There is an urgent need to start protecting remaining biodiversity for the survival of humanity. Anthropogenic pressures and global climate change are pushing several species towards extinction. To protect any species it is essential to have detailed information of the geographical distributions and population trends. Here we describe how key areas for conservation of medicinal plants of Sikkim were identified using systematic data collection technique and development of a simple data management module.

Juvenile leaves of twenty-five clones of Eucalyptus camaldulensis, E. tereticornis and their hybrids were analysed for morphologically distinct, uniform and stable quantitative descriptors using an Image analyser and discriminated for the purpose of Individual clonal identity using multivariate analysis such as Canonical Discriminant analysis, Principal Component analysis and Cluster analysis.

The paper deals with 41 plant species under 36 genera utilized for herbal recipes preparation by the Bhil tribe traditionally in the treatment of various ailments. The local names, the method of preparation of drug and mode of uses of the plants are mentioned.

The paper deals with 24 species of plants used for curing hair problems by the tribes of Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of pre-sowing treatments on germination of Abies spectabilis commonly called as “Talispatra” - an important high level conifer of Western Himalayan region. The seeds of Abies spectabilis collected from Kalabagh near Churdhar area of Shimla district (H.P.) were given different pre-sowing treatments of cold moist stratification in sand for 1 to 4 weeks and control (untreated seeds)  to study their effect on germination behaviour and seedling vigour index. Significant differences were observed in germination per cent and seedling vigour index of seeds subjected to different pre-sowing treatments. The maximum germination per cent (42.00%) was recorded in seeds treated with cold moist stratification treatment in sand for 1 week followed by 36.00 per cent germination recorded for control (untreated seeds). The minimum germination per cent (19.50%) was recorded in seeds treated with cold moist stratification treatment in sand for 4 weeks. The findings of the present investigation revealed that Abies spectabilis seeds do not possess any dormancy and the poor germination is primarily due to presence of large number of empty seeds.

Vegetative propagation through air-layering was successfully done in Salacia macrosperma, a threatened medicinal plant of the Western Ghats to facilitate quick genetic gains by clonal multiplication as well as for mass multiplication.

The paper deals with 33 species of plants used by the Bagata tribe of Andhra Pradesh for curing dental ailments. 11 new or less known practices have been reported.

Elaeocarpus sphaericus (Gaertn.) K. Schum. (Rudraksh) has lot of therapeutic and medicinal properties. Poor seed availability coupled with low viability calls for development of alternative techniques to fulfil commercial demands. Ontogeny plays an important role in adventitious rooting of this species as mature trees do not respond to rooting. However, cuttings from rejuvenated trees after auxin treatment showed ample rooting and survival response. Among various treatments, treatment of IBA 4000ppm maintained superiority with 80% rooting in juvenile single nodal cuttings of Rudraksh.

The fever and headache are the most common diseases in human beings, and still, they are the cause of a large number of human deaths around the world. Historically, these diseases have been treated by using plant species. The present study, therefore, attempts to document plant use for treatment of fever and headache in the Uttarakhand state of India.

Calamus travancoricus Bedd. ex Becc. is a dioecious rattan species of commercial importance used in the furniture and handicraft industry. In order to develop genetic improvement and restoration programmes, it is essential to identify sex at seedling stage. In the present study, we have identified molecular markers linked to sex determination using RAPD markers. Of the twenty random primers standardised, the primer OPAU 02 yielded a unique amplicon specific to female genotypes. It is feasible to identify sex at the early stages of plant life, which is beneficial for improving further breeding programs in C. travancoricus.

Traditional health care system is practiced by indigenous tribal community inhabiting Eastern Ghats of Visakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh. Diarrhoea and Dysentery are prevalent causing morbidity and mortality. This study documented 62 medicinal plants used locally for the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery. The traditional healers provide safe and low cost remedies accumulated, enriched and passed on through generations without any written documentation.

During the investigation on diseases of important tree species we came across the disease caused by phytoplasma with symptoms of typical witches’ broom phenotype in economically important bamboo species in south India. Severe incidence of this disease to the extent of 15% was observed in economically important bamboos like Bambusa bambos (L.) Voss at Marayoor (Kerala) and in Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb.) Nees, D. stocksii (Munro.) and D. asper (Schult.) Backer in Nallal (Karnataka). The diseased culms showed bending due to weight and in many cases it showed burnt appearance and different states of dyeing. Further it attracts the infestations of termites and the extent of drying may stimulate catching of fire. As this disease was found spreading on economically important bamboos of south India, early diagnostic accreditation of the disease along with management of insect vectors will help to reduce their exposure to witches’ broom disease.

An experiment was conducted to explore the effect of green manure, biofertilizer and inorganic fertilizer on crop productivity and nutrient status in degraded jhum soil. The treatments were made by incorporation of leafy green manure viz., Sesbania bispinosa, Crotalaria pallida, Dalbergia sissoo and Albizia procera, Rhizobium biofertilizer and standard doses of inorganic fertilizer were applied in the plot. Highest amount of crop yield and yield attributes were found in inorganic fertilizer treatment followed by biofertilizer and green manure applied plot at the initial year. Although in successive year green manure (2364.6 kg/h) and biofertilizer (2357.3 kg/h) treatment gave more yield as compared to inorganic fertilizer (1936.5 kg/h) which may be due to input of crop residue. Nutrient uptake of crop was significantly more in green manure and biofertilizer plot compared to inorganic fertilizer applied plot during consecutive year. Soil organic carbon and NPK content was remarkably more in inorganic fertilizer applied plot at the initial year, but in successive year nutrient content was relatively more in biofertilizer followed by green manure and least in inorganic fertilizer applied plot. Observation concludes that application of green manure and biofertilizer in degraded jhum land ensure steady supply of nutrient through decomposition of leafy foliage, improve soil microbe's interaction and thus recuperate soil health that ultimately leads to enhanced crop productivity.