eBook Chapters

Livestock diet or ration may be made up of one or several ingredients depending on the species of animal, their physiological state, source of feed and its nutritional composition, nutritional requirements of the animals and voluntary intake of the feed. Chemical and nutrient composition with each ingredient varies tremendously and no single feed ingredient is complete in its nutrient composition with respect to animal’s requirement.  Therefore, animal feed has to be balanced properly to supply required nutrients in appropriate quantity.  Feed formulation is an art of quantitative application of science of nutrition for the optimum supply of all the essential nutrients through actual feeding of animals. This exercise may be as simple as mixing of few ingredients with simple mathematical calculation or preparation of least cost balanced ration by computer programme.  Since the expenditure on feeding is substantial in livestock production, feed formulation needs special attention of nutritionists or feed technologists. The instruments and equipments used for feed formulation and estimation of micro minerals and ingredients like Feed grinder and mixer of capacity 75 kg, Fibertech for fiber estimation, Hammer mill-particle size reduction, Mixer and grinder for feed and fodder (complete feed preparation) of capacity 250 kg, Roughage processing-Chaff cutter, Soxhtech for fat estimation, UV-vis-Spectrophotometer and Voltameter for micro mineral estimation are shown in Fig. 3.1 to 3.8.

Nutrition is the key factor affecting the production as well as the reproduction efficiency in all the animals therefore proper and balanced nutrition is the prerequisite to attain and utilize the full reproductive potential of the animals. All the nutrients like energy, protein, minerals and vitamins need to be properly balanced in the diet of animals. Energy and protein are the major nutrients required in the greatest amounts and should be in the topmost priority in order to optimize reproduction. Although minerals and vitamins are required in low amount, but very much essential as a cofactor and coenzymes in the reproductive process of the animals and deficiency of these nutrients might affect the overall reproductive efficiency of the animals.

Buffaloes, though have great production potential, do suffer with many reproductive problems viz.  delayed age of puberty and  sexual maturity, weak / silent estrus, longer inter-calving period,  seasonality in breeding, poor libido  and poor semen quality. Little information is available about the buffaloes as compared to cattle because all the time we try to apply the knowledge available about the cattle to the buffalo.  Some comparative reproductive parameters in cow & she buffalo & cow bull and buffalo bull are depicted in Table 8. 1 and Table 8.2 respectively.

6.1    Introduction
    
6.2    Fertilizers in Drip Fertigation
    
6.3    Drip Fertigation Systems
    
6.4    Rate of Fertilizer Application
    Questions and Problems
        
References

INTRODUCTION

Fig  (Ficus carica L.) is commonly known as Anjeer. It has a luscious taste as a fresh fruit. The fruit of fig have been prized over centuries for the medicinal and dietary properties. The figs are consumed fresh, dried, preserved, candied, jam and canned. 

NUTRITIVE AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

Medicinal Uses:The latex is widely applied on warts, skin ulcers and sores, and taken as a purgative and vermifuge, but with considerable risk. In Latin America, figs are much employed as folk remedies. A decoction of the fruits is gargled to relieve sore throat. Figs boiled in milk are repeatedly packed against swollen gums. Similarly, the fruits are much used as poultices on tumors and other abnormal growths. The leaf decoction is taken as a remedy for diabetes and calcifications in the kidneys and liver. Fresh and dried figs have long been appreciated for their laxative action. The food value of edible portion of fig (Morton, 1997) is given in detail in Table 1. 

Motif

1.    A nucleotide/amino acid sequence pattern having biological significance.

2.    Occurs repeatedly, either in same molecule or in many molecules. Found in upstream intergenic region.

3.    Functionally important regions of genome (gene) can be recognized by searching such patterns.

4.    Used for locating binding sites, regulatory signals, to control gene expression.

5.    Identifying potential drug target sites.

15.1. INTRODUCTION

Finger millet Eleusine indica (L.) is an Old World cereal grass commonly known as ‘finger millet’, is one of the staple food crop especially in India and Africa, which is widely grown in the arid regions of Asia and Africa and important minor millet grown in India.  Eleusine, the generic name, is obtained after the “Eleusine” the Greek Goddess of cereals and the common name finger millet is derived from the finger like branching of the panicle. It is also know by Goosegrass, Yardgrass, Wiregrass, Silver Crabgrass, Crowfoot Grass. It is commonly known as Finger millet in English, Kelvaragu in Tamil, Nachani in Marathi etc. Some Indian varieties of finger millet are Kempu ragi, Ragalli shivalli, Pichakaddi etc.  This crop is one among the hardiest crops which can with stand severe drought conditions and can also grow well under scanty rainfall condition. However with good irrigation facilities the yield of finger millet matches with crops like rice. Finger millet seeds remain free of pests and insects for a long duration extending up to 50 years hence serving as a food reserve in case of tough situations like famine.

    
1.    Introduction
    
2.    Containers
    2.1     Materials used for forming containers
    2.2    Types of cans
    2.3    Labeling and coding
    2.4    Can seam
    
3.    Microbilogical Aspects
    3.1     Organisms associated with non acid foods
    3.2     Heat resistance of bacteria
    3.3     Logarithmic order of destruction
    3.4     Thermal death time curve
    3.5     Determination of TDT and survivor number
    3.6     F-value
    3.7    12 D concept
    
4.    Heat Penetration Aspects
    4.1    Factors that influence heat penetration
    4.2    Measurement of cold spot temperature
    
5.    Thermal Process Calculation
    5.1    General method
    5.2    Formula method
    
6    Inoculated Pack Studies

7.    Effect of Thermal Processing on Food Quality
    7.1    Cook value
    
8.    Steps of Canning Fish
        
    8.1    Handling raw material
    8.2    Dressing and size cutting
    8.3    Salt treatment
    8.4    Precooking
    8.5    Smoking
    8.6    Packing/ Filling
    8.7    Exhausting and seaming
    8.8     Retorting and cooling
    8.9    Inspection and storage

References

1.       Introduction

2.    Lipid Storage in Fish
    
3.      Factors Influencing Nature of Lipids in Fish
    
4.    Composition of Fish Oils
    4.1    Nature and composition of fatty acids
    4.2     Triacyl glycerols
    4.3     Phospholipids
    4.4     Diacyl glycerol ethers
    4.5     Wax esters
    4.6     Hydrocarbons
    4.7     Sterols
    
5.    Autoxidation of Fish Lipids
        
    5.1    Mechanism of autoxidation
        
    5.2     Factors influencing lipid autoxidation
        
    5.3     Control and prevention of autoxidation
    
6.    Lipid Autolysis
    
7.    Rancidity Problem in Fish
    7.1     Indices of oxidative rancidity
    
References

1.    Introduction
    
2.    Structure of Protein
    2.1     Primary structure
    2.2     Secondary structure
    2.3     Turns and Bends in the Polypeptide Backbone
    2.4     Tertiary structure
    2.5     Quaternary structure
    
3.    Protein Denaturation
    
4.    Conditions Affecting Protein Structure
    
5.    Fish Proteins
    5.1    Sarcoplasmic proteins
    5.2    Myofbrillar protein
    5.3    Stroma proteins
    5.4    Functional properties of fish proteins
    
References
    
Further reading

Appendix-'A'    :    Standard Operating Procedure for Administration
    
Appendix-'B'    :    Standard Operating Procedure for Individuals
    
Case Study    :    Assam Floods 2004
        :    Peerchu Lake - A Disaster

A. General
        
B. Bulbous Plants
        
C. Greenhouse Technology
        
D. Plant Breeding
        
E. Plant Physiology
        
F. Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology
        
G. Post Harvest Technology

1.    World Export/Import of Ornamental Plants
    
2.    Recent Trends
    
3.    Flower Auctions
    
4.    Domestic Trade of Flowers
    
5.    Marketing Channels and Price Spread in Traditional Flowers
    
6.    E-commerce in Floriculture
    
7.    On-line Information Systems Dealing with e-floriculture
    
8.    Flower Auctions
    
9.    Floriculture and WTO
    
10.    Documentation Indexing
        
    Further reading.

Fluid therapy plays an important role in emergency and critical care of  the malnourished, anemic, unhealthy and debilitated animals and as a supportive therapy in various disease conditions, accidents etc. The type, rate and quantity of fluids indicated for common abnormal conditions  in various animals are dealt in brief in  the following chapter.

1    Suggested fodder species for different regions

2    Package of practices for cultivated fodder crops

3    Estimation of agricultural by-products

The demand for agricultural and livestock products is rising and the challenge to feed 8 billion people in 2020 is considerably enormous. Further, it is also hard to imagine meeting 2050-projected demand by raising twice as many poultry, 78% more small ruminants, 58% more cattle and 37% more pigs, without further damaging natural resources (Rivera and Lopez, 2012). Hence, sustainable development based on balance of ecology, economics, norms and values are to be considered at various levels of the scale: between food and farming systems, regions, nations and continents (Zipp, 2003). The food systems encompass activities related to the production, processing, distribution, preparation and consumption of food; and the outcomes of these activities contributing to food security (Fig. 14.1).The interactions between and within bio-geo-physical and human environments influence both the activities and the outcomes.

Introduction

Forests face many hazards but most common is forest fire. They pose threat to not only forest wealth but also to entire region of fauna and flora seriously disturbing the bio-diversity, ecology and environment of a region. During summer, forests are littered with dry senescent leaves and twigs which could burst into flames ignited by the slightest spark. Forest cover in India is 675,538 km and constitute 20-25% of geographical area.

1. Introduction

Okara is a by-product generated during processing soybean into soymilk or tofu. Okara is rich in fibre and protein. It contains most of the carbohydrates, some of the protein and a small portion of the oil from soybeans. Okara contains approximately 50% fibre, 27% protein, and 10% fat on dry basis (Li et al., 2012). About 1. 2 kg of fresh okara is produced from every kilogram of soybean processed for soymilk (Vishwanathan et al., 2011). Fresh okara from soymilk production has about 80% moisture. The protein present in okara has good nutritional quality and superior protein efficiency ratio. Other soy components that are also likely present in okara include isoflavones (genistein and daidzein), lignans, phytosterols, coumestans, saponins, and phytates (Li et al., 2012). The most common method of utilization of okara is in the form of animal feed. Tofu or soymilk processing plants primarily dump okara as landfill or resort to burning. Okara can be utilized as a fertilizer as it contains various nutrients required for growth of plants. It can be used as a fermentation substrate for production of ethanol. Okara can also be used in pet foods as it contains high levels of extenders and protein. Apart from these, okara can be used in a variety of food products. It can be used in various food products. Utilization of okara is still in the initial stage. It can be used as a replacement of wheat flour in baked products. It can also be used in various soups, salads or vegetable preparations.

Resistant starch refers to the portion of starch and starch products that resist digestion as they pass through the gastrointestinal tract. Resistant starch is the fraction of starch which is not hydrolysed to D-glucose in the small intestine within 120 min of being consumed, but which is fermented in the colon. It can be used as a functional ingredient in various food formulations (Fuentes-Zaragoza et al., 2010). RS has desirable physicochemical properties (Fausto et al., 1997) such as swelling, viscosity increase, gel formation and water-binding capacity, making it useful in a variety of foods. It helps in improving the appearance, texture, and mouthfeel of the final product compared to conventional fibres. Resistant starch can act as a prebiotic for gut microflora (Sajilata et al., 2006). It has hypocholesterolemic effects, is hypoglycaemic and prevents gall stone formation.

INTRODUCTION

The climate of India is favourable for production of a variety of tropical, subtropical and temperate fruits. The area under cultivation, production and productivity of fruit crops has increased significantly during the last fifteen years. Horticulture has emerged as major area of growth in the agricultural sector and has out performed other crops with respect to production and productivity. The increase in fruit production was improved considerably from 43.0 million tonnes in 2001-02 to 91.4 million tonnes in 2015-16 (Table 1). This increase in production has come from an increase in area under different fruit crops and overall increase in productivity. In this way, India has maintained its second rank in global production of fruits next only to China. The fruit area increased from 4 million hectares in 2001-02 to 6.4 million hectares in 2015-16. On the basis of fruit production, it is estimated that per capita fruits availability in India 190 g per day which is still less than the recommended quantity of 230 g per capita per day.

A systems approach to pest management based on an understanding of pest ecology is referred to as Biointensive Integrated Pest Management (BIPM). It is more dynamic and ecologically informed as compared to IPM that considers the farm as part of an agro ecosystem. Accurate diagnosis of the pest problem is the first step, which then relies on a range of preventive tactics and biological controls to keep pest populations within acceptable limits. It also considers ecological and economic factors into agricultural system design and decision - making and addresses public concern about environmental quality and food safety. As a last resort, the reduced – risk pesticides are used if other tactics have not been adequately effective.

The earlier concept of IPM has failed because of ease of applicability to easy availability of chemical pesticides. Hence, the present concept of BIPM, with more intensive use of biological and other biorational means has emerged. The flexibility and environmental compatibility of BIPM strategies make it useful in all types of cropping system. BIPM would likely decrease chemical use and costs entailing them. BIPM ultimately provides resistance / immunity to the entire system so that no foreign elements (insect pests or disease causing organisms) survive or gain upper hand. BIPM if followed for years shall enhance the natural control system, thus suppressing pest populations below those causing economic injury.

Grading is defined as sorting of fruits into different grades according to the size, shape, colour, and volume to fetch high price in market. Grading of fruits after harvesting is an essential step in post-harvest management. Grading of fruits is done on the basis of physical characteristics like weight, size, colour, shape, specific gravity and freedom from diseases. The known methods of grading of fruits and vegetables are manual grading and size grading. Sizing produce is usually a part of grading and is optional for direct marketers, but may be worthwhile if certain size grades receive a higher price than others. Round produce units can be easily graded by sizing rings. Several types of mechanical sizers are available for small-scale operations. Sorting by maturity can maximize the market value of crops such as stone fruits and mangoes .The grades of different fruits suggested by Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (DMI) are given in Table 1.

INTRODUCTION

Fruits of commercial importance comprise various combinations of tissues that may include an expanded ovary, the seed and other plant parts such as the receptacle (apple, strawberry), bract and peduncle (pineapple). They may develop from a single ovary of a flower as in simple fruits (apple, banana, mango, peach, plum, tomato etc.), number of ovaries of a single flower as in aggregate fruits (strawberry) or from a number of ovaries of different flowers as in compound fruits (pineapple). They are derived from members of a wide range of families of both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants. Inspite the huge diversity in origin, structure, composition and climate adaptabilities that exists among different fruits, there is considerable similarity in the pattern of maturation and ripening that occur in different fruits.

INTRODUCTION
Canopy management is one of the most important management practices in an orchard. It is the ‘art’ of fruit growing involving manipulation of tree canopies to optimize the production of quality fruits. In fact it forms the basis of precociousness, productivity and longevity of the fruit trees. Canopy management is an important aspect of fruit culture due to its effect on yield, quality, vigour, and the prevention of diseases.
 
In orchard, light is critical to the growth and development of trees and their fruits. The green leaves harvest the sunlight to produce carbohydrates and sugars which are transported to the sites where they are needed – buds, flowers and fruits. Better light penetration into the tree canopy improves tree growth, yield and fruit quality. Training and pruning, affects the tree shape and facilitate exposure of leaves to sunlight. An ideal training strategy centres around the arrangement of plant parts, especially, to develop a better plant architecture that optimizes the utilization of sunlight and promotes productivity. Besides, development of strong scaffold system helps the trees to produce heavy crop loads of quality fruits without any major limb breakage.

Introduction

Functional genomics is a field of molecular biology that attempts to make use of the vast wealth of data produced by genomic projects (such as genome sequencing projects) to describe gene (and protein) functions and interactions. Unlike genomics and proteomics, functional genomics focuses on the dynamic aspects such as gene transcription, translation, and protein-protein interactions, as opposed to the static aspects of the genomic information such as DNA sequence or structures. Functional genomics includes function-related aspects of the genome itself such as mutation and polymorphism (such as SNP) analysis, as well as measurement of molecular activities. The latter comprise a number of “-omics” such as transcriptomics (gene expression), proteomics (protein expression), phosphoproteomics and metabolomics. Together these measurement modalities quantifies the various biological processes and powers the understanding of gene and protein functions and interactions. Functional genomics uses mostly high-throughput techniques to characterize the abundance gene products such as mRNA and proteins.

Abstract: The adoption of agroforestry systems has gained wider attention in the Multilateral Environment Agreements (MEA), international academia and policy makers for their multifunctional role and dynamics of ecosystem services. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has put forward ecosystem approach while Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emphasized agroforestry as an appropriate means to reduce emissions and enhance sinks of green house gases. Traditional agroforestry systems such as cardamom-based and farm-based practices are good examples in the Eastern Himalayas. We analyzed the management diversities and functional roles of these agroforestry systems for their productive and protective functions, biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, reduction of run-off rainfall, improvement of soil fertility, nutrient dynamics, nutrient release through decomposition, N2-fixation, energetics and efficiencies. Use of N2-fixing Himalayan alder (Alnus nepalensis) in large cardamom (Amomum subulatum) and Albizia spp. in mandarin agroforestry are traditional innovations. The agroforestry systems and practices are examples of how fragile and steep slopes of the mountains are converted into ecologically resilient productive zones. These adaptive traditional agroforestry provide options for sustainable management of natural resources from a unit land use types to a landscape level land use stages and offer opportunities for socioeconomic benefits.

Teamwork and collaboration is better than individual effort is a proven fact that human beings have realized since the Stone Age. Similarly, it was also recognized and applied in farming. The concept of farmer’s organization had emerged by realizing the power of unity. With the growing concern of present condition of decreasing size of land holdings the need for unity and collectivization has been prominently realized in agriculture. Agriculture sector is facing a rapidly overflowing basket of challenges. Population has increased 3.71 times from 350 million in 1947 to 1.3 billion in 2017; hence, demand for food has increased while total cultivable land has shrunk. The grain area per person has been shrinking steadily for several decades from 0.22 hectares in 1950 to 0.10 hectares in 2010 and it is projected to be as less as 0.06 hectares per person in 2050 (Larsen, 2003). So, the big and alarming question on food and income security has been raised.

“Terra”per se is an extraordinarily complex, messy geophysical system with dozens of variables, most of which change in response to one another. The basic proposition behind the science of climate change is also rooted in the floral and faunal cohabiting with the Homo sapiens. Livestock and related fodder cultivation and the green waste generated in a farming enterprise are of extreme significance when we ponder over the climate change. Confusion and complacency reigns the thinking process and planning process related to climate change. Confusion in the sense, that risk communication in this regard is so placid. Complacency, we say due to the lackadaisical attitude of our policy makers. To make it very plain, fodder production sector as well as farm sector will suffer the most in Kerala for want of scientific thinking, planning and execution.

6.1 Prokaryotic Gene Expression
    
6.2 The lac  Operon
    
6.3 The trp  Operon

Gene silencing is the suppression of gene expression through nucleotide sequence-specific interactions that are mediated by RNA. Many manifestations of RNA silencing-RNA interference (RNAi) in animals, quelling in fungi and post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) in plants, appear to be related. RNA silencing is experimentally activated by double-stranded RNA (ds RNA) and is used as a powerful technique for specific inhibition of gene expression in a variety of organisms. In a natural context, ds RNA may be produced from rearranged loci by transcription from converging promoters or by host-or viral-encoded RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRP). A key component of RNA silencing is 21-23 nt RNA known as short interfering RNA (Si RNA). In Drosophila, the siRNA is derived from ds RNA by the action of an RNase-III like enzyme named DICER. The siRNA guides a multi-subunit endnuclease, referred to as the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) and it specifically degrades RNA that share sequence similarly with the ds RNA.

Accent : It is created in the garden to avoid the monotonous view. Mostly unusual objects like tall fountain, tree, statue etc are used to create the effect.

Acre: A unit of measurement of land area equivalent to 4000 sq.met or 0.4047 hectare.

Acrylic: It is a glassy thermoplastic that is incorporated in rigid plastic to enhance wither ability.

Aging: Refers to the processes acquiring maturity with the passage of time or normally an increment of time, which may or may not be accompanied by physiological changes including senescence. Aging thus includes a much ‘wider span’ of physiological processes, which may either “weaken the organism or to be neutral”.

Agmark: It is Agriculture Produce, Grading & Marketing Act, 1937 & voluntary in nature.

Anaerobic respiration: An incomplete oxidation of food to release partial energy takes place in the absence of atmospheric oxygen and occurs in cytoplasm.

Analytical chemistry: Deals with detection and estimation of elements and compounds.

1.     Rules and Regulation for Safety in a Microbiology Laboratory
    
2.     Cleaning of Glass Wares
    
3.     Sterilization

1.     Isolation and Purification of DNA from E.coli
    
2.     Isolation of Plasmid DNA
    
3.     Gel Electrophoresis of DNA
    
4.     Southern Blotting
    
5.     Restriction Digestion

1.     General Precautions
    
2.     General Requirements for Biotechnology Laboratory

1.     Animal Biotechnology Laboratory
    
2.    Growing Cells with Serum-Basal Medium Eagle (BME), MEM
    
3.     Media Preparation and Sterilization
    
4.     Contaminations in Animal Tissue Culture

• Introduction
• Features of Genetic Algorithm 
• Steps in Executing the Genetic Algorithm
• Applications of Genetic Algorithm
• Artificial Ant Problem

• Defining GIS
• Fundamentals of GIS
• Mapping Concepts, Features and Properties
• Geographical Data Sets
• Spatial & Non-spatial Data
• Attribute Data
• Remote Sensing in Agriculture
• Remote Sensing in Farm
• Principles of Remote Sensing
• How Does Remote Sensing Work?
• Global Positioning System
• Components of a GPS
• GPS Positioning Types
• GPS Applications
• Remote Sensing and GIS
• Use of GPS in Agriculture
• General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Network 
• The GPRS Network
• Benefits

Abstract

The term “Horticulture” is a part of agriculture system which is concerned with the raising of so called garden crops. At present, fruits, vegetables, flowers etc., are grown not only within the backyards, but also in large areas in open fields on a commercial scale where better visualization can be viewed with GIS. It emerged by calculating the present context which allows us to produce a complex view about the land’s characteristics. Most of the GIS in use today have not been designed to support multimedia data and therefore have very limited capability due to the large data volumes, very rich semantics and very different modelling and processing requirements. Use of Remote Sensing (RS) and GIS in natural resource and environmental monitoring has been advocated strongly in present years. The present review gives an idea about the basic concepts of GIS, its components and applications in the agricultural sector particularly horticulture. GIS has been extensively and successfully exploited in various areas using various software’s which are available in current market.

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.

Introduction

India is the seventh-largest country in the world, with a total area of 3,287,263 square kilometres, roughly 2.5 percent of global landmass but is home to 17.9 percent of global human population and 1/5 of the livestock. Most of this increase in human population has occurred in second half of 20th century. Similarly, India has the highest number of cattle (210.2 m), buffaloes (111.3 m) and goats (150.4 m) in the world. It ranks second in sheep (74 m), fifth in chickens (866 m) and sixth in ducks (26 m). The increased population and associated increased demand of resources has led to significant impact on land use-land cover and has consequence in negatively impacting various ecosystem services i.e., hydrology, soil conservation, wildlife support, biodiversity and environmental protection, these agroforestry systems used to provide. Agroforestry has traditionally been a way of life and livelihood in India for centuries. Now it is a modern science inviting deliberate management of trees on farms and surrounding landscape (Bargali et al. 2009; 

Appendix-'E'    :    How can Cummunity Reduce Carbon 
            Footprints

Appendices
    
I.    Released Varieties/Hybrids in Aromatic Crops from KAU
     P. Skaria Baby, P.P. Joy, Samuel Mathew, Ancy Joseph and Ragina Joseph 
    
IIa.    Released Varieties of Fruit Crops in India
    T. Radha
    
IIb    Released Varieties of Arid Fruits
    S.K. Sharma
    
III.    Released Varieties of Ornamental Plants
    P.K .Valsala Kumari 
    
IVa.    Released Varieties of Coconut
    P. Maheswarappa
    
IVb.    Release Varieties of Cocoa
    P. Maheswarappa
    
IVc.    Released Varieties of Plantation Crops
    P. Maheswarappa
    
Va    Released Varieties of Spices from Kerala Agricultural University (KAU)
    Asha Sankar 
        
Released Varieties of Spice Crops Through All India Coordinated Research Project on Spices
    K. Nirmal Babu
    
Vb    Released Varieties of Spice Crops Through All India Coordinated Research Project on Spices
    K. Nirmal Babu
    
VI    Released Varieties of Vegetables from KAU
    T.R. Gopalakrishnan
    
VII.    Research and Educational Infrastructure in Horticulture in India
    P.G. Sadhan Kumar and S. Nirmala Devi
    
VIII.    Important Websites in Horticulture
    T. Pradeepkumar 
    
VIIIa.    Horticulture Institutes in India
    T. Pradeepkumar 
    
IX.    Vital Statistics on Horticultural Crops
    National Horticulture Board, Gurgaon, Haryana
    
X.    Nutritional Values of Horticultural Crops
        Indian Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad

India has rich diversity of goat genetic resources and as per 20^th livestock census (2019), there are 148.88 million goats in India. They are mostly found in arid and semi-arid regions of the country and one of the mainstay of dryland agriculture system. Out of 148.88 million, around half of them (75 to 60 million goats) are found in Rajasthan (20.84 m), Uttar Pradesh (14.48 m), Madhya Pradesh (11.06 m), Maharashtra (10.6 m), Tamil Nadu (9.89 m) Karnataka (6.17 m) and Gujarat (4.66 m). Out of total goat population, only 35 % of the goats are of either pure breed or upgraded nature resembling the some of the local breeds. There is huge scope to improve the productivity through use of assisted reproductive tools like artificial insemination and estrus synchronization in field condition to upgrade the non-descript population in relatively shorter period of time as compared to natural services.

INTRODUCTION

Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the important fruit crop in world grown commercially in temperate, tropical and sub-tropical regions. At present, it is one of the major horticultural industries over an area of 7.5 million hectares. Grape berries are attractive for their unique flavour and are utilized in many different ways, so its cultivation is becoming more popular. Approximately 71% of world grape production is used in wine industry, 27% as fresh fruits and only 2% as dried fruit. China is the largest producer of grapes followed by Italy, USA, France and Spain. In world, India hold 9th position in grapes production with an annual production of 2822.78 thousand MT.Peninsular India comprise of accounts for 90 % area under grapes. India has the distinction of having highest productivity (21.4 MT/ha) of grapes in the world

Abstract

Water is the elixir of life, livelihood, food security and indispensable to all economic activities. It is going to be a constraint in agriculture in near future due to the competitive demands from other sectors. Agriculture is the largest user of limited water resources. The Gangetic Bengal basin once described as the areas of excess water now suffers from acute dearth of water during the drier months. Water management holds the key for maximum agricultural production through optimizing the utilization of available water resources in a systematic manner. Drip-irrigation provides unique agronomic, water and energy conservation benefits that address many of the challenges facing irrigated agriculture. In intensive agriculture, both fertilizer and irrigation management have contributed immensely in increasing the yield and quality of crops. The method of fertilizer and irrigation application affects the efficiency. Drip-fertigation is the most efficient and less expensive agronomically sound method of fertilizer application along with irrigation water. It has the potential to ensure that the right combination of water and nutrient is available at the active root zone, in synchrony of the plants’ total and temporal requirements and stabilizes the yield and quality of produce. Fertigation saves fertilizer nutrients as it permits applying fertilizer in small quantities at a time matching with the plants’ nutrients’ need. To address these problems, AICRP on Irrigation Water Management, 

Introduction

Earth was a beautiful landscape but man has ruthlessly exploited for his greed specially, in the last century. With rapid industrialization and random urbanization environmental pollution has become a serious problem. Over exploitation of open spaces, ever-increasing number of automobiles and demographic pressure has further aggravated the problem.
 
According to The Hindu, on December 1, 2015 a blanket of smog surrounded Beijing, China, later this smog covered one tenth of China’s area. This situation was recently seen in Delhi, after diwali. It was reported that suspended particulate matter (SPM) content in the air was 14-16 times higher than the permissible limits. So, one of the ways to mitigate this pollution is plating of trees and shrubs as green corridors for abatement of pollution and improvement of environment is an effective way.

Introduction

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are the atmospheric trace gases which absorb and emit infra-red radiation and thereby trapping the heat radiated from the earth surface. The commonly known agriculturally important GHGs are carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O). The major anthropogenic sources of CO₂ emission in atmosphere are biosphere, burning of fossil fuels and land use changes in tropical forests. The atmospheric concentration of CO₂ has increased from 280 parts per million by volume (ppmv) in 1750 to 394 ppmv in 2012 and is currently increasing at the rate of 1.9 ppmv year-1 (NOAA, 2012). Atmospheric CH₄ concentration has increased from about 715 to 1826 parts per billion by volume (ppbv) in 2012 over the same period and is increasing at the rate of 7 ppbv year-1 (IPCC, 2007; EPA, 2013). Similarly, the atmospheric concentration of N₂O has increased from about 270 ppbv in 1750 to 325 ppbv and is increasing at the rate of 0.8 ppbv year-1 (IPCC, 2007; EPA, 2013).

Introduction

Climate change and climatic variability are expected to reduce agricultural productivity and threaten food security of the world, particularly in developing countries. Producing enough food for the increasing population in a background of decreasing resources and a changing climate scenario, is a challenging task. Agriculture, forestry and land use change account for about 30% of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions. Therefore, mitigation of GHGs emission while enhancing production is another challenge in agriculture.
 
Conservation agriculture (CA), with the three core inter-linked principles of minimizing mechanical soil disturbance, enhancing organic matter cover on soil and diversification of crops, is a viable option for sustainable agriculture with an effective solution to climate change adaptation and mitigation. The principles can be integrated and applied into most of the rainfed and irrigated production systems including horticulture, agro-forestry, organic farming, rotational farming and integrated crop-livestock systems to strengthen ecological sustainability. Worldwide about 105 Mha land is under CA and the area is increasing. However countries like USA, Brazil, Argentina, Canada and Australia occupy about 90% of the area under CA. The CA, which is advocated as an alternative to the conventional production system for improving productivity and sustainability, is now adopted by many countries and agencies as a lead model for sustainable agricultural intensification.

Abstract

Nadia district covers 3927 sq km of West Bengal State and forms lower part of Indo-Gangetic alluvium of Quaternary age. The district is entirely affected by arsenic contamination in ground water. Population explosion, rapid agricultural growth and inadequate surface water resources has put tremendous thrust on ground water development. 80% of the population is dependent on agriculture. Ground water plays a key role to yield substantial agricultural growth. Irrigational potential of the district is 3356 sq km, of which major contribution belongs to ground water only, i.e., 3100 sq km. Summer season (boro) (lean period crop) paddy cultivation demands huge ground water. Shallow tube wells within 80 metre depth are major in numbers than deep (beyond 100 metre) tube wells. Dynamic ground water resource calculation indicates that net ground water available in the area is 198948 ham, of that for irrigation purposes ground water draft is 167617 ham. Net ground water available for future irrigation development is 34996 ham. Out of 17 blocks of the district, six blocks have already been listed under semi-critical category.