eChapters

English name : Black pepper
Botanical name : Piper nigrum L.
Family : Piperaceae
Chromosome number : 2n = 52
Centre of origin : Western Ghats, India
Black of the commerce is the dried mature fruit of the perennial climbing vine of Piper nigrum L. It is one of the oldest and most significant spices in the world. Black pepper refers to the whole dried fruit, which is still unripe, while white pepper is made from the fruit after the mesocarp has been removed. Among all spice crops, pepper holds the highest share in foreign exchange, earning it the title of the “King of Spices.” An analysis of various types of black pepper from Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Assam revealed the following ranges of values: moisture content (8.7-14.1%), total nitrogen (1.55-2.60%), nitrogen in non-volatile ether extract (2.70-4.22%), volatile ether extract (3.0-4.2%), non-volatile ether extract (3.9-11.5%), alcohol extract (4.4-12.0%), starch (28-49%), crude fibre (8.7- 18.0%), crude piperine (2.8-9%), piperine (spectrophotometrically) (1.7- 7.4%), total ash (3.9-5.7%), and acid-insoluble ash (0.03-0.55%). Starch is the principal constituent of pepper, making up 34.8% of black pepper, 56.5% of white pepper, and 63.2% of decorticated white pepper. Pepper starch consists of small, polygonal granules similar to rice but much smaller. The alkaloid piperine (melting point: 29-30°C) is the primary compound responsible for black pepper’s characteristic biting taste. Other pungent alkaloids present in smaller quantities include chavicine, piperidine, and piperetine. 

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Black pepper popularly known as ‘King of spices’ or ‘Black gold’ is one of the important and earliest known spices produced and exported from India. Its original home is the dense evergreen forests of Western Ghats in south India. The flavour and fragrance of this oriental spice had a magic spell in human civilization and culture since very ancient days. Expeditions in search of pepper led to the discovery of new trade routes.

Synonyms : Black leg, quarter ill
This is an acute infectious but non contagious disease of cattle, goat, sheep, swine and deer  caused by Cl. chauvoei characterized by development of focal gangrenous and emphysematous myositis. This gives rise to crepitation and serosanguinous swelling in heavy muscles especially in gluteal muscles and associated with severe toxaemia and high mortality.

Some species of turmeric have been documented from China, Australia, and the South Pacific, despite the fact that turmeric has been farmed all throughout the tropics. Turmeric along with the 110 species is found growing in Tropical Asia, with India, Myanmar, and Thailand having the most diversity. Black turmeric (Curcuma caesia), along with Curcuma aromatica, Curcuma amada, Curcuma aeruginosa, Curcuma longa, and Curcuma zanthorrizha, is one of the economically important species native to India. Curcuma caesia (black turmeric/ black zedoary) is a critically endangered perennial herb in the Zingiberaceae family native to India. Traditional healers employ the Curcuma genus to treat a variety of diseases in ethno medical traditions, but Curcuma caesia Roxb. is a relatively unknown and unexplored medication. In the Indian subcontinent, black turmeric is frequently used as a spice, food preservative, and colouring ingredient. Black turmeric is the most recent spice to be chemically studied, with a few papers describing 100 or more secondary metabolites from this plant, and it will continue to be a source of new bioactive chemicals.

Distribution

Black turmeric is a native of Northeastern and Central India, where it has long been used in traditional rituals and medicinal treatments. Within an altitudinal range of 200–1000 m, the species is found in moist deciduous woods, primarily in Bengal, North East, and Central India. It develops as a woodland ground cover in subtropical to temperate climates.

I. FILL UPS

1. Blackgram is commonly known as _____.
2. Adopted spacing for blackgram is _____.
3. Seed rate for blackgram is _____.
4. Moisture content must be reduced to _____ for short term storage of blackgram seeds
5. Isolation distance for blackgram seed crop is _____.

Bleaching is essentially whitening or decolourizing. It is an important step in the processing of dry plants. It involves chemical processes that can change the ability of colour bodies to absorb light by changing their degree of saturation (Robson, 1967). This chemical action removes the discolouration occurring during the dehydration phase of preservation of plants. It allows the effective use of dyes for colouring. Bleaching agent is a material that lightens or whitens a substrate through chemical action. To reduce the processing costs, multistage bleaching is suggested. In this method, both oxidative and reductive bleaching chemicals are used.

Key Points

• Sudden severe bleeding or hemorrhage can cause hemorrhagic shock and death.

• Chronic and or occult bleeding or hemorrhage can cause anemia and even death.

• Common causes of bleeding include trauma, surgical incisions, extreme temperatures, vitamin K deficiency, medicines, and toxins.

Introduction

Bleeding is the extravasation (arterial, venous, or capillary) of blood caused by trauma or a surgical incision.

Introduction

Education as a process of development deals with three majors teaching, training and instruction. Its objective being to help students to achieve their highest potential and individual development which they are capable. Education needs to be tailored meaning to ensure that the information is relevant. Attitude, Knowledge and Skill “each one of them, with its inner components, prepares students to acquire and obtain different characters as means to produce a professional” Yang et al. (2015). Education is a field which is continuously growing from since long and is still growing through a phase of continuous change. To this fast changing world of higher education we need to adapt and adopt the changing environment to meet the circumstances posed by ICT. The educationists and students in particular have witnessed a tremendous change due to the changes brought in by ICT. ICT is what regarded as the efficient management of information, fostering the development of 21st century. The learner in today’s world is so much driven by technology that only traditional method of teaching does not bring satisfaction. Today, ICT is nothing but a blend of both which is yielding and having a good impact on the education scenario. ICT applications are undoubtedly improving the education system in all aspects. Escueta et al. (2017) the educational landscape has been indelibly altered over the past two decades by technological innovation.

The concept of gender, distinct from biological sex, serves as a lens through which societies organize individuals and define roles, expectations, and relationships. Gender is not merely a matter of identity but an intersectional construct shaped by cultural, social, economic, and political influences. It reflects how different societies understand and express masculinity, femininity, and other gender identities, often dictating the power dynamics, opportunities, and constraints placed on individuals.

The understanding of gender has evolved significantly over time. Initially, it was viewed as a binary construct aligned strictly with biological sex; however, modern perspectives recognize gender as a fluid and dynamic concept, shaped by individual experiences, social interactions, and institutional norms. This evolution has brought about greater recognition of diverse gender identities, challenging traditional binaries and expanding the conversation to include non-binary, transgender, and gender non-conforming identities.

At the heart of gender are the societal structures that enforce roles and expectations. These structures differ across cultures and historical periods but commonly emphasize the division of labor, power, and resources between men and women. Gender not only influences individual identity but also informs how societies function, shaping everything from economic participation to political representation.

1.1 Introduction

Gender permeates every facet of society, influencing power dynamics, access to resources, and opportunities. Understanding gender requires not only defining its conceptual framework but also acknowledging how these concepts manifest in everyday life, often creating deep divisions. Gender divides whether in education, employment, health, or political participation are enduring realities that reflect the unequal distribution of opportunities and rights between men and women, as well as between those who identify beyond the binary. These divides are more than social phenomena; they have concrete economic, political, and developmental impacts. Recognizing the persistent gaps in access and outcomes between genders has led to the development of gender-sensitive policies, such as gender budgeting. Gender budgeting is a critical tool for addressing these divides by ensuring that public resources are allocated equitably to benefit all genders. By focusing on the differential impacts of policies and budgets on women, men, and gender minorities, governments and organizations can work toward creating more inclusive and fair societies.

This chapter will introduce key gender-related concepts that form the foundation for understanding how gender influences social, economic, and political life. It will explore the roots and ramifications of gender divides across various sectors and explain how gender budgeting is employed as a strategic approach to reduce these disparities. Through this exploration, we will highlight the importance of integrating gender perspectives into policy and resource distribution to foster equity and social justice.

1.1 Introduction

Gender mainstreaming, a concept that emerged from international frameworks and global development agendas, is a strategy aimed at achieving gender equality by integrating gender perspectivesinto allstages of policy-making and organizational practices. Originating from the recommendations of the 1985 Third World Conference on Women in Nairobi and formally endorsed at the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, gender mainstreaming has evolved into a fundamental approach within international development efforts. It was adopted as a methodology by ECOSOC in 1997, marking a significant commitment across the United Nations system to advance gender equality goals comprehensively.

In essence, gender mainstreaming is not merely about inclusivity; it represents a proactive stance towards challenging and reshaping societal structures and ideologies that perpetuate gender disparities.

1.1 Introduction

The state of Uttarakhand was formed in November 2000. At the state level, it is the Department of Women’s Empowerment and Child Development that has overall responsibility for formulating and implementing schemes relating to Women’s Empowerment. As the nodal agency, the responsibility for preparing the Women’s Policy was given by the Government of Uttarakhand to Department of Women’s Empowerment and Child Development. Presently the Government of Uttarakhand is running various schemes/programmes through the different departments of the Government to bring about women’s development and their empowerment. For lack of an overarching policy that would have provided a common understanding and a unified vision, each department has defined and operationalized empowerment through its own prism and from its own perspective and understanding. In the case of some departments, the stated goal is not to bring about women’s empowerment, but rather, the emphasis is on bringing about their overall efficiency and economic development.

Abstract
The advent of blockchain technology is instigating a transformative shift across various industries, with the Indian agricultural sector being no exception to this phenomenon. This chapter examines the function of
blockchain technology within the realms of agricultural branding and market intelligence in India, elucidating its contributions to the enhancement of transparency, traceability, and trust throughout agricultural value chains. The implementation of an immutable ledger for transactions and supply chain data through blockchain technology enhances branding strategies while facilitating data-driven decision-making within the agricultural markets of India. This chapter further examines the practical implementations, obstacles, and prospective trajectories concerning the adoption of blockchain technology within the agricultural sector of India.

The advent of blockchain technology is instigating a transformative shift across various industries, with the Indian agricultural sector being no exception to this phenomenon. This chapter examines the function of blockchain technology within the realms of agricultural branding and market intelligence in India, elucidating its contributions to the enhancement of transparency, traceability, and trust throughout agricultural value chains. The implementation of an immutable ledger for transactions and supply chain data through blockchain technology enhances branding strategies while facilitating data-driven decision-making within the agricultural markets of India. This chapter further examines the practical implementations, obstacles, and prospective trajectories concerning the adoption of blockchain technology within the agricultural sector of India.

With the invention of bitcoin in 2008, the world was exposed to a new technology paradigm called blockchain. Blockchain was conceptualized by an unknown person named as Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008. The identity of Satoshi Nakamoto is still not known. Nakamoto proposed the design of blockchain which uses digital signature and timestamps to enable secure and trusted online transaction without the need of any trusted regulatory or third party.

HAEMOPROTEUS

Host

Infection with Haemoproteus species is host specific.

H. meleagridis – domestic poultry and pet birds

H. olumbae in pigeons

H. nettionis in waterfowl.

With few species-specific differences in analyte ranges, clinical chemistry instruments originally developed for human and veterinary use are readily adapted for use in fish specimens. However, the development of hematological methods for fish continues to face challenges similar to those encountered during the early applications of complete blood count (CBC) techniques in birds and reptiles. Like their non-mammalian terrestrial counterparts, fish possess nucleated erythrocytes, and several leukocytes—such as thrombocytes, monocytes, lymphocytes, and basophils—exhibit similar morphology when stained with Romanowsky-type stains.
Blood collection and hematological testing are essential techniques in fish pathogen detection and overall health monitoring within India’s aquaculture systems. These approaches help assess physiological responses to infectious agents, environmental stress, and farming practices. Given the wide variety of cultured species—from carps in West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh to catfish in Tamil Nadu and ornamental fish in Kerala—blood-based diagnostics serve as a non-lethal, rapid, and informative method for health evaluation.
Blood is commonly drawn from the caudal vein or heart using sterile syringes, with or without anticoagulants such as EDTA, depending on the intended analysis. In field conditions, particularly in rural hatcheries and pond systems, affordable options like glass capillaries or insulin syringes are frequently employed. For small-sized species such as Danio or ornamental fish, heparinized capillary tubes are used to reduce clotting during blood collection. Fish are typically anaesthetized using clove oil or MS-222—both widely accessible in Indian laboratories—to minimize stress during handling.

Background
Blood collection from cows and other animals is a routine procedure often performed for diagnostic, research, or health-monitoring purposes. Diagnostic testing, such as hematology, biochemistry, hormone assay, infectious disease testing, and animal pregnancy diagnosis, can be done using blood. Blood samples are required for genetic testing (DNA fingerprinting or parentage determination), pharmacokinetic studies, and immunological studies. Another use of blood collection is monitoring animal health.
It is essential to consider that proper techniques of blood sample collection should be followed. Avoid introducing infection to the animal during blood collection. Remember the animal welfare to minimize distress and discomfort to the animal during blood collection.
Materials Required
• Sterile syringe or vacutainer (usually 16-18 G needle)
• Blood collection tubes (BD Science K2 EDTA Vacutainer(R) PLUS 6 mL) for whole blood, serum tubes for serum collection, or other specific tubes depending on the test (Figure 1).
• Antiseptic solution (e.g., alcohol or iodine)
• Restraint (head gate or halter)
• Gloves

Amounts up to 5 ml of blood can be safely drawn from the auricular marginal vein, using a 23- to 25-gauge needle (or) a 23-gauge butterfly attached to a syringe or tube. The jugular vein should be avoided for blood collection if the rabbit suffers from a respiratory problem or shows respiratory distress. It may become cyanotic during the procedure. Alternate sites for blood collection are the cephalic and the lateral saphenous veins. (Their locations are the same as in dogs and cats. These veins are fragile, and a hematoma is easily formed).

Accurately in the clinical diagnosis of a disease in experimental animals frequently depends on the result of laboratory examination of blood specimen from the diseased animals. A prerequisite for good experiment result is the proper collection and handling of the blood samples. If properly collected samples can not be sent to the laboratory quickly. It must be preserved or stored in such a manner that the necessary tests may be conducted. The technician/researchers

Going to collect the blood from a laboratory animal should be aware of the purpose of blood collection, the sites of blood collection, the technique of blood collection, the Use of various anti coagulants, the techniques of blood examination.

Blood Examination of Animal may be Necessary