In the present study, carbon stocks of linear structures of trees outside forest in Anantapuramu district was estimated through sampling of 344 (0.1 ha) plots. A total of 4229 tree individuals belonging to 66 angiosperm species were enumerated in the sampled plots. The mean tree density is 122.8per ha; mean diameter at breast height 4.04 m; mean basal area 15.43 m² ha^-1.Mean volume of trees with >10 cm diameter is 15.50 m³ ha^-1; mean total tree biomass is 120.81 tons ha^-1.The mean carbon stock is 57.385 tons ha^-1 and extrapolated biomass and carbon content for linear structures are 0.176 Mt and 0.083 Mt respectively. The carbon sequestration potential of trees outside forests of Anantapuramu district is estimated at 0.304 Mt.

Studied on the effect of adult tree density and the proximity to the natural forest on restoration success in one of the most exploited tropical deciduous forests, Attappady, Western Ghats. Random quadrats were laid and surveyed for trees and saplings in remnant tropical deciduous forest patches (hereafter called as fragmented forest and the  sites being restored here after called as restoration patches) to determine floristic composition, species turnover among sites and the influence of adult tree density on sapling density. Forests composed of deciduous and evergreen trees with an average species richness of 28 and alpha diversity of 2.671 in a 0.2 ha plot. Similarity of restoration patches with natural forest increased as distance between them decreased and regeneration of native species were more efficient in sites with more number of adult trees. Local (adult tree density) and landscape level (isolation of patches) factors are both important in determining the restoration success of deciduous forests of Attappady.

Morphological evaluation in Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) was carried out among nine major gene pool areas and three growing conditions, within each major gene pool area of Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh. The performance of most morphological traits showed significant variations among different major gene pool areas as well as within different growing conditions. GPA-4 (Schilling) was superior than other major gene pool areas for plant and leaf morphological traits and GPA-3(Sheigo) for fruits parameters among different major gene pool areas. Over all, GC-3 (crop land) was found superior for all morphological traits among different growing conditions and in different major gene pool areas. It emerged from the present study that a large variability exists in the population of Hippophae rhamnoides growing under different growing conditions among different major gene pool areas in Spiti valley of Himachal Pradesh, particularly for morphological traits, which can be harnessed for improved genetic gain. The variability of different characters could be utilized for selection of genotypes suitable for the plantation and utilization in making different non wood forest products and also for utilizing ecological and economical gains in cold desert of Himachal Pradesh.

Experiments were conducted to develop a high seed yielding Pongamia pinnata clone through cleft grafting and to estimate the grafting compatibility, survival and growth attributes of grafted plant over a period of seven weeks besides assessing the survival percentage, plant height (cm), number of leaves in the grafted clones in comparison with check under rain fed field conditions. The results in the nursery stage exhibited good graft compatibility, higher survival percentage (93.0 per cent) and more number of sprouts (26.6) in grafted plants. Biometric observations recorded in the field at 4 MAP (Months After Planting) revealed that the initial height growth and the number of leaves in the grafted plants (61.9cm; 285.6) was more than the check (42.9cm; 121.4) while at 12 MAP, survival percentage and 4 years and 6 months after planting survival percentage, height, basal diameter, dbh, number of primary branches and percentage of flowering tree was more in the check under rain fed ecosystem.

The present investigation was conducted in village Goshal, located in Lahaul and Spiti cold desert district of Himachal Pradesh, India during 2010 to 2013, to assess economic gains from traditional and present day cash cropping and sustainable harnessing of the limited natural resources and their intricate utilization. We found that the major part of the energy and biomass recycle with in the system through traditional cropping (Barley). We calculated the Input output ratio which for Barley  comes out to be 1:1.29, however in case of cash crops (Pea and Potato) the input: output ratio was quite high, for Potato the ratio comes out to be 1:3.47 and for Pea ratio was 1: 2.43 (if labour and FYM cost is added), thus higher than Barley. This is the basic reason for shifting of the farming community from traditional crops to the plantation of cash crops. Thus the present study was undertaken to generate a strong database, not only for estimating the present status of various natural resources but this would also be of great help for researchers working in such harsh areas in other parts of the world, planners and decision makers for drawing interlinked sustainable developmental plans for the area for better socioeconomic status and restricting further desertification.

In this study, Partisol 2300 speciation sampler and ICP-OES were used for determining the mass and elemental composition of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) during Holi festival week 13^th March 2014 to 20^th March 2014 at Dehradun, India. Chemical analysis for 15 elements (Fe, Ni, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, As, Pb, Na, K, Al, Mg, Sb and Ca) were carried out with the collected samples (n=8). The order of concentration of chemical species during holi festival days were K>Fe>Na>Mn>Mg>Cr>Zn>Ca>Al>Cu>As>Pb>Ni>Sb>Cd. Aethalometer was used for determining the Black Carbon (BC) concentration and percentage of black carbon contributed by the biomass burning (BB). The average mass concentration of PM_2.5 and BC during holi festival week (pre-Holi (3 days), holi(holi festival days) (2 days) and post-holi (3 days)) period was found to be 41.58, 68.61, 42.96 µg/m3 and 4.97 ± 1.89, 7.61 ± 2.37, 3.20 ± 2.46 µg/m3 respectively. The percentage of BC contributed by BB during pre-Holi, Holi and post-Holi period was 15.05 %, 18.20 % and 17.24 %. On analyzing the concentration of PM_2.5, BC, surface ozone (O₃), oxides of nitrogen (NO_x) during the sampling period, substantial increase in concentration was observed during Holi from pre-Holi period.  

Variation among different traits along with their  correlation were studied in twenty seven clones of Morus alba . The significant differences were found among clones with respect to various morphometric traits.  Moderate phenotypic coefficient of variation  (PCV), genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), heritability and genetic gain were recorded for green leaf yield, ramet height, leaf length, leaf width and basal diameter indicating that these characters can be more reliable for effective selection in future.  Ramet height showed positive and significant correlation with basal diameter (0.5287),  leaf length (0.4671), number of branches (0.6043), and green leaf yield (0.6893). Basal diameter, leaf length and leaf width also exhibited positive and significant correlation with green leaf yield i.e. 0.4705,  0.5714, 0.4813, respectively.  Hence, these correlations can be useful in the indirect selection of  the species.

Altogether about 920 species of insects recorded from Eucalyptus worldwide, about six species are gall insects. Of these, Leptocybe invasa, is a major nursery pest of Eucalyptus, exclusively responsible for gall formation in seedlings and saplings, including coppice shoots. The insect has threatened Eucalyptus propagation in nursery stage. The present paper has reviewed succinctly the insect pests of Eucalyptus with special emphasis on gall insect, Leptocybe invasa Fisher & LaSalle (Hymenoptera : Eulophidae), its seasonal occurrence, nature of damage, host plants and description of gall insect, developmental stages of gall, natural enemies and management. The paper has highlighted the need for long term strategies to combat against this severe pest to prevent its spread.

A new species of Lejeunea Lib., Lejeunea liromobana sp. nov., is described from West Siang district in Arunachal Pradesh, Eastern Himalaya, India. The species is characterized by large first tooth of leaf lobule, (1–) 2–3 cells long, (1–) 2–3 cells wide at base, 1–2 cells uniseriate at apex, prominent second tooth forming a hump, occasionally unicellular; small underleaves with dentate margins; keel of male bracts not winged; perianth beak 2–3 (–4) cells long, 4–5 cells wide at base, cells elongated, arranged spirally.

The paper deals with the discovery of a new population of threatened taxa Catamixis baccharoides Thomson. The species is first time recorded from the state of Himachal Pradesh.

Diplacrum poklei (Wad.Khan) K.C. Mohan is reported for the first time from Eastern Ghats of Odisha state. Detailed description, photoplate and relevant notes are provided.  

Miliusa manickamiana (Annonaceae) sp. nov., a new species from the Tirunelveli Hills in Tamil Nadu, at the core zone of Agasthiayamalai Biosphere Reserve, is described and illustrated.

Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC. (Asteraceae) and Acalypha malabarica Mull.-Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) are reported here as additions to the flora of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

The genus Porteresia Tateoka is recorded here for the first time from the State of Gujarat. The same is described and illustrated (Photo plate) here.

The report concerns the collection of Cyathocline manilaliana C. P. Raju & R. R. V. Raju after the type collection from Telangana. Its detailed description supported by an illustration and supplementary notes on diagnosis are provided in this article.

The endemic angiosperms of Goa state are enumerated with habit and phenology. Eight taxa are strictly endemic to Goa and remaining 349 are endemic to Western Ghats or India, but are also reported from the state.

In present communication, based on the detailed exploration, field observation and herbarium study, the Tree Ferns of Nicobar Islands are taxonomically discussed in detail. Only two endemic species, Cyathea albosetacea (Bedd.) Copel. and Cyathea nicobarica N.P. Balakr. & Dixit were known to occur in Nicobars Islands, but based on the detailed observation on type specimens and observation of live plants growing in type locality and other part of Nicobars both are found to be conspecific. Therefore, Cyathea nicobarica is merged here into Cyathea albosetacea. During present study, an additional south east asian tree fern Cyathea contaminans (Wall.) Copel. is found growing in Great Nicobar and reported here an addition to the Nicobar Island for the first time.

This paper points out that the holotypes of twelve plant names were deposited in herbaria other than those stated in the protologues.