UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

Diversity of Entomofauna Associated with Tomato in the Lower Gangetic Alluvial Plains of West Bengal, India

Aivi Mallick — 2026-06-03

Agriculture-based ecosystems support a rich diversity of insect fauna that play vital roles in maintaining ecological balance through pollination, decomposition, nutrient cycling and biological pest regulation. Understanding the composition and diversity of insect communities in crop ecosystems is therefore essential for conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable agricultural production.

The present study examined the diversity, abundance and guild structure of insects associated with tomato agro-ecosystems in Kalyani and Islampur regions of the Lower Gangetic Alluvial Plains of West Bengal. Weekly observations recorded 1241 insect specimens belonging to 11 species under 6 orders, with Myzus persicae being the dominant species in both the locations. Diversity analysis revealed clear temporal variation in insect communities. In Kalyani, Simpson’s diversity index ranged from 0.3704 to 0.7907 during 2019–20 and 0.4625 to 0.7426 during 2020–21, while Shannon diversity values varied between 0.684 and 1.783. Margalef’s species richness reached a maximum of 2.025 (2019-’20) and 2.796 (2020-’21). In Islampur, Simpson’s index ranged from 0.4626 to 0.7704, indicating moderate diversity and richness throughout the study period. In case of spatial pattern, Kalyani exhibited comparatively higher diversity and evenness, whereas Islampur showed greater species richness. The abundance and diversity of predatory insects were considerably lower than those of pest species, and the pest guild became more stable over time while predator populations remained relatively unchanged. The findings indicate ecological dynamics in tomato fields under intensive chemical-based management, where reduced natural enemy diversity may weaken biological pest regulation. The study highlights the need for biodiversity-based pest management, habitat diversification and conservation of natural enemies to ensure sustainable tomato cultivation in the region.

Assessment of Physico-Chemical Parameters of Shivaganga River in Pune, Maharashtra, India

Vishal G. Owhal — 2026-06-04

Freshwater rivers are vital for biodiversity, agriculture, and human livelihoods, but their water quality is increasingly affected by human activities. In Maharashtra, pollution and ecological stress in several rivers, including the Shivaganga River in Pune district, emphasize the importance of regular physico-chemical water quality monitoring for sustainable management. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the physico-chemical characteristics and overall water quality status of the Shivaganga River in Pune district, Maharashtra. A spatial assessment-based observational study was carried out on river water samples collected from selected sampling sites, namely Khed Shivapur, Khopi and Kelawade, during November 2022 to October 2023 using standard analytical procedures recommended by American Public Health Associations (APHA, 2017). Physical parameters such as temperature, turbidity, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids and salinity were measured using standard pocket friendly instrument. Chemical parameters including pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total hardness, alkalinity, chlorides, sulphates, phosphates, nitrates and fluorides were analyzed using standard titrimetric and spectrophotometric methods and represented by graphical and tabular formats. Water temperature ranged from 25.11°C to 30.11°C, while pH remained slightly alkaline throughout the study period. Dissolved oxygen concentrations indicated comparatively healthy aquatica conditions; however, lower DO values were observed during summer season months. Elevated turbidity, electrical salinity, BOD, COD values were recorded particularly at Kelawade site, suggesting localized anthropogenic influence and increased organic load. Nutrient such as nitrates and phosphates remained comparatively low, although slightly higher concentrations were observed at downstream stations. Fluorides and sulphates remained within permissible freshwater limits throughout the study period. Thus, Shivaganga River maintains moderately good water quality with relatively stable physico-chemical characteristics. However, increasing anthropogenic activities such as agricultural runoff, domestic wastewater discharge and human interference may gradually influence the ecological health of the river. Among the study sampling sites, Kelawade exhibited comparatively higher pollution-related parameters, indicating greater environmental stress. Continuous monitoring and sustainable management practices are therefore essential for conservation and long-term ecological sustainability of Shivaganga River.

Performance of Commercial Feeds on Growth and Economics of Indian Major Carps in Pond Culture

Subhadip Samanta — 2026-06-05

Aquaculture has emerged as a major contributor to global food production, with countries like India relying heavily on freshwater systems where Indian Major Carps form the backbone of production. In semi-intensive pond culture, feed plays a critical role in determining growth performance, feed efficiency, and overall profitability, with commercial feeds increasingly replacing traditional farm-made diets.However, variations in nutritional composition among commercial feeds necessitate field-based evaluation to identify the most efficient and economically viable options for carp farming under practical conditions.A six-month field experiment (October 2025–March 2026) was conducted to evaluate the performance of three commercially available fish feeds on growth, feed utilization, and economic returns of Indian Major Carps (IMC) under semi-intensive pond culture conditions in Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India. The study followed a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three treatments: Feed A (25% protein), Feed B (30% protein), and Feed C (28% protein), each in triplicate. Fish were stocked at 3000 fingerlings per acre in a composite culture ratio (Catla:Rohu:Mrigal = 30:40:30) and fed twice daily. Growth parameters such as weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), survival rate, and feed utilization indices (FCR and FER) were recorded. The results revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) among treatments. Fish fed with Feed B exhibited the highest mean final weight (710.67 ± 10.07 g), weight gain (695.34 g), and SGR (3.02% day⁻¹), followed by Feed C and Feed A. Feed utilization efficiency was also highest in Feed B, with the lowest FCR (1.41). Water quality parameters remained within optimal ranges across treatments. Economic analysis indicated that Feed B yielded the highest net income (₹3,86,750/ha) and benefit–cost ratio (5.90), despite higher feed cost. The study demonstrates that nutritionally balanced commercial feeds significantly enhance growth performance, feed efficiency, and profitability in carp culture.