Studies on physical and physiological qualities of seeds of Emblica officinalis as influenced by year of collection and fruit grading was conducted at Department of Seed Technology, TNAU, Coimbatore-3. The results revealed that seed quality varied with year of collection. The importance of grading of fruits based on size, was confirmed in all the three years of study. Larger fruits recorded a per cent increase of 10, 17, 17, 20 and 25 in germination (%), root length (cm), shoot length (cm), dry matter production (mg/10 seedling) and vigour index over bulk fruits.

The present communication is an inventory of 20 animals/their parts/products used for the treatment of various human and cattle disorders. The enumeration includes authentic scientific names of animals, their vernacular and english equivalent with exact method of drug preparation, dose and mode of application in each case.

This paper presents the results of intercropping trials of turmeric (Curcuma longa) in the bamboo plantations using randomized complete block design. Productivity of turmeric in the intercropped stand was found to be lower (13.3 t/ha.) compared with raising (19.1 t/ha.) sole turmeric plantations. Similar results are observed in the bamboo stands. However, the land equivalent ratio of bamboo producing culms with turmeric intercrop found in the ratio of 1:2 and therefore suggested that turmeric can be recommended as an intercrop in the bamboo plantation.

The present paper highlights the status of ricebean germplasm and some of the promising genotypes were selected for conducting trial in temperate condition for continuously 3 years. The performance of elite genotypes were identified in the Central Himalaya.

Picrorhiza kurrooa has been industrially over exploited for picrorhizin, kutkin, kerrin, vanillic acid, kutkiol, kutkisterol, etc., and this has resulted it being classed under vulnerable and endangered ecological status. Keeping this in view every singly plant of this genetic resource is of utmost importance. So, the plants, which were unable to survive in field conditions, were tried to re-sprout for re-plantation. The germplasm collected from Chamba and Kinnaur areas of Himachal Pradesh were planted in the beds and the damaged plants or the plants that were unable to survive in the field condition were uprooted. Significant amount of re-sprouting of 80-90% was observed when the lower tip of the cut portion of stolons is dipped in water culture at 25-300C. Age of cutting and the incubation temperature showed a significant effect on the average per cent sprouting of the stolons. This water culture technique has proved to be helpful in reviving the lost stock of the endangered plant, is economical and can be easily replicated/adopted by the poor farmers.

The present work is an outcome of ethnobotanical survey carried out during 1994-98 in Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The communication carries valuable information on medicinal uses of fifteen species commonly practised by tribals of this area for treating their domestic animals.

The present communication is an account of 23 ethnomedicinal and 10 obnoxious grasses of Rajasthan. The ethnomedicinal grasses such as Cynodon dactylon, Cymbopogon martinii, Saccharum bengalense, Coix lacryma-jobi, Desmostachya bipinnata and Echinochloa crus-galli, etc., are used by forest dwellers for various ailments in their daily life. As a result of overgrazing and deforestation, these important medicinal grasses are being eliminated from their natural habitats, hence the work aims at preservation of this knowledge which would be valuable for herbal drug industry and may lead to the identification of new economic resources. Beside this, some grasses like Aristida spp., Avena fatua, Heteropogon contortus, Cenchrus biflorus, Paspalum scrobiculatum and Pennisetum purpureum, etc., are also reported for obnoxious properties. These poisonous grasses are great destructive and constructive agents in the economy of a nation. It is, therefore, of fundamental importance to any country to gain a complete knowledge of their distribution, chemical constituents and physical action. Botanical name, local name, locality, plant parts used and methods of application or administration are given.

An investigation of Marketing Intelligence Information (MII) of NTFP was undertaken in 20 Primary Tribal Markets (PTM) of Mandla, Bilaspur and Shahdol districts in Madhya Pradesh. A total of 68 NTFP items have been catalogued, quantified for their quantities, assessed for their values and analyzed price trends within and in-between the markets. Results significantly pointed out that the rate of NTFP at PTM level did not exceed beyond the average limit line in majority of NTFP items, which ultimately prove the extent of exploitation rate (middle to high) of primary collectors at PTM level. The price trends of 68 NTFP items were analyzed out of which 35 presented in figurative mode in Figures 1 to 36. Other details like local, botanical, family names of NTFP, their parts sold or barter, distribution percentage, average rate (Rs/kg or Rs/Ng) and SD, etc., are also given in the paper.

A seed source evaluation trial on Azadirachta indica A. Juss. comprising 8 different sources was conducted at the experimental farm of the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, PAU, Ludhiana during 1999-2000. Seedling height and collar diameter, when recorded after two months of sowing were maximum in Punjab source. However, after 10 months, at the time of transplanting, Irukkangudi source recorded superior values. High family heritabilities as 83.65 and 50.03 per cent were recorded for these two traits, i.e., seedling height and diameter, respectively. For phyllogenic characters, including chlorophyll content, the inter-group differences were significant, which could be exploited for future neem improvement programme.

The present study reports prevalent diseases among the communities living in Himalayan region and efforts for low cost preventive and curative healthcare services. The main emphasis is to promote awareness about the sustainable use of local easily available surrounding medicinal plants and to protect and conserve them in nature through cultivation. Since these plants are not found to occur in all climatic zones, some are procured from the raw drug market. This communication includes a brief general classification of women, children and general diseases of old persons (Male & Female) and brief contents including plant parts use in formulations, their approximate proportion, fixed dose and period of taking. These formulations are prepared in the presence of Vaidyas and experts of plant identification according to public need and positive health of an individual. The method of preparing medicines is very simple - churn powder.

To induce drought resistance in Bhalia, the seeds were exposed to 50, 60 and 700C temperature for 24 hours and seedlings obtained were transplanted in earthen pots. Plants were irrigated at 4, 8, 12 and 16 days interval. Germination percentage and transpiration rate was not affected significantly by seed treatments. Seeds exposed to 600C, however, showed reduced suffering by the plants due to moisture stress. If the interval of watering is increased, the transpiration rate decreases and the moisture deficit days increases.

The present paper highlights the status of lentil germplasm and some of the promising genotypes were selected for conducting trial in temperate condition for continuously 2 years. The performance of elite genotypes were identified in the Central Himalaya.

During the course of botanisation in North Maharashtra region (India), the present author observed some species deserving urgent conservation. ‘Rabani’ shifting cultivation, ethnobelief, religious offerings and unrestrained exploitation for miscellaneous purposes are the principal causes of threat to the rare, endemic and/or potentially important species in the region. Efforts are, therefore, needed for their protection and monitoring alternative measures suggested.

In a survey study conducted in the mid hills of Himachal Pradesh on the insect pests of four cultivated medicinal plant species, viz., Gloriosa superba Linn., Glaucium flavum Crantz., Asclepias curassavica Linn. and Psoralea corylifolia Linn., 20 insect pests were found to be associated with these plants. Among them eight insect species belong to order Lepidoptera, seven to Coleoptera and five to Hemiptera. This is the first report from this area. Incidence, population levels, nature and extent of damage of the economic importance done by these insect species have been discussed.

Studies were made in Parkia biglobosa to standardise testing media for lab germination and also to evaluate the association of seed quality with seed size. The study revealed that in sand media the germinability of the seed was fully expressed compared to paper media. Seed quality in terms of germination and vigour were in close association with size, wherein the bigger seeds produced elite seedling and the smaller one, the seedlings of poor stamina. For obtaining good quality seedlings, seeds can be graded using 17/64" round perforated metal sieves of American sieve system (AST) and the retained seeds can be used for sowing.

The performance of lac insect, Kerria lacca (Kerr.) was evaluated on four genotypes of Flemingia, viz., F. macrophylla, F. paniculata, F. semialata and colchiploid of F. macrophylla during three baisakhi crop seasons to determine density of larval settlement, their mortality, sex ratio, fecundity and yield of brood lac. The later three important parameters were in favour of F. paniculata, whereas no significant differences were observed on larval settlement and their mortality in any of the plant species under study, except very high sex ratio in favour of males on F. paniculata which, however, also did not affect the lac yield.

Rooting trials conducted with stem cuttings of Mesua ferrea L., an important medicinal tree gave encouraging results after pre-treatment with auxins such as IAA, IBA and NAA. Among these IBA 100 ppm was proved to be the best, comparatively. Plants raised vegetatively showed remarkably better initial growth than the ones raised from seeds.

Literature on Garhwal Himalayan vegetation has been reviewed and based on these, about 50 potential medicinal plant species are described in this paper with their botanical names arranged alphabetically, along with their chief characteristics and medicinal values.

A field experiment was conducted between 1995 and 1999 to study the effect of organic, inorganic and biofertilizers on neem (Azadirachta indica) under rainfed condition in wastelands. The results revealed the superiority of combined application of organic, inorganic and biofertilizers. Application of Farm Yard Manure 25 kg + Di Ammonium Phosphate 50 g + Azospirillum 50 g + Phosphobacteria 50 g tree-1 registered the maximum plant height of 437.9 cm and more girth at bottom, 50 and 100 cm height from ground level at three and half years.

An experiment was conducted to ascertain the effect of source/or type of cuttings on the nursery stock of Jatropha curcas. Large and thicker cuttings gave significantly (P<0.05) more survival, height, root length, number of roots, sprouts and leaves as compared to smaller and thinner cuttings. Cuttings taken from the lower portion showed better results.