Phylogenetic analysis was conducted using the ITS region of nrDNA for confirmation of the identity of anamorphic powdery mildew pathogens on pea and white clover. Maximum likelihood and bayesian analysis clearly indicated that the pathogen responsible for powdery mildew on pea in northeast India is Erysiphe pisi rather than E. trifoliorum (syn. E. trifolii) which has been reported from north and central India. The pathogen E. trifoliorum was found associated with white clover. Reliable identification should be the first step in any breeding program.

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In Khasi mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) influence of rootstock age (i.e. 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 11, 12, 13, 14 months) and propagation methods (i.e. wedge grafting and T-budding) on graft/bud success, plant survival, scion physiology and root morphology were studied. The wedge grafting performed on six months old rootstock (T2) recorded maximum graft success (90.0%) and plant survival (88.87%) followed by T3 (80.0 and 77.17%), i.e. wedge grafting on seven months old rootstock, which was significantly (P=0.05) higher than T7 (68.33 and 67.78%), i.e.conventional T-budding on twelve months old rootstock. Morpho-physiological traits, viz. higher individual leaf fresh weight (0.42g) and dry weight (0.16 g), specific leaf weight (5.19 mg/cm2) and leaf thickness (496.67 μm) were recorded in T2. In addition, the leaf pigment contents, viz. chlorophyll ‘a’ (0.77 mg/g tissue) and total chlorophyll content (1.12 mg/g tissue) was found higher in T2 followed by T3 (0.76 mg/g tissue and 1.07 mg/g tissue). Similarly,carotenoid content was recorded maximum in T2 (47.07 μ/g) at par with T-budding on eleven (43.15 μ/g) and 12 (42.94 μ/g) months old rootstock. Relative leaf water content was recorded highest in T3 (61.29%) and T2 (60.68%).Further, T2 recorded higher total root length (385.36 cm) and root surface area (721.20 cm2) while, root volume wasrecorded maximum in wedge grafting on five month old rootstock (156.29 cm3) at par with T3 (155.01cm3) and T2(152.31 cm3). The root diameter was recorded highest in T7 (7.54 mm), whereas the root to shoot ratio was foundhighest in T2 (0.88) followed by T3 (0.75) and T7 (0.70). The results suggested that wedge grafting method could begainfully exploited for Khasi mandarin propagation.

Morphometry of 53 stingless bees of the genus Lisotrigona collected from seven places in India by using 36 morphological parameters was studied. The data set also included  morphometry data of primary types of L. cacciae, L. chandrai and L. revanai for comparison and was subjected to Factor and Canonical Discriminant analysis. All the bees collected from five places formed two distinct clusters in the Factor analysis and five clusters in Canonical Discriminant analysis. In both the methods of analysis primary types of L. cacciae, L. chandrai and L. revanai were placed well separated from each other as well as from other bees. The bees from seven places also differed from the three known species in morphometry and ratios of length and width of parts of the body. Based on these results it is concluded that Indian stingless bees of the genus Lisotrigona consists of more than one species besides L. cacciae. The action of synonymizing L. mohandasi, L. chandrai and L. revanai with L. cacciae appears arbitrary; these three species should be considered valid until supported by male genital morphology or molecular characters.

High disparity in global cost of petroleum crude oil has an ominous impact on national economy of raw petroleum dependent nations like India. According to the study, petroleum crude oil utilization in India was 3.182 million barrels per day in 2010, in 2002 utilization rate incremented by 3.28% while in 2010, it incremented by 6.77%. In this manner, searching for the ecofriendly way to create trade for the petroleum based fuel like diesel is the current undertaking for green technologists. Remembering these issues, Biodiesel, a clean sustainable power source has drawn attention to the world owing to its non-toxicity, biodegradability, and superior efficiency. However, several feedstock have been proven impractical or infeasible because of their extremely high cost due to their usage. India, with a population of over 1.27 billion people generates millions of gallons of used cooking oil and organic waste every day which is disposed of without use and is a potent bane to the environment. This paper reviews the possibility of the generation of biodiesel from waste cooking oil trying to help decrease the price of biodiesel.

Lisotrigona darbhaensis sp. nov. and L. kosumtaraensis sp. nov from Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra states, respectively, are described along with the additional description of the male of L. chandrai. Lisotrigona darbhaensis nested in the tree trunk of teak (Tectona grandis) while L. kosumtaraensis in the Indian frank incense (Boswellia serrata) and Indian boxwood (Gardenia latifolia). Brood cells of L. kosumtaraensis were arranged in clusters. The colony of L. kosumtaraensis consisted of 921 female and 40 male bees. The detailed studies on male genitalia, metasomal sterna, and morphometry with associated female bees collected from Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh provided conclusive evidence as these bees were found different from the known species of Lisotrigona and new to science. Both the new species are distinct and different from other known species of Lisotrigona. The diversity of Lisotrigona bees in India is rich with six valid species and the action of synonymizing all Indian species of Lisotrigona with L. cacciae is arbitrary.