The investigation was aimed to explore the possibilities. of successful cultivation of Matricaria chamomilla as an intercrop with Poplar trees along with standardizing the doses of organic manures used. Theexperiment comprised eighteen treatments, which included four different doses, each of vermicompost and FYM @ 1 t/ha, 2t/ha, 3t/ha and 4t/ha in combination with and without Poplar trees. The observations were taken attwo distances, i.e. D₁ (up to 80 cm) and D₂ (81 to 160 cm) from the tree line. The results revealed that Matricaria chamomilla can be grown successfully under Agroforestry Systems consisting Poplar as dominant functional component. The tree presence had little suppressing effect on the growth and physiological performance of herb, even in plants growing immediately beneath tree canopy (D₁). The use of organic manures like vermicompost and FYM at appropriate doses was found beneficial for minimizing competition for critical resources Vennicompost @ 4t/ha was the most effective dose of organic manure, followed by vermicompost @ 3t/ha and FYM @ 4t/ha. On the basis of the quantum of information generated through this study, it can be concluded that the cultivation of high value cash crops like medicinal and aromatic herbs with multipurpose tree species, especially commercial timber is a profitable alternative for traditional cropping systems. It was observed that Matricaria chamomilla could successfully be cultivated as an intercrop with Poplar trees without any adverse impact on the performance and production ability of this herb, except when grown very close to the tree rows. The presence of tree species, particularly commercial timber species provide additional monetary benefits. The use of organic manures further improves the performance and production ability of intercrop by minimizing competition between functional components for critical resources. Matricaria performed better under Poplar trees than control without trees and manures. It is suggested that cultivation of Matricaria chamomilla incombination with multipurpose tree species, especially Poplar may be recommended for better economic returns from the Agroforestry Systems under rainfed conditions

The investigation was carried out on Effect of different plant growth regulators on rooting incuttings of Khair (Acacia catechu Willd.) during March-2009 to June-2009. The investigation included tentreatments in Complete Randomized Design (CRD) comprising of 113A, NAA and their combination each @ 250, 500 and 750 mg^-1 along with control. The planting media was sand, soil and vermicompost in 2:1:1 ratio. Thecuttings were planted in black polyethylene done during the spring season. The stem cuttings were of 20-25 cm length and 1-1.5 cm thickness from the uniform hardwood cuttings. The results revealed that application of Auxins @ IBA 500 mg^-1 proved the best treatment for better obtaining rooting percentage (53.52), number of main roots (3.78), length of longest root (4.27 cm), fresh and dry weight of roots (1.52 and 0.91 gm) and survival percentage (75.00) of rooted cuttings as compared to control. However, IBA 250 mg·treatment was found best for thethickness of longest root per rooted cuttings (0.21 cm).

Siapton 10 L, a plant biostimulant based on natural hydrolysed proteins, when applied in Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) plantation at the rate of 2 ml per litre of water by spraying twice per annum during June and September increased Cardamom yield significantly. Increase in the number of racemes per panicle as well as number of capsules per raceme indicated the beneficial effect of Siapton 10 L on increased flower production as well as on fruit setting. Depending up on the growth and age of the plantation, six litres of Siapton 10 L is required to spray one hectare per round of application. The cost of the chemical as well as its availability in the market will decide on its acceptance by the Cardamom farming community.

The study on Jatropha curcas was conducted in Himachal Pradesh to estimate the genetic variability for the plant morphological characters, seed traits and nursery growth parameters among the different seed sources. The characters number of fruits/tree, number of seeds/tree and oil content on seed basis had high genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance; indicating importance of these characters for selection tools. Results also revealed that Seed viability and germination energy has no significance for selection because of low genetic estimates. Nineteen characters of Jatropha curcas were classified in to four factors contributing to 89.79 % of total variation. Oil contents and seed germination can be best estimated by using quadratic model on the basis of different seed traits.

Chlorophytum tuberosum (Roxb.) Baker of the family Liliaceae is a close relative of C. borivilianum Santapau & Fernandes. Though C. tuberosum is considered to be less important than the C. zborivilianum, it contains same active principle of medicinal importance. Occurrence of the species Chlorophytum tuberosum (Roxb.) Baker in the districts of Bankura and Paschim Medinipur of West Bengal is first time reported here.

Bombyx mori silkworm exclusively feeds on Mulberry leaves. Larvae of Bombyx mori silkworm (SH₆ X NB₄D₂) were brushed on the leaves of K₂ and Goshoerami variety of Mulberry. After chawki rearing larvae were reared on 6 experimental treatments viz., T₁ (Goshoerami), T₂ (Goshoerami to S₁₄₆), T₃ (Goshoerami to S₁₆₃₅), T₄ (K₂ to Goshoerami), T₅ (K₂ to S₁₆₃₅ and Control (K₂ to S₁₄₆,). The rearing was conducted at RSRS, Sahaspur during autumn 2008 and 2009 to find out the effect of different types of diets in the form of food plants on the growth and yield of silkworms. The larval period was almost similar. The larval weight was significantly lower in only T₁. The ERR was higher in T₃ followed by T₅. The shell weight was significantly and cocoon weight and SR% was insignificantly highest in T₅. The present investigations revealed that chawki rearing on Goshoerami and later rearing on S₁₆₃₅, was insignificant different for larval period, ERR and larval weight but significantly different for Cocoon weight, shell weight and SR% with the chawki rearing on K₂, and later rearing on S₁₆₃₅. Hence, Goshoerami may be utilized for chawki rearing in Uttarakhand. However, further studies are required to ascertain efficacy of Goshoerami variety as a suitable food plant for III crop during June-July in Uttarakhand by following all the package of practices for utilization.

Twenty two Jatropha curcas L., seed sources representing the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan were evaluated to assess the genetic variability of seed and seedling traits during April to October, 2005 under statistically randomized block design with three replications to study the genetic variability of seed and seedling traits of Jatropha curcas L. The characters studied were 100 seed weight, seed length, seed width, germination percentage, germinalive energy, seedling height, seedling collar diameter, number of leaves and seedling survival percentage. Genotypic variances were higher than the environmental variances for all the characters, thereby, indicating their importance for selection. The genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation was high for seedling survival percentage, seedling height and germination percentage. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance expressed as percent mean was observed for seedling survival. germinative energy, seedling height and germination percentage. The characters namely seedling collar diameter, 100 seed weight and seed width exhibited high heritability coupled with medium genetic advance expressed as percent mean.

A taxonomic survey of the plant of Orchidaceae was made in the Dibrugarh District of Assam, India, during 2006-2010. Total 111 species under 50 genera are reported in this communication.

The present paper deals with 109 species of aquatic macrophytes of Betul district as observed during extensive survey of the district during 1996-2002.

Habenaria intermedia (Virdhii) an important medicinal orchids used in various Ayurvedic formulations such as Asthavarga, Jivinyavarga, Madhuravarga, and Chayvanprash. Presently its total supply is met out from the wild harvest as cultivation trials are in infancy stage. The species mainly grows in Himalayn moist and dry temperate forest especially in open grassland and mountain slopes. The combined effect of habitat destruction and irrational harvesting reduced natural population of these valuable herbal species. In the present study propagation protocols were developed for standardization of nursery bed layout, planting media, propagating material and germplasm storage methods of this species. Raised and ridge and furrow beds were found suitable in terms of maximum yield and biomass per tuber 102.67 gm/ m² and 5.59 gm and 96.69 gm/m² and 4.27 gm/m² respectively. Among eight types of media, maximum survival percentage (89.25%). Av. wt per tuber (7.13 gm) and total yield 159.21 gm/m² reflected in the medium, soil: FYM: sand: leaf litter (1:1:1:1) which was double than the control (nursery soil). Planting material of full tuber and half tuber resulted maximum yield 157.98 gm/ m² and 159.48 gm/ m² respectively while for the storage of germplasm by pit method and earthen pot with sand were given best result after six month of storage as 98% and 96% normal viable tubers respectively. The market potential of this species is high and thus their cultivation prospects are bright for hill farmers.

Amorphophallus commutatus is a typical of Arum Family used as ornamental plants in home gardens. Plant is annual and monoecious in nature. Generally, the inflorescence of this plant is having single spathe in single peduncle. In this paper, we report a plant having inflorescence of single peduncle with double spathe, which is a rare natural phenomenon.

This study highlights the medicinal plants used for treating cuts and wounds by Bagata tribe in Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh. This paper enumerates the traditional uses of 24 plant species belonging to 24 genera under 17 families to cure cuts and wounds. Ten new practices were also reported.

Syzigium cumini is one of the important tropical fruit yielding tree species and fruits are used in Ayurvedic medicine. Generally fruit contain only one embryo produced into single seedling, but few fruits produced double seedlings and percentage of such abnormal double seedlings was 8.70. This could be due to double embryos in a single fruit.

A survey of plant crude drugs, being used for snake and other various bites by the Konda Reddis, one of the primitive tribal groups in Andhra Pradesh, yielded 30 medicinally important species belonging to 26 genera and 21 families. The ethnomedicinal information regarding local name, part used, purpose of usage and mode of administration were recorded.

Senna uniflora (Mill.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby (Caesalpiniaceae) and Sida tiagii Bhandari (Malvaceae) are reported as new records for the flora of Uttar Pradesh from National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary.

Two species viz., Frullania neurota Taylor and F. riojaneirensis (Raddi) Aongst. of Frullania Raddi belonging to subgenus Chonanthelia Spruce is reported and described from Indian State of Mizoram for the first fime. Occurrence of F. riojaneirensis constitutes its first record from NE India earlier reported in India from Western Ghats only. Detailed taxonomic descriptions supported with four line drawings are provided.