INTRODUCTION: Indian Himalayan region is enriched with unique location, geography and culture. 1 It is one amongst the biodiversity hotspots. 2 It is harbors more than 9000 plant species, of which nearly 33 % are endemic. 3 A large number of studies on medicinal and aromatic plants have been carried out in the Indian H Region. 4-6 However, in particular Pradesh, such studies are incomplete and mainly focused on inventory. 7-15 Some workers have mentioned medicinal uses of plants in ethnobotanical notes, floristic and biodiversity studies. 16-23 However, in particular of Himachal Pradesh, such studies are incomplete and mainly focused on inventory mentioned medicinal uses of plants in ethnobotanical notes, floristic and biodiversity studies and alternative for primary health care system. 24-37 MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sikander hills are situated in Shivalik hills zone of North Western Himalaya and is located in district Mandi of Himachal Pradesh (India). This area is characterized by temperature ranging between-10 0 C to 25 0 C. Precipitation occurs in the form of snow and rainfall. The altitude of this range is 7000 feet. The vegetation of this area chiefly comprises of deodar, silver fir, chir pine and oak. Greater part of it consists of rich grass slopes. It is rich in lichen flora. 38-40 Extensive field surveys were conducted in various locations of Sikandra hill of district Mandi of Himachal Pradesh during the study period. Prior to the visit to research sites, a questionnaire was designed and pre-tested to find out if it actually worked. Revisions needed as a result of this pre-test were noted and undertaken in the following day of the visit. Focus groups were held with key informants and others in each household. The traditional usage of plant resources were learned with both the questionnaire and through participatory techniques. Participation was focused on learning how people gather plant material. The ethno-medicinal importance of the collected plants containing the information about the vernacular name of the plants, part used and medicinal use were recorded through detailed discussion with local people, traditional healers, Kohlies and gujjars. The plants were enlisted depending upon the information collected along with their traditional use reported in the literature. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The results of the study are presented in Table 1. The families of plant species from the study area are arranged in alphabetical order. For each species, scientific name, family, vernacular name, part used, traditional mode of its use as edible, fodder, religious and medicinal as well as diseases treated are provided. Each species is compared with previously reported literature for their ethno-medicinal usage. A total of 88 plant species in 41 families were documented for the treatment of various chronic ailments

Cucurbitaceae is the vegetable family enriched with numerous vitamins and minerals. In early rainy season cucurbits are the host of different fungal pathogens. In present study, four fungal diseases dominant on three members of cucurbitaceae family are observed in Bhoranj block of District Hamirpur, lie in lower foot hills of Himachal Pradesh. Four fungal diseases along with host plants are leaf spot of Lagenaria siceraria, downy mildews of Cucumis sativus, powdery mildews of Coccinia grandis and powdery mildews of Cucumis sativus. Among all these diseases, Disease Incidence and Disease Severity of Powdery mildews of Coccinia grandis are most dominant i.e. 40.3±1 and 51.2±1 respectively. Disease Incidence and Disease Severity of Leaf spot of Lagenaria siceraria is least i.e. 12.5±1 and 1.1±1, respectively.

No abstract

No abstract

Small scale farming dominates the agricultural land-scape of India. More than 80 per cent in India are marginal and smallholders having less than two ha farm size. Therefore, marginal and small farmers constitute a key group requiring attention in agriculture to increase their productivity and income for reducing hunger and poverty in India. On the basis of socio-economic impact of climatic resilient drought tolerant and short duration cultivars of Maize, research is to be designed to achieve it by primary and secondary data. Here in the study primary data was collected from structural questionnaire which has been framed with the help of expert suggestions, existing literature and concerned thesis on this topic. Mostly, questionnaire was framed on Likert-Scale, which has 5-point satisfaction level. Potential for adoption of drought tolerant and pest resistant cultivars of Wheat have been assessed on point scales for variables. This data have been collected through interview, observation, pilot survey and questionnaire. The impact assessment was done using both quantitative and qualitative techniques. They also faced a big challenge to cope with vulnerability of local varieties of Maize. The major themes under Climatic resilient Crop production technologies identified were enhanced crop yield and promote drought tolerant and short duration cultivars of Maize. The whole questionnaire was divided into independent variables viz; block, sex, caste, level of education, source of irrigation and land holding particulars. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (percentage, correlation, standard deviation, mean). For analysis of data, budgeting techniques and cost concepts (fixed cost, variable cost and total cost) and economic efficiency measures viz., Benefit-Cost Ratio, Net present value were used. Economics to be worked out based upon total cost of production per unit area and not on critical inputs alone. The results on the profile characteristics of the smart and non smart farmers are given in tables at appropriate place. Socio-economic impact of climate change implies the effect of recent changes in the climatic parameter on the livelihood of farmers. Hence, there is an increase in crop sowing area as well as improving economy of smart farmers. Thus, there is an upliftment of socio-economic status of smart farmers rather than non smart farmers of Nadaun and Bhoranj blocks of rain-fed Hamirpur district in Himachal Pradesh.