eChapters

Introduction

Electronic resources represent an increasingly important component of the library collection building. “Electronic resources” refer to those materials that require computer access, whether through a personal computer, mainframe, or handheld mobile device. They may either be accessed remotely via the Internet or locally. Some of the most frequently encountered types are:

Introduction

The library and information centre is an important component of any educational institution. It is a hub of specific information where the end users can explore the vast resources of information. In the era of old age libraries users had to spend more time for searching a small piece of information and for that had to depend on library professionals. But now we are living in the age of information and communication technology, computers are being used for day-to-day work of library which saves the time of users and avoid the redundancy work of library staff.

Introduction

The innovative use of web technologies enables us to reach both local and distant users much more easily and effectively. Technologies such as email and Web provide tremendous opportunities for library & Information Scientists to deliver the information to the desktops of users. Web offers significant advantage by integrating different library & information services with a common user interface offered by Web browsers.

Introduction

The Web-enabled infrastructures, practices and strategies are creating confusions disruptions for virtually every institution and enterprise. The responses to these disruptions are progressively leading to new practices, business models, and strategies in a variety of domains posing challenges to the profession of librarianship. The acquisition, assimilation, and sharing of knowledge is one such sphere that is really experiencing a revolution.

Introduction

Cloud computing is now evolving like never before, with all types of establishments irrespective of shapes and sizes adapting to this new technology. The experts believe that this trend will continue to grow and develop even further in the coming years. While cloud computing is undoubtedly beneficial for mid-size to large establishments, it is not without its downsides, especially for smaller establishment.

Introduction

The libraries of 2020 become multi-media centres of information resources, leaving behind their dull and drab image of repositories of old dusty books materials like micro-films, audio and video cassettes. Various electronic products for use both off line and on line representing the special type of materials need special equipments of different makes for their effective use.

Introduction

Modern libraries have evolved from paper-based storehouse of books and journals into network of digitized information and knowledge, now known as digital libraries. Libraries these days have consortia, and use electronic resources and databases so that they can provide better services to the users. Librarianship has shifted from use of printed and manually operated system to world wide access to information. Modern academic library is a conglomeration of printed books and journals as well as electronic resources where both forms of the documents can be stored, retrieved and delivered as and when required.

Introduction

Libraries are universally recognized as important social institutions for diffusion of knowledge and information. The modern and highly equipped libraries are found in the universities since they are the centers of higher education, training and research. The universities libraries are essential to achieve the objective of university education and research.

Introduction

While tracing the history of veterinary medicine, we come across the Chinese writings about the diseases of horses, oxen and buffalos in the past about 2500 B. C. Similarly we can find about 4000 years old.  Indian art showing the people caring the horses and elephants. Even we can find in the art about ancient Egypt how they cared for their cattle and dogs health. The Ancient Romans had a word for the people that are doctors for animals, which is, veterinarius. In about A.D. 500 a Roman wrote a book on what veterinarians do.  In 1598, Carlo Ruini, an Italian author wrote a book named as, “Anatomy of the Horse”.

Abstract

The paper presents the innovation of solar tunnel dryer; it is a walk in type semi-cylindrical poly house framed structure with UV-stabilized polythene sheet, where products on large scale could be dried under controlled environment. Chilly drying in solar tunnel dryer to reduce the moisture content from 83.4 % (w.b.) to about 9 % (w.b.) and Aonla pulp from moisture content of 81 %(w.b.) to safe moisture content 9.5 %(w.b.) successfully dried. 20-30^ºC of higher temperature was obtained in solar tunnel dryer over the ambient temperature, depends on product. In comparison to open sun drying to obtain the same level of moisture contents resulting in a net saving in drying time of 40-50% for solar tunnel dryer over open sun drying.

Abstract

Kachchh with 45,652 sq. km. geographical area is the biggest district of Gujarat. The monsoon is very erratic and the frequent occurrence of drought or scarcity of rainfall is very common feature in this region. The soils as well as water are saline at most of the places and the irrigation is mainly through underground water. The agriculture under these conditions is becoming increasingly vulnerable. Hence a study was conducted to assess the economic viability of crops having access to assured irrigation facility in Kachchh district of arid Gujarat in 2009. A total of 60 farmers were randomly selected for detailed data collection from five selected villages in three talukas namely Bhuj, Anjar and Mundra. The study revealed that cultivation of cereal crops like pearl millet and wheat was mainly to meet out family needs while cultivation of crops like cotton, castor, groundnut, mustard and coriander was solely for market purpose and intention is to maximize the returns per unit of investment.

Abstract

India’s livestock sector is one of the largest in the world. It has 56.7% of world’s buffaloes, 12.5% cattle, 20.4% small ruminants, 2.4% camel, 1.4 % equine, 1.5% pigs and 3.1% poultry. Dairy Entrepreneurship can be one of the important subsidiary occupations for farmers in rural areas. Since agriculture happens to be mostly seasonal in nature, thereby providing employment opportunities for the people on seasonal basis, there is a possibility of finding employment for many persons throughout the year through dairy farming. The farm income can be enhanced through this subsidiary activity.

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur to assess the effect of weed management practices on production, resource use efficiency and monetary benefit in cumin. The experimental field was predominantly infested with weed species such as Chenopodium murale, C. album, Asphodelus tenuifolius and Heliotropium oralifolium.

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Mechanized Commercial Farm, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh (Gujarat) during the Kharif-Rabi seasons of 2006, 2007 and 2008 to study the effect of tillage practices on yield of rainfed castor (Ricinus communis). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with four replications. The six treatments comprised viz., T_1- Conventional tillage (Cultivator + blade harrowing), T_2-Ploughing followed by cultivator and blade harrowing, T_3-Tillage through rotavator, T_4-Furrow opening through sub-soiling, T_5-Furrow opening through V-notch cultivator and T_6-Zero tillage (pre and post emergence herbicides + 2 hand weeding). Among the different treatments, the different growth and yield attributing parameters viz., plant height, number of spikes per plant, length of main spike, number of capsules per spike and test weight, seed and stalk yields, higher gross and net returns were recorded when field was prepared by ploughing followed by cultivator and blade harrowing. It also improved soil moisture content which was closely followed by tillage through rotavator (T₃) and furrow opening through sub-soiling (T₄).

Abstract
 
Pop sorghum, apart from popping qualities has also shown the potential fodder yielding abilities. A field experiment was conducted at University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka during kharif 2001 under rainfed situation.

Abstract

The experiment, conducted at research farm of Central Arid Zone Research Station, Bikaner during 2009 on sandy loam soil. The study revealed that in agri-horti system different irrigation levels significantly affected the growth parameters (plant height, stem girth and tree canopy) of fruit trees which was highest at 80% ETc irrigation level in intercropping of moth bean and cluster bean and it was significantly higher over no intercropping. Intercropping of sonamukhi gave 24.8% lower plant height of citrus over no intercropping. Highest fruit yield of citrus was recorded (40% fruiting) with intercropping of moth bean at 80% ETc irrigation level which was 51% higher over intercropping of sonamukhi.

Abstract

Moisture stress is a wide spread problem seriously influencing sesame production, especially in arid regions. The present study was carried out in order to evaluate response of sesame cultivars to moisture stress and determine the best measures to increase and improve the yield of cultivars in stress condition.

Abstract

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), one of the oldest oil seed crops of the world is mostly grown by small and marginal farmers of arid and semi-arid regions of India. The productivity of sesame in major sesame growing states ranges from74 kg ha^-1 in Rajasthan to 291 kg ha^-1 in Gujarat, and is far below from national average (368 kg ha^-1). Low yield in farmer’s fields often results because of low level of inputs and frequent soil moisture deficit. Under these circumstances, problems of low yield in resource poor farmer’s field remain a major challenge. The present study aimed at identifying the high yielding sesame cultivars and the potential breeding resources for low input agriculture in arid ecosystems.

Abstract

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is known as the king of oil seeds in India due to the high oil content (50-54%) of its seed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate morphology of sesame under high temperature stress. Seventeen released varieties of sesame (Sesame indicum L.) were studied during kharif 2009 under rainfed conditions. Analysis of variance on ten quantitative and qualitative traits was carried out. The mean, range, phenotypic and genotypic variation, heritability in broad sense and genetic advance were calculated.

1. Introduction

Arid lands, the “dry domains”, cover ~ 32 % of the continental surface of the world. This geographical region is defined by low precipitation and usually highly variable rainfall patterns (Heathcote, 1983; Groombridge, 1992; Watson et al., 1995). These lands are extremely diverse with respect to landforms, soils, fauna, flora, water balance, human activities and the binding element of all arid lands.