Provenance study of Albizia chinensis (Osbeck) Merr. was undertaken to identify suitable seed source for production of quality seedlings for mass afforestation in agroforestry systems in Central Himalaya. Significant variations were recorded among 13 population for pod and seed morphology. Altitude of seed source was found non-effective. Among all the pod-seed characters, number of seeds/pod and seed weight were found most variable characters, and, number of seed/pod had higher genotypic, phenotypic and environmental co-efficients of variability. High broad sense heritability and genetic gain as obtained for pod length, seed thickness and number of seeds/pod indicate additive gene action. On average, the population of Manan, Augastyamuni, Joshiara and Tallimari were found to be the best on the basis of pod-seed morphological characters. This preliminary investigation will be useful for further genetic improvement of A. chinensis.

Leaf size spectra of tree species were investigated in Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka. A total of 189 tree species have been identified from the 96 sample points, covering all vegetation types. The identified species were assigned to different leaf size classes based on Raunkiaer’s leaf size classification. Majority of the species belongs to the mesophyll leaf size class (83.87%). Only deciduous vegetation exhibits all leaf size classes. Evergreen vegetation has highest percentage of mesophyll leaf size class (89.53) followed by semi-evergreen (85.47), moist deciduous (84.55) and least in dry deciduous vegetation type (76.27). Other leaf parameters were also analyzed and a strong correlation was found with vegetation types.

The rainfall variability and its effect on fruit crop yield was studied using rainfall data (1971-99) and yield data of Apricot and Plum (1980-99) recorded at research farm of Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan. Length and amount of rainfall of south-west monsoon (SWM) season exhibited decreasing trend during the third decade (1991-99) when compared with the previous decade 1981-90 and 1971-80. The mean rainfall and rainy days for the two decade and the recent period decreased and the co-efficient of variation also lower indicating more stability in rainfall as well as in numbers of rainy day. Variation in rainfall apparent to be the major factor contributing to fall in the crop yields. Analysis of daily rainfall data suggested that wet spells with total amount of rainfall up to 100 mm were more frequent in the region. To see the weekly pattern rainfall the initial and conditional probability was also obtained and the wet probability found highest from 25th to 35th meteorological week.

The present study was undertaken with 7 mulberry genotypes to determine the genetic variation in foliar traits. Among the seven foliar traits studied high heritability associated with high genetic advance recorded in L x B ratio and leaf area due to additive gene effects and selection based on these traits may be effective. High estimate of heritability with low genetic advance observed for other foliar traits, viz., leaf length, leaf breadth, petiole length and moisture percentage is due to non additive gene effects and for improvement of these traits heterosis breeding might be useful.

Present study deals with the diversity, distribution and traditional knowledge of sacred plants of the Indian Himalayan Region. A total of 155 species belonging to 70 families and 125 genera have been recorded. Of these 59 species are trees, 30 species are shrubs and 66 species are herbs. Along an altitudinal gradient maximum number of sacred plants (i.e., 118) are distributed in the zone <1800 m; 33 species are native, one species, i.e., Pleurospermum densiflorum is endemic and 14 species are near endemic. Fifteen species have been categorized as Critically Endangered (5 spp.), Endangered (4 spp.), Vulnerable (3 spp.), Low Risk- Near Threatened (2 spp.), and Low Risk- Least Concern (1 sp.). Traditionally, various parts of the plants such as whole plants (78 spp.), flowers (27 spp.), leaves (19 spp.), seeds (8 spp.), roots/rhizomes (11 spp.), stems (7 spp.), wood (6 spp.), fibres (2 spp.), and inflorescence and twig (1 sp.) are used in different religious ceremonies and social rites. Development of an appropriate strategy for the conservation and sustainable utilization of sacred plants is suggested.

In the Himalaya, the area under conservation network has increased over the years. However the basis of declaring an area under such network has been very poorly documented. Realizing that the study of the entire flora present in a forest stand is difficult, and needs much time, effort and expertise, small representative vegetation types and habitats that provide a replica, in broader sense, of the total vegetation, are to be identified and studied for evaluating the status of the vegetation. The present paper highlights species area relationship, growth form spectra and economic value as the quick measures, based on a study made in the Sikkim Himalaya (Eastern Himalaya). It is expected that the study formulates a useful tool for managers, planners and policy makers to undertake such simple methods for assessing the biodiversity of any potential area for conservation in any region.

The present study was undertaken to identify best soil mixture and fertilizer doses for raising quality seedlings of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. in nursery. Among all the potting mixtures, i.e., soil, sand and FYM in 1:2:2 and 1:2:1 ratios indicated higher growth, dry weight and quality index of seedlings. It was further observed that seedling growth increased on increasing FYM in all the combinations of potting mixture, while increase of sand in potting mixture beyond 1:2:2 ratio of soil, sand and FYM was not beneficial for the growth of seedlings. The application of 100 mg urea and 25 mg SSP in soil mixture showed maximum growth and dry weight of seedlings. Root nodulation was, however, inhibited by the application of these fertilizers. The response breadth was wider for all the traits in both these experiments. However, it was comparatively higher under different soil mixtures than for fertilizer doses.

Field experiment was conducted during the year 2000-2001 to study the effect of resource constraints, i.e., nutrient and moisture on the growth performance of Pinus roxburghii. Maximum height increment (0.72 m), CAI (8915.00 cm³) and biomass (26.67 kg tree^-1) was obtained when all the inputs (fertilizer, mulch and irrigation) were applied in combination. The highest nutrient uptake and available nutrient uptake were recorded with the addition of all inputs. The amount of available nutrients decreased with the increase in the soil depth. Correlation co-efficients were established between growth parameters and available nutrients. The study indicates that plant growth parameters were positively and significantly correlated with available N, P and Ca in surface and sub-surface soil layers. The sub-surface soils have higher correlation values which indicate that this layer is an important factor governing the supply of nutrients and growth performance of tree species.

Barleria gibsonioides Blatt. is rediscovered after a lapse of 7 decades, from a new locality, viz., in Pune District of Maharashtra State.

Antiaris toxicaria (Pers.) Lesch. is recollected from a new locality in Pune District of Maharashtra State after a lapse of five decades, thereby confirming the existence of this species in Maharashtra.

The study was conducted on the performance and relative suitability of different nitrogen fixing and non-nitrogen fixing tree species planted on loamy skeletal soils. The survival and growth observations recorded after 7 ½ yrs. of planting showed that Albizia procera as the most suitable species with highest relative score among nitrogen fixing species while Azadirachta indica was found to be the most suitable among non-nitrogen fixing group. On the basis of relative suitability indices plants were grouped into four categories. Species scoring highest number (75-100) were categorized under most suitable while those with indices below 45 were not considered as suitable for planting in these type of degraded soils. Dalbergia sissoo, Dalbergia latifolia, Azadirachta indica, Emblica officinalis, Gmelina arborea and Cassia siamea were found to be most suitable while Acacia catechu and Acacia benthamii were unsuitable.

Influence of Neem Coated Urea on the release of NH₄-N; NO₂ + NO₃-N, microbial activity and relative nitrification rate was determined in a laboratory incubation experiment. Five treatments, viz., soil + urea (T₁), soil + urea coated with Neem coat-I (T₂), soil + urea coated with urea coat-I & urea coat-II (T₃), soil + urea coat-II (T₄) and soil alone (T₅). The ammonical and nitrate nitrogen release pattern in all the treatments was alike. Similar was the production of CO₂ reflecting microbial activity. Relative rate of nitrification in treatment soil + urea coat-I (T₂) was significantly less than even the soil alone treatment, i.e., control.

Medinilla quadrifolia (Blume) Blume is reported as a new record for India from the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve. A brief description along with photographs are provided.

Wheat crop cv WH 147 was grown under twelve important MPTs (Acacia nilotica, Acacia cupressiformis, Casuarina equisetifolia, Madhuca latifolia, Melia azedarach, Leucaena leucocephala, Dalbergia sissoo, Albizia lebbeck, Syzygium cumini, Eucalyptus tereticornis, Emblica officinalis and Hardwickia binata) to know the effect of transmitted Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR) through the tree canopies on the grain yield of wheat. The highest light transmission of 58.7% were observed on M. latifolia followed by 58.1, 55.3 and 51.7% respectively in S. cumini, H. binata and E. officinalis and least light transmission of 34.2% was observed in A. nilotica under agroforestry situation. The light transmission ratio after pruning were much higher than those of the before pruning both under agroforestry as well as under control system. Light transmission ratio in general were higher under wider tree spacing in all the MPTs compared to lower tree spacing in association with crops as well as under control. There was no significant difference in wheat yield under the different MPT canopies in first year, however, in the second year onwards the production of wheat grain was drastically reduced under the tree canopies with a highest grain yield of 26.84 q/ha under Madhuca latifolia. The status of PAR transmitted was also correlated with the grain yield of wheat.

The annual rate of deforestation in the State of Kerala, India, for the period 1961 to 1988 was examined in relation to population density, literacy rate, livestock density, land use pattern and per capita demand and production of wood, using district level data. In multiple regression analysis, the differential literacy alone emerged significant explaining as much as 50 per cent variance in the annual deforestation rate, in contrast to our general expectation that the increase in deforestation was found in districts having lower level of literacy. The reasons could be that the literacy rate is population centric and strongly related to developmental processes and thus leading to pressure on neighbouring forests. The results indicate that the conservation policies should be formulated at district level taking into consideration their social and economic scenario also.

Ricciocarpus natans (L.) Corda and Notothylas levieri Schiffn. ex Steph. are reported from the Western Ghats of Kerala, as new records for South India.

The paper deals with 16 species of lichen genus Ramalina Ach., occurring in India and Nepal. The study includes their morphology, anatomy, chemistry followed by citation of selected specimens examined and their distribution. R. baltica, R. hossei, R. leiodea are new reports, and R. hossei var. divaricata is a new variety.

Heteroscyphus orbiculatus Srivast. et Srivast., so far known from Kodaikanal in Western Ghats, is described for the first time from Great Himalayan National Park, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh in North-west Himalaya. This species can be easily recognized from other species of the genus in the region in having light green to brownish green plant; undifferentiated, thin-walled cells of stem; usually orbicular leaves, broadest in middle, with dentate or entire apex; leaf cells with small tri-radiate trigones; deeply bilobed underleaves with 1-3 cells long tooth on one or both lateral margins. Distributional pattern of the west Himalayan taxa of the genus has been discussed.

Russula raoultii Quelet, R. anatina Romagnesi and R. decolorans Fries are described in detail and well illustrated in the present communication. The first two are reported for the first time, while the last one was hitherto known incompletely from India.

Detailed study revealed that this species was hitherto known by the only collection by P.W. Mackinnons & Mrs. Fisher during the begining of 20th Century. Hence the present collection forms rediscovery of this very interesting taxon after a long lapse of 93 years.