Viola odorata Linn. (Banafsha) is an important herb for commercial cultivation in temperate as well as sub-tropical climate (preferring a shady conditions) in the Himalayas. No systematic information on nitrogen fertilizer application and planting geometry is available for this crop. Therefore, an   experiment was conducted to study the effect of the different doses of nitrogen and spacing on Viola odorata Linn. (Banafsha) in mid hill zones of Himachal Pradesh in Randomized Block Design with 3 replications.  Treatments consisted of 4 levels of nitrogen (0, 60, 90, 120 kg/ha) and 5 row spacing (10 x 10 cm, 15 x 15 cm, 20 x 20 cm, 25 x 25 cm and 30 x 30 cm), respectively. Full does of Phosphorus and Potassium (60 kg/ha each) were applied at the time of transplanting. 1000 seed weight was observed maximum for N 120 kg/ha. Maximum value of fresh weight of flower was observed at 10 x 10 cm spacing, while number of leaves per plant, pod diameter and 1000 seed weight were found highest at the spacing of 25 x 25 cm. Application of 120 kg N/ha and spacing of 25 x 25 cm produced significantly higher pedicel length, fresh weight of flowers, while 1000 seed weight was found maximum for N 90 kg/ha at a spacing of 25 x 25 cm.

Germination and growth performance of Azadirachta indica seedlings were evaluated in a range of growth media with and without bagasse fly ash as a component. The results revealed that the highest germination of 97 per cent was recorded in seeds sown in bagasse fly ash + sand + farm yard   manure  2:1:1 ratio followed by seeds sown in bagasse fly ash + red earth + farm  yard manure 2:1:1 ratio (88 per cent). The lowest was recorded in sand medium (78 per cent). Seeds sown in red earth registered highest root length (13.30 cm) and dry matter production (0.93g/5seedling). The results on seedling vigour were reflected a similar trend as for germination. From this experiment, it could be concluded that among the different media evaluated for germination test, bagasse fly ash mixed with sand or red earth along with farm yard manure 2: 1:1 ratio found to the best in terms of germination and initial seedling vigour of Azadirachta indica.

The present study was conducted to improve upon the micropropagation protocol of Rose cultivars by modification of the MS medium through variations in sucrose and agar concentrations thereby enhancing the shoot multiplication and rooting efficiency of the nodal explants. High sucrose concentrations and low agar concentrations favoured shoot mutiplication during the in vitro stages. Enhanced multiplcation and growth was observed on sub culturing the mother explants with regenerated shoots on fresh MS medium containing sucrose (3.5%, w/v) and agar (0.6%, w/v), supplemented with lower concentrations cytokinin combination of BAP and KN (2.5 mgl^-1+1.5 mgl^-1) respectively. Half strength MS medium containing sucrose (2.0%, w/v) and agar (0.3%, w/v) with NAA and BAP (2.0 mgl^-1+0.5 mgl^-1) in combination was most effective for rooting.

A study was conducted on the preservative treatment of Acacia mangium poles to determine the treatment schedule for outdoor use. The poles contained 52.27% sapwood which is generally perishable by wood destroying organisms. In this study, 27 poles were treated with aqueous solution of 10% CCB by Lowry empty cell process. Three different pressures and three time periods were applied to evaluate the depth of penetration and amount of retention of the preservative chemicals. It was observed that preservative chemicals penetrated the entire sapwood portions of the poles which are the main criteria for the protection of poles. But, on the other hand, no significant increase was observed in penetration with the simultaneous increase of pressure and time period, although the retention of the preservatives was found to increase significantly. The highest retention of 22.98 kg/m³ and full penetration of sapwood was observed after 1.04 N/mm²   pressure for three hours. It is expected that the applied pressure and time period are adequate for protecting the Acacia mangium poles from wood destroying organisms in outdoor condition.

The seedlings developed through the germination studies in Syzygium caryophyllatum (L.) Alston were showing different polymorphic leaves. 4-5% of the total saplings developed from same seed samples collected from single plant were shows distinct phenotypic leaf variabilities. Leaf shape is one of the most variable plant traits, which varies from round form to lanceolate to leanear. There are five forms of distinct variable leaves were observed in the case of S. caryophyllatum seedlings. Thus, identification of vegetative materials was difficult and often there is taxonomic confusion.

Effect of different pre-sowing treatments on germination of fourteen threatened native tree species of Bangladesh was studied to find out the appropriate pre-sowing treatments to speed up germination rate of the required and desired species. Hard coated fruits and seeds of Canarium resiniferum, Castanopsis indica, Protium serratum, Quercus acuminata and Vitex peduncularis were treated with sand paper, nicking, cold water, hot water, H₂SO₄ and HCl. Seeds of Brownlowia elata, Dichopsis polyantha, Firmiana colorata, Lophopetalum fimbriatum, Pterospermum acerifolium, Pterospermum semisagittatum, Pterygota alata and Sterculia villosa were sown in polybags, propagator house and nursery bed in normal, flat and in 45⁰ angle position. Hard fruits of Castanopsis indica sown in polybags without any treatment showed 25% germination but increased to 67% when fruits were treated with sand paper rubbing at the distal end. Seeds of Lophopetalum fimbriatum germinated only 26% when sown normally in polybags but when sown in propagator house it increased to 90%. Different species response differently with pre-sowing treatments but in general pre-sowing treatments increases the germination percent in all the species.

The Tabernaemontana divaricata and Azadirachta indica are most popular plants in India for their wide miraculous therapeutic and other economic uses. The albino mutants were observed in both the plants during May-June, 2015. The albinism was first time observed in T. divaricata.

To ascertain the floristic (angiosperms) diversity in Gorumara National Park,Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, field surveys (with GPS) were undertaken between 2008 to 2012. Study revealed the occurrence of 343 species, 3 subspecies and 4 varieties under 260 genera belonging to 90 families of angiosperms.RET & CITES plants, plants animals interactions and factors affecting management of protected area are also discussed.

Bamboo in panel form is well suited to wood substitute can be used as furniture components. During the preparation of strips by four side planer huge amount of wastage are obtained. In the present study, Planer shavings of Bhyjja, (Bambusa vulgaris) and Borak, (Bambusa balcooa) bamboo are used for manufacturing particleboard and mat overlaid particleboard. Mitinga, (Bambusa tulda) bamboo is used for making mat. Borax-boric acid (BB) treatments were given to enhance the durability of mat. The treatment were carried out using borax-boric acid (1:1) aqueous solution of different concentrations at different time schedule by soaking process.. Retention 22.11 kg/m³ to 27.41 kg/m³ were obtained when the mat were treated with 5% and 7% BB solution for 1 to 3 days. The   modulus of rupture of bamboo particle board and mat overlaid particleboard   were found 16 N/ mm²  and 25 N/ mm²respectively using planer shavings of Bambusa balcooa. The   modulus of rupture of bamboo particle board and mat overlaid particleboard   were found 18 N/ mm²  and 26.5 N/ mm²  respectively using planer shavings of Bambusa vulgaris. It was observed that the strength properties of board made form B. vulgaris higher than that of B. balcooa . Static bending /modulus of rupture of the particleboard are satisfactory. Modulus of rupture and tensile strengths of all the boards, however, satisfy the Indian and British standards. The strength properties of the mat overlaid particle board were increased due to the use of bamboo mat in the face and back position.

Aconogonum molle (D.Don) Hara var. trandosum (Meissn.) Hara collected from Nainital after a long gap.

Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora Pierre ex Froehner var. robusta) germplasm comprising of 73 collections established in the gene bank of Regional Coffee Research Station, Chundale, Wayanad, India were evaluated with respect to  15 characters including seven growth parameters and eight yield contributing characters, for three successive seasons.  The data were subjected to ANOVA to assess the significance of variations between accessions. All the seven growth parameters and eight yield contributing characters showed significant variations between the accessions. Among the growth characters, the highest coefficient of variation was observed for girth of primary branches followed by number of secondaries per primary while the lowest coefficient of variation was observed in the case of stem girth. With respect to yield contributing characters, the highest coefficient of variation was recorded for number of fruits per node followed by fruit volume. There was a wide variation for yield both within the accession and also among different accessions evaluated. Out turn (ripe to clean coffee) ranged from 18.84% to 26.06%.  Study of overall performance of genetically diverse accessions of a crop plant is the first step in selection of superior genotypes for further exploitation in breeding programmes. Based on performance index derived from growth as well as yield contributing characters, all of which were quantitative in nature, the genotypes were ranked from 1 to 71 in the order of performance. The five superior accessions selected based on overall performance were S.3399, Wt.4, S.3657, Wt.2, and Wt.6 in the order. Interestingly, the best performer was the exotic introduction from Costa Rica followed by collections from Wariat Estate of Wayanad region of India and collections from Ivory Coast. Elite plants were marked from among these five accessions for cross compatibility studies in order to establish clonal as well as seedling orchards.

Khammam district of Andhra Pradesh is mainly inhabited by different tribal communities whose main occupation is agriculture and collection of forest products. Fishing is an alternative occupation of the tribals. They use their indigenous knowledge about plants for catching fish easily. The present paper deals with 5 plant species used by the tribals for stupefying fish.