Information technology has emerged as an effective communication tool in reducing the knowledge gap among the researchers, involved in the forestry sector. A researcher can enhance his knowledge by using latest technology like CD-ROM, e- mail and Internet. This paper aims to analyze the existing technologies available to save the researcher’s time by giving specific search engines and exact location of Website address.

Khair tree of 5-6, 10-11, 15-16 and 20-21 years age classes were felled and diameter and height of the tree were measured. Sapwood percentage, heartwood percentage and katha and cutch yield were determined. Diameter, height and heartwood percentage of khair tree increased with increase in age whereas, sapwood percentage and ratio of sapwood to heartwood decreased with age. No heartwood formation was observed in 5-6 years old trees. Katha content was found maximum (6.31%) in 20-21 years old tree and minimum (2.22%) in 10-11 years old tree. Cutch yield did not vary significantly between 15-16 and 20-21 years age classes of khair trees.

Instantaneous fuel-wood extractions have led to the widespread degradation of the natural forests of north India. It is therefore suggested for beating the gaps in forest areas by massive afforestations of those species, which stand for a relatively good in fuel-wood characteristics. Wood samples of twenty-four tropical tree species were collected and analyzed for various fuel-wood properties such as density, calorific value, moisture, ash, silica and carbon contents. Based on the aggregate quality, i.e., fuel value index, Indigofera cassioides Rottle ex DC., Hesperethusa crenulata Roem., Securinega virosa Pox. Hoffm., Gardenia lucida Roxb., Randia brandisi Linn., and Randia dumetorum Lam. were found relatively good in descending order. These species are recommended for fuel-wood plantation, however, many second order species may be tried if they could perform a relatively fast growth and high biomass yield in short rotations and have better coppicing abilities. These assorted species are suitable for central M.P., eastern U.P. and Doon Valley (Uttaranchal) regions of India.

An ethnobotanical survey has been carried out in the tribal village Chhitkul, Sangla Valley of district Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, which resulted in the recording of 17 plant species of medicinal importance, 25 of edible and agricultural value, 14 of cultural and religious importance, and 22 species of fuel, fodder and timber values. The role of ethnic tribals in the conservation, optimum utilization of natural resources has also been discussed.  The details of ethnomedicinal plants are highlighted with their botanical & vernacular names, brief description and uses. The plants of other importance are also tabulated along with vernacular names and parts used.

A status survey for economically useful plant species was carried out in the Mandakini Valley on way to Vashuki Tal, a sacred pilgrimage site situated at 4,052 m above sea level in Garhwal Himalaya. A total of 63 accessions of seed, vegetative propagule, twig and whole plant of medicinal and aromatic plant species were collected for further multiplication and germplasm conservation. The density of some important rare medicinal plants found here was compared with that in other valleys. The variation in the density of these plants is discussed in view of their long term conservation and management in Himalayan region.

Navegaon National Park is an important protected area in central India. It is a habitat for many migratory birds. It accommodates more than 130 plant species belonging to 117 genera and 42 families. Twenty nine tree, 11 shrubs and 24 herb species were recorded at 300-400 m elevation. Twenty three tree, 10 shrubs and 23 herbs species were enumerated at 400-500 m elevation, while 24 tree, 5 shrubs and 16 herbs species were recorded from 500-600 m elevation range. Forty seven plant species were found directly/ indirectly important in rural medicine.

During ethnopharmacobotanical investigations in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Western Ghats, 24 species of 16 families useful in womenfolk’s health care were recorded along with their vernacular names, plant parts used and mode of administration. The plants reported in this study are known to cure various female diseases and disorders.

Paratachardina silvestrii Mahdihassan (Homoptera : Tachardiidae), the pseudo lac insect infesting sandal wood trees in South India was found to thrive well on Flemingia macrophylla, F. semialata and Albizia lucida,  commercially important hosts of Indian lac insect Kerria lacca (Kerr), when cultured at Indian Lac Research Institute, Ranchi. The insect has completed one generation in 368.2 (341-390) days showing monovoltine nature.

Ethnobotanical studies were carried out during 1997-2000 in some parts of Andhra Pradesh, India. This has resulted in the recording of 10 orchids used by the tribes.

The stone of ber (Ziziphus mauritiana) cv. cola were size graded using round perforated metal sieves of size 28/64", 26/64", 24/64"and 22/64". Seed quality characters in terms of germination (%), root and shoot length (cm), dry matter production (mg 10 sl-1) and vigour index were more in medium sized stones compared to large and small sized stones. The maximum recovery percentage, number of seedlings produced per 100 graded stones with 24/64" round perforated sieve are recommended for production of better quality seedlings in ber.

Betel leaves along with areca nut and spices are used as a masticatory in the sub-continent. The leaves are aromatic with varied taste ranging from sweet to pungent. The concentration and composition of essential oil influence the aroma and flavour of the leaves. Besides essential oil, chlorophylls, carotenoids, proteins, sugars, moisture percentage determine the taste and quality of leaves.

Baen (Avicennia spp.) are fast growing, pioneer large tree species in the Sundarbans Reserved Forest of Bangladesh. Three species of Baen occurring in Sundarbans are - Big baen (Avicennia officinalis), Sada baen (A. alba) and Maricha baen (A. marina). Among these species, first one is most common all over the Sundarbans and the third one is very rare. They have useful role in environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. These species are source of fire-wood, tannin, medicine, house fence, rafter, poles, jetty, roof paneling, glue, paper, chipboard, hard board, packing boxes, honey from its flowers, fodder and fish–food; ash for washing materials. They provide shelter for domestic animals and wildlife. They have a role in maintaining food chain in the forest ecosystem. Proper management practices have to be evolved for maintaining sustainable yield and for conservation of biodiversity.

Investigations carried out to identify the allelopathic compounds in the leaf leachates of Vitex negundo using paper and gas chromatography revealed the presence of r-coumaric, r-hydroxybenzoic, ferulic, vanillic and syringic acids besides catechol.  The allelopathic influence of leachate was tested by petriplate bioassay and crops of blackgram, cowpea, greengram, horsegram and pigeonpea in pot culture under nursery conditions. Crop growth, root length, shoot length, nodule dry weight and nitrogenase activity were depressed in all test crops. Maximum reductions in growth, root length and shoot length were obtained with cowpea; nodule dry weight with greengram and nitrogenase activity with horsegram.

A method for vegetative propagation of Gymnema sylvestre R.Br. through stem cuttings has been developed. Stem cuttings were subjected to different kinds of auxins in different concentrations for two minutes. Indole 3-butyric acid (2000 ppm) was significantly better than other treatments by inducing rooting in 85% of the cuttings with average root number 5 ± 1.29. After six weeks, the rooted cuttings were removed from the root trainers and planted in pot or in field.

A field study was conducted to investigate the litter production and nutrient return behaviour of Bamboo in an agroforestry system. The combined crop of bamboo plantation intercropped with Pigeon pea produced higher quantity of litter than pure bamboo stand alone. The litter fall for all ages of plant indicated bimodel pattern with a principal peak in the winter and another in the late summer. Of the total annual litter production, leaf-litter accounted for 58% and twig-litter 42%. The annual litter production was 13.5 t ha-1 in pure bamboo stand and 15.7 t ha-1 in the above agroforestry system. With regards to nutrients highest concentration of N, P, Ca and Mg was in leaf-litter. In twig litter maximum concentration of K was observed. On an annual basis, 89, 6, 78, 42 and 49 kg ha-1 (Pure bamboo stand) and 113, 9, 106, 52 and 60 kg ha-1 (Agroforestry system) of N, P, K, Ca and Mg respectively were returned through litter fall. Maximum amount of all the nutrients were returned through leaf-litter and lowest through twig litter.

The fruit of Zanthoxylum armatum DC. Syn. Z. alatum Roxb. (Rutaceae) yielded on hydro distillation 2.4% of essential oil showed the presence of 24 constituents. The major constituents were linalool (40.2%), limonene (24.02%), methyl cinnamate (8.01%), and myrcene (4.21%).

When 10% of the methanolic extract of Melia azedarach was used on Plutella xylostella, it afforded the best results regarding the larval mortality, larval period (prolongation), % pupation (reduction), less fecundity, less survival and entrance of the larvae to the treated food, maximum antifeedant values, maximum ovipositional deterrence under choice, no-choice and without actual contact conditions; and minimum hatching of the eggs. Amongst the fractions, 1% acetone showed the best results. Nimbecidene at 1% Conc. was found to be at par with the methanolic extract at 7.5% Conc.

Chironji (Buchanania lanzan Spreng.) is considered very hard to root species. The effect of different concentrations of IBA and IAA and their combination on the adventitious rooting of the root cuttings of Chironji were investigated using one year old root cuttings in non-mist propagation chamber. Maximum rooting per cent (90%) was observed with IBA at 2000 ppm. However, there was no significant difference among the IBA and IAA treatments for the rooting per cent. Highest number of adventitious roots (7.34) was recorded with 1000 ppm IBA+1000 ppm IAA. However maximum length of longest root (8.63 cm) was recorded with 2000 ppm IBA+2000 ppm IAA. The study reveals that there is substantial potential for vegetative propagation of the species through root cuttings. The technique can be used in the multiplication and tree improvement programme of the species.