Eleven new species of Loculoascomycetes viz. Sphaerulina indica, Didymella agaves, Didymella mucosa, Didymosphaeria heteroasca, Didemosphaeria abuensis, Trematosphaeria macrospora, Leptosphaeria tori, Asterosphaeriella macrospora, Pleomassaria lantanae, Pleospora camarensis and Malanomma indicam were reported from Mount Abu, Rajasthan. Specimens were confirmed by IMI, Kew, Surrey, England and validate as new Species with IMI accession number.

The present collection of Scleria lithosperma (L.) Sw. subsp. linearis (Benth.) T. Koyama in Malwa region of forms a new record for Rajasthan of India. It is earlier known to occur in Maharashtra. The present paper deals with brief citation, description, illustrations, photographs, ecological notes, followed by flowering and fruiting time, critical notes, specimens examined and distribution.

Under in situ conservation adopted by FRLHT, 13 Medicinal Plants Conservation Areas (MPCAs) located in Karnataka established by FRLHT with the State Forest Departments have been considered for the present study. Detailed botanical survey has recorded the presence of 933 wild medicinal plant species of the 2000 known medicinal plant species in the Karnataka MPCA network, which includes 58 of the 110 Red Listed species assessed in Southern India. The analysis reveals the presence of higher percentage of medicinal plant species in Dry Deciduous Scrub Forest and a large proportion of these medicinal plants are used in folk systems of medicine. The current study also provides an insight into the floristic diversity, occurrence and distribution pattern across the forest types, which would ultimately help in informed conservation action plans.

The present paper deals with 44 species of grasses belonging to 33 genera which have medicinal potential in Rajasthan, 30 species have been added to the available record and several new medicinal dimensions have been provided to supplement the present knowledge about the grass species.

An attempt has been made in this paper to document the pattern of growth of coarse rainfed cereal crops in central part of Rajasthan. The secondary data from 1960-61 to 2005-06 were used. The period of study visualized as whole as well as sub division into equal periods (i.e., 1960-1981 and 1981—2006). The study revealed that, the growth rate of area of all the crops under study indicated a mixed trend i.e. growth rate of area under bajra and maize was more during period—I as compared to period-II. In case of jowar it showed mixed response. Similarly, production of all the crops was higher during period-II in most of the districts. Similar observation was seen in case of productivity of all the crops under study. The mean area under bajra and jowar crops was more during period-II in Ajmer and Tonk and Ajmer and Bhilwara, respectively. In the remaining districts, it was reverse. Similar pattern was seen in productivity of the crops. The area, production and productivity under maize was increased during period-II in Bhilwara and Bundi districts only. Instability index indicated a mixed response in all the crops i.e. either it is around trend or mean.

Jodhpur is the second largest city of Rajasthan. The City is growing at a rapid rate and various water resources to augment water requirement are insufficient and suffering from number of problems regarding the availability, distribution and quality considerations for various uses. Kailana Lake is selected as a settling tank for Himalayan water coming from Indira Gandhi NaharPariyojana. In the present study samples from open wells and tube wells of underground water resources ware collected. High nitrate contents in water samples is result of intermixing of water from sewerage lines and water supply pipe lines. High nitrate content in water is harmful for human health but after reducing nitrate level it can be used for domestic and irrigation purposes.

One hundred thirty accessions comprising Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. (99), V. unguiculata var. sesquipedalis (22), V. umbellata (7) and Vigna sps. (2) collected from Orissa during November 1994 are reported. The diversity & distribution pattern of each species have been highlighted. The variability among & within the species have been studied in detail.

A study was conducted at Dryland Farming Research Station, Arjia, Bhilwara during 1996 and 1997, to find out the tillage requirement for the maize. Seven tillage systems were evaluated for production of maize in kharif season. The tillage systems included were: A. Summer (T1- Disc plough followed by cultivator, T2- Cultivator followed by cultivator,T3- Deshi plough followed by cultivator and T4- Deshi plough followed by deshi plough), B. After pre monsoon (T5- Disc plough followed by cultivator and T6- Cultivator followed by cultivator) and C. At sowing (T7 - Cultivator followed by cultivator). The tillage system comprising of summer disc ploughing followed by cultivator was more beneficial as of this resulted in higher yield and net return supported by effective reduction in runoff, soil loss and increase water use efficiency for crops in the region. However, during good and low rainfall, for higher net return, there is a need of shift in tillage practices.

The genus Monothecium is reported as an addition to the Flora of Eastern Ghats. A brief description, nomenclature, ecology and other relevant notes are provided for identification of the taxon in the field.

Chitrakoot (The Hill of many wonders) is a one of the famous holy place for the pilgrimage of Hindus in India and surrounded by lush green hills of legendary Vindhyachal range. It has been very rich in forest biodiversity since ancient times. Chitrakoot’s spiritual legacy stretches back to legendary ages. It was in these deep forests that Lord Rama, consort Sita and his brother Lakshmana spent eleven and half years of their fourteen years of exile. The richness of biodiversity has been described in various ancient literatures. But at present the biodiversity of Chitrakoot is reduced to a great extent due to unsustainable human activities. A detailed study on plant biodiversity, threat assessment, conservation and ethnobotany has been carried during 2003-2011. A total number of 743 species under 472 genera belonging to 118 families are recorded. Out of these, 574 species under 361 genera and 93 families belong to dicots and the remaining 169 species under 111 genera and 25 families belong to monocots. In the present paper the work carried out is enumerated.

Neem oil is well known for its application in the field of agriculture, medicine, energy, toiletries, cosmetics and others. Investigations have shown that the oil content as well as qualitative characters of fatty oils of oil seed species is highly influenced by agro climatic and phytogeographic conditions to which they are exposed. In order to identify good provenances yielding better quality seeds, the seed oil of different provenances was examined for its physico—chemical studies. The present work deals with the studies regarding variability in physico—chemical constants such as refractive index, acid value, saponification value and percentage of unsaponifiable matter of Neem oil obtained from the seeds of different provenances.

The genus Barleria is represented by 26 species in India; while Khanna et al. reported 9 species (excluding Barleria acanthoides) of it from Madhya Pradesh. Barleria acanthoides has been reported from Gujarat, Haryana, Maharshtra, Panjab & Rajisthan states of India. The present communication facilitates to include Madhya Pradesh also in the list.

A new species, Ruellia sivarajanii has been described from Kerala.

The study of plant diversity within national parks and wildlife reserves is important for the effective habitat management of wildlife and their habitat. This paper describes the floral composition, local distribution and use of plants in Royal Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve in southwestern Nepal. The area comprises different habitat types such as forests, grasslands, floodplains, lakes and marshes,and is famous for a number of wildlife species. The study was conducted from September 1997 to December 1999. It included the collection and identification of flowering plants and interviews with the local people about their uses. Altogether 562 plant species belonging to 102 family and 375 genera were recorded. Seventy four species are newly recorded in western lowlands of Nepal and among them, 26 species are new additions to the flora of Nepal. Twenty seven species were found locally rare within the reserve. Local people were found to use 208 species for various purposes. Royal Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve is rich in plant diversity, but its management measures may be needed to maintain species richness within the reserve.

On farm studies at ten sites in Narwa and Manai villages located 25 km from Jodhpur (Rajasthan) were carried out to study response of Zn application to wheat crop under saline water irrigation. At Narwa village sandy loam soils with 50 to70 cm depth and at Manai village sandy loam soils with 80 to I00 cm depth are irrigated with moderately saline water having EC 1.70 to 3.48 dS m-1 and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) 7.2 to 22.6. Soils at all the sites were, alkaline (pH 8.5 to 9.3) with EC values (0.170 to 1.32 dS m-1). non calcareous. Most of the soils were low to marginal in available Zn, marginal in the available Fe and few samples low in Cu and Mn. Observations with Zn application on the crop growth revealed that at all sites mean values were higher for plants per sq. m, plant height and spike length. This was also refflected in 5 to l0 q ha-1 increase in grain yield in Narwa village at sites of Ganga Singh, Shamsher Singh and Prema Ram and 3 to 4 q ha-1 increase_in grain yield in Manai village at Ummed Singh and Bachana Ram sites with the benefit cost (B: C) ratio ranging from 14.1:1 to 3.3:1 indicating good response of Zinc application. Low response of Zn application on wheat yield was observed in Narwa at the site of Man Singh, Dungar Ram, Hukma Ram and in Manai at the site Mod Singh. After harvest of wheat crop, the mean values of available micronutrient contents in soils of Manai village sites were slightly higher than Narwa sites. There was not much difference in mean values of available contents of Fe, Mn Zn and Cu in Zn treated and control soils of Narwa sites. Similarly in Manai village the mean values of available Fe, Mn and Cu were not much different but in Zn treated soils there was slight increase in available Zn. 

Plant diversity study was carried out in limestone mine dump, quartz sand dump and their adjoining area of Cement factory. Phytosociological observations were made through quadrat study in randomised method. The number and type of each species occurring in each quadrat were recorded. The vegetative characters such as basal area, frequency, density, abundance, relative, frequency, relative density,relative abundance and importance value index were calculated. The species composition showed that relatively higher diversity in adjoining area. Apluda aristata showed maximum IVI in adjoining area and limestone mine dump. In quartz sand dump, Apluda aristata registered maximum IVI.

Exacum pumilum Griseb. is newly recorded from Mirzapur District of the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. A detailed description including seedlings, images, sketches and notes are provided.

                            A systematic assessment of tea was done for heavy metal poisoning using Double Beam UV-Visible spectrophotometer and AAS. The tea were procured from the market and analyzed for seven heavy metals viz. Pb, Cu, Fe, Ni, Cr, Zn and Mn. The study revealed that the mean concentration of the analyzed heavy metal showed the following order, Mn > Zn > Fe > Cu > Pb > Cr > Ni T. The samples were reported to be contaminated with highly toxic lead and copper which demands a firm concern and check so as to prevent our present as well as future from the upcoming diseases and ill effects.

The present paper provides an account of the medicinal plants wealth of North Eastern Uttar Pradesh. The study has revealed the occurrence of 509 species of medicinal plants belonging to 369 genera and 114 families. Botanical names, common / vernacular names, family, flowering & fruiting period, habit and medicinal uses are provided. Such an study will not only be useful in sustainable utilization of resources, but also in taxonomic enumeration of flora of Uttar Pradesh, which is yet to be published.

A. Ientiformis (exotic) and A. stocksii, halophytic salt bushes established and produced nitrogen rich fodder on arid salty waterlogged soil in Jodhpur. Mounding practices significantly enhanced the survival, growth and biomass production for both the species. Double ridge mound was best A. Stocksii and circular dish mound for A. Ientiformis. After 72 months, A. stocksii maintained the percent survival as 75% on DRM, 41.7% on CDM and 12.5% on control while it was 53.8(DRM), 58.0 (CDM) and 8.3 % on control, respectively, for A. Ientiformis. Overall A. Ientiformis recorded significantly more mean green and dry (2462.2 & 819.8 g) biomass compared to 1548.3 & 631.3 g for A. stocksii. Root development was alongside the ridges in DRM, while in CDM root development was in all direction along the circular mound with occasional root going out of the soil structure. Overall CDM was the best structure and it produced 562.5 & 256.0 g shrub-1 fresh and dry rootmass which was 2.8 & 15.0 and 2.1 & 12.2 times more than DRM and control respectively.

Exhaustive explorations of the forests of Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district of Odisha resulted in extension of range of Meyna laxiflora Robyns (Rubiaceae). After careful examinations the identity has been confirmed and the taxon is described as a new record both for the flora of Odisha and Bhitarkanika National Park as well in this communication. Brief description of the species along with correct nomenclature, ecology, phenology of flowering and distribution etc were provided.

                           Introduction of canal irrigation and development of ground water led to expansion and intensi_ication of agriculture in hot arid Bikaner district of Rajasthan. New irrigated cash crops viz. wheat, mustard, groundnut, cumin, isabgol etc. came up. Increased soil moisture helped large scale gram cultivation. Agricultural production increased substantially. However these developments took place in about 12% area. A large part of rainfed drylands still remained underdeveloped. In order to assess present agricultural situation, irrigated and rainfed crop lands and other land use systems of the district are mapped using recent RS & GIS technologies. Trend in cropping pattern and crop production has been assessed using long term land use, cropping pattern and crop production data from 1957-58 to 2009-10. Economic, social and environmental impacts of such development are also discussed. Constraints and potentials in relation to agriculture are identi_ied and negative impacts of injudicious and over exploitation of natural resources are highlighted. Suggestions are made for sustainable development of irrigated and rainfed farming systems.

Due to serious, acute, chronic and genetic health hazards associated with common synthetic insecticides, the global tendency today is to search for herbal insecticides and insect repellents which are non-hazardous to human and domestic animals. Some herbal insecticides like Pyro-dust and Rotenone are already in use. Nicotine sulfate is another one but with significant toxicity. Neem (Azadirachta indica) oil is safe and useful insecticide but has a limited range of application. Based on our medico-ethno-botanical exploration in Uttarakhand, a state in the Himalayan region in India, the information was collected on potential insecticidal and insect repellent plants of the region. The present paper documents the occurrence of 17 such plants along the various altitudinal zones of Uttarakhand Himalaya in India. Significant botanical characters of plants with local names and their habitat have also been indicated.

The paper highlights the diversity of ethnomedicinal uses of 41 species among tribals of two adjacent districts of Kheri and Bahraich. The study is based on comparision of uses of the same plant or the plant parts in different diseases, ailments and other complaints by the Tharus (tribals) and local people of these two districts. They use these species to cure several other problems with their traiditional and indigenous recipes.

The present communication deals with morpho-taxonomic enumeration of 23 taxa of desmids were collected from in around Pushkar Valley of Rajasthan State in India during the period 2012-13. Notes on forms showing slight variations in morphological attributes have also been given. All these taxa have been recorded for the first time from this part of state of India.