Microscopic plant parasitic nematodes are round worms that feed on plants and damage them. The most common and serious amongst the nematodes is the root-knot nematode found throughout the country with a very wide host range of cultivated crops. Brinjal (Solanum melongena) crop yield is considerably reduced by root-knot nematodes particularly Meloidogyne incognita. Root-galls of brinjal caused by Meloidogyne incognita can be controlled effectively by using the bio-agents and botanicals which in turn increases the yield and plant growth. Present study explored the effect of leaf extracts of certain plants on the root-knot development, plant growth and nematode multiplication in pot experiments. Extract treated and nematode inoculated plants showed improvement on growth over untreated inoculated plants and reduced the disease development. Five (viz., margosa, marigold, datura, hemp and tobacco) leaf extracts, irrespective of concentration, apparently induced tolerance in inoculated plants as evidenced by better plant growth in comparison to control and suppressed the multiplication of nematode which resulted in low root-knot index. Margosa (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract suppressed the nematode multiplication, reduced root galling and improved the plant growth of inoculated plants. Margosa and marigold (Tagetes erecta) leaf extracts were found more effective in controlling the root-knot development than the leaf extracts of hemp (Cannabis sativa), datura (Datura metel) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). Higher concentrations (20 ml/plant) of leaf extracts were found to be more effective in controlling the root knot development. Based on our observations, it may be concluded that margosa or marigold extract treatment of brinjal seedlings prior to transplantation can avoid severe damage by suppressing the nematode multiplication and inducing the tolerance in treated inoculated plants.

Background: Indian Himalayan region has a rich heritage of species and genetic strains of flora and fauna and is considered as mega hot spot of biological diversity. Wild plant raw material is in great demand around the world for use by pharmaceutical companies, ethnomedicinal practitioners and variety of traditional medicines. India is one of the world’s major exporters of raw herbal drugs and the Himalayas are renowned for their vast storehouse of medicinal plants. The present study conducted at Baba Ghulam Shah Basdshah University located in District Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir recorded the presence of 46 species of medicinal plants belonging to 34 families. Methods: The plant specimens were collected from different parts of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University Campus. All the parameters like habit, habitat, life form, parts used, methods of use were recorded on filed notebook along with date of collection. Routine herbarium practices were followed for preserving the plant specimens. The plant specimens were collected and their external morphology was studied and examined carefully. The specimens of medicinal plants were properly labelled and subsequently deposited in the Herbarium, Centre of Biodiversity Studies, BGSBU, Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Result: During ethnobotanical exploration, 46 species distributed over 44 genera in 34 Families of wild medicinal plants were documented from four sampling sites. The details pertaining to common names, part used, medicinal uses and active constituents of each species were tabulated. Among the plant parts used, leaves contributed for medicinal use in about 63% species, followed by fruits in 19% species, underground parts in 10.8% species and flowers in 6.5% species. The enlisted plant species belonged to three life forms viz., herbs (21), shrubs (15) and trees (10). Asteraceae was the most dominant family represented by 4 species followed by Moraceae, Lamiaceae and Fabaceae each represented by 3 species, while as families like Meliaceae, Violaceae, Berberidaceae were represented by 01 species each.

Varied floristic works relevant to Kashmir Himalaya were thoroughly examined to compile taxonomic contributions of various taxonomists viz. a viz. diversity in gymnosperms of this region. Extensive field surveys and standard taxonomic methods were used to locate, collect, identify and prepare an updated list of the target group. A total of 25 species of gymnosperms belonging to 13 genera in 6 families and 4 orders have been documented from the Kashmir Himalaya. Wild gymnosperms are represented by 11 species with conifers forming the most dominant group. Among families, Pinaceae is highest represented with 6 species, while Taxaceae is least represented. Cultivated gymnosperms exceed wild growing species, and Cupressaceae is most dominant with 9 species whereas Ginkgoaceae is least represented. Out 25 species 19 (7 wild + 12 cultivated) are trees, 5 (3 wild + 2 cultivated) are shrubs and only 1 is sub-shrub.