Plasticity in floral traits is often associated with sexual polymorphism that reflects adaptations of plant species to different ecological conditions. Here, we studied the adaptive significance of sexual polymorphism on the reproductive ecology and reproductive success of Thymus linearis -a gynodiocious and duo-dichogamous plant species from the Kashmir Himalayas. All eight studied sites exhibited the coexistence of both female and hermaphrodite flowers with significantly different reproductive attributes. Female flowers were relatively smaller (0.27 f 0.01 mm in diameter) compared to hermaphrodite flowers (0.32 f 0.02 mm). In sexual accomplishment of T. linearis, we identified intervention of four floral morphs (A, B, C, and D) with unique form and functionality. These floral morphs varied in the number of pollens per flower, pollen viability, pollen variation, pollen load index, and stigma receptivity. The maximum pollen number was recorded in morph A (3373.3 f 21.95) and the minimum in morph C (95.12 f 0.01). The maximum pollen viability was recorded in morph D (87.66 f 0.61 %), and the minimum in morph B and C (0 %). The maximum pollen variation was observed in morph D (60.53 f 1.35) and the minimum in morph A (4.53 f 0.165). The pollen load index was maximum in morph B (0.75) and minimum in morph A (0.25). The maximum duration of stigma receptivity was recorded in morph B (7-8 days) and the minimum in morphs A and D (2 days). The aforementioned species exhibited mixed mating favouring xenogamy over autogamy. The seed set recorded in xenogamy was 78.23 f 1.34 and 54.57 f 0.17 % for both female and hermaphrodite flowers, while in autogamy, the seed set recorded was 0 and 44.57 f 0.17 % for both the female and hermaphrodite flowers. The species is mainly pollinated by honey bees and bumble bees. The research findings on the reproductive biology and sexual polymorphism of T. linearis will provide valuable insights for the development of effective conservation and breeding strategies.

The effect of Saffron petals (agricultural by-product) on health and production performance was investigated in broiler chicken. In this experiment, 140-day-old chicks were randomly distributed in five groups each having four replicates of seven chicks. The birds of control group (T0) were offered basal diet without feed additives whereas, birds of treatments T1, T2, T3 and T4 were given a basal diet supplemented with ground saffron petals (SP) as feed additive at an inclusion level of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 g/kg feed on dry matter basis. The overall temperature and humidity of the experimental shed were 23.43 degrees C & 55.19% during the day and 23.17 degrees C & 56.01% during the night. The SP as feed additive contained 83% dry matter, 11.94% crude protein, 5.03% ether extract and 7.85% crude fiber. The feed intake during the experiment was not affected, however total body weight gain was significantly (p <= 0.05) higher in T3 and T4 as compared to control (T0) with better FER. The SP in the diet improved nutrient digestibility with better economical returns. The study revealed a non-significant change in the overall haematological parameters viz. Hb, PCV, RBC and WBC The plasma glucose increased proportionately with the inclusion level of petals, being significantly (p <= 0.05) higher in T2, T3 and T4. The immune parameters reflected a significant (p <= 0.05) increase in HI titre at days 21 and 28 in different SP supplemented groups. The response to DNCB (mm) was highest in the birds of T3 group. The SP feeding leads to an increase in the weight of immune organs, significantly (p <= 0.05) in Spleen. Similarly, the biochemical parameters indicated an improved lipid profile with cholesterol and triglycerides decreasing significantly (p <= 0.05) in the T4 group. The total oxidant status and total antioxidant status showed a significant (p <= 0.05) improvement and revealed figures of 6.30 +/- 0.12 mu mol H2O2 Eq/L and 1.46 +/- 0.03 mu mol Trolox Eq/L, respectively in T4 group. Likewise, T-BARS in breast and thigh showed a significant (p <= 0.05) decline as the SP level increased in ration. Significantly (p <= 0.05) improvement dressing percentage was recorded in T3 and T4 treatments as compared to control (T0). The Cutability (%) of Breast, Back, Drumstick, Thighs, Wings, Neck and total Giblet did not differ significantly among treatments as compared to the control. The production cost per kg live weight was least in T4 group and highest in control (T0). The results of this study indicate superior immunity, health, carcass quality and production performance in saffron petal supplemented birds. Hence, its use as a feed additive at 2 g/kg in poultry diets is a viable proposition to improve poultry production performance.

Since saffron is a triploid crop, it does not generate seed when selfed or crossed and is passed down through the generations by daughter corms produced from the mother corms. As a result, agro-technology development is the only viable alternative for bringing this crop to its full potential. Saffron does not have any specific habitat preferences, as evidenced by discovering numerous unknown saffron farmed areas during the current study. The plant grows as a mixed crop under apple (Malus domestica Borkh), almond (Prunus amygdalus Batsch.), populus (Populus alba L.), and walnut (Juglans regia L.) trees, as well as in plains, undulated soils, hills, and rice fields. It can be found growing between 1585 and 2050 m above sea level. Different agro-techniques were standardized, among which compost soil (compost 250 gms per pot with 2 kgs of soil; 500 gms per tray with 4 kgs of soil; 10 kgs per bed) was found to be best for early flower production. Soil and farmyard manure (1:3), UDP 0.25 gms/pot (N-115.511+ K130.952+P-58.496 mg), soil DAP 650 mg/2 kg of soil (@P = 152.0899 mg), soil MOP 350 mg/2 kg (@ K = 183.37 mg) of soil was preeminent of procured in vitro raised cormlets in terms of their sprouting and survival of shoots. Corm density was also checked in the offseason of the crop, with growth activity of only saffron corms. Significant negative correlation was recorded with r = 0.82; n = 100; P ≤ 0.001. But the reverse trend was observed in the crop's growing season when most de-weeding and field preparations are accomplished. The study will benefit people in near future as it emphasized the imperative proofs and picture of saffron cultivation in Kashmir valley, reflects the realities of saffron cultivation and trounces the earlier myths.

This study has been carried out to assess and explore the sexual diversity in an important medicinal plant, Valeriana jatamansi. The species is gynodioecious and produces hermaphrodite and female flowered plants that grow sympatrically. It was observed that hermaphrodite and female flowered plants can be segregated only during the flowering phase. In addition to gynodioecy, the production of a sterile flower at each branching point (dichotomy) of inflorescence and the reduction in the length of peduncles in acropetal manner results in reduction of the angle of branches from first dichotomy to top of inflorescence, resulting in flagship effect. This crowding effect of flowers helps to attract pollinators and the fertilization of a flower by pollen from another flower on the same plant (known as geitonogamy) by means of staminal movement in hermaphrodite flowers. Female flowered plants did not set any seeds when isolated from bisexual flowered plants. Female seeds showed more seed viability (89.5%) than hermaphrodite ones (84.25%). The species also operates a unique mechanism of piercing of stamens through closed floral buds to facilitate cross pollination. Pollen/ovule ratio was in favor of Cruden's xenogamous nature. In all populations of Valeriana jatamansi, we observed 16 bivalents at metaphase-I indicating the chromosome number to be 2n = 32 and normal meiosis without any abnormalities (e.g. laggards, bridges, and micronuclei). Valeriana jatamansi seed germination responded best to the nitrogenous compounds apart from scarification (85% with MGT 4.25 days), showing 80% in 1 mM of thiourea with MGT of 3.75 days. The paper discusses the multiple reproductive strategies employed by the species to increase its fitness and points out that the species follows unique pathways of evolution.

Rheum spiciforme Royle (Polygonaceae) is reported as a new record from the Kashmir valley, India. A detailed taxonomic description and colored photographs of diagnostic features are provided to validate this new plant record for the region and to facilitate its easier field identification. The species shows rare distribution in the alpine regions of the valley and various factors pose threat to the existence of this important medicinal plant species. Therefore, the documentation of this species assumes significance for devising conservation strategies and sustainable management.

Himalaya is credited all over the world as a treasure of medicinal plants. Among these medicinal plants Valeriana jatamansi (Valerianaceae) have tremendous medicinal importance. Large-scale exploitation, biotic interferences and increasing demand for Valeriana jatamansi has threatened the very existence of the species. Conservation of the species has become need of the hour. Cultivation at large scale and development of elementary agro-techniques at lower altitudes under ex-situ conditions can prove viable in terms of economy and conservation.

Kashmir Himalaya harbours large number of plant and animal species and is credited all over the world as a treasure of medicinal and aromatic plants. Valeriana jatamansi inhabit wide variety of habitats and the species exhibit phenotypic variability across these habitats, the variability aids the species for its survival under different environmental conditions. [Aabid M. Rather, Irshad A. Nawchoo, Aijaz A. Wani, Aijaz H. Ganie. Economic Botany and Reproductive Biology Research Laboratory Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar-190 006. J&K. India. Life Sci J 2012; 9(2): 540-543]. (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 81

Valeriana jatamansi Jones commonly known as "Indian Valerian" is a perennial medicinal herb, gynodioecious in nature belonging to family Valerianaceae. Today the species is highly valued medicinal plant with many pharmacopeial monographs. It occurs at an altitude of 1200-3000 m asl. Rhizomes and roots of the herb yields essential oil. The therapeutic properties of Valerian are attributed to a group of compounds known as Valmane and Valepotriates. The Valepotriates are a group of monoterpenoids of irridoid type having epoxy group and beta-acetoxy isovaleric acid. Three novel sesquiterpenoids, valeriananoids of each, forty constituents of essential oils and eleven jatamanins including a new lignin isovaleroxylariciresinol have been extracted from this valuable herb. Underground parts are used in mental disorders, scanting hair, epilepsy, leprosy, as an insecticide and as potential anti-tumour agent. Present paper highlights the information based on available published literature so as to describe the active constituents and medicinal profile of this threatened species which will serve as a valuable platform for further research and conservation of this medicinally important species. [Aabid M. Rather; Irshad A. Nawchoo; Aijaz H. Ganie; Harpal Singh; Bhupender Dutt and Aijaz A. Wani. Economic Botany and Reproductive Biology Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar-190006. J & K. India. Life Sci J 2012; 9(2): 847-850]. (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 125