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Bael (Aegle marmelos Correa.) also known as Shri Phal, Baelpatra, Bengal quince, Beel, Bel is a nutritious and medicinal fruit plant, which is most suitable for water scarce areas of the country. It is indigenous tree to India and known since ancient time. Bael fruit is mentioned in ancient literature viz., Vedas, Ramayana, Upavan Vinod,  Brihat Samhita (Singh and Roy, 1984). Methods of ripening of the bael fruit are also given in Buddhist and Jain literature 800 BC – 325 BC.  During the Ramayana period, it has been mentioned that bael trees were found growing in the Chitrakut hills and Panchvati. The bael is grown throughout the country and main bael growing states are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha and Rajasthan. It is found growing in neighboring countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand and most of the Southeast Asian countries. Besides systematic orchard, bael can also be grown in parks, temple gardens, roadsides etc. The bael plant is sacred to the Hindus and is of common occurrence in temples of ‘Lord Shiva’ because of its mythological significance.

Introduction

Drylands account for over 40% of the global land surface, or approximately 5.2 billion hectares (de Sherbinin, 2002). They provide home for more than 2 billion people or nearly 40% of the population of the world (White and Nackoney, 2003). Asia alone accounts for about 32% of the World’s drylands. Broadly defined by their modest water supply drylands have many regional names, such as semideserts, grasslands, savannas, steppes, and pampas. Dryland ecosystems are a vital part of the earth’s human and physical environments and play a major role in global biophysical processes. They provide much of the world’s grain and livestock, forming the habitat that supports many vegetable species, fruit trees and micro-organisms. With an exception of Australia and the United States, almost all drylands are situated in developing countries with populations living in extreme poverty. Populations of drylands are frequently some of the poorest in the world. Food security and water availability of these areas has always been unstable due to high variability in both rainfall amounts and intensities and the occurrence of prolonged periods of drought. The increasing pressures caused by the global climate change and massive land-use changes further increase human vulnerability in dry regions. The impacts of climate change in drylands are likely to lead to still larger populations being affected by water scarcity and the risk of declining food security and increase the risk of environmental migrations and violent conflicts caused by the decline of resources, which are important to sustain livelihoods (Barnett and Adger, 2007).

A disease is any process which disrupts an animals’s normal function. Occurrence of diseases causes heavy economic loss in terms of livestock health and production. Presence and accumulation of infectious agents in the environment lead to reduction in quality and quantity of animal products. Strategic control and eradication of economically important diseases will result in enhancing goat production in the country. Goat suffer from many diseases although the susceptibility of goats to diseases is less as compared to sheep or cattle. Goat diseases can be bacterial, viral or parasitic. Viral diseases are more common in herds and are responsible for large scale mortality at one time. With a good hygiene in the barn and if the goats are kept in a way appropriate to their species, most of the diseases can be avoided.

Much attention has not been paid for prevention and control of goat diseases since most of the goats are reared by poor people and prevention and control is generally considered uneconomical. However, this is not true, as small investment in disease prevention and control can bring enormous gains in goat productivity. Simple preventive measures like deworming and vaccination alone can save the herds from heavy mortality and can increase production considerably. Serious and early efforts on diagnosis and prevention of goat diseases are essential in order to improve the health and production. A wide range of bacterial, viral, parasitic infections, causing heavy mortality and morbidity result in huge economic loss to different goat farming systems. Metabolic and nutritional disorders in goats also affect their production performance. Metabolic disorders are of great importance in pregnant goats, especially those carrying multiple foetuses. Deficiencies of essential minerals, metabolites and amino acids below the critical level also adversely affect the production. Therefore, it is necessary to avert these imbalances (calcium, magnesium, Co, Cu, Zinc, Iodine) in the ration. Provision for extra energy and protein in late pregnancy are necessary to avoid parturient paresis due to low blood sugar and high ketones and hepatic insufficiency of glycogen. Soil- plant- animal interactions in relation to the incidence of chronic deficiency diseases of goats are often being observed.

1. In bhendi field, the permissible limits for wild bhendi for Foundation and certified seed production is

   a) 0.10, 1.00

   b) 0.05, 0.10

   c) 0.1, 1.5

   d) None

2. Weed seed, other crop seed and inert matter are the fractions of

   a) Purity analysis

   b) Germination

   c) Seed viability test

   d) All

Restraint Various techniques and equipment are employed to capture and restrain both zoo and free-ranging wild animals for physical examinations and medical treatment. The primary methods of restraint are physical and chemical restraint. Assessing the physical condition of the animal and determining the necessity of capture are essential, as all restraint methods can impact an animal’s behavior, physiology, and response to medication. Certain animals, such as black bucks, chinkaras, and deer, are particularly sensitive to restraint and prone to thermoregulatory issues, capture myopathy, and shock. In these species, even a routine capture can lead to injury or death. Terminology The following terminology is generally used during restraints of wild animals. Anesthesia: Causes unconscious with loss of awareness and pain relief. Analgesia: A state in which pain and sensation are effectively blocked.

Abstract

The availability of the quality seed is the first and the most important requirement which is of great relevance in tree improvement programme. Unlike agriculture, the forestry seeds have great variation in size, shape, dormancy, viability, moisture content, etc. It needs special techniques for collection, handling, processing and storage of the seeds of the large number of forest species. A strong commitment to improving tree seed technology is required for full utilization of seed supplies with the help of recent advances in seed physiology. Substantial improvements have occurred as a result of seed technology research offering the potential for major advances in traditional seed production and distribution systems.

Abstract

The structure and function of proteins involved in plant-microbe interactions is investigated through large-scale proteomics technology in a complex biological sample. Since the whole genome sequence are now available for several plant species and microbes, proteomics study has became easier, accurate and huge amount of data can be generated during plant-microbe interactions. Proteomics approaches are highly important and relevant in many studies and showed that only genomics approaches is not sufficient as much significant information are lost as the proteins and not the genes coding them are final product which is responsible for the observed phenotype.

Abstract

This paper is the synthesis of researches of quaternary on the Chad lake basin, our field investigations, our previous palaeogeographic research underlined by the sédimentological analyses, ¹⁴C radiocarbon and thermoluninescence dating. The objective is to show that after the effects of geological fluctuation, paleoclimatic oscillations, the Chad lake basin experiences since historical times an increasingly drying up due to the combination of geographic factors such as its close position in the Sahara desert, centre of the climate dynamics and human activities. This situation frequently generates recurrent live conditions to which man has to face.

In genetics, microRNAs (miRNA) are single-stranded RNA molecules of 21-23 nucleotides in length, which regulate gene expression. miRNAs are encoded by genes from whose DNA they are transcribed but miRNAs are not translated into protein (i.e. they are non-coding RNAs); instead each primary transcript (a pri-miRNA) is processed into a short stem-loop structure called a pre-miRNA and finally into a functional miRNA. Mature miRNA molecules are partially complementary to one or more messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules, and their main function is to down-regulate gene expression. They were first described in 1993 by Lee and colleagues in the Victor Ambros lab .

MicroRNAs can be encoded by independent genes, but also be processed (via the enzyme Dicer) from a variety of different RNA species, including introns, 3' UTRs of mRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, snoRNAs and transposons.

The genes encoding miRNAs are much longer than the processed mature miRNA molecule; miRNAs are first transcribed as primary transcripts or pri- miRNA with a cap and poly-A tail and processed to short, 70-nucleotide stem-loop structures known as pre-miRNA in the cell nucleus. These pre- miRNAs are then processed to mature miRNAs in the cytoplasm by interaction with the endonuclease Dicer, which also initiates the formation of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). This complex is responsible for the gene silencing observed due to miRNA expression and RNA interference. The pathway in plants varies slightly due to their lack of Drosha homologs; instead, Dicer homologs alone effect several processing steps. The pathway is also different for miRNAs derived from intronic stem-loops; these are processed by Dicer but not by Drosha. Either the sense strand or antisense strand of DNA can function as templates to give rise to miRNA.

Abstract

Medicinal plants in recent years attracted much attention of researchers and become the basis of modern pharmaceuticals because of their active biologically compounds. Boerhavia diffusa commonly known as Punarnava belongs to family Nyctaginaceae is a widely distributed herb that has been naturalized in many areas of the world. It is utilized as a green leafy vegetable in many Asian and African countries besides possessing anticancer, antiestrogenic, immunomodulatory and antiamoebic activities due to the presence of valuable phytochemical compounds. Medicinal value of this plant is because of presence of specific kind of phytoconstituents like alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenoids, lipids, steroids, lignins, proteins, boeravinone A-F, glycoproteins and carbohydrates which are present in huge quantity in this herb. In view of its therapeutic importance, it is widely used in Ayurvedic, Siddha, Homoeopathy, Unani, Modern and Tribal medicinal system. Whole plant sometime its parts are utilized for curing different disorders by tribal people in India. It is a well known ethnomedicinal plant species mostly found in subtropical and tropical regions of the world.

All infectious agents, toxins, and nutritional imbalances have an impact on the performance of the farm and consequently on the local poultry industry. Additionally, poultry can be infected with common diseases like endoparasites, ectoparasites, infectious bronchitis, Marek’s disease, fowl cholera, salmonellosis, infectious coryza, fowl pox, avian encephalomyelitis, etc.

Controlling infectious diseases is vital for poultry health and diagnostic methods are an indispensable feature to resolve disease etiologies and the impact of infectious agents on the host. Although the basic principles of disease diagnostics have not changed, the spectrum of poultry diseases constantly expanded, with the identification of new pathogens and improved knowledge on epidemiology and disease pathogenesis. In parallel, new technologies have been devised to identify and characterize infectious agents, but classical methods remain crucial, especially the isolation of pathogens and their further characterization in functional assays and studies.

In poultry medicine, the diagnostic process originally shifted from the traditional veterinarian approach centered on individual animals to the health assessment of entire flocks. Flocks are commonly classified as “healthy” if they perform according to their genetic potential and are considered free from clinical disease. On-farm, diagnostic activities comprise routine sampling and investigations in line with health control programs; nationally and/or internationally adopted control programs for certain Mycoplasma and Salmonella species represent examples of paramount importance. Samples may be investigated immediately on site (e.g., rapid antigen test for avian influenza) or sent for further processing to a laboratory (e.g., ELISA and PCR). Field veterinarians further implement diagnostic surveillance in order to provide epidemiological data for flock management purposes. The periodical collection of samples (e.g., feces, serum samples, and swabs from mucosal surfaces) is primarily used to confirm the infection (free) status of a flock or to monitor vaccine response. Altogether, generated data facilitate objective judgment and decision making in order to optimize flock health and production.

The intricate balance between the Earth’s atmosphere and its ecosystems has always been a subject of fascination and concern, particularly when it comes to the impact of extreme weather events on agriculture. The delicate balance that sustains life on our planet is often disrupted by the very forces that make our environment dynamic and diverse. Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, droughts, floods, and heatwaves, have become a recurring theme in the narrative of global agriculture, leaving in their wake trails of devastation, economic loss, and food insecurity. Agriculture, the backbone of many economies around the world, is inherently sensitive to weather patterns. The cycle of planting, growth, and harvesting is deeply intertwined with the climate and weather conditions of a region. Any significant deviation from the expected weather patterns can have far-reaching consequences for crop yields, livestock health, and ultimately, the livelihoods of those dependent on farming and related activities. The relationship between weather and agriculture is not just about the immediate impacts of extreme events but also about the long-term changes in climate that alter the very fabric of agricultural practices and productivity. Weather hazards and disasters, by their nature, are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, posing unprecedented challenges to agricultural systems worldwide. These events not only affect the quantity and quality of agricultural produce but also have profound implications for the environment, economy, and society at large. For instance, a severe drought can lead to crop failure, affecting food availability and prices, while also depleting water resources, which in turn can exacerbate land degradation and loss of biodiversity. The global interconnectedness of food systems means that the impacts of extreme weather events on agriculture in one part of the world can have ripple effects on food security and economies elsewhere. This interconnectedness underscores the need for a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationships between weather patterns, agricultural productivity, and the resilience of food systems. By examining the causes, consequences, and responses to extreme weather events and their impacts on agriculture, we can begin to unravel the intricacies of these interactions and explore strategies for mitigating the adverse effects and enhancing the resilience of agricultural systems in the face of an increasingly unpredictable climate.

Abstract

The phosphorus deficiency in soil is a major problem for agricultural production as phosphorus is one of the major constituents in energy metabolism and biosynthesis of nucleic acids and cell membranes. The phosphorous present in soil is an important macronutrient for the growth and development of the plants. The phosphorus occurs in two forms in soil, organic and inorganic. The phytates (salts of phytic acid) constitute the major form of organic phosphorus other than nucleic acids, phospholipids and other compounds in soil. Phytate-phosphorus is not readily available to plants due to its chelation with metal ions forming insoluble complexes or adsorbed to soil particles. Phosphate solubilizing and phytate hydrolyzing microorganisms, bacteria and fungi, are ubiquitous in cultivated, wetland, grassland and forest soils, which play an important role in supplying soluble phosphorus to plants. Microbes hydrolyze organic forms of phosphorus by secreting phytases and acidic/alkaline phosphatases. By genetic engineering, several attempts have been made to develop transgenic plants which are able to utilize phytates as sole source of phosphorus for their growth and development. This review focuses on the applicability of microbial phytases in promoting the growth and development of various crop plants.

Gingers  belong to Zingiberaceae family and are made up of about 1000 species in 47 genera. They have numerous members with aromatic oils that have made them popular for perfumes and ornamentals. Ornamental gingers, while related to edibles, are usually grown for their looks instead of their flavor. A very large and diverse group of gingers are valued both for their tropical foliage and for their large, colorful flower heads. From the startling red ginger to the subtle shell ginger, these attractive plants are easy to grow in home landscapes in tropical and semi-tropical areas. They are great for tub gardens They can be very rewarding to grow, and with some simple care will continue to produce beautiful leaves and flowers for many years which also have cut flower value.

Wheat (T. aestivum) is a staple food of the vast majority of the human population in most part of the world; Europe, West Asia, South East Asia, Americas and North Africa. It provides more nourishment than any other food crop and leads all other food crops-rice, maize and potato on a global basis. The wide varieties of food products prepared from it make the crop popular and also a reason for its expansion even to non-traditional wheat cultivated areas. As a leading cereal crop, it is cultivated widely under varied agro-ecological regions and cropping systems throughout the world. It is one of the first plants domesticated and cultivated by humans, which played a critical role in the transition from hunter–gatherer groups to stabilized societies with an agrarian foundation. Wheat is harvested every month of the year somewhere in the world, from as far south as Argentina and as far north as Finland, and it is grown over a substantial area in almost every country of North and South America, Europe, and Asia (Fig. 32.1). Even though, the normal planting period of wheat falls in the same month across different countries, the harvesting period is different (Fig. 32.2).

In avian medicine, because clinical signs in birds can be vague, veterinarians must rely on additional clinical tests to accurately diagnose and treat conditions. These tests, including hematology, urine analysis and others, are essential for understanding diseases early and tailoring effective treatments. Clinical hematology is qualitative and quantitative assessment of blood and other blood component for the treatment of clinical patient. In comparison to mammals, bird’s erythrocytes are oval and nucleated cells, nucleated thrombocytes, heterophiles instead of neutrophils. RBCs of birds have relatively short life span and regenerate more quickly than mammals. The preferred vein for blood collection in birds varies with the species. In most species the wing veins is preferred site. Both EDTA and heparin have been used in avian clinical haematology as anticoagulant. The average blood volume of most birds is approximately 10% body weight. Avian plasma samples frequently are yellow due to carotenoid pigments, not bilirubin. Uric acid is the major nitrogenous waste product of birds it is relatively inert and substantially less toxic than ammonia or urea. Both BUN and creatinine levels are normally low in birds and may be below the minimum detectable limit of the assays in the laboratory. It may be useful to evaluate BUN and uric acid together to differentiate among dehydration, postprandial effects and renal pathology.

1. Introduction
Aquaculture, the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic plants, plays an essential role in global food security and economic development. As the demand for sustainable and efficient fish farming practices grows, the need to optimize fish health, growth, and feed efficiency becomes increasingly crucial. One emerging area of interest in aquaculture nutrition is the use of bioactive peptides, which offer a natural and effective alternative to synthetic feed additives.
Bioactive peptides are short chains of amino acids, typically ranging from 2 to 20 residues, which are derived from protein sources. These peptides are typically inactive within the parent protein but become bioactive once they are released through specific processes, including enzymatic hydrolysis, microbial fermentation, or gastrointestinal digestion. The peptides exhibit a wide range of biological activities that can directly benefit fish and shellfish health. Their functional properties include antimicrobial, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antihypertensive, and growth-promoting activities, making them valuable components of aquafeeds.
The integration of bioactive peptides into aquaculture systems offers an innovative and environmentally sustainable approach to enhancing the health and performance of aquatic species. By replacing or complementing conventional feed additives, such as antibiotics and synthetic growth promoters, bioactive peptides can improve feed efficiency, disease resistance, and immune function, thereby promoting better overall productivity.

Introduction
Technology transfer and capacity building are critical to the advancement of agriculture, particularly in ensuring that research findings and innovations reach stakeholders efficiently. The Directorate of Extension (DoE) at Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) is a key player in this process, liaising with state development departments to drive technology dissemination in the agriculture and allied sectors. The DoE collaborates closely with development departments of agri and allied areas in the State, acting as a vital link to ensure that agricultural advancements reach the grassroots level. The Directorate also integrates institutional mechanisms to support this technology transfer. Through a network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and several institutional mechanisms, the Directorate integrates new agricultural technologies into mainstream practices, focusing on both skill development and sustainable development strategies. It conducts workshops, seminars, and training programs focused on enhancing the skills of extension workers, farmers, and other stakeholders. The focus is not just on disseminating new technologies but also on building long-term capacity through skill development. This ensures that the stakeholders are well-equipped to implement the innovations in a way that promotes efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. In essence, the DoE at KAU is a driving force in modernizing agriculture in Kerala. Through its structured efforts in technology transfer, skill enhancement, and the promotion of sustainable practices, it enables the agricultural sector to keep pace with scientific advancements while ensuring that the benefits are accessible and applicable at the field level.
Initiatives / Interventions of DoE, KAU
The Directorate of Extension is crucial in bridging the gap between agricultural research and field-level application through various innovative initiatives. Key interventions include the popularization of agricultural technologies, primarily through farm-based production programs, Block Level Agricultural Knowledge Centres (BLAKC), and the Mukhamukham (face-to-face) Agro Clinic. The Directorate also focuses on capacity-building programs, entrepreneurship development, and ICT-enabled technology dissemination. Additionally, the Directorate supports vulnerable sections of society, develops Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and implements state-funded development projects, contributing to the holistic growth of Kerala’s agricultural sector.

5.1 Introduction
Bioprocess engineering is becoming more advanced form of technology due to the many changes taking place in the field. The world is in dire need for creative, well thought out, and innovative approaches to problems associated with sustainable biomanufacturing, treatment customization, and the production of bio-based goods. One of the most notable advancements is the rise of synthetic biology, which allows for bioproduction at unprecedented levels where microbes could be modified for better bioproduction. More traditional approaches is strain improvement and metabolic engineering, which revolve around mutation-based processes and other forms of gene transfer technologies. The applications of new, non-traditional methods such as machine learning and artificial intelligence have completely revolutionized the way bioprocessing and its monitoring, as well as optimization, is done. On top of that, the drive towards sustainability has further motivated the use of green bioprocessing techniques which aim to minimize environmental harm. In parallel with these advances, regenerative medicine and gene treatment is opening doors to a new era of personalized medicine. In a world where change is constant, these accomplishments and innovations help us to take full advantage of what bioprocess engineering has to offer, as well as face the intricate challenges that the modern world encounters (Awasthi, 2022). In recent years, the field of biotechnology has undergone transformative and profound change that is marked by new breakthroughs and improvement which can affect several fields such as medicine, agriculture, and ecology. The emergence of tools like CRISPR-Cas9, synthetic biology, bioprinting, precision medicine and regenerative medicine are some of the new trends in biotechnology. These changes are recognizing the limits on the biological sciences and expanding them at the same time. Synthetic biology is another technology that includes the strategy and production of new genomic parts, related tools, and re-designs of traditional ones for valuable purposes. The scientists are modifying living organisms to perform useful functions like manufacturing biofuels or pharmaceuticals. Synthetic biology raises concerns about biosecurity and the unintentional release of artificial organisms into the environment, despite its enormous potential to address global challenges like renewable energy and sustainable resource usage (Jain, 2022). This article introduces advancements in bioprocess engineering with specific focus on advancements brought about by emergence of CRISPR. Bioprocess engineering is the application of process engineering principles to biological systems and has been a multidisciplinary field unto itself. Since its isolation as a groundbreaking genome-editing system, CRISPR has vastly improved the precision, efficiency, and scalability of both microbial and mammalian cell manipulation. This has resulted in numerous breakthroughs in pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and industrial enzymes, a major milestone for synthetic biology, and metabolic engineering (Jinek et al., 2012). The CRISPR revolution has changed

Introduction

India has very old and long tradition of flower cultivation. With changing life styles and increased urban affluence, floriculture has assumed a definite commercial status in recent times. Improved communication facilities have increased their availability in every part of the country. Floriculture in India is being viewed as a rapidly growing industry. In India, at present total area under flower crops is about 2,33,000 ha with production of about 17.29 lakh tonnes of loose flowers and 76732 lakh  number of cut flowers (NHB database, 2013).The important floricultural crops in the international flower trade are rose, carnation, chrysanthemum, gerbera, gladious, gypsophila, liastris, bird of paradise, orchids, anthurium, tulip, lilies, etc. All the flowers and ornamentals are the most perishable commodities needs special care during harvesting, handling, storage and transport. The losses can be both, quantitative as well as qualitative, which result in loss in terms of monitory value.