Journal of Environment and Sociobiology

Mitu De ¹, Jhilik Das ², Meghna Saha ³, Ankush Pal ⁴, Santi Ranjan Dey ⁵

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany, Gurudas College, Kolkata, West Bengal, IN
2 Department of Zoology, Benaras Hindu University, Uttar Pradesh, IN
3 Department of Zoology, Presidency University, Kolkata, IN
4 Department of Botany, Berhampore Girls' College, Murshidabad, West Bengal, IN
5 Department of Zoology, Berhampore Girls' College, Murshidabad, West Bengal

Abstract

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is an important natural resource and also known as the 'king of fruits'. The districts of Murshidabad and Malda once famous for mango are now facing tremendous genetic erosion of the mango germplasm. More than 200 varieties of mango were recorded during the time of the royals of these districts. This number has sharply declined in recent times. The traditional varieties are low yielding and are replaced by new high yielding hybrids. These varieties are also facing extinction because of the aggressive cultivation of Amrapali, Chatterjee, Mallika, Himsagar, Langra varieties of mango. Hence, conservation of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) germplasm is of utmost importance. For such conservation extensive survey and proper documentation are necessary. In this context, the present study is an attempt to document the mango varieties from Murshidabad and Malda districts of West Bengal. The mango germplasm diversity data generated will be valuable to communities, scientists and policy managers to formulate and implement conservation strategies of in situ, on-farm as well as ex situ conservation and management of these genetic resources.

Keywords

Indigenous Mango, Murshidabad and Malda Districts, Characterization, Pulp Assessment.

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Mitu De ¹, Ankush Pal ², Biplab Bandyopadhyay ³, Santi Ranjan Dey ⁴

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany, Gurudas College, Kolkata, West Bengal, IN
2 Department of Botany, Berhampore Girls' College, Murshidabad, West Bengal, IN
3 Department of Botany, Krishnath College, Murshidabad, West Bengal, IN
4 Department of Zoology, Berhampore Girls' College, Murshidabad, West Bengal, IN

Abstract

Freshwater lentic water bodies have tremendous importance as they contain valuable aqua resources, both flora and fauna. They are also the recharging reservoirs for drinking water, domestic use and provide the infrastructure for pisciculture. Hydrophytes are important components of lentic ecosystem. Aquatic plants provide shelter and breeding place for aquatic animals and maintain the integral balance of ecosystem. They are the primary producers and contribute dissolve oxygen (DO). All organisms, from the microscopic zooplankton to the fish need the oxygen for survival. Dissolved oxygen is one of the limiting factors for fish diversity in aquatic ecosystems. The present investigation is on the hydrophyte diversity in the freshwater lentic water body of Murshidabad, West Bengal. Rivers Bhagirathi and Jalangi and their tributaries flow through this district. Large number small and large freshwater lentic water-bodies are found in this district too. The survey of the composition and distribution of the hydrophytes in freshwater lentic water body of Murshidabad was carried out. A total of 53 species of aquatic plants were identified from different parts of the district. Of these, 41 species are found throughout the district whereas 12 species are restricted in some pockets of the district. The detailed distribution as well as habitat composition with GPS location was studied. The relationship of DO and the biodiversity components was explored.

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Santi Ranjan Dey ¹, Ankush Pal ², Mitu De ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology, Rammohan College, Kolkata-700 009, IN
2 Department of Botany, Berhampore Girls’ College, Murshidabad, West Bengal, IN
3 Department of Botany, Gurudas College, Kolkata-700 054, IN

Abstract

Agroforestry is an eco-friendly crop production system that provides habitat for biodiverse flora and fauna. The mango-based agroforestry constitutes of mango trees, crops, weeds, insect pests, predators and pollinators. The mango (Mangifera indica L.) plant is a multipurpose fruit tree that yields fruit, timber and fuel, and is suitable for agro-forestry systems in tropical and subtropical regions. The mango fruit is an important source of sustenance for birds, bats, insects, and mammals. Many insect species damage mango crops by feeding on leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits. Also, many insect species play a vital role in pollination as well as fruit set, and predator prey interactions keep balance between pest incidence and fruit production. Insect species inventories along with pest prevalence and foraging behaviour of pollinators were investigated in several mango orchards of Murshidabad. Insects were collected by capture with sweep net and visual observation followed. The principal insect pest of mango were 2 species of hopper and 1 species of mealy bug, inflorescence midge, fruit fly, scale, shoot borer, leaf webber and stone weevil. The leaf hopper, shoot borer and stone weevil are found to be major pest in Murshidabad mango based agroforestry area.

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Mitu De ¹, Goutam Kumar Pahari ¹, Ankush Pal ², Santi Ranjan Dey ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany, Gurudas College, Kolkata 54, IN
2 Department of Botany, Berhampore Girls’ College, Berhampore, Murshidabad, IN
3 Department of Zoology, Rammohan College, Kolkata-9, IN

Abstract

Field gene banks provide an easy and ready access to the plant genetic resources, for characterization, evaluation or utilization. Murshidabad and Malda districts of West Bengal are famous for their traditional mango varieties. More than 200 mango varieties were recorded during the time of the royals of Murshidabad and Malda districts. The cuttings of 25 mango varieties viz., Bara Sahi, Begam Fuli, Bel kusum, Bimli, Biswanath, Bombai, Champa, Chousa, Churmur, Dobani, Do Phala, Golap Bhog, Golap Khas, Himsagar, Kishen Bhog, Lakhna, Langra, Mallika, Molam Jam, Motichur, Rani Pasand, Sadullah, Sahi, Saranga, Surma Fazli. were transferred to a small plot of land of about 600 sq. yards, later fenced off and named as ‘Amrakunja’ in the Golden Jubilee Complex campus, Gurudas College, for conservation and propagation in July, 2016, with the verbal assurance of the then Teacher in Charge (Fig. 1). It has been found that within a span of 2 years all the 25 varieties survived and thrived (Fig. 2). This field gene bank of mango plants is decided to be maintained by members of Vasudha, the Nature Club of Gurudas College, Kolkata.

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