eChapters

Mites are small arthropods which attack number of crops damaging different parts of the plants (leaves, buds, flowers and fruits) and due to short duration of life cycle and high fecundity, their population increases at a fast rate and when feeding in large numbers they become serious pest of many crops. Since last few years the menace of mites is on the increase in Indian sub-continent causing enormous losses. One of the probable reasons for it is attributed to excessive use of broad-spectrum pesticides, which have led to the development of resistance in mites. Further, owing to their deleterious effect on non target organisms, especially natural enemies of the mites in the ecosystem there is often a spurt in the population of mites which otherwise may be of minor pest category. Because of their small size, the infestation goes unnoticed in the beginning and by the time prominent symptoms appear a lot of damage has already been done.

FRUIT CROPS

In fruit crops, being perennial in nature, the infestation of mites not only affects the trees at a particular time but their overall vigour gets reduced which is reflected in reduction in production as well as poor quality of the fruit in the years to come. The identification characters, nature of damage and the symptoms must be well understood in order to manage the mite pests effectively. A number of mites are associated with various fruit crops and those infesting major fruit crops are discussed herewith.

Mites
Subclass: Acari
Order: Parasitiformes 
Suborder: Gamasida/Mesostigmata
Characters
1. Mites of this group have the stigmata or spiracles in the middle of the body, hence suborder Gamasida is also called suborder mesostigmata. Mites of this group are referred as gamasid mite.
2. Size of these mites are large about 0.6-2.5 mm in length and hence visible via naked eye.
3. They parasitisize birds and mammals.

Some have described Mithun as domesticated Gaur others as a hybrid descent from the crossing of gaur bulls and common cows. Considered to have originated along the Assam and Myanmar border. • Mithun, also known as ‘Cattle of Mountain” is an important bovine species of north-eastern hill region of India and also of China, Myanmar, Bhutan and Bangladesh. This magnificent massive bovine is presently reared under free-range condition in the hill forests at an altitude of 1000 to 3000 m above mean sea level.

• Mithun plays an important role in the socio-economic and cultural life of the local tribal population.

• Presently, this animal is mainly reared for meat, which is considered to be more tender and superior over the meat of any other species.

• Mithun milk, though produced less in quantity, is of high quality and can be used for preparation of various milk products.

• Leather obtained from this species has been found to be superior to cattle.

In spite of development of irrigation and expansion in transportation and communication; the risk or we can say threat in agriculture sector such as its production and yield has increased in the country. The risk is much higher for farm income than production, as is evident from lower risk in area and higher risk in production. It has been reviewed from the state wise results of area and production which shows that only in the states where irrigation is very consistent; it helped in plummeting the risk and vice-versa. In some states farmers face twin problem of very low productivity accompanied by high risk of production. Also, with the course of time, neither technology nor any other measure helped in reducing production risk in all over the country. Therefore, there is strong need to plan and broaden insurance products or we can say insurance policies for agricultural crops and their production. No doubt various insurance schemes has been launched by the Government of India for covering various agricultural crops in the country as well as in the states but agriculture insurance has served very limited purpose. The coverage through insurance schemes in terms of area under crops, number of farmers and value of agricultural output obtained is very small and the payment of insurance based on area approach fail to notice affected farmers outside the compensated area, and most of the schemes are not workable. It has been viewed in most of the parts of the country. So there is a need to restructure the programme vigilantly to make it feasible and to increase its prospects for future expansion to impact more farmers. This whole process is in immediate need of rehabilitated efforts by Government of India as well as state governments in provisions of introducing new crop insurance policies with full financial support. The government should also extend support to private stakeholders for providing agricultural insurance which in turn will help in increasing insurance coverage and in improving viability of the insurance schemes over time. Moreover the crop insurance policies shouldbe simple in plan so that they are easily understood to the farmers. At last we can say that, good insurance products with good management are key for successful operation of an agriculture insurance scheme all over the India.

Introduction

The changing climate and its variability are a big concern for the human being. The recurrent droughts and floods, which are the results of this changing climate seriously hamper the livelihood of billions of people who depend on land for most of their needs. According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (UNFCC; 1992), “climate change is the change that can be attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods” The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC report, 2022) issued a cautionary statement regarding the imminent attainment of the 1.5oC threshold by the global climate system within the forthcoming 20-year period. It further emphasized that only implementing exceedingly stringent reductions in carbon emissions, commencing at present, would serve as a viable measure to avert an impending ecological catastrophe.

Droughts: A time in which circumstances are significantly drier than average is referred to as a drought.

Floods: A flood is an abnormally large outpouring of water (or, on very rare occasions, other fluids) that covers normally dry ground.

Livelihoods: The term “livelihood” refers to a collection of activities that are carried out during one’s lifetime and are considered necessary to one’s day-to day existence. Obtaining necessities such as water, food, fodder, medication, shelter, and clothing are examples of such activities.

SYNOPSIS

Food and nutritional challenges continue to be tackled in East and Southern African countries. Prevailing rates of high malnutrition among children and often in adults in vulnerable geographical locations do suggest the need for appropriate interventions. Of several global nutrition interventions during the 1980s, successful implementation of nutrition programmes in Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi and Ethiopia have established strategies / approaches that are promising.  In Tanzania, the Iringa nutrition programme (WHO/UNICEF Joint Nutrition Support Programme) was implemented during 1983-1988.

Introduction

The foundation of agricultural productivity lies in the realm of weather and climate, a reality unaltered by technological progress. The consequences of climate change on agriculture represent a worldwide apprehension, particularly significant for India. Around 54.6% of the Indian population is engaged in agriculture and allied activities, contributing to 17.4% of the country’s total gross value added. The agriculture sector is battling a multitude of challenges, such as increasing food demand, depletion of agricultural lands and water resources, and the devastating effects of climate change. It is high time that we acknowledge and address these issues to safeguard the future of our food systems and ensure food security for all.

Climate change refers to the long-term variations in weather patterns and temperature over extended periods. Climate change occurs when earth’s climate system experiences variations in weather patterns that can last for decades or millions of years. These changes can arise naturally due to phenomena like volcanic eruptions or changes in solar activity. However, since the 1800s, human activities accelerate the natural pace of climate change, primarily due to the combustion of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. These activities release greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2 ), methane (CH4 ), and nitrous oxide (N2 O) into the atmosphere, trapping heat and leading to a gradual increase in global temperatures. One of the most remarkable characteristics of climate change is the increase in temperature, which is widely referred to as global warming (Houghton, 2009). According to the report of Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change, the release of greenhouse gases caused by human actions has contributed to around 1.1°C of warming since the period between1850-1900. The report also predicts that the global temperature will likely increase to 1.5°C or more in the next 20 years (IPCC, 2021).

Introduction

Climate change is a deadliest hazard to life on Earth. Global temperature is rising due to greenhouse gas emissions from the usage of fossil fuels, this result in widespread agricultural and fisheries failure, the extinction of hundreds of thousands of species, and whole towns becoming uninhabitable (Lindwall, 2022). Rising global temperatures are severely killing humans and trees, forcing half of all species to move, worsening water-borne and respiratory ailments in people, and jeopardising millions’ food and water security (Isaacs-Thomas, 2022). Addressing these concerns necessitates a worldwide collaboration to minimise greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable behaviours. Climate change affects agriculture production, lowers crop nutritional value, and increases the frequency of extreme weather events. These interruptions jeopardise food production, availability, and access, especially in vulnerable countries. Microbes play an important role in soil health, nitrogen cycling, and ecosystem stability. They impact a variety of soil activities, such as organic matter breakdown, nutrient mobilisation, and plant growth stimulation. However, climate change poses a substantial danger to microbial communities, possibly changing their activities and altering ecosystem dynamics (Wang et al., 2022). Transitioning to a low-carbon economy requires a global effort. Mitigation strategies include enhancing energy efficiency, adopting renewable energy sources, electrifying industrial processes, implementing efficient transportation systems, and introducing carbon taxes or emissions markets.

Introduction

Rising temperature, decreasing precipitation, increased frequency in drought and flooding, etc. is making us realize climate change is not some cooked up story. Still there are people who believes climate change is not real. By definition, Climate change is a long-term shift in global or regional climate patterns. This will affect the life of people in many forms: health, food, water, etc. (Table 1). Agriculture is a highly vulnerable field to such weather and climate changes, they can have significant direct and indirect impacts on farm productivity and profitability. Climate change will have adverse effect on crop physiology, growth and chemistry and thus it will cause negative impact on agricultural production. Because of the variation in climate, moisture availability may change, which limits vegetation activity/plant growth, increase in drought/ heat/flooding will the crop growth and yield. Elevated CO2 does not have a profound effect on C4 plants. On the contrary, tissue nitrogen concentrations are higher for C3 species under increased CO2 . Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that climate change and elevated CO2 is expected to increase competitiveness of invasive weed. IPCC also estimates that with 1°C rise in global temperature, 5 to 10 per cent yield reduction of major food and cash crops (Pachauri et al., 2014).

Introduction

Climate change is widely acknowledged as the most significant contemporary challenge facing humanity. According to a recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2022), the situation has deteriorated further, with 3.3 billion people worldwide highly susceptible to climate change. Current unsustainable development practices are escalating the exposure of ecosystems and populations to climate-related risks. Human activities and their impact on the climate and environment are leading to unprecedented extinctions of animals and plants, resulting in a loss of biodiversity and posing a threat to life on Earth. The diversity of microorganisms is fundamental to maintaining a healthy global ecosystem, as the microbial world serves as the life support system of the biosphere. Although the influence of human activities on microorganisms is less conspicuous and less well understood, a significant concern is that changes in microbial biodiversity and functions will impact the resilience of other organisms, affecting their ability to adapt to climate change. Microorganisms play crucial roles in carbon and nutrient cycling, as well as in the health of animals (including humans), plants, agriculture, and the global food web. Microorganisms inhabit all environments on Earth occupied by larger organisms and are the exclusive life forms in certain environments such as the deep subsurface and extreme habitats. Dating back to the origin of life on Earth at least 3.8 billion years ago, microorganisms are likely to persist well beyond any future extinction events. Despite their vital role in regulating climate change, microorganisms are seldom the focal point of climate change studies and are typically overlooked in policy development. The challenge lies in understanding their intricate role in the ecosystem due to their vast diversity and varied responses to environmental changes.

Introduction

Climate plays a crucial role in shaping the agricultural landscape of a region, and the changing climatic conditions pose a significant threat to global food security. In developing countries in Asia and Africa, the primary challenges to realizing optimal crop yields are declining soil fertility, particularly soil organic carbon and drought. The unchecked emission of greenhouse gases is expected to lead to a considerable rise in the average global temperature by 6°C in the next century, primarily driven by activities such as fossil burning and urbanization. Over the past centuries, there has been a noticeable increase in the concentration of CO2 and CH4 , with up to a 35% expected rise in nitrous oxide due to the improper use of nitrogenous fertilizers. Climate models predict a substantial impact on agricultural productivity in the 21st century, with rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events (NASA, 2022). To maintain agricultural productivity, it is imperative to understand the effects of increasing temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and rising CO2 levels on soil health. It is noteworthy that climate is one of the key factors influencing soil formation, alongside four other factors. Temperature and precipitation directly affect soil formation by providing the necessary conditions for weathering and biomass production. The sum of active temperature and precipitation evaporation ratio are critical parameters that determine energy consumption for soil formation, water balances in soil, organic-mineral interactions, and the transformation processes within the soil. However, human activities such as population growth, deforestation, disruption of marine ecosystems, and the greenhouse effect contribute to climate change, leading to denudation, depletion of soil organic matter, destruction of soil structure, erosion, and desertification, ultimately causing a decline in soil health and environmental degradation (IMD, 2021). Despite being a gradual process, climate change, characterized by small, long-term changes in temperature and precipitation, significantly influences various soil processes, particularly those related to soil fertility. The anticipated effects of climate change on soils primarily involve alterations in soil moisture conditions, increased soil temperature, and elevated CO2 levels. Understanding the consequences of climate change on soil health is crucial, as it has far-reaching impacts on agriculture, biodiversity, carbon cycling, and ecosystem resilience in the face of an evolving climate (Nunez et al., 2019).

Introduction

The world’s food and nutritional security are under serious threat from climate change. Climate changes have significant effects on agriculture by affecting insect pests, their natural enemies, and pollinators as illustrated in Fig 1 (Eigenbrode and Adhikari, 2023). According to Benedict (2003), 13.6% of annual crop loss worldwide is attributed to insect pest attack. Crops, crop pests, natural enemies and pollinators are directly and indirectly impacted by erratic climate. The continuous and anticipated alterations in these insects vary across species, systems, and geographical areas, impeding the development of strong generalizations and forecasts. Moreover, the implementation of “climate-smart” agricultural methods, may have additional effects on ideal management of these insects.

Direct effects on insect pests

Temperature: The most reliable, well-researched, and easily modelled component of climate change is warming. Warming affects physiology, phenology, dispersal, reproduction, development, and survival of insect pests (Bale et al., 2002) as illustrated in Fig 2 (Skendži? et al., 2021). It can be inferred that increased herbivory would be associated with rising temperatures in many cases. High temperature and high humidity are key reasons for whitefly population increase (Pathania et al., 2020). Warming can alter the number of insect generations in Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in China (Huang and Hao, 2020).

Introduction

Climate change has significant adverse implications on the physiological processes and metabolic machinery of plants, potentially affecting growth, development, and overall crop productivity. The rapid increase in global population exacerbates the threat to global food security, which is further impacted by changing climate conditions. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that between 1850 and 1900 and 2011 and 2020, the global mean land surface air temperature increased by 1.6 °C. Predictions by the United Nations indicate that the global human population could reach 8.5 billion by 2023 and 9.7 billion by 2050, up from the current 8 billion. The National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) reported that 2022 was 0.86°C warmer than the average of the 20th century, making it the 6th warmest year on record. These data suggest an increased probability of unpredictable climate changes and harsh growing conditions, manifesting as various abiotic stresses on major cultivable lands. Climate change impacts CO2 concentration, temperature, precipitation, pollutants, and nutrient availability and uptake, leading to drought, salinity, irregular rainfall, f looding, high temperatures, and nutrient deficiencies in staple food crops, thereby threatening global food security. This review focuses on the effect of elevated CO2 and temperature on fundamental plant metabolic processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, and nitrogen metabolism.

Introduction

The “plant disease triangle” is a fundamental concept in plant pathology that illustrates the interaction between three essential components necessary for the development of a plant disease. Firstly, the host plant which refers to the plant species or cultivar that is susceptible to the pathogen. Host plants provide the necessary environment and resources for the pathogen to establish, grow, and reproduce. Secondly, the pathogen which is any organism (such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, or other microorganisms) that can cause disease in plants. Pathogens can infect host plants through various means, including direct contact, airborne spores, soil-borne organisms, or vectors such as insects. And thirdly, the environment which encompasses all external factors that influence the interaction between the host plant and the pathogen. This includes abiotic factors such as temperature, humidity, soil moisture, light, and nutrient availability, as well as biotic factors such as the presence of other organisms (competitors, predators, symbionts) that may affect disease development.

The plant disease triangle illustrates that the occurrence of a disease requires the presence and interaction of all three components: a susceptible host, a virulent pathogen, and a conducive environment. If any of these components is missing or unfavourable, disease development may be inhibited or prevented. Any change in ecosystem can affect plant diseases, because plant disease is the result of interaction between a susceptible host, virulent pathogen and favourable environment. If any of the three factors are altered, the progress of any one disease can change. Although interactions among the three factors must be matched, weather is an important variable due to its dynamic behaviour.

Introduction

Climate change may advance more rapidly than anticipated, introducing novel environmental conditions for cultivating horticultural crops. The rise in atmospheric CO2 levels from non-renewable energy sources combustion drives global average temperatures, altering weather patterns worldwide with regional variations (Stocker et al., 2013). Currently, certain regions are already experiencing the effects of extreme weather events such as heat waves or frost, while prolonged droughts pose a growing threat to global food security elsewhere. Climate changes may yield both positive and negative outcomes, but they will undoubtedly alter production conditions and product quality (Kaufmann and Blanke, 2017).

Elevated temperatures can enhance the ability of air to hold water vapor, leading to increased water demand. This process can elevate evapotranspiration rates, potentially depleting soil water reserves and causing water stress in plants during dry periods. Fruit production is particularly vulnerable to water stress, especially in regions where trees lack irrigation. Numerous studies indicate that water stress diminishes crop yields and hastens fruit ripening (Henson, 2008).

Introduction

Soil is a silent foundation and a dynamic part of Earth’s complex ecosystem. It sustains life, influences plant growth and is involved in various environmental processes. However, the balance of this vital resource is increasingly threatened by the pervasive effects of climate change, manifested by rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and changes in atmospheric conditions. As global temperatures rise and weather patterns change, the relationship between soil and climate poses transformative challenges with far-reaching consequences. This research addresses the complexity of this interaction and examines how climate change affects agriculture, soil health, composition and functionality. Soil health, a holistic concept that includes physical, chemical and biological aspects of soils, is closely linked to climate change. A notable consequence of climate change is the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as droughts and floods. These events disrupt the delicate balance of soil ecosystems and lead to erosion, loss of topsoil and reduced fertility. Additionally, increased temperatures contribute to soil moisture depletion, reducing water availability for plants and microorganisms and further compromising soil health. A central issue at the interface between soil science and climate change is the role of soil as a carbon sink. Soils store large amounts of carbon in the form of organic material, thereby influencing the environment.

Introduction

Agriculture is the backbone of every country. It largely depends on climate and its changes. Over the last few years climate change has affected crops, cropping systems, patterns and the ecosystem hugely. Climate change is caused by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which results in global warming (Aydinalp and Cresser, 2008). The rising temperature, melting of glaciers, loss in vegetation cover, frequent occurrences of drought and floods are some of the issues that have raised concern among the environmentalists. The change in temperature and precipitation patterns alters the traditional growing seasons. Climate change is expected to influence crop and livestock production, hydrologic balances, input supplies and other components of agricultural systems (Adams et. al., 1998). Vulnerability of climate change depends on physical, biological and socio-economic characteristics. Low income populations dependent on isolated agricultural systems are particularly vulnerable to hunger and severe hardship. These populations are already barely food-sufficient, even the slightest decline in yields could be very harmful in these areas. The most negative effects are foreseen in dry land areas at lower latitudes and in arid and semi-arid areas, especially for those reliant on rain fed, non-irrigated agriculture (Aydinalp and Cresser, 2008). The rise in temperature cause stress in crops and reduce yields and productivity. Crops that are sensitive to temperature during the growth stages are affected a lot. A shift in growing season is being seen due change in temperature. Irregular and altered patterns of rainfall are severely affecting the crops and water supplies for livestock, which in turn has increased the occurrence of floods and drought, causing soil erosion, disrupting harvesting schedules. Occurrence of new pests and diseases are seen in the places having warmer temperature. Altered temperature has altered the life cycle of pests and intensity of infestations. Rising of sea water level and increased evaporation leads to intrusion of salt water into fresh water making irrigation water more saline harmful to crops. Livestock are sensitive to heat stresses which in turn reduce livestock productivity and increase mortality rates.

What is mitigation of GHGs emission? We must be clear about the answer of this fundamental question. In simple term, the mitigation of GHGs emission is the way or means by which the emission of those gases could be reduced. As we know from the previous chapters of this book that the GHGs emission could be occurred from natural as well as anthropogenic activities. Natural activities included volcanic eruptions, ocean current fluctuations, continental drifts which are responsible for emission of huge amount of CO₂ and other GHGs. The reduction of emissions from those natural activities is beyond our capabilities. However, the human induced emissions of GHGs emission could be reduced. We studied in previous chapters that fossil fuel burning, industrial and energy sector pollution, deforestation, land use change and agricultural could contribute to GHGs emission considerably. Mitigation techniques are different for each of those sectors that governed by lot of interrelated factors. In actual sense, the mitigation of GHGs emission should includes all the measures that can curtail the anthropogenic emission from all sectors. But that is out of the scope of this book. In this book, we specifically address the mitigation principles, options and efficiency of different techniques/ practices in agriculture only.

In that aspect, the mitigation of greenhouse gases emissions in agriculture is defined as “the means and ways by which emissions of GHGs could be reduced from agriculture”. The ways and means actually referred to the techniques and practices and their amalgamation in agricultural sector both in production, processing and consumption aspects. So, mitigation is not only a techniques or combination of techniques it is actually an integrated approach for reducing greenhouse gases emission from agricultural systems. Primarily, there are two complementary approaches for mitigation of GHGs emissions from agriculture. Those two approaches are (i) supply-side and (ii) demand- side options or pathways. The supply-side approaches includes scientific land- use-changes, improvement of crop management, better livestock management practices, enhancing carbon storage in biota, soil carbon sequestration, significant substitution of fossil fuel by bio-fuels and use of renewable energy in agriculture. On the other hand, demand side approaches, taken in to account of shifting in the dietary pattern from non-vegetarian to vegetarian, curtail down the food loss and waste, and reducing the supply-chains (Figure 6.1). We can see, most of the approaches in supply-side are technology driven, while, approaches in demand-side are socio-economical and or policy driven. In this chapter we would thoroughly discuss the principles of mitigation, options of mitigation, mitigation cum adaptation approaches to reduce GHGs emission and climate change and few strategies to cope up with the vagaries of climate change.

Introduction

Agriculture has historically been the primary source of income in India. It has the potential to alleviate poverty, increase income, and enhances food security for 80% of both the world’s poor and people who reside in rural areas primarily work in agriculture. One of the most effective strategies to eradicate extreme poverty, increase shared prosperity, and feed an estimated 9.7 billion people by 2050 is agricultural development. Compared to other modes, the agro - based sector’s progress is two to four times more successful in enhancing the earnings of the poorest people (www.worldbank.org).

Nearly 5 billion hectares, or 38% of the world’s land surface, is used for agriculture. Around one of this is devoted for farming, and the remaining two thirds are pastures and meadows for grazing animals. Over 10% of cropland is assigned to permanent crops like cocoa plantations, oil palm plantations, and fruit tree orchards. Yet another 21% of land is primed for irrigation, a crucial agricultural land management technique.

During his recent visit, US President Barack Obama pointed out that India is fortunate to have a youthful population with over half the population of 1.2 billion being under the age of 30. Of the 600 million young people, over 60% live in villages. Most are literate. Gandhiji considered the migration of educated youngsters from villages to towns and cities as the most serious form of brain drain adversely affecting rural India’s development. He, therefore, stressed that we should take steps to end the divorce between intellect and labour in rural professions.

The National Commission on Farmers (2004-06) stressed the need for attracting and retaining educated youngsters in farming. The National Policy for Farmers placed before Parliament in November 2007 includes the following goal: “To introduce measures which can help to attract and retain youth in farming and processing of farm products for higher value addition, by making farming intellectually stimulating and economically rewarding”. We are currently deriving very little demographic dividend in agriculture. On the other hand, the pressure of population on land is increasing and the size of the average farm holding is dipping below one hectare. Farmers are getting trapped in debt and, as real estate rates continue to rise, the temptation to sell prime farmland for non-farm purposes is growing. Over 45% of farmers interviewed by the National Sample Survey Organisation want to quit farming.