eChapters

Abstract

Abiotic stresses lead to the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plants which are highly reactive and toxic and cause damage to proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and DNA which ultimately results in oxidative stress. The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)-symbiosis can confer a greater degree of tolerance against drought stress in many cash crops. The significance of heat shock proteins (Hsps) and chaperones in abiotic stress responses in plants, and co-operation among their different classes and their interactions with other stress-induced components is well known. Soil salinity is a major abiotic stress adversely affecting plant growth and crop production worldwide. Phyto-mycoremediation utilizing AMF as plant inoculants is regarded as a promising strategy to heavy metal pollution remediation. Plants have stress specific adaptive responses as well as responses which protect the plants from more than one environmental stress. The potential of phytoremediation of contaminated soil can be enhanced by inoculating hyper-accumulator plants with mycorrhizal fungi most appropriate for the contaminated site.

Weather phenomena are not localized, it moves and varies over space and time. The weather over a place or area is the result of far away weather events/conditions. Acquisition of global scale observation, therefore, becomes a pre-requisite for understanding the physics of the weather and also to represent the weather condition over an area at a particular time. Complex three-dimensional models of weather systems can be made by collecting weather data at multiple levels in the atmosphere. Upper-air data are important to know present weather over a place and crucial for weather forecasting.

1. Introduction

The increasing size and activities of humans have mounted severe pressure on the survival of other life forms on the earth. This is a matter of great concern for the humanity. Therefore, a critical study to inventory all plant species has become very essential and urgent before they are lost or become extinct. In the face of extinction of many of these species, we need to learn as much about them as quickly as possible. In the recent years there has been a great concern for biological diversity and conservation of biological resources. Although much emphasis has been given to the ways and means for inventories (Flora) of biological diversity, there is also need for more in depth studies that deal with basic relationship of species. Monographic, revisionary and systematic studies that provide basic descriptive information about organisms and their relationship are required to document the information and knowledge about the plant wealth of a country. This chapter is to highlights the usefulness of the Flora and revisionary studies, and provides the relevant information to the beginners and the budding plant taxonomists about the preparation of an ‘Ideal Flora’ and ‘Creative Revision’ to meet the requirement of the present time.

10.1. Introduction

When it comes to packaging, plastics are still popular because of durability, versatility, economic production, and enhanced mechanical properties. However, with growing concerns about the impact of plastics-based packaging on the environment, edible and biodegradable packaging were introduced. The application of edible and biodegradable packaging promotes renewable resources, which greatly reduces environmental concerns and fulfil the packaging requirements. The sources employed to develop edible and biodegradable packaging are mainly plant-based biopolymers like cellulose, proteins, starch, and lipid. Moreover, the properties of the packaging material are decided by the proportions of these biopolymers. Hence, selecting a food commodity to be package is equally important as selecting suitable resources for the development of edible and biodegradable packaging.

Abstract

Nitrogen is an important nutrient for growth and development of plants. Presence or absence of nitrogen often affects the amino acid composition of proteins, which may in turn change its nutritional quality. Increase in the elevated CO₂ concentration and temperature associated with future climates are expected to affect the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), growth and grain yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Atmospheric CO₂ is steadily rising from the current level of approx 384 µLL^-1 and is expected to rises upto 550 µLL^-1 by 2050. It is predicted that the global temperature would increase by 1.5- 4.5^oC. The main future challenge is to feed nine billion people under an altered climate, as this increase in global temperature would affect, negatively or positively the future crop productivity including wheat depending upon the geographical location. The present book chapter summarizes the potential impact of elevated CO₂ and temperature on NUE of Triticum aestivum L.

The early inhabitants of our country were very conscious of the placement of their dwellings in beautiful surroundings. The best examples are from the West Coast, where the houses were traditionally constructed in the midst of gardens. The Arab traveller and historian, Ibn Batuta, in his itinerary in coastal Malabar recorded their picturesque beauty, as early as in the 10th century AD. The whole compound was planted with trees, which were useful and aesthetic in appeal. The scholarly elite used trees and shrubs mentioned in Kalidasa’s work in their planting schemes. Through the tree and foliage, a path is formed to the main village.

ABSTRACT

This paper is an attempt to highlight the problems of coastal environmental impact assessment owing to logistic constraints, costs of analytical data generation, time gap between data generation and interpretation, quantum of physical and chemical data required for assessment of environmental data through conventional methods and to examine the potential of hyperspectral remote sensing as an alternative for conventional methods. As hyperspectral remote sensing is non-destructive, offers repetitivity and high resolution (spatial and spectral) and hyper-sensitive to many physical and chemical properties of coastal soils and minerals, we recommend use of hyperspectral remote sensing for reduction of cost and man-hours in coastal environmental assessment, without compromising the quality of data.

Introduction

India is a land of diverse agro climatic zones and each of these zones offer a great potential for cultivation of wide range of crops across all seasons. Vegetables form major and important part of our dietary requirements, which are widely grown in the rural and peri-urban areas. Hi-tech horticulture including protected cultivation of high value and exotic vegetables has been on the increase, targeting high end domestic and export market. Of late, due to the population pressure, fragmentation of land holdings and urbanization has led to decline in cultivable area, more so in urban and peri-urban areas. Production of vegetables under protected cultivation system results in effective use of the land resources, besides being able to increase the production of quality vegetables both for the export and domestic markets by offsetting biotic and abiotic stresses to a great extent that otherwise is prevalent in open cultivation. Under protected cultivation, vegetables are widely grown due to higher productivity and economic feasibility.

9.1 Introduction Numpy

Numpy: is apython package which stands for “Numerical python”.

This was created in 2005 by Travis Oliphant.

Using numpy we can perform the following functionalities:

1. Mathematical and logical calculation on array.

2. Fourier transforms and routines for shape manipulation.

3. It has built in functions for linear algebra random number generation.

4. Used for scientific calculations.

5. It is faster than python list.

6. It is fast because it is associated with c programming.

NumPy is often called as an alternate for MatLab (a programming platform designed specifically for engineers and scientists for data analysis, developing algorithms, create models and application etc.)

This paper primarily considers the general principles of ultrasound and instrumentation and its application in camel reproduction.

Ultrasound waves are mechanical pressure waves similar to audible sound waves and must have a medium in which to audible sound waves and must have a medium in which to propagate. The “frequency” (f) is the number of high- or low- pressure regions crossing each area of tissue each second. The frequencies of the sound waves used in medical ultrasound are much higher than the human audible range (20 to 16000 Hz); hence the waves are called ultrasound. Ultrasound instrumentation

The gray scale imaging equipment uses only time delay and echo amplitude information in creating the image. Most equipment contains the same basic building- block circuits; transmitter, receiver, display and scan converter.

Transmitter

The first circuit building block, the transmitter circuit produces either a high- amplitude, short- duration voltage shock pulse or a driving voltage waveform. Then an output control attenuates the amplitude of the shock pulse or the driving voltage wave form before it is applied to the transducer.

Introduction
Animal behavior, a fascinating field of study, encompasses a wide range of activities and responses to internal and external stimuli. Among the various factors that shape these behaviour’s, hormones and drugs are particularly significant. These biochemical agents profoundly influence the physiological and psychological aspects of animals, leading to observable changes in their behaviour. This introduction explores the roles of hormones and drugs in animal behavior, detailing their mechanisms, effects, and implications for broader scientific understanding and practical applications. Hormones and drugs play vital roles in shaping animal behavior through complex biochemical pathways. Hormones act as internal regulators, orchestrating responses to environmental and physiological changes, while drugs, whether therapeutic or environmental, modulate these processes, often with profound behavioral consequences. Understanding these influences is crucial for advancing animal welfare, conservation efforts, and biomedical research, ultimately enriching our comprehension of the intricate relationship between biology and behavior in the animal kingdom.
Hormones and Animal Behaviour Deliver
Hormones are chemical messengers produced by endocrine glands and secreted into the bloodstream, where they travel to target organs and tissues, eliciting specific physiological responses. These responses, in turn, influence behaviour. The following are some key hormones that play critical roles in animal behavior:
1. Corticosteroids
• Function: Corticosteroids, such as cortisol in mammals and corticosterone in birds and reptiles, are released by the adrenal glands in response to stress.
• Behavioral Impact: They prepare the body for the fight-or-flight response, affecting behaviour’s related to fear, anxiety, and aggression. Chronic stress exposure and elevated corticosteroid levels can lead to long-term behavioral changes, including heightened anxiety and altered social interactions.

Mental and emotional health encompasses psychological, emotional, and social well-being. It influences how people think, feel, behave, make decisions, cope with difficulties, and interact with others. Mental health is not merely the absence of mental illness; it is an essential component of overall health and quality of life. Regular self-care can help individuals maintain emotional balance and support treatment and recovery when mental-health problems occur. Psychologists and mental-health professionals have an important responsibility to assist emotionally distressed individuals in overcoming adjustment and personality-related problems and leading normal, productive lives. Mental and emotional difficulties may be triggered by stressful circumstances, including bereavement, family conflict, relationship changes, physical illness, or incomplete recovery caused by stopping treatment prematurely. Recognising such triggers and early warning signs can help prevent symptoms from worsening. Therefore, proper care, healthy habits, professional support, and preventive strategies are necessary to promote lasting mental and emotional well-being throughout every stage of human life.

Trees alone on the earth give happiness both here and hereafter. Since they “save” from abject poverty they are named “taravah” (the saviors). Therefore, the trees should be carefully nurtured as through their shade, flowers and fruits they help immensely in the pursuit of dharma, artha, and kama (Vrikshayurveda).

12.1 Introduction-Nitrogen

Nitrogen is a chemical element which has the symbol N and atomic number 7. Elemental nitrogen is a colourless, odourless, tasteless and mostly inert diatomic gas at standard conditions, constituting 78.1% by volume of Earth’s atmosphere. Nitrogen is a constituent element of all living tissues and amino acids. Many industrial important compounds, such as ammonia, nitric acid, and cyanides are made up of nitrogen.

12.1.1 History

Nitrogen (Latin nitrogenium, where nitrum (from Greek nitron) means “native soda”and genes means “forming”) is formally considered to have been discovered by Daniel Rutherford in 1772, who called it noxious air or fixed air. That there is a fraction of air that did not support combustion is well known to the late 18th century.

Argon was discovered when it is noticed that nitrogen from air is not identical to nitrogen from chemical reactions. Compounds of nitrogen were known in the Middle Ages. The alchemists knew nitric acid as aqua fortis (strong water). The mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids is known as aqua regia (royal water), celebrated for its ability to dissolve gold (the king of metals). The earliest industrial and agricultural applications of nitrogen compounds involved uses in the form of saltpeter (sodium- or potassium nitrate), notably in gunpowder, and much later, as fertilizer, and later still, as a chemical feedstock.

12.1. Introduction

Food Packaging is a means to ensure safety and quality of food product throughout storage, transportation, handling, distribution, retailing, sales and in some cases till the intended use. International trades in food are generally guided by Codex Alimetarius Commission (CAC) (A joint body of World Health Organization and Food & Agricultural Organization). CAC works in harmonization within the context of food standards, food packaging and the applied rules. The mandate of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) and Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement) is to facilitate food trades and remove restraints at possible extent. Through these agreements, member countries have provision to apply quality and safety measures to safeguard the consumer. Such measures extend to every aspect of food and its packaging. On the other side, food packaging industries also progressed with sound technological advancement and sophistication in the last three decades. Innovations in food packaging attracted consumers due to convenience, availability, safety, quality and preservation throughout shelf life of the food product. 

Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee
The Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee is a vital component of healthcare institutions, particularly in hospitals. It serves as a formal body that oversees medication management processes, ensuring that drug therapy is safe, effective, and cost-efficient.
Objectives of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee
1. Formulary Management

• Definition: The formulary is a continually updated list of medications approved for use within a healthcare institution. It serves as a guide for prescribers regarding which medications are available and recommended for various conditions.
• Objective: The primary objective of the P&T Committee in formulary management is to ensure that the formulary reflects the most effective and safest therapeutic options based on clinical evidence. This involves evaluating new drugs for inclusion and removing outdated or less effective medications.
2. Drug Selection
• Rationale: The committee aims to specify preferred drugs and alternatives based on clinical guidelines and evidence-based practices. This helps minimize therapeutic redundancies and ensures that healthcare providers have access to optimal treatment options.
• Process: The selection process involves reviewing clinical studies, safety data, cost-effectiveness analyses, and recommendations from professional organizations to make informed decisions about drug inclusion.
3. Quality Assurance
• Importance: Quality assurance is critical for patient safety. The P&T Committee monitors medication use within the hospital to identify trends in prescribing patterns and potential safety issues.
• Monitoring Activities: This includes reviewing adverse drug reactions (ADRs), medication errors, and compliance with formulary guidelines. The committee implements corrective actions when necessary to improve safety outcomes.

Abstract

Climatic variability with respect to total annual precipitation, mean maximum and mean minimum temperature as well as phytosociological characteristics of various herbaceous plant species of two distinct landscapes, ie, BudhaPushkar (BP) as sandy and Nasirabad Valley (NV) as rocky gravel, of Central Aravalli region was compared over a long period of time (1957-2012). Analysis of climatic data indicates reduction of total precipitation of 50 years by 1226.2 mm. There has been a ‘shift’ in monsoon season. However, a significant increase (36.8%) in precipitation was noticed during the winter season of last five decades. Data on total mean maximum temperature also showed significant variation. A rise of 2.5⁰C was recorded while compared the periods 1971-1990 and 1991-2011. Study showed a notable increase in the mean maximum and mean minimum temperature in the region. An assessment of changes in plant diversity at two landscapes was carried out over a period of 35 years (1976 and 2012). The phytosociological characteristics were compared for these selected years. It was observed that climatic variability have changed the order of dominants and other species with respect to frequency, density and IVI of herbaceous species at both BP and NV landscapes. Total number of species increase for BP landscape while decreased for NV stands, while numbers of invasive species are increased for both the landscapes over a period of 35 years.

Keywords: Climatic variability, Plant diversity, Central Aravalli region, Landscapes, Phytosociological characteristics

The narrow sense heritability estimates were high for days to first flowering, plant height at first flowering, number of leaves at first flowering, plant height at maturity, productive tillers per plant, boot leaf area, 100 grain weight, grain length and grain L/B ratio. These characters may be controlled by additive genetic variance. This indicated that the individual genotype can be evaluated readily from their phenotypic expression. Simple selection would more effective in the sets of materials exhibiting greater additive genetic variability and desirable mean performance. Thus, it merit selection in the next generation. On the other hand, the remaining traits may largely be controlled by non-additive genetic variance or the number of genes controlling these traits may be more, or these traits may largely be influenced by a large number of modifiers or might be largely influenced by environment. As the effects of the environmental variance were generally low, the observed low heritability for the above traits might be due other factors other than environment. These traits are hard to improve by selection. It necessitates progeny testing.

Viral diseases causing problems to the routine performance of the wild animals are caused substantially by many viral agents also

1. Introduction
Fish and fisheries remains to be an important sector for Indian economy providing food, nutrition as well as employment to a large share of the population. Initiating with a production of merely 7.7 lakh ton of fishes in 1951-52, the country was on its way of increasing the production steadily and has now attained the phenomenal success of producing 162.5 lakh ton during 2021-22. Of this total amount, 41.3 lakh ton has been obtained from marine fisheries and 121.2 lakh ton from inland resources (Anon, 2022). For the inland fisheries production, the contribution of fish culture sector was much lower than that from capture fisheries for several decades during the initial phases. However, the production of culture fisheries maintained a consistently increasing trend and has now surpassed in magnitude the production from capture fisheries sector (Fig.1). With the potential areas for fish culture being gradually used up for different purposes, maintaining such high production rates in coming days will be possible only through optimum management of various factors which govern the productivity of the ponds. Among such factors, one important aspect is nourishing the quality of pond soil and water.