The ethanol crude extract of stem bark of Holoptelea integrifolia Planch. traditionally used in Indian system of medicine was screened for its antioxidant activity using α-tocopherol as standard antioxidant. The free radical scavenging potential of the extract was evaluated by two different antioxidant methods; ferric thiocyanate and thiobarbituric acid method. The ethanol extract was found to exhibit good antioxidant property. Further physicochemical constants, elemental and heavy metal analysis of stem bark have been described.

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Gills are the prime organs for gaseous exchange and perform several other physiological functions including osmoregulation and excretion. Harmful effects of several pesticides on the gill histomorphology are well known. In this paper the effects of heavy metal on the gills of Clarias batrachus is demonstrated. Clarias batrachus, a freshwater teleost were exposed to copper sulphate for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h at 0.25, 0.30, 0.35 and 0.40 ppm to determine the LC50 values as well as any histopathological changes to the gills .The histological sections of gills of snake headed air breathing teleost examined under light microscope showed severe structural alterations like mucus cells hyperplasia, bulging of taste buds, formation of interlamellar bridge and sub epithelial spaces in the primary and secondary gill lamellae.

Variability studies on Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus Populations (Banoak) in Himachal Pradesh was carried out during 2014-16 for selection of best phenotypes. In order to select best sites for improved genetic gain and quality production of Quercus leucotrichophora, eight sites and three D.B.H. classes from Himachal Pradesh were evaluated on the basis of morphometric traits. The study revealed significant variation among different sites for traits viz., tree height, clean bole height, crown width, leaf area, leaf length, leaf width. Whereas, among the different diameter classes all the traits showed significant variation except number of primary branches, leaf area, leaf width. Over all site S8 (Salooni-Chamba) was found to be superior followed by Site S6 (Manikaran-Kullu) for all traits. Diameter class D3 ( > 60 cm) excelled in morphometric traits. Study concluded that superiority of S8 (Salooni) and S6 (Manikaran) populations from large diameter class D3 ( > 60 cm dbh) for obtaining seed /propagules for further testing and obtaining best results.

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