6th Global Summit on Plant Science October 29-30, 2018 Valencia, Spain

Biography:

Cesaro P is a Researcher at the Università del Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro”, Italy. She has completed her Graduation in Biological Sciences at the University of Torino, a specialization in Applied Biotechnology with an evaluation and PhD in "Environmental Science, Internal Waters and Agroecosystems" at the University of Piemonte Orientale “A Avogadro”. Her research has been focused in Molecular Biotechnology. She has good expertise in Molecular Biological Techniques. Since 2011, she is a Professor of Molecular Biology

Abstract:

Vitis vinifera L. is an economically important crop whose value largely depends on fruit quality, a feature that can be influenced by soil microorganisms, including arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). AMF, able to establish symbiotic associations with vine roots, have beneficial effects on grapevine performance, including water use efficiency and replant success. Most grapevine varieties are susceptible to diseases, whose control can be performed by different approaches, including integrate pest practice (IPM). Previous reports suggested specificity in the symbiosis between grapevine and AMF and the importance of soil characteristics on this association. In the present study, we examined the AMF communities in the rhizospheric and bulk soil of V. vinifera cv. Pinot Nero, subjected to IPM, by using 454 Roche sequencing technology. The bulk and the rhizospheric soil of the grapevines were sampled before and after grape production. Genomic DNA was amplified, after extraction, according to the methods for pyrosequencing, by nested PCR using AMF specific primers of the large ribosomal subunit (LSU rDNA). Sequences were compared with both NCBI and an AMF LSU rDNA reference databases. Our data showed different AMF communities in the rhizospheric and bulk soil of V. vinifera and the importance of the sampling time in regulating AMF biodiversity.

Biography:

Smita Purohit, Associate Professor & Former Head, Department of Botany, The IIS University, Jaipur has her expertise in plant tissue culture, stress physiology, molecular biology, mineral manipulation and phytochemical studies. She has worked on various plant systems like Cuminum cyminum, Dianthus caryophyllus, Cissus quadrangularis, Salvia hispanica to name a few. She has also authored books in the field of Genetics and Plant Breeding and has supervised few doctoral and many MPhil candidates and has published many research papers in national and international journals of repute.

Abstract:

Growth and morphogenesis of plant tissues under in vitro conditions are largely influenced by the composition of the culture media. Therefore, in this study, effects of copper sulphate in regeneration medium of Dianthus caryophyllus were examined. Nodal segments were cultured on MS medium supplemented with BAP (0.5 mg l^-1) + NAA (0.5 mg l^-1) and different levels of CuSO₄ (0, 0.1*, 1, 2, 3, 5, 10 µM). The levels of CuSO₄ in the induction as well as proliferation medium highly influenced the shoot regeneration. Highest number of shoot buds per explant was obtained when the concentration of CuSO₄ was increased two times the normal MS level. The effect of various antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase, SOD and peroxidase) was studied on different levels of copper sulphate. It was found that the enzyme activities increased with the increasing levels of copper sulphate and also increased with increased morphogenic competence of the in vitro cultures. The enzyme activities showed a decline where the number of shoot buds was less. Therefore, this confirms a relationship between the organogenesis and stress levels in the in vitro cultures.

Biography:

Elena Ermilova is a full Professor and Head of Laboratory at Saint-Petersburg State University. She has her expertise in nitrogen metabolism and PII signal transduction in green and red algae, and land plants. She has extensively studied the unicellular green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and identified new functions associated with stress acclimation. She also studies the regulation of sulfur metabolism.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Sulfur (S) is an essential element among catalysts and intermediates of primary metabolism. S can be limiting in the environment and strongly influence ecosystem composition. During S deprivation, metabolism of Chlamydomonas cells is refocused on both scavenging the nutrient and remodeling primary metabolism. Although some signaling proteins and regulators of S-specific responses have been identified, the mechanisms triggering the coordinated responses in different cellular compartments are not absolutely clear. Previously, we have reported that nitric oxide is generated upon S deprivation.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to elucidate the role of nitric oxide (NO) and truncated hemoglobin 1 (THB1) in modulating early responses to S deficiency in different compartment of Chlamydomonas cells.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: To examine transcriptional regulation of a subset of S limitation-responsive genes and role of NO and THB1 in signaling pathway associated with S deprivation, real-time PCR analysis and artificial microRNA method were employed. A comparative analysis of gene expression and NO generation in wild type, nitrate reductase mutants and THB1 knock-down transformant was utilized to understand the functional consequences of NO production.

Findings: In S-free medium, Chlamydomonas cells produced NO apparently via nitrate reductase. We found that in S-limited cells NO is important to upregulate some S deficiency-inducible genes (THB1) and repress the others (FDX5, ARS1, ARS2, SULTR2, SLT1 and SLT2). THB1 is involved in this NO-dependent process.

Conclusion & Significance: Together, the results demonstrated that THB1 has implicated to function as NO regulator (via conversion of NO into nitrate) and thereby initiate NO-based signaling cascades in S-depleted cells. Moreover, NO generation may be regarded as an early trigger, which contributes to Chlamydomonas adaptability to S starvation.

Biography:

Smita Purohit, Associate Professor & Former Head, Department of Botany, The IIS University, Jaipur has her expertise in plant tissue culture, stress physiology, molecular biology, mineral manipulation and phytochemical studies. She has worked on various plant systems like Cuminum cyminum, Dianthus caryophyllus, Cissus quadrangularis, Salvia hispanica to name a few. She has also authored books in the field of Genetics and Plant Breeding and has supervised few doctoral and many MPhil candidates and has published many research papers in national and international journals of repute

Abstract:

Cuminum cyminum L. is an important seed spice belonging to family Apiaceae. Production of cumin is limited due to limited genetic diversity and several biotic stresses. Hence, the present study aims at improving the regeneration of cumin in in vitro cultures. A regeneration medium was standardized comprising of MS supplemented with kinetin (0.5 mg/l). Effect of thiamine was studied on the morphogenic competence of the in vitro cultures. The levels of thiamine in the induction as well as proliferation medium highly influenced the shoot regeneration. Highest number of shoot buds per explant was obtained when the concentration of thiamine was twofold the normal MS level at both induction as well as proliferation stages. Shoots upto 2 cm or more in length were excised and inoculated on rooting medium i.e., MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Rooted plantlets were transferred to field conditions.

Biography:

Smita Purohit, Associate Professor & Former Head, Department of Botany, The IIS University, Jaipur has her expertise in plant tissue culture, stress physiology, molecular biology, mineral manipulation and phytochemical studies. She has worked on various plant systems like Cuminum cyminum, Dianthus caryophyllus, Cissus quadrangularis, Salvia hispanica to name a few. She has also authored books in the field of Genetics and Plant Breeding and has supervised few doctoral and many MPhil candidates and has published many research papers in national and international journals of repute

Abstract:

Cuminum cyminum L. is an important seed spice belonging to family Apiaceae. Production of cumin is limited due to limited genetic diversity and several biotic stresses. Hence, the present study aims at improving the regeneration of cumin in in vitro cultures. A regeneration medium was standardized comprising of MS supplemented with kinetin (0.5 mg/l). Effect of thiamine was studied on the morphogenic competence of the in vitro cultures. The levels of thiamine in the induction as well as proliferation medium highly influenced the shoot regeneration. Highest number of shoot buds per explant was obtained when the concentration of thiamine was twofold the normal MS level at both induction as well as proliferation stages. Shoots upto 2 cm or more in length were excised and inoculated on rooting medium i.e., MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Rooted plantlets were transferred to field conditions.

Biography:

Wuwei Ye is a Professor and Deputy Director in Cotton Germplasm Research Department of Institute of Cotton Research at CAAS, China. He has been involved in studies related to cotton germplasm identification, innovation and biodiversity research for 30 years, focusing on resistant on cotton germplasm, such as salinity and drought-resistance. He is responsible for the coordination of identification and implementation of cotton germplasm identification center in China.

Abstract:

DNA methylation, an important component of epigenetics induced usually by adversity, plays a vital role in the response to various stresses including drought and salt. A methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism method based on capillary electrophoresis was used to explore the epigenetic mechanisms of salt tolerance and heterosis in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), and the results indicated that hyper methylation and demethylation could be an important mechanism to resist the stresses. And the demethylation could be the mechanism to explain heterosis in cotton hybrid. The results of whole genome methylation sequencing showed high DNA methylation density usually occurs in promoter regions and transposons areas. Methylated cytosines in different sequence contexts (CG, CHG and CHH) have different functions and methylation levels. And the results also showed methylated cytosines in asymmetric CHH sequence context are dynamic, being mostly related to stresses. Combined with transcriptome data, we found long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) may involve in the regulation of DNA methylation in response to drought stress. All these results could provide theoretical reference value for the mechanism research of tolerance in cotton.

Biography:

Joseph Gale is a professor emeritus of the Hebrew U. of Jerusalem. His original interests were in Environmental Plant Physiology. After a period of research and consultation at NASA, USA, working on their Life Support in Space project, he turned to Astrobiology. Together with his astronomer colleague, Prof. Amri Wandel of the Racach Inst., HU., they have developed courses in Astrobiology for undergraduate students, with both science and humanities backgrounds. He has published more than one hundred refereed papers and has authored/co-authored and edited four books.

Abstract:

Seven planets have been detected orbiting the “nearby” Red Dwarf star Trappist-1. The star is relatively small (0.12 Rsun) and cool (2,550K) compared to our Sun (5,780K). Consequently its radiation flux is low (0.05% that of the Sun), mainly in the infrared, with a spectral peak at  ~1m, well above the Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) waveband of 400 – 700nm. At least three of the planets are in the Habitable Zone (defined as regions where surface temperatures may support liquid water), but all six inner planets could have such temperatures, depending on their atmospheres. The six inner, closely orbiting planets (at 0.1-0.35AU), receive a radiation flux 0.3-4 that of Earth, but only ~10% of this is PAR, compared with ~40% on Earth. However, the star-facing hemisphere of tidally locked Trappist-1 planets would receive continuous PAR. Earth at high northerly or southerly latitudes, provides an analogy for the possible outcome (see Figure).  During only 3-4 months per Earth year, the almost continuous low-level radiation, above 80o north or south, produces lush vegetation. The radiation intensity on such a tidally locked planet would be maximum immediately facing the star, falling off to zero, towards the terminator, at 90o. XUV radiation from Trappist -1 is ~103-104 that of the Sun. This radiation could (possibly, but not necessarily) erode the primary atmosphere and oceans, and directly endanger life, unless life evolves in water or under a dense atmosphere. In addition to PAR, dry land plants on Trappist-1 and other RDS planets could possibly evolve to utilize the infrared radiation between 700 and 1,000nm, which is energetically sufficient to drive water splitting oxygenic photosynthesis, an important precursor of complex life. These considerations and the abundance of RD and other star planets, enhance the chance of finding other life clement abodes in the Milky Way.

Biography:

Jana Jarosova has her expertise in Plant Virology. She has been focusing on study of stone fruit viruses and cereal viruses since 2007. Her main topics of research are virus-vector-plant interactions; cereal virus occurrence prediction; current molecular biology methods of virus characterization and detection

Abstract:

Statement of the problem: Climate change is of global concern due to its predicted impacts on the environment and agriculture. The third IPCC report predicts that global-average surface temperature will increase further by 1.4-5.8°C by 2100 with atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations expected to rise between 540 and 970 ppm over the same period. The potential impact of elevated CO₂ and temperature on the barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) infection was exploited.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Barley and wheat plants were cultivated in normal and elevated temperature and CO₂ level conditions. Rhopalosiphum padi aphids carrying BYDV were allowed to feed on the plants for a limited amount of time. The infectivity rate was recorded. Furthermore, aphid (R. padi) development and fecundity was studied in normal and elevated temperature and CO₂ level conditions. The influence of the presence of the BYDV in the vector was taken into account.

Findings: The BYDV transmission efficiency increased significantly in the elevated CO₂ and temperature conditions. Furthermore, the aphids took less time to develop and produced significantly more progeny in the elevated CO₂ and temperature conditions when compared to normal conditions. The presence of the barley yellow dwarf virus in the vectors increased the longevity in the case of aphids under normal conditions. However, in the elevated CO₂ and temperature conditions, life of the aphids carrying BYDV was shorter.

Conclusion & Significance: The elevated CO₂ and temperature conditions have significant influence on BYDV transmission efficiency of Rhopalosiphum padi as well as on the R. padi development and fecundity. This might lead to higher BYDV infection rates in cereal stands in the future.

Biography:

EXHIBITOR HOSTED SESSION

Abstract:

HiMedia Plant Tissue Culture

Biography:

Abdallah Aldahadha has a PhD in Plant Ecophysiology from University of New England, Australia. He is working in Maru Agricultural Station which belongs to National Agricultural Research Center (NARC)/ Jordan. He is doing a project with improving the yield of pistachio trees. He has MSc in Horticulture from University of Jordan. During that period, he worked with a project of morphological and biochemical characteristics of olive pollen. He has academic experience from AlJouf University, Saudi Arabia as Assistant Professor in plant biology and from Sebha University, Libya as Assistant Lecturer in Horticulture Department-Faculty of Agriculture. He has several publications in international journals and he has attended several international conferences in USA and New Zealand.     

Abstract:

This study was conducted on six pistachio cultivars (Lazaourdi, Nab-El Jamal, Boundiki, Batouri, Marawhi and Aschouri) to investigate the percentage of pollen viability and in vitro germination. Pollen viability was tested by using 1% 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) and 60% sucrose. In addition, in vitro germination medium was used to test pollen, which consisted of 1% agar, 15% sucrose and 100 ppm boric acid (H₃BO₃). The results indicated that there was a significant interaction between pollen viability of pistachio cultivars and storage period. The results showed that the fresh pollen of cultivars Batouri and Lazaourdi had significantly the highest viability (87%) and in vitro pollen germination (69.7%); respectively indicating that such cultivars could be used as best pollinators.  On the other hand, cultivar Nab-El Jamal had the lowest viability (43.7%) and in vitro pollen germination (40.3%). Results of viability for all fresh pollen cultivars were poorly linearly correlated (r2=0.197) with the results of in vitro germination test. It was found that pollen viability for all cultivars were significantly reduced when pollen stored at 40℃ for one month. However, pollen germination percentage was zero for all pistachio cultivars after one month of storage. This finding suggests that the storage method in refrigerator (i.e: at 40℃) for one month is not effective for in vitro pollen germination. Hence, further research is required to examine pollen germination for less than a month under refrigerated conditions, which could be used for artificial pollination purposes.

Biography:

Xiongming Du was the Vice Director of National Key Lab of Cotton Science and Dean of Cotton Germplasm Division in the Institute of Cotton Research at Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (ICR, CAAS). He was also the Seventh Council Member of Academic Committee of Cotton in China since 2012 and he was the Fourth and Fifth Council Member of Branch Association of Genetic Resources under Association of Chinese Agronomy since 2000.

Abstract:

Although much studies have been done on salinity tolerance in cotton crop, but little is known about genetic control based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) underlying salt tolerance of cotton plants at seedling stage. To gain an understanding of the genetic basis of upland cotton tolerance to salinity at seedling stage, a genome wide association study (GWAS) was conducted for salinity stress tolerance traits in a core collection of genetically diverse population comprising of 419 accessions. While a genetic map of 5178 SNP markers were developed from 277 F2:3 populations. The map spanned 4768.098 cM with an average distance of 0.92 cM. Next generation high throughput Illumina HiSeq platform was used for genome sequencing, which resulted in 6.45 Tb raw sequences with 150 -bp read length. After sequence quality and filtering process 6.35 Tb high quality SNPs were finally used for subsequent analysis. A total of 5655 SNPs associated with different traits were found. Finally, 15 candidate genes containing key SNPs, involved in different biological pathways for salt tolerance were found for further omics studies. We identified 18 single nucleotide polymorphs (SNPs) significantly associated with relative electrolyte conductivity ratio, 13 SNPs were found high association with REC, 5 SNPs with relative water content and 5 SNPs were found significantly associated with fresh weight. A total of 66 QTLs (quantitative-trait loci) for 10 traits related to salinity were detected in three environments (0, 110 and 150 mM salt treatment). Only 14 QTLs were consistent, accounting for 2.72% to 9.87% of phenotypic variation. Parental contributions were found to be in the ratio of 3:1, 10 QTLs from the sensitive and four QTLs from the resistant parent. Five QTLs were located in At and nine QTLs in the Dt sub-genome. Moreover, eight clusters were identified, in which 12 putative key genes were found to be related to salinity. The GBS-SNPs-based genetic map developed is the first high-density genetic map that has the potential to provide deeper insights into upland cotton salinity tolerance. The 12 key genes found in this study could be used for QTL fine mapping and cloning for further studies. The findings of our GWAS study provides new knowledge about genetic control of salt tolerance at seedling stage, which could aid in elucidation of genetic and molecular mechanism of salinity stress tolerance in cotton crop.

Biography:

Youlu Yuan has been involved in studies related to cotton hybrid vigor and molecular marker assisted selection about fiber quality; focus on cotton variety molecular design, especially on excellent fiber quality variety development. Since 2013 he worked as a Director of Bio-technology Research Department and PI of cotton variety molecular design unit.

Abstract:

The development of chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) from Gossypium barbadense in G. hirsutum background provided ideal materials for further genome research and crop improvement through MAS. We had developed BC₅F_3:5 populations with the donor parent Hai1 and the recurrent parent CCRI36. In this study 300 CSSLs and their two parents were planted in a randomized complete block design with 2 replications in two ecological locations (Anyang and Xinjiang) in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Verticillium wilt resistance was collected at the time of July and August in the field. A total of 597 pairs simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers screened from 2292 pairs of markers in the high density map from a BC₂F₁ population of G. hirsutum × G. barbadense were used to identify the polymorphisms among the BC₅F_3:5 lines. A total of 56 quantitative trait locus (QTLs) for Verticillium wilt resistance were detected, 30 of them are stable, and 38 QTLs (68%) had negative additive effects, which indicate that the G. barbadense alleles increased Verticillium wilt resistance and decrease DI by about 2.64 to 13.23. By meta-analysis, 30 QTL hotspot regions for VW resistance were identified and 13 of them were new hotspot regions. 191 QTLs were detected for fiber yield and fiber quality, 98 for the fiber quality traits and 93 for the yield related traits, 54 of them are stable. Three chromosomes of Chr05, Chr10 and Chr20 contained more QTLs. 30 clusters with disease index and fiber related traits were identified on 16 chromosomes. Most of the fiber traits were clustered with the disease index stable QTLs. We found 6 clusters namely, C01-cluster-1, C05-cluster-4, C07-cluster-1, C19-cluster-2, C22-cluster-1 and C22-cluster-2, which had positive correlation between VW resistance and fiber quality traits. Two clusters, C10-cluster-1 and C25-cluster-1 had also positive correlation between VW resistance and yield related traits (boll weight and lint percentage). One cluster, C20-cluster-1 is important for VW resistance, fiber quality and fiber yield. So, these clusters and related QTLs are very important for breeding improvement of fiber quality and yield, VW disease resistance

Biography:

Jurgita Spokaite is a PhD student. She has expertise in Agronomy and Organic Chemistry and has been practicing in both areas. The scopes lead to developing a new scientific area in Lithuania-plant biochemistry in crop production. Direction of her doctoral studies is just a beginning and very first steps to join two fields of science into one. She has built this model after some time of experience in research, agronomy and chemistry studies. She is working as a Private Agronomist and Junior Researcher.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Numerous researches describe the influence of micronutrient elements (Cu²⁺, Mo⁶⁺, Mn⁺² etc.) for the winter wheat growth and grain yield. Deficiency or excessive rate of microelements can cause functional disorders for many crops due to that yields can be significantly lower instead of higher. There are relatively few scientific papers with anticipate biochemical effects after combinations of two or more microelements (e.g. Mn⁺²/Mo⁺⁶/Zn⁺²) sprayed on crops. The purpose of this study is to describe relation between quantitative changes of amino acids in winter wheat during growth periods (tillering and steam elongation stages) and qualitative parameters of wheat grains.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Molybdenum (Mo⁺⁶) and manganese (Mn⁺²) as micronutrients were sprayed twice in three different combinations:  (NH₄)₆Mo₇O₂₄·4H₂O/MnSO₄·H₂O; (NH₄)₆Mo₇O₂₄·4H₂O and; MnSO₄·H₂O. During both applications in all combination was 300 g of each cation. Control field was sprayed just with water. This research is mainly focused on molybdenum and manganese influence for grain quality parameters via quantity of amino acids.

Findings: Foliar applications of different micronutrients combinations cannot always have a positive effect despite the fact that Mo⁺⁶ and Mn⁺² cations involving nitrogen to further metabolism process and required for normal assimilation of N.

Conclusion & Significance: Due to very important synergistic and/or antagonistic action of micronutrients combinations for crops the amount of amino acids were influenced by spraying inorganic salt solutions. A significantly higher amount of γ-amino butyric acid is determined after Mo⁺⁶ and Mo⁺⁶/Mn⁺² treatments than in other treatments. These changes also had impact for some of wheat grain quality parameters. A higher amount of proteins in treatments sprayed with Mn⁺² have been determined rather than in Mo⁺⁶. Other grain quality parameters have been also differently affected due to different treatments.

Biography:

Mohammad Esmaeil Asadi has completed his PhD in Integrated Water Resources Management, at Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand in 2001. Currently he is working as a Principle Research Scientist in Golestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center (GANRREC). GANRREC is a governmental center which is situated in Golestan Province north part of Iran near Caspian Sea. His research interests include irrigation/drainage systems design, development and performance evaluation; Conservation Agriculture (CA), Soil and water management of upland crops.

Abstract:

Soil is the network of interacting living organisms within the earth's surface layer, which support life above ground – plants and animals, including humans. Soil filters the rainwater and regulates the discharge of excess rainwater, preventing flooding; it is capable of storing large amounts of organic carbon; it buffers against pollutants, including CO₂. Many people don’t realize that soil, especially healthy soil, is full of life. Bacteria, algae, microscopic insects, earthworms, beetles, ants, mites, and fungi are among them. Altogether, their value has been estimated at $1.5 trillion a year worldwide. The healthiest soils are those with a diversity and abundance of life. Farmers who adapted conservation agriculture (CA) approach understand that tillage, the turning of the soil that has been the standard for growing crops for years and years, is disruptive to soil microbes and destructive to the soil system and its very structure. CA farmers grow a diversity of living plants in the soil as much of the time as practical, covering the soil and offering food to soil microbes through living roots. Those soil organisms, in turn, cycle nutrients back to the plant. CA-farming practices that involve minimal soil disturbance, permanent soil cover and the use of crop rotation to simultaneously maintain and boost yields, reduce costs for farmers-especially by saving fuel for the soil tillage-increase soil quality, reduce soil erosion and improve biological activity, all while increasing agricultural productivity, especially by increasing resilience to drought and climate change. Studies show a producer can save at least 30% of water consumption per hectare by changing from conventional tillage to CA. In this paper we will provide some examples and case studies from adoption and practices of CA in developed and developing countries especially Asian countries who got good results in terms of healthy soils.

Biography:

Muhammad Shoaib Amjad is currently working as Lecture in Department of Botany, Women University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir Bagh. He was awarded with Gold medal in MSc as well as in MPhil. He published more than 30 research articles on various aspects of phytodiversity, ethnobotany and conservation in various journals of international repute. Currently his research mainly focuses on phytogeographic, systematic and conservation assessment of endemic flora of remote biodiversity rich area of Azad Jammu & Kashmir using advance multivariate statistical techniques.

Abstract:

A phytosociological survey was carried out during 2014-2016 using a stratified random sampling design at 15 different localities in Kotli District, AJK Pakistan. Quantitative data on species composition and environmental variables were collected from 450 quadrats. Based on cluster analysis, three different plant associations were recognized viz., subtropical scrub forest association, subtropical pine forest association and subtropical broad leaf humid association which are clearly separated on a two dimensional detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) diagram. The number of plant species per site varied from 17 to 47; Shannon and Simpson diversity indices were 1.83-3.19 and 0.75-0.95 respectively; Menhinick  and Margalef species richness values were between 0.68-1.35 and 2.48-5.95 respectively, Equitability values between 0.65-0.90 and evenness values between 0.37-0.71. DCA and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) indicated altitude and aspect to be the main determinants of the plant species distribution patterns and classification and grouping of vegetation into different associations. CCA indicated that both species diversity and richness showed strong correlations with altitude as well as aspect and grazing intensity. All the forest stands were immature (33.8-54.7%) with average tree density varying between 280 to 2060 ha^-1, and basal area between 1.99-19.18 m²/ha^-1.  The results clearly reflect the deteriorating forest structure in this region, demanding urgent conservation measures involving effective participation by local communities.