eChapters

ABSTRACT

The present work relates to geological and commercial aspects of pyroxene syenite (Green Onyx) occuring in and around Sivamalai of Periyar District in Tamil Nadu. The alkaline complex of Sivamalai comprises syenites-, nepheline syenite and their variants. Pyroxene syenite is possibly the oldest within the syenite complex occurring as minor massifs, elongated linear bodies, -arcuate islands and enclaves within feldspar syenite are observed in the hillocks North East of Sivamalai, namely Chennimalai and its southern extensions. On the commercial point of view, the pyroxene syenite in the study area occupies nearly 30 square -kilometres area and can be categorised as Kalleri Block, Neykkarampalayam Block and Sivamalai Block. The observed petrographic and petrochemical characters of the alkaline rocks of the study area favours magmatic origin for these rocks. A detailed geological study and random market survey of individual syenite bodies proved the true worthiness of the material Green-Onyx as a dimensional stone with substantial resources and market potential.

Abstract

The damages caused by the tsunami surge of 26, December 2004 could not be recuperated. There is no second opinion for the above statement as attested by the consequences of tsunami surge on the coastal landforms, human lives, properties, biological assets, etc., The attempt made to evaluate the damages caused by the tsunami surge along the study area divulges various factors regarding the response of the coastal environment to this weird phenomenon. Kanyakumari district witnessed the tidal inundation of 50 – 450 m, the least along Colachel and the maximum in Kanyakumari and Muttom coasts. Run-up elevations were seen even up to 6 m in Manakudi and Colachel coasts. In major parts, the beaches of the study area had endured lofty erosion of beach sediments. High occurrence of Casualty was reported in the Coasts of Colachel, Kotilpadu, Manakudi and Azhikkal. Similarly, loss of man-made structures were also observed to be high along the Coast of Manakudi, Colachel, Kotilpadu, Azhikkal and Muttom. Costly articles like boats, fishing nets, etc., were also damaged in Kanyakumari, Pallam, Muttom, Kadiapatanam, Kesavanputhenthurai and Colachel. The quality of water has also been found to be affected with high level of pH and TDS in the coasts of Manakudi and Colachel. Such Colossal damages in the area is attributed to its geo-position exactly at the receiving point of the diverted tsunami surge by Sri Lanka. Bathymetry also seems to have played a crucial role in determining the intensity and angle of the seismic wave propagation in the area.

Keywords: Tsunami, India, Damages in Kanyakumari, Evaluation, Map, GIS.

Abstract

Natural resources and agricultural production processes vary spatially. Capturing the spatial variations in data and knowledge of natural resources and production processes has been a major challenge for efficient and sustainable management of agricultural production systems. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) provide an effective platform for storing and mapping spatial data and modeling the relevant processes. Huge volumes of geospatial data on specific themes such as soils, water, climate, and other natural resources, are being collected by public and private agencies. However, currently it is difficult for most users to access the data and integrate them into a GIS platform to derive useful information and knowledge for specific applications. There is a need to create geospatial data and knowledge systems that can provide efficient, on-demand and remote access of spatial data to users to enable development of a variety of GIS applications for agricultural and natural resources management. The design of a prototype geospatial library to provide web-based access to geospatial data, services, and learning and knowledge resources that can support agricultural and natural resources management is presented. The design is scalable and sufficiently general to allow a range of agricultural and natural resources management applications across different spatial scales.

Keywords: Agriculture, GIS, Geospatial library, Knowledge Management, Natural Resources

Natural disasters are extreme events within the earth’s system (lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere or atmosphere) which differs substantially from the mean, resulting in death or injury to humans, and damage or loss of valuable good, such as buildings, communication systems, agricultural land, forest, natural environment. They are a profound impact of the natural environment upon the socio-economic system (Alexander, 1993). This impact may be rapid, as in the case of earthquakes, or slow as in the case of drought. It is important to distinguish between the terms disaster and hazard. A potentially damaging phenomenon (hazard), such as an earthquake by itself is not considered a disaster when it occurs in uninhabited areas. It is called a disaster when it occurs in a populated area, and brings damage, loss or destruction. Natural disasters occur in many parts of the world, although each type of disaster is restricted to certain regions. Natural disasters are events which are caused by purely natural phenomena and bring damage to human societies (such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes). Mitigation of natural disasters can be successful only when detailed knowledge is obtained about the expected frequency, character, and magnitude of hazardous events in an area. Many types of information that are needed in natural disaster management have an important spatial component. Spatial data are data with a geographic component, such as maps, aerial photography, satellite imagery, GPS data, rainfall data, borehole data etc. Many of these data will have a different projection and co-ordinate system, and need to be brought to a common map-basis, in order to superimpose them. We now have access to information gathering and organising technologies like remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS), which have proven their usefulness in disaster management. Remote sensing and GIS provides a data base from which the evidence left behind by disasters that have occurred before can be interpreted, and combined with other information to arrive at hazard maps, indicating which areas are potentially dangerous. The zonation of hazard must be the basis for any disaster management project and should supply planners and decision-makers with adequate and understandable information. Remote sensing data, such as satellite images and aerial photos allow us to map the variabilities of terrain properties, such as vegetation, water, and geology, both in space and time. Satellite images give a synoptic overview and provide very useful environmental information, for a wide range of scales, from entire continents to details of a few metres. Secondly, many types of disasters, such as floods, drought, cyclones, volcanic eruptions, etc. will have certain precursors. The satellites can detect the early stages of these events as anomalies in a time series. Images are available at regular short time intervals, and can be used for the prediction of both rapid and slow disasters. When a disaster occurs, the speed of information collection from air and space borne platforms and the possibility of information dissemination with a matching swiftness make it possible to monitor the occurrence of the disaster. Many disasters may affect large areas and no other tool than remote sensing would provide a matching spatial coverage. Remote sensing also allows monitoring the event during the time of occurrence while the forces are in full swing. The vantage position of satellites makes it ideal for us to think of, plan for and operationally monitor the event. GIS is used as a tool for the planning of evacuation routes, for the design of centres for emergency operations, and for integration of satellite data with other relevant data in the design of disaster warning systems. GIS is extremely useful in combination with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in search and rescue operations in areas that have been devastated and where it is difficult to orientate. The impact and departure of the disaster event leaves behind an area of immense devastation. Remote sensing can assist in damage assessment and aftermath monitoring, providing a quantitative base for relief operations. In the disaster rehabilitation phase GIS is used to organise the damage information and the post-disaster census information, and in the evaluation of sites for reconstruction. Remote sensing is used to map the new situation and update the databases used for the reconstruction of an area, and can help to prevent that such a disaster occurs again. The case studies of extreme weather events - floods due to cyclones, heavy rains and drought were presented hereunder.

The term ‘geo’ is a Greek word, it means the earth, and the term ‘spatial’ means parameter/feature measured, mapped or modeled with reference to distance or space. The geospatial technology refers to the technology that measure, model, analyze, map, or predict the features or phenomena that occur on earth and its surface.

Food security is paramount for developing any nation reliant upon sufficient crop production. The decline in crop production significantly impacts food security, leading to an imbalance between global food demand and agricultural output. Multiple factors contribute to reduced agricultural productivity, including abiotic factors like water scarcity, poor soils, and unsuitable temperatures, as well as biotic factors such as pests, diseases, and weeds attacking crops. These challenges result in inefficient input utilization and decreased crop yields, ultimately threatening food security. Pests, diseases, and weeds profoundly impact plant health, causing substantial losses in crop production. Geospatial technology is employed throughout the agricultural cycle, from initial crop health assessment to forecasting disease outbreaks. Despite the significant challenges global and local agriculture face in achieving optimal outputs and securing food for the world population, the wealth of geospatial data and technological advancements plays a crucial role. They aid decision-makers in formulating strategies to combat various pests and diseases affecting plant health and food crops, thereby contributing to improved agricultural outcomes and food security. This chapter provides a comprehensive appraisal of existing literature to elucidate the role of geospatial technologies, encompassing Geographic Information System (GIS), remote sensing, and the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), which are utilized for data collection, mapping, analyzing distribution, and predicting events related to plant health.

Introduction

High degree of spatial variability in soil properties is observed at different scales. This variability is generally originated from the combined effect of physical, chemical or biological processes operating with different intensities at different scales (Goovaerts 1998). Knowledge of this spatial variationof soil properties is important in several land management applications e.g. variable rate application of nutrient and water in agricultural production system, land suitability classifications, modeling water balance components at landscape scales, precision farming etc. The concept of ‘management zone’ was also evolved in response to this large variability with the main purpose in efficient utilization of agricultural inputs with respect to spatial variation of soils and its properties (Franzluebbers et al. 1996, Atherton et al. 1999, Malhi et al. 2001). Therefore, an appropriate understanding of spatial variation of soil properties is essential. The most important way to gather knowledge in this aspect is to prepare soil maps through spatial interpolation of point-based measurements of soil properties. Here, a case study is discussed where soil water retention at two critical levels e.g. field capacity (FC) and permanent wilting point (PWP) was spatially characterized through geostatistical approaches. Because these two soil moisture contents guide farmers to apply right amount of irrigation water at right time. The study was carried out at the experimental farm of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India (28°37′-28°39′ N, 77°8′ 30″-77°10′30″ E, 217-241 m above mean sea level). A detailed discussion of the study is available in Santra et al. (2008)

Introduction

Soil organic carbon (SOC) content plays a key role in maintaining soil fertility in agricultural farm. At present, there has been great interest to reduce the atmospheric CO₂ level through a chain of increasing vegetation carbon pools first and then to store them as soil carbon pool. To quickly assess the soil carbon restoration programmes, it is important to know how much soil carbon is stored in an agricultural farm through adoption of different land management practices. Average SOC content is considered in most soil carbon pool calculations in spite of its large spatial variation in landscape, and thus leads to inaccurate estimate of SOC stock for an area. Therefore, reliable estimates of SOC pools and their spatial variability are essential to establish the soil carbon sequestration programmes at different landscape scales. Here, a case example of assessing the spatial variation at a typical agricultural farm is discussed. The experimental field was located at Badoda village of Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan covering an area of about 76.12 ha. The farm lies between 265^o2′30″-26°53′30″ N and 71°12′15″-71°13′15″ E (Fig. 24.1) and 20 km away from Jaisalmer city in eastward direction. Elevation of the farm ranged from 232 m to 248 m above mean sea level with an overall slope from south to north. Among total area of the farm, 85.38% area was under cultivation in four main blocks: block A, B, C, and D whereas rest area was under grassland.

Abstract

Any naturally occurring phenomena varies both in space and time. This variability is a result of various natural process and hence deterministic. Geostatistics is a tool to help us to characterize spatial variability and uncertainty resulting from imperfect characterization of the variability. Geostatistics involves the theory of regionalized variables, which dates back to the early fifties and includes concepts of random function and stationarity. Geostatistical mapping can be defined as analytical production of maps by using field observations, explanatory information, and a computer program that calculates values at locations of interest. There area number of spatial prediction models depending on the amount of statisticsinvolved in the analysis. Kriging is a generic name adopted by the geostatisticians for a family of generalized least- squares regression algorithms and various kriging algorithms viz., punctual kriging, block kriging, co-kriging and universal kriging are explained in this paper. Applications of geostatistics can be found in many varied disciplines ranging from the geology to soil science, hydrology, meteorology, environmental sciences, agriculture and even structural engineering and some of its applications are summarized in this paper.

Keywords :Geostatistics, spatial variability, kriging, model

It is a non-accelerated frictionless horizontal motion where pressure gradient balances coriolis acceleration as shown in Fig.4.1 in both the hemispheres.

Abstract

The recent disastrous tsunami of December 26, 2004 has not only alarmed the administrative and the planning machinery to have tsunami mitigation strategies for India. But also signalled the geoscientists to have a deeper look on the phenomenon of tsunami and the vulnerabilities of the Indian coasts. In this context, the authors have conducted a study primarily to evaluate the responses of the coastal Geosystems to the tsunami inundation, as it is a very vital component in f raming strategies for mitigating the effect of tsunami. The study has revealed that the central coastal parts of Tamil Nadu, namely Cuddalore – Nagapattinam districts, which were worst affected by the recent tsunami, expose a combination of landforms of tectonic, fluvial, fluvio – marine and marine processes. These different landforms have responded differently to the recent tsunami viz: as facilitators, carriers, accommodators, absorbers, barriers etc. on the basis of the same, different eco – friendly, cost effective and result oriented methods are suggested to mitigate the effects of tsunamis.

Introduction

Tsunami is an unfamiliar term and also a scantily referred term in the dictionaries in India till December 26, 2004. Even the students of geosciences were all along been taught about the origin and impact of tsunamis by citing examples from the Pacific Ocean. But the term tsunami has now become a widely known and a commonly deliberated phenomenon in India amongst various cross sections of the society irrespective of age and literacy. However, the historical tsunami data (USGS & GSI websites)

13.1 Introduction

Geothermal energy is the nature-based heat generated from within the earth. Underneath the earth’s relatively thin crust, temperature range from 1000 to 4000°C & in some areas, pressures exceed 138 MPa is available. Geothermal energy is most likely generated from radioactive thorium, potassium and uranium dispersed evenly throughout the earth’s interior which produce heat as part of the decaying process. This process generates enough heating, keep the core of the earth at temperature approaching 400°C. Composed primarily of molten nickel & iron, the core is thought to be surrounded by a layer of molten rock, the mantle at approximately 100°C. Nine major crustal plates float on the mantle & currents in the mantle cause the plates to drift, colliding in some areas and diverting in others. When two continental plates converge a complex series of chemicals in the form of molten magna rises in the earth’s crust and depending upon its magnitude, it may break the crust and reach at the earth surface. Volcano, hot spring, geysers & fumaroles are natural geothermal resources near the surface and perhaps where economic drilling operations can tap their heat and pressure.

Geraniaceae is a family of about 7 genera and 830 species which are
cosmopolitan in distribution and found widely in temperate and tropical regions.
Only 3 genera and about 25 species have been reported from India, mainly
from Himalayas. Some of the larger genera along with their approximately
reported species in parenthesis include Geranium (430), Pelargonium (280),
Erodium (80) and Monsonia (25). Well-known ‘geranium oil’ is distilled from
Pelargonium odoratissinum.
Pelargonium (syn. Geraniums, Stork bills) is an extremely popular garden
plant and has considerable economic importance in the market of ornamental
plants. Its genotypes and hybrids are grown in temperate regions. Its value as a
potential essential oil yielding crop is also mentioned. Geranium oil is widely
used in perfumery, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food industries. Oil has
anti-microbial, and pesticidal activities. The genus Pelargonium comprises
more than 280 species in 13 sections of which 33 have been originated in
southern parts of South Africa (Van der Walt and Vorster, 1988). It has been
reported that nearly 80 per cent diversity of Pelargoniums is centered in Cape
Province if African continent (South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique).
Pelargoniums are popular seed and vegetatively propagated bedding and
pot plants with numerous phenotypes (Fish type, Ivy leaved, Regal, Angels,
Fancy leaves, Scented, Oak leaf) and cultivars (Double/ Bar/ Centre/ Ring/
Vein/ Picotee pattern/ Tulip/ Carnation/ Phlox/ Birds egg flowered) available
on the world market. True geranium is a bushy, aromatic plant. The stem is
cylindrical, woody at the base, pubescent, green when young and turning
brown with age. The leaves are highly aromatic in nature. Flowers are regular
and devoid of spur like appendages.

Introduction
Geranium is also known as cranesbill, scented geranium/rose geranium. It is adaptable over a wide range of soil conditions and drought tolerant. Being perennial aromatic herb, it is cultivated for rose scented essential oil extracted from leaves and tender shoots. The oil thus obtained is also called pelargonium oil or rose-geranium oil. The oil is of varied colour from colourless to pale yellowbrown or greenish. The genus Pelargonium belongs to the family Geraniaceae.
Origin
Geranium is native to sub-tropical southern Africa, and the most popular of bedding and green-house plants. The genus Pelargonium consists of about 600 species, which are annual, biennial, and perennials found in Cape province of South Africa.
Botany
The cultivated geraniums may belong to herbaceous to woody with thick fleshy leaves of round to lobed shape and deep cut. The flowers are present in terminal clusters with varying colours from white to pink, deep red and violet. Cultivated species are hybrids, having double flowers of mixed colours.

.1. Origin and distribution

• Native of the Cape Province in South Africa.

• Grown in India, South Africa, Belgium, China, Congo, Egypt, France, Madagascar, Morocco, Reunion Islands, Spain, former USSR countries.

• Commercially cultivated mainly in Nilgiris and Kodaikanal hills of Tamil Nadu, and in and around Bangalore in Karnataka.

5.2. Economic importance

• Very profound and strong rose like odour.

• Also known as rose geranium.

• Chief constituent of oil - geraniol and citronellol.

Geranium (Pelargonium spp.) belongs to the family Geraniaceae. The name Pelargonium was introduced by Johannes Burman a Dutch Botanist in 1738, from the Greek word “Pelargos” means stork because the seed head looks like a stork’s beak.  Due to their long and beak-shaped fruits, they are also known by the name of cranesbills. Geraniums are popular flowering plants and grown as decorative pot plants for indoor and outdoor. There is a world demand for the rose geranium essential oil of Pelargonium species which contains geraniol, linalool and citronellol, substitutes for the expensive attar of roses in the perfume trade. Pelargonium species was known for their medicinal value by the earliest indigenous people (Swanepoel, 2009).

Geranium (Pelargonium spp.) belongs to the family Geraniaceae. The name Pelargonium was introduced by Johannes Burman a Dutch Botanist in 1738, from the Greek word “Pelargos” means stork because the seed head looks like a stork’s beak. Due to their long and beak-shaped fruits, they are also known by the name of cranesbills. Geraniums are popular flowering plants and grown as decorative pot plants for indoor and outdoor. There is a world demand for the rose geranium essential oil of Pelargonium species which contains geraniol, linalool and citronellol, substitutes for the expensive attar of roses in the perfume trade. Pelargonium species was known for their medicinal value by the earliest indigenous people (Swanepoel, 2009).

ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION

The plants originated from South Africa (Swanepoel, 2009), as well as Reunion, Madagascar, Egypt and Morocco and were introduced to European countries such as Italy, Spain and France in the 17^th century. Geranium includes around 422 species of flowering annual, biennial and perennial plants. Both Geranium and Pelargonium are genera in the Family Geraniaceae. Linnaeus originally included all the species in one genus. Geranium, but they were later separated into two genera by Charles L’ Heritier in 1789. Although members of the Pelargonium genus are often referred to as ‘Pelargoniums’ to try to avoid confusion, many people still use the older common name of ‘Geranium’.

Most of the Pelargonium plants cultivated in Europe and North America have their origins in South Africa. Geranium robertianum is found throughout Europe, Asia and North Africa where it grows on a variety of soils, rocks, tree trunks and decaying organic matter such as logs. It is a component of virtually all forest types there. In the Pacific Northwest it is primarily found west of the Cascade crest although it extends along the Columbia River in Klickitat County. Ecological structure of Geranium robertianum L. populations under natural conditions and in the garden in Poland. Geranium farreri found in China, in south Gansu and north-west Sichuan.

Abstract: Pelargonium (syn. Geranium), has become mainstay in temperate landscapes because of its ease of production and cultivation, long lasting bloom, range of plant habits and diversity of uses (perfumery, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries). Confusion exists about nomenclature and taxonomic revision has attempted. Pelargoniums are popular seed and vegetatively propagated bedding and pot plants with numerous phenotypes (Fish type, Ivy leaved, Regal, Angels, Fancy leaves, Scented, Oak leaf) and cultivars (Double/ Bar/ Centre/ Ring/ Vein/ Picotee pattern/ Tulip/ Carnation/ Phlox/ Birds egg flowered) available on the world market. Their continued popularity has warranted extensive breeding and development of novel phenotypes particularly trailing growth habit, reduced plant size, compact form, manipulation of flowers (size, number, coloration, longevity, timing) and disease resistant cultivars. Increasing knowledge of the inheritance of traits, molecular genetic techniques and biotechnological applications are valuable tools aiding modern pelargonium breeders. The need of new cultivars remains strong as divergence among pelargonium market types increases, production system becomes more specialized and new market develops.

Scientific name: Pelargonium graveolens L. Herit
Family: Geraniaceae
Geranium, scientifically known as Pelargonium graveolens L. Herit, belongs to the Geraniaceae family. This aromatic plant is highly valued for its essential oil, which boasts an intense rose-like fragrance. Geraniol and citronellol are the primary constituents of this oil. There are approximately 600 species within the genus Pelargonium, many of which possess a pleasant odor, although only a few have attained commercial significance.
Types of Geranium
There are two primary types of geranium: Algerian or Tunisian Type: Characterized by slender, erect plants with dark pink flowers. This variety contains 0.3% oil, with 57% 1-citronellol. It is commonly grown in the Nilgiris and is unsuitable for wet conditions. Reunion or Bourbon Type: Produces more bushy growth with light-pink flowers. The oil has a higher 1-citronellol content (59.4%). This variety is grown in the Nilgiris and Anamalais and is more suitable for wet conditions.

Gerbera, commonly known as Transvaal Daisy, Barberton Daisy or African Daisy, is cultivated throughout the world under a wide range of climatic conditions for its attractive flowers. It is highly suitable for beds, borders, pots and rock gardens. The wide range of colour and the attractive shape of flowers suit very well in flower arrangements. The cut blooms have long vase life. Today Gerbera is known as an important commercial flower crop and belongs to the most important plant species in the world, together with the rose, chrysanthemum, carnation and tulip. Gerbera is amongst the ten most important commercially grown flower crops in the world.

Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii), a tender, stemless, perennial flowering plant, belongs to family Asteraceae. Gerbera was named in honour of the German botanist and naturalist “Traugott Gerber” who was a friend of Carolus Linnaeus. Gerbera is very popular and widely used as cut flower or as a decorative garden plant. It was discovered in 1878 near Barberton, eastern Transvaal (South Africa), therefore, referred as the Barberton daisy or Transvaal daisy. It is ideal for beds, borders and pots and is the fifth most important cut flower in the world.

Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii), a tender, stemless, perennial flowering plant, belongs to family Asteraceae. Gerbera was named in honour of the German botanist and naturalist “Traugott Gerber” who was a friend of Carolus Linnaeus. Gerbera is very popular and widely used as cut flower or as a decorative garden plant. It was discovered in 1878 near Barberton, eastern Transvaal (South Africa), therefore, referred as the Barberton daisy or Transvaal daisy. It is ideal for beds, borders and pots and is the fifth most important cut flower in the world.

ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION

Gerbera is originated from South Africa. The native distribution of genus Gerbera comprising 30 species, extends to Africa, Madagascar, tropical Asia and South America (Hansen, 1985 and Bremer, 1994). Whereas, it was also reported that gerbera is found in the temperate and tropical parts of Asia and Africa and about 7 species are recorded in India. This plant is distributed in the temperate Himalayas from Kashmir to Nepal. Gerbera is commonly seen on the dry slopes near Shimla and on hillsides above Gulmarg in Kashmir (Anon., 1956). The G. jamesonii is found naturally in grassland in sandy soils in Mpumalanga and Barberton district. The genus Gerbera has approximately 14 southern African species, some of which are found only in Western Cape. G. aurantica is endemic to the mist belt grassland region of KwaZulu-Natal and is known from approximately 9 scattered populations from Helahela in the south to Babanango in the north. This species is under threat of extinction due to habitat fragmentation and degradation. In India they are distributed in temperate Himalayas at altitudes of 1300-3200 metres and observed from Kashmir to Nepal.

The genus Gerbera is named in honour of German naturalist Traugott Gerber who travelled in Russia in 1743 and started first botanical garden in Moscow. However, for species i.e. jamesonii, it is a matter of different opinion. The jamesonii was named for Dr. L. S. Jameson, a British colonial statesman in South Africa who was one of the discoverers of this species, whereas in some literature, the species was named after Robert Jameson who collected live specimens while on a prospecting expedition to the Barberton district in 1884, even though the species collected on three earlier occasions by other people. In 1888, Medley Wood, the curator of the Durban Botanical Garden sent plants to Kew, which subsequently flowered. This is native to South Africa, Madagascar, Asia, South America and Indonesia.

The first official description of South African species G. jamesonii was made by J.D. Hooker in Curtis Botanical magazine with coloured illustration in 1889. An active society on this subject is to be found in Australia under the name W.A. Gerbera Society. The society has used a classification system of gerbera. The breeding of gerbera started at the end of the nineteenth century in Cambridge, England, when two South African sp. were crossed. G. jamesonii native to Natal and Transvaal and G. viridifolia from western Cape were crossed together by R. Irwin Lynch in 1887, after both these species were introduced to Cambridge Botanic Gardens by Jameson and the hybrid was named as G. x cantabrigensis.

INTRODUCTION

Gerbera is a herbaceous flower crop with leafless stalk and daisy like flowers. It is popularly known as Barberton daisy, Transvaal daisy, Veldt daisy, African daisy and Hilton daisy. Gerbera is a popular cut flower grown throughout the world. It is ideally suited for flower beds, borders, pots, window boxes and gardens. The gerbera plant is also used in the preparation of traditional Chinese medicine i.e. Tu-er-feng, derived from whole plant of gerbera, is used for curing cold with cough and for rheumatism. Gerberas have wide range of bright, vivid and clear colours. Some of the flower colours available today are pink, yellow, red, scarlet, orange, salmon, lavender, violet, rose, cream and white. They are great plants for adding colour to any room or garden to create festive and elegant display. These spectacular, eye catching flowers are a complement to any kind of flower arrangement or bouquet and have a longer vase life. Their daisy shaped flowers have a velvet texture with green or dark centers and are cherished by florists and the cut flower industry.

It grows well in open tropical and sub tropical regions but in a temperate climate should be protected from frost and cultivated in greenhouses. Production of quality flowers of gerberas can be done under protected conditions, since they require partial shade. In California and Florida, it is grown in outdoors and is becoming increasingly popular as potted plant and bedding plant, whereas in other parts of United States it is cultivated in greenhouses. Gerbera cultivation has emerged as a very important option to progressive farmers in many parts of India, especially in Maharashtra, Karnataka, north-eastern states, U.P. and Uttaranchal.

Abstract: Gerberas are popular seed and vegetatively propagated flower crop with numerous phenotypes, series and cultivars available on the world market. Crop improvement is currently focused on bicoloured mini gerbera, semi-double and spider type forms, and hybrid cultivars with expanded colour range to boost productivity and profitability. Application of genetic engineering techniques and tools are aiding in modern gerbera breeding. The need for new cultivars remains strong as production system become more specialized and new markets develop. Breeding objectives with high priority include cut flower cultivars highly resistant to diseases, tolerant to low temperature, and floral longevity.

Introduction

Gerbera is a herbaceous flower crop with leafless stalk and daisy like flowers. It is also known as Transvaal daisy. Gerbera is a popular cut flower grown throughout the world. It is ideally suited for flower beds, borders, pots and gardens.

In California and Florida, it is grown in outdoors and is becoming increasingly popular as potted plant and bedding plant, whereas in other parts of United States it is cultivated in greenhouses. Gerbera cultivation has emerged as a very important option to progressive farmers in many parts of India, especially in Maharashtra, Karnataka, North Eastern states, U.P. and Uttarakhand.

Genetics

The genus Gerbera belongs to family Asteraceae. Gerbera comprises about 70 species, which are of African and Asiatic origin. The basic chromosome number is n=25. G. jamesonii is a diploid species with somatic chromosome number 2n=50. Among the different species, G. jamesonii is the only species under cultivation.

This chapter introduces Gerbera as a popular cut flower known for its daisy-like blooms, wide range of colours and long vase life. It examines its origin, distribution, genetics, botanical characteristics and commercially important varieties. The chapter discusses greenhouse production, environmental requirements, propagation, irrigation, nutrition, cultural practices, pest and disease management, harvesting and postharvest handling. It emphasizes the importance of protected cultivation for producing high-quality gerbera flowers in different agro-climatic regions of India

Seed Germination Test

Germination is the process of emergence and development of seed embryo into a plant under favourable environmental conditions of water, soil, sunlight and temperature. The best example of germination is the sprouting of a seedling from a seed of an angiosperm plant. It reflects the ability of seed to produce a normal plant under favourable environmental conditions. The germination rate of a particular seed lot is a key indicator of its performance in the field.

I. FILL UPS

1. _____ number of seeds are used for germination.
2. The seedlings which show the capacity for continued development into normal plant is called_____.
3. The seedlings which do not show capacity for continued development into normal plant is called_____.
4. Seeds which do not absorb moisture till the end of the test period is called _____.

1. GERMINATION TEST PROCEDURES

Although several methods are available for germination testing it is suggested that use one of the two major methods described here because these are adaptable to most environments and in general give uniform results Select 400 seeds randomly and used for germination in 4 replications.

1.1. Top of Paper (TP)

Seeds are placed on one or more layers of moist filter paper or blotter paper in petriplates These petriplates are covered with lid and placed inside the gemination cabinet This is suitable for those seeds which required light Cut the paper to the size and shape of the dishes (Fig. 1).

Place a layer of paper in each dish If the paper is too thin use a double layer Label the top and bottom of each dish with the accession number number of the replicates and date of the test Moisten the paper with water (Fig. 2)

Wild relatives of cultivated plants constitute a part of crop genepool, which possess genes that have great potential for their utilization in crop improvement programmes. Wild genepools especially those occurring in biotically disturbed habitats are under threat of genetic erosion and require immediate collection to make use of their wider adaptability, tolerance/resistance to disease, insect-pests, yield, quality attributes and other biotic and abiotic traits. The wild relatives of crop plants occur in all the major phytogeographical regions of India as component of different vegetation types and exhibit variable life forms and habitat specificity. High priority demand is towards collection of those that are at the risk of erosion due to habitat disturbance by manmade/natural causes and over-exploitation of species for commercial use.

Wild relatives of cultivated plants constitute a part of crop genepool, which possess genes that have great potential for their utilization in crop improvement programmes. Wild genepools especially those occurring in biotically disturbed habitats are under threat of genetic erosion and require immediate collection to make use of their wider adaptability, tolerance/resistance to disease, insect-pests, yield, quality attributes and other biotic and abiotic traits. The wild relatives of crop plants occur in all the major phytogeographical regions of India as component of different vegetation types and exhibit variable life forms and habitat specificity. High priority demand is towards collection of those that are at the risk of erosion due to habitat disturbance by manmade/ natural causes and over-exploitation of species for commercial use.

The centres of endemism are also centres of genetic diversity and consequently centres of speciation. Unless suitable conservation methods are applied, important wild relatives of crop plants and rare endemic species in particular have poor chances of survival. Based on the efforts made in the past for collection of diversity in wild relatives of crop plants priorities have been recommended for their conservation on the basis of species status (endemic, rare/threatened/endangered, etc.) and those that have high demand in crop improvement programmes (Arora and Nayar, 1984; Nayar, 1996, 1997; Wiersema and Leon, 1999; Hanelt and Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, 2001).

All economically important species at the risk of genetic erosion require attention for collection and conservation. Highest priority may be assigned to those having highly specialized habitat requirement and those that are endemic/rare/endangered to Indian region. Species producing seeds in large quantity and having easy method of multiplication or conservation are at lower risk than those producing less seed and of the recalcitrant or orthodox types where the storage protocols have been least worked out. Species having short seed viability or low germinability need special investigation.

1. GERMPLASM

A germplasm is a collection of genetic resources for an organism. For plants, the germplasm may be stored as a seed collection or for trees, in a nursery.

1.1. Conservation methods

1.1.1. In situ conservation

The conservation of species in their natural habitats, is considered the most appropriate way of conserving biodiversity. Conserving the areas where populations of species exist naturally is an underlying condition for the conservation of biodiversity. That’s why protected areas form a central element of any national strategy to conserve biodiversity.

Introduction

According to Frankel (1957), plant introduction is the transposition of a genetic entity from an environment to which it is attuned to one in which it is untried. According to Bennett (1965), the introduction of wild plants into cultivation and the successful transfer of cultivars, with their genotypes unaltered, to new environments is called as ‘primary’ plant introduction and the rest as ‘secondary’ introduction. However, both are equally meaningful for effective use of plant germplasm.

Types of Plant Introduction

1. Primary Introduction

2. Secondary Introduction

1. Primary Introduction

When the introduced crop or variety is well suited to the new environment, it is directly grown or cultivated without any alteration in the original genotype. This is known as primary introduction. E.g. IR. 8, IR 20, IR 34, IR 50 rice varieties; oil palm varieties introduced from Malaysia and Mashuri rice from Malaysia.

Plant genetic resources are the key components of crop improvement because of development of precision breeding system through biotechnological approaches as well as conventional system of breeding like selection and hybridization. Breeding system of hybridization is replaced by cybrid technology that facilitates transferring more qualitative and quantitative traits rapidly within incompatible genotypes. Aonla is mainly recognized for its high nutritive, medicinal and therapeutic properties. It contains high amount of vitamin-C (500-1500mg/100g), it is also rich in pectin, iron, calcium and phosphorus. Dried fruits of aonla can be used in curing haemorrhage, diarrhea, chronic dysentery, diabetes, jaundice, dyspepsia and cough. Recently, aonla gained more popularity in arid and semi- arid region of the country because of its hardy nature, prolific bearing capacity and ability to grow under various adversities as a remunerative crop (Shukla et al.2002). Aonla is the main ingredient of Chavanprash and Triphala powder, used for curing different   human ailments. Fruit contains a chemical substance gallic acid and leucoanthocyanin, having antioxidant property.

I. FILL UPS

1. _____ is a collection of genetic resources for an organism.
2. The conservation of species in their natural habitats is called _____.
3. _____ is the preservation of components of biological diversity outside their natural habitats.
4. _____ is a type of gene bank that stores seeds as a source for planting in case seed reserves elsewhere are destroyed.

Introduction

Vegetable crops are a big group of crop plants, consisting of diverse kinds with differing breeding systems and varying consumer preferences. In India there are native vegetables like eggplant (Solanum melongena), beans (Lablab purpureus), cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and a few gourds, namely smooth gourd (Luffa cylindrica), ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula), snake gourd (Trichosanthes anguina) and pointed gourd (Trichosanthes dioica), while there are several introduced crops and which have long history of domestication and adaptation like garden pea (Pisum sativum), onion (Allium cepa), bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) etc. and also some others like tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var.botrytis), cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata), chillies, (including Capsicum), frenchbean (Phaseolus vulgaris) etc, which have been introduced during the last 4 or 5 centuries. With such a diversity of crops, characterization and evaluation of genetic resources in each of them become a stupendous responsibility requiring extensive infrastructure facilities and varying methods of evaluation. The National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi with its Regional Stations at Shimla, Bhowali, Akola, Thrissur, Jodhpur, Hyderabad, Umiam-Barapani, Base Stations at Ranchi, Cuttack and Satellite centre at Amravati and Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR), Varanasi-designated as National Active Germplasm Site (NAGS) for vegetable crops and Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bangalore, are holding over 40,000 germplasm collections in different vegetable crops.

A large number of lines have been collected from various parts of the country. A number of varieties have developed either through selection from local landraces or through hybridization resulting in development of a large number of open pollinated varieties with resistance to some important diseases, such as wilt. Also, a number of hybrid varieties have been developed both by public and private institutions, however there is a scope to increase further yield and nutritional quality using some of the modern techniques, such as molecular marker aided selection. The promising genetic resources utilized in vegetable improvement work have been described under following three heads

As mentioned above, all the present day Bougainvillea cultivars being grown in India are either exotics introduced from abroad (Africa, USA, U.K., South Africa, Australia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Jamaica, Canary Island, Singapore, Java, West Indis etc) or developed by concentrated efforts of nurserymen, individuals or scientific institutions. Bougainvillea are widely grown in Indian gardens. There are numerous varieties and cultivars that are important from floriculture point of view. Most of the present day varieties have arisen through bud sports, chance crossing and induced mutation. India is one of the major repository of wide range of genotypes of Bougainvillea and is perhaps the foremost among nations which have done appreciable good work on Bougainvillea. The genetic variation in plants is considered to be an unlimited resource. The main aim of germplasm collections are assemblies of genotypes or populations representative of cultivars, genetic stocks, wild species etc. which are maintained in forms such as plants, seeds and tissue cultures. The primitive cultivars and wild relatives of crop plants constitute a pool of genetic diversity.  The  germplasm collection and conservation of plant genetic resources provide the diverse raw materials for immediate or future breeding programme. Activities that relate to the conservation and use of plant genetic resources include : exploration and collection; characterization and evaluation; conservation; assessment of variation and identification of useful genes; and exchange and genetic enhancement. Germplasm are the basic raw materials, which after proper screening can be utilized either for direct commercial exploitation or can be used in breeding programme for developing new and novel varieties.

Biodynamic farming is a holistic and sustainable approach to agriculture that views the farm as a self-sustaining ecosystem. This article provides a comprehensive guide for beginners looking to embark on biodynamic farming, covering essential principles, practices, and preparations. It begins with an exploration of the philosophical underpinnings of biodynamic farming, rooted in the teachings of Rudolf Steiner, before delving into practical aspects such as soil health, crop rotation, composting, and pest management. The article also discusses the significance of biodynamic preparations, celestial planting calendars, and certification processes. With a focus on both traditional practices and modern adaptations, this guide aims to equip new biodynamic farmers with the knowledge and tools they need to start their journey toward a more sustainable and regenerative farming system.

For the prospective small business owner who possesses the necessary personal qualities, managerial ability, and capital , and who is not inheriting a family enterprise, there are two ways to get the business started: buy out an existing establishment or start from scratch with a new firm.

Buying an Existing Business

There are both advantages and disadvantages in buying an existing business. If the small business entrepreneur decides to buy an existing business, there are many things (s)he must investigate and analyze the business if (s) he is to make a good purchase decision.

1. Basic Information

1.1. Location and Size
 
Ghana, lying between latitudes 4º 30’ to 11ºN and longitudes 1º 10’E to 3º15’W, shares common borders in the east, north and west with the Republics of Togo, Burkina Faso, and Cote d’Ivoire respectively.  The country covers a total area (including water bodies) of 238,537 square kilometres.  

1.2. Climate
 
Ghana has a tropical climate with temperatures ranging between 21ºC and 32ºC. Mean annual rainfall in Ghana is generally lower in the northern part of the country (800-900 mm) and increases southwards (2100-2200 mm) albeit a small part of the eastern coastal belt has low mean annual rainfall of 700-800 mm. Humidity figures range from 78 to 87 per cent across the country. Although Ghana cannot be described as a mountainous country, there are a number of highlands and steep escarpments in the middle portion and some parts of the northern zone. The land is generally flat with more than half of the country at an altitude of 200 m.

Introduction
Ghee is the pure clarified butter fat prepared chiefly from cream and/or desi butter (Makhan) to which no colouring matter is added.  Ghee manufacture has great significance and relevance to Indian masses and the dairy industry. Ghee is a very popular product since ancient time and has greater demand during festival and other ceremonial functions where use of ghee in food has been considered to delicacy due to its pleasing flavour and aroma. There are sufficient recorded evidence to prove that the manufacture of ghee originated from India and has been used extensively for religious and dietary purposes since Vedic times. Presently about 28% of total milk production is utilized for manufacture of about 1 million tones of ghee per annum. It is the traditional product with an established market. Cow ghee is golden yellow in colour, and is attributed unique therapeutic value.  The colour of buffalo ghee is greenish yellow due to presence of pigments called billirubin and billiverdin. Ghee is characterized by its pleasant, cooked and rich flavour. The preferred texture is of larger uniform size from grains having non-greasy consistency.

Giant granadilla, Passiflora quadrangularis L. (syn. P. macrocarpa M.T. Mast.) is the largest fruit in the genus Passiflora. With more than 450 species, Passiflora is the most important genus of family Passifloraceae. It is further divided into 24 subgenera (Killip, 1938). Most of the species producing an edible fruit belong to subgenera Passiflora and Tacsonia. Many species have ornamental interest because of unique and spectacular flowers, or are used for their sedative, antispasmodic, antibacterial, and insect-resistant properties.

INTRODUCTION

Electronic books are one way to enhance the digital library with global 24X7 access to authoritative information, and they enable users access specific research material easily, quickly and effectively. Library users are also able to remotely search, locate and check out e-books from the libraries using online public access catalogs (OPACS). As with any new opportunity new challenges emerge and utilizing the internet to deliver book content is no exception. Integrating e-books into the digital library has created challenges and opportunities for LIS professionals; publishers and e-books providers.

E-BOOKS

An e-book is based both on emulating the basic characteristics of traditional books in an electronic format, as well as leveraging internet technology to make access to e-books easy and efficient to use.

Electronic books offer creative possibilities for extending access as well as changing learning behavior and academic research. Content can always be accessible regardless of time or place, to be read on Pc or on portable book readers, books need never go out of print and new editions can be easily created. One can carry several times at once on a portable reader and over time build a personal library, features such as full text searching, changeable font size, mark up, citation creation and note taking will enhance usability. Print text can be integrated with multi dimensional object, sound to create a whole new kind of monographic work.

Tinospora cordifolia (Thunb.) Miers (family: Menispermaceae) commonly known as “Amrita” or” Guduchi” of “Giloy” is a climbing shrub found throughout India. T. cordifolia has high medicinal value in the world and is also the number one recommended natural herb for the Indian system of medicine (ISM) which has been used over centuries to treat various diseases. The roots and stems contain several secondary metabolites having curative properties. The species is endemic to India and is common throughout tropical and subtropical zones at an altitude of 600 m.

Species

• Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers ex Hook. F & Thoms
• Cocculus cordifolius DC.
• Menispermum cardifolium Willd
• T. glabra (N. Burm.) Merr.

Morphological characteristics

It is a big climber that grows over the highest trees in the forest and produces aerial roots up to 10 metres long. It’s a sprawling climbing shrub with a slew of elongated twining branches. Giloy leaves are simple, exstipulate, alternating, with long petioles up to 15 cm long, pulvinate, and roundish at the base and apex, with the basal one being longer and twisted partially and halfway around. Oval-cordate or roughly oval lamina, 15-20 cm long and 10-15 cm wide, 7 nerved and deeply cordate at base, glabrous above, membranous, whitish yellow with a conspicuous reticulum beneath.

I. FILL UPS

1. _____ seed is one of the oldest condiments the human race has ever known.
2. Sesame seed contains _____ oil and _____ protein.
3. Sesame oil contains about _____ % oleic acid.
4. Isolation distance for gingelly certified seed production is _____.

Shoot borer: Conogethes punctiferalis: Pyraustidae

The main damage done by the caterpillar of this pest is to bore holes in the pseudostem and to plug it with excreta, causing dead hearts. Larva is pale greenish with pinkish tinge and dark head and has fine hairs on the body with a pro thoracic shield. Adult is a medium sized moth, pale yellowish with small black spots on the fore and hind wings.

Management involves spraying dimethoate or malathion 1.5 ml/lit or phosphamidon 0.75 ml/lit of water. This is mainly intended to manage the adults flying in the crop canopy and the first instar caterpillars that are seen on the outside of the plants and before thsy enter the pseudostem. The spray has to be given at the very first spotting of dead haearts.

7.1. Origin and distribution

• Originated from Tropical South East Asia.

• Cultivated in India, China, Jamaica, Australia, Mexico, North and West Africa and Taiwan, Fiji, Mauritius, Brazil, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Bangladesh.

• In India, cultivated in Gujarat, Kerala, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

• Karnataka, Odisha, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat together contribute 65 per cent to the country’s total production.

7.2. Economic importance

• India, China and the Japanese people use ginger as food

• Used as drug in cold, cough, vomiting, dizziness, hypertension, impaired vision problems, digestion, fever and stomach diseases.

• Dry ginger and pepper along long pepper tea helps to remove mucus in the body for a long time and helps to protect health.

1. INTRODUCTION

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) is a perennial herb and the economic part is underground stem (rhizome), which is used as a spice. It is native to tropical South-East Asia, introduced into the West Indies, African countries and other tropical belt of the world. The ginger rhizome is harvested between 6 and 12 months after planting and used as spice in the fresh condition,  peeled and split dried or powedered forms. Ginger is utilized widely as a spice, for pickles, candies and as a medicinal herb. The anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea qualities of ginger have applications in the pharmaceutical industry. Ginger and supplements derived from ginger have received attention for the treatment of chronic inflammation. Administration of ginger has resulted in decreased symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (Srivastava and Mustafa, 1992) and gingerol (a component of ginger) has been reported to have anti-inflammatory actions (Kiuchi et al., 1992; Tjendraputra et al., 2001).

Ginger is used extensively as a spice in cuisines throughout the world. Ginger belongs to Zingiberaceae family and an English botanist William Roscoe (1753-1831) gave this plant the name Zingiber officinale in the year 1807. The name of the genus Zingiber derives from a Sanskrit word denoting “horn shaped” in reference to the protusions on the rhizomes (Ghosh et al., 2011). It is an oldest rhizome widely domesticated as a spice where the edible part is the swollen underground stem or rhizome. The Zingiberaceous plants have strong aromatic and medicinal properties and are characterized by their tuberous or non-tuberous rhizomes (Chen et al., 2008). Ginger is a medicinal plant that has been widely used all over the world, since antiquity, for a wide array of unrelated ailments including arthritis, cramps, rheumatism, sprains, sore throats, muscular aches, pains, constipation, vomiting, hypertension, indigestion, dementia, fever and infectious diseases (Ali et al., 2008). Ginger has direct anti-microbial activity and thus can be used in treatment of bacterial infections (Tan and Vanitha, 2004).

English name : Ginger
Botanical name : Zingiber officinale Rosc.
Family : Zingiberaceae
Chromosome number : 2n = 22
Centre of origin : South East Asia
Ginger of commerce is the rhizome derived from Zingiber officinale. This plant is an herbaceous perennial but usually is cultivated annually. Belonging to the family Zingiberaceae, it is known as Adraka in Sanskrit and Adrak in Hindi. Ginger contains 6.5% oleoresin, commercially known as Gingirene, extracted from ground ginger using solvents. The composition of dry ginger includes 10.85% moisture, 1.8% volatile oil, 19.6% water extract, 6.0% cold alcohol extract, 53% starch, 7.7% crude fibre, 12.4% crude protein, 6.64% total ash, and 0.14% acid-insoluble ash. The volatile oil is a pale yellow liquid with a warm, spicy, sweet, aromatic fragrance and a pungent taste. Its primary constituent is zingiberene, a sesquiterpene, while its pungency is attributed to zingerone. Ginger is known to contain around 200 different volatile compounds.