eChapters

Objectives

• Better understand the various types of gene interaction.

Introduction

Gene interaction is the phenomenon of two or more genes that affect each other’s expression in different ways in the development of a single character of an organism. It is the modification of normal phenotypic expression of gene due to interaction between alleles or non-alleles. In such situation, two or more than two genes may interact to give rise to a particular phenotype

Irrigation is one facet of the inputs which need to be carefully managed so that profits are maximized. Irrigation plays a major role in any agriculture crop production. One should be aware of different types of irrigation adapted in orchards or crop cultivation to become a successful grower. Irrigation is very important component of crop cultivation as sufficient moisture must be maintained in the soil for obtaining the optimum growth and good quality yield. The aim of irrigating a plant should be to wet the entire root zone without allowing any wastage of water beyond the root zone. The irrigation systems have to be properly devised so that the water requirements of the trees are met at the minimum expenditure without any wastage of water. Irrigation practices can be improved if a range of important factors like crop type, crop water requirements, climatic conditions, soil type, water quality, method of irrigation are taken into account.

Crop type

The type of horticultural crops grown influences irrigation practices. Annual vegetable and melon crops have high water requirement, hence irrigation management is extremely critical to their productivity during their relatively short life span (10-20 weeks). Perennial fruit crops tend to require less water and management, although critical, is not generally as critical as for annual crops.

10.1. Acts, Policies and Schemes that Benefit Farmers
10.1.1. PM-KUSUM

As part of its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), India agreed to increase the installed capacity of electric power from non-fossil fuel sources to 40% by 2030. The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan Scheme aims to ensure energy security for Indian farmers while also upholding this commitment. The PM-KUSUM Scheme was launched in 2019 with 3 components:

Introduction

Over the past two decades, seafood consumption and popularity have gradually increased. However, creating high-quality items necessitates paying close attention to the product's quality and safety as well as creating new products employing modern technologies. Through a variety of modern biotechnology advancements such as biomagnetism, biosensors, biomarkers, and bioassay methods are used to analyze and assess the quality of various seafood by f inding concentrations of compounds including allergens, nutritional and non-nutritional components, antioxidants, and the presence of microbial contaminants, biotoxins, and other contaminants significantly effective in food safety evaluation.

Clinical Symptoms

• Anchor worms can be seen with the naked eye

• Frequent rubbing or “flashing”

• Localised redness

• Inflammation on the body of the fish

• Tiny white-green or red worms in wounds

• Breathing difficulties

The method known as integrated water management (IWM) in agricultural crops is an all-encompassing strategy that aims to maximize the effectiveness of water use, enhance crop output, and guarantee the management of water resources in a sustainable manner. This method incorporates a number of different water management strategies, such as the timing of irrigation, the use of water-saving devices, the monitoring of soil moisture, and conservation measures. Combining these methods allows IWM to achieve its goal of limiting water losses caused by evaporation, runoff, and deep percolation while simultaneously ensuring that crop water demand is met by the available water supply. Mulching, cover cropping, and crop rotation are examples of cultural techniques that assist improve soil moisture conservation and decrease water loss via evaporation. The application of water may be made more exact and targeted by the use of mechanical technologies like as precision irrigation systems, drip irrigation, and soil moisture sensors. This helps to maximize the efficiency with which crops utilize water. Improvements in water retention and plant resistance to water stress may be achieved via the use of biological controls. These controls include the selection of drought resistant crop cultivars and the enhancement of the organic matter content of the soil. Chemical controls, such as the use of soil conditioners and wetting agents, have the potential to improve soil structure and infiltration, hence permitting improved water distribution and absorption by crops. In general, integrated water management (IWM) plays a significant part in reducing the issues associated with water shortages, fortifying agricultural systems against the effects of climate change, and fostering sustainable water use practices in agricultural systems.

1. Introduction

Cattle are one of the important livestock species of the country which forms an integral part of Indian agriculture since ages. Human progress depends on the utilisation of animals and natural resources in a balanced way. Cow, in particular, is considered as a part of the family in India. Cattle have been of the utmost importance for the sustenance of agriculture, nutrition supply and religious practices in India. Frequent references on cattle farming are found in Indian mythological books and historical writings regarding their utilization in agriculture as draught power, milk production and source of manure. Approximately 200 million Indians are involved in livestock farming, including around 100 million dairy farmers. Roughly 80% of bovines in the country are low on productivity and are reared by small and marginal farmers. Most of the local cows are managed on a low input and low output system for production of milk for the household nutritional requirement and sale surplus milk to dairy co-operatives or local milk sellers. Poor genetic makeup of Indian livestock is the main reason for their lower productivity as compared to the recorded potential of animals in temperate climate. With the change in food consumption pattern due to urbanization, increase in health awareness, reduced requirement of draught animal power due to mechanisation, etc., the demand for milk and milk products have increased many folds.

Introduction

The population pressure, economic expansion, and dietary changes have all led to the rise in demand for foods with animal origin. On the other hand, the fishing industry has a lot of opportunity to close the supply and demand imbalance. The average global per capita consumption has climbed to 20.3 kg, with Asia accounting for about 91.6% of the world's supply of aquaculture fish. Most of this fish is consumed domestically (FAO, 2022). India produced 14.16 million tonnes of fish in 2019-20. Across the region, per capita consumption varies significantly ranging from 63 kg/year in the case of Japan (Delgado et al. 2003) to only 5-6 kg/year in India where only one-third of the population are f ish-eaters (Dey et al. 2005). As you know fish consumption rate is increasing day by day because it contains high protein, Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids {Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)} which is expected to have huge health benefits. Although the supply and demand for different species vary, the Indian major carp (IMC) predominates in satisfying the nation's demand for fish. With a diverse population of around 1.3 billion to feed, knowledge of demand and supply is necessary especially in fisheries sector. Since, fish is a perishable commodity its supplying is a tough task to accomplish. Before studying the demand and supply firstly we have to focus on what is ‘Need’ and ‘Want’.

The therapeutic potential of plants and its parts has been explored since ancient times and has been used for the well being of humans as well as animals. In the era of emergence of multi drug resistant bacteria modern research aims to find out alternative therapeutic approaches preferably from herbal source to combat the infection. Medicinal plants owing to their antibacterial, antioxidant, anti inflammatory capabilities have been used against many bacterial infections in livestock and companion animals. Ethnoveterinary practices have been documented against bacterial diseases in animals like mastitis, colibacillosis, Salmonellosis, pyoderma, otitis externa, gastrointestinal infection, pneumonia and many others, some of which are enlisted below.
Bovine mastitis, predominantly a bacterial disease continues to threaten the dairy sector as it inflicts great economic losses to the dairy farmers. The disease caused by more than 200 species of bacteria is characterized by inflammation of the mammary gland with physical and chemical changes in the milk and pathological changes in the glandular tissue. There is a significant reduction in the milk yield and many times it’s accompanied with abnormalities in the udder, milk and the cow. In addition to this, milk from affected animals may harbor the organisms which are potentially pathogenic to humans. Use of antibiotics is a common practice to cure mastitis.

In an era defined by increasing climate variability and the urgent need for sustainable food production, the science of Agricultural Meteorology has risen to unprecedented importance. This final chapter, “Agricultural Meteorology: A Science for Global and National Food Security (in the context of climate change),” synthesizes the principles and applications we have explored, highlighting their critical role in ensuring food security at both global and national levels, particularly within the challenging framework of a changing climate.
We have seen how weather and climate intricately influence every aspect of agriculture, from planting to harvest, and how extreme events can decimate livelihoods and threaten food supplies.1 Now, we will focus on how the interdisciplinary field of agricultural meteorology – the study of the interactions between meteorological and hydrological factors and agriculture in the widest sense – provides the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate these challenges.
This chapter will underscore how understanding and applying agrometeorological principles, including crop-weather relationships, climate risk assessment, and the use of decision support systems, are essential for developing climate-resilient agricultural practices. We will explore how this science aids in optimizing resource management, predicting and mitigating the impacts of weather-related hazards, and ultimately, in building sustainable and secure food systems for the future, both globally and specifically within the Indian context.

Mulching

The technique of covering the soil with plastic films or natural crop left over (residues) for soil and water conservations is called mulching.

This technique was practiced by farmers using dry leaves straw, trash, stones etc to conserve water. Presently plastic film have come into use for the purpose of mulching due to inherent advantages.

The world is changing rapidly and education is facing new challenges as we move into the 21st century. For Extensionist, this means new approaches to teaching and learning are needed. Futurist John Naisbitt (1994) predicts that as structured employment opportunities decline, entrepreneurial skills will become necessary for the rural youth to compete. Additionally, acquiring skills and attitudes necessary for the youth can be achieved through youth entrepreneurship programs (Cox, 1998)

There is a challenge to convert ideas into policy and then into action to put in programmes aimed at helping the future farmers of the world.  According to UN report , Youth as a target group is not a major policy priority of most governments in developing countries. This review illustrates that youth are only occasionally visible in policy related documents.  Hazelman  (2008) emphasized based on lessons from case studies made by FAO in Asia and the Pacific,  highlighted  the importance of having a clear national policy relating to rural youth; building and utilizing youth networks and partnerships at the national, regional and international levels; organizing youth into youth-led organizations that are active and have strong leadership together with competent and committed advisors, with projects and activities that address youth and community needs; and giving priority and attention to education and training opportunities for continued learning and human-capacity building.

Abstract

Dietary fibers mostly include non-starch polysaccharides such as celluloses, hemicelluloses, gums and pectins, lignin, resistant dextrins and resistant starches. Based on their water solubility, dietary fibers may be divided into two forms insoluble dietary fiber which includes celluloses, some hemicelluloses and lignins which is fermented to a limited extent in the colon and soluble dietary fiber which includes f-glucans, pectins, gums, mucilages and hemicelluloses that are fermented in the colon. Resistant starch generally considered to be represented by the total amount ofstarch and the product of starch degradation that are not digested in the small intestine andpass into large intestine, and regarded as a component ofdietary fiber. Herbal nutraceutical is used as a powerful instrument in maintaining health and to act against nutritionally induced acute and chronic diseases, thereby promoting optimal health, and quality of life. Dietary spices in their minute quantities has an immense influence on the human health by their antioxidative, chemopreventive, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, immune modulatory effects on cells and a wide range of beneficial effects on human health. Nutraceutical is the hybrid of ‘nutrition’ and ‘pharmaceutical’. Nutraceuticals, in broad, are food or part of food playing a significant role in modifying and maintaining normal physiological function that maintains healthy human beings. Functional foods are including whole foods and fortified, enriched, or enhanced foods or dietary components that may reduce the risk of chronic disease and provide a health and physiological benefit beyond the traditional nutrients it contains.

Greenhouse refers to a structure which provide relatively better environment for plant growth. The goal is to create congenial temperature and relative humidity in desired range. The greenhouse covered with polythene sheet, also called as polyhouse, has polythene sheet (UV stabilized 200 micron LDPE sheet) as covering over a relatively rigid frame (made of GI pipes, angle iron, boomboo or wooden) which entraps the solar energy to increase the temperature and provide light for plant propagation. A normal greenhouse has four basic components: 1) frame made from rigid material like GI pipes, wood or bamboo; 2) glazing material, which is transparent to provide enough light for plant propagation; 3) climate control system, which may be natural ventilation or forced ventilation using fans with or without cooling pads, shading nets, pigment painting, etc. and 4) plant growing medium (soil or artificial media like cocopeats) with needful arrangement for supplying inputs (water, fertilizers, pesticides, etc.). The design of greenhouse involves structural design of frame with enough climate control mechanism. It mainly depends on shape, size, material of frame, local climatic conditions, wind pressure, and desired height from crop production point of view. Fabrication of greenhouse should be such that it provides enough structural stability with wind pressure and other factors, perfect joints, anchoring of polythene, and minimum hindrances in crop production practices.

2.1 INTRODUCTION

With increasing population, urbanization and continuous depletion of natural resources, there has to be a paradigm shift in farmer’s perception from production to productivity and to profitability. In the present scenario, the major challenges arising are shrinking land and depleting water and other related resources in agriculture. There is need for promoting farmer friendly location specific production system management technologies in a concerted manner to achieve a vertical growth in horticulture production duly ensuring quality of produce and better remuneration per unit of area with judicious use of natural resources. In this endeavour, precision farming aims to have efficient utilization of resources per unit of time and area for achieving targeted production of horticultural produce. With the revolution in information technology, now it has become possible to focus on the positioning of agricultural tools with high degree of accuracy and sophistication for maximizing returns. The combination of information technology and use of hi-tech equipments made it possible for the introduction of precision farming. It is a comprehensive system designed to optimize agriculture production through the application of crop information, advanced technology and management practices. With recent advances in geographic information systems, it has become possible to focus on site specific crop production technologies so as to harness the potential of horticulture through innovative technologies in a sustainable manner.

5.1 Elements of Landscape Gardens

5.1.1 Introduction

Elements of a garden are the basic units of any visual design which form its structure and convey visual messages. Elements are based on the art principles of landscaping. Process of landscape design includes concepts and elements of landscape designing. Generally, elements of a garden are divided into 2 types

Origin

The world ‘Communication’ comes from the Latin word ‘communis’, meaning common. This implies that when we communicate, we are trying to establish ‘Commonality’ with someone through a message. Communication, then, is a conscious attempt to establish commonality over some idea, fact, feelings and the like, with others. In essence, it is a process of getting a source and a receiver tuned together for a particular message or a series of messages.

1. Introduction

Disasters are events that occur over a period and cause widespread destruction, suffering, or distress to everything they affect (Oxford English Dictionary, n.d.). The impact of a disaster may be confined to specific areas or widespread and could last for an extended duration, often requiring assistance from external sources to address the aftermath (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies [IFRC], n.d.). These events can arise from naturally occurring phenomena, such as earthquakes, tornadoes, or floods, as well as man-made occurrences, including industrial accidents (e.g., accidental toxic spills or nuclear power plant events) or acts of terrorism (e.g., bombing or poisoning) (United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction [UNDRR], n.d.). Disasters typically result in significant harm to infrastructure, loss of life, displacement of people, and severe economic consequences.

Introduction

Seafood demand has grown over the years due to its numerous nutritional advantages, acting as a primary contributor to global nutritional security, and the industry supports the livelihood of several million people. Persistent growth in demand for animal protein keeps the fisheries and aquaculture an important role. The average annual seafood demand growth across countries varies between 6 % and 7.5% (Kidane et al., 2021). Hence, Increased fish production, increased the per-capita fish consumption of the respective country (Garlock et al., 2022). Global average fish consumption has increased from 9.9 kg in 1961 to 20.5 kg in 2019 (FAO, 2022). The coastal countries of Iceland and Maldives are leading in per capita fish consumption with 92 kg and 85 kg respectively. While, landlocked countries such as Afghanistan, Ethiopia, and Tajikistan are the least in per capita fish consumption with less than 1 kg of fish per annum. The leading fish producers China (39 kg) and India (6.8 kg) positioned 7th and 15th place respectively in 2019 (World Economic Forum, 2022). India plays a significant role in export as like production with a global share of 5.2 % after Norway (10.4 %) and China (8.6 %). Shrimp is the primary commodity of export in India’s seafood basket with a share of 25 % of the World’s shrimp export next to Ecuador (44 %) during 2021-22. Frozen f ish is the second largest exportable item of India’s seafood export which contributed 22 % in quantity and 8.6 % in earnings next to frozen shrimp with 41 % in quantity and 67 % in export earnings. Followed by frozen cuttlefish & squid and dried items had an export share of 9 % and 5 % respectively during 2022-23 (MPEDA, 2023). Shrimp farming in India is also extending from 1.17 lakh hectares during 2010-11 to 1.67 lakh hectares during 2020-21 in India with production of 1.3 lakh tons to 8.4 lakh tons of shrimps respectively to meet the trade advantage.

10.1 Evapotranspiration (ET = Evaporation + Transpiration)

Evaporation is a diffusive process by which water from natural surfaces, such as free water surface, bare soil, from live or dead vegetation foliage (intercepted water, dewfall, guttation etc) is lost in the form of vapour to the atmosphere. It is one of the basic components of hydrologic cycle.

Likewise transpiration is a process by which water is lost in the form of vapour through plant surfaces, particularly leaves. In this process water is essentially absorbed by the plant roots due to water potential gradients and it moves upward through the stem and is ultimately lost into the atmosphere through numerous minute stomata in the plant leaves. It is basically an evaporation process. However, unlike evaporation from a water or soil surface, plant structure and stomatal behaviour operating in conjunction with the physical principles governing evaporation modify transpiration.

Thus, evapotranspiration is a combined loss of water from the soil (evaporation) and plant (transpiration) surfaces to the atmosphere through vaporization of liquid water, and is expressed in depth per unit time (for example mm/ day). Quantification of evapotranspiration is required in the context of many issues: