An experimental trial to know the effect of inter-cultivation of Populus ciliata Wall. ex Royle at different spacing, as a shade providing nurse crop on the survival and growth performance of Abies pindrow Royle and Picea smithiana (Wall.) Boiss. - high level conifers of Westren Himalayas was conducted in Solang valley of Himachal Pradesh. The results of the experimental trial revealed significant effect of inter-cultivation of Populus ciliata on the survival and growth performance of Abies pindrow and Picea smithiana. The maximum survival of both species was recorded under the shade of nurse crop at a spacing of 4 x 3 m. However, maximum average height and collar diameter increment of both species was recorded under the shade of nurse crop at a spacing of 6 x 3 m followed by plants under the shade of nurse crop at a spacing of 4 x 3 m. So it can be concluded that these high level conifers should be inter-cultivated with Populus ciliata for successful establishment of field plantations during their early stages of growth and development.

The present investigation on nutrient content of aboveground parts (leaves and branches) of woody elements in cold desert ecosystem of village Goshal was carried out to estimate the mineral nutrient content in different species occurring in cold desert forest ecosystem. The investigation depicted that amount of nutrients (N, P, K, Na and Ca) stored in the leaves was found greater than in branches for all the species. On the basis of our study Ephedra gerardiana and Hippophae rhamnoides were found nitrogen rich species. Populus ciliata exhibited maximum phosphorus and potassium content and minimum was reported in Fraxinus xanthoxyloides. It was further observed that tree species had greater nutrient content (N, P, K, Na and Ca) than the shrubs like Fraxinus xanthoxyloides, Berberis jaeschkeana and Rosa macrophylla and R. webbiana. The result advocates that there is a need for protection of these forest species in natural habitat of cold desert forest ecosystem as the soils are poor in nutrient contents and very less of top soils.

Studies were conducted to analyze the effect of provenances on anatomical and physical properties of Teak between the selected provenances with special reference to the variation in wood physical properties such as specific gravity, wood density, heartwood colour, moisture content, bark thickness, heartwood / sapwood ratio and the variation in anatomical properties including fibre morphology, vessel morphology, vessel area and vessel frequency. For all the characteristics of the wood studied for assessing the variation between the selected provenances, the bark thickness was found to be significant. The result of the present study reveals that there was no variation in anatomical and physical properties of Teak from both the selected provenances which were at par and of good quality for the timber and furniture industry. This was done by comparing the values obtained for each parameter under study with the values of famous Nilambur Teak which is considered as a standard timber value.

Vegetation recovery in limestone abandoned mine sites of 5, 10 and 18 years age was studied and compared with vegetation in natural dry mixed deciduous forest on Western and Northern aspects in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh, India. Tree species were studied from two sample plots of 0.1ha in each site, two sub-plots of 10m² in each sample plot were explored to study shrubs and five quadrates of 0.25m² from each sample plot were harvested to study herbaceous growth. No tree species was observed in 5 and 10 years old abandoned mines and only two tree species invaded 18 years old abandoned mine compared to natural forests having eight tree species. Hamiltonia suaveolens was the dominant shrub and grasses outnumbered forbs in undisturbed sites. In abandoned mine sites Eupatorium odoratum was the dominant shrub and forbs outnumbered grasses. Soil bulk density, pH and E.C. showed decreasing trend while organic carbon and macro-nutrients (N, P, K) increased with the increase in the abandoned period from 5 to 18 years.

Achanakmar-Amarkantak biosphere reserve is a paradise of floral and faunal diversity, located in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Recent survey conducted in this biosphere reserve during the rainy season (August-October 2012), revealed the occurrence of defoliator, Botyodes asialis Guen. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), severely damaging Casearia tomentosa Roxb. (family Samidaceae). This is the first record of occurrence of this insect in Achanakmar-Amarkantak biosphere reserve. Some observations on the growth and development of this potential defoliator were recorded.

Heavy mortality of Shisham has been registered in almost all Shisham growing areas of India and neighboring countries. Observations on mortality of Shisham in a Clonal Orchard at Lacchiwala (Dehra Dun) were taken. Different clones revealed different symptoms of mortality. Thirteen percent (13%) to hundred percent (100%) mortality was observed in this Clonal seed Orchard. None of the individuals of clone no. 34 belonging to Gonda survived while the individuals of genotypes 81 belonging to Rajasthan showed resistance without any mortality in three years study. The probable causes of Shisham mortality are also discussed in this paper.

The host range and biology of three Indian species namely Curculio c- album Fab., Curculio ficusi (Pajni & Singh) and Curculio sikkimensis (Heller) has been reviewed in the light of similar information on eighteen species namely Curculio caryatrypes (Boh.), Curculio sayi (Gyll.), Curculio aurivestis Chitten., Curculio pardus Chitten., Curculio venosus (Graven.), Curculio glandium (Marsham), Curculio elephas (Gyll.), Curculio pellitus (Boh.), Curculio dentipes (Roel.), Curculio bimaculatus Faust, Curculio propinquus (Desbr.),Curculio obtusus Blanchard, Curculio nucum (Linn.), Curculio caryae(Horn), Curculio camelliae , Curculio chinensis Chevrolat Curculio occidentis ( Casey) and Curculio victoriensis (Chitten.) available in different parts of the globe. The role of Curculio species as pests of edible nuts and destroyers of forest seeds has been highlighted.

The combination of different concentration of substrate (0.025M, 0.05M, 0.10M, 0.15M, 0.20M and 0.25M, KNO₃) with different pH of buffer (0.10 M and 0.20 M, KH₂PO₄ of the pH 6.5, 7.0, 7.2, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7 and 7.8) solution were tried for the nitrate reductase activity of Albizia procera. Maximum nitrate reductase activity was observed in the combination of buffer solution of 0.10M KH₂PO₄ having pH 7.5 and substrate solution of the concentration 0.20M.

Cassia glauca a nitrogen fixing tree species produces hardcoated and light brown colour seeds. Seed has physical dormancy due to hardiness of testa. Suitable pretreatment to break the dormancy was investigated. Germination was enhanced from 10.22 percent (untreated) to 95.66 percent (mechanical scarification). Although mechanical scarification treatment gives early, uniform and highest germination but it is not practicable in large-scale purposes. Therefore, sulphuric acid for 30 minutes soaking is recommended.

The present paper represents the diversity status of plant species inside the Sacred Grows which is known for the aesthetic value places from the very past. These aesthetic value pockets are also said conservation pocket which is a models of conservation strategy from very long period in India. To understand the role of Sacred Grove in conservation biology study was conducted in Hoshangabad district during 2010-2011 and documented total 78 Sacred Groves from the area and assessed their plant diversity. Total 255 plant species of 203 genera belongs to 81 family have documented. Total 91 tree species encountered during study in which 48 species found above 20 cm gbh and its diversity index found 3.49 which is quite good from the adjoining natural forest.

Present study was carried out in Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttarakhand during the period 2006-2007 Phytosociologcal study of the vegetation was conducted on the basis of floristic and structural variations. The diversity of trees, shrubs and herbs varied with Beats and Compartments. For example in South Binsar Block maximum tree diversity was recorded in Binsar Beat and minimum in Patanainail Beat. In North Binsar maximum diversity was recorded in Dhaulchina Beat and minimum in Satri Beat. In Rithagar Block the diversity was Zero. The maximum value of concentration of dominance for tree layer was observed in Patnainail Beat and minimum in Badaur Beat (in South Binsar). This value also varied with Beats and Compartments of Sanctuary.

Trigonella occulta Delile (Fabaceae) is here recorded for the first time from Bihar. Detailed taxonomic description, distribution and photographs of relevant herbarium specimens are provided to facilitate easy identification of the species.

Leptolejeunea (Spruce) Schiffn. has been reported for the first time from Indian main land from Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, Jorhat, Assam. The paper provides its detailed taxonomic description with the note on present status and distribution.

Spilanthes radicans Jacq., a lesser known plant species is described and illustrated.

Five angiosperm taxa are being reported as new records for Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Miliusaamplexicaulis Ridl. (Annonaceae), so far recorded from Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia, is reported here as a new distributional record for India from the Bay Islands.

The alien invasive species of Nawabgunj Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh are enumerated and their impact on the wetland ecosystem is discussed.

Dendrophthoe glabrescens (Blakely) Barlow is being reported for the first time from Tamil Nadu. Detailed taxonomic description, illustration and scanned images of specimens are also given.

Leucas anandaraoana Umamahesw & Daniel (Lamiaceae) a strict endemic of Ramanathapuram and Tuticorin districts in Tamil Nadu, India. It was collected in other than type locality from Kudiraimozhi theri (KMT), Tuticorin district, Tamil Nadu.

The genus Cosmostigma Wight is reported for the first time for the flora of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. A short description with photographs of the species is provided here for easy identification.

The tarai region of Kumaun which represents sub tropical vegetation was explored for the floristic diversity in year 2008-2011. A total of 429 species under 317 genera of vascular plants i.e., Angiosperm belonging to 95 families were recorded. These are listed in present communication.

A new species of Pancratium L. collected from Thalassery, Kannur district, Kerala has been described and illustrated.