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In this study,the water samples were collected from 31 sites of Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, India (North-Eastern Himalaya), during the winter season to check the suitability of water for drinking and irrigation purposes.The study scientifically demonstrates the estimation of Water quality index (WQI) andhydrogeochemical characteristics of surface water samples by utilizing multivariate statistical methods. The main water quality parameters considered for this study were TDS, conductivity, salinity, pH, hardness, cations and anions. WQI was calculated in order to find out the deviation in the water quality parameters particularly with respect to BIS permissible limits.The major influencing factors responsible for the variation in these parameters were derived by using Principal component analysis (PCA) and Correlation matrix.To check the suitability of water for drinking purpose, hydrogeochemical facies and rock water interaction was derived by using well established methods such as Piper Plot (determine water type), WQI (Quality monitoring), and saturation index (for mineral dissolution). The results revealed that the silicate weathering was the main ionic source in comparison to carbonate weathering which is due to the higher dissolution capacity of silicate minerals.The results of the scattered plot between (Ca2+ + Mg2+)–(HCO3ˉ + SO42ˉ) versus (Na+ + K+)–Clˉ (meq/L) highlighted thation exchange occurs between Mg2+ and Ca2+ofsurface water with Na+ and K+of rock /soil. This means that calcium ion was getting adsorbed, and sodium ion was getting released. The Ca2+–Mg2+–HCO3ˉ, Na+–HCO3ˉand Na+–Clˉ type of surface water suggested permanent and temporary hardness respectively in the studied region. The dominant cations of this study were Na+ and Ca2+ while the dominant anions were HCO3ˉ and SO42ˉ. In order to check the suitability of water sources for irrigation, parameters like, Magnesium hazard (MH), Total hardness (TH), Permeability Index (PI), Kelly Index (KI), Sodium adsorption rate (SAR), Sodium percentage (Na%), and Residual sodium carbonate (RSC) were determined. The results showed that 93% of the samples had PI score < 75, which indicates the suitability of the water for irrigation. Also the WQI calculation showed an average WQI value of 82.49, amongst which 61% samples were in the range of 0–50 being considered as good for drinking, while 39% were catageorised as unsuitable for drinking showing a value of > 50. Hence the above findings reveal that geogenic activities play a major role in influencing the water quality of Tawang region. Hence suitable water treatment technologies or methods might be used to eliminate thenon desirable elements and minerals present in surface water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The whitefly genus Tuberaleyrodes Takahashi is reported for the first time from India with description of a new species, Tuberaleyrodes monpa sp. nov. The new species was found infesting leaves of Macaranga peltata (Roxburgh) Muller (Euphorbiaceae) in the State of Arunachal Pradesh in North-East India. Euphorbiaceae is a new host family record for Tuberaleyrodes species. The new species differs from its Malaysian congener Tuberaleyrodes aequalis Dubey et Martin in having fewer submarginal setae, prominent thoracic tracheal pores, large median tubercles on abdominal segments I-VII and in the shape of vasiform orifice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new whitefly species, Dialeurodes sagoensis Dubey found on Zanthoxylum armatum in the Sago forests of the state of Arunachal Pradesh, northeastern India, is described and illustrated. The pattern of wax secretion in puparia, and intraspecific variation in puparial morphology are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemithecium isidiatum from the Eastern Himalayas is described as new to science. It is the first isidiate species in the genus Hemithecium and is otherwise characterized by hyaline muriform ascospores and the presence of salazinic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of their high protein content, legumes are becoming increasingly important as a base for many functional food products. However, the presence of nutrition inhibitors is the biggest barrier to using legumes. In the current study, eleven local accessions of Lablab purpureus (Linn.) Sweet collected from various locations in Arunachal Pradesh – a global biodiversity hotspot – were analysed for the morphological and biochemical characteristics of the pods. The analysis revealed considerable variation among the accessions in each characteristic. The length, width, and pod colour differed significantly. All accessions had a good nutritional composition and the levels of phytic acid – a major nutrient inhibitor – were extremely low (1.8–2.4 mg for every100g of tender pods), compared to its levels in accessions from other parts of India and in many other common leguminous vegetables. The low phytate content translates to enhanced bioavailability of minerals, making the immature pods a potential functional food and a valuable asset in overcoming malnutrition, especially in the developing countries. Besides, these local accessions can also make a valuable contribution in breeding superior cultivars of L. purpureus. Eleven accessions of Lablab purpureus were nutritionally profiled. Fresh pods of lablab are rich in proteins and other nutrients. Phytate content of fresh pods was 10 times less than that reported so far. Fresh pods can be eaten whole or processed to produce a meat analogue. Accessions are a vital addition to the gene pool for breeding lablab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]