eChapters

Pollination is a keystone process in both human managed and natural terrestrial ecosystems. Pollinators are an input of crop cultivation and associated biodiversity, and provide an essential ecosystem service to both natural and agro- ecosystems. In agro-ecosystems, management of pollinators can maximize the pollination and thereby enhance the crop productivity and yield quality. Pollination is the best example of mutualism between plant species and their pollinators which results into intricate relationships between plant and animal - the reduction or loss of either affecting the survival of both.

Approximately 80 per cent of all flowering plant species are dedicated to pollination by animals and mostly by insects. The negative impact of pollinator deficit is strongly felt in reduction of fruit set seed productivity and agricultural biodiversity. The role of pollinators is transfer of pollen from anther to stigma of the same species to ensure reproduction, seed set, fruit set development and multiplication of plants, both in agro ecosystems and natural ecosystems.

Abstract

Carbon is the backbone for the life of all living beings. Carbohydrates are metabolic currency of plants as they provide building blocks for energy and biomass accumulation. Carbohydrates include both structural and Nonstructural carbohydrates. Structural carbohydrates like cellulose and lignin are long chain molecules for the building of plants reserves and structural support. These are main constituents of plant cell wall, stem, stalks etc. Non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) like monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, sugar alcohols are important constituents in plants metabolism. The Non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) pool is very important for plant to meet the inadequate carbon requirement under night and stressful conditions. The quantity and distribution ratio of NSC in different tissues is an ecophysiological feature to understand the adaptive strategies of plants. Substrate for biosynthesis of NSC produced from photosynthesis. Sucrose and starch majorly involved in transport, energy metabolism, osmoregulation of plants.

Insects and mites that damage crops, pathogens that cause diseases in plants, weeds that compete with field crops for nutrients and water, plants that choke irrigation channels or drainage systems, rodents that eat young plants and grain, and birds that eat seedlings or stored foodstuffs are all crop pests. As plants were domesticated and grown, increasingly in monoculture, the potential damage caused by their co-evolved pests and disease pathogens were realised.

High-pressure processing (HPP) is a novel method for non-thermal preservation technique of food that inactivates harmful pathogens and vegetative spoilage microorganisms. HPP is an alternate, non-thermal food processing method, wherein the food is subjected to a very high pressure range from 100 -800 MPa (1MPa = 145.03 Psi or 10 Bar). HPP is also referred as High hydrostatic pressure processing, Ultra high-pressure processing, Hyperbaric processing and Pascalization (Rao et al., 2014).

Moringa oleifera Linn. belongs to the family Moringaceae, that consists of only one genus with about 13 species of deciduous trees (Keay, 1989). It is believed to be the native of India-Pakistan-Nepal borders, but now is becoming widely distributed and grown in several countries, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions (Satti et al., 2013).

Elephant foot yam, Amorphophallus campanutatus Blume (= Arum campanulatum Roxb.) belongs to the family Araceae. It is also known as elephant yam, Elephant bread, Suran, Sweet yam etc. It is a native to Tropical Asia and is found throughout the plains of the Indian sub-continent and some other parts of South East Asia and Africa growing both wild as well as cultivated.

To reduce the dependence on hazardous pesticides in modern agriculture, one of the most promising ways is to use insect-resistant cultivars. When available, planting resistant cultivars is one of our most effective, economically viable and environmentally sound tactics. The underlying concept of using host resistance to our advantage comes from the knowledge that most plants and animals are resistant to most potential insect attackers.

As the population of the world rises, there is an increase in the demand for food production. Agricultural packaging helps farmers and makers to deliver food in the handiest approach with no loss. It eliminates unnecessary wastage of food during post-harvest treatment procedures, production process, storage, and transportation. It ensures short and long-term stability between the farmers and the consumers. Pesticides are completely toxic and reactive and thus need correct packaging. In agricultural packaging of pesticides, pouches with excellent quality standards are used that improve sealing and handling issues and avoid any malfunctioning. Ventilation is very important in agricultural packaging that permits the warmth and to cool quickly. Loss of water of the products should be minimized to let them stay fresh for a longer time.

Learning outcomes

• understand the functioning of community radio in dissemination of from technology.

Introduction

Radio is the oldest type of media, and via radio the information revolution saw the green revolution. Farmers listen to the radio for weather, market price, and pestilence updates. Government began to encourage citizens by establishing radio rural forums (RRF). The primary purpose of a rural radio forum is to discuss and act. Here, a group of twenty individuals debate cultivation-related concerns and provide questions for the subsequent Radio rural forum. This allowed radio forum to get widespread popularity.

Learning outcome

• To learn writing for print media such as newspaper, magazine, books.
• To have in knowledge about script writing in electronic medium such as using mobile apps- LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Podcast

What is Print Media?

It’s a sort of mass media that publishes news and information. Print media is the oldest way to reach a large audience. It exclusively distributes information in physical copy

Books, magazines, and newspapers are popular print media. These may consist of chapters or themes, pictures, advertising, printed journals, pamphlets and so on. Print media cannot do live reporting, discussions, or shows.

Learning outcomes

• You should know how to make an audio or video script.
• Describe the differences between the different kinds of programmes.
• Examine the different script development stages. Before we start, please complete the following activity.

Reflect on the programmes you watch on TV or any other programme using Over the top (OTT) platforms like amazon, prime video, Netflix etc. How many of it you classify as

1. Entertainment
2. Educational
3. Informational

“Mostpeople spend more time and energy going around problems than in trying to solve them.”
 

- Henry Ford

A problem can be defined as a situation that prevents us from achieving the goals we have set for ourselves. It can be anything from financial, personal to work-related. Problems can arise anywhere, and any activity that helps to end our problem results in problem-solving. Being a part of an extension organization we have to come across different kinds of problems. Every job role has its problems. But how well do we cope up with the everyday problems that we often face? Some people are good at problem-solving. Others may think they are not. Most are somewhere in between.

Good problem solving skills empower managers in their professional and personal lives. Good problem solving skills seldom come naturally; they are consciously learnt and nurtured. The selection of good problem solving skills includes:

India is one of the few countries in the world, which has contributed richly to the international livestock gene pool. Small animal particularly sheep and goat biodiversity in India is characterized by high degree of endemism in different agro climatic regions, and has led to the development of various breeds/strains that are well adapted to specific set of environmental conditions. These breeds have generally been named after their place of origin and some based on their prominent characteristics. Indigenous sheep and goat contribute greatly to the agrarian economy, especially in areas where crop and dairy farming are not economical, and play an important role in the livelihood of a large proportion of small and marginal farmers and landless laborers. Sheep and Goat rearing and production has been the important source for sustainable livelihood of the rural people mainly in arid, semi-arid and temperate regions of India as it serves their various needs and provides an unceasing source of income round the year.

Introduction

Farmers work hard to earn a living. However, not all farmers make money, especially small family farmers. There is very little leftover after they pay for all their inputs (seeds, livestock breeds, fertilizers, pesticides, energy, feed, labour, etc.). However, the Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) has enabled farmers to develop a framework for an alternative development model to improve the feasibility of small sized farming operations. The ‘’modern’’ technologies have been widely used to enhance the productivity per acre of land to ensure that there is enough food for the increased global population. Due to the indiscriminate and erratic use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, our food and ecosystems have been poisoned. On the contrary, the integrated farming system uses the integrated approach to farming compared to monoculture approaches. It refers to agricultural systems that integrate agriculture with horticulture, livestock, fishery, agro-forestry, etc. and known as integrated bio-systems. In this system, an inter-related set of enterprises is used so that the “waste” from one component becomes an input for another part of the system. This reduces costs and improves production and/or income. 

Introduction

Strategic planning is how an organisation determines how to allocate its resources to pursue its strategy or direction. Based on an assessment of the internal and external environments within which an organisation operates, strategic management is concerned with developing and implementing an organisation’s long-term goals for its stakeholders.

When it comes to strategic planning and management, the SWOT analysis (or SWOT matrix) is a tool that can be used to determine a company’s competitive advantage by analysing its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Situational assessment or situational analysis is another name. TOWS and WOTS-UP are two other acronyms based on the same components.

Introduction

Entrepreneurship refers to the capability and willingness to develop, establish and run an enterprise and manage uncertainties to profit. It can also be defined as a process concerned with the creation and extraction of economic value. Entrepreneurship is more than just starting a business purely to make money. The person who bears the risk of starting a new enterprise is an entrepreneur. In this chapter, we will discuss entrepreneurship and its development in detail.

Entrepreneurship development is a process involving several phases and steps. The process has been viewed at the level of individual-developing entrepreneurial quality in an individual and the group of community-creating an environment in which entrepreneurship activities can grow.

1. Sample: One or more units selected from a population of units, or a portion of material selected from a larger quantity of material
2. The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) should contain full working instructions as well as information on applicability, expected performance, internal quality control (performance verification) requirements and calculation of results. It should also contain information on any hazards arising from the method, from standards or from reagents.
3. Analytical Samples: The quantity of the analytical sample to be used is usually indicated in tests and assays. Unless otherwise specified, the quantity used may deviate by 10% from that stated. All quantitative determinations should be conducted on triplicate test portions and in these cases, the amount actually taken should be accurately weighed or measured and the result of the analysis calculated on this exact quantity. When substances are to be “accurately weighed” in a test or assay, the weighing is to be performed in such manner as to limit the error to ± 0.1% or less. Quantities smaller than 100 mg should be weighed to the nearest 0.1 mg.

1. Proteins in solution absorb ultraviolet light with absorbance maxima at 280 and 200 nm. Amino acids with aromatic rings are the primary reason for the absorbance peak at 280 nm. Peptide bonds are primarily responsible for the peak at 200 nm.
2. Aromatic amino acids tyrosine and tryptophan give proteins their characteristic ultraviolet (UV) absorption at 280 nm, which is routinely used to estimate protein concentration. Phenylalanine and disulfide bonds also contribute to absorption at 280 nm, albeit slightly.

13.1 Introduction

Beet root or garden beet or table beet is an important home and market garden crop of India grown during winter season for its fleshy enlarged roots. It can be eaten raw as salad, and cooked with other vegetables. Beet root is rich in minerals and vitamin C. The garden beet, sugar beet, swiss chard, mangel and palak, all belong to the same genus and species Beta vulgaris. Beet root (Chukandar) is not so popular vegetable crop in India. Its root contains high percentage of sugar.

14.1 Introduction

Turnip is quick growing root vegetable. It is a herbaceous biennial for seed production and an annual for use as a vegetable. Both roots and leaves are edible in turnip. Turnip produces napiform types of roots. Turnip is a popular root vegetable of North India grown during winter months. In young stage, it can be cooked but when it is mature, it may become fibrous and hard. It can be eaten raw but, for making palatable pickles, only desi types are the best. European cultivars of turnip are sweeter than Indian ones. The turnip greens are rich in vitamin A and C and contain appreciable amount of vitamin B, and also good source of Ca, P and Fe. 

1. Introduction

Refrigeration may be defined as the process of achieving and maintaining a temperature below that of the surroundings. The aim being to cool some product or space to the required temperature. Refrigerated system or a room system is maintained at a temperature which is lower than the atmospheric temperature. Due to higher temperature of atmosphere, heat enters the system. To keep the temperature of the system constant, heat must be removed continuously from the system. Heat removed must be equal to the heat transferred to the system. One of the most important applications of refrigeration has been the preservation of perishable food products by storing them at low temperatures. Refrigeration systems are also used extensively for providing thermal comfort to human beings by means of air conditioning.

1. Introduction

Cleaning and grading are the first and vital post harvest operations undertaken to remove foreign and undesirable materials such as crop seed, chaff, mud, stones, straws, immature grains, dust, husk and even iron and steel particles from grains as well as fruits and vegetables and to separate the products into various fractions. Generally, the hand threshing and the traditional handling used in most developing countries cause a larger percentage of foreign matter with these crops. Thus, more cleaning is required. Cleaning is essentially a separation process, in which some difference in physical properties of the contaminants and the food units is exploited. 

1. Introduction

Size reduction is applied to all the ways in which particles of the solids are cut or broken into smaller pieces. Size reduction operation of solids is referred to as 'Comminution", some of the common comminutive processes are - crushing, grinding, milling, mincing, and dicing. Breaking down of large sized particles of food substances into smaller particles is a common unit operation in many food processes, e.g. wheat flour, turmeric powder, spices, etc. are mostly used in powdered form. Some ofthe common objectives that are fulfilled by size reduction are:

1. Introduction

To maintain good quality of product & shelf life, it is very important & essential to concentrate on Cleaning & Sanitization process at plant level & to follow the CIP process properly. An attempt is made in the current chapter to present details pertaining to cleaning in fluid milk and milk products manufacturing & processing plants. This chapter will be helpful the students of Food & Dairy Technology for better understanding the process milk plant cleaning & sanitation technology.

1. Introduction

Thermal processing used extensively in the food industry for preservation and shelf life extension of the products (Arnoldi 2001). Heat treatments remain most important in food processing unit operations, not only to achieve desirable changes in eating quality but also for preservative effect by inactivation of microorganisms, destruction of enzymes and insects.Heat is applied in various unit operations through adifferent mode of heat transfer such as conduction, convection, and radiations. 

Introduction

A planer machine is a commercial machine tool hired for transforming the metal blocks or metal workpiece into the desired calculated shapes by generating the flat surfaces on a workpiece. Similar to a shaper machine, a planer machine is used for forming flat surfaces on the work piece using the single-point cutting tool.Planer machines are generally hired for operation on the larger workpiece or metal structure (blocks) that cannot be achieved by the shaper machine. They generally have larger beds and larger reciprocating movements covering a greater working length and surface area as compared to shaper machines.

Duck farming in India is characterized by nomadic, extensive, seasonal, and is still held in the hands of small and marginal farmers. Traditionally Assam, West Bengal and Kerala are the major consumer states for duck egg and meat and one of the reasons is that duck egg and meat highly suits and impart taste for their fish based culinary preparations.

Different housing system for Duck rearing

In general, ducks do not require elaborate houses. The house should be well ventilated, dry, and rat proof. In semi-intensive system of rearing, the house should have easy access to outside run as the ducks prefer to come out during the day time, winter and rainy time. 

Protozoa are single celled eukaryotes which are either parasitic or free living belonged to family apicomplexa. These protozoan affects the different birds like chickens, turkey, ducks, pigeons, game birds and also various pet birds. The infection caused by protozoan diseases may affect one system or more than one system of the body depending on the causative agents involved. The common protozoan diseases like leukocytozonosis, chochlosomiasis, cryptosporidiosis, coccidiosis, histoplasmosis causes infection in the ducks. The protozoan diseases cause severe economic loss to the poultry industry due to death of birds, expenditure on the treatment and prevention of disease and loss of egg and meat production.

Division of PHT & Agricultural Engineering, IIHR, Hessaraghatta Lake Post Bangalore – 560 089, Karnataka

Food processing is the transformation of agricultural products into food, or conversion of foods of one form into other forms. Food processing includes various operations viz. grinding grain to make raw flour to home cooking to complex industrial methods used to make convenience foods. The processes and procedures used to transform one or more raw ingredients into a consumable product are all included in food processing units. Animal husbandry, horticulture, plantations, agriculture, and fisheries include the use of food processing facilities. It also includes other sectors that produce finished food goods using agricultural inputs. 

Principal Scientist and I/c Head, Division of Social Sciences and Training, IIHR, Hessaraghatta Lake Post, Bangalore – 560 089, Karnataka

Introduction

In the face of growing threat of accelerating climate change, global focus is shifting towards plant-based alternatives as a means for climate resilient ecosystems to meet the food requirements of global population. Such a change in priority is also seen in the growing global awareness towards a shift in daily ‘diets’ away from the meat-based ones towards healthier and balanced ones involving fruits and vegetables that provides cheaper yet nutritionally secure alternatives. A reiteration of this fact that speaks volumes about the changing priority is the UN declaration of the year 2021-22 as ‘the International Year of Fruits & Vegetables’ to raise awareness about balanced nutrition and to direct policy towards efficient management of production with minimizing post- harvest losses and wastage.

The success of any country’s agricultural sector depends on the strength of its farmer producer companies (FPCs) or farmer producer organizations (FPOs). These organizations, formed by farmers for farmers, are essential for ensuring the fair and sustainable production and distribution of food. However, many FPCs face significant challenges, including lack of access to finance, technology, and markets. To address these challenges, governments and other institutions have implemented various schemes and programs to support FPCs. 

1. What are Primary produce?

Primary produce, also known as primary products, refers to raw materials or natural resources that are derived from agriculture, forestry, fishing, or mining activities. These products are typically unprocessed or minimally processed, and are often used as inputs in further manufacturing or production processes. Examples of primary produce include crops such as wheat, corn, and soybeans, as well as livestock such as cattle, sheep, and pigs. Forestry products such as timber and paper pulp, as well as fish and other seafood harvested from the ocean or inland waterways, are also considered primary produce.

Introduction

Minerals are essentially required for growth maintenance, egg and meat production, health, nutrient metabolism, physiological function, reproduction, skeletal growth and development and maintenance of normal immune function. There are 25 essential minerals, seven are major minerals, as they are present in relatively higher amount in the body than the trace minerals and need to be supplemented in higher quantities in the feed. These major minerals are calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, chloride, potassium, and sulphur. The micro minerals are present in small quantities in the body and their requirements in the diet are below 100 mg/kg. The 18 trace minerals are iron, copper, zinc, manganese, iodine, selenium, cobalt, molybdenum, chromium, tin, vanadium, fluorine, silicon, nickel, arsenic, aluminium, lead and rubidium. Among these, the first nine micro minerals have been identified to play a significant role in birds. Total minerals in diet include feed sources and supplementary sources. 

Introduction

Poultry production is practiced at levels ranging from subsistence to large scale commercial operations. Commercial operations depend on hatcheries for the supply of day-old chicks while the subsistence farmers hatch their chicks by natural incubation. The hatchery plays a central role in the poultry production chain. Optimization of hatchery and breeder farm management can lead to improvement of the result throughout the production chain (Heier and Jarp, 2001). Generally, the success of hatchery management is monitored by the percentage of eggs set that are hatched (hatchability) and the number of chicks that are placed for grow-out (saleable chicks). 

Introduction

Women and girls in rural areas bear the brunt of poverty, feminisation and its intergenerational ramifications and the effects of desertification, extreme weather events, and natural disasters. Women are most at risk in conflict situations, as migrants and refugees and in humanitarian crises. Rural women have higher rates of disability, have inadequate or non-existent support services, and are stigmatised. Despite being the leading food growers and processors, the paradox is that they are often the last to consume the nutritious and healthy food they need to stay strong.

Although women work in household chores, agricultural activities, factories, and different workplaces in days of yore, their valuable work is still not recognized as a financial entity (Kathrivel and Sivakumar, 2003). The multiple roles performed by ‘Nari shakti share many working hours, but financial terms are off the records. Women’s power at construction work is greater utilization as labour and their daily routine employment. 

Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY)

Indira Awaas Yojana, which used to be a component of Jawahar Rozgar Yojana became an independent Scheme from 1997-1998 onwards. Its objective is construction of free houses to members of the Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes, Freed Bonded Labourers in Rural areas and also to non SC/ST rural poor living below poverty line. The beneficiaries are selected from the Below Poverty Line (BPL) list approved by the Grama Sabha. Atleast 60% of the total IAY allocation during a financial year should be utilized for construction/ upgradation of dwelling units for SC/ST BPL rural households. A maximum 40% of allocation is for non- SC/ST BPL rural households. 3% of the above categories should be allocated for physically and mentally challenged persons. 

History of plant propagation

The propagation of plants is one of the absolutely necessary occupations of human beings since time immemorial. Civilization might have started when ancient man learned to plant and grow different kinds of plants, which fulfilled the nutritional and other allied needs of human beings and their animals. Cultivated plants commenced mainly by direct selection from wild species (e,g., lima bean, barley, tomato, and rice), hybridization between species, accompanied by changes in chromosome number (e,g., strawberry, pear, and prunes), and a group of plants occurs naturally as rare monstrosities (e,g., cabbage, broccoli, and brussel’s sprouts).

“The light of unconditional love awakens the dormant seed potential of the soul helping them ripen, blossom and bear fruit, allowing us to bring the unique gifts that are ours to offer in this life”

–John Wehwood

Introduction

In nature and in humans, seeds are vehicles for spreading new life from place to place. In plants, it refers to the unit of dispersal that survives between seed maturation and its establishment as a seedling. A seed, like a fortress, protects and sustains life as they are well-stocked with special food supplies to endure long sieges. There are many things that seeds are, but above all else, they are the means of survival of their species. It is a way of suspending embryonic development and then resuming it years later after the parents have passed away.

Seed quality is the possession of seed that is genetically pure and physically homogeneous, coupled with health and wellness.

A seed is the first genetic material that becomes the basis for future agriculture and seeds are the basic building blocks of agriculture. A great deal of farming has been modernized by technology, but without a regular and steady supply of high quality seed, yields would be drastically reduced and crop quality would decrease as well. The production of horticultural and agronomic crops depends largely on quality seed. For farmers, seed characteristics such as genetic purity, germination percentage, vigor, and appearance have a significant effect on yield. Every professional seed producer strives to achieve and maintain high seed quality.

Introduction

The nursery is an area where tender seedlings are raised and conditioned before planting out in transplant beds or directly in the field. The increasing demand for quality planting material has up stepped the nursery business in many countries. The sophisticated technology, research and novel production approaches has transformed the traditional horticultural nursery to a technology intensive business. The tools and accessories associated with nursery production helps in aiding productivity of the nursery. The colour-coded and labelled plant materials, textured pots etc. are fascinating to consumers, indirectly increasing the salability of the plants and profitability of the enterprise. 

In the global scenario, the increasing energy crisis and consequent escalation of chemical fertilizer prices along with increasing risk associated with soil degradation have reviewed interest in bio-resources for attaining soil health and sustainable crop production. The use of organic manures, bio-fertilizers and chemical fertilizers will augment the efficiency of combined application of nutrients to maintain a high level of soil productivity and rice production (Thakuria et al., 1991; Prasad et al., 1995). Several experimental evidences showed that the combination of various bio-resources with chemical fertilizers improved the rice production in sustainable way (Roy and Jha, 1987; Subba Rao, 1995; Mahapatra et al., 1997; Suresh et al., 2001).

ntroduction

Millions of living organisms present in soil make it a living and a dynamic system. Under a microscope, it reveals a complex array of soil particles and pore spaces filled with air and water. In these pore spaces that plant roots and millions of organisms develop, which are ranging from sub-microscopic to macroscopic in size. The physical and chemical characteristics of soil determine the nature of the environment in which vast number of soil microorganisms especially soil microorganisms are found. Living organisms in soils include both macro (earthworms, rodents, termites etc.) and microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, algae and protozoa). These organisms not only help in the development of soils but also carry out a number of transformations, facilitating the availability of nutrients to the plants.

Introduction

Soil algae are not as numerous as bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi. Furthermore, these are photosynthetic microorganisms. Recent work has led to a more complete knowledge of the ecology and importance of terrestrial algae. These algae are found abundant in the habitats in which moisture is adequate and light is accessible.

Classification

Soil algae are classified into four major classes:

1. Cyanophyceae (Blue green algae)
2. Chlorophyceae (Green algae)

Introduction

The various reactions of nitrogen (N₂) cycle, transform one form of the element to another. Mineralization liberates nitrogen in inorganic form, immobilization converts its back to an unavailable state, while nitrification changes the nitrogen from a reduced to oxidized state. Certain transformations of nitrogen lead to a net loss of element from the soil through volatilization. For the purpose of crop production, nitrogen volatilization has a deleterious influence because it depletes part of soils reserve of an essential nutrient. The sequence of steps that results in gaseous loss is called denitrification. So denitrification refers to the reduction of nitrates and nitrites to gaseous nitrogen products, principally di-nitrogen and nitrous oxide, coupled to energy production through oxidative phosphorylation.

This chapter presents the conclusions of the research study. Based on these conclusions, recommendations relating to the effective implementation and management of Cyber Reference Service (CRS) in agricultural libraries in Maharashtra are made.

6.1 Introduction

The overall aim of this research was to investigate and analyze CRS in the Agricultural College and University libraries of Maharashtra. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach by combining quantitative and qualitative methods to achieve its aims and objectives. 

The deliberation on the methodology has been made to understand the concept, methods and techniques which have been executed for delineating the study, collection of information, analysis of data, and interpretation of the findings for the revelation of hard evidences and formulation of theories. This chapter deals with the method and procedure used in the study consisting of eight main parts

A. Locale of research

B. Pilot study

C. Sampling Design

D. Item analysis and experts rating for devising scoring technique on dependent variables

E. Empirical measurement of the variables.

3.1. Maturity

• During process of maturation, fruit receives regular supply of food material from plant.

• When mature, abscission or corky layer forms at stern end stops inflow.

• Afterwards, fruit depends on own reserves, carbohydrates dehydrated and sugars accumulate until sugar acid ratio form.

• In addition, typical flavour and characteristic colour also develop.

• Stage of maturity at the time of picking influence storage life and quality of fruit

• Fruits harvested over mature or full ripe are easily susceptible to microbial and physiological spoilage and storage life reduction.

• Necessary to pick up fruits or vegetables at correct stage of maturity to facilitate proper ripening, distant transportation and maximum storage life.

• Principles of harvest maturity

? Harvested commodity should have its peak acceptable quality when it reaches the consumer.

? Produce should develop an acceptable flavour or appearance.

? Produce should have optimum size and shape required by the market.