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ABSTRACT Galliformes, commonly referred to as 'gallinaceous birds' or 'game birds', is a large and diverse group of birds that comprises of 70 genera and 284 species, while 45 species of galliformes are known from India. Meanwhile proper record of Galliformes is not available in the state of Mizoram. Therefore a preliminary survey on galliformes was conducted from September 2012 -December 2013 in Mizoram with the aim to provide reliable information on their diversity, distribution range and their conservation issues in the tropical hilly state. The state of Mizoram, located in northeast India, is sandwiched by two international borders, viz. Bangladesh from the west and Myanmar from the east and south. It lies in the Indo-Myanmar Biodiversity Hotspot Area. In order to know the species composition and distribution, information was collected by field survey at important protected areas and secondary information from 245 villages covering all the eight districts. Analysis of secondary information and field survey data indicated that 10 species of Galliformes are present in Mizoram. Out of these, 6 species are Pheasants and other 4 species of Partridge. Among them are one endangered species (Pavo muticus), one vulnerable species (Tragopan blythii) and two near-threatened species (Syrmaticus humiae and Arborophila atrogularis). The four threatened species of Galliformes are patchily distributed in the higher altitudinal region on the eastern side of the state, bordering Myanmar. The other lower risk categories (Arborophila rufogularis, Arborophila torqueola, Bambusicola fytchii, Lophura leucomelanos, Polyplectron bicalcaratum and Gallus gallus) are found to be common and sparsely distributed all through the state. Anthropogenic pressures like habitat destruction due to shifting cultivation, logging, forest fire, deforestation, poaching and hunting, extraction of forest resources, tourism activities and lack of awareness are the main cause of rapid decline in galliformes population in Mizoram. Thereby appropriate conservation measures are discussed

A new species of Leptolalax (Anura: Megophryidae) from Mizoram, North-eastern India

A new species of megophryid frog of the genus Leptolalax is described from the Tamdil wetlands of Mizoram State, north-eastern India. L. tamdil new species, is compared with congeners from India and other parts of south-east Asia. The new species is diagnosable in showing the following combination of characters: SVL 32.3 mm in the only male and 31.8 mm in the only female known; dorsum tuberculate; eyelids with tubercles; tympanum and supratympanic fold distinct; supratympanic fold extending to posterior edge of tympanum; macroglands, including preaxillary, pectoral, femoral and ventrolateral glands present; Finger II > I; toe tips not dilated, bearing dermal fringes; relatively long hind limbs, with heels in contact when limbs are held perpendicular to body; dorsum with dark blotches; flanks with small dark blotches; dark tympanic mask present; venter pale; labial bars present and limbs with dark cross-bars

Influence of elevated carbon dioxide and ammonium nutrition on growth and nitrogen metabolism in wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Growth under elevated CO2 (EC) conditions inhibits nitrate (NO3-) assimilation in crop plants, hence ammonium (NH4+) nutrition is beneficial compared to NO3– nutrition under EC conditions. In the present study, an attempt was made to compare the suitability NH4 + vs mixed NH4 + + NO3 – nutrition in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Wheat seedlings supplied with NH4+ alone or with both NH4+ + NO3– as nitrogen (N) source and grown under ambient (380 μl/l, AC) or elevated (600±50 μl/l, EC) CO2 conditions were analyzed for growth and biochemical parameters. Plants receiving only NH4+ as N source showed significant reduction in growth parameters. The negative effects of NH4+ nutrition were manifested in form of reduced root length, root surface area and thinner leaves under EC. Negative effects of NH4+ nutrition were ameliorated in plants receiving mixed NH4 + + NO3 – nutrition. Supplementing NO3 – -N with NH4+ -N led to the enhancement of various morphological and biochemical parameters in EC grown plants. Activity and gene expression of the enzymes, nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase was significantly higher in plants supplied with both NH4+ + NO3– ions and grown in EC, as compared to plants grown in AC, resulting in lesser reduction in N content of the EC grown plants. Our study indicates that mixed NH4+ + NO3– nutrition will be more suitable for wheat cultivation under high CO2 conditions in future

Evaluation of ginger genotypes for commercial cultivation in Mizoram and future prospects

A study was carried out for three years (2019, 2020 & 2021) in the experimental field at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Mizoram Centre, Kolasib, Mizoram to check the performances of seven ginger genotypes viz., Gurubathani, Bold Nadia, Bhaise, John's ginger, PGS 121, PGS 95 and PGS 102 against Local ginger cv Thingria and their economic feasibility for commercialization in Mizoram, India. Out of seven genotypes when compared with Local ginger cv Thingria, five genotypes have out yielded Local cultivar in the range of 21.25 to 45.45% with Bhaise having 45.45% higher rhizome yield than Local ginger. On the other hand, Bold Nadia possesses a combination of good quality traits. The highest B:C ratio was obtained in Bhaise (2.08) followed by PGS 102 (1.99), Gorubathani (1.95) and Bold Nadia (1.87). The highest cost of cultivation was contributed by labour cost which was 53.40% of total cost of cultivation. The four genotypes viz., Bold Nadia, Bhaise, PGS 102 and Gorubathani can be selected as potential genotypes possessing optimum combination of all traits. Based on economic analysis, these genotypes can be considered for commercial purposes under Mizoram condition. Different production systems such as intercropping, pro-tray technology, and bulb extraction method may increase the overall income of farmers. Farmers need to venture the possibilities of value addition in ginger on commercial basis. Government intervention is required for creating marketing infrastructures, initiating youth-centered schemes, occasional skill training and developing farmer-friendly policies to protect them from market risks and exploitation. Ginger has been an important horticultural crop and widely marketed spice crop of Mizoram, a potential enterprise contributing to state econom

Immediate effect of verapamil on pulmonary functions in bronchial asthma

This article describes the immediate effect of verapamil, a calcium antagonist, on pulmonary functions in bronchial asthma. The effect of oral administration of 80 mg of verapamil or placebo was studied in a randomized double-blind manner in 30 extrinsic asthmatic subjects. No significant bronchodilator effect was observed with verapamil administration. There were no significant changes in heart rate and blood pressure after verapamil

Is transition zone index useful in assessing bladder outflow obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia?: A prospective study

BACKGROUND: Benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) is the commonest cause of bladder outlet obstruction in men above 50 years of age. Though pressure-flow study is the gold standard in establishing outlet obstruction, it is associated with definite morbidity. Several noninvasive parameters are described to diagnose outlet obstruction due to BPE and evaluate treatment efficacy. AIM: We studied the role of transitional zone index (TZI) in assessing bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) due to BPE. SETTING AND DESIGN: Prospective hospital-based cross-sectional diagnostic study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five men aged between 50 and 77 years with untreated lower urinary tract symptoms due to BPE were studied. Patients with prostate cancer, prostatitis, active UTI urethral stricture, neurovesical dysfunction and diabetes mellitus were excluded. All patients underwent a standard assessment using the American Urological Association (AUA) symptom score, uroflow, pressure-flow (PF) study and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) estimation of TZI. Investigators undertaking PF studies and TRUS were blinded to the investigation of others. From the PF studies, Abrams Griffith (AG) number was calculated. Based on this, patients were grouped into obstructed (AG>40) and unobstructed (AG< 40) groups. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: TZI was calculated and compared with PF studies using Mann-Whitney U test, logistic regression analysis and receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC). RESULTS: The mean age was 63.2 years (SD). The mean AUA scores and peak flow rate were 16.7 and 7.5 ml/sec, respectively. Of the 35 men, 21 were obstructed and 14 were unobstructed. TZI was not significantly different between the two groups, while the differences in age, AUA symptom score, prostate volume and TZ volume were statistically significant. Logistic regression model did not show any independent effect of TZI in predicting obstruction. ROC curve showed a poor overall accuracy in diagnosing obstruction due to BPE. CONCLUSION: Age, prostate volume and TZ volume are better indicators than TZI in diagnosis of BOO secondary to BPE

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Not AvailableTwelve actinobacterial strains were isolated from tomato rhizospheric soil from Manipur, a state in North East Indian Himalayan Region and screened for keratinolytic and plant growth promoting traits. Nine promising isolates were identified as Streptomyces species using partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Among the seven isolates showing chicken feather degradation activity, three keratinolytic strains RCM-SSR-2,-6, and-12 were found to be the most efficient feather degrading strains achieving 90% feather weight loss within 48 h of incubation. They also showed maximum keratinase and soluble peptide production. Strain RCM-SSR-2,-5,-6,-8, and-11 showed positive results for all plant growth promoting traits tested. Maximum indole-3-acetic acid production was exhibited by RCM-SSR-6. Strain RCM-SSR-1,-2,-5,-6,-9, and-11 showed antagonistic activity against three important plant pathogens. Feather hydrolysate of RCM-SSR-6 was also evaluated for in vitro seed germination test using garden pea seeds. Higher concentration of feather protein hydrolysate (3 mg ml −1) inhibited shoot and root length of the germinating embryo. However, lower concentration (0.01 mg ml −1) of feather protein hydrolysate promoted seed germination. Among the 12 strains, four isolates namely RCM-SSR-1,-2,-5, and-6 were found to be promising as multi-traits plant growth promoting rhizobacteria for development of organic fertilizer, phytostimulator, and biocontrol agents.Department of Biotechnology, Go

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This Publication deals with the Status of Shifting Cultivation in North Eastern Hill Region of India and Strategies for Jhum Improvement.Not AvailableNot Availabl

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Excellent and prime agricultural technologies even when as technically sound are of limited value and scope if they are not adopted and accepted by the farmers. The farmers need those technologies which increase their net returns and livelihood with keeping minimum risk and within their own purview and management practices. In the era of modernization, the traditional transfers of technology models are inadequate to the meet multiple objectives of poverty reduction, food security, competitiveness, sustainability and demand of the farming community. Keeping these points in mind, to develop and transfer location specific high income generating integrated farming system technologies and models to meet the specific client demand and emphasis on farmer’s participatory research is now gaining momentum in India and that too in North East India. Attempts have been made to integrate the desirable components of farming system research into the mainstream agricultural research so that the technologies developed are relevant, client-oriented and location specific. The Agriculture in the Manipur is complex, diverse and risk prone (CDR) and land is fragmented. Almost 80 per cent population of the region is dependent on agriculture. The farmers are resource poor and practice agriculture mostly for subsistence farming. About 85 per cent of the farmers are small and marginal but sharing only 40 per cent of the land. The hill soil is fragile and less fertile with high acidic in reaction. The crop productivity is very low mainly due to lack of resources, non-adoption of improved technologies and fragile ecosystems. Integrated farming system is a reliable way of obtaining high productivity with substantial nutrient economy for higher resource use efficiency in combination with maximum compatibility and replenishment of organic matter by way of effective recycling of organic residues/wastes etc. obtained through integration of various land- based enterprises. The modules mentioned in this book under transfer of technology and research activities organized by ICAR Research Complex for NEH region, Manipur Centre, Imphal to impart knowledge about the methodology, benefits and component selection at the farmer’s field to increase the livelihood of the resource poor farmers with limited land and other resources. In this book, we tried to cover almost all the aspects related integrated farming system from enterprise selection to integration. We hope that the book will be a valuable source of information for students, teachers, scientists, extension functionaries and policy planners.Not AvailableNot Availabl