008190   Purohit V K;Andola H C;Bahuguna Y M;Gairola K C;Haider S Z;Arunachalam K (High Altitude Plant Physiology Research Centre, H N B Garhwal Univ, Srinagar Garhwal-246 174, Email: andolah@rediffmail.com) : Volatile constituents of endangered species Nardostachys grandiflora DC. rhizomes from Uttarakhand himalaya (India). Indian J nat Prod Resour 2015, 6(2), 134-7.

Rhizomes of Nardostachys grandiflora DC. syn. N. jatamansi DC. were collected from two alpine Himalayan locations of Uttarakhand (India). The essential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine the concentration variation in their constituents. A total of 22 compounds were identified in both the oil samples, accounting 97.6-98.4%. The major constituents of N. grandiflora oils were characterised as patchoulol (39.1-46.8%) and calarene (15.1-21.6%). Due to the higher relative area quantum of patchoulol in N. grandiflora populations growing in Uttarakhand, there is need to develop a propagation protocol for mass multiplication and in-situ and ex-situ conservation of N. grandiflora.

1 table, 13 ref

008189   Maroyi A;Cheikhyoussef A (Medicinal Plants and Economic Development (MPED) Research Centre, Bota, Fort Hare Univ, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa, Email: amaroyi@ufh.ac.za) : Comparative study of medicinal plants used in rural areas of Namibia and Zimbabwe. Indian J Tradl Knowledge 2015, 14(3), 401-6.

Herbal medicines prepared from wild plants play an important role in the primary healthcare needs of people living in developing countries. A comparative ethnobotanical study was undertaken to document medicinal plants used in rural areas of Namibia and Zimbabwe. In order to document medicinal plants used for primary healthcare in rural areas of Namibia and Zimbabwe, 56 traditional healers were identified using the Participatory Rapid Appraisal (PRA) approach. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, observation and guided field walks with the traditional healers, between January and October 2008. A total of 16 medicinal species belonging to 14 genera and 11 families were recorded in both Namibia and Zimbabwe. Three of these species (18.8%) had similar medicinal applications in the two countries. A total of 25 human health problems were treated by these medicinal species in Namibia, while 21 human and one veterinary health problems were treated with herbal medicines in Zimbabwe. General body pain, cold, cough, fever, flu and sore throat, dermatological and venereal diseases were treated with the highest number of medicinal plants in both countries. This comparative study revealed that traditional knowledge on herbal medicines is well founded.

4 illus, 1 table, 22 ref

008188   Malekpoor F;Pirbalouti A G;Salimi A;Shabani L;Sharifi M;Hamedi B (Young Researchers Clubs, Islamic Azad Univ, Shahrekord Branch, Shahrekord, Iran, Email: fmalekpoor87@yahoo.com) : Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities and total phenolic content of Tanacetum polycephalum Schutz.Bip. as a folkloric herb in South Western Iran. Indian J Tradl Knowledge 2015, 14(3), 370-5.

Medicinal plants and their essential oils are potentially useful sources of antioxidant and antibacterial compounds. Tanacetum polycephalum Schutz.-Bip belonging to the family Asteraceae is an important folkloric medicinal plant in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, South western Iran. In this study, total phenolic content, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the essential oil from the aerial parts of T. polycephalum collected from 6 different natural habitats of Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province were investigated. The total phenolic content of the essential oilswas determined by Folin-Ciocalteu methodand antioxidant activity using α, α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method was tested. In addition, the antibacterial activity of the essential oils against 6 bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Proteus vulgaris?, Listeria monocytogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae and Salmonella typhimurium was tested by agar disc diffusion assays. Results of this study indicated that total phenolic contents ranged between0.06 to 0.16 mg GAE/gm DWE. In addition, results indicated that the essential oils from different populations of T. polycephalum exhibited radical scavenging activity. The results of this study confirmed the essential oils from different populations of T. polycephalum exhibited marked antibacterial activity. This finding suggests that the herb can be served as a valuable source of natural antioxidants and antibacterial for further isolation and purification.

3 illus, 1 table, 48 ref

008187   Lyngwi N A;Joshi S R (Microbiology Laboratory, Biotechnology & Bioinformatics Dep, North-Eastern Hill Univ, Shillong, Meghalaya, Email: srjoshi2006@yahoo.co.in) : 'Traditional sacred groves', an ethnic strategy for conservation of microbial diversity. Indian J Tradl Knowledge 2015, 14(3), 474-80.

'Sacred groves' represents a traditional effort to conserve biodiversity. They are rich patches of undisturbed forests and serve as a natural habitat for many endemic, rare, primitive and economically valuable organisms representing a micro-level biodiversity hotspots. In this study, Bacillus spp. and related genera characterized from native soils of the pristine sacred groves of Meghalaya, India revealed dominance of Bacillus, Paenibacillus, Lysinibacillus and Viridibacillus. All the isolates exhibited good plant growth promoting traits when screened for traits like phosphate solubilization, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase and catalase activity, production of auxin, siderophores, hydrogen cyanide and ammonia. Bacteria native to the pristine niche of sacred groves showed better plant growth promoting activities as compared to isolates from disturbed forest as well as type strains implicating the importance of sacred groves and their potential role in microbial diversity conservation.

2 illus, 3 tables, 28 ref

008186   Lohani H;Bhandari U;Gwari G;Haider S Z;Sah S; Chauhan N K (NO, , Centre for Aromatic Plants, Email: zafarhaider.1@rediffmail.com) : Intraspecific chemical variability in essential oil of Cymbopogon distans (nees ex Steud.) W. watson from Uttarakhand Himalaya (India). Indian J nat Prod Resour 2015, 6(2), 122-6.

Essential oil composition of ten populations of Cymbopogon distans (Nees ex Steud.) W. Watson (Family Poaceae) growing wild in Himalayan region of Uttarakhand (India) has been studied to find out possible chemotypes. Oils were analyzed using gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques to determine the intraspecific chemical variability. Altogether, 42 constituents were identified, representing 85.54-95.72% of the oil composition. The main constituents in the essential oils of most of the populations were piperitone (1.05-48.78%), cis- and trans -p-menth-2-en-1-ol (0.26-39.52%), α-terpinene (0.52-24.86%), cis and trans -piperitol (0.52-23.19%), limonene (2.44-12.59%) and camphene (0.01-6.22%). Bornyl acetate (15.52-27.87%), β-selinene (0.24-11.45%), β-terpineol (5.45-6.16%) and borneol (4.78-5.72%) were also detected in some of the populations. The results from the chemical analysis of the essential oils were subjected to chemometric cluster analysis in order to identify the marker compounds, which differentiate the groups of individuals. Based on major compounds, the populations were represented by p-menth-2-en-1-ol, piperitol, α-terpinene (chemotype I), bornyl acetate, limonene, borneol (chemotype II), piperitone and α-terpinene (chemotype III). The present analysis revealed a new chemotype, containing bornyl acetate as the major component in the essential oil of C. distans from Uttarakhand, which was not reported earlier as a chief constituent.

1 illus, 1 table, 12 ref

008185   Kale A;Karthick B (NO, Agharkar Research Institute, Pune-411 004) : The diatoms. Resonance 2015, 20(10), 919-30.

Diatoms are unique microscopic algae having intricate cell walls made up of silica. They are the major phytoplankton in aquatic ecosystems and account for 20-25% of the oxygen release and carbon fixation in the world. Their most characteristic features are mechanisms they have evolved to utilize silica. Due to their distinctive adaptations and ecology, they are used in various fields like biomonitoring, paleoecology, nanotechnology and forensics.

7 illus, 8 ref

008184   Hu X;Li X;Hu J;Wang Z (The Dep of General surgery, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Univ, Nanchang 330006, China) : HPLC determination of aloperine in branches and leaves of Sophora alopecuroides L.. Indian J Tradl Knowledge 2015, 14(3), 393-46.

To establish a HPLC method for the determination of aloperine in branches and leaves of Sophora alopecuroides L., and improve the utilization of Sophora alopecuroides L. branch and leaf resources have been studied. HPLC is performed using Diamonsil C₁₈ (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 μm) column, with acetonitrile-anhydrous ethanol-3% aqueous phosphoric acid (90:9:1) as the mobile phase, at detection wavelength of 205 nm, column temperature of 25°C, and flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Linear range of Sophora alopecuroides L. is 12.00-240.00 mg.L (r =0.9999), and average recovery is (n =6) 100.13% (RSD 2.24%). Aloperine content in Sophora alopecuroides L. branches and leaves is 1.20%. The method established is simple, accurate and reproducible, which can be used for quantitative determination of aloperine in Sophora alopecuroides L. branches and leaves. Aloperine content is rather high in leaves, which provides the basis for comprehensive utilization of Sophora alopecuroides L. branch and leaf resources, particularly aloperine.

1 illus, 2 tables, 11 ref

008183   Geetha Sudheer R;Pingaley A;Brindha P; Ramanathan V (NO, Centre for advanced research in Indian System of Medicine, Thanjavur-613 401) : What roles do herbs play in Kantacenturam: an iron oxide based herbo-mineral siddha drug formulation?. Indian J Tradl Knowledge 2015, 14(3), 433-9.

Kantacenturam is an iron oxide based herbo-mineral drug formulation in the Siddha system of medicine. The preparation of the drug formulation involves addition of various plant extracts. This work was done to investigate the presence of any organic content in the final drug formulation and also ascertain the role played by the organic extract in the final formation of the drug. With the help of carefully designed control experiment and analytical techniques like XRF, FTIR, TGA, SEM imaging and XRD analysis, it is found that the final drug formulation does not have any organic content in it. Moreover, the iron oxide present in the raw material gets to nanometer size in the final product and the a-quartz present in the raw material gets transformed as a polysilicate coating over the iron oxide nanoparticle.

4 illus, 1 table, 17 ref

008182   Dogan Y;Nedelcheva A (Buca Faculty of Education, Dokuz Eylul Univ, 35150 Izmir, Turkey, Email: yunus.dogan@deu.edu.tr) : Wild plants from open markets on both sides of the Bulgarian-Turkish border. Indian J Tradl Knowledge 2015, 14(3), 351-8.

Open markets are an integral part of urban areas that provide a means for intense sharing of knowledge and practices about plants among people from different social groups and different cultural and geographical origins. This study focuses on the diversity of wild plants found in open markets in urban areas on both sides of the Bulgarian-Turkish border, sold as food and plants for prevention, treatment and healing. Information was collected from open markets by free-listed observations and semi-structured interviews in border regions of Southern and South-eastern Bulgaria (Bg) and North-western Turkey (Tr). The present investigation was carried out through 2011-2013. A total of 41 wild plants belonging to 20 families were documented. In this study, two main groups of wild plants were outlined: medicinal and edible, sold mostly as fresh fruits, dry fruits, fresh aerial parts, preserved foods and mono-component herbal teas. The specific use of plants in the border sub-regions can be outlined as follows: as edible greens (Tr), as edible fruits (Bg), as ready-prepared herbal mixtures (Bg), as fresh herbs (Tr). Urtica urens (Tr) is a culturally distinctive plant as well as use of edible greens mixture (Tr) and use of the wild fruits for healthy and traditional food (Tr). Approximately 17% of the plants were common and widely reported on both sides of the border: such as Urtica dioica, Rumex patientia, Rumex acetosella, Cotinus coggygria, Hypericum perforatum, Sideritis scardica (endemic), Rosa canina and Tilia spp.

4 illus, 1 table, 30 ref

008181   Bast F (Centre for Plant Sciences, Central Univ of Punjab, Bathinda-151 001, Email: felix.bast@gmail.com) : Extraordinary tales. Resonance 2015, 20(10), 893-902.

In the context of biology, parasites are organisms that typically associate with other organisms, their hosts, such that the hosts are damaged while the parasites are benefited. This non-mutual association is known as parasitism. Parasites do not form an evolutionarily distinct group; instead they are part of many different lineages. For example, there are parasites that are protozoa, plants, fungi and animals. Parasitology refers to the study of parasites, with an emphasize on protozoan (single-celled organisms that belong to Kingdom Protista) parasites. This article examines some of the parasites that cause behavioural changes in their host which help the perpetuation of the parasites; either their spread or their lifecycle completion. Specifically, the article examines the tactics of Toxo-plasma gondii, lancet liver fluke, guinea worm, the influenza virus, and the parasitic wasp, which are by all means 'evolution's neurobiologists', and are indeed extraordinary in many aspects.

18 ref

008180   Bahl J R;Bansal R P;Goel R;Sushil Kumar (NO, Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Kukrail Picnic Spot Road, PO-CIMAP, Lucknow-226 015, Email: jr.bahl@cimap.res.in) : Properties of the seed oil of a dwarf cultivar of the pharmaceutical silymarin producing plant Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. developed in India. Indian J nat Prod Resour 2015, 6(2), 127-33.

Seeds of Silybum marianum cv SMB-5, an Indian cultivar of dwarf habit and high seed yield, were characterized for their oil content and was examined for its physico-biochemical properties. The seed oil content was low at 20±2%. The oil had acid value of 1.5, specific gravity at 27 °C was 0.885, saponification value as 199 and iodine value equal to 97. The main fatty acid composition was: palmitic acid, 9.6%; stearic acid, 4.7%; oleic acid, 3.9%; linoleic acid, 45.8% and linolenic acid, 5.3%. The properties of the oil of Indian genotype largely correspond with those of S. marianum oil of Canadian, Greek, Egytian, Iraqi, Iranian and Pakistani genotypes. In comparison to the commercial oils of soybean, Indian mustard, canola, groundnut, sunflower, safflower and flex, the fatty acid compositional properties of S. marianum oil were found to be unique being rich in linoleic acid.

1 illus, 3 tables, 43 ref

008179   Ali Z A;Ahmad S;Khan S A (Survey of Medicinal Plants Unit, Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine (CCRUM), Post Box 70, Aligarh-202 001) : Ethnomedicinal uses of some pteridophytic species from North India. Hippocratic J Unani med 2014, 9(4), 123-32.

During ethnobotanical explorations of different forest divisions from 1998 to 2005 in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand states of northern India, the authors have recorded number of information regarding the uses of higher plants for medicine. This field study has also yielded information on some 11 pteridophytic species that are widely used by the tribal and other rural communities of the area as folk medicines for treatment of various disorders. A comparison with relevant literature revealed that many uses are hitherto new or imperfectly known. Hence, an attempt has been made to highlight ethnomedicinal value of such species in the present report. It lists eleven species of medicinal ferns. Each entry has been provided with correct botanical and prevalent local names, habit and habitat, claimed medicinal use (s) and other observations.

2 illus, 47 ref

008178    (Botany Dep, Lucknow Univ, Lucknow-226 007) : Haplomitrium hookeri (Sm.) nees: a rare species new to Kumaon hills (Uttarakhand), Western Himalaya. Natn Acad Sci Lett 2015, 38(1), 71-4.

Haplomitrium hookeri (Sm.) Nees, the type species of Haplomitrium (Sm.) Nees is of great significance. The taxon is reported to be of rare occurrence. During the study of bryophytes of Uttarakhand, few plants of H. hookeri were collected from Mukteshwar in Kumaon Hills which shows extended distribution of the taxon in Indian subcontinent. Earlier the taxon was known from Garhwal hills only in Uttarakhand, western Himalaya and Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and West Bengal in the eastern Himalaya. The plants from Kumaon region have been described and illustrated herewith.

20 ref

007268   Sivakumar D;Kandaswamy A N;Gomathi V; Rajeshwaran R;Murugan N (Civil Engineering Dep, Vel Tech High Tech Dr Rangarajan Dr Sakunthala Engineering College, Avadi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Email: shri_sivakumar@hotmail.com) : Bioremediation studies on reduction of heavy metals toxicity. Pollut Res 2014, 33(3), 553-8.

Heavy metals contamination of soil-water-plant ecosystems are one of the most important environmental and health problems throughout the world. Earlier, the ability of heavy metals to accumulate and cause toxicity in biological system, viz., human, animals, microorganisms and plants have been reported by various research workers. Recent approaches to increasing remediation of heavy metals include adsorption (dead microbial and renewable agricultural biomass), phytoaccumulation (plants), dendroremediation (growing trees in polluted soils), biostimutation, (stimulating living microbial population), rhizoremediation (plant and microbe), mycoremediation (stimulating living fungi/mycelial ultra-filtration), cyanoremediation (stimulating algal mass for remediation) and genoremediation (stimulating gene for remediation process). The adequate protection and restoration of the soil-water-plant ecosystems, therefore, require multipronged approaches for the conservation of the environment including recent biotechnological advances along with treasures of traditional wisdom to scientists unravel the mystery of nature in the emerging field of bioremediation in order to conserve the quality of the environment. This review provides better understanding of the problems associated with the toxicity of heavy metals to the biological systems including human beings, the recent biotechnological approaches being employed to minimize the health hazards through the detoxification mechanisms of heavy metals in the biological systems; and the challenges involved in adopting the new initiatives.

20 ref

007267   Pandey A;Sharma A;Lodha P (Lab no. 4, Plant Pathology Tissue Culture and Biotechnology Laboratory, Rajasthan Univ, Jaipur-302 004, Email: pandeyabhavya2510@gmail.com) : Isolation of an anti-carcinogenic compound: myricetin from Cochlospermum religiosum. Int J pharm Sci Res 2015, 6(5), 2146-52.

Studies on plant secondary metabolites have been increasing over the last 70 years. These molecules are known to play a major role in the adaptation of plants to their environment, but also represent an important source of active pharmaceuticals. Role of primary metabolites in basic life functions such as cell division and growth, respiration, storage, and reproduction have been described in modern chemistry and biology. In biology, the concept of secondary metabolite can be attributed to Kossel. He was the first to define these metabolites as opposed to primary ones. In the present study, the bioactive secondary metabolite myricetin was identified and isolated from in vivo and in vitro tissue of Cochlospermum religiosum a critically endangered medicinal plant. Myricetin is a naturally occurring flavonol found in many plants like grapes, berries fruits, vegetable, herbs as well as other plants. Myricetin has wide array of biochemical properties, such as anti-neoplastic, anti-carcinogenic antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effects. Myricetin was isolated and identified from leaf and callus by using different techniques such as IR spectra and HPTLC.

11 ref

007266   Nanada B L;Radhakrishanan T T (Biochemistry Dep, Maharani's Science College for Women, Mysore, Karnataka, Email: nanasathish@rediffmail.com) : Comparitive study of phytochemicals and antioxidant activity among traditional medicinal plants. Int J pharm Sci Res 2015, 6(4), 1609-15.

Acetone extracts of the three medicinal plants Sida cardifolia, Phyllanthus amarus and Adathoda vasica were assessed for phytochemical components qualitatively and quantitatively and antioxidant activity. The results revealed that all the three contained alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, tannins, anthocyanins, steroids and phenols. Saponins were absent in all the three extracts. Sida cardifolia with 1.53mg and 7.09mg GA equivalent/g of extract powder showed maximum amount of Phenolics and flavonoids. The total sugars and proanthocyanidins was maximum in Phyllanthus amarus with 8.45ug glucose equivalent/g of extract powder and 10.84mg GA equivalent/g of extract powder. Tannin content was found to be high in Adathoda vasica with 11.07mg GA equivalent/g of extract powder. Sida cardifolia acetone leaf extract showed the highest reducing power activity, Free radical scavenging potential and inhibition of lipid peroxidation.

14 ref

007265   Modi B S (NO, Tolani Institute of Pharmacy, Adipur (Kutch)-370 205) : Indian kino. Int J pharm Res Biosci 2015, 4(1), 171-81.

Pterocarpus marsupium (Roxb.) is large deciduous tree, commonly called as Indian Kino or Malabar Kino, belonging to the family fabaceae (Leguminoceae). The tree is scared with novel antidiabetic properties. Along with as an antidiabetic drug, it is also used as astringent, anti-inflammatory, haemostatic, anthelmintic, in chest pain, body pain and in indigestion, in diabetic anaemia, elephantiasis, erysipelas, urethrorrhea and opthalmopathy etc. Phytochemicaly, many phenolic constituents of which flavonoid comprising major pool, are forming the basis of most pharmacological activities possessed by Pterocarpus marsupium. The present review summarizes the phyto-pharmacological role of this valuable medicinal plant.

^iia61 ref

007264   Mishara P;Purshottam D K;Goel A K;Nautiyal C S (NO, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Botanical Resea, Lucknow-226 001, Email: nauutiyalnbri@lycos.com) : Welwitschia mirabilis-induction, growth and organization of mature leaf callus. Curr Sci 2015, 109(3), 567-71.

Welwitschia mirabilis is a phylogenetically important primitive gymnosperm of the monogeneric family Welwitschiaceae. The plant is unique in appearance, having only two leaves throughout its life span. It is a long-lived, slow growing plant and could prove as an excellent experimental material for the study of antiageing gene. Because of non-availability of plant material and the intractable nature of the plant, limited tissue culture work has been conducted. In the present study, callus was induced from mature leaf-tip explants from a 26-year-old plant. The induced callus grows at a comparatively faster pace. Although successful induction of organized shiny and smooth, globular structures were observed, no shoots had developed in the callus.

4 illus, 1 table, 18 ref

007263   Kiran B;Lalitha V;Raveesha K A (Botany Dep, Sikkim Central Univ, Gangtok-737 102) : Evaluation of antifungal activity of aqueous extract of Picrorhiza kurroa (Rhizome) against ten fungi of maize. Int J pharm Res Biosci 2015, 4(1), 13-19.

Antifungal activity of aqueous extract of Picrorhiza kurroa (Rhizome) showed complete inhibition of Fusarium graminearum at 100% concentration, Aspergillus flavus at 80% concentration, A. terreus at 100% concentration, Curvularia lunata at 100% concentration, Alternaria alternata at 100% concentration and Cladosporium cladosporides at 80% concentration. Maximum inhibition of F. oxysporum, A niger, Penicillium sp and Drechslera halodes showed upto 75 to 93% inhibition tested at 70 to 100 percent concentration of P. kurroa rhizome extract. All the test fungi were compared with synthetic fungicides viz., Dithane M 45 and Thiram at recommended concentration of 2% and recorded 100% inhibition against all the test fungi.

1 table, 17 ref

007262   Karne A V (Botany Dep, Shahajiraje Mahavidyalaya, Khatav, District Satara, Maharastra) : Incidence of airborne biocomponents in context to meteorological parameters over some crop fields. Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2015, 14(3), 695-8.

Investigation was undertaken to understand the incidence of various biocomponents over jowar (Sorghum vulgare) field, wheat field, groundnut field and maize field. Environmental monitoring was carried out by operating continuous volumetric Tilak Air Sampler for 4 consecutive Rabi seasons, for the first time in this unexplored locality. Apart from dust particles and fungal bio-aerosols, remaining 5 biocomponents are reported in this paper which belonged to the group 'Other types', comprising of hypha fragments, insect scales (parts), pollen grains, trichomes (hairs) and unidentified fungal spores. From the various crop fields studied, these bio components contributed highest (15.8%) over wheat field and lowest (9.4%) over maize field to the total airspora. Airborne biocomponents obtained peak in the month of November over wheat field (17.8%) and groundnut field (16.6%), when there was a record of 22.5°C and 21.8°C mean temperature, 54.4% and 56.7% mean relative humidity and 10.4 mm and 14.5 mm rainfall respectively. Similar peak was obtained in the air over jowar field (11.6%) and maize field (11.3%) in the month of March, when there was a record of 30.6°C and 30.1°C mean temperature, 42.4% and 42.2% mean relative humidity and nil record of rainfall. Allergenic nature of hyphal fragments, insect scales and pollen grains causing allergy and allergenic ailments in human health hazards is also presented in this paper.

2 table, 20 ref

007261   Kadam V B;Salve S B;Deore S V;Gaikwad V B (Botany and Research Centre Dep, K. T. H. M. College, Nashik-422 002) : Determination of soluble extractives of some medicinal plants of genus Terminalia (combretaceae) of Marathwada region in Maharashtra. Int J pharm Res Biosci 2015, 4(1), 75-80.

The seasonal variation of water soluble extractive, alcohol soluble extractive and ether soluble extractive have been investigated in leaves, wood and bark of Terminalia cuneata Terminalia bellerica, Terminalia chebula and Terminalia catappa. Comparative account of water soluble extractive of leaves, wood and bark of Terminalia catappa was showed high level (range from 5.15 to 7.5%) than Terminalia cuneata (range from 3.2 to 5.8%), Terminalia bellerica (range from 4.25 to 6.6%) and Terminalia catappa (range from 3.15 to 4.8%) in all seasons. Alcohol soluble extractive of leaves of Terminalia bellerica showed higher (range from 7.2 to 7.65%) and lower in wood of Terminalia chebula (range from 4.2 to 4.45%). Ether soluble extractive of leaves of Terminalia catappa showed higher (range from 4.9 to 5.25%) and lower in wood of Terminalia chebula (range from 3.75 to 4.05%).

1 table, 11 ref

007260   El-Sakhawy F S;Kassem H A;El-Gayed S H; Abou-Hussein D R;Mostafa M M (Pharmacognosy Dep, Cairo Univ, Kasr El-Aini street, Cairo 11562, Egypt, Email: dabouhussein@kau.edu.sa) : Botanical and genetic characterization of Ficus cyathistipula Warb. growing in Egypt. Int J pharm Sci Res 2015, 6(5), 1992-2004.

Ficus cyathistipula Warb. growing in Egypt is an evergreen tree, reaching up to six meters high. The macro- and micromorphological characters of the stem, leaf and fruit of the plant have been studied with the aim to find the diagnostic features and pointed towards their identification in both entire and powdered forms: partly united, leafy and conspicuous stipules, numerous ca-oxalate crystals, collateral vascular bundles with group of intraxylary phloem, mucilage and tannin cells, laticiferous vessels were the most significant. A total of 60 RAPD fragments have been recorded when DNA of the plant under investigation was amplified using eleven decamer primers designed for the genetic characterization. Furthermore, proximate analysis for the leaves was carried out to facilitate the detection of the quality and uniformity of the plant where the results (g%) showed a total ash (13.06), acid insoluble ash (0.58), water soluble ash (12.39), crude fiber (38) and moisture content (47.5).

14 ref

007259   Bhateria R;Renu;Snehlata (Environment Science Dep, Maharshi Dayanand Univ, Rohtak-124 001) : Parthenium hysterophorus L,: Harmful and Beneficial aspects. Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2015, 14(3), 463-74.

Invasive plant species have the potential to damage crops, industries, environment and public health, hence scientists, academicians, leaders of industry and land managers are realizing that invasive species are serious environmental threats for the 21st century. Parthenium weed is an annual herb in the family Asteraceae which is native to northern Mexico and southern USA. It is spreading across the length and breadth of our country. It gets easily established in almost all the places such as wasteland, roadsides, forests, railway tracks, crop fields, etc. Its high germination ability throughout the year, an enormous seed bank, rapid spread, colonization and extreme adaptability in a wide range of habitats is responsible for its wide spread occurrence. Parthenium hysterophorus L. was reported to be one of the seven most dangerous weeds of the world. It has achieved a major weed status in India and Australia within a relatively short period due to its fast multiplication, rapid growth and its ability to compete with other native flora. There are many ways like mechanical, chemical, cultural and biological to control it, but it cannot be controlled by using a single approach. Integrated approach should be the better way to manage this noxious weed. The aim of this review is to provide general information about the physiology, distribution, ill effects and management of Parthenium.

2 illus, 2 table, 106 ref

007258   Arya D;Khan A H (Botany Dep, Kumaun Univ, S S J Campus, Almora, Uttarakhand, India, Email: dhaniarya@gmail.com) : Ethnomedicinal plants and their contribution to cure various ailments as household remedies in Garhwal Himalaya, India. Int J pharm Sci Res 2015, 6(4), 1590-52.

Investigation was carried out in five villages of the marginalized hill area block of Dewal in Chamoli district, regarding the uses of mild and native ethno-medicinal plants, by locals in their traditional health care system. The people residing in this area have been in isolation for centuries and possess good knowledge of phytotherapy. A total of 51 species of medicinal plants (both wild and cultivated) belonging to 30 families and 45 genera are being used in their folk system of treatment (locally known as 'Gharelu Upchar'). These plants are used in crude form to treat various ailments like, cough and cold, stomach problems, skin diseases, dysentery, boils and pimples, anaemia asthma, cuts and wounds, various fevers, bone fractures, kidney/ gall stone problems and other such indispositions (Table 1.1 and 1.2). The main purpose of this study was to document the indigenous knowledge of Vaidyas and other knowledgeable persons of the area about the use of local flora, as household remedies for treating different ailments.

14 ref

006175   Zuo S P;Wan K;Ma S M;Ye L T (College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Anhui Normal Univ, Wuhu 241003, China, Email: zuoshengpeng@163.com) : Combined allelopathic potential of aquatic plants species to control algae. Allelopathy J 2014, 34(2), 315-24.

In field investigations, we discovered that in areas of high diversity of aquatic plants species, there was low density of harmful phytoplankton (Microcystis aeruginosa and Chlorella pyrenoidosa). The β diversity and evenness of aquatic plants communities in all sites reduced the phytoplankton population(Microcystis aeruginosa and Chlorella pyrenoidosa]. Major reason for the algal inhibition, was combined effects of allelopathic potential from all macrophytes. In greenhouse tests, the combinations of 2 or >2 plant species [Alternanthera philoxeroides, Ranunculus sceleratus, and Trapa incise], showed <62>50% suppressive capacity of two representative phytoplankton (Microcystis aeruginosa and Chlorella pyrenoidosa). The synergistic effects in the combined plants allelopathy depended on kinds of plants species, their ratios, test period and presumed allelochemicals, etc. The aquatic plant species diversity based on comprehensive allelopathy would play an important role in blocking harmful algae bloom. So it was feasible for macrophytes biodiversity to eliminate the cyanobacteria in some shallow lakes.

3 illus, 1 table, 21 ref

006174   Yarrayya K;Murthy G V S;Kaliamoorthy S;Ratna Kumar P K (Botanical Survey of India, Southern Regional Centre, Coimbatore-641 003, Email: yarrayyakondru@yahoo.com) : Sedge flora of karaivetti bird sanctuary, Tamil Nadu. Indian J For 2015, 38(2), 173-5.

Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary having an area of 454 ha is located in Perambalur District of Tamil Nadu. This Sanctuary attracts a large congregation of waterbirds. Sedges form a major constituent of this wetland ecosystem. The present study for a period of two years on the sedges of this area has resulted in the collection of 29 species belonging to 7 genera of which 12 species have ethnobotanical and medicinal properties.

12 tables, 9 ref

006173   Vidal S;Jaber L R (Crop Protection Dep, Georg-August-Univ Gottingen, Agricultural Entomology, Grisebachstrasse 6, 37077 Gottingen, Germany, Email: svidal@gwdg.de) : Entomopathogenic fungi as endophytes: plant-endophyte-herbivore interactions and prospects for use in biological control. Curr Sci 2015, 109(1), 46-54.

It is now evident that entomopathogenic fungi are able to colonize plant tissues as symptomless endophytes. Although most data so far published in this regard refer to Beauveria bassiana as an endophytic fungus, two other entomopathogenic fungi, viz. Metarhizium anisopliae and Lecanicillium lecanii have also been shown to colonize plant tissues endophytically. Several recent studies have also shown reasonable detrimental effects on herbivorous insects feeding on plants harbouring these fungi as endophytes. However, data published so far are highly variable and not consistent with regard to the underlying mechanisms which would allow explaining these effects. Growth conditions, specific cultivar features, or interactions with other microorganisms may impact the effect of these endophytic entomopathogenic fungi on the herbivorous insects. Furthermore, other fungi may block the systemic growth of the fungi in plant parts distant to the point of inoculation. Other parameters which need to be taken into account for using these fungi as bio-control agents are the level of mycotoxins produced in plants, the level of pest reduction and the nature of formulations allowing a consistent colonization of the crop plants. This review discusses these and other problems related to the use of entomopathogenic fungi as endophytic biocontrol agents.

4 tables, 59 ref

006172   Verma R K (Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Conifer Campus, Panthaghati, Shimla-171 013, Email: vermaraj@icfre.org) : Plant diversity along an altitudinal gradient in Kalatop beat of Kalatop Khajjiar Wildlife Sanctuary of district Chamba, Himachal Pradesh. Indian J For 2015, 38(1), 17-27.

Plant diversity study conducted at an altitudinal gradient varying from 1800-2400m above msl in Kalatop beat of the Sanctuary revealed that the total number of plant species was 142 belonging to 71 families and 127 genera. The dominant families were Asteraceae, Rosaceae, Fabaceae, Ranunculaceae and Polygonaceae. The number of trees species was 7, 9 and 12 with the dominance of Cedrus deodara at 1800-2000m, 2000-2200m and 2200-2400m elevation ranges respectively. The number of shrub species was 26, 27 and 24 with the dominance of Berberis lycium, Sarcococca saligna and Sarcococca saligna at 1800-2000m, 2000-2200m and 2200-2400m elevations respectively. The number of herb species was 59, 74 and 75 with the dominance of Bergenia ciliata, Pilea scripta and Valeriana jatamansii at 1800-2000m, 2000-2200m and 2200-2400m elevation ranges respectively. The distribution pattern of most of the plant species was contiguous in all altitudes. Index of diversity for herb species in these elevations ranges was 3.750, 3.674 and 3.472. Out of 63 medicinal plant species recorded from the area, 4 species viz; Podophyllum hexandrum, Taxus wallichiana, Polygonatum verticillatum and Zanthoxylum armatum fall in the threatened category. The better conservation of natural resources can be done through promotion of community based conservation, ex-situ conservation through tissue culture, developing cultivation technologies and nurseries of medicinal plants and conducting of regular training on the procedure of medicinal plants collection and processing among the end users.

10 tables, 14 ref

006171   Thirunavukkarasu N;Jahnes B;Broadstock A; Govinda Rajulu M B;Murali T S;Gopalan V;Suryanarayanan T S (Botany Postgraduate and Research Dep, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College, Chennai-600 004, Email: gopalan.5@osu.edu) : Screening marine-derived endophytic fungi for xylan-degrading enzymes. Curr Sci 2015, 109(1), 112-20.

Marine-derived fungi surviving as symptomless endo-phytes in seaweeds and seagrasses were screened for production of xylan-degrading enzymes. Of the eight endophyte isolates obtained from five different sea-grasses and another eight from six different marine algae, half of them exhibited xylanase activity in an agar plate assay. Further examination of these lead candidates using spectrophotometric assays revealed that Trichoderma harzianum, endophytic in the brown alga Sargassum wightii, had the maximum secreted xylanase and xylosidase activity. Moreover, this fungus could grow in NaCl-containing media (up to 1.2 M NaCl), and inclusion of 0.26 M NaCl in the media elicited a two- and three-fold increase in extracellular xylanase and xylosidase activity respectively. These findings highlight the potential of prospecting marine-derived fungal endophytes to identify novel cell-wall degrading enzymes of value to the biofuel industry.

5 illus, 1 table, 55 ref

006170   Suvarna Latha A;Yasodamma N (Botany Dep, Sri Padmavathi Mahila Visvavidyalayam, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh) : Qualitative analysis of bioactive compounds in Capparis sepiaria L. an important ayurvedic drug. Int J pharm Res Biosci 2014, 3(6), 118-31.

Capparis sepiaria L. (Capparaceae) is an important drug used in several formulations in Ayurvedic medicine like 'Shothhar' anti-inflammatory, 'Vedanasthapan' analgesic, 'Raktashodhak' blood purifier, 'Hrudayottejak' cardiotonic and is used in the management of 'Yakrat dosha' liver disorders, 'Pachanvikar' digestive disorders, diseases caused by 'Kapha-Vata' imbalance, 'Shlipad' filariasis, cardiac weakness, fever and to reduce swellings of the testicles and due to these multitherapeutic properties the plant is selected for the qualitative analysis of bioactive compounds like phenols, flavonoids and anthocyanidins by paper chromatography technique in leaf, stem bark and root bark. 20 phenols, 7 flavonoids and 4 anthocyanidin compounds were identified by color reactions and Rf values with that of the standards. Present study focuses on the significance of the bioactive compounds with respect to the role of the plant in traditional medicinal system.

45 ref

006169   Suresh Babu M V;Rao B R P (Biodiversity Conservation Div, Botany Dep, Sri Krishnadevaraya Univ, Anantapuram-515 003, Email: biodiversityravi@gmail.com) : Conservation priority areas for vascular plants in Seshachalam Hill Ranges, Southern Eastern Ghats, India. Indian J For 2015, 38(1), 29-34.

In the present paper we could prioritize the areas for plant conservation in Seshachalam hill ranges of Eastern Ghats, in India have been highlighted.

1 illus, 2 table, 25 ref

006168   Somashekhara K G A;Boosanur V;Shivanna M B (PG Studies and Research in Applied Botany, School of Biosciences, Kuvempu Univ, Jnana Sahyadri, Shankaraghatta-577 451, Email: mbshivanna@yahoo.co.uk) : Ethno-medico botanical knowledge of Tiptur taluk in Tumkur district of Karnataka, India. Indian J Tradl Knowledge 2015, 14(1), 147-54.

Medicinal plants play an important role in the primary healthcare in rural India, since they are available locally, inexpensive and are said to have less side-effects. Herbal medicinal knowledge is an invaluable treasure that requires scientific documentation. The phyto-ethno-medicinal knowledge of Tiptur taluk of Karnataka state, India, has not been documented in the literature. Traditional plant medicinal knowledge available with folk people of the taluk was collected by interview-based semi-structured questionnaire and data was subjected to Informant consensus factor (ICF). The study revealed the use of 127 plant species of 118 genera and 52 families to treat 79 diseases and disorders affecting humans in the study area. The study also documented 60 new claims of medicinal use of plants, of which 22 reveals were on individual, and 38 on more than two plant formulations. The ICF analysis revealed that respiratory (0.54) and dermatological disorders (0.52) were highly prevalent in the area, for which 28 and 62 medicinal herbs, respectively, were prescribed by the herbal healers. The present study indicated that the herbal healers have a fair knowledge and a considerable number of their formulations are new records.

3 table, 31 ref

006167   Singh V;Singh R K;Gupta S L (Botanical Survey of India, Central Regional Centre, Allahabad-211 002, Email: vineet.singh332@gmail.com) : Diversity of climbers, trailers and parasitic plants in botanical garden, botanical survey of India, central regional centre, Allahabad. Indian J For 2015, 38(2), 195-200.

Investigation deals with the diversity of climbers, trailers and parasitic plants in botanical garden, Botanical Survey of India, Central Regional Centre, Allahabad, U.P. There are 75 species under 61 genera belonging to 27 families. The climbers here discussed were cultivated (as some species of Cucurbits), wild and ornamental. The species were listed according to Bentham and Hooker's system of classification with their botanical name, family, habit, phenology and uses.

4 illus, 1 table, 11 ref

006166   Singh S;Gurumurthy B R;Vasanthakumari M M; Ravikanth G;Dayanandan S;Storms R;Shivanna M B;Shaanker R U (Crop Physiology School of Ecology and Conservation Dep, Agricultural Sciences Univ, GKVK, Bengaluru-560 065, Email: umashaanker@gmail.com) : Endophyte fungal diversity in Nothapodytes nimmoniana along its distributional gradient in the western ghats, India: are camptothecine (anticancer alkaloid) producing endophytes restricted to specific clades?. Curr Sci 2015, 109(1), 127-38.

Nothapodytes nimmoniana Graham (Icacinaceae) is a small tree distributed along a 1600 km mountain range in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot in southern India. The stem wood of N. nimmoniana accumulates high concentration (about 0.3% by dry weight) of the anti-cancer alkaloid, camptothecine (CPT). Several endophytic fungi isolated from this plant have been shown to produce camptothecine in vitro. In this study, we examined the diversity and distribution of fungal endophytes of N. nimmoniana along its entire distributional range in the Western Ghats and investigated if the CPT-producing endophytes are restricted to any specific clade. The leaf and stem of N. nimmoniana were sampled from 18 sites along the Western Ghats spanning 8-18°N lat. Endophytes were recovered from all sites with the colonization frequency ranging from 0% to 52% across the sites. One hundred and four endophytic fungal isolates were recovered from 118 plants and characterized both morphologically and by sequencing the internally transcribed spacer region of the nuclear rDNA gene. The fungal isolates belonged to 45 species (44 Ascomycetes and one Basidiomycetes). Fusa-rium and Hypoxylon were the most predominant genera comprising over half of the total isolates. Interestingly, CPT-producing endophytes were not restricted to any specific clade. We discuss these results in the context of the growing interest in endophytic fungi as possible alternative sources of plant secondary metabolites.

6 illus, 2 tables, 63 ref

006165   Singh P;Singh A;Singh M P (Botany Dep, Udai Pratap (Autonomous) College, Varanasi-221 002, Email: prashantsingh12350@gmail.com) : Invasive alien species of vindhya range of Uttar Pradesh, India their source of origin and use potential. Indian J For 2015, 38(2), 135-45.

Vindhyam range of Uttar Pradesh, India comprises 149 alien species under 106 genera belonging to 44 families. On analysing the data it was observed that 73% of alien species are from tropical America including South America and 10.5% from tropical Africa. Present study is based on several years of intensive exploration of the area. Excursions were under taken in different areas at regular intervals. During excursions information regarding important alien species with their legitimate botanical name, families, local name brief description along with flowering and fruiting time were recorded.

6 illus, 1 table, 23 ref

006164   Singh D K;Majumdar S;Singh D (NO, , 305D, Saraswati Apartments, Gomti Nagar Extension Sector 4, Lucknow-226 010, Email: singh_drdk@rediffmail.com) : Notes on scarcely collected Indian liverworts II. Xenochila integrifolia (plagiochilaceae, marchantiophyta). Indian J For 2015, 38(2), 147-50.

Xenochila integrifolia (Mitt.) Inoue is described and illustrated from Anjaw district in Arunachal Pradesh and North and West districts of Sikkim. This constitutes the first record of its occurrence in Arunachal Pradesh.

2 illus, 12 ref

006163   Singh A K;Singh A K;Sahu R K (Botany Dep, Udai Pratap Autonomous College, Varanasi-221 002, Email: ajaiupcollege@gmail.com) : On the seedling morphology of some grass weeds - Echinochloa P Beauv. (Poaceae). Indian J For 2015, 38(1), 47-50.

Present investigation deals with amplified seedling morphology of five grass weed taxa belonging to the genus Echinochloa P. Beauv. - E. colona, E. crus-galli, E. cruspavonis, E. frumentacea and E. stagnina, occurring commonly in Paddy fields of Vindhyan Region, Uttar Pradesh, India. Morphological attributes viz. venation and length of coleoptile, surface of scutellum, leaf sheath and leaf blade, collet and shape of leaf blade are found useful for the taxonomic differentiation of seedlings. Illustrations and key have also been provided.

1 illus, 10 ref

006162   Sharma H;Vashistha B D (Botany Dep, Kurukshetra Univ, Kurukshetra-139 119, Email: hemantbotany@gmail.com) : Effect of some auxins on petiolar explants of Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers ex Hook. f & Thoms.. Ann Biol 2015, 31(1), 28-31.

Effects of some auxins (IAA, NAA and 2, 4-D) were studied on petiole explants in Tinospora cordifolia under in vitro conditions. Explants were inoculated on MS medium and woody plant medium supplemented with different concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg/1) of IAA, NAA and 2, 4-D. No any response of explants was observed in control cultures, while petiolar segments produced callus at all the four concentrations of these auxins on both the media. Callus formation increased with increase in concentration of IAA, NAA and 2,4-D from 0.5 to 4.0 mg/1. Maximum average fresh and dry weights were obtained from the callus at 4.0 mg/1 2,4-D on WPM. The callus was transferred to media with different concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg/1) of BAP and KIN.

5 tables, 18 ref

006161   Sekar K Chandra;Giri L;Pandey A;Srivastava S K (NO, G B Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Kosi- Katarmal, Almora-263 643, Email: kcsekar1312@rediffmail.com) : Note on distribution of Juniperus semiglobosa in Uttarakhand, India. Indian J For 2015, 38(1), 79-80.

Distribution of Juniperus semiglobosa in India have been examined through literature, available herbarium specimens and with field observations. The density of individuals are found in decreasing trend in India due to fuel wood extraction coupled with natural calamity in high altitude regions, especially in Trans Himalaya. Available population status, brief description, field observations and photographs are provided in the communication, for conservation of Juniperus in natural habitats.

1 illus, 9 ref

006160   Schulz B;Haas S;Junker C;Andree N;Schobert M (Institut fur Mikrobiologie, Technische Univ Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany, Email: b.schulz@tu-bs.de) : Fungal endophytes are involved in multiple balanced antagonisms. Curr Sci 2015, 109(1), 39-45.

In order for endophytic fungi to grow asymptomati-cally in their plant hosts, a balance of antagonisms is presumed to exist between host defence and fungal virulence. However, in planta, endophytic fungi must deal with multiple organismal interactions, primarily with bacteria and other fungi. We hypothesize that the plethora of antibacterial and antifungal metabolites that endophytic fungi produce has the function of maintaining balances of antagonisms with microbial competitors, resulting in a compatible multipartite symbiosis. Results obtained from co-cultures of endophytic and rhizospheric fungi with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and of endophytic fungi with Hymenoscy-phus fraxineus, pathogen of the European ash, corroborate this hypothesis.

3 illus, 1 table, 57 ref

006159   Santoshkumar R;Bhat K V (Post Graduate Dep and Research Centre of Botany, Mahatma Gandhi College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Email: santhoshkumar30576@gmail.com) : Variation of Shrinkage in relation to anatomical properties and age of select bamboo species, Bamusa bambos (L.) Voss and Dendrocalamus strictus Nees. Indian J For 2015, 38(1), 87-9.

Bamboo species is widely used for different purposes in the different parts of World. The variation in properties of the culms of bamboos are affected its use. Shrinkage is one of the physical properties in bamboo and it will affect the products. In this article deals with the variation in shrinkage at different height levels of bamboo culms, different portion in bamboo culms such as outer to inner variation, variation in different age groups of bamboo culms. In addition to this tangential and radial variation in shrinkage also studied. The result shows that a uniform trend in variation was observed based on different parameters.

2 illus, 5 table, 4 ref

006158   Sampath Kumar V (Central National Herbarium, Botanical Survey of India, Howrah-711 003, Email: vskumar10@rediffmail.com) : Notes on distribution of Crotalaria paniculata Willd. and status of its variety Nagarjunakondensis Thoth.. Indian J For 2015, 38(2), 181-4.

Crotalaria paniculata Willd. is reported for the first time from Kerala although it is commonly found in all the other three states of South India. Further, discussion is made about its questionable occurrence in Java (Indonesia) and opined here that it is endemic to South India. C. paniculata var. nagarjunakondensis Thoth. is raised to the specific level based on cordate cuspidate bract, absence of stipules, length of calyx teeth as well as 2-seeded pods.

1 table, 22 ref

006157   Saklani K;Prasad P;Nautiyal A R (High Altitude Plant Physiology Research Centre, H N B Garhwal Univ, Srnagar-246 174, Email: kkumud.kumud@gmail.com) : Ethnomedicinal impportance of Rudraksha (Elaeocarpus sphaericus (Gaertn.) K. Schum.), related species and their conservation strategies. Indian J For 2015, 38(1), 1-10.

Extensive use of Elaeocarpus species in Ayurveda or as ethnomedicinal plants and their economic use as timber plants, have resulted in most of them getting threatened and enlisted in the Red Data Book or the IUCN Red List of threatened plants. The present review focuses on the conservation status of important Elaeocarpus species of India in view of their medicinal importance and the efforts required, thereof, in future.

1 table, 103 ref

006156   Saikkonen K;Mikola J;Helander M (Management and Production of Renewable Resources, Natural Resources Institute, Finland (Luke), 20520 Turku, Finland, Email: kari.saikkonen@luke.fi) : Endophytic phyllosphere fungi and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Curr Sci 2015, 109(1), 171-8.

Importance of phyllosphere fungi to ecosystem functioning via soil processes has aroused increasing ' interest during the last decade. Here, we briefly review the current knowledge of how the foliar endophytic fungi and nutrient cycling interact. Recent findings suggest that endophytes may affect plant litter quality, organisms that control litter decomposition and the availability of nutrients in plant communities. However, the results obtained so far are highly variable. We attempt to integrate these observations with the knowledge of ecology and life-history strategies of endophytic fungi, and highlight general rules and gaps in our knowledge. Finally, we suggest testable hypotheses for future studies.

1 illus, 58 ref

006155   Ranjan V;Anant Kumar;Gopal Krishna (Central National Herbarium, Botanical Survey of India, Howrah-711 103, Email: ranjanv_alld@rediffmail.com) : Prunus ceylanica (wight) miv.: an endangered species collected after eight decades from West Bengal. Indian J For 2015, 38(2), 185-6.

Prunus ceylanica (Wight) Miq. (Rosaceae) a species under endangered categories of IUCN is collected after eight decades from West Bengal from the protected areas of North Bengal.

8 ref

006154   Rajakumar T J S;Selvakumari R (Centre for Botanical Research, PG and Research Dep of Botany, St. John College, Tirunelveli-627 002) : Four new additions to the flora of Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve, Tamil Nadu, India. Indian J For 2015, 38(1), 61-2.

The paper records four flowering plants viz. Didymocarpus fischeri, Strobilanthes urceolaris (Gamble) Gamble, Epipogium roseum (D. Don) Lindl. and Briza minor L. from Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve, Tamil Nadu, India.

10 ref

006153   Rai I D;Jalal J S;Singh G;Rawat G S (NO, Wildlife Institute of India, PO Box <35> 18, Chandrabani, Deharadun-248 001, Email: ishwari.rai@gmail.com) : Extended distribution of Platanthera cumminsiana (King and Pantl.) J Renz (Orchidaceae) in Western Himalaya, India. Indian J For 2015, 38(1), 95-8.

Platanthera cumminsiana (King & Pantl.) J. Renz is reported from the Western Himalaya for the first time.

3 illus, 12 ref

006152   Pusalkar P K;Srivastava S K (Botanical Survey of India, North Regional Centre, 192-Kaullagarh Road, Dehradun-248 195, Email: skshri08@rediffmail.com) : Cirsium arvense L. var. alpestre nageli (Asteraceae)-a new record for Indian flora. Indian J For 2015, 38(1), 75-6.

Cirsium arvense L. var. alpestre Nageli (Asteraceae) is reported here as a new record for Indian flora.

1 illus, 4 ref

006151   Prasad V P;Sampath Kumar V (Central National Herbarium, Botanical Survey of India, P.O. Botanic Garden, Howrah-711 103, Email: vskumar10@rediffmail.com) : Gynostemma blume (Cucurbitaceae): A new generic record for Kerala, India. Indian J For 2015, 38(1), 81-2.

The genus Cynostemma Blume is reported for the first time from Kerala based on G. pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino, the only species represented in India. Description, illustration, distribution data and a note on potential medicinal property are also provided.

1 illus, 6 ref

006150   Prakash P S;Antony R;Josekutty E J (Botany Dep, Govt. Brennen College, Thalissery, Kannur, Kerala, Email: rajuantonytbgri@rediffmail.com) : Selaginella proniflora (Lamk.) Bank. (Selaginellaceae), a new distributional record for Kerala. Indian J For 2015, 38(1), 83-4.

Selaginella proniflora (Lamk.)Bak.is first time reported from Kerala. Detailed description and photograph are provided for its easy identification.

1 illus, 7 ref