Contents: Foreword. About the compendium. Preface. Acknowledgements. Introduction. 1. Influence of climate on forest and seed storage/N.S. Murty and R.K. Singh. 2. Embryology of an angiosperm (Part I)/A. K. Singh. 3. Embryology of an angiosperm (Part II)/A.K. Singh. 4. Methods and mode of reproduction in forest tree species/D.C. Nautiyal and M. Dutta. 5. Propagation techniques in Forest trees with special reference to asexual methods/D.C. Dimri. 6. Genetic basis, problems and objectives of tree improvement/M. Dutta. 7. Hybridization - its consequence, heterosis, inbreeding and properties of random mating population/M. Dutta. 8. Forest population improvement with reference to seed production through selection and clonal propagation/G.C. Saini. 9. Mating design, progeny development and its evaluation/Rajendra Prasad. 10. Distant hybridization in tree improvement/M. Dutta. 11. The concept of somatic embryogenesis/Vandana A. Kumar. 12. Synthetic/artificial seeds/Vandana A. Kumar. 13. Flowering, seed and seedling behaviour of Indian leguminous trees/V.K. Kediyal. 14. Historical background and importance of seed technology in forestry/R.C. Thapliyal. 15. Seed fertility in relation to tree size of conifers and seed dispersal pattern and seedling establishment in silver fir and spruce forests/Virendra Singh. 16. Dormancy and germination of tree seeds/M.M.S. Rawat. 17. Hormonal regulation of seed dormancy/Atul Kumar. 18. Management of disease in forest nursery/Y.P. Singh. 19. Method of detecting seed borne pathogens/K.P. Singh. 20. Insect-pests of forest tree seeds and their management/P.N. Mishra. 21. Recent innovations in seed borne diseases of conifers of temperate zones in India and their management by eco-friendly bio pesticides/K.P. Singh. 22. Storage of orthodox seeds with special reference to bamboos/M.M.S. Rawat. 23. Storage of hardwood tree seeds/V.K. Sah. 24. Storage principles for tropical tree seeds/V.K. Sah. 25. Effect of cone diameter on seed yield and germination in conifers/Virendra Singh. 26. Genetical factors responsible for deterioration of seeds/G.C. Saini. 27. IDS method for improving seed germination/R.V. Singh. 28. Forest seed-a source of food and nutrition security/Anuradha Dutta. 29. Conservation and cultivation of non-wood forest plants in Himalaya/P.S. Bisht. 30. Present scenario of medicinal and aromatic plants in India/P.S. Bisht. 31. Organization of seed testing laboratories/R.C. Thapliyal.

"Forest tree improvement and seed technology are relatively neglected subjects as compared to forest management in general. Importance of forest improvement and seed technology has become important in recent years as forests have a significant role in maintaining climatic balance and conservation of biodiversity. The impending climate change may have a catastrophic effect on the ecological health of planet earth and may imperil the survival of life itself. This book is a modest effort in bringing out fundamental scientific information on forest tree improvement and forest seed science and technology in one compilation and therefore may prove useful to the researchers and students of forestry."