Cuttage propagation of Aesculus indica was tested by treatments with different concentrations of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) @ 2000, 4000 (ppm), indolebutyric acid (IBA) @ 2000, 4000 (ppm) and naphthlcetic acid (NAA) @ 2000, 4000 (ppm) in dry formulation in the Forest Nursery, Faculty of Forestry, SKUAST-K, Shalimar. The cuttings treated with IBA @ 4000 ppm and IBA @ 2000 ppm had asprouting rate of 75% and 50%, respectively, which was significantly higher than that of control and other treatments. The highest rooting rate (50%) was recorded in the cuttings with the application of IBA @ 4000 ppm. The cuttings treated with IBA @ 2000 ppm had 25% rooting rate. All other treatments along with control (talc powder) failed to induce rooting. It was concluded that IBA @ 4000 ppm was a better-applied concentration for vegetative propagation of A. indica under Kashmir conditions.

Our study on maturity indices of Aesculus indica Colebr. seeds was conducted under temperate Kashmir conditions in 2006. Seed collection was started from 15 July and continued until the maturation of seeds in December. The seeds were harvested fortnightly from identified trees and on each collection date maturity indices, viz. seed color, seed weight, moisture content, seed dimension, specific gravity and germination percentage were recorded. The study revealed that at the time of maturity (Nov.-Dec.) the seed color was a shiny chocolate brown, with a moisture content of 58.37% and a specific gravity of 0.82. Germination was maximum (80%) at its maturity with a maximum seed weight of 52.03 g per seed. We recommend that the seeds should be collected before their natural disposal.

Modern nursery methods of seedling production in different sized root trainers, were compared by raising seedlings of Pinus wallichiana involving costs incurred and benefits received. In order to provide a common basis for the comparisons, the study involved the raising of 1000 seedlings annually on a continuous basis for seven years. A relative economic analysis of raising P. wallichiana seedlings in 300, 150 and 100 cm 3 root trainers was carried out and we estimated that the root trainers of 300 cm 3 capacity recorded the highest total input cost of Rs. 35571 and Rs. 40018 for 1000 seedlings produced annually at discount rates of 12% and 6%. Seedlings raised in 100 cm 3 root trainers recorded the lowest total input cost of Rs. 23390 and Rs. 27737 per 1000 seedlings annually at discount rates of 12% and 6%. Hence, returns per rupee invested in raising seedlings in the 100 cm 3 root trainers accounted for the maximum benefit-cost ratio (i.e., 1.56 and 1.61) at discount rates of 12% and 6%. Thus seedlings raised in 100 cm 3 and 150 cm 3 root trainers were found to be most cost effective when compared with seedlings grown in 300 cm 3 root trainers. The results can be attributed to the larger number of cells per tray (higher growth density) in the 100 and 150 cm 3 root trainers, compared to the number of seedlings in the 300 cm 3 root trainers.

Leaves are of fundamental importance to plants, representing their facility to generate power and are the sensing units of plants towards the environment. An attempt was made to characterize and compare the variations of leaf morphology of various Populus deltoides Bartr. clones by studying the winter buds and other leaf parameters of fully developed leaves. To achieve these objectives, forty-three exotic and indigenous clones of P. deltoides Bartr. were evaluated for different parameters. On the basis of various morphological characteristics the results reveal that each clone has a distinct color pattern of leaves. Different colors observed in these clones varied from light green through green to dark green. Two distinct lengths of the leaf apex were found, i.e., short and long; as well both acuminate and acute apex types were found. Erratic distribution of serration of leaves was also found. In this study, the morphological traits of leaves provided discriminatory grounds for separating various populations of P. deltoides Bartr. clones. Winter bud studies indicate that different clones vary considerably with regard to shape, color, shape of leaf scars and exudation.

Experiment was conducted to optimize the appropriate potting mixture ingredients, their proportion for raising quality planting stock of Albizia lebbeck seedlings. Among all the treatments T4 produced best results with respect to most of the growth (i.e. height and collar diameter), biomass (fresh and dry weights) and quality parameters (DQI); however its performance was at par with T3 treatment. On the other hand seedlings raised in treatment T2 performed better for root: shoot ratio and sturdiness compared to other treatments. Thus FYM in combination of soil and sand holds promise as a potting medium for raising seedlings of Albizia lebbeck, as FYM possess better water holding capacity and regulates nutrient uptake, improve plant yield and physical status of soil.