King Chilli (Capsicum chinense Jacquin) is a popular indigenous crop widely cultivated for each extra powerfull pungency, aroma and medicinal fruit value. Realizing its high demand in local as well as national and international market at on farm participatory research was undertaken to introduce King Chilli under Acacia mangium and Areca catechu for additional income. Growth and yield were positively influence by vermicompost treatment followed by farm yard manure and inorganic fertilizer respectively. King Chilli intercropped with Acacia mangium under vermicompost showed highest value of growth (106.2cm.) and yield (7.5gm) as compared to other treatment. In open condition least value was recorded as due to its shade loving nature. Nutrient content was recorded comparatively high A. mangium + King chilli plot which may be due to the nitrogen fixation by the tree. After harvesting of crop, least amount of nutrient was recorded due to the quick absorption by the plant. Above observation concluded that King Chilli showed significant production in vermicompost applied plot intercropped with Acacia mangium.

The study documents plant species used by the residents of Kugti an interior Himalayan village, through observations and interviews. Forty four plant species belonging to 32 families were being used as edible, medicine, dye, magico-religious, socio-cultural, and starter purposes. Use of Plectranthus rugosus, Wikstroemia canescens, Vincetoxicum hirundinaria and Angelica glauca are unique to the area.

Fuel is major source of domestic energy and depends upon the type of species available in the area. The tribal communities of Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve (CDBR) lead agro-pastoral lifestyle in which they heavily depend on local resources for fuel wood. The available studies indicated that comprehensive study on fuel resource is not available for the CDBR. Therefore, an attempt has been made to; (i) assess the diversity, distribution and utilization pattern of fuel resource; (ii) identify nativity and endemism of the fuel species; and (iii) suggest management options for conservation. The present study recorded 46 species of fuel representing trees (06 spp.), shrubs (37spp.) and herbs (03 spp.). Caprifoliaceae and Salicaceae (08 spp., each) were dominant families, and Lonicera (08 spp.) and Salix (07 spp.) were species rich genera. Maximum species were found in the 3000 ~ 4000 m zone. Amongst, fuel species, Caragana versicolor, Kracheninnikovia cerastoides, Lonicera spinosa and Salix spp. were the most preferred species from pastures for fuel wood. Only 22 species were native to the Himalayan region, 01 species i.e., Cotoneaster gilgitensis was endemic and 10 species were near endemic. Assessment of fuel species using ecological method (quadrat), study the extraction trends, develop conventional propagation protocols for mass multiplication  and their establishment in the in-situ and ex-situ conditions, and create awareness among the tribal communities have been suggested.

The present paper deals with ethnomedicinal knowledge of Gentiana kurroo among people of Uttarakhand. The local people were interviewed on the basis of their traditional knowledge on the various uses of this plant found in the adjoining forest areas. New approaches of research, development and conservation strategy can help preserve and utilize the indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants for humankind.

Ethno botanical studies are mostly concerned with the uses of plants for disease control, food, fodder or for any other daily uses by the habitants of the area. There have been very little preferences given in the past to document the plants used for the various ritual ceremonies involved in the human’s life from their birth to death. The present study is a way forward in this direction and documented about 34 plant species belonging to 16 families, which are associated with funeral pyre and other related ceremonies in Himachal Pradesh.  Also the information of plant species regarding their botanical name, vernacular name, family, habit, ecology, reproductive cycle and folk uses associated with funeral pyre also documented.

Eighteen species of orchids belonging to fourteen genera have been reported in this paper which were not reported earlier from Kumaun Himalaya by Pangtey et al. (1991) based on published literature. Besides two new combinations i.e. Peristylus goodyeroides (D.Don) subsp. affinis (King & Pantl.) Pangtey comb. nov. and Thunia alba (Lindl.) Rchb.f. subsp. bracteata (Roxb.) Pangtey comb. nov. are also proposed.

Floristic surveys of Upper Ganga Ramsar Site in Uttar Pradesh, revealed existence of pristine floristic constituents and a primeval ‘Gurukul’ conserved as heritage relics of India, within the precincts of Ambikeshwar sacred site. The site also served as a reservoir of rich biomass and a magnificent carbon sink, a potential study site for palaeobotanists.

The present paper highlights a brief description of Acorus calamus L. (Araceae) is provided along with its medicinal use to cure fever.

An attempt has been made to prepare a detailed account on weed flora of Madhya Pradesh. In the present paper 171 Angiospermic weed plant species belonging to 134 genera and 50 families are described. Of these, 123 species are herb, 25 shrubs and under shrub, 14 climbers, 5 grasses, 3 sedges and 1 twiner. The information has been gathered by field survey and from available literature.

Ethnoveterinary study was undertaken in the Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh for its high population of ethnic people and the livestock. There are 18 species of 17 genera and 16 families found used by ethnic people to cure veterinary diseases of their domestic animals. Habit-wise analysis showed the use of five species each of herbs, shrubs  and trees. Leaf (8) is the predominantly used plant part, followed by stem bark and seed (2 each). The species are used in curing seven ailments with 19 practices.  Cassia siamea and 11 practices were found to be new.

The paper enumerates fifty plant species used by tribal’s in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh along with parts of plant species, the formulations and doses as prevalent in cure of Leucoderma, Eczema, Sun –stroke, sun burn, Baldness, Boils, Female and Male Impotency, Heart ailments, Blood pressure, Diabetes, Intestinal worms, Snake bite, Scorpion–sting, Jaundice, Fracture and loss of appetite.

In this paper highlights a brief description of Allium cepa L. belongs to Liliaceae family is provided along with its medicinal use to cure painful joints and inflammatory swelling.