Lower Subansiri District Research Articles

Influence of Front-Line Demonstrations on Yield, Yield Gap and Economics of Field Pea under Hill Region of Arunachal Pradesh, India

Krishi Vigyan Kendra Yachuli, Lower Subansiri district, gave a front-line field pea demonstration in 06 villages across two blocks with 44 farmers during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. FLD on the VL Matar 42 variety of field pea was carried out over the course of two years in a 15 ha area using the recommended improved practices. Additionally, a control plot with farmer practices was maintained. The yield in the farmers' plot (1110 kg ha-1) and demonstration plot (1510 kg ha-1) in the year 2020-21 was higher than in the year 2019-20. In the years 2019-20 and 2020-21, respectively, the demonstration plots' mean yield exceeded that of the farmers' plot by 35.23 and 36.03 percent. The VL Matar 42 variety of field pea had a mean yield of 1465 kg ha-1, which was lower than the potential yield of 1868 kg ha-1. The yield gap of 403 kg ha-1 indicates that there is a technology gap. Interestingly, the average extension yield gap was lower (385 kg ha-1) during the study period. The technology index varied from 19.16 to 23.98 percent, showing the feasibility of the evolved technology at the farmer's fields. Cultivating field pea using improved technologies resulted in an average higher net return of Rs. 59,050 ha-1 compared to Rs 34,500 ha-1 from local farming practices. The benefit cost ratio of field pea was higher (2.16) when using improved technologies compared to (1.83) when using farmers' practices.

A new species of Piarosoma Hampson, 1893 (Lepidoptera, Zygaenidae, Procridinae, Artonini) from Arunachal Pradesh, India.

A new species, Piarosoma arunachalensis sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on external characters and the genitalia of two male specimens from Tale Wildlife Sanctuary, Lower Subansiri District, Arunachal Pradesh, India. The new species is distinguished from other Piarosoma by a combination of: a) presence of large hyaline patches on the wings, b) the absence of any white or yellow markings on the patagia and the abdominal segments, and c) differences in male genitalia.

Training Needs of Kiwi Growers in Subansiri District of Arunachal Pradesh

The kiwi fruit is a temperate fruit crop; its cultivation is limited to certain temperate regions. The study was conducted during December 2019 to February 2020 in Lower Subansiri District, Arunachal Pradesh to assess the training need areas of kiwi growers wherein a total of 104 farmers were drawn as respondents through random sampling. The response collected from 104 respondents showed that majority (61.54%) of the respondents had exhibited medium level of training needs. Plant protection measures, propagation and planting, and climate and soil were the top three areas perceived as priority areas in regard to training need areas of the respondents, and the least training need area was in fl owering and pollination. The study also revealed that weed problems under bio-physical constraints; high cost of inputs under socio-economic constraints; lack of improved irrigation system and lack of suitable technology for the region under technological constraints; non-availability of insurance under institutional constraints were among the many constraints perceived by the kiwi growers

Variability of soil properties in Sikhe village under Lower Subansiri district, Arunachal Pradesh

The study was conducted under three land uses, viz., terrace, jhum and forest to assess the variability of soil properties in Sikhe village under Lower Subansiri district, Arunachal Pradesh. The soil pH was strong to moderate acidic in reaction (pH 4.6 to 6.1). Organic carbon ranged from 10.7 to 46.0 g kg-1 which was found to be highest in forest ecosystem among the land uses. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) ranged between 7.9 and 22.8 cmol (p+) kg -1 and had significant positive correlation with organic carbon (r=0.68**). Bulk density varied from 1.10 to 1.56 Mg m-3, and showed significant negative correlation with organic carbon(r= -0.61*). Bulk density of forest was recorded to be the lowest. Water holding capacity (WHC) varied from 37.0 to 64.2 %, and was found higher under forest land use. WHC had significant positive correlation with organic carbon (r=0.55*) and significant negative one with sand (r=-0.62*). Hydraulic conductivity varied from 0.21 to 1.86 cm hr-1, and was found lowest under terrace land uses. Water stable aggregates (WSA > 0.25) ranged from 83.0 to 96.8 %. Mean weight diameter of the soil varied from 0.52 to 0.88 mm. The textural classes of various soils under different land use systems were loam, sandy loam and silt loam. The dispersion ratio varied from 30.2 to 47.9, which was very high in all the land uses. It had significant positive correlation with sand (r=0.76**) and significant negative correlation with organic carbon (r= -0.74**) and clay (r=-0.56**). Erosion index ranged from 48.1 to 89.9, and the highest was observed under terrace land use and lowest under forest land use. Erosion index had significant positive correlation with sand (r=0.72**) and dispersion ratio (r=0.74**) and significant negative one with organic carbon (r=-0.69**) and clay (r=-0.68**). The dispersion ratio and erosion index of all the land uses were very high indicating that the soils are highly erodible.

Variability of soil properties in Sikhe village under Lower Subansiri district, Arunachal Pradesh

The study was conducted under three land uses, viz., terrace, jhum and forest to assess the variability of soil properties in Sikhe village under Lower Subansiri district, Arunachal Pradesh. The soil pH was strong to moderate acidic in reaction (pH 4.6 to 6.1). Organic carbon ranged from 10.7 to 46.0 g kg-1 which was found to be highest in forest ecosystem among the land uses. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) ranged between 7.9 and 22.8 cmol (p+) kg -1 and had significant positive correlation with organic carbon (r=0.68**). Bulk density varied from 1.10 to 1.56 Mg m-3, and showed significant negative correlation with organic carbon(r= -0.61*). Bulk density of forest was recorded to be the lowest. Water holding capacity (WHC) varied from 37.0 to 64.2 %, and was found higher under forest land use. WHC had significant positive correlation with organic carbon (r=0.55*) and significant negative one with sand (r=-0.62*). Hydraulic conductivity varied from 0.21 to 1.86 cm hr-1, and was found lowest under terrace land uses. Water stable aggregates (WSA > 0.25) ranged from 83.0 to 96.8 %. Mean weight diameter of the soil varied from 0.52 to 0.88 mm. The textural classes of various soils under different land use systems were loam, sandy loam and silt loam. The dispersion ratio varied from 30.2 to 47.9, which was very high in all the land uses. It had significant positive correlation with sand (r=0.76**) and significant negative correlation with organic carbon (r= -0.74**) and clay (r=-0.56**). Erosion index ranged from 48.1 to 89.9, and the highest was observed under terrace land use and lowest under forest land use. Erosion index had significant positive correlation with sand (r=0.72**) and dispersion ratio (r=0.74**) and significant negative one with organic carbon (r=-0.69**) and clay (r=-0.68**). The dispersion ratio and erosion index of all the land uses were very high indicating that the soils are highly erodible.

Successful rescue, medical management, rehabilitation, and translocation of a Red Panda Ailurus fulgens (Mammalia: Carnivora: Ailuridae) in Arunachal Pradesh, India

We document the rescue of a Red Panda from Yachuli circle, Lower Subansiri district and successful translocation to Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh, India. The head injury was surgically managed under the anaesthetic combination of ketamine and xylazine, and reversed with yohimbine. The animal was successfully rehabilitated and translocated in the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary.

Moths Diversity of Ziro in Lower Subansiri District, Arunachal Pradesh India

Moths Diversity of Ziro in Lower Subansiri District, Arunachal Pradesh India

An ethnozoological study of Vespa magnifica with special reference to hunting by Nyishi tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, India.

Many tribes of Arunachal Pradesh consider the hornet Vespa magnifica as highly delicious and seasonal food with high economic value. The hunting practices of these hornets are an age-old tradition that has been passed down from generation after generations. Unfortunately, nowadays many new methods of hunting these hornets have emerged like the use of DDT, Kerosene, Diesel and Bleaching powder. Due to these practices the sightings and hunting of hornets has declined. The present study provides a documentation of the traditional hunting techniques of these hornets in Lower Subansiri District of Arunachal Pradesh and suggests a more sustainable approach to maintain the rich economic, diet and diversity value of these hornets.

A new species of Metallolophia Warren, 1895 (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Geometrinae), and notes on M. opalina (Warren, 1893), from eastern Himalaya, India.

A new species, Metallolophia taleensis, sp. nov., is described and illustrated from Tale Wildlife Sanctuary, Lower Subansiri District, Arunachal Pradesh, India, based on male specimens. A second species, Metallolophia opalina (Warren, 1893), is recorded from India after more than a century, extending its range eastwards into Arunachal Pradesh, India.

<b>A second record of the Eastern Spadefoot Toad (Amphibia: Anura: Megophryidae: <I>Leptobrachium bompu</I> Sondhi & Ohler, 2011) with a note on its morphological variations and natural history</b>

A single male specimen of Leptobrachium bompu was collected from Talle Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Lower Subansiri District, Arunachal Pradesh in 2015. This is the first report of this species after its original description in 2011 based on a male specimen. The present collection locality is about 200km from the type locality. Additional notes on morphological variations have added to the much-needed study on the intra-specific variation of the species.

Hunting record of endangered Marbled Cat Pardofelis marmorata in the Ziro Valley of Lower Subansiri, Arunachal Pradesh, India

We document a hunting record of a rare felid, Marbled Cat Pardofelis marmorata in Hija Village at the Ziro Valley, Lower Subansiri District of Arunachal Pradesh. The ecological knowledge on marbled cats is limited in this part of the geographic range of this species. However, the threats like the hunting directly impact the marbled cat populations. Initiatives to study the impact of the hunting practices and assessing the sustainability of these hunting practices on this species are required.

Checklist of Ericaceae of Talle Wildlife Sanctuary in Lower Subansiri District of Arunachal Pradesh, India

This paper presents distribution, relative abundance incl. threats, phenology and available field data of 25 taxa belonging to six genera of Ericaceae in Talle Wildlife Sanctuary in Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh. A map of Arunachal Pradesh along with a trek route from Ziro (Hapoli) to Talle valley is also provided. Besides, taxa belonging to new records, new to science, recollections and status are also provided.

Active tectonics in and around Kimin-Ziro area, Lower Subansiri District, Arunachal Pradesh, NE India

Summary. The paper presents neotectonically-evolved landforms along the foothills of Arunachal Himalaya as well as within the Outer and Lesser Himalayan domains, along the Kimin-Ziro valley section, where tectonic activity is dated to 22-14 ka by OSL technique. High-resolution satellite data suggest the presence of a highly mature, almost flat Brahma­ putra floodplain evolved during the recent geological past, in which palaeochannels had a very high sinuosity. Subsequent events of uplift resulted in the formation of entrenched meanders due to incision of the valley floor. As the process of incision was unable to keep pace with the rate of uplift, after initial attempts to incise the major channels abandoned their sinuous courses and instead followed a straight braided course from near the point of emergence of Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT). The data suggest that tectonic activity along the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) and HFT during the Holocene have played significant role in geomorphic evolution.