Seeds of Celtis australis were collected from 13 different sources, ranging from 550 to 1980 masl, in Central Himalaya, India. Significant (p = 0.05) variations were observed for seed traits among provenances. However, among various characters, seed weight exhibited maximum variation between seed populations compared to other morphological characters. Between provenances, seed weight ranged from 47.8 to 83.1 g/1000 seed, with mean value of 66.9 ± 10.7 g/1000 seed. Significant (p = 0.01) positive correlation was found between morphological characters of seeds including seed weight and elevational range of seed source. For one year old seedlings, average shoot and root growth was 61.1 ± 13.3 and 30.5 ± 5.4 cm, respectively, irrespective of provenance variation. Inter-comparing biomass yield of the seedlings with altitude, average biomass production was 8.4 ± 2.5, 9.4 ± 3.3 and 12.7 ± 1.7 g/plant, respectively, for low (550-1000 masl), middle (1050-1250 masl) and high (1350-1980 masl) altitudinal populations. Significant (p = 0.01) positive correlation between growth performance of seedlings and altitude of the seed source was recorded. Across the provenances, shoots had the highest proportion of total biomass (42.3%), followed by leaves (32.6%) and roots (24.6%). Among various provenances, Badiyargaon, Agroda, Guptakashi, Jakholi, Gajeli, Srinagar and Palampur populations produced heavier seedlings and grew faster compared to seedlings of other sources.

Studies were conducted on population status and regeneration of Quercus semecarpifolia and Quercus floribunda in a subalpine forest of western Himalaya. Saplings of Q. semecarpifolia belonging to the 51-100 cm size class and those of Q. floribunda belonging to the 101-150 cm size class were well represented in studied subalpine forests. Comparable seedling emergence and establishment of both species, either in the habitat dominated by same or different species seems to be an adaptational strategy of these species in subalpine forests. Seedling to tree ratio for Q. semecarpifolia was higher in the stand dominated by Q. floribunda, while comparable pattern was observed for Q. floribunda in the stand dominated by Q. semecarpifolia. Establishment of higher percent of seedlings of one species in the habitats dominated by another species of Quercus appears to indicate an oligarchic nature of oaks in subalpine forests. This study describes regeneration strategies, and spatial distribution of these species in a subalpine forest of Uttarakhand.

The purpose of this study is the determination of chemical composition and antioxidant activity of essential oils (EOs) from Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch. Roots have been collected on December of the first plant year (IY) and in April, August and December of the third plant year (I, 6B, D7). A GC analysis was carried out for achieving this purpose. Subsequently, total polyphenol content (TPC) and antioxidant activity measured by DPPH, FRAP and BCB assays were evaluated. Three different statistical methods: Relative Antioxidant Capacity Index (RACI), Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) and PCA, were used to compare results obtained and underline EO relationships. From the results obtained, it was possible to observe how the collection period of the EO, in particular both the month and the year of collection, influences the metabolite profile.

Observations on phenology of some representative trees, shrubs, under-shrubs and herbs in a subalpine forest of Uttarakhand, western Himalaya were recorded. With the commencement of favorable growth season in April, occurrence of leaf fall was indicatory growth phenomenon in Quercus semecarpifolia, Q. floribunda and Abies spectabilis. However, active vegetative growth in herbaceous species starts onward April and fruit maturation and seed dehiscence are completed from mid of September to October. In general, vegetative growth and reproductive stages in majority of the studied species seems to be dependent on adequate moisture content and also flowering and fruiting in subalpine plants correlate ambient temperature.

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