Studies were conducted at Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (ICAR), Hyderabad during 2002-2004 to evaluate the effect of conjunctive use of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on the growth and performance of Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala), and soil properties. Plant height and diameter at breast height (DBH) of leucaena increased in all the treatments tested, the highest increment was observed with application of Vermicompost. Over a 30-months period, vermicompost recorded higher percent increment in plant height (35.7) and DBH (40.8) as compared to rest of the treatments. The soil nutrient concentration was higher in tree plots as compared with no tree plots. Tree plot recorded 137.7 and 5% higher organic carbon, N and K2O content respectively than no tree plot, and this is mainly through contribution of leaf litter. However, the P2O5 content of tree plots was only 39% of no tree plots, indicating depletion of P in these soils, which are inherently low in P. The findings of this study suggest necessity of P fertilizer application in high-density intensive short rotation agroforestry systems.

Six populations of Pinus gerardiana from the states of Himachal Pradesh representing the natural range of distribution were evaluated for genetic diversity using the RAPD markers. Fifteen random decamer primers, selected from thirty-five primers initially screened, were used to assess variation. A total of 149 amplified products were generated out of which 111 amplicons were polymorphic. All selected primers produced polymorphic amplification products, however, the extent of polymorphism varied with each primer. The value of similarity coefficient had a very narrow range from 0.53 to 0.67.  The genetic distance varied from 0.32 to 0.44 between populations. The UPGMA dendrogram revealed the clustering of six populations of P. gerardiana in two clusters. First cluster consisted of four populations i.e. Lawrang, Respa, Speelo-1 and Speelo. The second cluster consisted of two populations i.e. Ampa and Kanam having a similarity coefficient of 0.66. The populations of the P. gerardiana showed high homogeneity and a very low amount of genetic divergence as evident by the very narrow range of the similarity coefficient and genetic distance. The average percent polymorphism is also very low in this species.

The paper deals with two concentrations of growth regulators, viz GA3, IAA, IBA and NAA at 100 and 200 mgl-1, respectively and ethanol 1% and 2% and tap water as a control for 24 hours soaking for germination of Benthamidia capitata seed and subsequent growth of seedlings. The maximum germination was noticed in 200 mgl-1 IAA at par with GA3 for same concentration. The percent germination increased with the increase in concentration from 100 to 200 mgl-1 in GA3, IAA and ethanol while reverse trend was observed in IBA and NAA. In growth parameters, the maximum value for shoot and seedling length and vigor index were observed for IAA 200 mgl-1 while root length was found highest in IBA 100 mgl-1 in both the years. Significantly lowest seedling growth was recorded in control except NAA 200 mgl-1 which showed detrimental influence on root and seedling growth.

Present study was conducted in the dry Sal forest at Pandowala, situated in Ramgarh Forest Range of Rajaji National Park. The results of the study reveal that (1) demographic dispersal of species has not changed much in all the three layers viz. tree, shrub and herb, (2) Sal forest at Phandowala is experiencing significant changes in the species richness, species diversity and concentration of dominance and (3) the conversion rate of Sal seedlings to saplings is nil, which means no regeneration of Sal.

Climate change, land use change and the world’s forests are inextricably linked. Forests cover more than 4 billion hectares of the earth’s land surface area and contain huge reservoirs of carbon in their biomass and soils. Understanding the role of forests in carbon cycles and predicting whether they will be carbon sinks or sources in the future are important in the ongoing international dialogue on climate change. Long-term storage of carbon on land provides a solution, by which humans can modify the dynamics of the carbon cycle. Methods include reducing land disturbance, reforestation, afforestation, altered forest management practices, altered land-use patterns and consumption, and fossil-fuel substitution. Man-made emissions of the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, into the earth’s atmosphere continue to escalate. There is a need to improve forest management and its economic implications with respect to improving carbon sequestration.

Mass movements and landslides are important factors that have contributed to the destruction of natural mountainous forests in northern Iran. The phenomenon is compounded by road construction and other human-induced development projects. Factors mainly attributed to soil instability in such areas are topography; hydro-geology, geology, and pedology. The Chafroud forest district located in western Guilan was selected as the study area chiefly because of its high incidence of landmass movement and landslides. Areas with higher mass movement rates were selected (showing an average movement rate of 80~100 cm during the seven months of from August 2005 to March 2006) for further assessment of mass movement type and rate, as related to soil type and mechanical features. Leveling operations and soil mechanical tests including Atterberg limits pertaining to liquid, plastic, shrinkage limits, and related indices, soil grading, and texturing were carried out. Results revealed that the main movement type was landslides caused by a combination of high moisture content in a fine-grained soil texture which prevented drainage. The most amount of landslide occurred in winter that assume the winter rainfall has saturated the clay soil of the regions and eventually increased the landslide. The natural water content of the soil in the sliding region increases with the increase of soil depth. This fact indicates that water content at depth is higher than the surface water content. Hence, scattered clay layers present at deeper levels contain higher amounts of water. Since clay loses its water content slowly, high water content in deeper layers results in instability of the soil structure and, consequently, results in landslides creating a higher level of damage.

Variability studies are prerequisite for genetic upliftment   of any tree species. Genetic variability in shoot coppicing ability and rooting of juvenile shoot cuttings was studied in five clones of Dalbergia sissoo (Shisham) Roxb. belonging to five diverse geographical locations representing Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Rajasthan and Nepal. Studies were conducted in vegetative multiplication garden (VMG) of Dalbergia sissoo maintained at Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun in year 2003. Six to seven cm long softwood, single nodal cuttings were prepared and treated with IBA 2000 ppm and IBA 4000 ppm by Dry Dip Smear method. The control was treated with talcum powder only. After six weeks of planting, data were recorded on various rooting parameters. Significant variation in coppicing and rooting potentiality was observed for different clones. The survival percentage ranged from 82.3 to 100 percent with the maximum being of C14 (Haridwar). There were significant differences (P<0.001) among clones in time taken for shoot emergence, number of shoots produced and mean length of shoots. Significant variation was observed for percent rooting, percent sprouting, mean length of sprout and root amongst various clones. Maximum rooting and sprouting was observed in C86, (Rajasthan). Percent rooting, sprouting, mean number of sprouts, sprout length, mean number of roots and root length had significant increase with higher concentrations of IBA. The interactive effect of clone and IBA is significant only for sprout length, root length and number of leaflets. Thus, selection of clones with good coppicing and rooting ability can be made to produce maximum number of high-quality propagules in Dalbergia sissoo.

A study was conducted for two years (2003-2005) to find out the effect of age of ortets on performance of nursery. Cuttings of uniform length (clone PL-5) from one year old plants and from the branches of trees of 2, 3 and 4 year age were prepared. The trial was planted following randomized zblock design with four replications, only 12 cuttings were kept per plot. Data recorded on survival, height and collar diameter. The experiment was repeated during 2004-2005 with seven treatments (cuttings from 1, 3, 4, and 5 year old plants along with cuttings from last year treatments (after one year rejuvenation) and with plot size of 16 cuttings. During first year, significant treatment differences were observed for survival and collar diameter. The survival decreased from 94.17 per cent (control) to 16.67 per cent (4 yr age). The collar diameter was also the lowest in 4 year age (2.40 cm) and maximum in control (3.22 cm). Similar trend was witnessed during 2004-2005 with the highest values of survival, height and collar diameter in case of control. The progressive decrease in all parameters was observed as the age of cuttings increased (5 year). The cuttings from plants after one year rejuvenation (T5, T6 and T7) recorded relatively improved survival and growth parameters. However, these were significantly lower than those of control. This showed that cuttings from mature trees are not suitable for generating nursery stock.

Fine sand and clay mineralogy of selected horizons of forest soils representing various landforms of Maldeota, Satengal and Dhanaulti areas of Raipur and Jaunpur ranges of Mussoorie forest division of Garhwal Himalaya were investigated. Light minerals constituted more than 80 percent of total fine sand fractions and consisted of quartz, feldspar and mica in order of their abundance. Heavy minerals occurred in minute amounts and constitute 20 percent of the minerals and were dominated by opaque minerals followed by biotite, chlorite, chloritized mica, zircon, garnet, hornblende, tourmaline, rutile etc. Quartz is the dominant mineral in Maldeota and Satengal sites followed by Dhanaulti while feldspar and mica are abundant in Dhanaulti followed by Maldeota and Satengal. Among the heavy minerals opaque minerals, biotite and calcite are present in appreciable quantity in all the three sites viz. Maldeoata, Satengal and Dhanaulti. The other heavy minerals are present in small quantities at all the three sites. The clay fractions from the soils of Maldeota are characterized by illite as the dominant clay mineral associated with kaolinite, chlorite, vermiculite and quartz. The clays from Satengal contained mixture of illite as dominant mineral followed by mica, mixed layer minerals, vermiculite, chlorite and quartz. The soil clays from Dhanaulti indicates the presence of illite, muscovite, kaolinite, mixed layer minerals, chlorite and small traces of vermiculite, calcite and quartz. Differences in mineralogical make up were mostly associated with nature and composition of parent material and degree of weathering. The study, therefore, suggests that soils of the study area contained low to moderate amount of weatherable minerals indicating their podzolic nature.

Correlation among the different trees and between different sites through morphological, mineral nutrients and proximate principles were studies and worked out in Grewia laevigata Vahl in Shiwalik hills of Himiachal Pradesh falling in the districts of Solan and Sirmour. The study revealed that out of 130 correlations between morphological, mineral nutients and proximate principles, one positive and highly significant and one negative and highly significant were found. Rest of all other correlations were non-significant. Thus selection of elite tress among different populations at different locations is pre-requisite basic tool in this species for future breeding programme.

The paper deals with the assessment of calorific values of four Multipurpose Trees (MPTs) viz. Dalbergia sissoo, Gmelina arborea, Pongamia pinnata and Terminalia arjuna in combination with forage grasses under eleven year old established silvipatural system in Chhattisgarh plains during 2002-2003. The study illustrated that the combustible energy was recorded to be highest in the bole of T. arjuna (5196.23 cal kg-1) and lowest in the foliage of P. pinnata (1495.16 cal kg-1). The calorific values (k cal tree-1) of the trees accounts in order of D. sissoo (186473.8) > G. arborea (129973.25) > T. arjuna (96333.66) > P. pinnata (79355.49). Energy generated from grasses was found maximum under D. sissoo plots (29876.33 k cal m-2) and minimum under G. arborea plots (9044.89 k cal m-2).

Population and biomass availability of Picrorhiza kurrooa was assessed in Gori, Ralam and Uhl valleys of Western Himalaya using stratified random sampling. For density estimation 1x1m2 quadrats were laid and for biomass quantification, harvest technique was followed. Highest density (11.3 individuals/m2), frequency (76.11%) and biomass (68.14 g/m2) were found in Gori valley while Ralam valley had the least density, frequency and biomass. Patterns and processes of Kutki extraction by the local people have been discussed in the light of its conservation. In the process few important localities have been identified in each valley for the conservation and long-term monitoring of Kutki.

Climate change will affect on vegetation directly because of increased atmospheric CO2 concentration and greenhouse gases and indirectly through stratospheric ozone layer depletion. Increased CO2 level could increase photosynthesis and water use efficiency. However, high temperature and greenhouse gases will modify rainfall, evaporation runoff and soil moisture storage and will adversely affect growth and productivity. The increased amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation due to depletion of stratospheric ozone layer will exert its deleterious effect on growth and productivity by destruction of chlorophyll and reducing photosynthetic rate.

The present paper examines the marketing costs and price spread in marketing of lac in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Two major lac producing districts i.e. Seoni and Balaghat have been selected randomly for the present study. Regarding data collection on marketing costs, margins and constraints in lac marketing, ten of each category viz. lac growers, market functionaries and manufacturers were randomly selected and interviewed during 2005-2006. Primary data have been collected from the respondents with the help of pre-tested schedule. Tabular analysis was used for the present work. The lac grower received Rs. 66 per kg. and the lac grower’s share in consumers price was 76.92 per cent. The primary purchaser received a margin of Rs. 212 per quintal and incurred Rs. 88 per quintal on marketing cost. The total marketing cost paid by the wholesaler was Rs. 1,506 per quintal. The wholesaler’s marketing margin was Rs. 174 per quintal. Arhat charges were 3 per cent of the transacted amount. The study has revealed that there is a tremendous scope to increase the profitability of lac growers in the study area by group marketing, co-operative marketing, establishment of processing units in the lac production catchments, provision of infra structural facility for marketing, strengthening of market extension network and promotion of quality consciousness amongst farmers, traders and manufacturers of lac.

The concept of carbon sequestration emerged in eighties due to the consequences of steadily increasing level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. No systematic study has been undertaken to estimate the soil organic carbon pool in forests of Uttarakhand, by following uniform methodology for field and laboratory work. This study was conducted in three land uses viz. Forests, Plantations and Horticulture in Tehri Garhwal district. Under forests land use, SOC pool was estimated in Sal, Deodar, Quercus, Chir, Silver fir, Miscellaneous and Kail forests up to 30 cm depth. Under Horticulture land use SOC was estimated in Apple and Letchi and under plantation land use SOC was estimated in Block plantations of Eucalyptus, Chir, Teak and Thuja. Over all 413 soil samples were collected from different locations. Soil organic carbon, bulk density and coarse fragments were estimated in collected samples and SOC pool was calculated by using the equation as suggested by IPCC Good Practice Guidance for LULUCF. Maximum SOC pool (140.95 t/ha) was estimated under Deodar followed by silver fir (134.90 t/ha), Quercus 99.18 t/ha, Sal (81.62 t/ha), Chir (73.52 t/ha), Kail (67.11 t/ha), while Miscellaneous forests has the minimum SOC pool (53.88 t/ha) in Tehri Garhwal district. SOC pool was higher (81.81 t/ha) in the soils under Apple orchards as compared to Letchi orchards (49.95 t/ha). Maximum SOC pool was estimated in the soils under Thuja (54.01 t/ha) followed by Teak (39.43 t/ha), Chir (36.68 t/ha) and the least was under Eucalyptus (31.35 t/ha). On an average Tehri Garhwal’s forests have 93.02 t/ha SOC pool while orchards have 65.88 t/ha and plantations have 40.37 t/ha.

Corticium salmonicolor, fungal pathogen causing pink disease has a wide host range affecting major economically important tree species such as mango, orange, tea, coffee, eucalypts, acacias, rubber and teak. Because of its world-wide distribution, continued attention is paid towards host range, biology and genetic diversity of the pathogen. The present study was undertaken to determine the degree of genetic variation in five random isolates of C. salmonicolor. RAPD analysis was carried out using 10 selected primers; 102 RAPD loci and 50 per cent polymorphism were observed among the loci. Genetic distance coefficients between the isolates varied from 0.124 to 0.187. Mantel test did not reveal significant correlation between geographic distance of pathogen origin and genetic distance. RAPD genotype clustering was not in agreement with geographic isolation. The increased incidence of pink disease on tree crops and low genetic diversity of pathogens reveals the importance of further studies for a better understanding of genetic variability of this fungal pathogen in order to develop appropriate disease control measures.

Fifteen species of termites belonging to four families (Termopsidae, Kalotermitidae, Stylotermitidae and Termitidae) and 9 genera (Archotermopsis, Neotermes, Glypotermes, Bifiditermes, Stylotermes, Eremotermes, Microcerotermes, Angulitermes and Odontotermes) are reported here from Kumaon Hills. Four species are reported first time from Kumaon, Uttarakhand as new distributional records: Eremotermes paradoxalis Holmgren; Microcerotermes tenuignathus Holmgren; Angulitermes akhorisainesis Chatterjee and Thakur and Odontotermes wallonensis (Wasmann).

Quantitative estimations were made among the different strains of Ganoderma lucidum collected from different places as well as host varied in cellulose decomposition capability and production of glucanase. Dalbergia sisso strain is the best cellulose decomposer (16.99%) and glucanase producer (79.67µg mg-1 ml-1) as compared to other strains collected from Eucalyptus tereticornis, Acacia catechu and Azadirachta indica.

The aqueous extracts of ten angiosperms were screened for their antifungal activity against Macrophomina phaseolina. Among them Azadirachta indica was found to exhibit maximum antifungal activity, while others showed wide variation. Least mycelial inhibition was shown by Leucas aspera.

Barilius bakeri Day shows extension in the range of its distribution to streams of Karnataka, the specimens were collected from Bollae, a stream of Nethravathi river inside Khudremukh National Park.

Five species of angiosperms are being reported here for the first time from the state of Himachal Pradesh. These are Chonemorpha fragrans (Moon) Alston, Glycosmis arborea (Roxb.) DC., Ipomoea sindica Stapf, Polygala erioptera DC. and Ventilago denticulata Willd. All species were collected from Sirmaur District during recent floristic surveys.

The present finding of Selaginella repanda (Devs. ex Poir.) Spring (Selaginellaceae: Pteridophyta) is a new record is briefly described along with the voucher specimens examined has been given to facilitate the easy identification in the field.

The current study describnes a new anamoraph species Cumulospora mangrovei grown as decomposing entuarine sedge Cyperus malaccensis Lam. at the Nethravathi mangroveb near Mangalore, Karnataka.

A study was conducted to investigate the suitable organic components of eco-friendly nature in tree type of mulberry cultivation. The S-146 tree plantation, planted during 2002 were utilized for the study. Cultural operations like pruning, digging, weeding, etc. were adopted as per the recommended packages. Different combinations of input were applied and one control was also kept where no input was applied. The experiment was repeated thrice in both seasons (spring and autumn) and leaf yield was collected by randomly selecting 3 plants from each replication. It was found that in T2 treatment (application of Sericulture waste @ 10 t/ha/yr) + green manuring with Dhaincha (Sesbania aculeate) seeds inoculated with Rhizobium bacteria + FYM (10t/ha/yr) + vermicompost (05 t/ha/yr) + rock phosphate (50 kg/ha/yr) + liquid Biophos and Biopotash (500ml each/ha after mixing in 200 litre water) recorded maximum leaf yield (9.93 t/h/yr) as against 6.37 t/h/yr in control (without input). The leaf produced by application of different organics in T2 treatment was found improved total soluble protein (15.85%) and fibre (11.68%) as against 14.29 and 10.24 in control respectively. The cocoon quality also improved in treatment T2, by recording more silk ratio (SR%) 19.89, filament length (1025 m) and non-breakable filament length (1025 m) as against 18.33%, 995 m and 856 m respectively in control (T6 where no NPK was applied). This package is eco-friendly in which low external inputs involved and local resources are effectively recycled.

Out of 35 species of Plagiochasma described from Asia and Oceania 7 are validly reported from the Indian subcontinent. Six species are known from Nilgiri and Palni hills (South India). Current status of genus Plagiochasma in Nilgiri and Palni hills along with addition of a new species, P. udarii sp. nov., has been described. It also provides the SEM details of sporoderm architecture in species under study area.

The paper presents the occurrence of seven species of lichenized Ascomycetes: Chapsa pseudophlyctis (Nyl.) A. Frisch, Fissurina elaiocarpa (A.W. Archer) A.W. Archer, Helminthocarpon leprevostii Fée, Lithothelium illotum (Nyl.) Aptroot, Myriotrema subminutum Homchantara & Coppins, Polymeridium catapastum (Nyl.) R.C. Harris and Trypethelium ceylonicum Makhija & Patw. and one species of non-lichenized Ascomycetes: Mycomicrothelia minutula (Zahlbr.) D. Hawksw. All of these are recorded for the first time from India.

A survey of Flora of Gulbarga and Bidar Fort, Karnataka was carried out during the year May-2007 to April-2008. During this survey identified 221 species of plants belonging to 63 families, which consist of Algae 20 species, Lichens 2 species, Bryophytes 08 species, Pteridophytes 08 species, Gymnosperms 06 species, Angiosperms including Monocotyledons 27 species, 23 Genara, 04 family, and Dicotyledons 150 species, 121 Genera, 46 Families, were recorded. Three species i.e Hyptis suaveolens, Lantana camara, and parthenium hysterophorus, were   found as invasive weed species.

The present study reveals the occurrence of Aristolochia bracteolata Lam. and Ipomoea coptica (L) Roem. & Schult. from Lucknow district as new additions to the flora of Lucknow district.

The present paper deals with 27 species, which are additions to the fern flora of Pauri district of Uttarakhand state. Each species in provided with correct botanical name and the basionym (if any). Nomenclature has been made up to date.

Zeuxine affinis (Lindl.) Benth. ex Hook.f. (Orchidaceae), hitherto known from other parts of India is reported for the first time from Arunachal Pradesh. The same is described and illustrated in the present paper.

Caudalejeunea lehmanniana (Gottsche) A. Evans, earlier known from China, Africa, North and South America, has been described and illustrated for the first time in Indian bryoflora from Madhuban (Namsai) in Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh. A key to the Indian species of genus Caudalejeunea (Steph.) Schiffn. has been provided.

129 genera and 475 species of grasses have been listed from Uttarakhand on the basis of literature and specimens preserved in DD, BSD, LWG, BSA, Cal besides Herbaria of D.A.V. College, Dehra Dun, GUH, Srinagar, Garhwal, KUH, Nainital, GBPHRI, Almora, CDRI and CIMAP, Lucknow.

Fifty one taxa of liverworts, belonging to 20 genera and 13 families, have been recorded from Eastern Himalaya, India. Of these, Herbertus armitanus (Steph.) H.A. Mill., H. longispinus J.B. Jack & Steph., Lejeunea sordida (Nees) Nees, Stenolejeunea apiculata (Sande Lac.) R.M. Schust. and Riccia haskarliana Steph. are new to India, Heteroscyphus palniensis Abha Srivast. & S.C. Srivast., Frullania muscicola Steph. var. inuena (Steph.) Kamim. and Riccia stricta (Lindenb.) Perold are new to the Himalayan region, Heteroscyphus orbiculatus Abha Srivast. & S.C. Srivast. and Lopholejeunea sikkimensis Steph. var. tenuicostata Sushil K. Singh & D.K. Singh are new to the Eastern Himalayan region, 13 species and one variety are new to the State of Sikkim,14 species and one subspecies are new to Arunachal Pradesh, whereas two species have been recorded for the first time from the State of West Bengal. The rest are common between either two of the three States in the region. This also constitutes the first record of the genus Stenolejeunea R.M. Schust. in Indian bryoflora.

The distribution of Rhynchospora triflora Vahl, Schoenus nigricans L. Scleria floiosa Hochst. ex A. Pich. and Scleria reticulate (Holtt.) Kern is discussed in this commnnication.