Status of the rare palm Bentinckia condapanna Berry in two habitats of Goodrical Reserve Forests; Western Ghats of India

Bentinckia condapanna shows more IVI values and there by dominance and ecological stress in both the sites, that is, in sparsely distributed habitats as well as in dominated habitats (Site-II). Major associations /co dominance to Bentinckia condapanna in site -I were the evergreen species like Macaranga peltata, Elaeocarpus tuberculatus, Lannea coromandelica, Schefflera venulosa etc. and for site-II was the secondary species Chionanthus ramiflorus. Higher IVI values for Bentinckia condapanna in both the sites proves the capacity of this species to establish in mono-dominant and co- dominant communities. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/apjeesd.v1i1.9503Asia Pacific Journal of Environment Ecology and Sustainable Development 2013; 1: 6-9

Effect of sea weed (Caulerpa racemosa) extract on biochemical variations, growth and yield of Vigna mungo

The present investigations revealed that seaweed species were observed to be the potential sources of fertilizer. In the case of vigor index, at first 3 concentrations 100% was noticed and it reduced at last 2 concentrations. The phytotoxicity was increased with increased SLF concentration and it was at maximum at 3% concentration. Present findings encourage the application of such seaweeds as natural fertilizer in agriculture sector. It was also understood that the too much or too less concentrations of SLF has reduced effect on the selected plant. 1% concentration of Caulerpa racemosa SLF has proved increase in yield, growth and biochemical content in Vigna mungo. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/apjeesd.v1i1.9501Asia Pacific Journal of Environment Ecology and Sustainable Development 2013; 1: 3-5

Introducing the Asia Pacific Journal of Environment Ecology and Sustainable Development

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/apjeesd.v1i1.9500Asia Pacific Journal of Environment Ecology and Sustainable Development 2013; 1:1-2

A study on the ecology and economic impact of major invasive weed species of coconut homesteads of Nattika, India

Out of the 4 alien invasive species three are of high risk namely Mikania micrantha, Chromolaena odorata and Mimosa diplotricha. Lantana camara is found to be medium risk. The farmers spent a considerable amount of money nearly Rs 4800 per year for one acre land pertaining to mechanical weeding of invasive species. The herbicide is widely used by farmers to control the weeds are capable to cause various health problems including genetic aberration. So an effective and comprehensive weed management strategy have to be developed in the country to combat the threats of IAS in agriculture fields. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/apjeesd.v1i1.9509Asia Pacific Journal of Environment Ecology and Sustainable Development 2013; 1: 32-35

Plant Ecological Studies on Gavi Forests; an Unlogged Tropical Rain Forest Ecosystem, Southern Western Ghats of India

Analysis of vegetation of Goodrical Reserve forests shows that unlogged area harbours 65 arborescent species of 590 individuals /ha. On the other hand in logged area, number of species were 54 out of 579 individuals /ha. Simpson and Shannon Weiner indices of unlogged and logged area were H’- 3.08, CD-0.092 and H’- 3.60, CD-0.032 respectively. This study also shows that high endemism is seen in Goodrical R.F. and species like, Actinodaphne malabarica, Baccaurea courtallensis, Drypetes elata, Cullenia exarillata, Palaquium ellipticum etc. are quite common. Threatened species like, Anacolosa densiflora and Memecylon subramanii are not common in logged area and common in unlogged area. It is quite probable that these species have been extracted extensively during selection felling, till when the selection felling procedure was completely stopped in 1987, and that is why they are absent in logged area. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/apjeesd.v1i1.9505Asia Pacific Journal of Environment Ecology and Sustainable Development 2013; 1: 15-21

Impact of selection felling on Ecosystem health of Kottiyoor Reserved Forest, Western Ghats of India

Phytosociological analysis reveal that Palaquium ellipticum and Knema attenuate are the common dominant species present with their co- dominants such as, Memecylon decanese, Macranga peltata, Vateria indica etc. More than fifty percent of the established seedlings are contributed by the dominant and co- dominant species. Thus there is a gradual shift of natural evergreen species composition to the more light demanding moist deciduous elements. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/apjeesd.v1i1.9508Asia Pacific Journal of Environment Ecology and Sustainable Development 2013; 1: 29-31

Influence of organic manures and biofertilizers on the yield of Amaranthus dubius

The maximum productivity was shown by vermicompost (T1) treated plants. The next higher productivity was exhibited by Pseudomonas treated plants (T2). After 30 th day vermicompost treated plants had higher growth rate compared to pseudomonas treated plants. The leaves of vermicompost treated plants are large and more greenish in colour. The stem is more swollen and hard. Pseudomonas also showed comparatively greater vegetative growth to Amaranth plants. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/apjeesd.v1i1.9507Asia Pacific Journal of Environment Ecology and Sustainable Development 2013; 1: 26-28

A study on the medicinal value and distribution of climbers of Nattika, India

Seventeen climber species were collected from Nattika which is highly medicinal in nature. Five Climber species represented with high density, five with medium density and seven with low density respectively. The wild areas of the Nattika harbor some of the rare species that are not seen in adjacent lands. This study throws light to the importance of conservation of wild areas and also suggests that peoples will be benefited by sustainable use of medicinal plants. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/apjeesd.v1i1.9510Asia Pacific Journal of Environment Ecology and Sustainable Development 2013; 1: 36-39

Ecological analysis of abandoned forest plantations of Kannavam in Kerala, India

Phytosociological studies revealed Tectona grandis alone constitutes 66% of total tree volume, largest density (189.78), Most Frequently distributed, Higher I.V.I (110.59) followed by Aporusa lindleyana , I.V.I (34.26) , density (91.83) etc. As in the case of regenerants dominant saplings are Olea dioica (IVI= 81.66), Ixora brachiata (IVI= 73.06.) etc., emerged as well as established Seedlings include Ixora brachiata (IVI= 102.1), Aporusa lindleyana (IVI= 27.62). The average Shannon’s diversity value for Moist deciduous forests in India is 2.18 and here, in Kannavam forest plantations it becomes 2.13, which is very similar to typical moist deciduous forest. The presence of high endemism and considerable number of Rare, Endangered and Threatened plants shows its conservational importance. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/apjeesd.v1i1.9506Asia Pacific Journal of Environment Ecology and Sustainable Development 2013; 1: 22-25

Study on the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Anacardium occidentale on seed germination and seedling growth of Vigna unguiculata

Allelochemicals play a significant role in the germination and seedling growth of crop plants. Various allelochemicals are present in Anacardium. These chemicals enter into the crops environment and adversely affect the growth of crop and reduce their yield. It is seen that with increase in the concentration of leaf extract there is a decrease in germination value, germination percentage, cumulative germination percentage, shoot length , root length, leaf area, fresh weight, dry weight and stomatal index. For the successful cultivation of cowpea, the seeds should be grown away from this plant. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/apjeesd.v1i1.9504Asia Pacific Journal of Environment Ecology and Sustainable Development 2013; 1: 10-14