eChapters

Fishes are generally unisexual and reproduce by several methods. Some families (Sparidae and Serranidae) are hermaphrodite also. Alz (1964) reported that in certain species, hermaphrodism becomes a normal way of life. In hermaphroditic f ishes, self-fertilisation is a common process. Parthenogenesis could have been produced experimentally (Austin and Walton 1960). There maybe a few secondary organs that increase reproductive fitness. The genital papilla is a small, fleshy tube behind the anus in some fishes, from which the sperm are released; the sex of a fish can often be determined by the shape of its papilla.

Last few decades have witnessed an increasing number of pets attending clinics/hospitals for cardiac care because of changed life style of owners as well as pets, more awareness of the owners and an increase in number of veterinary medical specialist with better diagnostic facilities. Cardiac failure and cardiac arrest are the two important outcome of cardiac diseases with variable treatment result. Heart functioning is affected not only in primary diseases of heart but also in diseases of organs other than the heart. Without correct diagnosis of cardiac abnormalities, treatment may be futile with a fatal outcome. Nowadays diagnosis of cardiac abnormalities is facilitated with the aid of modern diagnostic technology.

Abstract
Grain legumes face significant biotic stresses fromvarious pests and pathogens, leading to substantial yield losses worldwide. This chapter synthesizes recent advances in molecular approaches and biotechnological tools for developing resistant varieties and managing diseases in legumebased cropping systems. Novel genomic technologies, including CRISPRCas9 gene editing, marker-assisted selection (MAS), and next-generation sequencing (NGS), have revolutionized our understanding of host-pathogen interactions and accelerated the development of resistant cultivars. RNA interference (RNAi) technology has emerged as a promising tool for targeted pest control, while transcriptomics and proteomics approaches have helped identify key resistance genes and defense-related proteins. Integration of these molecular tools with traditional breeding programs has resulted in improved varieties with enhanced resistance to major pests like pod borers and diseases such as fusarium wilt and ascochyta blight. Additionally, biotechnological applications including biopesticides and disease-forecasting systems have strengthened integrated pest management strategies. This review highlights the potential of combining multiple molecular approaches for sustainable pest and disease management in legume cultivation while identifying future research directions and challenges in their widespread adoption.
Keywords: Biopesticides, Biotechnological tools, Marker-assisted selection, Legume

Introduction

As we all know that the 21st century has witnessed the changing phenomenon of information and its communication resulting a dynamic transformation not only in the social structure but also in the perception of human mind.  Exchange of information and knowledge has empowered the human being and enabled them to achieve sustainable development. From paper- based society to paperless society, information has remained the most valuable commodity.

Abstract
Livestock management and welfare are integral to the success of modern animal agriculture and have profound implications for productivity, animal health, and ethical considerations. This chapter explores comprehensive strategies for effective livestock management, including nutrition, housing, breeding, and health care. It also delves into welfare practices that ensure humane treatment and enhance the quality of life for animals. The discussion extends to contemporary issues such as environmental impacts, regulatory frameworks, and innovations in animal care. By examining best practices and emerging trends, this chapter aims to provide a detailed understanding of how to balance productivity with ethical considerations in livestock farming.
Keywords: Livestock management, animal welfare, nutrition, housing, breeding, health care, ethical treatment, environmental impact, regulatory frameworks, innovations in animal care.

Let‘s dive deeper into the processes of condensation and explore each in more detail:
• Adiabatic Processes: Adiabatic cooling occurs when air rises and expands, reducing its temperature (Fig. 9.1). This process can lead to condensation and cloud formation. There are several ways air can rise and cool adiabatically:
• Orographic Lift: When air is forced to rise over a mountain or hill, it cools, and condensation occurs, resulting in clouds and precipitation. This is why mountainous regions often experience more rainfall than surrounding are as.
• Frontal Lift: When two air masses with different temperatures and humidity levels meet, the warmer air is forced to rise, cool,
and condense, forming clouds and precipitation. This can lead to significant weather changes, such as the formation of fronts and lowpressure systems.
• Convection: When the sun heats the ground, it warms the air closest to the surface, causing it to rise and cool, leading to condensation and cloud formation. This process can lead to the development of cumulus clouds, thunderstorms, and other types of convective weather.

The stability of agriculture all over the planet and the accessibility of food are both signi?cantly affected by Climate change. Thus, it is desperately important to create and execute Climate -resilient farming techniques and advancements that can help farmers in acclimating to the e?ects of Climate change. It should be finished right away. It examines the issues welcomed on by Climate change, fundamentals of sustainable agriculture, and the instruments and strategies that can be utilized to expand farming’s protection from Climate change. This part essentially talks about Climate -friendly creature farming, viable water system frameworks, weather conditions checking and determining, crops that can endure dry spell and flooding, coordinated bug control, and sustainable power sources. To make sustainable more Climate change-safe, this part additionally talks about the need to empower feasible land-use rehearses and to make innovative work ventures. By using these innovation and methods, farmer might add to the maintainability and versatility of the food framework.
As a result of increasing temperatures and diminishing precipitation because of Climate change, farming is enduring enormously all over the planet. This is especially evident in India, where the greater part of the populace is utilized in farming. The effect of Climate change is perhaps of the main issue the world is at present encountering. The impacts of Climate change are felt and found in each part of society, including farming. Utilizing harmless to the ecosystem circular agriculture is critical now like never before as the total populace develops. One of these strategies is farming that is circular agriculture (CRA). Its central goal is to adjust cultivating practices to an evolving environment. Consistently, new people enter the earth. To take care of the growing populace, the land is feeling the squeeze to give more food, fiber, and fuel. Consistently, new people are brought into the world. Thus, the land is feeling the squeeze to create more food, fiber, and fuel to take care of the populace that is extending. As well as expanding crop efficiency, more Climate tough agricultural methods would likewise work on the soundness of the dirt and the biological system

Efficient horticultural production depends greatly on appropriate tools, implements, and timely cultural operations. This chapter introduces the major equipment used for land preparation, planting, weeding, pruning, propagation, irrigation, harvesting, and routine crop management. It emphasizes correct tool selection according to crop, operation, plant structure, and working conditions. Digging tools, secateurs, loppers, pruning saws, grafting knives, and other specialized implements are discussed along with principles of maintenance, sharpening, sterilization, and safe handling. The chapter also explains important cultural operations that influence crop establishment and productivity. Proper use of tools improves precision, reduces labour, prevents plant injury, and increases operational efficiency in horticultural systems.

13.1 Introduction

In 1935 Prof. Ronald A. Fisher laid the foundation for the subject in his monumental work entitled “The Designs of Experiments”. Experimental designs concern the arranging of treatments or variables in such a manner that the inferences and conclusions regarding the effects of these treatments can be easily done and their reliability measured. Experiments are made with a view to find the validity of a particular hypothesis and to have an idea about the extent of the reliability that can be placed on a particular conclusion arrived. The selection of the design will have a very great bearing on the accuracy of the ultimate results. By a random selection of experimental units it is possible to remove the ambiguity about the casual interpretation of the observed associations. Random sampling is the most essential ingredient of all experimental designs. Besides, there are many devices for increasing the precision of the inference and the calculations.

INTRODUCTION

In biology, fertility is de?ned as capacity to produce off-springs; however, in Soil Science a ?ne difference is made between a fertile and a productive soil. Soil Productivity is the ability of a soil to produce a crop using the entire spectrum of its physical, chemical and biological attributes, while Soil Fertility refers to the capacity of a soil to supply all essential plant nutrients in the desired amounts. Thus, soil fertility management is basically the nutrient management. To put it in simple words, a productive soil is always fertile, while a fertile soil may not be productive for a variety of factors, such as lack of adequate moisture in drier regions or lack of adequate air due to water-logging for most upland crops. Of late, a term ‘ Soil Health’ has been introduced. Soil Health is an assemblage of chemical, physical and biological parameters that closely relate to native or acquired production capacity and sustenance of ecologically important regulatory role (Katyal et al., 2016). It is measured against prede?ned parameters of soil’s status of fertility, compact ability, erodibility and biology. This again tends to relate soil fertility to nutrient content, availability and management.

Introduction Solid–liquid extraction process, has been extensively used for extraction of bioactive compounds from plant food matrices by using appropriate solvent, which can be used as functional ingredients and additives in food processing, pharmaceutical sectors, and others industries. Usually this extraction/recovery process is based on unsteady diffusion of compounds targeted for extraction, through the matrices followed by the dissolution of the extractable compounds in the bulk of the used solvent (Milic, Rajkovic, Stamenkovic, & Veljkovic, 2013). The concentrations of bioactive compounds in food matrices as well as in the extracts are generally low in percent, so extra energies are required to improve the yield of the extraction process while minimizing the overall cost. From the technological approach, extraction process is mainly associated with the operating variables such as solvent used, extraction technique, operating temperature, concentration of solid in solvent, and extraction time, and by optimizing these parameters extraction yield could be enhanced (Milic et al., 2013; Orphanides, Goulas, & Gekas, 2014).

Diseases of gastro-intestinal tract are very common in dogs and cats. Gastro intestinal tract starts from mouth to anus. The first step in making diagnosis of gastro-intestinal disease is to localize the problem. Whether it is buccal cavity, esophagus, stomach, or intestines. Cursory history for seemingly simple complaint like vomiting, anorexia or loose feces may be unrewarding because gastrointestinal diseases may be primary (concerning with only gastro intestinal tract and its functions) or secondary (due to underlying disease/ disorder of organs other than gastro-intestinal tract). Therefore, for ascertaining the cause of gastrointestinal signs (anorexia, nausea, vomiting, regurgitation, constipation, loose feces, bloody feces), a thorough examination of all body systems is more logical. As with other body systems, a comprehensive systematic approach is needed for diagnosing diseases of gastro-intestinal tract also.

Agriculture constitutes the primary source of income in rural India. Rural women play a pivotal role in various agricultural practices, encompassing activities such as planting, harvesting, and post-harvesting operations. Additionally, their responsibilities extend to producing agricultural crops, tending to animals, processing and preparing food, engaging in wage labor within agricultural or other rural enterprises, collecting fuel and water, participating in trade and marketing, caring for family members, and maintaining their homes (Klasen and Lamanna, 2009).

The engagement of rural women in agriculture is extensive and multifaceted, covering a wide range of activities that are vital for household sustenance and community welfare. These activities are essential not only for economic stability but also for food security and overall rural development.

Introduction

The term "artificial intelligence" was originally coined in 1956 at a conference hosted by Dartmouth College. While the aspirations and dreams of the attendees were sky-high, the reality was sobering. The thought of citizens in space or self-driving cars within a decade was ancient science fiction. The building blocks of the required computing infrastructure, as well as AI, notably deep learning and statistical machine learning methods, were not even in the distant future. The aim was to create an artificial brain for a machine, where the "brain" is the so-called "expert system", a software program that can integrate a large knowledge base and use it to solve problems in the same manner that a human expert could. The intellectual merits and achievements of a few AI systems designed solely to narrowly excel in a specific problem became the actual problem of the nascent field.

Abstract
Climate-resilient agriculture is an approach designed to adapt agricultural practices to the challenges posed by climate change while maintaining productivity and sustainability. This chapter explores the principles, strategies, and technologies involved in developing climate-resilient agricultural systems. It covers various aspects, including soil management, water conservation, crop diversification, and innovative technologies. The chapter also examines the role of policy, research, and community engagemen in fostering climate resilience. Through a comprehensive analysis of current practices and future directions, it aims to provide a thorough understanding of how agriculture can adapt to a changing climate while ensuring food security and environmental sustainability.
Keywords: Climate resilience, agriculture, soil management, water conservation, crop diversification, climate adaptation, sustainable agriculture, innovative technologies, policy, community engagement.

Fish and shellfish seed rearing, a crucial branch of aquaculture, involves the controlled breeding, nurturing, and development of aquatic organisms—primarily fish and shellfish—from their earliest life stages. This process ensures a sustainable and reliable supply of high-quality aquatic seed stock, especially vital in regions facing declining wild fisheries.
Seed rearing acts as the intermediate stage between hatching and grow-out. It focuses on the careful management of larvae or juveniles until they grow large enough to be transferred to grow-out systems such as ponds, cages, or pens. The main goal is to enhance survival rates, promote healthy growth, and produce robust fry or post-larvae that can thrive in commercial farming conditions.
In aquaculture terminology, “seed” refers to young aquatic organisms—fish fry, fingerlings, or shellfish post-larvae—sourced either from hatcheries or natural environments. These early-stage organisms are highly vulnerable to environmental changes and disease, requiring meticulous care. Success during this stage depends on optimal nutrition, water quality control, and disease management.
The seed rearing process typically begins shortly after hatching. For fish, stages include yolk-sac larvae, free-swimming larvae, fry, and fingerlings. For shellfish such as shrimp, development proceeds through nauplii, zoea, mysis, and post-larvae stages. Each phase demands close attention to water parameters like temperature, salinity, oxygen levels, and hygiene.
Seed rearing can take place in a variety of systems—indoor tanks, nursery ponds, hapa nets, or specialized seed rearing facilities—depending on the species and production scale. In India and other tropical regions, both extensive systems (natural feed-based) and intensive systems (involving formulated feeds and aeration) are widely practiced. Innovations such as biofloc technology, probiotics, and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) have significantly improved outcomes.

Introduction

Biological systems are complex and are full of mysteries. Understanding function in relation to structure is crucial in many biological systems. A microscope is used to magnify, resolve and visualize a substance that is impossible to see by naked eyes and plays a vital role in various biological studies. We can visualize macroscopic organisms like animals, plants, and insects by the unaided eye but not bacteria, viruses or individual proteins. Biological structures have sizes variable over such a wide range that is not possible for a single microscopic technique to analyze all of them. Therefore, different types of microscopes with varying magnification and resolving abilities were developed to unveil the structural complexities of biomolecules (Fig. 1). Over the last 100 years, several types of microscopes have been designed and used in various fields. The microscopes work on different principles, and have a broad range of applications.

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

A value chain is a series of consecutive steps that go into the creation of a finished product, from its initial design to its arrival at a customer’s door. The chain identifies each step in the process at which value is added, including the sourcing, manufacturing, and marketing stages of its production. A company conducts a value-chain analysis by evaluating the detailed procedures involved in each step of its business. The purpose of a value-chain analysis is to increase production efficiency so that a company can deliver maximum value for the least possible cost.

1. Introduction

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is a popular seed spice crop, used for dual purpose seed and leaves both. Since ancient times, coriander leaves have been used in the production of many popular Asian and East European foods. It improves the taste and flavor of vegetable, chicken, fish, and meat dishes when combined with other kitchen herbs and spices. Blending of green coriander leaves with other spice crops is used to make chatni (paste) which is a good appetizer, flavour enhancer and rich source of medicinal properties of coriander. The green leaves of coriander are a rich source of minerals like calcium, phosphorus and iron as well as vitamin A, C, riboflavin and folic acid. Coriander is one of the few plants which can be termed both as herb and spice, the seeds being used as spices (coriander) and leaves are widely used as herbs (cilantro). The green leaves of this herb contain 160 mg/100 g vitamin C, 12 mg/100 g vitamin A and 87.9% moisture, 3.3% protein, 0.6% fat, 6.5% carbohydrates and 1.7% mineral matter

Introduction Diet and dietary component are proved to be the first line of intervention in prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases by many studies (R. Vrolix and R.P. Mensink, 2010). Hence the interest has grown in development of functional food product in recent years which provides not only basic nutrients but also has health promoting and diseases preventing properties (Rozek et al., 2010). The Functional Food Center (FFC) defines “functional food” as natural or processed foods that contain known or unknown biologically-active compounds; the foods, as defined, effective, and non-toxic amounts, provide a clinically proven and documented health benefit for the prevention, management, or treatment of chronic disease (Martirosyan et al., 2015). Fiber is classified into two separate groups i.e. soluble which forms gel like substance when comes in contact with water and insoluble is a solid form that does not break down when exposed to water (web 4). Soluble fibers increase total transit time by delaying gastric emptying and also slow glucose absorption, which includes pectins, β-glucans, galactomannan gums, mucilages, and some hemicelluloses (J.H.Cummings and A.M.Stephen 2007). The American Society for Nutrition stated that cereal fibers are modestly associated with a reduced risk of type II diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease (Cho Qi, Fahey Jr & Klurfield, 2013).