Field experiment was conducted on the lateritic soil of West Bengal during 2006 and 2007 to evaluate the seasonal aerial growth and productivity of Azadirachta indica (planted during August 2002) at a spacing of 5 m x 5 m (400 plants/ha) under alley cropping system with 4 different intercrops Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea), Rice (Oryza sativa), Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and Blackgram (Vigna mungo). The result revealed that height, diameter at breast height (dbh) and volume of wood of Neem were increased gradually with the increasing age of the tree but the rate of increment of height and dbh was shown in a phasic manner due to change of climate throughout the year. Experimental results revealed that out of four intercrops, production of Rice (2.40 and 2.50 t/ha during kharif 2006 and 2007 respectively) was recorded maximum. Performance of all the intercrops grown under Neem Plantation was slightly better during 2^nd year of experimentation than 1^st year. However, total economic outturn was recorded maximum under Azadirachta indica + Groundnut Agroforestry System (Rs. 49,600/ha/year) closely followed by that of Azadirachta indica + Rice Agroforestry System (Rs. 42,700/ha/year). The soil moisture content as well as soil nutrient status was increased in all depth of soil where intercrops were grown in the allies of neem tree.

Himachal Pradesh is one of the Himalayan state, which is rich in medicinal and aromatic plant wealth. The rich medicinal and aromatic plants wealth is at present in great danger of depletion in the state. Therefore development of cultivation practices of threatened medicinal and aromatic plant species can become an effective tool for their conservation. Keeping this in view, some threatened medicinal plant species of Himachal Pradesh are described in this paper with sequence of their recent botanical names, distribution, uses and cultivation practices.

Vegetational analysis of medicinal tree speciesaround the Goaltore forest of PaschimMedinipur district exhibited the presence of 22 species in the forest area and all the recorded species are generally used as medicine by the local ethnic people. The study also revealed Shorea robusta to be the dominant species with Madhuca indica as its associate in the area. Total tree density of the area was 5798 ha^-1 with total base area 47.52 m²/ha. Diversity, dominance and evenness index of the forest vegetation were 2.14, 0.241 and 0.692 respectively. The study indicated poor ecological status of most of the recorded medicinal species.

Cinnamomum tamala Nees, was collected from eight different locations of Uttarakhand and one sample from Dehradun market. Essential oils were extracted from dried leaves of C. tamala by hydro-distillation. The oil yield varied from 0.3%-1.3%. The GC and GC-MS analysis of oil samples showed significant variation in three major components, viz., cinnamaldehyde (43.3-63.7%), linalool (7.0-32.7%) and cinnamyl acetate (6.0-46.8%). Total percentage of these three major components found in all samples within the range of 78-83%. However, the market sample showed high amount of eugenol (61.0%), and it was absent in our samples. Cinnamaldehyde type tejpat is mainly used in pharmaceutical industries and flavouring food items while eugenol type is used as spice.

The survey of medicinal plants unit, R.R.I., Trivandrum conducted seasonal medico botanical survey tours in Munnar Forest Division, Idukki district during 1981-2002. This division has all the types of forests with altitudes varying from 110’ above MSL to 8441’. The paper deals with a few important medicinal plants collected from this area. Due to unscrupulous and unsystematic collection, there is a diminishing trend in their availability. The reasons for this trend and some corrective measures to preserve them are suggested.

Thirty three Jatropha curcas plants of four year age growing under uniform conditions were evaluated with respect to seed yield, oil content and fatty acid profile. The seed yield varied from 485 to 2115 g per plant. Significant genetic variation was observed for oil content which ranged from 19.72 to 38.04 percent. The promising genotypes showing superiority for oil yield were G₃₃, G₁₅, G₃₅, G₁₉ and G₂₉. Four fatty acids also witnessed significant differences among the genotypes. J. curcas oil contained 78.91 percent total unsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid and linoleic acid) and 19.83% saturated fatty acids (palmitic acid and stearic acid). The significant genotypic variation offered huge scope of improvement.

The present paper deals with the taxonomy, phenology, ecology and distribution of the Quercus griffithii Hook.f. & Thomson ex Miq.

The occurrence of conjointed twin seedlings in Fraxinus xanthoxyloides (Wall. ex G.Don) DC.- an important multipurpose tree species of cold desert has been reported. This is the first instance of occurrence of conjointed seedlings in Fraxinus xanthoxyloides which have been reported in this paper. The conjointed seedlings have been resulted due to the phenomenon of polyembryony, which is of rare occurrence in this species.

The study was carried out on the Kanikkars (Kani) inhabiting the Chinnamylar and Periyamylar regions of Agasthyamalai biosphere, Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu. This area is famous for Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. The wild plants found in this region used for curing various disorders by the tribals.

Pittosporum napaulense (DC.) Rehder & Wilson, P. karnatakense Saldanha & Ramesh and P. wightii A.K.Mukherjee are very close to each other and posing problem in identification. Similarly, P. dasycaulon Miq. And P. viridulum Nayar et al., P. podocarpum Gagnepain var.  podocarpum and var. angustatum Gowda have no difference. After a critical study of herbarium species at CAL & BSI, P. wightii and P. karnatakense are merged under P. napaulense, P. podocarpum var. angustatum under variety proper and P. viridulum under P. dasycaulon.

Jasminum listeri King ex J.G. Sm. (Oleaceae) is reported here from Dampa Tiger Reserve, Mamit district, Mizoram, a critically endangered species and recollected after more than 100 years from the other localities of Mizoram. The same has been described and illustrated.

This paper deals with the ethno-botanical observations of the tribals of Koraput district of Orissa. 28 species of plants and their mode of usage are mentioned.

Commercial use of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) in a sustainable manner is becoming an increasingly popular mechanism for promoting the dual objectives of rural economic development coupled with environment or biodiversity conservation. Rajasthan is known for its harsh climatic conditions but this region has a rich bio-diversity. There are several plants available which are used for different purposes. The desert plants not only provide day to day need of fodder, fuel and food to the local inhabitants but also have potential to be explored commercially as Tennin, Dye, Fiber, Oil, etc. In this paper a summarization of different plants with respect to their uses are presented.

The present paper highlights the endangered, rare and threatened plants in Velliangiri hills of the Western Ghats of Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu, India with special reference to peninsular Indian endemic plants. Among the total number of 174 species, 19 species are endemic to Peninsular India, 113 species are endemic to Western Ghats, 22 species to Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, 20 species to Tamil Nadu with only one species endemic to present study area. Apart from these, among the total number of 174 species, 13 species are reported first time from the state of Tamil Nadu.

There is a large population all over the world who are dependent on medicinal plants for their primary healthcare needs. According to WHO, the international market of herbal products is estimated to be of the tune of US $62 billion which is poised to grow to US $5 trillion by the year 2050. The share of India is less than 1% in the world medicinal plant trade. Uttarakhand with its unique geographical location and rich heritage of traditional use of medicinal plants promises a good future, thus moving towards the ambitious goal of becoming a herbal state. There exists established markets in the state but is lacking in the field of marketing these produce. Steps like value addition, creating brand identity, product certification and a strong MIS (market information services) will help in effective marketing of state’s medicinal produce at national and global level.

The paper provides information on some little known medicinal plants used by the tribals of Palamau Tiger Reserve for the treatment of various ailments. Medicinal uses of 49 plant species have been given in the present paper.

Eria alba Lindl. (Orchidaceae) is collected from Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh is discussed with description and illustration.

North-Eastern India is one of the richest biodiversity regions of the country. Indian bamboos also exhibit maximum diversity in this region. Bamboo usually have erect culms, but some bamboos show tendency towards scrambling to scandent habit. The region harbours 12 species of scandent and straggling bamboos which due to less known economic uses, have been neglected so far. The present attempt provides collected information about current accepted name, habit, habitat, distribution and local uses of species of these bamboos. An attempt has also been made to provide a field key for identification. The purpose is to identify this difficult group as there is urgent need to popularize cultivation of these natural treasures and to protect them for future generations.

The research article reveals the genetic diversity in Vitex negundo L., RAPD fingerprints were applied by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) of the genomic DNA using random primers. These primers produced multiple band profiles with a number of amplified DNA fragments varying from 7 to 12. A total of 48 polymorphic bands were observed. The genetic distance between the population ranged from 0.4055 to 1.0686 and the genetic identity ranged from 0.3333 to 0.7708. The overall observed and effective number of alleles is about 0.32793 and 0.2972 respectively. The percentage of polymorphic loci is 91.67. Nei over all genetic diversity os 0.1402. It is clear that there is distinct genetic variability in Vitex negundo L.