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Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex Benth (Kutki or Kadvi) belonging to family Plantaginaceae is a valuable herbaceous plant. The target accessions of species were cultivated at Herbal Nursery (Pothivasa, 2200 masl.) of High Altitude Plant Physiology Research Centre (HAPPRC) Srinagar Garhwal (Uttarakhand) India, and the results obtained on the basis of high-performance thin-layer liquid chromatography (HPTLC) showed a varied range of picrosides content, i.e., Picroside-I (0.138–5.677%), Picroside-II (0.697–7.048%), and total picrosides (2.154–7.444%). The plant leaves (Picroside-I 4.54%; Picroside-II 1.32%) and stolons (Picroside-I 0.46; Picroside-II 5.52%) were proved as a potent source (average value) of picrosides content based on NJ and PCA analysis. The outcomes suggested that market demands might be fulfilled by the supply of leaves, which will be helpful for conservation of species and elite accession will be further used for multiplication. Therefore, mass-scale cultivation of P. kurrooa should be promoted. Cultivation of species will be helpful for reducing pressure on wild populations, meet up the market demand, develop employment opportunities, and conserve the biodiversity.

Lilium polyphyllum D.Don ex Royle is a critically endangered medicinal herb of Himalaya. Seeds have epicotyl morphophysiological dormancy, and in the field a minimum of 34 weeks is required for root emergence. To date, treatments to decrease the time for root protrusion and seed storage behaviour have not been determined. We evaluated the effects of plant growth regulators and nitrogenous compounds as well as seed scarification on root emergence, and determined the storage behaviour of seeds. Root emergence at 20 °C was significantly increased by 100 ppm of indole butyric acid (IBA), KNO3, and thiourea, and by the application of NaOCl solution for 30 min. The mean germination time was significantly decreased by 50 ppm of gibberellic acid (GA3; 28 days) compared with 100 ppm GA3 (36 days). After 12 months of dry storage, the viability of seeds (TTC method) at room temperature (10–35 °C), 0–4 °C, and −20 ± 1 °C was 95%, 100%, and 100%, respectively; thus, the seeds have orthodox storage behaviour. Our recommendation for seedling production is to store the seeds at room temperature until they can be sown under warm wet conditions. Roots emerge after about 8 weeks, and then seeds should be given a 2-week cold moist treatment to break shoot dormancy. After 2 weeks of cold, transfer the seeds to warm (20 °C) spring temperature conditions to promote growth.

Field survey conducted to understand habitat, distribution, population structure and conservation status of Lilium polyphyllum. Three populations (total 649 individuals) are in decline because of h...

Tomato, the frequently consumed solanecous fruit vegetable faced rapid deterioration of fruit edible quality under ambient storage and though refrigerated storage has proved better retention but mostly with the outbreak of chilling injury. Therefore, attempt with salicylic acid, a safe phenolic having identified anti-ethylene effect, has been made during this study to evaluate its effect on shelf life and quality attributes of tomato fruit in refrigerated storage. Fruits of tomato variety Samrudhi at pink to light red stage were treated with different concentration of salicylic acid (0.2−1.2 mM) along with control (water dipped) and were kept at 4−5°C with 65−80% relative humidity in four replications following complete randomized design. Results showed salicylic acid (SA) treated fruits had better keeping quality than control though in concentration dependant manner. At 21 days after storage (DAS), fruits kept in control condition lost 13.69% of weight compared with the fruits treated with SA at 1.2 mM (5.79%). SA at 1–1.2 mM significantly reduced chilling injury (Chilling Injury Index/CII: 1.44−2.88) compared with fruits at control (CII: 4.98). Fruits at control showed deterioration in sugar content along with acidity and ascorbic acid. Further, it took rapid increase in pigment whereas, SA treated fruit in relatively higher concentration (0.8−1.2 mM), maintained fruit quality attributes with consistent intensification of carotenoids and lycopene even at 21 DAS. SA at 1.2 mM recorded maximum shelf life (32.75 days) to be considered as the best treatment having high maintenance of fruit edible qualities.

Hypothesis Chitosan, naturally abundant biomaterial showed an insignificant affinity toward arsenate. The incorporation of organosilane could improve the physical and chemical properties of chitosan for the efficient removal of arsenate from aquatic environment. Experiment The hybrid materials were obtained by grafting the natural biopolymer chitosan with 3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane (CHMS) and trimethoxy-octylsilane (CHTS). The hybrid materials along with bare chitosan were characterized with SEM–EDX, FT-IR and BET specific surface area analyses and the solid materials were further employed in the efficient remediation of aqueous solutions contaminated with As(V) under batch and column reactor operations. Findings The hybrid materials showed an extremely high percentage of As(V) removal compared to bare chitosan within a wide range of pH. As(V) was aggregated rapidly onto the solid surfaces and relatively high percent removal of As(V) was achieved in a wide range of As(V) initial concentrations. Moreover, As(V) was bound with, relatively, weaker forces and forming an ‘outer sphere complexes’ at the surface of solids. The presence of co-existing ions could not significantly affect the removal of As(V) from aqueous solutions. Furthermore, breakthrough data confirmed that these two hybrid materials possessed significantly high loading capacity of As(V) even under dynamic conditions.

Stem bark and leaf essential oil of Cinammoum verum Bertch. & Presl in Mizoram India was extracted and analyzed for composition. On hydro distillation, 0.87% and 2.13% (w/w) essential oil was yielded from leaves and bark, respectively. Overall, twenty compounds were identified in bark and twenty-one in leaf oil using GC-FID and GC–MS analysis. The major components of bark essential oil were methyl cinnamate (81.87%), linalool (3.90%) and αpinene (2.41%) whereas; linalool (67.60%), methyl cinnamate (17.32%) and αpinene (2.74%) were major components of leaf volatile oil. On comparison of our results with earlier studies on various species of Cinnamon as well as C. verum, marked variations exist not only on identity of compounds but also in their percent share in the composition of essential oil. Our observation indicates possibility of Cinnamic aldehyde and eugenol derivatives rich chemotype (Mizoram) of C. verum. Besides, factors which may affect oil composition are also discussed.

Assessment of genetic variability in the available germplasm is the prerequisite for development of improved genotypes through planned breeding programmes. In view of this, 39 “hatkora” (Citrus macroptera Mont.) genotypes collected from different locations of Mizoram, India were evaluated for physico-chemical characteristics during 2013–2015. The study reveals that there was significant variation among the collections in these particular traits. Individual fruit weight ranged from 277.78 to 617.69 g; fruit diameter 9.32–12.52 cm; fruit length 7.74–10.19 cm, fruit volume 238.33–583.33 cc; pulp weight 153.75–320.94 g; pulp:peel ratio 1.50–3.24 and seed number 9.33–23.6. Similarly, the chemical parameters also varied significantly among different germplasms. The juice content varied from 13.45 to 32.53 %, ascorbic acid 34.81–73.64 mg/100 mL, TSS 6.15–9.10 %, acidity 5.03–8.75 %, total sugars 5.16–7.97 % and sugar:acid ratio 0.75–1.52. From the analysis of genetic parameters, it could be concluded that characters like fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit volume, pulp weight, pulp–peel ratio, juice, Total soluble solids (TSS), acidity, ascorbic acid, total sugars, and sugar–acid ratio could be used as selection criteria for development of effective and productive plant types in “hatkora”. Wide range of variation in physico-chemical parameters of “hatkora” fruits indicated the great scope of individual plant selection based on these characters for future genetic improvement programme.

An attempt has been made during 2012–2014 at to enumerate the ethno-medicinal evaluation and socio-economic importance of underutilized and unexploited fruits among the Garo tribe of west Garo hills district, Meghalaya, north-east India. The study was based on extensive field surveys, sample collection and interviews with the traditional healers as well as old aged men and women and survey in rural markets regarding their market demand, price and season of availability. Altogether 66 underutilized and unexploited fruits belonging to 34 families have been enumerated in this paper. The documented fruits were mostly used by the rural people to cure a number of ailments. In addition, these fruits also have socio-economic importance in the rural life of the tribal people like use as constructional timbers, firewood, charcoal, fodder, making dye, yielding oil and a number of value added products. Although, these fruits play an important role in the social and cultural life of Garo people, but these valuable species have been vanishing at very faster rate due to lack of proper documentation. Therefore, the claimed therapeutic values of these species are to be critically studied to establish their safety and effectiveness and both in situ and ex situ conservation measures should be immediately undertaken to safeguard the valuable indigenous rural resources of the world.

Subalpine forests are known as outstanding habitats due to co-existence of both temperate and alpine vegetation and are classic example of ecotonal zones. Limited but diverse physiognomy of trees inhabiting in subalpine forest results in variability within under-canopy habitat conditions. Studies were undertaken to assess population status, habitat preference and interferences to the trees and associated under-canopy herbs in a subalpine forest of western Himalaya. A total of 10 woody and 23 under-canopy herbs were recorded in the selected subalpine forest area. At each stand, the number of tree species and under-canopy herbs ranged from 2 to 4 and 8 to 10 respectively. Abies spectabilis, Acer caesium, Quercus floribunda, Q. semecarpifolia and Rhododendron arboreum were key tree species in this area. The density of main woody species was 280 to 1190 individuals ha-1 at different stands. Herbaceous plants with rosette and clump growth habits were observed to have higher values for total basal cover and importance value index. Presence of some under-canopy herbs like; Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Malaxis muscifera, Picrorhiza kurrooa, Polygonatum cirrhifolium and Skimmia laureola in the specific habitats also showed that they are habitat specific. However, the presence of Frageria nubicola and Viola sp. was common in the selected stands. Felling of trees for timber, construction of temporary huts, fuel wood and lopping for fodder were main interferences for trees. On the other hand, trampling driven damage due to grazing, habitats degradation and overexploitation were observed key threats for under-canopy herbs. Integrated analysis including population studies, habitats preference and interferences to the trees and under-canopy herbs in this sensitive and important ecosystem will be useful for determining the conservation plans and ecosystem management.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of biofertilizers on floral attributes and corm yield of gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflora L.) var. Arka Amar at Floriculture and Landscaping Block, College of Horticulture, VCSG, Uttarakhand University of Horticulture and Forestry, during 2016. The experiment consists of eight treatments, viz. control, PSB @ 2ml/l, Azotobacter @ 25g/l, VAM @ 20g/l and their combinations. Recommended doses of fertilizer were applied as a common basal dose in all treatments. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design and replicated thrice. The results revealed that minimum number of days were taken to first floret opening (111.76) and maximum number of spike per plant and per plot (2.00 and 32.00, respectively), floret diameter (12.46 cm) and number of corms per plot (31.00) were recorded from the corms inoculated with PSB @ 2ml/l + Azotobacter @ 25 g/l + VAM @ 20 g/l. There was maximum corm weight (60.60 g), corm diameter

Production, decomposition, and release of nutrients from leaf and nonleaf litter were investigated in four subalpine forests of North-West Himalaya, India. Total annual litter fall in four communities varied from 2950.00 to 4040.00 kg ha−1 and was found significant (CD0.05 = 118.2). Decomposition of leaf litter varied from 1.82–3.5% during autumn-winter to 36.14–45.51 during summer rainy season in all stands and percent of mass loss was significantly varied in stands (CD6.00). Similarly, decomposition in nonleaf litter was varied from 0.3–1.1% during autumn-winter to 19.59–30.05% during summer rainy season and was significantly varied irrespective of seasons. However, percent decomposition of leaf litter and the values of decay constant (k) were at par in all stands. Total standing state of nutrients in fresh litter as well as release of total nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in due course of decomposition (12 months) was also varying significantly. The rate of nonleaf litter decomposition was significantly positively correlated with air temperature (r=0.63–0.74 in all communities). The significant correlation (r=0.85) was observed only in Rhododendron-Sorbus forest community (PRS). Study indicates that the air temperature is a major determinant for nonleaf litter decomposition in this region.

In the present study conventional and in vitro propagation protocols have been developed for Lilium polyphyllum D. Don ex Royle. Sodium hypochlorite (4%) treatment improves seed germination (82 ± 7.64%). For vegetative propagation, IBA 100 ppm treatment produced 3 ± 1.07 bulblets/scale. We achieved multi-bulblet formation through in vitro seed germination and callus culture using bulb scales on MS medium. The study reports 91% in vitro germination using chipped seed, treated with IBA 100 ppm within 14–18 days of inoculation. This is the first report of germination >90% within 40% survival after a year. The study can serve as a tool of mass multiplication for in situ and ex situ conservation of the species.

Nutrients play an important role in improving productivity and quality of banana. It has been observed that the nutrient applied alone was less effective in improving banana production as compared to nutrients applied in combination with organic manures and biofertilizers. Keeping in view the conservation of soil health and quality production on a long-term basis, a field experiment was conducted during 2009–2011 to find out the influence of Integrated Nutrient Management of banana on leaf characteristics, growth and nutrient status of tissue cultured banana cv. ‘Grand Naine’. The study indicates that combination of inorganic fertilizers with organic manures, biofertilizers and bioagents significantly increased growth parameters, leaf characteristics, and leaf nutrient status of banana. The leaf characteristics in terms of functional leaves, total number of leaves, phyllochron, leaf area, and leaf area index were significantly influenced by the combination of inorganic fertilizers with different biofertil...

Crop production in mountain agriculture is in steady decline (5%–30%) over the past few decades. Only few species of cereals, pulses, potato, amaranth, etc. are important cash crops in the hilly regions of Uttarakhand, India. In traditional hill cropping systems, framers grow sesame, black soybean, corn, proso millet, amaranth, Brassica spp, etc. as mixed crop. These types of traditional cropping systems are not much advantageous and do not meet the requirements of the existing population. In the hilly regions Perilla, Hedychium, turmeric, industrial hemp, lemon grass, citronella, lavender, belladonna and other medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) have immense potential. However, they are still not a part of the cropping system. Introduction of these MAPs as intercrops with traditional crops will not only improve the production potential of main crops, but also generate additional income to the farming family. Besides immense cash value, these plants also have less/no threats from wild animals. Similarly, introduction of medicinal and aromatic crops with horticultural crops is one of the key options to enhance agriculture production, as topography and climate of Uttarakhand is suitable for growth of these crops.

Dormancy-breaking and seed germination studies in genus Lilium reveal that the majority of Lilium spp. studied have an underdeveloped embryo at maturity, which grows inside the seed before the radicle emerges. Additionally, the embryo, radicle or cotyledon has a physiological component of dormancy; thus, Lilium seeds have morphophysiological dormancy (MPD). A previous study suggested that seeds of Lilium polyphyllum have MPD but the study did not investigate the development of the embryo, which is one of the main criteria to determine MPD in seeds. To test this hypothesis, we investigated embryo growth and emergence of radicles and epicotyls in seeds over a range of temperatures. At maturity, seeds had underdeveloped embryos which developed fully at warm temperature within 6 weeks. Immediately after embryo growth, radicles also emerged at warm temperatures. However, epicotyls failed to emerge soon after radicle emergence. Epicotyls emerged from >90% seeds with an emerged radicle only after they were subjected to 2 weeks of cold moist stratification. The overall temperature requirements for dormancy-breaking and seed germination indicate a non-deep simple epicotyl MPD in L. polyphyllum.

The traditional knowledge system has gained a prime importance in context with conservation, utilization and sustainable development of plant resources. The ethno-medicinal plants play a major role amongst the tribal and rural people in their traditional healthcare system. Considering the importance of ethno-medicines amongst the tribal people, a study was undertaken to enumerate the ethno-medicinal uses of wild edible fruits among the Mizo tribes of Aizawl district, Mizoram, India. The study was based on extensive field surveys, plant collection and the interviews with the traditional healers. Altogether 60 wild edible fruit species belonging to 35 families have been enumerated in this paper. The documented wild edible fruits are mostly used to cure gastrointestinal disorders, dermatological problems, respiratory problems, cardiovascular compliance, ENT diseases, mental problem, muscular illness, bone diseases, gynecological problem, cancers, snake bite, allergy and malaria. This indigenous system of treatment based on wild edible fruits is still an important part in Mizo social life and culture but this traditional knowledge of the local people has been transferred orally from generation to generation without proper documentation. Therefore, the claimed therapeutic values of the reported species are to be critically studied to establish their safety and effectiveness and to preserve these high valued wild edible fruits.

The present study was conducted in the alpine pastures of Tungnath (30° 14′ N and 79° 13′ E) to observe life-form and growth-form patterns of alpine plant species under grazed and ungrazed conditions and to work out the plant life form spectrum. Species were categorized as plant habit, height and length of growth-cycle and life-form classes according to Raunkiaer’s system. The results show that in total of 68 species at grazed site, hemicryptophytes (He) accounted for 50.00% species, followed by cryptophytes (26.47%), chamaephytes (16.18%), phanerophytes (4.41%) and therophytes (2.94%). At the ungrazed site in 65 plant species, hemicryptophytes (He) accounted for 49.23% species, cryptophytes (26.15%), chamaephytes (15.38%), phanerophytes (6.15%) and therophytes (3.08 % species). In general, hemicrptophyte are dominant in both sites i.e. graged and ungrazed. Growth form categories were classified as forbs, shrubs, grasses and sedges and undershrubs, according to plant habit and height. On the basis of length of the growth cycle, species were categorized as plant species of short growth cycle, intermediate growth cycle and long growth cycle. The short forbs of plant habit and height, had the highest emergence, and grasses and sedges had the lowest emergence in representative species. Percentage of species with long growth cycle was highest in both sites.

Tuberose (Polianthes tuberose L.) is most important cut flower. The recent energy crisis and hike in prices of fertilizers, further necessitate the use of alternate sources, i.e. organic manures and biofertilizers. But no single source of plant nutrients either it is chemicals, organic manures or even biofertilizers could meet the entire need of the crop. Therefore, there is a need of integrated nutrient management (INM). This holistic approach has profound effect in improving flower quality and yield. The INM also provides an excellent opportunity to overcome all the imbalances besides sustaining soil health. The paper reviews all the literature on various aspects of tuberose cultivation from INM perspective for better understanding and future strategies for improved flower quality and yield of tuberose.

The present investigation was carried out during March to July 2016 to find out the effect of organic manures and biofertilizers on vegetative and floral attributes of Kamini China aster. The results of investigation revealed maximum number of primary branches (13.63), plant spread (21.63 cm), number of leaves per plant (162.20), duration of flowering (20.80 days), number of flowers per plant (39.10), number of flowers per m2 (360.30), vase life (9.73 days) and minimum days taken to bud initiation and flowering (58.43 and 74.43, respectively) from the treatment consisting of FYM @18 ton/ha (50%) + Vermicompost @ 06 ton/ha (50%)+ PSB @ (50 ml/15L) + Azotobacter @ (30ml/15L) i.e. T16. The quality traits viz., stalk length (34.43 cm), flower diameter (7.73 cm) and average weight of flower (3.38 g) were found maximum from T13 Vermicompost @ 9.6 ton/ha (80%) + PSB@ (50 ml/15L) +Azotobacter @ (30ml/15L) followed by T16 (34.23 cm, 7.20 cm and 3.37 g). Thus, it can be concluded from the findings that treatment T16 was most effective in improving quality and quantity traits of cv. Kamini China aster.

This study documents the medicinal uses of Astavarga, a group of eight medicinal herbs, used in traditional medical knowledge (TMK) of the Himalaya region and in the traditional medical system (TMS) in India. Field surveys were conducted during 2006–2008 to collect data on the availability and uses of Astavarga across 21 diverse localities. During the surveys, information was collected on types of ailments treated and plant parts used in different therapies in TMK using semi-structured questionnaires. Overall, information was gathered from 92 informants in the study area. These herbs are mostly used to treat sexual problems, physical disability, respiratory problems, different types of pain, fever and urinary problems, as well as anti-ageing agents. Information on medicinal properties of these plants was also collected from secondary sources, i.e. the traditional medical system (Ayurveda) and through a literature survey. This revealed that Astavarga in TMS is mostly used to treat sexual disorders, physica...

Observations on above ground litter decomposition and nutrient release in alpine ecosystem of the Himalaya were carried out. Monthly variation was observed for above ground litter crop and it was higher in the protected sites (PR) when compared with unprotected sites (UNPR). Turnover rate (TR) and time (TT) was also higher in PR sites and it corresponded to maximum net accumulation of standing dead and litter biomass. This resulted into low litter disappearance and therefore, low nutrient fluxes as well. Comparatively, potassium content was a maximum followed by N and OC in above ground crop of litter with significant variation among the sites (P

This work was undertaken to analyze nutrient contents of vegetation in an alpine meadow—Tungnath, North-West Himalaya, India. The study pertains to the uptake, transfer and release of four main macronutrients (organic carbon, total nitrogen, total potassium and total phosphorus) in grazed (exposed to extensive grazing by cattles) and ungrazed (grazing completely prohibited) communities. Mineral concentration was recorded higher for the ungrazed sites compared to the grazed sites, and maximum standing state of nutrients was found in roots. Belowground compartment (roots) contributed maximum share of mineral elements to soil. Litter nutrients release was low because of low microbial activity and continuous removal of phytomass. Observations reveal that there was very little amount of nutrient release from phytomass and vegetation in alpine are very poor source of mineral recycling. Low transfer rate of minerals from one compartment to other is adequate for greater amount of these minerals that are translocated back into the storage organs. A small proportion get removed through rain splash or through the removal of hay during grazing as relatively high release rates in ungrazed sites when compared to grazed sites was observed. This translocation can be considered as an important adaptation in alpine plants for survival during adverse environmental conditions, against all types of biotic pressures and also for regeneration in the forthcoming growing season.

Angelica glauca (Apiaceae), endemic to the Himalaya, is an endangered medicinal herb for which, beside in situ conservation, ex situ cultivation is recommended to overcome poor seed germination that limits natural reproduction in the species. To determine the germination potential of the species, the germination of seeds collected from several populations were measured. Germination in seeds treated with KNO3 and NaHClO3 before sowing was significantly enhanced as compared with untreated controls and reduced the mean germination time under laboratory and nursery conditions.

Temperate grazing lands in Garhwal Himalaya are rich in herbaceous vegetation and extensively used for grazing by locally owned livestock. Capillipedium parviflorum is a frequently occurring and dominant grass species under Pine canopy in associate with several herbs. Beside, grazing and extensive fire, interactions among associated species is a determining factor of community structure. In this article the dominant diversity pattern of vegetation in temperate grazing land along two different altitudes and having different slope aspects is described. Interaction between dominant and co-dominant species with their niche appearance and niche overlap measurement was also observed and presented here. South and west facing slopes had maximum species and diversity values while east north facing slopes had higher species dominant. Capillipedium parviflorum and other grasses had maximum niche values and were dominant and co dominant species. Three types of interspecific interaction were observed between species and grasses were observed as succeeding species in all sites of different topographic conditions. Dominant diversity pattern along with resource partitioning and interspecific competition is discussed and presented here.

Effect of grazing and changing climate on vegetation composition of alpine pasture at Tungnath, Garhwal Himalaya was observed. Growth form pattern and phytosociological attributes were analyzed during 1988 under grazed (exposed to extensive grazing) and ungrazed (protected from grazing) conditions. These observations were repeated during 1998. It was observed that number of early growing species and long vegetative growth cycle species had increased at both sites in 1998 in comparison to 1988. Further, some species, viz., Poa alpina, Polygonum spp., Ranunculus hirtellus, Anemone spp., are predominantly found near the timberline-subalpine region. These species are less palatable and were present at both sites with higher dominance (TBC) and niche width in 1998 indicating wide distribution of the species along an altitudinal gradient. These observations indicated the migration of these species towards upper slopes of alpine. Species diversity was also higher after ten years. However, it is clear that climatic changes alone are not responsible for these vegetational shifts. In fact, human-induced changes are the main reason for habitat destruction and changes in vegetation composition of the alpine region of Garhwal Himalaya. Before final conclusions can be made, long-term studies on vegetation composition and changes are needed, especially in Himalayan region.

Two different stages, full bloom flowers and pea size fruits of ‘Delicious’ apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) were sprayed single and repeatedly after 15 days during fruit sets with 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 ppm CPPU {N-(2-chloro-4-pyridinyl)N-phenyl urea} in temperate conditions. Maximum fruit set increased 1.74 times with Sitofex application as compared to control. At both application times, the fruit length and diameter of treated fruit linearly increased with increasing concentration. Fruit length: diameter (L/D) ratios generally increased with higher doses. Fruit weight and volume significantly influenced with all CPPU concentrations. The maximum fruit volume increased by 79% with CPPU application as compared to control. Maximum yield 37.26 kg tree−1 with 10 ppm Sitofex was superior to 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 ppm Sitofex application. The yield was minimum in control, 28.09 kg tree−1. These effects either in an increase or decrease were associated with increasing Sitofex concentrations. Thus, proper PGR use could play an important role in providing higher quality products to their customers at lower cost.

This study aims to determine the age of individual plants of the perennial herb Lilium polyphyllum in its natural habitats. Plant age was successfully estimated as the number of years a seed takes to produce the first stem plus the number of remnants of old shoots visible on the basal plates of the bulbs. Plant age as well as morphological features of shoots and bulbs were recorded at one temperate and one high altitude site. There were significant differences between the sites with respect to plant height, leaf number, bulb diameter and weight. The results show that individuals of similar age differ in morphology between temperate and high altitude sites. At both sites, all flowering plants of L. polyphyllum were 10–12 years old.

Lilium polyphyllum es una planta herbacea que se en - cuentra en estado de peligro en ambientes naturales de Uttarakhand, India. La enfermedad conocida como moho gris fue detectada sobre esta especie desde Julio a Agosto (2008-2009) causando muerte de inflorescencias y varas. Botrytis cinerea fue aislado consistentemente de inflorescencias. Su patogenicidad fue confirmada mediante ino - culacion de plantas de L. polyphyllum cultivadas en macetas en un invernaculo. Como resultado, se cita a Botrytis cinerea por primera vez como causante de moho gris sobre Lilium polyphyllum en India, cuyos sintomas son tizon de flores y varas. Esta enfermedad puede afectar seriamente a este hospedante en riesgo durante su estado reproducti - vo. A nuestro entender, no existe otro antecedente de B. cinerea sobre este hospedante

Observations on phenology of some representative trees, shrubs, under-shrubs and herbs in a subalpine forest of Uttarakhand, western Himalaya were recorded. With the commencement of favorable growth season in April, occurrence of leaf fall was indicatory growth phenomenon in Quercus semecarpifolia, Q. floribunda and Abies spectabilis. However, active vegetative growth in herbaceous species starts onward April and fruit maturation and seed dehiscence are completed from mid of September to October. In general, vegetative growth and reproductive stages in majority of the studied species seems to be dependent on adequate moisture content and also flowering and fruiting in subalpine plants correlate ambient temperature.

Studies on phenology and growth form distribution in an alpine pasture of Garhwal Himalaya were undertaken from 1988 to 1998. One hundred seventy-one species were recorded and classified as 5 different growth forms. These species were also classified as early- and late-growing type, on the basis of initiation of their aerial sprouts. Cushion-forming forbs generally emerge as the season commences, that is, immediately after snowmelt. However, the vegetative growth of grasses and other forbs peaked randomly after arrival of the monsoon. Phenophases of different species at higher elevations respond to the availability of the soil moisture and nutrient regimes as well as to temperature and different photoperiodic induction. The spectrum of life forms in the region indicated a hemicryptophytic and geophytic plant climate.

Studies were conducted on population status and regeneration of Quercus semecarpifolia and Quercus floribunda in a subalpine forest of western Himalaya. Saplings of Q. semecarpifolia belonging to the 51-100 cm size class and those of Q. floribunda belonging to the 101-150 cm size class were well represented in studied subalpine forests. Comparable seedling emergence and establishment of both species, either in the habitat dominated by same or different species seems to be an adaptational strategy of these species in subalpine forests. Seedling to tree ratio for Q. semecarpifolia was higher in the stand dominated by Q. floribunda, while comparable pattern was observed for Q. floribunda in the stand dominated by Q. semecarpifolia. Establishment of higher percent of seedlings of one species in the habitats dominated by another species of Quercus appears to indicate an oligarchic nature of oaks in subalpine forests. This study describes regeneration strategies, and spatial distribution of these species in a subalpine forest of Uttarakhand.

This study was conducted to prepare functionally enrich squash from Rhododendron (Rhododendron arboreum Sm.) petals. The prepared product was evaluated for various physico-chemical functional properties. The addition of extract effected all the parameters positively. Antioxidant compounds viz. ascorbic acid 33.12±0.03, 14.93±0.09 and 18.80±0.11mg/100g, total anthocyanins 29.67±0.85, 10.88±0.21 and 14.10±0.18mg/100g and total phenols 34.14±0.43, 20.61±0.15 and 21.00±0.11mg/100g were documented in Rhododendron flowers, sugar based Rhododendron squash and honey based Rhododendron squash, respectively. The advancement of storage decreased TSS, total sugars, reducing sugars, acidity, ascorbic acid, total anthocyanins and total phenols but slight increase in pH value of both type of squashes took place. Overall, 30 per cent rhododendron juice and final TSS 45°Brix is recommended to prepare a good quality honey based rhododendron squash.

The present study aimed to compare the effect of various treatments on growth and biomass formation in Hedychium spicatum. The methodology consisted of the application of different organic substrates in five treatments of 100 seeds with three repetitions (T1: Pure Garden Soil (GS) (control), T2: Pure garden soil + Farmyard manure (FYM) (1: 1), T3: GS + Litter + FYM (2: 1: 1), T4: GS + FYM + Vermicompost (2: 1: 1), T5: GS + Litter + vermicompost (2: 1: 1). The variables recorded were Germination, and only was taken three Plants for Plant height, Number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width, above ground and below ground biomass. These data were analyzed with an anova (p

The present investigation was carried out to study the influence of plant bioregulators on growth, yield and quality of strawberry cv. Festival. The study indicates that growth, yield attributing characters, yield and quality of strawberry fruits were significantly influenced by various bioregulators. Among different plant bioregulators, GA3 150 ppm recorded the significantly the highest yield of 116.18 q ha−1. It also recorded the highest value with respect to different growth parameters, viz. plant height (22.27 cm), spread (26.35 cm), number of runners (9.27) and flowering and fruiting duration (83.02 days). Among different yield attributing characters like berry set (87.93%), berry length (46.74 mm), berry diameter (29.75 mm), berry weight (18.62 g), berries plant−1 (32.37), GA3 150 ppm showed superiority than other plant bioregulators. Regarding various physico-chemical parameters, viz. TSS, acidity, total, reducing and non-reducing sugars of fruits, ethrel 250 ppm exhibited significantly the maximum values. The treatment GA3 150 ppm was the best plant bio-regulator treatment for improving growth, and yield. However, with respect to physico-chemical characteristics of fruits, ethrel 250 ppm was found best.

Cultivation of an important sub alpine-alpine medicinal and aromatic herb, Angelica archangelica Linn. (Apiaceae), was carried out at two different climatic zone at 2200 m asl (Pothivasa, PV) and 3600 m asl (Tungnath, TN) altitudes in Garhwal, North west Himalaya, India. These altitudes represent temperate and alpine region of the Himalaya. Since the species has a very few wild populations, cultivation of the species is recommended for its medicinal use. After the establishment of sufficient quantity of seedlings, they were transplanted in both sites at the age of two, three and four months for the comparative accounts on survival, growth and yield and, to test the appropriate age of seedlings for transplantation and climatic suitability for cultivation of the species. Organic cultivation protocol was adopted by using different farm yard manure (FYM) as treatments. Yield was minimum in youngest seedlings (two months old ) transplanted at TN in ordinary alpine soil (control) and maximum under polyhouse beds at PV after three years of growth. Observations on yield at different climatic zone revealed that it was maximum in PV (temperate site) as compared to alpine site (natural site) in all treatments. Seedlings of different age also had better survival, growth and yield at the temperate site though; two months old seedlings after transplantation had comparatively slow growth and yield than those of three and four months seedlings. These observations clearly suggested that temperate region (2200 m) is suitable for cultivation of A. archangelica . Addition of manure (leaf litter in particular) and polyhouse cultivation further improved the yield. Economical viability of the cultivation was also observed and presented here. Keywords : Seedlings, economic yield, profit, observations, polyhouse. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences Vol. 2 (4) 2008: pp. 563-572