Genetic variations and relationships among cultivated and wild genotypes of five taxa of Indian Luffa were examined using inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR), directed amplification of minisatellite DNA (DAMD) markers and morphological characterization. Morphometric evaluation of 21 discrete characters in 51 representative accessions segregated the five taxa of Luffa in three main clusters: the two wild species (L. echinata, L. graveolens) in the first, and the cultivated L. aegyptiaca (smooth gourd) and L. acutangula (ridged gourd)/L. hermaphrodita (Hermaphrodite luffa) in the second and third clusters, respectively. Cumulative data analysis of 15 ISSR and seven DAMD markers revealed high percentage polymorphism (97.67 %), moderate genetic distance (0.06-0.72, avg. 0.51), and low heterozygosity and Shannon index values (H = 0.15; I = 0.22) across all the 76 genotypes assayed. A UPGMA dendrogram, based on the combined marker data, resolved the five taxa in two main clusters with high bootstrap support. The morphological and molecular trees showed incongruence in the number of main clusters resolved and in the disposition of the wild and cultivated taxa in different sub-clusters. The cluster analyses and PCoA plots revealed a nested grouping of the hermaphrodite luffa within the ridge gourd group. The Bayesian STRUCTURE analysis identified three genetic clusters for the five assumed taxa. Outcrossing test revealed a mixed mating system in Indian Luffa. This is the first ever report on the mating system in Luffa using molecular markers. The study also demonstrates the utility of using more than one DNA marker in the assessment of molecular diversity in a widely cultivated crop genus like Luffa with a narrow genetic base.

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A phytosociological assessment was done in Terai-Bhabar region of the central Himalaya to understand the current status of a monotypic genus Indopiptadenia. Identification of different forest communities within the region was also accomplished. Cluster analysis and PCA revealed five forest communities (i.e., sal miscellaneous forest, sal dominant forest, lowland miscellaneous forest, teak plantation and Indopiptadenia population) on the basis of their species composition. Out of these 5 communities, Indopiptadenia population attracted more attention due to its small and declining population. The unique habitat of this small population found chiefly on gravely-sandy soil along the water streams edges places it before the natural threats of floods and cutting of river banks. The lowest tree density (440.00 stem haG values were exhibited by this plant community. This suggests that the population of Indopiptadenia is more exposed forest community in comparison to others and faces higher degree of anthropogenic pressures for their fodder and timber values.

The contributions of Protected Areas (PAs) in two developing countries (India and Nigeria) to biodiversity conservation and carbon accumulation were assessed in this study. Data were collected through field inventory from 12 plots (25 Â 25 m) randomly located in each of the PAs. In each plot, all woody plants were identified and tree growth variables were measured for trees with diameter at breast height !10 cm. We discovered that the two PAs are well stocked, mature and rich in tree species diversity with potentials for continuous growth as a result of the presence of young trees in the lower canopy. The biological diversity indices compared favorably with other similar PAs. The high above-ground biomass and carbon of the tree species revealed the roles of PAs in climate change mitigation through CO 2 absorption from the atmosphere. The difference in their phytosociological characteristics and carbon sink capacities, with higher values obtained for Nigerian forest, was attributed to the variation in geographical location, climatic conditions and soil properties. The protection of these PAs should be enhanced for biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. The perceived challenges in developing countries with forest protection can be mitigated by introducing some institutional policies and rural community involvement in forest management.

Indopiptadenia, a monospecific genus with the species I. oudhensis, is confined to the Indo-Nepal border area in scattered populations along the Himalayan foothills between 156-908 m elevation. I. oudhensis has been little studied since its discovery in 1874. The taxonomy of the genus is reexamined here with extensive notes on diversity, distribution, phenology, ecology and conservation status based on exhaustive field survey and examination of herbarium specimens. A full description including data on many new characters and encompassing all morphological variations is provided to better characterize the species so that its correct systematic position can be ascertained and provide the basis for proper conservation strategies. Placed in the tribe Mimoseae, the species shows more affinity towards the Newtonia group than the Piptadenia group. However, it differs from the former in having unarmed to armed stem, uni-or bijugate leaflets, absence of stemonozone and pods that dehisce generally by rupturing of the pod valves over the seed chambers to leave a persistent replum. The IUCN category Near Threatened (NT) is assigned to the taxon.