the control one. Among, the plots, irrigated plot performed better in terms of quality as well as overall productivity of new bamboo shoots as compared to the rain fed research plot.

Soil Organic Carbon has been ignored since long because it was treated as a dead biomass but after the awareness related to climate change its importance has been recognized. A study was conducted to estimate the SOC pool under different land uses in Rudrapryag district of Uttarakhand. Study was conducted in three available land uses viz. Forests, Grassland and Horticulture in Rudrapryag district. Under forests land use, Soil Organic Carbon pool was estimated in all available forest covers i.e. Silver fir and Spruce (Abies pindrow and Picea smithiana) Quercus (Quercus leucotrichophora), Chir (Pinus roxburghii) and Miscellaneous forests. Under horticulture land use SOC was estimated in Mango and Guava orchards. Soils collected from different forests covers in Augustmuni, Rudrapryag, Mayali, and Khangra forest ranges of Rudrapryag Forest Division indicate maximum SOC pool in the soils under Silver fir and Spruce forest (192.32 t ha-1) followed by Quercus (77.42 t ha-1), Miscellaneous (47.43 t ha-1) and the least was Chir (37.70 t ha-1). Rudrapryag districts have 96,76,597.91 tones (9.67 million tons) SOC store in the forests soils and 0.15 m t under horticulture soils. In the soils under Mango orchards, higher SOC pool (57.66 t ha-1) was worked out while under Guava orchards it was only 34.28 t ha-1. Grasslands in the districts have fairly good amount of SOC pool i.e. 138.22 t ha-1. It was statistically tested and found that differences in SOC pool under forests were statistically significantly different with grassland. SOC pools under Grassland and Horticulture was also significantly different.

An attempt was made to develop local tree volume equations based on diameter at breast-height (dbh) for Acacia mangium plantations in Thiruvananthapuram and Punalur Forest Divisions in Kerala. Trees of different size classes were sampled from plantations of A. mangium. Measurement of girth at breast-height (gbh) was taken before felling. The diameter at breast height (dbh) varied from 5 to 40 cm. Girth measurements (both over-bark and under-bark) were taken at the middle of each billet of length 3 m starting from the base. Billet volume was computed using Huber’s formula. Total commercial volume (over-bark) and pulpwood volume (under-bark) down to a lower limit of 15 cm girth were computed. The equations were based on data from 51 trees. Additionally, saleable timber volumes (both over-bark and under-bark) down to a lower limit of 70 cm girth (over-bark) were also computed. For computing the saleable timber volume, trees of girth at breast-height greater than or equal to 70 cm (over-bark) alone were considered. Altogether 28 trees were used for this purpose. Volume prediction equations were established using regression analysis. Dbh of the tree alone was included as a predictor variable as the equations based on diameter were good enough. The equations developed can predict the total commercial volume, pulpwood volume and saleable timber volume with justifiable precision, as the goodness of fit statistic was found higher than 80 per cent in all the cases. The equations are applicable only within the range of data used for the study. Local volume tables in terms of commercial, pulpwood, saleable timber and firewood volumes were prepared for the species based on developed equations.

The performance of three wheat varieties (NW-1067, NW-1014 and HD-2643) and three paddy varieties (Sarjoo-52, Narendra Usar-2 and Narendra Usar-3) were assessed under five year old Populus deltoides plantation at different distances from tree base (0.5m, 1.0m 1.5m and 2.5 m) and control (open condition).Under this study plant height and straw yield were found better for wheat variety HD-2643 (plant height 89.67 cm and straw yield 2.84 t ha^-1)and paddy variety  Narendra Usar-2 (plant height 95.00 cm and straw yield 1.54 t ha^-1), when the crop was grown at 0.5 m away from tree base. However, maximum number of shoots (m^-2), grain per ear/ panicle, test weight (1000 grain wt. g.) and grain yield (t ha^-1) were recorded in case of wheat variety  NW-1067 and paddy variety  Narendra Usar-2, when the crop was grown in open area. Amongest different varieties, wheat variety NW-1067 and paddy variety Narendra Usar-2 were found most suitable for under this study.

A study was carried out to see the effect of VAM, Rhizobium and inorganic fertilizers, alone and in combination, on plant growth in Dalbergia sissoo. Nine combinations comprising three levels of nitrogen and three levels of phosphorus were main plot treatments and four biofertilizers levels (No inoculation, VAM, Rhizobium) served as sub plot treatments. Significantly higher seedling length and diameter were recorded in dually inoculated plants than in VAM or Rhizobium inoculation alone. Nitrogen x phosphorus, phosphorus x bioferrtilizer and nitrogen x phosphorus x biofertilizer interactions also resulted in significant increased plant growth. Among all treatment combinations, dual inoculation of VAM + Rhizobium supplemented with 30kg Nha-1 and 75kg P2O5 ha-1 produced maximum seedling length and diameter. Desirable plantable size for field planting was achieved within six months after sowing (by the end September in the same season) in treatment combinations N30P75B (VAM + Rhizobium), N30P150B (VAM + Rhizobium) and N60P150B0 (No biofertilizer inoculation) thus saving resources I terms of time, space and money.

Ecological status of flora in Great Himalayan National Park (Wildlife Sanctuary-Sainj) was undertaken to evaluate the plant biodiversity of Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (GHNP-CA) in Kullu district representing the biogeography zone-24 in North West Himalaya. A total of 832 plant species belonging to 427 genera and 128 families of higher plants were recorded within GHNP. During the vegetation survey of Wildlife Sanctuary, Sainj in different altitudinal zones, 28 species of trees were recorded. Some species of trees viz. Picea smithiana, Pinus wallichiana and Abies pindrow, are dominant species between the altitudes from 1500 to 3500 m. whereas, the species, Prunus cerasoides, Morus alba, Hippophae salicifolia and Prunus species are sparsely present in this area. The altitude from 3000-3500m, showed the highest concentration of dominance and species diversity. The altitude from 1500-2000m showed the highest richness and the highest evenness between altitude 2500-3000 m. It is also concluded that total number of species decreased with increase in elevation and diversity index value was high in lower elevation in comparison to higher elevation.

The in vitro and in vivo antifungal potency of Methanol extract of leaf and bark of Cleistanthus collinus plant were evaluated for their botanical fungitoxicants on Colletorichum gloeosprioides Penz. causing leaf spot in Pongamia pinnata seedlings. Different concentrations of extract (0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2%) of leaf and bark and one fungicide (Indofil-M 45) were appraised against the pathogen in vitro using the ‘poison food technique’. The fungitoxicity was better with leaf than bark extracts. Treatment with 2% leaf extract resulted in complete inhibition of mycelial growth; whereas in 2% bark extract fungal growth inhibition was only 93%. The result of other concentrations was between 80-45%. The percentage of inhibition was directly proportional to the concentration. In vivo studies, seedlings were treated with 3 concentrations (0.25, 0.5 and1%) of leaf and bark extract by two sequential foliar sprays at an interval of 15 days. Reduction in disease severity was not significant in the first month after treatment. But in second month onwards, significant decrease in percentage of infection and their severity (DSI) was observed. Leaf extract of 0.5% and bark extract of 1% was on par with chemical fungicide (Indofil-M45) and 1% leaf extract was better in controlling disease incidence. The effectiveness of this botanical fungicide was similar to that of chemical fungicide. Thus, the present study recommends the use of C. collinus leaf extract at a minimal concentration of 1% for maximum inhibition of leaf spot disease in seedlings.

Leaf fodder from the trees is exceptionally rich in essential nutrients like crude protein, nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, etc. as compared to grasses/dry crop by-products. Seasonal variation in macro and micronutrients concentration in the foliage of Albizia chinensis was studied from bud break (leaf emergence) to leaf abscission. In this species, N, P, K, Zn, Cu and Na contents decreased whereas Ca, Fe and Mn contents increased with the increase in leaf age and size with the advancement of season. Mg, S and Mo did not exhibit any particular trend. On the basis of the seasonal nutrient concentration variation, mid September to October is the optimum time for lopping the nutrient rich and maximum quantity of leaf fodder of this species.

Present paper illustrates the litter and nutrient dynamics of Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.) forests at 1-3 years aged growing in Tarai belt of Kumaon of Uttarakhand. The objectives of this study were to determine the litter inputs, nutrients (NPK) and their dynamics. Shisham is commonly occurred in the nutrient poor site because of their leguminous features. This study was carried out in young aged Shisham forests for the estimation of tree density, forest floor, litter fall and nutrients content and returns. The litter trap methods were used for the estimation of forest floor biomass and litter input. However, the nutrients of litters and soil related parameters were calculated as already mentioned various workers. Tree density was 1111 tree/ha in each forest. The average forest floor mass was 2.54 (2yr) –2.84 t ha-1. Of this, herbaceous live accounted for 12-17 %. Among the litter components, partially and more decomposed litter shared maximum. The litter and herbaceous components was found in increasing and decreasing order with age of stand. The forest floor litter was 3.22(3yr)-3.72(1yr) in rainy, 2.78(3yr)-3.10(1yr) in winter and 1.36(2yr)-2.12(3yr). The annual replacement of forest floor litter ranged from 88-97% with a turnover time 1.03-1.14 year. The turnover rate of different nutrients (NPK) was 47-57%. It was decreased with increase in forest age. The total amount of nutrient return to the soil through litter input was 2.20-12.42 for N, 0.21-1.10 for P and 0.65-3.62 kg h-1 yr-1 for K. It was increased with increase of forest age because of higher amount of litter accumulation. The nutrient use efficiency was (NUE) was 66.2-108.1 for N, 745.6-1202.9 for P and 227.0-361.3 for K. The present findings of young age Shisham forest would be beneficial for the further management study of Shisham forest particularly in relation to the litter and nutrients point of view.

The present study was carried out to evaluate various morphometric and fodder quality characterstics of the progenies of plus trees of Bauhinia variegata selected from different sites in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Uttarakhand. The study revealed that morphometric traits, mineral nutrients and proximate principles had significant variations among the progenies. Best performance was shown by P30 (Dehra Dun) followed by P15 (Subathu) for morphometric traits and P24 (Narag) followed by P22 (Jwalaji) for leaf fodder traits. Progenies P19 (Arki), P8 (Giripul) and P12 (Mandi), excelled for mineral nutrients viz; nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium among all the progenies. Progenies P30, (Dehra Dun) followed by P7 (Nauni), P22 (Jwalajee), P24 (Narag) and P23(Palampur) gave outstanding performance for proximate composition viz., leaf fresh weight, leaf dry weight, dry matter content, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, total ash and nitrogen free extract whereas for lowest values no consistency for any particular progeny existed. P3 (Kathua) gave minimum value for crude protein, while leaf fresh weight was reported minimum in P9 (Rajgarh).

During the present study it was observed that the Forest Development Agencies and Village Forest Committees play an important role in National Afforestration Programs by protection and conservation of natural resources through their active involvement. The FDA’s also helps in securing people’s participation in planning and regeneration efforts to ensure sustainability and equitable distribution of forest products from the regenerated lands, and to promote the partnership concept in the management and administration of forest and common property resources (CPRs) in the Forest Division. 1500 ha (Natural regeneration 270 ha, Artificial regeneration 960 ha and Pasture regeneration 270 ha) of afforestration works was done by the Village Forest Committees (VFC’s) under Forest Development Agency (FDA) from the year 2003 to 2007 in the forest division.

Three species of Ficus L. namely Ficus caulocarpa (Miq.) Miq., Ficus costata Aiton and Ficus geniculata Kurz reported as new to Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh respectively. Detailed descriptions with photographs and herabrium images are provided.

Blumea viscosa (Mill.) V. M. Badillo unknown from the state of Himachal Pradesh (India) till now is being reported for the first time from Rajiana Bandh, a village in Kangra district.

Anaphyllum wightii Schott, an endemic species, so far reported only from Kerala and Tamil Nadu, is reported as a new record for Karnataka.

Briedelia moonii Thwaites is a new distributional record for India. A short description along with relevant notes and figure is provided here for easy identification and further collection in field.

The present article deals with the report of four taxa, viz., Agrostis inaequiglumis Griseb., Potentilla griffithii Hook.f., P. microphylla D.Don, and  Stellaria decumbens var. pulvinata Edgew. & Hook.f. from Singalila National Park, West Bengal as new additions to the state, whereas Potentilla microphylla D. Don and Stellaria decumbens var. pulvinata Edgew. & Hook.f. are new additions to Himachal Pradesh, along with the note on their distribution in Himalayan region. Brief description with taxonomic notes and exsiccata are also provided for each taxon.

Eria alba Lindl. (Orchidaceae) is reported for the first time for Arunachal Pradesh.

Three mosses viz. Meteoriopsis squarrosa (Hook.) Fleisch., Floribundaria walkeri (Ren. & Card.) Broth. (Meteoriaceae) and Brachythecium buchananii (Hook.) Jaeg. (Brachytheciaceae) are being reported as specially adapted epiphyllous form for the first time from India. They have been collected from the tropical rain forests of Agumbe, Karnataka, one of the localities of Western Ghats which is fairly rich in epiphyllous life forms.

Occurrence of the family Burseraceae in Himachal Pradesh is discussed. Garuga pinnata Roxb. is recorded for the first time from this North-West Himalayan state. Occurrence of Boswellia serrata Roxb. ex Colebr. in this state is confirmed.

The Genus Odontosoria Fee (Odontosoria chinensis (L.) J. Smith – Lindsaeaceae) is reported as a fern generic record for the Andaman & Nicobar Islands from Little Nicobar Tribal Reserve. A short description with nomenclature, line diagram and colour plate is provided here for further collection and identification in field.

Neottia chandrae Raskoti et al. described from Nepal is reported as an addition to the orchid flora of India from the Valley of Flowers National Park, Uttarakhand. A detailed description, ecology, phenology, distribution and photo-plate for the species is provided.

The Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Karnataka was thoroughly investigated to assess the diversity of Pteridophytes. In total 9 habitats were identified and the distribution of 29 species of Pteridophytes belonging to 21 genera under 17 families was recorded in these habitats. This paper provides habitat specificity of these Pteridophyte species spread over the three ranges of the park viz., Kalhalla, Nagarahole and Anechowk.

The paper records 141 species of lichens from Similipal Biosphere Reserve in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha state. 129 species marked by an asterisk (*) are new records for the state of Odisha while 3 species viz. Conotrema lumbricoides Siepman, Megalotremis biocellata Aptroot, and Ocellularia lankaensis Hale marked by double asterisk (**) are new records for India.

Spiraea zabeliana Schneider (Rosaceae) hitherto un reported from Sikkim, is reported for the first from North Sikkim. Detailed description along with field data and photograph of herbarium specimen is provided herewith for easy identification of the taxon in field.

The paper reports addition of Cryptogramma stelleri (Gmel.) Prantl. to the fern Flora of Himachal Pradesh.

The mosses Dicranella macrospora, Entodon subplicatus, Fissidens ranuii and Leiodontium surculare are recorded for the Western Ghats from the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala. Specimens of all species have been collected after the type. A detailed description and illustration are provided for each species.

Lasianthus oblongifolius Beddome (Rubiaceae) is a critically endangered species of Tirunelveli hills (Southern Western Ghats), Tamil Nadu, India. It was recollected after a lapse of 140 years from Thavakadu in Mekkarai forests, Tirunelveli District, Tami Nadu.