Changes in land use and vegetation cover affect various soil properties, including the soil organic carbon (SOC) store and the transfer of atmospheric CO2 to terrestrial landscapes. A study was conducted to estimate the organic carbon stock in the soils under five land uses viz. Forests, Plantations, Horticulture, Agroforestry and Agriculture in Panchkula district of Haryana. Higher SOC store i.e., 58.24 Mg ha^-1 was estimated under Chir while miscellaneous forests were having 53.99 Mg ha^-1. SOC store under Chir forest was 7.87 % higher as compared to the SOC store under miscellaneous forests. Under plantation land use, maximum SOC stock was under Eucalyptus (41.10 Mg t ha^-1) followed by Teak (39.19 Mg ha^-1), Khair (35.81 Mg ha^-1), Poplar (31.98 Mg ha^-1) while minimum SOC store was under Shisham (30.05 Mg ha^-1). Under horticulture land use, maximum SOC stock was under Guava (46.41 Mg ha^-1) followed by Aonla (45.62 Mg ha^-1) while under Mango it was 41.64 Mg ha^-1. Under Agroforestry land use there was Rice – Poplar model was available and SOC store was observed 37.70 Mg t ha^-1. In agriculture land use SOC store was 33.97 Mg ha^-1 in the district. In Panchkula district, maximum SOC stock was under forests (55.17 Mg ha^-1) followed by Horticulture (45.49 Mg t ha^-1), Agroforestry (37.70 Mg ha^-1), Plantations (37.14 Mg ha^-1) and the least was under Agriculture (33.97 Mg ha^-1). When SOC store under different land uses were tested by one - way ANOVA, it was found that SOC store under all land uses were significantly different (Variance ratio, F = 11.762; p = < 0.05). SOC store under forests was statistically significantly different with the SOC store under horticulture, plantation and agriculture. SOC store under horticulture was significantly different from the SOC store under plantation and agriculture.

An experimental trial was conducted to study the effect of time of fruit/seed collection on the germination of Grewia optiva seeds- an important multipurpose tree species. The seeds of Grewia optiva (Beul) were collected on 15 days interval (Fortnightly basis) starting from 1st October, 2013 to 31st January, 2014 from the established open pollinated Seedling Seed Orchard during July, 2000, which is comprised of 60 families planted in three replications in randomized block design at a spacing of 2x2 meter. The seeds collected during different harvest dates were considered as treatments and were subjected to germination testing without any pre-sowing treatments to study the effect of time of collection on germination of Grewia optiva seeds. Significant differences were observed in germination percentage, moisture content of seeds in Grewia optiva collected during different collection period. The study indicated that optimum time of seed collection in Grewia optiva is found to be best between first fortnight, second fortnight of December and first fortnight of January as the seed collected during this period recorded maximum germination i.e. 86.66%, 80.00% and 80.00% whereas, seeds collected during first fortnight of October recorded minimum i.e. 20.00 percent germination. The study further indicates that optimum time of seed collection in Grewia optiva is found to be between first fortnight, second fortnight of December and first fortnight of January as the seed collected during this period recorded maximum germination percent as compared to other collection times taken in the study.

Variation and correlation studies were carried out for seed, pod and seedling traits among seed sources of Pongamia pinnata selected from natural populations on the basis of morphometric characters to identify suitable seed sources for incorporation in mass afforestation programmes. Significant variability and association was observed among seed sources for pod, seed and seedling traits. PB-7 recorded the maximum 100-seed weight, seed thickness, 100-pod weight, pod length, pod thickness and internodal length. Pod thickness, 100-pod weight, pod thickness, seed length, seed breadth, and seed thickness showed high and positive correlation with 100-seed weight. Seed sources PB-7, PB-2 and PB-16 were best on the basis of most of the characters.

A study was conducted to estimate the of above ground and below ground carbon stocks in trees, shrubs, herbs/grasses and leaf litter in Kankali community forest of Chainpur Village Development Committee (VDC), Chitwan district and Tibrekot community forest of Hemja Village Development Committee (VDC), Kaski district of Nepal. The tree volume was calculated by using allometric equation with the help of height and diameter (non-destructive method). Herbs/grasses, shrubs and leaf litters biomass were estimated in laboratory by oven dry method and some conversion and unitary methods. Carbon stocks of vegetation as well as other category were estimated by considering default value as 0.43 of the total biomass. The total forest biomass was estimated 147.01 t/ha and 98.28 t/ha in Shorea robusta and Schima- Castanopsis dominated forests respectively. S. robusta dominated forest has occupied the carbon stocks of 63.22 t/ha, and out of this above ground carbon stock was 48.93 t/ha (77%) and below ground carbon stock was 14.29 t/ha (23%) followed by Schima-Castanopsis dominated forest having total carbon stock 42.26 t/ha, which contain in above ground 30.60 t/ha (72%) and in below ground 11.66 t/ha (28%). The total carbon content in S. robusta dominated forest including all categories was 20 % higher as compared to the Schima-Castanopsis forest. Kankali community forest was having higher tree density, dbh and height of trees as compared to Tibrekot community forest.

A nursery experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of saline water irrigation on the cuttings of Bambusa vulgaris var. vulgaris Schrad. and the changes in soil properties and soil microbial population was studied during the year 2009-10. The experiment was laid out in CRD. Ten treatments of saline water were prepared with EC of 0.20 dSm^-1 to 4.0 dSm^-1 by adding salts viz. CaCl₂, MgSO₄, NaHCO₃ and NaCl in the ratio of 4:2:1:1 respectively. The highest sprouting percentage was found in irrigation water with the least EC (0.20 dSm^-1) which was on par with treatments up to EC of 1.0 dSm^-1. A decrease in sprouting percentage was found with the increase in EC. No sprouting under 3.0 dSm^-1 and 4.0 dSm^-1 was observed. In soil properties, an increase in soil EC and a non significant change in soil pH were found. The soil organic carbon and available nitrogen content decreased in treatments with the lower EC up to 1.0 dSm^-1 while it increased in treatments with EC above 1.25 dSm^-1. Available phosphorus recorded a non significant difference. Available potassium was found to increase with increasing saline treatments. A general decline in the population of fungi, actinomycetes and bacteria with the increase in EC levels was observed. Thus, for the successful vegetative propagation of Bambusa vulgaris the irrigation water should have an EC level up to 1.0 dSm^-1.

The seeds were collected from selected mother trees (ortets) one each at twenty seven locations and progenies were raised to study the extent and pattern of variation among biomass characters. The site S₂₇ (Nauni), S₁₄ (Ropar) and S₁₁ (Jwalaji), showed better performance for these progeny traits as compared to others. High heritability with high genetic gain was observed for root dry weight (H= 0.88, GG= 88.49 %) and root fresh weight (H= 0.83, GG = 81.01 %) while high heritability with moderate genetic gain was found for shoot fresh weight (H= 0.87, GG= 64.84 %). Highly significant and positive genotypic and phenotypic correlations were observed for most of the characters.

Sacred groves are the remnants of natural forest patches and are considered as repositories of diversity of flora and fauna that are conserved by by local communities in a sustainable manner. They are potential sites of insitu conservation of genetic diversity. Sacred groves are conserved since time immemorial. Mahe, coming under Puducherry administration, occupies a unique geographical location near to the Arabian Sea. It also forms a part of the Western Ghats, which in turn is one among the hottest of the hotspots of the world. The sacred groves of Mahe, popularly known as ‘Kavu’, harbor various life forms. There are 19 groves in Mahe and their size ranges between 0.36 to 1.21 ha. A preliminary floristic survey of the groves yielded 325 species belonging to 95 families. The major groves possess thick vegetation with a high concentration of evergreen species whereas the smaller ones show less dense or degraded patches. Many of the groves face anthropogenic pressures of various sorts. The groves are conserved due to religious faiths, taboos and folklores associated with grove. With the advent of modernization, urbanization and changing socio-economic scenario, the cultural norms and taboos are no longer much important. As a result many of the groves are degrading at a greater speed. The present paper embodies the documentation of the phytodiversity of the sacred groves of Mahe, their present status and strategies for conservation.

A survey was carried out in the Rohru district, Himachal Pradesh. It was observed that R. pseudo-acacia was infested with mistletoes. It was identified as Viscum album. Infestation was observed almost all the trees. Hence, suitable management practices should be undertaken to check the spread of V. album.

The study aimed at investigating the seed dormancy, viability and effect of pre-sowing treatments on the germination and seedling vigour of Bauhunia purpurea seeds. The pre- sowing treatments were made up hot water treatment, electronic scarification, different concentration of Sulphuric acid, H₂O₂, KNO₃, CaOCl₂, Thoiurea along with control. Viability test were conducted after pre-sowing treatment along with control. The treated and control seeds were placed for germination in sand media. Results on viability test revealed that there was no significant difference on viability (96.60-97.70%) between the treatments tried. An twenty one days after sowing the result revealed that seeds soaked with hot water at 80^oC for 10 minutes registered highest germination of 81 per cent followed by seed treated with CaOCl₂ 2% for 12 hrs (78%) and H₂SO₄ 200ml/kg for 25 minutes (78%). The control seeds gave only 48 per cent germination. Vigour index values shows significant differences among the treatments. The highest vigour index values of 925 were recorded in the seeds soaked in hot water 80^oC for 15 minutes. The lowest vigour index value of 384 was recorded in control treatment. The results showed that hot water soaking was the most effective, cheapest and environmentally safe pre-sowing treatment for the germination and seedling vigour of Bauhunia purpurea seeds.

Tridax trilobata (Cav.) Hemsl, an introduced species is reported on the basis of herbarium specimens prepared from cultivated plant. A brief description alongwith distribution, ecological observation, illustration, photographs, etc. are provided herewith to facilitate easy identification of the species in the field.

A corticolous lichen, Opegrapha irosina Vain., is reported as new record for India based on collections from Kerala and West Bengal.

Two genera viz. Pterygiella Oliver (Scrophulariaceae) and Pogonia Jussieu (Orchidaceae) were first time added to the Indian Flora and their taxonomic history also discussed.

Ixora chakraborteyi Murugan & Prabhu sp. nov. (Rubiaceae) is described and illustrated here from the Nicobar Islands, Andaman and Nicobar, India.

The present paper deals with new distributional record of Hedyotis angustifolia Cham. & Schltdl. and Paederialanuginosa Wall. (Rubiaceae) for West Bengal. Detailed taxonomic descriptions along with habit sketches as are provided.

A new species, Indigofera kudiraimozhiensis is described and illustrated.

Occurrence of Clerodendrum hastatum (Roxb.) Lindl. Is confirmed in West Bengal.

Synedrella vialis A. Gray, is reported for the first time from Allahabad district. The field, brief description, etc. are provided herewith for easy identification of the taxon in field.

The present work deals with enumeration of 28 numbers of monocotyledonous climbing species of Bihar and Jharkhand states. Local names, phenology, distribution, ecological status and uses of the species with in the states are also presented.

Eulophia ochreata Lindl. (Orchidaceae), an endemic species to India is reported for the first time from North-East India. Detailed description along with, illustration provided for easy identification.

7 taxa of angiosperm are reported as new to the state of Karnataka from Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary.

This paper enumerates the occurrence of 136 species of lichens belonging to 45 genera and 24 families in the semi-evergreen, evergreen and deciduous forests of six major forest.

The anthocarp is the characteristic feature of the family Nyctaginaceae. In the present work, the anthocarp morphology of 10 species belonging to five genera as the Indian members of the family Nyctaginaceae have been examined. Macro- and micro-morphological features of anthocarps including shape, size, surface ornamentation, presence or absence of glands or hairs, colour and cellular details (under Light and Scanning Electron Microscope) have been presented. Based on anthocarp morphology, a dichotomous key has also been provided for easy identification of the studied genera in the field as well as in the herbarium.

Ophioglossum pendulum a rare and critically endangered fern of India is recollected after a gap of nearly 125 years from northern India. Previous reports from N.E. India have sometimes been doubted there. But we conclude that such reports were correct and now report the species anew from Sikkim, in addition to the previous reports from Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. Present collection from Sikkim is significant which is a new record for state and considerable westward extension of its known range. Based on literature trawl and extensive herbarium studies in India and abroad, in present communication, a brief history on its various Indian collections is heighlighted here along with the taxonomic account, rarity, distribution and key characters assisting for its easy identification.

Tectaria griffithii (Bak.) C. Chr., Tectaria heterocarpa (Bed.) Morton, Tectaria chattagramica (C.B.Clarke) Ching and Pleocnemia submembranacea (Hayata) Holttum are recorded for the first time from Tripura. Detailed descriptions, distribution, ecological notes and photograph also given for its easy identification.

Crotalaria epunctata Dalz. (Fabaceae), an endemic species known only from South India, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra is reported for the first time from Uttar Pradesh.

Dictyonema irrigatum (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Lücking (Agaricales, Hygrophoraceae) is recorded as a first Basidiolichen from India. It is characterized by the irregularly appressed-filamentous thallus with short horizontal to erect dark blue-green fibrils, hyphal clamp connections and frequent stereoid-corticioid basidiomata.