Vinod Prasad Khanduri’s research while affiliated with Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Uttarakhand University of Horticulture & Forestry and other places

Agroforestry is an alternative land use practice that holds promise for societal benefits and the attainment of ecosystem sustainability. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the tree diversity, carbon sequestration, soil carbon pool, oxygen production and rice productivity under traditional agroforestry systems at different elevations in the Garhwal Himalayan region of India. Tree diversity, carbon sequestration and oxygen production were quantified by field measurements (using 0.04 ha quadrats) and subsequent calculations. Rice productivity was assessed using grain yield, straw yield and biological yield, while soil properties were analyzed in the laboratory using standard methods. Results of the study showed that tree diversity was higher at the 1200-1600 m elevation and had a maximum Shannon Diversity Index (1.29) and Simpson Diversity Index (0.69). The 1600-2000 m elevation stored more carbon (34.43 Mg ha −1) and total oxygen production (91.79 Mg ha −1). Among the agroforestry trees, Quercus leucotrichophora, Melia azedarach and Prunus cerasoides showed the highest carbon storage and total oxygen production. Elevation and soil depth were found to affect the soil properties. The agroforestry systems had higher soil organic carbon and lower bulk density than sole cropping systems. Compared to the agroforestry system, the monoculture produced more rice (Oryza sativa). The study shows that traditional agroforestry is a valuable tool for carbon sequestration and soil improvement, albeit with potential compromises in crop productivity. It emphasises the need for tailored management approaches to harness the ecological and environmental benefits of agroforestry in the Himalayas. This study draws attention to the potential of traditional agroforestry in the Garhwal Himalaya for carbon seques-tration, climate change mitigation and soil quality improvement which provides a reference for striking a balance between the ecological advantages of agroforestry and the socioeconomic considerations of local communities. However, it also underlines the importance of considering trade-offs between environmental benefits and crop yields when implementing such agroforestry systems.

The Himalayan alpine treeline varies depending on altitude and aspects, supporting a variety of plant species. In recent years, climate changes have exerted pressure on the vegetation in this region, challenging its adaptation to rapidly changing environmental conditions. This systematic review commenced by formulating a research question on the impact of climate change on Himalayan alpine treeline vegetation and conducted a thorough literature search, adhering to the PRISMA protocol. The rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and other climate-related factors have initiated an upward shift in the treeline that threatens the unique biodiversity of the region. Indeed, in various parts of the Himalayas, there is evidence of the treeline moving upwards, altering plant regeneration and growing season, and impacting soil properties. There is a shift of vegetation ranging from 0.80 to 503.00 m in Himalayan treeline regions have been reported in various studies. Abies spectabilis and Betula utilis are the most sensitive, showing the highest upward shifts due to climate change. The repercussions of climate change on the Himalayan alpine treeline are anticipated to have significant ecological implications. Most species at the Himalayan alpine treeline exhibit poor regeneration status, while some others reveals good, fair, or no regeneration. Consequently, new regeneration patterns are emerging. Changes in soil temperature and physicochemical properties due to climate warming are ultimately affecting Himalayan alpine treeline vegetation. Additionally, shifts in the growing season and phenophases of various tree species have also been observed. The profound and far-reaching impacts of climate change on the Himalayan alpine treeline necessitates implementing mitigation and adaptation strategies to safeguard the delicate alpine ecosystems of the region.

Seedball technology is an uncomplicated and economical method for pelleting seeds, utilizing readily available materials like sand, loam, wood ash, and seeds themselves to enhance initial crop establishment. It is an inexpensive method that is unique and regulated and gives rise to new plants in areas lacking in flora, deforested areas, grasslands, and cultivable land used for agriculture and horticulture worldwide. Around the world, seed balls have grown to be a significant component of natural farming and conservation projects. With the use of inexpensive seed ball technology, this program aims to improve ecosystems and create a healthy environment in light of the financial differences between the public and private sectors. For the foundation of forests or the remnants of trees in an area where there was previously no tree cover, seed ball technology is helpful. Many agricultural and horticultural crops may be produced in difficult soils with seed ball technology without the need for field preparation, such as weeding, watering, or plowing, and with protection from ants, birds, and other unfavorable abiotic and biotic stresses. This chapter sheds light on different aspects of using seed balls for the restoration of degraded lands and tries to bring together available information regarding preparation techniques and usage methods of seed balls in order to improve seed establishment in degraded areas.

This study investigates the role of indigenous plants in the cultural and daily lives of the communities in Tehri Garhwal, situated in the Garhwal Himalaya. The region, characterized by its diverse flora, has a rich tradition of using local plant species for medicinal, nutritional, and cultural purposes. Through an ethnobotanical approach, the research documents the traditional knowledge associated with these plant resources, exploring their various applications in food, rituals, and craftsmanship. Data was collected using qualitative methods, including semi-structured interviews with local healers, elders, and knowledgeable community members, along with field observations and herbarium specimens. The findings reveal a wealth of traditional ecological knowledge, emphasizing the significant role of indigenous plants in the health, economy, and cultural identity of the local communities. The documentation recorded a total of 66 ethnobotanical plant species including trees (37), shrubs (14), herbs (13) and climbers (2), belonging to 35 families and 53 genus. The maximum number of species (35) was used for food and wild edible. This study also highlights the challenges facing the preservation of this knowledge, including modernization, loss of traditional lifestyles, and environmental changes. This research contributes to the understanding of the ethnobotanical heritage of Tehri Garhwal and underscores the importance of conserving both the biodiversity of the region and the traditional knowledge systems that depend on it. The study suggests that promoting sustainable use and documentation of indigenous plants can enhance community resilience and support conservation efforts in the Garhwal Himalaya.

Species within the primitive genus Magnolia may often produce specialized floral traits and behaviour to grab the attention of potential pollinators from their surroundings. These reproductive traits in plants undergo various selection pressures and frequently bring forth variations to adapt to the new habitat that may result in speciation. We have aimed to understand the floral traits, the functional role of floral parts, and the variable response of visitors in Magnolia grandiflora belonging to an ancient order Magnoliales. Our observations reveal that the floral traits of M. grandiflora resemble those of basal angiosperms, conforming to the primitive existence of the genus Magnolia . The inconsistency in floral form reflected that M. grandiflora has been experiencing various selection pressures from biotic and abiotic factors. Inconsistency in floral equations and diagrams reflect the structural variability in flowers, which can directly impact pollination and reproductive output. SEM images of pollen grains reveal that the pollen grains were monocolpate and boat-shaped in structure. GC-MS analysis showed that VOCs in stigmatic exudation of the flower were largely composed of terpene hydrocarbons such as Perthenine, β-Elemene, β-Caryophyllene, α-Humulene, Bicyclogermacrene, Germacrene A and D, etc. Beyond pollinators attraction, VOCs play a major role in repelling unwanted visitors and in improving the defensive mechanisms in Magnolia . Beetles, bees, and flies were found to be the active pollinators and the behaviour of bees indicates that bees were trying to replace the role of beetles in pollinating M. grandiflora . In summary, floral whorls were diversely functionalized to ensure maximum reproduction in M. grandiflora .

Abstract: Tree-crop interaction studies help to determine the effects of trees on the production and yield of agricultural crops and could help indecisions on suitable crops and tree combinations to increase the overall production from agroforestry systems. Different varieties of agricultural crops might show different responses against the phytotoxic effects of Bauhinia species. This study was conducted to observe the phytotoxicity of two Bauhinia spp., i.e., Bauhinia retusa and Bauhinia variegata, on some Triticum aestivum varieties, i.e., VL-892, VI-829, VL-616, UP-2572, and UP-1109.The leaves and bark of these two species were harvested from the natural population for these experiments. On average, germination and radicle and plumule length of wheat varieties were significantly (p > 0.05) reduced by the leaf and bark extracts of both Bauhinia species. The effect of leaf and bark extracts of both Bauhinia species on seed germination percent of different wheat varieties revealed that the bark and leaf extracts showed maximum toxicity for germination percentage, and minimum influence was observed in radicle and plumule length. However, bark extracts were more toxic as compared to leaf extracts. Under leaf and bark extract concentrations, the VL 829 wheat variety showed stimulatory effects in germination and radicle and plumule growth under both Bauhinia species. On average, radicle and plumule growth of the test crop was increased with an increasing concentration of leaf and bark extract of B. variegata up to 50%, and thereafter, a decrease in radicle and plumule length was recorded. The VL 829 and UP 1109 varieties showed the lowest allelopathic effects and could be grown under both Bauhinia species with minimum yield loss.

Background: Sterculia villosa Roxb., is a multipurpose, fast-growing, underutilized tree species. Almost all parts of the trees are traditionally used across its geographically distributed regions by ethnic communities to treat a variety of human ailments and for ethnoveterinary purposes. Methods: Despite extensive ethnomedicinal and pharmacological investigations on S. villosa, there is a notable absence of a comprehensive article consolidating reviews of published literature. So, herein, we designed this review article to provide a systematic and comprehensive analysis of the current research progress on S. villosa, to provide new insights and a broad field of view for future research. Extensive literature searches using “Sterculia villosa," “ethno-veterinary use," “ethnomedicinal use," “phytochemicals," and “pharmacological” were performed on PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science. Results: This plant contains a wide variety of phytochemical constituents (alkaloids, glycosides, steroids, flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins, saponins, and terpenoids). Flavonoids such as Diosmetin, Chrysoeriol and its glucosides derivatives, triterpenoids such as lupeol and cyclopropenoid fatty acids such as palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and palmitic acid are beneficial to human health, and are responsible for their antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory effects. It is widely reported for treating skin ailments, rheumatism and urinary problems, seminal weakness, impotency, and gastric troubles. Conclusions: S. villosa can be a potential raw material for pharmaceuticals, plywood, pulp and paper industries, and waste water treatment, besides its significant ethno-medicinal uses. Henceforth, the socio-cultural, economic, and ecological values of S. villosa enhance the livelihood of local inhabitants and achieve sustainable developmental goals. Keywords: Diosmetin, palmitoleic acid, antioxidant, premature ejaculation, impotency