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Thermal modification or heat treatment was performed on the samples of Toonaciliataat various temperatures (80°C, 120°C, 160°C, 200°C) and durations (2h, 4h, and 6h) which revealed that chemical and mechanical properties of the wood improved at particular temperature with certain time duration. These results suggest that thermal treatment considerably improves wood properties like dimensional stability and durability. Vacuumoven was used to assess the process of thermal modification and different procedures were used to study the chemicaland mechanical properties of Toona wood. In chemical properties the maximum value of holocellulose content (71.73%) and lignin content (27.52%), were observed at 200°C. While, the minimum value of holocellulose content (61.29%) and lignin content (24.42%), were found to be at 200°C and at control, respectively. In mechanical properties the maximum value of tensile strength (0.072), bending strength 0.022), compression parallel to the grain (0.052) and compression perpendicular (0.039) to the grain was observed at 120°C. Whereas, the minimum tensile strength (0.039), bending strength (0.008), compression parallel (0,041) the grain and perpendicular (0.027) to the grain was found at 200°C.All the chemical and mechanical properties of Toona wood improved after heat treatment at particular temperature and duration.

AimsRosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) is most extensively used culinary herbs rich in antioxidants and several other secondary metabolites. Soil quality affects the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites thereby reducing their quality. An approach to improve soil quality and boosting plant productivity in a sustainable manner is the use of plant growth promoting (PGP) endophytic bacteria. Previously three endophytic bacteria associated with roots of R. officinalis were characterized for in vitro PGP traits. The purpose of this study was to assess (1) the compatibility of isolated potential indigenous endophytic bacteria for PGP traits to develop potential consortium biofertilizer, and (ii) how the coordinated interaction among these strains mediates the response for productivity and nutrient acquisition of R. officinalis.MethodsIn vitro synergistic interactions among isolated strains (Bacillus subtilis KU21, Pseudomonas aeruginosa SI12 and Cedecea lapagei KU14) were examined for multiple PGP traits. In vivo studies were carried out to assess synergistic effects of theses strains on productivity and soil quality of R. officinalis. ResultsThe consortia of strains exhibited higher production of IAA, siderophore and phosphorus solubilization. Further, assessment of consortia of these strains significantly improved rosemary growth parameters, nutrient acquisition and soil quality over single inoculation and uninoculated control. Conclusions This is the first field report that describes the efficacy of novel endophytic strains i.e., B. subtilis KU21+ C. lapagei KU14 for improving rosemary production and soil health simultaneously, may be recommended for sustainable production of R. officinalis in Northwest Himalayan region.

Wood is being a biological asset for timber purpose, liable to degrade easily than other material products. For its protection and longevity, chemical preservative industries are using chemicals and fixatives for their treatment under pressure. Mostly chemical used in wood preservative industries are heavy metals (Chromium) and have harmful impacts. AS chromate-production workers are exposed to a variety of chromium compounds, including hexavalent (VI) and trivalent (III) compounds. According to US ATSDR 2000 report, about 52% of all chromium compounds used in the U.S. chemical industries was used in the production of wood preservatives; the rest were used about 7-13% in pigments, tanning metals, leather finishing, etc. Environmental exposure from chromium (VI) compounds is difficult to quantify. The chromium (VI) compounds in the environment may be reduced to chromium (III) compounds, but hexavalent forms can persist under some conditions. People who live near industrial facilities that use chromium (VI) compounds have the greatest potential for exposure as it leaches out with prolong use and can become carcinogenic. Not only humans but chemicals from industrial effluents are affecting aquatic biodiversity too. On this serious note, researchers and wood technologists are trying to use herbal extracts in place of chemical preservatives. In this experiment extract of Acorus calamus (monocot-marshy plant) has been tried as biopreservative which could fix chromium in wood samples substantially. A difference in chromium (preservative fixative) retention was observed with different concentration of application of Acorus calamus extract on the studied wood samples.

Pinus roxburghii (Chir Pine) belonging to family Pinaceae, is native to the tropical forests of Himachal Pradesh which is being commercially tapped for oleoresin in India. Resin industry, which use oleoresin as a raw material is one of the foremost industry thriving on this product and has got an ever increasing importance in our national economy. Keeping in view the value and importance of oleoresin, progeny trial was conducted to evaluate the oleoresin yielding potential of half-sib progenies of Chir Pine. Experiment was laid out in the main campus area of Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP) and data was collected on oleoresin yield at the end of season. The trees of progenies having more than 30 cm dbh were segregated for oleoresin tapping experiment. In total, 22 out of 60 progenies had minimum one tree above 30 cm dbh in at least two replications. Hence, these progenies were selected for oleoresin tapping. The method employed for oleoresin collection was borehole method. The data pertaining to the oleoresin yield from different selected progenies revealed significant differences. The maximum oleoresin yield (625.00g/season) was noticed in Kaldoo- P3 and minimum in Rakni-P8 (130.00 g/season).

Wood is most preferred structural material throughout the world and is considered as a complex biological composite with ubiquitous nature. Throughout the world there is an immense pressure on primary durable timbers due to their ever increasing demand. To reduce pressure on the primary species like; Teak, Sal and Deodar etc. one has to look for the other lesser known or secondary species as an alternative. Durability of these species can be enhanced with application of different preservatives and for this one of the best approach is to use herbal based ecofriendly preservatives rather than hazardous chemicals. In this study, the antifungal activity of Acorus calamus rhizome extract was tested on less durable local wood species. The results showed that average growth of Polyporus fungus on taken wood samples were retarded up to 69.44% after applying 2% concentration of rhizome extract and act as suitable bio-preservative for non durable wood species.

The present investigations on“Evaluation of some essentials oils against pulse beetle (Callosobruchus chinensis L.) in pea seeds” were carried out during 2014-15 in the Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Horticulture, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni–solan (H.P). The essentials oils of camphor, wild marigold, cone-bearing sage, eucalypts, lemongrass and sweet flag at 2.5 ml/kg, 1.25 ml/kg, 0.60 ml/kg and 0.30 ml /kg (v/w basis)were evaluated against C. chinensis L. infesting pea seeds. Among the six essentials oils, sweet flag possessed reasonably high and immediate toxicity resulting in 78.33 percent and 96.67 percent (2.5 ml/kg and 1.25 ml/kg doses resulted 100 % mortality) mortality in 1 and 3 days after treatment. After 7 days, cent per cent mortality was observed in seeds coated with sweet flag essential oil followed by eucalypts (85.83%) cone - bearing sage (77.50%), camphor (74.17%), lemongrass (71.66%) and wild marigold (61.67%) in descending order. After 10- days of exposure, eucalypts essential oil also resulted in complete kill even at the lowest dose (0.30ml/kg). On day -15, mortality in control had substantially increased to 67.50 percent. Egg laying was minimum on sweet flag essential oil treated pea seeds (5.25 eggs/5 females) on 7th – day of observations. In untreated pea seeds, increases in egg laying was negligible in 20 – days observations (7th day 94.08- 20th day 101.92). Progeny development from the eggs laid on pea seed treated with sweet flag essentials oil was (1 beetle).

Background: Phytodermatitis refers to inflammation of the skin caused by a plant. The clinical patterns of dermatitis due to plants can present as allergic phytodermatitis, photophytodermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis or in the form of mechanical injury. The commonest plant causing allergic contact dermatitis in India is Parthenium hysterophorus, followed by other plants. Phytodermatitis due to Toxicodendron succedaneum is not uncommon in sub Himalayan range of North India and it has variable clinical presentation.The aim of the study was to study and evaluate the patients of allergic contact dermatitis due to T. succedaneum.Methods: All patients having allergic contact dermatitis due to T. succedaneum from August 2015 to July 2016 were enrolled for the study.Results: Our study included 13 (76.4%) males and 4 (23.5%) females with a mean age of 32 years. 76.4% patients developed lesions within 24-48 hours after contact with plant, 17.6% after 48 hours and 5.8% developed in less than 24 hours. Most of the (88.2%) patients presented with disseminated lesions and 11.7% had localised lesions involving only hands and forearms. Urticaria (41.1% ) was the commonest finding followed by papuloplaque lesions (in 29.4% patients), further followed by erythema multiforme like lesions (in 11.7% patients) and maculopapular, vesiculobullous lesions and angiodema (in 5.8% of each patients). Patch test was positive in 16 (94.1%) cases. Majority of patients required systemic steroids to settle the dermatitis. Conclusions: Allergic contact dermatitis due to T. succedaneum is very common in this region. Although it presents with widespread clinical presentations but adequate literature was not found on this plant. This plant further requires more study to know the dermatitis caused by it.

We provide a check list of the vascular plants of Theog Forest Division, Himachal Pradesh, Western Himalaya. Himachal Pradesh has been extensively surveyed in terms of flora by a large number of workers, albeit highly confined to prioritized areas. The floristic inventorization resulted in a total of 442 vascular plant species belonging to 311 genera and 117 families from an area of 512 km2. Out of these, 408 species belonged to Angiosperms, 7 to Gymnosperms and 27 to Pteridophytes. The predominant families among Dicotyledons were Asteraceae, Rosaceae and Lamiaceae. Among the Monocotyledons, the most represented family was Poaceae, followed by Liliaceae and Cyperaceae. Pinaceae and Pteridaceae were found to be the most represented families among the Gymnosperms and Pteridophytes, respectively. Species richness was highest in shrubberies, which formed an ideal habitat for many herbaceous species within different habitat types. Strategic eradication of weed species, especially obnoxious species such as Lantana camara and Parthenium hysterophorus is required for effective management in the area.