The present investigation deals with the study of dominant habitats of Rhododendron arboreum ssp. nilagiricum which is an endemic and a key species in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The edaphic conditions of each habitat under investigation are quite conducive to proper growth and development of the species and ecologically balanced at present. It is further elucidated that Mukurty reserve forest has been the ideal habitat where this taxon shows its optimum growth and development. The habitat is characterised by montane climate and free flowing water sources along with clay-loam soil texture. The soils are slightly to moderately acidic in reaction (pH 4.6-5.5); quite rich in energy materials (carbon 2.95%-4.65%); available nitrogen (0.086%-0.386%); phosphorus (0.002%-0.006%) and excellent in water holding capacity (76.2%0-116.4%); porosity (43.5%-59.6%) and cation exchange capacity (15.8 m.e.%-32.4 m.e.%). Waters are alkaline in reaction but completely free of alkali hazards. The chemistry of soils and water appears to be complementary to each other.

Identification and propagation of quality planting material is required for optimum production of biomass and carbon storage. Very little work has been done on biomass production and carbon storage in improved stock of Dendrocalamus strictus. Present paper is an attempt to fill the gap on the basis of study in dry deciduous forest region. Three replicates of twelve distinct superior clumps growing in an ex-situ conservation plot were studied. The plantation was raised by rhizome propagation method in dry deciduous forest region and maintained by adopting normal silvicultural operations for the species. Commercial suitability of different origin stock indicated that natural source was better for paper pulp and rayon while plantation origin was more suited to housing and furniture construction purposes. For biomass estimation harvest technique and green dry weight ratio method were adopted. Total biomass at three years age ranged between 182.7 - 207.4 t ha-1. Above ground and below ground biomass production was 74% and 26%, respectively. Total carbon storage was to the tune of 91.35 - 103.70 t ha-1. This was comparable to other studies. Both biomass and carbon storage were higher in natural source stock than in the plantation. This species was found better than some hardwoods of tropical and temperate regions with regard to carbon storage. Regression equations were also developed for carbon estimation on the basis of diameter and height measurement. Some of the equations were highly significant.

Effect of water, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and gibberellic acid (GA3) was studied on germination of Terminalia bellirica seed and subsequent growth of seedlings. The maximum germination percentage and germination energy was found in water treatment (control) for 72 hrs. The growth parameters (height, collar diameter and number of leaves) and dry weight of plant parts (shoot, root and leaves) revealed the effect of various treatments and found that impact of different treatments did not persist beyond three months. Though root and shoot parameters indicated the superiority of 1% H2O2 treatment in the beginning, effect was overtaken by the ubiquitous H2O treatment in almost all aspects.

The present study was undertaken to ascertain the regeneration potential and pod/seed maturation time in Bauhinia retusa. The pods of the species were collected from two locations. The change in pod colour from green to dark red and the seed colour from green to whitish brown is a useful indicator of maturity. Other indicators of maturity appear to be change in pod size, seed size and moisture content of seeds. When mean pod size ranged between 72.17± 0.45 and 75.05±0.25 and seed size between 3.5 ± 0.19 and 3.70 ±0.22 maximum germination occurred. The seed moisture content was 41.48 ±3.03% at Site-1 and 40.65 ± 1.05% at Site-2, which coincided with maximum germination.

Women constitute about half of the total population of Bangladesh. Rural women live in poverty deprivation and that they are discriminated at every stage of life. The participation of women in the development process contributes significantly in the balanced socio- economic growth and development of the country. The present status, activities and constraints of women in Social Forestry activities and their empowerment through Social Forestry programs are identified. Social Forestry activities have developed confidence in women, developed awareness of their potentialities and they have developed sense of respect in them. Woman actively participates in income generation activities such as Social Forestry, then she can play an important role in the family affairs. The raising empowerment of women in the family means the development for their family, development of a rural family, ultimately the development of the society, as a whole, the greater development of the nation. In order to have some understanding about the actual situation of working women and their empowerment through Social Forestry program, a case study has been presented here which may illuminate certain issues of profound interest and may provoke further investigations in relevant fields.

Reinwardtia indica Dumort. (Linaceae), a distylous subshrub and species of ethnobotanical and horticultural interest, is reported as a new addition to the flora of Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh, India.

The present study was carried out to determine the optimum time of insertion of Populus deltoides cuttings in nursery. Among the various planting dates tried, cuttings inserted during first fortnight of January and first fortnight of February produced plants of maximum mean height and basal diameter, respectively. Minimum plant height and diameter was recorded when cuttings were inserted during first fortnight of March. The results of present study suggested that poplar cuttings should be planted in nursery during first fortnight of February.

Aqueous leachates of Morus alba and Toona ciliata leaves were evaluated for allelopathic effects on germination and growth of five field crops, viz. Chickpea (Cicer arietinum), Wheat (Triticum aestivum), Maize (Zea mays), Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and Soybean (Glycine max). The test crops were treated with 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5% leachates of tree leaves. Germination of all the test crops were reduced as compared to control at all the leachates concentration of Morus and Toona. Radicle and plumule length of Chickpea exhibited promotory behaviour when supplied with aqueous extract of Morus at concentrations ranging from 2-4%. Soybean also showed increased growth at 1% concentration of Morus leachates. Rest of the test crops, however exhibited reduction in its radicle and plumule length when supplied with Morus leachates at all the concentrations. Toona leachates on the other hand suppressed the radicle and plumule length of all the test crops at all the concentrations.

Extensive surveys of Mirzapur and Sonbhadra Districts were carried out to record information and collect specimens of the plant species being used for therapeutical purposes by the tribal/rural people of the areas. It was observed that as many as 117 plant species growing in the forests of Vindhyan region are in use today as medicines and are significantly effective in various ailments including arthritis, diabetes, asthma, bronchitis, impotency, leucorrhoea, jaundice, gonorrhoea, gout, scorpion stings, snake bites, etc. The local names, parts being used, mode of extraction/application/ingestion and the places of occurrence were recorded with the help of village headmen (Gurus) and the local people while botanical names along with their proper identifications were carried out by taking help and guidance of the experts at Botanical Survey of India, Central Circle, Allahabad.

Studies conducted on Ardu (Ailanthus excelsa) based agrisilvi system of Agroforestry during 1999-00 to 2001-02 have indicated beneficial effect of Ardu on environment and soil health. The raising of arable leguminous crops, viz. Cowpea, Clusterbean and Greengram as sole and as intercrops in between tree (528 trees/ha) rows indicated reduction in production under agrisilvi system as compared to sole, though, there was an improvement in soil fertility status under Ardu based Agroforestry system. The reduction in production due to competition between arable crops and woody component, i.e., Ardu is compensated by tree products and timber at completion of rotation cycle, besides improving soil fertility.

Vaccinium lamellatum P. F. Stevens has been rediscovered from the type locality after a lapse of 55 years. The species is recorded for the first time from Nagaland. A detailed description, with illustration of the species is provided.

A laboratory experiment was conducted to observe the effect of Populus deltoides M. leaf leachate on germination and seedling growth of Radish, French bean, and Mustard. The germination was found to be decreasing with increase in leachate concentration of all the test crops. Invariably there was a decrease in shoot length, root length and vigour index with increasing leachate concentration of Radish and Mustard, however, the root length and number of secondary roots were observed maximum at 20% leaf leachate concentration in case of Radish and 10% in case of Mustard. The shoot length of French bean was recorded maximum at 30% leaf leachate, whereas root length and vigour index were maximum at 10%, number of secondary root was maximum at 50% leaf leachate concentration.

Population of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in soil in terms of spore was assessed for two land use patterns, a 5-year fallow (5YrF) of shifting cultivation and a homestead (HTD) area of Karbi-Anglong District, Assam. The infective AMF propagules were also determined by Most Probable Number (MPN) pot culture technique growing Maize and compared with a Natural Forest (NF) of about 250 years old. Spore number was lowest in HTD soil with three species of Glomus, 5YrF soil found to contain 6 species belonging to the genera Acaulospora, Gigaspora and Glomus and the NF soil contained 4 species of genera Glomus and Gigaspora. Infective AMF propagules as found in the pot experiment were lowest at HTD site soil, whereas the same were highest in NF soil. Significantly higher shoot biomass was observed at 10-4 dilution of AMF inoculum collected from all the sites.  Reduction in root length colonization in Maize was observed at higher dilutions in the pot with inoculum from HTD site.

A study was conducted to work out the effects of leguminous crops with Mulberry in Doon valley under irrigated conditions. The work was conducted for three consecutive years (2001-2003) in S-146 variety of Mulberry plantation. The leguminous crops (Moong and Lentil) were sown in the space available in between the Mulberry rows. The data on returns from intercrops and silk worm rearing on the leaves were collected and compiled. It revealed that from one hectare Mulberry plantation with intercropping Rs. 77251.34 can be earned. However, the total returns from one hectare plantation without intercropping and from sole intercropping were recorded as Rs. 48933.00 and Rs. 49533.00 respectively. The varieties of Moong and Lentil sown were Pant. Moong-2 and D.P.L. -62 respectively. By this study it can be concluded that it is profitable to grow short duration leguminous crops in the space available in between the rows of Mulberry fetching thereby an additional income. The experimental plot was having slightly acidic soil (pH 6.8). The available N, P, K in upper layers were recorded as 440 kg, 38 kg, and 448 kg/ha respectively.

Studies were conducted with four varieties of Mango and Wheat crop sown in their inter spaces from 1990-91 to 1995-96. The grain and straw yield of Wheat was recorded from the first, third and fifth rows from the tree component. Among the growth characters in Mango on an average, variety Langra gave the highest values followed by Mallika, and Deshari. Lowest growth characters were found in variety Amrapalli. The results revealed that on an average, highest grain and straw yield was recorded with variety Amrapalli and lowest with variety Mallika. On an average, maximum Wheat yield was registered from the fifth row followed by third and minimum in the first row from the tree component.

Arachniodes amabilis (Bl.) Tindale, is a geographically restricted plant species known only from Western Ghats of South India. We examined genetic diversity in seven individuals of the plant species through isozymic analysis. Isozymes are powerful tool for determining genetic variability within and between the populations of plant species. The endangered Arachniodes amabilis was monomorphic for the all twelve loci scored. This study emphasizes the potential use of data on population structure for managing and monitoring rare species.

Data arising from repeated measurements of experimental units occur in many occasions in forestry and related fields. Very often such data are analysed without considering their several peculiarities, like correlation between successive measurements and heterogeneity of variances, which may lead to erroneous conclusions. The present study was undertaken with the objective of identifying appropriate methods of analysis of data from long term trials characterised by repeated measurements on experimental units. In this study, three different methods of analysing repeated measures, viz., two way analysis of variance, univariate mixed model analysis of variance and multivariate analysis of variance methods were compared using data collected from a study on several soil properties observed from multiple core samples from 0-15, 15-50 and 50-100 cm layers under six different types of vegetation and another study on annual yield of latex from rubber trees in three years and the appropriate methods of analysis to be followed in respective cases were identified. The study revealed that multivariate analysis of variance is the most appropriate method of analysis for majority of the soil properties as well as for annual yield of latex from rubber trees.

One hundred and twenty, one-parent families of naturally distributed Gamboge trees (Garcinia gummi-gutta L.) of Central Kerala were studied for their genetic divergence.  D2 estimates based on 15 fruit characters were used for obtaining the clustering pattern and their inter and intra-cluster distances.  It was found out that regional diversity (geographic diversity) was not related with genetic diversity.  Genotypes hailing from Pathanamthitta and Alapuzha Districts exhibited wide range of diversity.  Hydroxy citric acid content contributed maximum towards genetic diversity.

The techniques like Geographic Information System (GIS), satellite mapping and vegetation analysis are predominantly used by botanists to identify the locality and target the seed collections. Herbarium resources contribute indispensable information for identifying seed collecting localities and must be treated as an important tool in biological research leading to the conservation of plant diversity. The present paper briefly outlines the importance of herbarium resource in botanical research. Of the many uses of herbarium resources, the author has discussed using herbarium as a resource for targeting seed collections.

The family Araceae exhibits high degree of endemism in India. Fifty seven species and eight varieties belonging to 13 genera are endemic to India representing 36% of the total 180. Present study is mostly based on the Indian materials in herbaria. A list of species endemic to various regions in India is included.

Toxocarpus kleinii Wight & Arn. (Asclepiadaceae) is described as a new record for Andamans from Little Andaman Island, India. Brief description along with citation and illustrations are provided for easy identification.

One year old seedlings of Dalbergia sissoo were given 27 combinations of NPK fertilizers in 4 split doses. The stock plants were coppiced at 10 cm height. The juvenile shoots produced after 8 weeks of coppicing were exploited for rooting. Six to seven cm long softwood single nodal cuttings were prepared and divided into two groups. One group was given auxin treatment of IBA 2000 ppm solution (Quick dip method) and the other was kept as control. The influence of stock plant fertilization and auxin on rooting and sprouting of juvenile cuttings was studied. The fertilized cuttings responded better in rooting, sprouting and other allied parameters as compared to unfertilized cuttings although inconsistencies were observed for different treatments. The maximum rooting and sprouting (100%) was obtained in F7 (N0P200K0) and F11 (N100P0K100) combinations against 93% rooting observed in control. The synergistic effect of fertilization and IBA treatment was clearly discernible for most of the treatments. The statistical analysis for various fertilizer treatments revealed significant differences (P<0.05) with respect to all parameters of rooting and sprouting. Significant variation between auxin and non-auxin treated cuttings was achieved with respect to root number only. The interaction between fertilization and auxin was also statistically significant with respect to root, sprout number and shoot length while it was insignificant for other parameters.

Protein banding profile is widely used for characterizing the Poplar clones. Leaf protein profiling on ten prominent clones revealed the distinct banding pattern in each clone. All ten clones were grouped into four clusters with varied intensity of bands.

Oil-bodies in 12 species of foliose Indian liverworts have been studied. The identical results obtained in three species, viz. Heteroscyphus argutus (Reinw. & al.) Schiffn., Heteroscyphus bescherellei (Steph.) S. Hatt. and Lejeunea flava (Sw.) Nees, investigated earlier also in Indian bryology, confirms the taxonomic significance of these special intra-cellular structures.