The peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata, is among the most serious and polyphagous insect pest of fruit crops in many parts of the world under genus Bactrocera. In the present study, the genetic structure, diversity and demographic history of B. zonata in India were inferred from mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase 1 (nad1) sequences. The efficiency of DNA barcodes for identification of B. zonata was also tested. Genetic diversity indices [number of haplotypes (H), haplotype diversity (Hd), nucleotide diversity (π) and average number of nucleotide differences (k)] of B. zonata populations across India maintain high level of genetic diversity without isolation by distance among the geographic regions. Non-significant negative correlation between pairwise Fst and geographic distance suggests a high level of gene flow among studied populations of B. zonata. The possibility of sudden expansion of B. zonata revealed through mismatch distribution analysis as well as negative Tajima’s D and Fu’s Fs values further supported by star-like network of haplotypes. DNA barcoding analysis suggests that B. zonata specimens can be clearly differentiated from other species with 100% accuracy of identification. Therefore, cytochrome oxidase 1 (cox1) barcode sequences generated in the present study could be a valuable source for the rapid identification and global population genetic study of B. zonata.

This article reports research from 2013 to 2016 with tribal smallholders, which evaluated technological interventions, aimed to diversify and intensify cropping systems and improve the climate resilience of the farming systems using modelling and participatory evaluation process. The options on providing access to irrigation water, strategic use of irrigation, and better crop husbandry practices were evaluated for their potential to impart climate resilience in farming systems. Irrigation trials revealed that, in the event of delayed rainfall, irrigation of 229-267 mm ensured timely transplanting and resulted in higher paddy yields (7.0 t ha⁻¹). Supplemental irrigation during a mid-season dry spell increased paddy yield to from 0.64 to 6.1 t ha⁻¹. Better vegetable cultivation practices viz. drip irrigation, polythene mulch, nursery raising in seedling trays and raised bed cultivation exhibited great potential to build climate resilience in the farming systems of the region. The study highlights the need for investments in small water harvesting structures and the promotion of alternative ways of cultivating and irrigating paddy during different climatic situations. The study suggests effective ways of engaging communities coupled with appropriate technological interventions to understand climate change and adaptation needs of the rice-fallow ecosystems in eastern India.

The complete mitogenome of Idioscopus nitidulus (Cicadellidae) was sequenced. It comprises 15,287 base pairs (bp), including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and a control region. The phylogenetic analyses based on concatenated thirteen protein-coding genes of mitogenomes recover the monophyly of Auchenorrhyncha (Fulgoromorpha + Cicadomorpha) and Sternorrhyncha as a sister group to Auchenorrhyncha. The complete mitogenome sequence of Idioscopus nitidulusis available in the GenBank with accession number: KR024406.