Carbon capture and sequestration through forests scan play in important role in reducing India’s GHG emissions, as consumption of fossil is unlikely to slow down given India’s reliance on coal power and other non renewable sources. Land use and forest enhancement strategy can provide a significant climate change mitigation option for India. Since climate change has a long term impact on ecology and economy of developing countries, India need to redefine its priorities currently envisioned in the national forest and environment policy and has to incorporate a C management agenda. It being the sixth largest emitter, forest can act as a major terrestrial sink provided forestry practices integrate C balance approaches.

Performance of five year old coppice plants of Dalbergia sissoo was evaluated for biomass production on a sub-standard soil site. Initially coppice plants showed emergence of 4.59 + 1.65 sprouts per stump followed by dominance of 2.2 + 1.00 shoots per stump after five year of growth. Dominant shoot attained an average height of 535.21+26.25 cm and a diameter of 4.52+1.88 cm at 130 cm from ground level. Accordingly, the basal area per shoot was 16.57 cm².  Different regression models were developed with various growth parameters to predict biomass of coppice shoots. Linear regression equation ‘y = a + b (d²h) (height and diameter of coppice shoot) was found to be the best predictor of biomass followed by diameter (d²) and height alone because of high value of correlation coefficient (p>0.001, p<0.01). At the age of 5 years, coppice shoots produced a total of 13.52 Mg ha^-1 aboveground biomass with maximum stem wood (9.84 Mg ha^-1), followed by branch wood (2.92 Mg ha^-1) and leaf (0.781 Mg ha^-1) respectively at the density of 2406 coppice stems ha^-1. Accordingly, biomass allocation to different plant components revealed high proportion of woody biomass (94.3%) and marginal contribution of leafy portion (5.7%). Mean annual increment (MAI) on the basis of total above biomass was 2.70 Mg ha^-1 whereas the current annual increment was 5.75 Mg ha^-1. The usable energy content in woody biomass was 263.6 GJ ha^-1 after five years of growth with acceptable heating value (20.66 + 1.25 kJ g^-1) and reasonably good fuel value index (958.91 + 171.8). Morphologically superior plants “Plus trees” were retained as standards for a good seed source adaptable to such fragile sites. Thus our study revealed potential of short rotation coppice system in D. sissoo for obtaining biomass energy and minor timber on sub-standard soil sites.

This study was carried out to find out the most suitable growing medium for maximum germination and higher seedling growth in Blue pine. The seed germination and seedling growth was assessed in six different growing media. Out of these growing media, humus medium resulted in maximum seed germination, higher seedling growth and more seedling vigour index followed by humus and soil (2:1) medium. Therefore, the first preference should be given to humus medium and second to humus and soil (2:1) in order to get maximum seed germination, higher seedling growth and quality seedling production.

Studies on to assess the clonal variations towards growth performance and biomass production amongst twenty different clones of Populus deltoides Marsh. Were carried out under nursery conditions in lower Shiwaliks of Himachal Himalayas. Significant clonal variations with respect to their sprouting, survival, height, collar diameter and biomass production were recorded amongst the clones under trial. Overall, clones namely L-12/82, L-165/84, L-13/82, L-14, 8262 and 22 were found to be the best performers in nursery stage; those can now be tested under field conditions for their enhanced productivity and yields in the lower Shiwaliks of Himachal Himalayas.

The biomass and nutrient distribution in Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. Plantations of different ages (25-33 years) has been studied at six sites at Nara, Chaksadhu, Dhirowal, Kharkan, Dharamkot and Kamalpur of Hoshiarpur, Feerozpur and Amritsar Forest Division of Punjab. The biomass ranged from 83.56 kg tree^-1 to 1516 kg tree^-1 and from 85.42 to 1226.94 t ha^-1 in all these sites. Productivity ranged from 2.59 t ha^-1 yr^-1 (at 33 yrs) to 9.28 t ha^-1 yr^-1 (at 25 yrs). The contribution of individual tree components to total biomass varied as: leaf 0.65 to 3.86%; twig 1.62 to 5.64%, branch 10 to 24.88%, bark 8.49 to 12.27%, root 14.98 to 20.58% and bole 42.98 to 58.76%. The percent contributions of all tree components in all the sites were in the order of bole > root > branch > bark > twig > leaf. Prediction models have been worked out by using allometric regressions. Among prediction variables tried D²H were found the most reliable parameters for prediction of biomass. The amount of various nutrients varied from N-691.12 to 2087.24 kg ha^-1 P-26.33 to 98.05 kg ha^-1, K-470.2 to 1305.4 kg ha^-1, Ca-725.05 to 3306.38 kg ha^-1 and Mg – 58.33 to 141.20 kg ha^-1, respectively. The percentage contribution of different nutrients to total nutrients were as; N (24.57 to 42.41%), P (1.28 to 2.1%), K (16.69 to 31.95%), Ca (28.25 to 54.79%) and Mg (1.51 to 4.27%), respectively. Nutrient losses through complete harvesting have also been discussed and some suggestions have been made to replenish the nutrient loss and improve the site productivity.

Due to emerging potentially of Terminalia arjuna in profitable. Agroforestry practices in forest fringe areas, special emphasis has been laid on stock improvement programme, which has been taken up in the Silviculture South Forest Division, Midnapore, West Bengal. Improved quality seeds duly certified collected from existing SPA is being supplied to the planting divisions. Research on clonal propagation through rooting responses is still going on. Application of IBA to the cuttings has been found to be effective in successfully rooting response.

Single nodal softwood cuttings of Dalbergia sissoo obtained from vegetative multiplication garden (VMG) with 100%, 50% and 0% leaf area representing full leaf, half leaf and leafless cuttings were propagated under mist chamber following treatment with Indole butyric acid (IBA) 2000 ppm. After six weeks of planting, data on rooting, sprouting and allied parameters was noted. The best rooting and sprouting was observed in 100% (Full) leaf area in almost all clones followed by 50% (Half) leaf area. Cuttings without leaf showed poor response in some clones or died in others. Analysis of variance revealed significant variation among clones and leaf areas.

The present study on morphological variations in Grewia laevigata Vahl revealed that some of the traits, viz., branch length, number of leaves per branch, branch nodal length, leaf length, leaf area and seed weight, exhibited variation between the sites but not among the trees. However, leaf width, number of seeds per fruit, seed length and seed width showed non-significant variations. Genotypic correlation coefficients were found greater than phenotypic one for almost all the morphological traits.

Based on reconnaissance soil survey of Kempty Range of Mussoorie Forest Division, Uttarakhand, five soil profiles in different blocks were selected for determining their morphological, physicochemical and mineralogical characteristics. The morphological characteristics show considerable variation in the nature and degree of horizon development. Light and heavy mineral fractions constituted 70 and 30 per cent of total fine sand fractions respectively. Various minerals identified in the light sand fractions included quartz, feldspars and mica (muscovite). In all the pedons studied quartz was the dominating mineral. Heavy mineral fractions comprised opaque minerals, biotite the presence of low to moderate amount of weatherable minerals suggesting their podsolic nature. Clay fractions were characterized by micas and illite as the dominant clay mineral associated with appreciable amount of kaolinite and chlorite and the small amount of mixed layer silicate mineral, vermiculite, montimorillonite and quartz. Soils of the study area belonged to Typic Paleudoll (Kempty Block), Typic Argiudoll (Sainj Block), Typic Paleudult (Mailgarh Block), Typic Hapludult (Kheragarh Block) and Typic Argiudoll (Gandiyala Block). All these polypedons are members of fine loamy, mixed, messic family. These soils developed from different parent materials are in equilibrium with geogenic factors. Mollisols occur on limestone, dolomite, quartzite and slate whereas Ultisols occur on phyllite, shale, sandstone, quartzite, etc.

Above- and below-ground biomass of seedlings, saplings and trees of Bruguiera parviflora were measured in the mangroves of Kuala Selangor Nature Park, Malaysia. The biomass of seedlings was measured by quadrate method. Allometric equations were used to estimate the biomass of saplings and trees. The above-and below-ground biomass of seedlings, saplings and trees of B. parviflora were 1.12 t/ha, 0.90 t/ha and 142.46 t/ha; 0.25 t/ha, 0.14 t/ha and 18.93 t/ha, respectively. Above-ground components of seedlings, saplings and trees contributed 81.75%, 84.48% and 88.82% t/ha, respectively. Above-ground components of seedlings, saplings and trees contributed 81.75%, 84.48% and 88.82%, respectively of the total biomass and roots contained substantially lower proportion.

Using herbarium as a resource for ex-situ conservation is an important tool. The author has shown how the data from herbarium sheets and GIS can used for targeting seed collections by using Brahms. The author has compiled and produced over 30 collection guides for the Millennium Seed Bank Enhancement Project whilst working at Kew. These guides serve a good indicative tool in collecting seeds from the field. The author shares the methods and process involved in compiling and producing the collection guides.

An attempt was made to document the occurrence of herbs, shrubs and trees on the man made habitats like protection and retention, walls in Kavrepalanchowk district of Nepal. Present study resulted in collecting 108 species of plants belonging to 82 genera under 32 families, Majority of them being angiosperinous dicotyledon and monocotyledon plant. Petridophytes are minimum and gymnosperms are absent. Herbaceous species dominate in frequency, density and species diversity. Trees are much stunted in growth whereas herbs and shrubs are in normal growth condition.

Many Agroforestry programmes, started during 1970s in various countries, suffered on account of ignoring the socio-economic structure of farm households in the design of these programmes. The empirical studies on behaviour of households on on-farm tree cultivation are now gaining importance in deign socially acceptable Agroforestry programmes to encourage Agroforestry uptake. The study has been carried out in Jaintia hills district of Meghalaya which is located in Indian Eastern Himalayas. The data have been collected on a pre-structured schedule in personal interviews with the head of the households. Amongst social factors family literacy, government employment, size of agricultural holding, religion and mobility of head of household showed significant influence on on-farm tree cultivation. Cropping intensity, size of agricultural holding, annual agricultural income, on-farm income, total household income and area under paddy cultivation were the economic aspects of arm households which influenced cultivation of trees on the farms. The study implies need to consider socio-economic factors to encourage the level of on-farm tree cultivation and design socially acceptable Agroforestry programmes.

The results of present investigation reveals that seed germination of Dalbergia sissoo is temperature depends and seed were collected from different sources showed variability in germination. On the basis of germination behavior on different temperature it can be recommended that seed of D. sissoo should be sown nursery beds in the months of March-April because optimum and uniform germination was recorded at 25-35^oC temperature regimes.

The floristic composition of JFM managed forest and adjoining natural scrub forest in Guddada Budihal areas of Gadag Division was studied. The study has inferred the higher species diversity in the JFM managed forests compared to the natural forests. There was 19 species in JFM managed forest, among them Hardwickia binata possessed higher IVI value of 120.41. It was followed by Stereospermum personatum and Anogeissus latifolia. The data on regeneration indicated that, Hardwickia binata was most ecologically success species constituting IVI value of 74.7 of the total regenerating individuals. The data has clearly indicated a high diversity and more species composition among regenerated individuals in JFM managed forests compared to adjoining natural forests. The results indicated that an urgent need for taking enrichment works in many of the patches with indigenous local species and protecting the forests from grazing by involving local people.

A survey on the flora of Barid-Shahi, a famous heritage Fort of Bidar in Northern part of Karnataka was carried out from August 2006 to July 2007. The Fort was built by Ahmedshah Walli in 1436 A.D. The surrounding area of the Fort is 5.5 km and irregular in shape. The Fort area with semi arid conditions has dry deciduous vegetation. In the present study, 105 plant species belonging to 48 families of Angiosperms, 04 species of Pterodophytes (Ferns), 04 species of Bryophytes (Mosses) and 02 species of Lichens were recorded from the study area. The variation in the floristic diversity of a Fort may be due to the topography of the soil or the climatic conditions of the study region.

This paper gives an account of a new species of the termite genus, Angulitermes Sjostedt from India. Necessary comparison with the closely related species in given.

A comparative study was conducted on plant diversity in Panchayat forests and their adjoining reserve forests of three Districts, viz., Pauri, Chamoli and Rudraprayag Districts of Garhwal Himalaya since April 2003 to December 2004. Total 15 sites were studied which were extending from 840 to 2000 m asl. Extensive pure or mixed Oak and Pine forests characterized most of the sites. Major associations of Quercus leucotrichophora were Rododendron, Myrica esculenta and Lyonia ovalifolia. The species richness was slightly higher in Panchayat forests than adjoining reserve forests. Tree, shrub and herb density/ha was found almost higher in all the reserve forests among all the altitudinal ranges except herb density/ha which was comparatively higher between 1300 to 1800 m asl in Panchayat forests. The species diversity was also higher in reserve forests and follow the trend as Herb > Tree > Shrub.

The paper reports field status of insect pests damaging Sal seeds in six Sal dominating regions of Madhya Pradesh, recorded during three consecutive seed setting seasons from 2000. Observations with field collected seed samples revealed that three insect pests were infesting Sal seeds, viz., Dichocrocis leptalis Hamp., Pammne theristis Mey. And Sitophilus rugicollis Casey. Their level of incidence based on percentage seeds damaged and population of individual insect species was recorded in all the selected forest areas. The information given on comparative status of pest incidence may be useful for traders and industries involved in extracting oils from the seeds for decision-making.

Cuttings were collected from different provenances of Populus alba in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir during 1999-2000. These were raised in the nursery of Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan as a mother nursery stock. From them cuttings were taken in the year 2001 and they were planted in nursery for this provenance trial. Analysis of variation revealed highly significant differences among different provenances for height, basal diameter, number of leaves, leaf area, internodal length, root fresh weight, root dry weight, shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight under nursery conditions. For the seedling traits provenance-Tirith (P17) excelled for height, basal diameter, leaf area, internodal length, root fresh weight, root dry weight, shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight. Tabo provenance (P21) recorded minimum value for height, leaf area and internodal length whereas, Holdoo (P13) for number of leaves. Variability and genetic estimates revealed high heritability for seedling height, basal diameter, root fresh weight, and root dry weight. Heritability value was found low for number of branches. Divergence (D²) studies indicated remarkable diversity among 26 provenances of P. alba. Sikibba (P10) and Tamrot (P12) were considered most diverse populations (D² value 57771.20). Correlation studies illustrated significant positive correlation between different traits, viz., height, basal diameter, number of leaves, internodal length, root fresh weight, root dry weight, shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight.

During the present study, a total number of 201 sacred groves were enumerated in Kanyakumari District and reported 329 plant species belongs to 251 genera under 110 families. Among the 329 species, 12 species of shrubs, herbs and climbers are listed as rare, endemic and threatened, belonging to 12 genera under eleven families. Species like, Alpinia galanga, Gloriosa superba, Hemidesmus indicus, Kaempfora galanga and Rauvolfia serpentina are endangered and threatened, Justicia beddomei, Leea indica and Petiveria alliacea are rare, Indigofera uniflora, Naregamia alata, Ochlandra scriptoria and Osbeckia aspera var. wightiana are endemic to sacred groves of Kanyakumari District.

Frond proliferation in Asplenium phyllitidis D.Don is reported for first time. Observation and brief Taxonomic description are provided.

The paper gives taxonomic account of Nervilla gammieana (Hook.f.) Schltr., an Orchid, a new record for J&K State collected from Kalidar in Tehsil Sunderbani of District Rajouri (Jammu and Kashmir).

Variation and correlation among leaf dry matter and mineral nutrients were studied in three diameter classes on three sites located at three different altitudes in Himachal Pradesh. Leaf dry matter and mineral nutrient content viz.; nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) among different diameter classes ranged between 42.29-57.26%, 2.40-2.95%, 0.14-0.33% and 2.37-2.64%, respectively. Significant correlations were observed for different character pairs indicating the possibility of indirect selection in the species.

Rhododendron callimorphum Balf.f. & W.W.Sm. (Ericaceae), a taxon so far known from China, is described here as a new record to India from Arunachal Pradesh. Two varieties are known under this species. The Indian specimens belong to typical variety (var. callimorphum). A detailed description, photograph and distribution map are provided for its easy identification.

Eulophia epidendraea (J. Konig ex Retz.) C.E.C. Fisch. (Orchidaceae), so far known in India from peninsular regions is being reported for the first time from the Himalayan region. The same is described and illustrated here.

Cotoneaster garhwalensis Klotz. Emend. A. Kumar & Panigr. Is reduced as synonym under C. duthieanus Klotz.

Frullania ceylanica, earlier though to be endemic to Ceylon (Sri Lanka), is added here to the bryoflora of India from the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu. Based on earlier literature its taxonomy and nomenclature are discussed and a detailed description is provided along with an illustration and information on habitat.

Eugenia agasthiyamalayana (Myrtaceae) allied to E. discifera Gamble is described and illustrated as a new species from the Agasthiyamalai, Southern Western Ghats of India.

Three mosses, viz., Acroporium baviense, Cyathophorum adiantum and Lindbergia koelzii, earlier known to be distributed in the Khasia Hills, Western Himalaya and Northeast India and Western Himalaya respectively are recorded for Peninsular India. Each species is described in detail and illustrated.

Passion flower is one of the most beautiful flowers of all flowers and distributed worldwide from S. America to Europe and Asia. One of its species Passiflora jugorum W.W. Sm., Passifloraceae, so far known from China (Yunnan) and Myanmar (Bhamo) is reported for the first time from india as a new distributional record. It is explored from the subtropical forest areas of Limiking (Alt. 1200 ±50 m). Upper Subansiri District, Arunachal Pradesh, India. A brief taxonomic description of the taxon along with a colour photograph is provided.

Five seed sources of A. pindrow, collected from Garhwal Himalaya were studied for cone and seed characteristics and germination behaviour. Three different sizes of cones (large, medium and small) were observed in all the seed sources. The dimensions of large (14.25 x 4.76-16.04 x 4.56 cm), medium (11.45 x 4.17-12.28 x 4.43 cm) and small (9.01 x 4.05-9.68 x 4.08 cm) sized cones in 5 different seed sources of A. pindrow oscillated greatly. The maximum cone moisture content also varied significantly (45.22-55.37%) in the cones. The largest seed observed was 1.17 cm long x 0.87 cm wide and the smallest was 0.56 cm long x 0.19 cm wide. The seed mass was heaviest with wings (7,35 gm/100 seeds) and without wings (6.84 gm/100 seeds) in Tapovan seed source on fresh weight basis. The highest (56.0%) germination was observed in Dudhatoli seed source at 10^oC and the lowest (10.0%) at 25^oC in Tapovan seed source. Dudhatoli seed source was recorded to be the best seed source, which may give highest productivity if tried on other sites. This seed source may be used to establish Seedling Seed Orchards due to additive genetic gain and higher germination percentage of seeds.