There is widespread use of poplar in pulp and paper, match splints, pencil and plywood industries, in northern India. The practice of closer spacing geometry with compact block in poplar cultivation does not permit intercropping from the third year onwards, which discourages small landholders.

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to evaluate the genetic diversity among populations of Jatropha curcas (L.) from different agro-climatic regions of India. Out of 305 amplified bands obtained with 30 primers, 291 were found polymorphic.

Effect of auxins (IAA, IBA and NAA) and vitamin B1 (thiamine) on rooting response of branch cuttings and air-layers of Jatropha curcas during spring and monsoon seasons was studied. Spring season was found best for clonal multiplication of genetically superior material in jatropha. Cuttings treated with 600 and 800 mg l