In situ nuclear DNA amount varied significantly between 23 varieties ofCapsicum annuum. Mean values of nuclear DNA showed no correlation with chromosome length. Somatic chromosome number is constant 2n=24 in all the varieties.

A true breeding mutant having free corolla lobes, designated as polypetalous mutant was obtained in sesame (Sesamum indicum Linn.), after irradiating seeds of cv N62-32 with 1·6 kr fast neutrons. The inheritance pattern indicated that the polypetalous corolla is monogenic recessive to the gamopetalous corolla characteristic of sesame and the family Pedaliaceae. After crossing to another induced mutant having gamopetalous corolla with a band of pink coloured dots, a genetic stock with two recessive markers was isolated.

Carbaryl at 2·5 ppm in clay and sandy loam soils had no effect on the growth of barley. However, higher concentrations of carbaryl (25 and 100 ppm) were inhibitory and the inhibitory effects were more pronounced in sandy loam soil than in clay soil. Repeated sowing of barley in carbaryl treated soils showed that phytotoxic effects lasted only for 7 days after addition of carbaryl to soils. While carbaryl at 2·5 and 25 ppm had no effect on growth and nodulation of groundnut, at 100 ppm it was inhibitory. 1-Naphthol, the degradation product of carbaryl significantly stimulated seedling growth of barley and nodulation of groundnut.

Meiotic counts have been made on 16 woody species of the family Rosaceae from Indian forests. Of these,Photinia notoniana (n=17),Rubus gardnerianus (n=28) andSorbus foliolosa (2n=68) are counted for the first time. Besides, the Indian populations ofChaenomeles japonica (n=17),Cotoneaster acuminata andEriobotrya japonica (n=17) are also worked out for the first time. Intraspecific polyploid cytotypes are recorded inPyrus communis (2x, 3x) andRosa leschendultiana (2x, 4x). On the basis of chromosomal associations, the tetraploid cytotypes ofSorbus foliolosa appears to be alloploid in nature whereas the triploid ofPyrus communis show autoploid behaviour. Variation in chromosome number and some pollen sterility in pollen mother cells of meiotically normal diploid individuals ofCotoneaster acuminata (n=17),Prunus domestica ssp.insititia (n=8) andRosa leschenaultiana (n=7) seems to be due to chromatin transfer during cytomixis.

Cation budgeting was done under 4- and 12-year old terraces at higher elevation of Meghalaya (960 m) in north-east India. Cation addition occurred after burning the biomass arising from the weed and the crop residue prior to cropping. While nutrient removal through weeds was more under 12-year old terrace than under 4-year old one, the reverse was true for that removed by crop. Nutrient deficit, particularly potassium, was obvious under 12-year old terrace. Decline in soil fertility and increase in weed potential are implicated in the reduced crop yield.

At Visakhapatnam (17°42′N-82°18′E),Moringa oleifera Lam. flowers twice a year, once during February–May and again during September–November. Both geitonogamous and xenogamous pollinations produce fruit, but the latter mode is superior. The flowers are zygomorphic and gullet type. They open during 0300–1900 h, and are visited only by diurnally active insects during 0600–1500 h. Bees are the dominant foragers, of whichXylocopa andAmegilla carry pollen on the head and/or thorax to effect nototribic pollination.Xylocopa was more frequent and proved to be the major pollinator.

The details on the floral morphology and development of fruit and seed inHydrocera triflora that escaped the attention of earlier investigators have been highlighted. The flower inHydrocera is interpreted as primitive overImpatiens. ThoughHydrocera resemblesImpatiens closely, it possesses certain distinctive features on the basis of which it is suggested thatHydrocera be treated as a tribe, Hydrocereae or as a sub-family, Hydroceroideae under the family, Balsaminaceae.

Structure and development of male and female gametophytes, endosperm, embryo, seed coat and fruit wall are described for 8 species ofHedyotis. Based on morphological and embryological features the systematic position of the genus is discussed.

Fruit and seed anatomy of 12 species of Araceae distributed in 11 genera has been described. Taxonomic significance of fruit and seed anatomy has been brought out.

One new species ofEleocharis is described and illustrated. Its anatomical characters though agree with those of the genus it is observed to differ by certain number of distinct features.

Two new species collected from South India are described and illustrated. Though the anatomical characters are in general agreement with those of the genus as a whole those that are specific are described.