eChapters

In manipulation of plant development, training and pruning are important for which our knowledge about plant development and its phenology has to be complete. These practices are important in fruit crops.

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.

Abstract

Plants store structural carbohydrates (SCs) and Non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) to buffer source–sink interactions at various phases of growth and under diverse environmental conditions. Structural carbohydrates (cellulose, lignin, hemicelluloses) provide structural integrity to the plant and the Nonstructural carbohydrates (sugars and starch) plays important role in growth, respiration, osmotic regulation, defence and helps in maintaining the carbon balance. Abiotic stresses such as drought, heat, salinity, and lodging etc. restrict the growth and development of plant which culminates into lower yield. Hence, the role of Non-structural carbohydrates needs to be elucidated for achieving desired crop improvement interventions to mitigate the harmful effects of climate change and having sturdy crop system. Improving our understanding of whole-plant sink–source dynamics and further optimising them will have far-reaching consequences in the near future.

When embarking on the entrepreneurial journey, it’s essential to craft a Unique Value Proposition (UVP) that sets your business apart in a crowded market. Your UVP should succinctly convey the distinctive benefits your product or service brings to customers, solving their pain points in ways competitors can’t. To develop a compelling UVP, start by delving into your target audience’s challenges and desires. Understand their needs deeply and determine how your offering can address those needs uniquely and effectively. Whether it’s through innovative features, exceptional quality, or a unique approach, your UVP should highlight what makes your solution stand out. Distill this essence into a clear and memorable statement that resonates with your audience.

Use Case 1: Supply Chain Traceability

1. Description: Blockchain can enable end-to-end traceability of agricultural products, ensuring transparency and authenticity. It allows tracking the journey of a product from farm to fork, providing consumers with detailed information about its origin, processing, and storage conditions.
2. Current Scenario: The lack of transparency in supply chains often leads to food fraud and safety concerns. Consumers are increasingly demanding more information about the products they consume.
3. How Blockchain Adds Value: Blockchain technology can securely record and store data about each step of the supply chain, including details about farming practices, transportation, and storage conditions. This transparency builds trust and ensures food safety.
4. Statistics: According to a survey conducted by Label Insight, 94% of consumers are likely to be loyal to a brand that offers transparency, including detailed information about product origin and quality.
5. Startups: Provenance, a UK-based startup, uses blockchain to trace the journey of seafood products, promoting sustainability and ethical sourcing.

Introduction

The wild seedling of walnut has been found growing in west regions right from the Carpathian Mountains in Eastern Europe across Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Southern USSR and Afghanistan to the North-Western Himalayas. It is believed to have originated in Iran and the areas surrounding it. The Returning army of Alexander brought it to Europe from Iran. Almost all parts of the walnut tree are utilized. The fruit has excellent flavour and is mainly consumed as a dried fruit, eaten for table purposes. The kernels contain about 60–75% fat and oil, 16% carbohydrate, and 15% protein. Jammu and Kashmir is the largest walnut producing state in India and the USA is a leading producer of walnuts.

Introduction

The fruit is a hard-shelled, many-seeded berry with its pinkish brown, aromatic sour and sweet pulp being the edible portion of the seeds embedded in it. The tree is one of the hardy trees of arid and semi-arid regions.

Agriculture and Food Security

Food security refers to a situation when people gain physical and access to enough food to meet the dietary requirements for a healthy life for all times. A household can have food security when all the members lead a hunger free life. It is estimated that nearly 800 million people in the world go to bed hungry every night. Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life (World Food Summit, 1996). This definition gives rise to four dimensions of food security: availability of food, accessibility (economically and physically), utilization (the way it is used and assimilated by the human body) and stability of these three dimensions.

Energy is a critical component of the economic infrastructure, as it is the primary input required to support economic growth. Economic development and energy use have a close relationship. The higher a country’s per capita energy usage, the more developed it is and vice versa. Human civilization is dependent on several energy sources.

It is known that the phenotype of an individual is a combination of genotype and environment. Animal breeding analysis is mainly done to partition the genetic part from the environmental part so as to assess the actual genetic worth of the animal. In this process correction for the known environmental part is integral to any animal breeding analysis. In this chapter, a list of common factors affecting important economic traits are described. The analytical part for these effects will be explained in later chapters.

Correction or standardization of data is very important in any animal breeding analysis. Unless the candidates under selection are placed on a common platform, various factors affecting the trait will lead to bias in assessing the performance of the individual with respect to a particular trait. For eg. a lamb born during a favorable season, a lactating cow in its third parity, first lactation yield of a cow with longer age at first calving.

Introduction

Everyone is familiar with the term start-up or entrepreneurship which refers to a process by which individuals start and manage their businesses and industrial enterprises. Entrepreneurs are people who take risks and invest their capital in businesses and industrial enterprises. Entrepreneurial in terms of personal development in terms of self-determination create take risks Therefore, anyone who exhibits the characteristics of self-development, creativity, personal decision-making, and risk-taking can be called a person with entrepreneurial characteristics. When these characteristics are exhibited by someone who is running a business, they can be called an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurship is the ability and willingness to develop, organize and manage a business enterprise, with all its uncertainties, in order to make a profit. The most prominent example of entrepreneurship is starting a new business. In economics, business activities involving land, labor, natural resources, and capital can generate profits.

Definitions of Energy

Energy is a key topic in science and technology, as well as in society in general. In terms of energy, a typical definition found in popular literature as well as textbooks is “energy is the ability to do work” or, much more precisely, “energy is the capacity of a system to do work” [Atkins 1990].

Energy is described as the ability to generate change or carry out work, and that work can be separated into numerous easily identifiable tasks: Energy produces light, heat, motion, sound, growth, power and technology etc.

Energy in Agricultural Context (FAO)

Agriculture’s fundamental and foremost function is to produce food and other primary products, so contributing to food and nutritional security. Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD) attempts to promote ecologically non-degrading, technically suitable, commercially successful, and socially acceptable development in the agriculture, fishery and forestry sectors. Achieving food security necessitates policies that promote social, cultural, political, and economic stability. Integrating agriculture’s economic, social, and environmental roles can help to attain these objectives.

Agriculture may provide a variety of non-food commodities and services. This can include its application as a viable, long-term source of energy. According to the FAO, agricultural activities and related land use directly contribute to non-agricultural functions such as social, environmental, economic and cultural products and services. They can have major advantages or disadvantages. Research reveals that, in addition to food security, agriculture contributes significantly to attaining sustainability at the local, national and global levels in rural development, energy and the environment. The efficient operation of the market encourages the identification and strengthening of these many functions, as well as the development of new techniques and technologies. Plant and crop-based resources are utilised as raw materials in a wide range of industrial goods, including wood for paper and board production, starches for adhesives, and vegetable oils for paints and resins.

Services for CSA

Under the CSA projects and programmes, the services like supply of inputs and technology transfer through extension services are provided to the farmers. The inputs like seeds of crops are provided by the input dealers at the subsidized rate and seedlings of fruits and vegetables are provided by both private and government agencies to grow under general cultivation and poly-house cultivation technology. Similarly other services like soil testing facilities, issue of soil health cards, construction of micro-irrigation projects and rain harvesting structures are made available to farmers. Under insurance scheme, loanee farmers are supported to pay premium dues for availing crop insurance facilities. Other services like trainings at various levels, demonstrations, exposure visits, exhibitions, kisan melas, field days, monitoring and evaluation of all these activities under these programmes are provided to the farmers with collaboration of extension officers.

Climate and Agriculture

Soil, climate and water are three basic requirements of a crop to be grown in a particular region. Climate affects the temperature trends, seasons, length of the growing season, amount of sunlight and the seasonality of sunlight etc. A change in climate may cause recurrent droughts, floods and weather extremities that would affect the agricultural production, human livelihoods, health and biodiversity. The relationship between agriculture and climate is complex as it is dependent on climate and also plays a contributing role in emission of greenhouse gas (GHG). Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydro-chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), hydro-fluorocarbons (HFCs), per fluorocarbons (PFCs) etc. , which play a significant role in climate change.

Introduction

Longan is a close relative of lychee, having similar growth and fruiting habits but being somewhat hardier than lychee. The fruits are smaller, smooth-surfaced with a yellow to brown colour. It originated in the subtropical region of China or in the area between Myanmar and India. Fruits contain 25.2% carbohydrate, 1% protein, 0.5% fat, vitamin A (28 IU/100G) and vitamin C. Longan contributes to the greatest fruit export of Thailand. Longan/Lungan, also known as “Dragon’s Eye” or “Little Brother of Lychee”, is an important sub-tropical fruit crop.

Modern silvicultural tools involve in a paradigm shift from a highly manual to mechanize or digital data recording and tight operational control. Now a days many machines or digital tool are being used in silviculture like pitting machine, tree planter, Laser geo hypsometer, Satellite system etc.

Observation recording: Now a days green felling is completely banned. Fuelwood species are managed under clear-felling systems and tree species infected by insects and pests are felled selectively. The students are advised to visit the fuelwood plantations and forests areas where selective felling is going on.

Observation recording: The students are advised to visit the different forests areas and identify various insects and pests damaging trees in various ways like leaf feeding (defoliator), stem boring (stem borer) damaging seeds (seed borer) etc and various pathogens. Collect the specimens from field bring them in laboratory and identify with the help of inhouse specimens in college laboratory or standard literature viz. The Ecology and Control of the Forest Insects of India and the Neighbouring Countries by Beeson CEC, Forest Pathology: Principles and Practice in Forestry by Bakshi, BK.

Observation recording: The students are advised to visit the different forests areas and identify various insects and pests damaging trees in various ways like leaf feeding (defoliator), stem boring (stem borer) damaging seeds (seed borer) etc and various pathogens.

Observation recording: For correct identification of any tropical tree species, it is necessary to observe the type of leaf, leaf arrangement, surface ornamentation of leaf and various types of margins. The type of leaf, margins and leaf arrangement can be seen without help of any lens whereas to observe the ornamentation a hand lens will be require.

Observation recording: Phenological events are typically quantified by observing the date of onset and the duration of particular phenophases, which include both vegetative and reproductive events like leaf shedding, leaf emergence, flowering and fruiting. To record the phenological events students should note down the emergence of leaf, flowering and fruiting at the interval of 15 days by vising the targeted tree species.

Observation recording: Phenological events are typically quantified by observing the date of onset and the duration of particular phenophases, which include both vegetative and reproductive events like leaf shedding, leaf emergence, flowering and fruiting. To record the phenological events students should note down the emergence of leaf, flowering and fruiting at the interval of 15 days by vising the targeted tree species.

Objective: To study the planting and stand management practices of Kala Shisham (Dalbergia latifolia).

Observation recording: Students are advised to visit the shisham plantation or forest for seed collection then sowing the seeds in nursery and record the various nursery practices and conduct tending operations in shisham plantation.

Observation recording: Students are advised to visit the teak forest or plantation for seed collection then sowing the seeds in nursery and record the various nursery practices and conduct tending operations in teak plantation.

Observation recording: To record the observation on seed germination, Pollination and dispersal needs to conduct frequent field visits in different seasons for recording the various pollination and dispersing agents and conducting experiment on seed germination.

Observation recording: To record the response of various tree species to produce root sucker, coppicing, pollarding, pruning and browsing of various tropical tree species requires field visits and conducting experiment to observe which species is producing root suckers, coppice etc.

Observation recording: To record the response of various tree species to the light, fire, drought, frost and wind, frequent visits of the forest areas which are affected by fire, drought and frost should be conducted. Studies relevant to light requirement in various growth stages of tree and ability to stand against various intensities wind are very lengthy that requires long time periodic studies.

Observation recording: To record the response of various tree species to the light, fire, drought, frost and wind, frequent visits of the forest areas which are affected by fire, drought and frost should be conducted. Studies relevant to light requirement in various growth stages of tree and ability to stand against various intensities wind are very lengthy that requires long time periodic studies.

Observation recording: Today green felling is completely banned. Fuelwood species are managed under clear-felling systems and tree species infected by insects and pests are felled selectively. The students are advised to visit the fuelwood plantations and forests areas where selective felling is going on.

Weather and climate have profound influence on agriculture of a region. There are some differences between these two terms. Weather describes the state of the lower atmosphere of a place with respect to temperature, precipitation, wind direction, wind speed, humidity, cloudiness and pressure etc. over a short period of time. The short term variations over minutes to days are indicated as weather of a location. It says whether the atmosphere is hot or cold, rainy or dry, sunny or cloudy, still or cyclonic and so on usually for period of 24 hours. The weather may vary from place to place and from time to time due to difference in temperature, cloudiness, humidity, rain and other events of atmosphere. It may be sunny at one locality, but rainy at another locality.

Principle

β-Glucosidase (BG) plays a major role in the degradation of soil organic matter and plant residues. It catalyzes the hydrolysis of β-d-glucopyranosides, the final, rate-limiting step in the degradation of cellulose, the most abundant polysaccharide providing simple sugars for the soil microbial population. BG has been shown to be sensitive to changes in soil and residue management as well as an early indicator of changes in SOC before these changes are reflected in total or organic C analyses. The method is based on colorimetric determination of the p-nirtrophenol released by β-glucosidase when soil is incubated with buffered PNG solution and toluene.

Abstract

The Car Nicobar Island is one of the several islands in Indian Ocean which was severally damaged by the Great tsunami on 26 December 2004. The great tsunami event caused massive devastation, in the form of loss of life and property in south and south East Asia. The objectives of the study are to assess the changes in the coastal features of the Car Nicobar Island using various indicators such as the tsunami height, run- up elevation, water flow direction, erosion, sand deposition and coastal subsidence. Andaman &Nicobar Islands are the summit of the submarine mountain range lying along the great tectonic suture zone extending from Eastern Himalaya to Sumatra and Lesser Sunda via Myanmar border and Arakan hills. The IRS P-6 satellite data has been found to be very useful in the present tsunami assessment studies. The digital analysis of the satellite data was done using the image processing software (ERDAS IMAGINE 8.4) and DTM to quantify the tsunami height (15 m), run up elevation (2-19 m), inundation (295-1203 m) and coastal responses. The settlements and coconut plantations have been severely damaged in the island, which were assessed using GIS analysis of the pre and post-tsunami satellite data.

Keywords: Tsunami, Wave Height, Run-up Elevation, Inundation, Coastal Responses, Remote Sensing, GIS.

The pesticides-one amongst the most important inputs in the crop production contributed a lot to minimize the losses to crop yield. In India, on an average, 33 % of crop loss occurs due to pests and disease and runs to an estimated Rs 1.40000 crore. Pesticide is an essential in the farmers struggle to protect their crops. Pesticides consumption in India reported to 288g/ha is very low compared to global average of 900g/ha. Excessive, irrational and indiscriminate use of these pesticides causes many negative consequences, mainly the famous 3 R viz; Resistance, Resurgence and Residue aspects.

6.1. Principles of farm finance

6.1.1. Five Cs’

Introduction

Quality seed plays seminal role in augmenting agricultural production as well as productivity. Only by using good quality seeds, productivity can be enhanced up to the tune of 15-20 per cent alone, but under optimum management, the increment may touch upon up to 45 per cent depending upon the crops since the efficiency and efficacy of all other inputs in the production technology gamut are contingent upon the quality of seeds being used. Since antiquity the importance of quality seed to enhance agricultural productivity is well evident as mentioned in old testimonials, literatures, scriptures, treatises, epics, and many other ancient documents.

Seed quality is the major decisive factor governing stand establishment of any crop and thus having immense importance and bears utmost priority in case of high value, low volume crops like vegetables in particular and for high volume low value crops in general for enhanced productivity and production as well (Mandal et al., 2015). A number of diverse materials/ treatments at varying doses have been used to increase the rate and uniformity of seedling emergence in wheat and rice, which are generally categorized for seed enhancement, which is a kind of value addition.

Seed enhancement may be defined as post-harvest treatments that improve germination and seedling growth or facilitate the delivery of seeds and other inputs/materials required at the time of sowing smoothly. Seed enhancement technology predominantly possess a central objective to further improve seed performance by treating with specific additives/ chemical/ organics/ botanicals, etc. under very specific regimes and with the aid of certain planting equipments to grow uniform crop obviously to harness higher productivity and production (Halmer, 2006). Various techniques have been employed to assure superior performance of additives in different crops and most have been found to have immense commercial application (TeKrony, 2006). This includes three general areas of enhancement: pre sowing hydration treatment (priming), coating, pelleting technologies and seed conditioning.

Abstract

This chapter presents the principle of fluidisation and its use in drying of food materials. Being a convective drying process, capacity and kinetics are limited by process conditions and material properties. The influences are discussed as well as presenting the main equations that describe drying in fluidised beds. The main focus lies on hot gas drying, additionally superheated steam drying as well as atmospheric fluidised bed freeze drying and microwave-assisted fluidised bed drying are presented and discussed.

Introduction

Seed as an input is the precursor for agricultural development as it alone can guarantee 20-30 per cent share of crop productivity (Koudinya and Kumar, 2014). Rigveda, the world’s most ancient scripture available, prescribes the importance of seeds as “Subeejam Sukshetre Jayate Sampadyate” which literally means, “A good seed in a good field can lead to the prosperity and posterity of the entire human race”. Seed production is indeed important to take care of a country’s food and nutritional security needs. At the same time, seed export across countries is vital for ensuring competitiveness in the domestic seed industry besides generating employment and valuable foreign exchange which in turn can be used for scaling up the seed sector’s efficiency itself (Poonia, 2013). As a matter of fact, seed trade is one of the reasons for huge advances made in the Indian seed industry through development and exchange of genetic transformation, marker-assisted breeding and nanotechnology (Nandi et al., 2013). As of 2014-15, global seed industry has reached USD 45 billion in which international seed export alone was worth USD 10 billion. Further, with the estimated growth rate of 9.2 per cent during 2015-2020, the world seed business is expected to be over USD 92 billion. Presently, USA, China, France, Netherlands and Brazil are the top markets comprising more than 66 per cent of the global share in seed trade. Corn, soybean and vegetables account for more than 75 per cent of the total global seed market volume. As of 2014-15, the value of the Asian vegetable seed market was USD 6.75 billion in which China had a major share (41 per cent) and the Indian share was around 7 per cent. Moreover, the world vegetable seed market alone is expected to grow at the rate of 7 -8 per cent per annum and reach USD 8.8 billion by the year 2020 (Parashar and Kumar, 2016).

Introduction

Seed is a critical and vital input that draws an explicit line between the success and failure of any agricultural production programme. In fact progressive history of agriculture has been a history of seed development and production. The mankind has been attempting to select better seed and employ better seed production techniques volitionally or in-volitionally ever since it divested nomadic life for the settled one. Initial attempts were confined to selection of useful crops followed by selection of better sorts and land races among the available native genetic resources. The introductions, hybridization followed by selection of better types and modern breeding tools inclusive biotechnological interventions have been extensively employed to breed better seed. Considering that research in crop improvement can turn little stone unless the quality seed with desired attributes is made available to the farmers. Government of India set up enforcement of provisions of Seed Act, 1966 for certification of seed as per prescribed minimum standards. Central Seed Certification Board was established in 1972 to exhort the central and state governments for producing genetically and physically pure and physiologically viable seed. The seed production programmes and rules were progressively honed to meet the ground situations. Initially the seed was considered as the exclusive bastion of public sector but the private sector got actively involved in seed production. WTO the seed still became a very open subject and the Seed Act was modified in 1988 and 2001 to permit import and export of quality seed, respectively. Despite of all these positive developments in seed sector, the availability of seed is still far from satisfactory. As on today private sector dabbles in low volume high cost seed due to economics and storage factors but the high volume less cost is still a virgin for private sector and is predominantly done by the public sector. Crop improvement is no more an art and science of improving hereditary of crop plants but has become a starker and competitive business under which the stronger would survive and the weaker get eliminated.

Business was abysmally shattered at the terminal end of the Second World War. This forced some nations to sign some tariff related global

Organic agriculture or farming is very much native to India. Whosoever tries to write a history of organic farming will have to refer India and China. The farmers of these two countries are farmers of 40 centuries and it is organic farming that sustained them. This concept of organic farming is based on following principles:

• Nature is the best role model for farming, since it does not use any inputs nor demand unreasonable quantities of water.
• The entire system is based on intimate understanding of nature’s ways. The system does not believe in mining of the soil of its nutrients and do not degrade it in any way for today’s needs.
• The soil in this system is a living entity.
• The soil’s living population of microbes and other organisms are significant contributors to its fertility on a sustained basis and must be protected and nurtured at all cost.
• The total environment of the soil, from soil structure to soil cover is more important.

Abstract

Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of fungi, a group of organism that is different from fruits and vegetables. They are a rich source of good quality protein having more essential amino acids and vitamins with low calories. There are about six commonly known edible mushrooms throughout the world with button mushroom (Agaricus bisporous) being the most familiar and commercially important variety. Mushroom is a highly perishable product with a shelf life limiting to a few days. Soon after harvest, it starts to undergo physiological disorders like shriveling, wilting, liquefaction, browning, textural as well as weight losses and flavour changes. The main responsible factors for the quality deterioration after harvest are respiration rate, browning, bacterial spoilage of mushrooms, temperature and relative humidity. Because of its limited shelf life under ambient conditions of temperature and humidity, the preservation of mushrooms is a matter of concern. Various techniques have been involved in the extension of shelf life of mushrooms including chemical treatments, cooling, modified and controlled atmospheric storage, radiation, drying etc. Drying is one of the most accepted and effective methods for the long term storage of mushrooms. Mushrooms preserved by drying have a pleasant flavour and are used as an important ingredient in several food formulations including salads, instant soups, meats and rice dishes. Various drying processes like sun drying, hot air drying, freeze drying, vacuum drying etc. can be used for the long term storage of mushrooms. As mushrooms are sensitive to temperature, determining the right drying method is the key for the successful and effective operation of the system. The different operating conditions involved in various methods of drying affect product quality considerably. The effect of drying methods on the process and the quality of the dried mushroom is explained in detail in this chapter.

India is blessed with wide range of diverse agro climatic conditions, making it an appropriate place for vegetable cultivation, resulting in increasing vegetable production from has increased from 63.8 MT in 1993 to 168.5 million tonnes in 2015-16 and productivity from 12.6 MT/ha to 17.8 MT/ha (www.indiastat.com). Although the production has increased but still the technology used and practices followed is predominantly traditional resulting in low productivity and inconsistent quality and quantity of produce supplies to various markets in the country. The per capita consumption of vegetables in India is very low against WHO standards and FAO recommendation (135 g/day <180 g/day (WHO standards) < 300 g/ day capita (FAO recommendation).

Introduction

Seed pathology has been recognized as its own specialization for a relatively brief time, and the term “Seed Pathology” was first coined by Mary Noble in the 1940 (Agarwal and Sinclair, 1997). Seed pathology is an essential part of seed technology as well as a sub discipline of plant pathology. According toAgarwal and Sinclair (1997), it may be defined as the study of seed borne disease and pathogens carried with seed. It also includes studies on the mechanisms of seed infection, seed transmission, the role of seed borne inoculum in disease development, methods for the detection of seed borne pathogens and non-pathogens, seed certification standards, mycotoxins and mycotoxicoses, and various methods for control of seed borne disease. Seed pathology includes the study of diseases and deterioration caused by bacteria, fungi, nematodes, viroids, viruses, physiological and mechanical disorders.

Neergaard Paul is considered the father of seed pathology. He was one of the founding father and later served as Director of the Danish Government Institute of Seed Pathology for Developing Countries, Copenhagen, Denmark, from 1956 to 1974. He served as the Chairman of the Plant Disease Committee of the International Seed testing Association (ISTA). During his tenure as Chair of ISTA, he helped standardize methods for the detection of seed borne fungi.Neergaard (1977) authored a two-volume text entitled “A Seed Pathology”. This text has served as a reference and teaching standard for the science of seed pathology throughout the world (Agarwal and Sinclair, 1997). This text focused on a wide variety of seed pathology issues, ranging from the economic significance of seed borne diseases to the assessment of seed borne inoculum.

Abstract

Vitamin C is one of the most important phytochemicals and can be found in almost all fruits and vegetables. Since it covers almost all eventualities, being water solute and prone to leaching from cells, thermally labile (one of the most labile vitamins), pH-, metal ion-, light-sensitive, as well as readily oxidizable by ascorbic acid oxidase, vitamin C is selected as the most frequently measured nutrient to evaluate the nutrients loss during thermal processing. It is generally accepted that if vitamin C is well preserved, the other nutrients are also well retained. Higher retention of vitamin C in processed products is highly desired. Herein this chapter reviews the degradation mechanism and kinetics of vitamin C of fruits and vegetables during thermal processing, such as blanching, drying, cooking and frying. It starts with an overview of the functions of vitamin C in human’s health. Then the current status for understanding of the degradation kinetics of vitamin C during thermal processing was outlined, followed by the discussion of its degradation mechanism. At last, potential strategies or alternatives to keep vitamin C are identified and discussed.

Introduction

Thar Desert is unique both from floristic and climatic parameters. Biodiversity in this region survives on a very/ fragile ecosysytem under a highly hostile environment. Major area consists of dry undulating mass of loose sand, thus, leading to shifting sand dunes. The sandy plain is full of sand-hills with serve as low depressions where salt and soda are deposited after drying. The whole area is inhospitable and sterile. Trees are rather a few and far between (Bhandari, 2005).

The Thar Desert of western India is known for its rich and ancient culture system and traditions. The communities have long been part of the Thar Desert ecosystem and have evolved specific strategies to live in harmony with its hostile environment. Orans have remained mainstay in balancing this arid ecosystem. Man of this region has never been greedy as he is today. Orans were repositories of ancient system of gene pool conservation. But, there are unregulated encroachment on the marginal lands and over-exploitation of groundwater resources. Orans has been part and parcel of the lifestyle of the Thar Desert inhabitants. Orans are used to provide vital grazing land for livestock, water, minor forest produce, medicinal plants and green cover for the villages. They were worshipped as devbhumi. Orans preserve the endemic, endangered or threatened species, medicinal plants and wild variety of cultivars found.

Common name:     English – Lady’s finger
    Hindi – Bhindi
    Odia- Bhendi      
Family:     Malvaceae

Habit & Distribution
The plant is a herb (Fig. 1 a), widely cultivated as vegetable in the tropical countries including India.

Common name: English- Indian liquorice
                           Hindi- Ratti/Gunchi 
                           Odia- Kaincha
Family : Fabaceae

Habit & Distribution
It is a common weed (Fig. 2 a) found in forest and it is also seen growing on road sides, gardens, waste places and sometimes planted in gardens.

Common name    :    English- Indian mallow
        Hindi- Kanghi 
        Odia- Pedipedica

Family    :    Malvaceae

Habit & Distribution
It is a shrub (Fig.3 a) commonly found in waste places, along road sides, as weeds in garden and in forests. It is distributed throughout India.

Common name    :    English- Red hot cat’s tail
        Odia- Bilei lanja
Family    :    Euphorbiaceae

Habit & Distribution
The plant usually seen along the road sides and often grown in gardens (fig 4 a).

General Characters
It is a bushy shrub grows up to 1.8 to 3.7 meters in height. The leaves are ever green, oval, 10-23 cm long and 7.5-10 cm in width with pointed ends. Flowers are borne in attractive shades, ranging in colour from deep purple to bright red and clustered in velvety catkins, which are about 30-50 cm long. The plant flowers throughout the year.