024375   Pusalkar P K;Singh D K (Botanical Survey of India, Northern Circle, Dehradun-248 195, Email: lecyth@yahoo.com) : New species of Berchemia neck. ex DC. (Rhamnaceae) from India. Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 9-12.

A new species of Berchemia Neck, ex DC. (Rhamnaceae) is described from India. The species differs from allied B. floribunda (Wall.) Brongn. in tree habit; inflorescence a branched, terminal and axillary panicle bearing 3-15-flowered floral fascicles on the branches of second order (except terminal branch of the panicle); floral fascicles having terminal, older flower with longer, erect pedicels surrounding younger flowers with short, often nodding pedicels; stamens with filaments equal the length of the petals and completely encircled by the petal with anthers included or partly exerted; carpel with sessile stigma and oblong, flattened fruits without terminal stylar beak.

1 illus, 1 table, 3 ref

024374   Prasad V P;Kothari M J;Barne K B;Rao P S N (Botanical Survey of India, Western Circle, Pune-411 001) : Congregation of Danaid butterflyies on Crotalaria retusa L. (Fabaceae). Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 193-5.

An unusual congregation of butterflies was observed in the experimental garden of Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Pune on 6-8 months old Crotalaria retusa L. plants grown in a separate plot earmarked for this species. The congregation of these butterflies was first noticed in late September and slowly increased in number from about twelve initially and reached the peak in mid October up to about sixty. Then the number started dwindling slowly, but the butterflies were found congregating till late November, though the number was six to seven only. Congregation of butterflies was found in the morning hours only with the maximum number around 9.00 am. As the atmospheric temperature gradually increased they were found dispersing and by around 11.30 am all of them have left the plants. Also these butterflies were not found gathering again in the afternoon or in the evening.

1 illus 12 ref

024373   Parmar P J (Botanical Survey of India, Arid Zone Circle, Jodpur-342 008) : Flora of Mehsana district, North Gujarat. Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 67-100.

The study envisages an account of vegetation and floral composition of phytodiversity of Mehasana district, Gujarat, It comprises 487 species of angiosperms, belonging to 287 genera under 86 families and two species of pteridophytes.

7 ref

024372   Pandey R P (Botanical Survey of India, Arid Zone Circle, Jodhpur-342 008) : Phytodiversity of little rann of Kachchh with special reference to wild ass sanctuary, Gujarat. Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 39-50.

The floristic studies of any protected area viz. National Park, Wildlife Sanctuary, Biosphere Reserve etc are important for the effective assessment of phytodiversity and the resultant data act as precursor for sustainable habitat management and to formulate future planning strategies for conservation of Biodiversity. The present paper envisages an account of vegetation, floral composition of vascular plants comprising 372 species belonging to 224 genera under 72 families. Besides this, economically important plants of bioperspective nature have been given. The present study also envisages a list of 20 crop / cultivated plants along with their 24 wild relatives occurring in the sanctuary area. The present paper also analysed rare and threatened taxa and their conservation in the area. At last management constraints and recommendations have also been dealt.

1 map, 3 tables, 7 ref

024371   Panda S;Sanjappa M (P.G Dep of Botany, Barasat Govt. College, Barasat-700 124, Email: panda.bgc@gmail.com) : New species of Vaccinium L. (Ericaceae) from India. Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 1-8.

Vaccinium amakhangium Panda & Sanjappa (Ericaceae) is described as new from the inaccessible region of Nagaland in India. The new species is compared with its close ally, V. lamellatum P. F. Stevens and both are suitably illustrated including micro morphological details of pollen grain under SEM.

2 illus, 2 tables, 9 ref

024370   Panda S (P.G. Dep of Botany, Barasat Government College, Barasat-700 124, Email: subhaeri@yahoo.com) : Ethnobotany of ericaceae from the estern himalayas and north-eastern India. Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 105-10.

Ethnobotanical first hand information, mostly on traditional phytotherapies of 23 taxa in the family Ericaceae from different ethnic groups in the Eastern Himalayas and North-Eastern India, has been investigated. Besides some folk therapies for treating various human diseases, other uses such as vegetables, preparation of good quality jams and tart, insecticides, biofertilizers, fodderfor catties and making incence sticks are also described. Data presented are first hand and based on field studies with experienced and elderly tribal people, local medicinemen and forest guards. All 23 taxa of Ericaceae were collected, botanically identified and voucher specimens were deposited in Central National Herbarium (CAL). The traditional pharmaceutical practice shows trends towards development and modernization in aspects like preparation of dosage forms, administration, use of additives and mode of uses.

1 Plate, 12 ref

024369   Palanisamy M (Botanical Survey of India, Southern Circle, Coimbatore-641 003, Email: samy_bsi@yahoo.co.in) : Neurymenia fraxinifolia (Mert. ex turn.) J. AG.-a new record of a marine red alga for Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 199-200.

The earlier compilation on marine algae of India by Krishnamurthy and Joshi (1970), Untawale & al. (1983), Srivastava and Mehrotra (1990), Oza and Zaidi (2001) and Sahoo & al. (2001) shows the rich diversity of marine algae in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Further taxonomic accounts by lyengar (1984), Rao (1988), Srivastava (1996), Desikachary & al. (1998), Rao and Tigga (1998, 2000), Rao and Rao (1999), and Rao (2000) provided additional information on some new and interesting algal species of these Islands. During the course of exploration to study marine algal flora of Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, South Andaman, a red alga Neurymenia fraxinifolia (Mert.ex Turn.) J. Ag. was found in the sea coast of Tarmugli Island, South Andaman. Present record is of special importance since the alga is reported for the first time from Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Identification of the specimen was conformed by referring to Desikachary & al. (1998). The collections were made following standard procedures and are preserved in PEL. Among the recorded algae of 110 species, 35 species were belonging to green, 27 to brown, 38 species to red algae and 4 blue-green. Neurymenia fraxinifolia (Mert. ex Turn.) J. Ag. is reported for the first time from Andaman Nicobar Islands.

1 illus, 25 ref

024368   Pal Murugan M;Janifer Raj X;Phani Kumar G; Gupta S;Singh S B (NO, Defence Institute of High Altitude, Defence Research and Development O, C/o 56 APO, Leh-Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Email: palmurugan17@yahoo.co.in) : Phytofoods of Nubra valley, Ladakh - the cold desert. Indian J Tradl Knowledge 2010, 9(2), 303-8.

Presents the findings of an investigation on traditional wild edible plants available in the Nubra valley, Ladakh used for the preparation of traditional food items by the local tribal people. The Nubra, one of the valleys of Ladakh is known for its floral diversity in the cold arid zone. Twenty seven high altitude plant species belonging to 18 families in Nubra valley were identified as edible plants and used for the preparation of Ladakhi dishes. Shangso chonma, Ldum chonma, Thanthour chonma, Kabra chonma and Phololing chamyk were some of the famous traditional Ladakhi food item prepared from the wild edible plants.

15 illus, 1 table, 11 ref

024367   Padmini S;Kavitha C H;Swarupa Rani S (Botany Dep, S.N. Vanita Mahavidyalaya Research Laboratory, Hyderabad-1) : Biocontrol efficacy of leaf extract of Emblica officinalis against brown spot of rice caused by Helminthosporium. Bioinfolet 2010, 7(3), 237-8.

Deals with biocontrol efficacy of foliar extract of Emblica officinalis against Helminthosporium oryzae causing brown spot of rice by food poison technique. The percentage of inhibition of Helminthosporium oryzae was 55%.

4 ref

024366   Padma Sundari M;Rao Y V (Botany Dep, Andhra Univ, Visakhapatnam, Email: padma13@rediffmail.com) : In-vitro regeneration in Sesamum indicum L.. Indian J multidiscipl Res 2009, 5(4), 469-74.

The aim of the study was to develop a protocol for shoot regeneration for developing 10 Localed(lOL) multllocule character of Sesamum indicum L. c.v.Vm. Multiple shoots were regenerated from Hypocotyi with Cotyledon on MS medium supplemented with 5 mg/l of BAP alone, only Hypocotyl and Cotyledonary explants showed callusing with different concentrations of 2,4-D and KIN. The roots were produced from regenerated shoots when transferred to half strength MS medium with 0.5 mg/l NAA. The rooted plantlets were later transferred for hardening and acclimatization.

8 ref

024365   Nazarudeen A (NO, Tropical Botanic Garden Research Institute, Palode, Thiruvananthapuram-695 562, Email: nazaruddintbgri@rediffmail.com) : Nutritional composition of some lesser-known fruits used by the ethnic communities and local folks of Kerala. Indian J Tradl Knowledge 2010, 9(2), 398-402.

Wild edible fruits play a significant role in the dietary requirements of the tribal and local communities of Kerala. Out of 218 species of fruit plants collected from the wild, fruits of ten species based on their individual merit were selected for chemical analysis. Estimation of moisture, protein, fats, reducing, non-reducing and total sugars, fiber, total mineral matter, vitamin C, iron, sodium, potassium and energy value were carried out and the results are compared with the nutritive value of ten common cultivar fruits.

2 tables, 29 ref

024364   Murugan C;Sudhakar J V (Botanical Survey of India, Southern Regional Center, Coimbatore-641 003) : Mastixia euonymoides Prain (Cornaceae) : an addition to the flora of Tamil Nadu. Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 204.

The genus Mastixia Blume (Cornaceae) with 13 species is distributed in Sri Lanka (Ceylon), India, Bhutan, S.Yunnan, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Indo-China, Malesia and Solomon Islands. In India, four taxa, viz. M. arborea (Wight) Bedd. ssp. arborea, M. arborea (Wight) Bedd. ssp. meziana (Wangerin.) K.M. Matthew, M. euonymoides Prain and M. pentandra Blume ssp. chinensis (Merr.) K.M. Mathew are distributed (K.M. Matthew, 1976). While studying the genus Mastixia Blume (Cornaceae) of South India, the authors found an unidentified specimen from Nilgiri hills, Tamil Nadu. After critical studies and perusal of literature, we confirmed it as Mastixia euonymoides Prain. So far, it is known to N.E. India (Manipur), Bhutan, Myanmar and Thailand (Brandis, 1907 & K.M. Matthew, 1976). The present collection constitutes a new distributional record for the Western Ghats, Peninsular India. A short description with a photograph of the specimen is provided.

2 ref

024363   Murugan C;Kabeer K A A;Murthy G V S (Botanical Survey of India, Southern Regional Circle, Coimbatore-641 003) : Phyllanthus rangachariarii-a new species of euphorbiaceae from Agasthiyamalai, India. Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 201-3.

During a plant exploration tour in the eastern slopes of the Agasthiyamalai Biosphere Reserve of Tamil Nadu, the authors collected an interesting Phyllanthus L. (Euphorbiaceae) from the Papanasam hills, Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu. Critical examination of these specimens and perusal of relevant literature (Hooker, 1887; Trimen, 1898; Gamble, 1925; Grady, 1997; Chakrabarty & Balakrishnan, 2007) revealed that it is a novelty, closely allied to Phyllanthus heyneanus Muell.Arg. This new species is described and illustrated here.

1 illus, 1 table, 5 ref

024362   Mohanan M;Sudhakar J V (Botanical Survey of India, Southern Circle, Coimbatore-641 003) : Sesbania sericea (Willd.) link (Leguminosae : Papilionoideae)-a new record for India. Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 171-2.

During a plant exploration trip to Southern Kerala for the project 'Mangroves of Kerala', the senior author collected a Sesbania species from Ayiramthengu, a natural Mangrove formation in Kollam district of Kerala. It was growing very close to the Tidal Mangroves in this area along with sedges and grasses. On a close examination and critical study, it was identified as Sesbania sericea (Willd.) Link, a species hitherto not recorded from India. A widely distributed species, S. sericea, as rightly pointed out by Gillett (1963) 'owes part of its wide distribution to man'. The area is very close to a fishing harbour and an 'Ashram' in Amritapuri where many domestic and foreign tourists visits and hence its introduction to this area by man intentionally or unintentionally cannot be ruled out. As the plant was found occurring in a wider area, it looks as if the plant might have been growing there unnoticed for many years as in the case of many other areas of its distribution in Sri Lanka and America (Gillett, 1963). The nativity of this species is a disputed, some suggest its West African origin, others stated Sri Lanka as the home of S. sericea (Gillett, 1963).

1 illus, 4 ref

024361   Mishra S;Panda S P;Sahoo D (NO, Regional Plant Research Center, Bhubaneswar-751 015, Email: subhaeri@yahoo.com) : Orchid flora of Andhra Pradesh, India. Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 129-46.

The Orchid flora of Andhra Pradesh, consisting of 83 species in 40 genera is accounted in this paper. The enumeration provides correct names of the taxa dealt with, the basionym and synonyms, if any, as provided in the regional floras. Notes on ecology and phenology of flowering are followed with occurrence of the species in the state. 5 genera and 17 species form new record to the flora of Andhra Pradesh.

1 plate, 7 ref

024360   Masal V P;Shaikh S D;Dongre M (NO, Dapoli Urban Bank Senior Science College, Dapoli Dist., Ratnagiri) : Phenolic contents in some pteridophytes of Ratnagiri district (M.S.) India. Bioinfolet 2010, 7(3), 228-9.

Deals with phenolic contents in 10 pteridophytes growing at Ratnagiri District of Maharashtra State. The phenolic content significantly varied among the species studied, as well as under vegetative and reproductive stages.

1 table, 6 ref

024359   Masal V P;Shaikh S D;Dongare M (NO, Dapoli Urban Bank Senior Science College, Dapoli Dist, Ratnagiri) : Photosynthetic pigment in some pteridophytes of Ratnagiri district (M.S.) India. Bioinfolet 2010, 7(3), 230-2.

Analysis of photosynthetic pigments in ten pteridophytes from different places of Ratnagiri Distric was done. Changes in the amounts of chlorophyll pigments were noticed during formation of sporangia.

1 table, 9 ref

024358   Kulkarni P V;Ade A B (Botany Dep, Yogeshwari Mahavidyalaya, Ambajogai-431 517) : Rhizosphere microflora of carrot: bacteria and fungi. Bioinfolet 2010, 7(3), 213-14.

Rhizosphere microbes of the carrot were screened. It was found that the frequency of bacteria was low while that of fungi was high when compared with soil microflora.

1 table, 3 ref

024357   Kolet M (Botany Dep, B.N. Bandodkar College of Science, Thane-400 601) : Mycoflora associated with particle board. Bioinfolet 2010, 7(3), 264-5.

The investigation was undertaken to survey the mycoflora inhabiting particle boards from a densely populated urban area of India. The samples were collected from particle boards situated 5-6 m above ground level, serving as false ceiling of a public hall and top cover of an electrical installation respectively. A total of 19 fungal species belonging to 8 genera, inclusive of some known thermotolerant and thermophilic forms, were encountered during the study. Prominent among the isolated fungal flora were the cellulolytic genera Aspergillus and Chaetomium. The study of fungal organisms isolated during the investigation also revealed most of the species to be potential health hazards.

1 table, 13 ref

024356   Karunyal Samuel J;Andrews B (Botany Dep, The American College, Madurai-625 001, Email: karunyalsco@yahoo.co.in) : Traditional medicinal plant wealth of Pachalur and Periyur hamlets Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu. Indian J Tradl Knowledge 2010, 9(2), 264-70.

Traditional medicinal practices by the tribal communities living in various hamlets of Pachalur and Periyur were documented by Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) exercise and interview schedules. A collection of 82 medicinal plant species belonging to 44 families, used to treat 44 human ailments are described. The communities inhabiting the study area include Paliyans, Pulayans Doobies, Parayars, Asariars, Mannadiars, Sakiliyars and Chettiars.

5 illus, 2 tables, 9 ref

024355   Kabeer K A A;Nair V J;Murthy G V S (Botanical Survey of India, Southern Circle, Coimbotore-641 003, Email: bsisc@rediffmail.com) : Thipogon borii-a grass species new to science from India. Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 115-18.

Tripogon borii, a new species of Poaceae, discovered during the recent detailed studies on the grass flora of Tamil Nadu is described and illustrated here.

2 illus, 2 tables, 1 ref

024354   Inamdar A;Kamble A B (Botany Dep, Yashvantrao Chavan Institute of Science, Satara-415 001) : Allelopathic effects of Celosia argentea, L. on seed germination and seeding growth of Pennisetum typhoides Burm. Bioinfolet 2010, 7(3), 192-4.

Influence of Celosia argentea, L. on seed gemination and seedling growth of Pennisetum typhoides, Burm, showed detrimental reduction.

2 table 8 ref

024353   Gupta R K (Botanical Survey of India, Cryptogamic Unit, Howrah-711 103) : Bark algae of Indian botanic garden, Howrah. Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 119-28.

Studies on the epiphytic algae on the bark of different trees in Indian Botanic Garden, Howrah were conducted between 2006-2007. Of these 33 species belong to Cyanophyceae. The members of 53 algal species revealed that members of Chroococcaceae, Oscillatoriaceae, Scytonemataceae, Nostocaceae, Rivulariaceae (Cyanophyceae), and Trentepohliaceae, Pleurococcaceae (Chlorophyceae) exhibit a luxuriant growth. But certain members of Chlorophyceae, Xanthophyceae and Bacillariophyceae, exhibit scare growth. The correct names of the woody species that support the growth of the algae are also listed.

8 plate, 1 table, 12 ref

024352   Garg A (Botanical Survey of India, Central National Herbarium, Howrath-711 103, Email: kad_arti396@yahoo.com) : New records of Asteraceae from west Bengal. Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 101-4.

Elucidates eleven taxa belonging to ten species of Asteraceae as new records for the state of West Bengal.

6 ref

024351   Diwakar P G;Sumathi R;Jayanthi J;Karthigeyan K (Botanical Survey of India, Western Circle, Pune-411 101) : Contribution to the flora of limestone caves in Baratang Island, Andamans. Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 19-22.

Baratang Island is one of the geologically interesting area in Andamans with many mud volcanoes and limestone caves. A first hand report of the plants occurring in and around the limestone caves is presented. A total of 152 taxa are listed.

1 table, 14 ref

024350   Dey N (P.G Dep of Botany, Darjeeling Govt. College, Darjeeling-734 101, Email: narottamdey@yahoo.com) : Sirocladium kumaoense Randhawa (Zygnemaceae)-a rare terrestrial alga from Darjeeling Himalayas. Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 175-8.

1 illus, 17 ref

024349   Dey M;Singh D K (Botanical Survey of India, Central National Herbarium, Howrah-711 103) : Cololejeunea longiana Grolle & Mizut.-an addition to Indian bryoflora from Darjeeling, West Bengal. Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 209-11.

The genus Cololejeunea (Spruce) Schiffn. is represented in India by 30 species, of which 17 species are known from Eastern Himalaya (Asthana & Srivastava, 2003). During the course of studies on the epiphyllous liverworts of Eastern Himalaya, some interesting plants of the genus were collected from Darjeeling district of West Bengal. A critical morpho-taxonomic investigation of the specimens revealed that while the plants belong to subgenus Leptocolea (Spruce) Schiffn., they did not match with any of the species of the sub genus so far known from India. A subsequent literature review (Grolle, 1988; Zhu & So, 2001; Asthana & Srivastava, 2003) revealed it to be Cololejeunea longiana Grolle & Mizut., a species so far known only from its type locality in Bhutan (Grolle, 1988) and Nepal (Zhu & Long, 2003). A detailed description and illustration of the same has been provided in the present communication.

16 illus, 4 ref

024348   Devendra Singh;Dey M;Singh D K (Botanical Survey of India, Central National Herbarium, Howrah-711 103, Email: singh_drdk@rediffmail.com) : Lejeunea papilionacea Steph. (Hepaticae: Lejeuneaceae)-an addition to Indian bryoflora from East Sikkim. Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 212-15.

During the course of intensive explorations of the East district of Sikkim for the study and documentation of its Hepaticae and Anthocerotae, an interesting epiphyllous population of Lejeunea Lib., with plants having androecial branches with 2 - 14-paired male bracts and dorso-ventrally flattened, obcordate perianth with two auriculate lateral keels, was collected. A critical morpho-taxonomic study of the plants revealed it to be different from all the species of the genus known so far from the country. A subsequent literature review (Mizutani, 1963,1971; Udar & Awasthi, 1981; Zhu & Grolle, 2001; Zhu & So, 2001) revealed it to be Lejeunea papilionacea Steph., a species so far known from Africa, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Philippines. The same has been illustrated and described in detail.

38 illus, 6 ref

024347   Debta M R (Botanical Survey of India, Northern Circle, Dehradun-248 195) : Some new reports for the flora of West Bengal. Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 147-9.

Dichrocephala integrifolia subsp. gracilis (DC.) Fayed, Prenanthes violifolia Decne., Saussurea gossypiphora D. Don, S. leontodontoides (DC.) Sch.-Bip., S. sughoo C.B. Clarke belonging to the family Asteraceae are reported here for the first time from West Bengal.

5 ref

024346   Das S;Khanra S (Botanical Survey of India, Central Botanical Laboratory, Howrah-711 103) : On idioblasts in Gastrochilus D.Don and Rhyncostylis blume (Orchidaceae). Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 196-8.

The occurrence of idioblasts in the form of tracheoids, sclereids, hyaline cells, raphides and their cooccurrence in the mesophyll at the vein endings have opened a new taxonomic interest in seed plants. The occurrence of tracheoids has akeady been reported by T.A. Rao (1992) but the above genera required special attention because of their diverse size, shape and positional relationship to the vein endings. This aspect, has been studied in details for a few species of Rhyncostylis Blurae and Gastrochilus D.Don.

2 illus, 8 ref

024345   Chavan V B;Chillawar R G;Rathor O S (Botany Dep, P.G. Science College, Nanded-431 605) : Addition to flowering plant diversity of Nanded district of Maharashtra State. Bioinfolet 2010, 7(3), 235-6.

Deals with 15 additions to the flowering plants of Nanded district of Maharashtra State. The updated nomenclature, name of the family and locality of each species are given.

1 table, 11ref

024344   Chatage V S;Bhale U N (Botany Dep, Arts Science and Commerce College, Nadurg Dist. Osmanabad-413 602) : Fungi associated with fruit rot disease of Ivy gourd (Coccinia indica Wight & Arn.) from Maharashtra, India. Bioinfolet 2010, 7(3), 242-3.

Describes Alternaria pluriseptata and Geotrichum candidus causing fruit rot diseases of Coccinia Indica Wight & Arn. The disease occurs as typical light and dark green spots on fruits due to infection of A. pluriseptata, while creamy white, hard spot due to G. candicus. By isolating the organisms on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium studies on mycelial growth, symptomatology, pathogenicity, morphology of the pathogens were studied.

8 ref

024343   Chakraborty A;Bhattacharya D;Ghanta S; Chattopadhyay S (NO, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (CSIR), Kolkata-700 032, Email: sharmila@iicb.res.in) : Efficient protocol for in vitro regeneration of Podophyllum hexandrum, a critically endangered medicinal plant. Indian J Biotechnol 2010, 9(2), 217-20.

Rhizome explants were used to develop a protocol for in vitro plantlet regeneration of Podophyllum hexandrum, a critically endangered medicinal plant, through direct organogenesis. Highest rate of multiple shoot formation was noted in MS medium supplemented with 11.42 μM IAA within three months. A synergistic effect of 2.68 μM NAA and 11.1 μM BAP was second best. The « MS liquid medium with 100 μM IBA was most suitable for rooting of shoots. Leaf explants resulted in callus formation only. Leaf regenerated calli showed the presence of podophyllotoxin in HPLC analysis.

^ssc1 illus, 3 tables, 25 ref

024342   Brahma G;Debnath H S;Mukherjee S K (Botanical Survey of India, Industrial Section, Indian Museum, Kolkata-700 016, Email: bsiisim@rediffmail.com) : Assessment of mangrove diversity in Sunderban Tiger Reserve, India. Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 167-70.

Sunderban is the second largest Biosphere Reserve in India to conserve the coastal mangrove ecosystems including many rare, threatened and endangered plant species. This biosphere reserve falls under the Indo-Malayan Realm, Province No. 4.3.1., covering a total area of about 9,630 sqkm, of which an area of 2,585.10 sq km was designated as Sunderban Tiger Reserve. The Sunderban Tiger Reserve in India lies within the jurisdiction of the districts North & South 24-Parganas in West Bengal, covering 16 blocks and 71 compartments. The Sunderban Tiger Reserve is bounded in the east by international boundary of Bangladesh formed by the rivers Harinbhanga, Raimangal and Kalindi, Matla in the west and Bay of Bengal in the south. Sunderbans, in the coastal area of West Bengal is well known for having its interesting and extensive highest bio-diversity of mangrove habitat flora and fauna. Lots of studies have been conducted on the Sunderban Tiger Reserve, but these are mainly focused on the tiger habitat, tiger-human conflict and management systems. The whole ecosystem complex of Sunderban Tiger Reserve with a mosaic of vegetational entities; natural habitats and land cover types harbour a unique and rich bio-diversity of both flora and fauna. This ecosystem is so fragile that any interference may lead to extinction of various components and also the ecosystem as a whole. As such, it is felt very much necessary to reassess and describe the mangroves of the Indian Sunderbans, especially the Tiger Reserve in the light of the present scenario. In view of the above, the present aims to study the floristic diversity, composition, and distribution pattern along with phyto-sociological parameters of mangrove communities growing inside the Sunderban Tiger Reserve. It is hoped that these data will be useful in conservation and management planning.

1 illus, 1 table, 5 ref

024341   Biswas A;Basu S K (Batanical Survey of India, Crytogamic Unit, Howrah-711 103) : On the occurrence of three species of Pseudocylosorus airy shaw from West Bengal. Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 190-2.

Pseudocyclosorus esquirolli (Christ) Ching, was first described by Christ in Bull. Acad. Inst. Geogr. Bot. 17. 1907, under the genus Dryopteris as D. esquirolli Christ. Ching in Acta Phytotax. Sinica 8(4): 322-325. 1963, transferred it to the genus Pseudocyclosorus. The controversy regarding the Indian distribution of this taxon is on for a number of years. We have observed a collection of A. Meebold having collection no.2101, from Darjeeling which though identified as Lastrea octhodes, is actually Pseudocyclosorus esquirolli. The sheet also bears a det. slip of Holttum having the name Thelypteris esquirolli. Holttum in Kew Bull. 34(3): 514. 1979 reported its distribution from Vietnam, Yunnan, Taiwan, Ryukyu and Southern Japan but not from India. In a personal communication with C.R. Fraser-Jenkins, who kindly informed us that he believes and would like to accept the species occurring in and collected from several places of East and Central Nepal and again in Meghalaya. The collection of Meebold of Pseudocyclosorus esquirolli thus constitutes a new record for the species in West Bengal as well as India.

024340   Biswas A (Botanical Survey of India, Cryptogamic Section, Howrah-711 103) : Thelypteris ratnapurae fraser jenk-a new record of fern for India. Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 207-8.

1 table

024339   Bhaumik M;Pathak M K (Botanical Survey of Inida, Eastern Circle, Shillong-793 003, Email: dr_manasb@yahoo.com) : Distribution of Zingiber squarrosum Roxb. (Zingiberaceae). Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 152-5.

Zingiber squarrosum Roxb., a native of Pegu (Myanmar) described by William Roxburgh in the year 1810, was first reported in India from Andaman Islands by Bhargava & Nair (1979). The genus has been revised by several workers in different phytogeographical regions within India (Rao & Verma 1972, Srivastava 1998, Sabu 2003 & 2006, Tripathi & Singh 2006), but Zingiber squarrosum remained a poorly known species.

1 illus, 6 ref

024338   Bhaumik M;Gogoi R (Botanical Survey of India, Eastern Circle, Shillong-793 003) : Tupistra clarkei Hook. F. (Convallariaceae)-a little known species from eastern India. Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 173-4.

1 table, 2 ref

024337   Bharati K A;Sharma B L (Botany Dep, NREC College, Khurja-203 131, Email: kumaravinashbharati@redffmail.com) : Some ethnoveterinary plant records for Sikkim Himalaya. Indian J Tradl Knowledge 2010, 9(2), 344-6.

Field survey was done to study and document the indigenous knowledge of various ethnic groups of Sikkim regarding animal healthcare. The hills of Sikkim Himalaya are inhabited by number of ethnic groups. They use medicinal plants not only for human being but also for their domestic animals. Large number of plants has been collected and the information on their ethnoveterinary uses was gathered from local inhabitants. The information about folk medicinal use, vernacular names of plants and the parts of the plants used are documented. During the investigation, a well developed ethnoveterinary system among tribal people was observed. Twenty of plant species used by local people to cure various disease and disorders were recorded.

1 illus, 1 table, 13 ref

024336   Basu S K;Rudra S (Botanical Survey of India, Cryptogamic Section, Howrah-711 103) : Nathaniel wallich's collection of pteridophytes in Central National Herbarium (CAL). Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 23-38.

In the paper 267 sheets of Pteridophytes in Wallich's collection at CAL have been enumerated with the names as they appear in Wallich's numerical list, the names under which these specimens were cited in Beddomes work and present status of these species.

1 table, 6 ref

024335   Basu M;Pal P K (NO, Burdwan Univ, Golapbag, Burdwan-713 104, Email: pankaj_bot@yahoo.com) : Floral biology VIS-A-VIS pollination ecology of Abroma augusta (L.) L. F.. Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 57-66.

Floral biology with respect to pollination ecology of Abroma augusta, a traditionally used medicinal plant, has been worked out. The pollination is entomophilous, performed by two species of Diptera, one belonging to Agromyza and the other to Melanagromyza. The former one is overwhelmingly dominant in the visitor-population and found to be much more active within the flower in comparison to the latter, which is somewhat lethargic. Pollinators are primarily attracted by sapromyophilous means. The flower is pendulous and semi-trap type with lateral windows and window-panes. Internally, the flower is differentiated into the androecial and gynoecial chambers separated by a staminodial cup. The plant is obligatorily entomophilous, even for autogamy. A number of floral rewards are offered within the androecial and gynoecial chambers for retention and movement of the pollinators. Pollen deposition over the pollinators is nototribic.

1 illus, 16 ref

024334   Bandyopadhyay S;Prasanna P V;Ranjan V (NO, Botanical Survey of India, Howrah-711 103) : Samples of facsimile handwritings and signatures of some eminent contributors to the field of Indian plant taxonomy. Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 163-6.

024333   Ansari A A (NO, Botanical Survey of Inida, Gangtok-737 103) : Lindera cercidifolia Hemsl. (Lauraceae)-a new record for India. Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 156.

During the course of herbarium studies of family Lauraceae for flora of West Bengal at Central National Herbarium, Botanical Survey of India (CAL), the author came across a specimen of Lindera cercidifolia Hemsl. from Darjeeling district of West Bengal identified by C.G.J. Kostermans during his visit to CAL in 1971. The species is so far not recorded from India. The species is distributed in China and has been recently reported from Myanmar (Kress & al., loc. cit.). The following details are given for easy identification of the species in the field.

024332   Amaduddin;Phukan S;Borthakur S K (Botanical Survey of India, Eastern Circle, Shillong-793 003) : Begonia burkillii Dunn and its rediscovery from Arunachal Pradesh India. Bull Bot Surv India 2008, 50(1-4), 111-14.

Begonia burkillii Dunn (Begoniaceae) is recollected from Namdapha Biosphere Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh, India, near its type locality after a gap of 96 years. Critical taxonomic investigations and illustrations of the species along with notes on the sect. Sphenanthera with an artificial key to the species recorded from India are provided.

1 illus, 15 ref

023311   Verma R K;Rahman L;Kukreja A K;Kalra A;Singh A;Khanuja S P S (NO, Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Resource Center, Purara, PO Gagrigol, Distt., Begeshwar, Uttarakhand-263 688, Email: rajeshcimap@rediffmail.ocm) : Performance of rose scented geranium (Pelargonium species) cultivated on farmers field in the western Himallyan region of Uttarakhand, India. Indian Perfumer 2008, 52(4), 33-6.

Rose scented Geranium (Pelargonium species, Family-Geraniaceae) cv. Bourbon and CIM Pawan were grown on 40 farmers field spread over 4 villages in 3 districts of Uttarakhand. The chemical characteristics of the soils in these villages varied considerably. Inspire of these variations and differences in the locations, the biomass (26.6-29.0 tha^{-1) and essential oil yield (22.3-26.9 kg ha-1) did not vary significantly amongst the locations. The GC analysis of the essential oil reveled that oil contains 22.4-24.3% citronellol, 21.8-23.9% geraniol and 10.1-18.3% linalool and quality was considered as good and is readily acceptable in the market. This region offers excellent scope for extending rose scented geranium cultivation on large scale in addition to conventional agriculture.}

4 tables, 11 ref

023310   Tulasi Rama Krishnan K;Sivakumari V (Biotechnology Dep, Marudhu Pandiyar College, Thanjavur (T.N.)) : Auxin induced programmed cell death in mustard seedlings. Asian J envir Sci 2009, 4(1), 95-9.

Programmed cell death is a process of developmental aspect in plants. The objective of the present study was to understand the hormonal basis of senescence, in particular 2,4-D induced senescence along with the identification and characterization of the biomolecules and elucidation of their role in this terminal in the life process of all plants. This study explained the auxin induced senescence (AIS) pathway on the basis the different hormones, cellular components, signals, death signals and markers of senescence.

1 tables, 8 ref

023309   Tirpathy P;Kar M;Sahoo C R (College of Basic Science and Humanities, OUAT, Bhubaneswar) : Variation in water relation properties and photosynthetic pigments in four different Ficus Species. J Res-Orissa Univ Agric Technol 2008, 26(1), 138-40.

This study was intended to unravel some of the basic physiological processes in four different Ficus species of the ecosystem. The investigation revealed that a substantial variation exists in respect of chlorophyll and carotenoid contents amongst the species. These species also registered a wide variation in chlorophyll stability index percentage. Assessment of water relation status of these species envisaged that a subtle variation lied among the three Ficus species with Ficus infectoria as exception which had lower water potential. The moisture content, RWC and RWD varied amongst them without any definite trend.

2 tables, 7 ref

023308   Sultana M M S A;Husain M;Roy S K (Chemistry Dep, Government Bangal College, Dhaka National Univ, Gazipur, Bangladesh) : Chemical composition of essential oil of Anethum sowa L. stem. Indian Perfumer 2008, 52(4), 64-6.

Hydro-distilled essential oil from fresh stem of Anethum sowa was analysed by GC-MS. The major constituents were apiole (45.6l%) limonene (7.31%) 5-isopropy-6 methyl hepta 3,5 dien-2-ol (7.84%) b-(E) noncnal (6.71%) t-m or-p cymene, 1,3,-cyclohexadiene,2 (methyl ethyl)-monoepoxide (4.97%) and 3,9-epoxya-1-p-menth-1-ene-(4.61%).

1 table, 19 ref

023307   Sood M;Jandev A;Naresh Kumar (Forest Products Dep, Horticultute Univ, Forestry, Nauni-Solan, Himacal Pradesh-173 230) : Effect of growth regulators on production of herbage and oil in Melissa officinalis L. in mid hill zone of Himachal Pradesh. Indian Perfumer 2008, 52(4), 56-60.

Field experiment was conducted to study the effect of growth regulators viz. GA3, NAA, Ethephon each at five concentrations (i.e. 50,100,150, 200 and 250 ppm) on the production of herbage and oil in Melissa officinalis. Results have indicated that the maximum herbage production (12800 q/ha) and oil yield (37.12 1/ha) were obtained with the application of GA3, at 200 ppm.

3 tables, 10 ref

023306   Singh M P;Pandey V K;Pandey A K;Singh S K (Biotechnology Dep, V.B.S. Purvanchal Univ, Jaunpur-222 001) : Effect of temperature and pH on mycelial growth of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus species). J Mountain Res 2006, 1, 15-20.

All the three species of Pleurotus i.e. P. citrinopi/eatus, P. eryngii and P. ostreatus showed maximum radial growth of mycelium at 30°C on all the three substrates followed by 25°C and 20°C at both the pH 6 as well as 6.5. Minimum mycelial growth was recorded at 35°C. P. eryngii failed to grow at 35°C on all the three substrates. Wheat straw supported better and faster growth of P. ostreatus than other two species while, sugarcane bagasse supported better growth of P. eryngii than other two species. From pH study, it was seen that pH 6 supported optimum mycelial growth of all the three species on all the substrates than at pH 6.5.

2 tables, 10 ref