Among the existing activities in managing tropical forests, conservation efforts for Sal (Shorea robusta) forest in Tripura have virtually offered very valuable results. 68 plant species belonging to 41 taxonomic families were identified in such study areas. Remarkable dissimilarity between the stands of the restored coppice crop (7 and 16 years) and natural forest (approx. 45 years) was observed. Ground flora of young coppice crop was enriched with herb species while the density of shrubs and woody climbers was higher in the natural stand. Density per ha of herbs, shrubs and trees varied between 168000-497800, 18800-42112, 1100-2975 respectively. Total basal cover (m2 per ha) of herbs, shrubs and trees ranged between 0.524-0.941, 0.138-0.952, 2.333- 86.295 respectively. In the shrub layer 24.9% to 46.2% of the density and 53.4-81.6% of the Total Basal Cover (TBC) was shared by saplings belonging to economically and medicinally important tree species. It also indicates the regeneration potential of the area. Diversity index (Shannon Wiener Index) varied between 0.918- 0.967 for herbs, 0.743-0.876 for shrubs and 0.859 for trees. Values of Jaccard Similarity index were between 33-80% in herb layer, 22-48% in shrub layer, 14-100% in tree layer. The study brings out that the distribution of most of the species was random to contagious. Important flora viz. Smilax zeylanica, Vitex peduncularis, Ziziphus rugosa were the common species of the plant community on account of intact natural habitat.

Tsunami on December 26, 2004 caused a great devastation in low-lying areas adjoining the coastline of eleven countries in the Indian Ocean. The closest Indian landmasses to the epicenter are Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Extensive damage and irreparable losses have occurred to the forest of Nancowry group of Islands. The present study assesses the tsunami triggered changes in these Islands with respect to forested landscape and other land use using IRS LISS III datasets. Our study shows that around 15.64% of Nancowary group of Islands has undergone major damage. Maximum losses have been accounted in Trinket Island followed by Katchall, Camorta and Tarasa group. The paper advocates the utility of Remote Sensing and GIS for rapid appraisal of damage assessment due to such catastrophe.

The present investigation was carried out to study the growth behavior of Poplar clones under short rotation and intensive culture. Diameter increase of clones showed typical sigmoidal growth curve. Decline and irregular increase and decrease in c.a.i are mainly attributed to the flooding of area. However genetic constitution of individual clone is responsible for variation in growth rate of clones under investigation.

Studies to evaluate the effect of different combinations of lime mine spoil: forest soil (1:0, 1:1, 2:1 v/v), lime mine spoil: forest soil: FYM (1:1:1, 1:2:1, 0:1:0 v/v), lime mine spoil: sand: FYM (1:1:1, 2:1:1 v/v) and lime mine spoil: sand: compost (1:1:1, 1:0:1 v/v) on performance of four tree species viz., Leucaena leucocephala, Eucalyptus hybrid, Acacia catechu and Bauhinia variegata were conducted in poly-bags of size 22" x 12" (LxB). The experiment was carried out following randomized complete block design with three replications during 2002. The results showed that combination of lime mine spoil: forest soil: farmyard manure in the ratio of 1:2:1 (v/v) was found to be most effective with regard to growth and biomass production parameters in all the four tree species. Leucaena leucocephala gave maximum values for height, collar diameter, shoot dry weight and total biomass followed by Eucalyptus hybrid, Bauhinia variegata and Acacia catechu.

Melia composita is a fast-growing tree favoured for Agroforestry plantations. Clonal propagation is desirable to commercially produce the species at an economical cost. Effect of different concentrations of IBA and diameter of juvenile shoot cuttings on sprouting, rooting, number of leaves, number of roots, shoot length and root length was studied in this experiment. 9 mm - 12 mm diameter juvenile shoot cuttings treated with IBA 3000 ppm gave the maximum sprouting per cent, rooting per cent and other parameters studied. With the conclusion of this experiment, the technology for clonal propagation of Melia composita stands developed. The single nodal juvenile cuttings with half-leaf cut having 9 mm - 12 mm diameter obtained from 20-25 days old sprouts treated with IBA 3000 ppm through quick-dip method and kept under mist chamber conditions can be used for clonal propagation of Melia composita. The plantable size clonal propagules can be obtained after 70-90 days by this method.

Growth models were fitted for eight-year-old Dalbergia sissoo plantation in semi-arid region of Central India. High correlation was found between height and diameter at breast height (0.895). The three parameter model of the form Ln H= a + bDc, where H is height in m and D is dbh in cm, was found best for height-diameter relationship out of eight non-linear functions evaluated. R2, MSE and average prediction bias of this model comes out to be 0.819, 0.014 and 0.091, respectively. The developed model may be used for predicting heights of Dalbergia sissoo on the basis of diameter at breast height for this region.

Variable duration of different reproductive phenophases of 16 accessions of Moringa oleifera Lamk. (Moringaceae), a valuable and multipurpose plant of India were investigated. The investigations were concentrated on different phenophases starting from anthesis to seed maturation, in respect to fruit and seed set. The study revealed that initiation of each reproductive phenophase i.e., from bud initiation to fruit and seed maturation, their respective duration and fruit and seed quality varied among the accessions growing in the same climatic conditions.

A model of high density plantation was developed and tested in two 0.5 ha fields each of land capability Class IIIes and IVe, at Johranpur Watershed in Solan District of Himachal Pradesh. The system comprised of Mango (Dashehari) at 9m x 9m spacing interspaced with early bearing Mango (Amrapali) at 4.5m x 4.5m. In between these two Mango cultivars, Papaya was sown at 2.25 m x 2.25 m. Inter row space was used for growing different annual crops like Tomato, Moong, Kulthi, Toria, Radish, Onion, Capsicum and Bottle Guard. In situ budded Aonla (var. NA-7) was planted on the periphery of field. Prior to the plantation, terraces were constructed on land to cut the degree of slope and Hybrid Napier was planted on terrace risers to provide strength to bund and green fodder for cattle. Survival percentage in the range of 70 to 89 for different fruit species was similar in both the marginal (LCC IIIes) and severely (LCC IVe) degraded lands. Comparatively healthier land facilitated 46 and 40 percent higher height and 112 and 89 percent higher basal girth in Mango Amrapali and Dashehari cultivars, respectively. Mango started yielding in 3rd year only on less degraded land. On the Class IIIes land, gross returns from various components were Rs 27,760, 65,175 and 71,200 per hectare during 1st, 2nd and 3rd year of plantation, respectively. These worked out to be Rs 54,715 per hectare per year in the pre-bearing stage and are much higher than gross return of Rs 47,634 under traditional Maize-Wheat rotation in similar type of degraded with two supplemental irrigations from harvested rainwater in the same watershed.

The allelopathic effect of Teak (Tectona grandis Linn.f.) fruit leachates on the germination and vigour characteristics of Rice (Oryza sativa Linn.) and Green Gram (Vigna radiata (Linn.) Wilczek) seeds was studied under laboratory conditions. The Rice and Green Gram seeds were soaked directly in the Teak fruit leachates of different days or in distilled water and subsequently wetted during germination with the leachate or distilled water. The germination characteristics of Rice and Green Gram seeds increased significantly due to the application of Teak fruit leachate. Largest effect was recorded generally due to first day’s leachate and the effect declined due to subsequent days’ leachate.

Tarai forest of Balmikinagar, District West Champaran of Bihar and Kusumi forest, District Gorakhpur of Uttar Pradesh geographically located at 27o10’–27o31’ NL and 83o50’–84o41’ EL are situated adjacent to Indo-Nepal border and characterized as tropical deciduous forest. Species diversity and community structure of ferns and ferns allies were studied in these forests. These forests consist about 45 fern species belonging to 16 families in which maximum species are of the family Selaginellaceae (63%) followed by Adiantaceae (38%) and Thelypteridaceae (31%).

The present study reports Poa stapfiana Bor, a grass species known earlier only from the Himalayas, from Nilgiri mountains of Tamil Nadu. A detailed taxonomic account of the species along with an illustration containing habit and analytical sketches of floral and other relevant parts is given.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization and spore density of the two endemic plants growing in the natural forests were determined. Variations in spore number and colonization rate were observed in both the plants. The most frequent fungi present in the rhizosphere were also different. The AM colonization and sporulation were influenced by pH and phosphorous content of the soil.

Floristic diversity of Bhimbetka World Heritage Site (M.P.) has been studied during 2004-05 using both qualitative and quantitative parameters. Present study deals with floral ecology of the area. On the basis of important value index (IVI), Hyptis suaveolens is the dominant species of Bhimbetka forest. In general, distribution of most of plant species was contiguous. Tephrosia is a less common species of this forest. Shannon Wiener Index of Bhimbetka forest is 3.4.

The present paper reports the findings of field study on the status of a Sal defoliator, Paectes subapicalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Euteliinae), in Madhya Pradesh. Observations clearly revealed that sudden population outburst of this insect occur in Sal forest with the onset of rain in the month of June during the season of leaf flushing and causes epidemic defoliation of Sal tree. The insect showed overlapping generations. Larval incidence was recorded to be about cent per cent. Larvae were observed to be voracious feeder, principally feed on young foliage of Sal. Some observations on the biology and feeding behaviour of this potential Sal defoliator were investigated and discussed in the light of the present findings.

A field experiment was carried out during summer season of 2004 to assess the effect of growth media, size and weight of seed and depth of seed sowing on the growth and quality of seedlings of Physic nut (Jatropha curcas Linn.). The analysis of data revealed that germination percentage (80.5%), final seedling stand before transplanting (75.6%), seedling height (90.50 cm), number of branches per seedling (1.93), collar diameter (2.61 cm), root total length per seedling (608 cm), leaf area per seedling (10597 cm2), total dry weight per seedling (164.2 g), total chlorophyll content (2.92 mg/g of tissue) and quality index (Dickson’s quality index and sturdiness quotient) of seedlings were significantly higher under raised seedbed of soil + FYM mixture (3:1 ratio) closely followed by raised seedbed of soil alone. Seedlings grown on polythene bags filled with soil + FYM mixture (3:1 ratio) recorded least values of all these parameters. Cost of nursery raising based on 5000 seedlings (Rs. 7660) was highest under polythene bags filled with soil + FYM mixture (3:1 ratio) while net returns (Rs. 6120) and benefit: cost ratio (1:21) was highest under raised seedbed of soil alone followed by raised seedbed of soil + FYM mixture (3:1 ratio). Negative net returns (Rs 1315) and benefit: cost ratio (-0.17) were recorded under polythene bags filled with soil + FYM mixture (3:1 ratio). Bold seeds sown at 3 to 4 cm depth produced significantly superior seedlings in terms of growth and quality parameters over the normal seeds sown at 5 to 6 cm depth. Bold seeds sown at 3 to 4 cm depth also improved economics of nursery raising over normal seeds sown at 5-6 cm depth.

Luisia trichorhiza (Hook.) Bl. and Oberonia mucronata (D.Don) Ormer. & Seidenf. were collected from the forests of East Godavari and Vishakhapatnam Districts of Andhra Pradesh. Liparis elliptica Wight, Pomatocalpa spicata Breda and Ascocentrum curvifolium (Lindl.) Schltr., collected earlier from the above area and deposited in various herbaria were located. The above five species of orchids have been described in the paper.

The Nubra valley of Ladakh (Jammu and Kashmir) is situated to the North of Leh and constitutes a part of the Indian cold desert of trans-Himalaya. The life forms of the flora of Nubra valley (including Pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms) belonging to 65 families, 257 genera and 439 species have been studied and the biological spectrum has been compared with that of Raunkiaer’s normal spectrum. The thero-hemicryptophytic phytoclimate of the area is characteristic of cold alpine zones.

Survey of Seagrasses of Chilika Lagoon revealed two interesting angiosperms, Halodule pinifolia (Miki) Hartog and Halodule uninervis (Forsk.) Asch. of the family Cymodoceaceae and are reported for the first time from Orissa State.

The study was conducted at Regional Research Station, Balsamand of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (Haryana). The experimental area has an arid climate with annual rainfall of 220 mm. The soil has been classified as mixed hyperthermic typic torripsament of Balsamand series. About one year old seedlings of Azadirachta indica, Ailanthus excelsa, Albizia lebbeck and Prosopis cineraria were planted in 0.6 m deep pits with 0.6 m diameter. The pits were filled with mixture of soil, FYM and silt in proportion of 2:1:1, respectively. After transplantation, fourteen supplementary basin irrigation (10 lt water/plant) were given at varying intervals for establishing the tree seedlings for a total period of one and half years. After ten years of transplantation Mahaneem (Ailanthus excelsa) exhibited maximum height (10.4 m) and girth at breast height (106.6 cm) as compared to other tree species. The soil physical as well as chemical properties were also considerably improved under Ailanthus excelsa plantation. Thus, Mahaneem tree can be effectively used in large-scale afforestation programmes in arid regions.

Psychotria beddomei Deb & Gangp. (Rubiaceae) is a rare and strict endemic species of Tirunelveli Hills (Southern Western Ghats), Tamil Nadu, India. It was relocated in other than type locality from Papanasam and Courtallum Hills.

Data on 42 seed sources of Pinus roxburghii were recorded for different characters. Genotypic and phenotypic correlation coefficients between different pairs of characters were worked out which became insufficient to explain relationship among characters. Therefore, direct and indirect causes of association were identified with the help of path coefficient analysis which revealed that 100-seed weight (0.507), needle length (0.456), seedling height (0.422), and collar diameter (0.140) contributed directly to shoot dry weight thereby, indicating that these characters may be considered as effective traits for selection, for increasing the ultimate yield i.e shoot dry weight.

Quadrats of one square meter were sampled across the five communities of Golatappar swamp in winter and summer seasons. The data was analyzed by Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA). Ordination of the species and communities produced arrangements reflecting a gradient of soil moisture. The gradient successfully separated the wet areas from the marshy and dry and showed a physiognomic gradient association with physical soil properties.

Eleven species of termites belonging to two families (Rhinotermitidae and Termitidae) and six genera (Coptotermes, Speculitermes, Eremotermes, Microcerotermes, Odontotermes and Microtermes) are reported here from Delhi. Seven termite species Speculitermes Cyclops Wasmann; Odototermes assumuthi Holmgren; O. brunneus (Hagen); O. gurdaspurensis Holmgren & Holmgren; O. obesus (Rambur); Mictotermes obesi Holmgren and M. unicolar Snyder are reported first time from Delhi.

Bactrospora lamprospora (Opegraphaceae) and Monoblastia pellucida (Monobalstiaceae) are described as new records for Indian lichen flora.

Lejeunea eifrigii Mizut., earlier known from China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea and Philippines, has been described and illustrated for the first time in Indian bryoflora from Rate Chhu in East Sikkim.

The present paper deals with 198 taxa of Pteridophytes from Dehra Dun District of Uttarakhand. Location, general vegetation, brief ecological classification along with distributional list of these plants in different valleys of Dehra Dun is provided in table form. The information provided herewith is based on the authors own observation, coupled with the fragmented earlier published literature and specimens housed in different herbaria i.e. BSD, DD, CAL, LWG, etc. List of threatened taxa along with the uses of pteridophytic vegetation in the area is also provided.

The present study examines the effect of different environmental conditions on seed germination, growth and survival of the seedlings and identifies the best propagation condition for mass multiplication of Withania somnifera Dunal. The seed germination in laboratory condition was significantly (P<0.05) higher (83%) as compared to that in polyhouse (31.11%) and open beds (24.44%); however, no germination was found in wasteland. The overall performance of the species was best under polyhouse condition compared to open nursery beds. The plant height was strongly and positively correlated (P<0.01) with all the morphological traits excluding number of branches and number of primary roots, as an indicator of healthy seedlings of this species. Considering high medicinal and commercial values as well as natural availability of this species in sub-tropical region of Kullu valley, Himachal Pradesh, promotion of this species in cultivation has been suggested.

The paper deals with 4 species of Lichens viz. Fissurina egena (Nyl.) Nyl., Graphis bulacana Vain., G. dendrogramma Nyl., Myriotrema minutum (Hale) Hale and Phaeographis epruinosa (Redinger) Staiger recorded for the first time from India.

Juncus benghalensis Kunth var. kyongnoslae G.M. Chhetri, T.M.  Hynniewta & A.A. Ansari var. nov. is described from Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary in East District of Sikkim.

The systematic identification of seventy six taxa of Russulaceae occurring in Kumaon Himalaya is followed by establishment of their relation with habitat. Also analyzed are the threats in general and measures for their conservation.

Strobilanthes callosus Nees is endemic to India and flowers once in its life cycle. In Peninsular India, it is reported in bloom after 7 years. During a botanical tour to Anshi National Park, Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary and Kudremukh National Park, the authors reported this species in bloom in Pune, Satara, Kolhapur (Maharashtra), Belgaum, Dharwad, Koppal, Udupi, Mangalore, Shimoga, Davanagere, Uttara Kannada and Haveri Districts (Karnataka). From Koppal, Udupi, Mangalore, Davanagere and Haveri Districts of Karnataka, this species hitherto not reported. A complete citation, short description and notes are given. This documentation is essential to ascertain periodicity in blooming for various species of Strobilanthes.