eChapters

11.1 Introduction

Nanotechnology is the manipulation or self-assembly of individual atoms, molecules, or molecular clusters into structures to create materials and devices with new or vastly different properties. Nanotechnology can work from the top down (which means reducing the size of the smallest structures to the nanoscale e.g. photonics applications in nanoelectronics and nanoengineering) or the bottom up (which involves manipulating individual atoms and molecules into nanostructures and more closely resembles chemistry or biology). The definition of nanotechnology is based on the prefix “nano” which is from the Greek word meaning “dwarf”. In more technical terms, the word “nano” means 10-9, or one billionth of something. It is a very promising new branch of small-scale technology named for the unit of measure at which it operates: the nanometer. Nanotechnology enables us to create functional materials, devices, and systems by controlling matter at the atomic and molecular scales, and to exploit novel properties and phenomena. Consider that most chemical and biological sensors, as well as many physical sensors, depend on interactions occurring at these levels and you’ll get an idea of the effect nanotechnology will have on the sensor world.

Introduction

The world is said to be a global village organizations and people must learn, unlearn and relearn to expand their capacities and survive in the highly competitive market place. In view of rapidly changing socio–economic circumstance, it is a challenge to survive, excel and grow. It is knowledge which can make difference in getting the competitive edge. Thus, organizations need to pool their internal knowledge and find ways to update, enhance, share and create value. Organizations need to analyze their collective knowledge and use them most efficiently. Need for new and new technology is driving people to innovate in every sphere.

All animals have a range of ambient environmental temperatures termed as thermo-neutral zone. This is the range of temperatures that are conducive to health, performance and well-being. The upper critical temperature is the point at which heat stress begins to affect the animal adversely. There are a number of climatic factors like temperature, humidity, wind speed and radiant energy/sunlight that influence the degree of heat stress. Heat is also produced by metabolism within the body, which includes maintenance, growth and production. Heat production is affected by body weight, species and breed, level of production, level of feed intake, feed quality and, to a lesser extent, by the amount of activity and exercise. Excluding temperature of the air ventilating the house, heat is also added from the roof and walls. Heat stress can be defined as the point where the animal cannot dissipate adequate quantity of heat to maintain body thermal balance. During the periods of heat stress, most of the productive energy is diverted to thermoregulatory adaptations that results into decreased weight gain, poor immunity, oxidative stress predisposing animals to various infectious diseases and high mortality rates. In order to characterize and quantify thermal comfort zones according to animal species, several thermal comfort indices or heat stress indices were developed.

The primary focus for livestock and poultry has been on heat stress indices to provide guidelines for environmental management and risk assessment for losses through linkages with physiological responses (Eigenberg et al., 2005) or performance (Baccari, 2001). The linkage is based on observations of a selected performance criterion (e.g., growth, milk or egg production) made concurrently with measures of the warm environment. These serve as inputs for the selected heat stress index and thus an empirical relationship can be developed which is termed as ?biological response function?. These indices recognize the ability of the animal to cope with environmental stressors by adjusting physiologically, behaviourally and immunologically to minimize adverse effects or even compensate for reduced growth and production performance during moderate environmental challenges. When the intensity and duration of potential stressors exceed thresholds, coupled with limited opportunity for recovery, animals are unable to cope and therefore are affected adversely. Nevertheless, the heat stress indices have served as useful surrogates for the complex interactions between the physical and biological components (Hahn et al., 2003).

It is used in the control of bacterial leaf spots, blights, and cankers mostly on fruits crops and ornamentals. The Bordeaux mixture, however, can cause burning of leaves or russeting of fruit such as apples when applied in cool, wet weather. The phytotoxicity of Bordeaux is reduced by increasing the ratio of hydrated lime to copper sulfate. Copper is the only ingredient in the Bordeaux mixture that is toxic to pathogens and, sometimes, to plants, whereas the role of lime is primarily that of a “safener.”

Integrated farming places a strong emphasis on the fundamental functions of agro-ecosystems, balanced nutrient cycles that are adapted to the demands of the crops, the health and wellbeing of the farm’s livestock, and a holistic management strategy that sees the entire farm as one connected system (Kochewad et al. 2017). Family farming, often referred to as integrated farming, provides the opportunity to profitably utilize the farm family’s available labor to the fullest extent throughout the year, leading to an increase in income and family contentment.

Introduction
Agriculture plays a vital role in global food security and economic development. However, in many regions, agricultural productivity is hindered by various challenges, including the presence of high soil salinity in agroecological systems (Singh, 2009). Saline agroecological systems are found in various regions worldwide, including coastal areas, arid and semi-arid regions, and areas affected by improper irrigation practices. These systems are characterized by high soil salinity levels, which can have detrimental effects on crop growth, nutrient availability and plant water uptake (Rai et al., 2020). Addressing these challenges requires specialized knowledge and tailored strategies to ensure sustainable agricultural practices in such environments (Dagar et al., 2019;
Sethi et al., 2016). Farm advisory and resource management services play a critical role in assisting farmers in saline agroecological systems by providing expert guidance, information dissemination, capacity building, and policy support (Adak et al., 2020). Farm advisory can play a crucial role in helping farmers understand the intricacies of saline agroecological systems, including the causes of soil salinity, its effects on crop performance, and the necessary strategies for managing these challenges effectively. Farm advisory can assist farmers in selecting suitable crop varieties that exhibit tolerance to high salinity levels. This requires comprehensive knowledge of salt-tolerant crops and and nutritional needs. Providing information on the performance and market
demand of different crop varieties enables farmers to make informed decisions about crop selection, optimizing productivity in saline agroecological systems (Kumar et al., 2020; Singh et al., 2021). It can offer guidance on crop management practices tailored to saline environments by providing recommendations on irrigation scheduling, water management techniques, and appropriate fertilization strategies to minimize salt accumulation and maximize crop yields. Helping farmers implement best practices for s

From the farmer deciding when to sow seeds to the traveler planning their journey, from the pilot navigating the skies to the energy provider managing demand, the state of the atmosphere profoundly influences our daily lives and myriad human activities. The ability to anticipate future atmospheric conditions, a practice we know as weather forecasting, is therefore not merely an academic pursuit but a practical necessity (Fig. 16.1).
This chapter will delve into the fascinating world of weather forecasting, exploring its historical roots, the fundamental scientific principles that underpin it, and the sophisticated tools and techniques employed by modern meteorologists. We will journey through the process of observing the current state of the atmosphere, the computational power used to model its complex dynamics, and the various ways forecasts are disseminated and interpreted.
Understanding the science behind weather forecasting empowers us to appreciate its capabilities and limitations. It allows us to make more informed decisions in the face of an ever-changing atmospheric environment. Join us as we unravel the methods used to predict the weather, from simple observations to cutting-edge numerical models, and gain insight into the continuous advancements shaping the future of this vital scientific discipline.

Common Poultry Diseases

Infectious diseases

Bacteria

Commonly known as “germs”, bacteria are very small living microorganisms. Only a few bacteria cause diseases. In birds these include Salmonella, Clostridia, Pasteurella, Vibrio, Staphylococci, Streptococci, Mycoplasma, Hemophilus, and Mycobacterium etc.

Science has individual, social, and institutional dimensions. Because of the social relevance of science, the dissemination of scientific information is crucial for its progress and contemporaneity. A scientist observes and then tries to make sense of that observation. She/he collects data, develops theories, uses hypothesis to understand and explain a thing, or a phenomenon, and then tries to find patterns emanating from her/his observations. Scientific knowledge keeps on changing.

Science is a blend of logic and imagination; therefore, there is always a possibility of disagreement and mismatch between them. A hypothesis is often untestable. Such untestable hypothesis are often rejected by the scientific community. “Science never pursues the illusory aim of making its answers final, or even probable. Its advance is, rather, towards the infinite yet attainable aim of ever discovering new, deeper, and more general problems, and of subjecting its ever tentative answers to ever renewed and ever more rigorous tests,” writes Karl Popper (1).

A scientist formulates, corrects, or discards the theories. The job of a scientist is to discriminate false idols from the real things. Science has built-in error correcting machinery, writes Carl Sagan (2). The error bars are insistent reminders to the fact that no knowledge is complete or perfect. It is used to exercise self-criticism. Each generation of scientists reduces the error bars a little. When we are self-indulgent and uncritical, when we confuse hopes with facts, we slide into pseudoscience and superstition. Sagan believed in maintaining an essential balance between the two attitudes: openness to new ideas, no matter how counter-intuitive they may be, and the most ruthlessly sceptical scrutiny of all ideas, old and new.

1.    Irrotational flow is

(a) Incompressible fluid with shear

(b) Newtonian fluid

(c) Incompressible fluid with no shear

(d) Non-Newtonian fluid

2.    Irrotational flow is also called

(a) Potential flow

(b) Turbulent flow

(c) Laminar Flow

(d) None of these

3.    Bernoulli’s equation is based on the assumption that

(a) The flow is non-viscous, uniform and steady

(b) The flow is steady, non-viscous, incompressible and irrotational

(c) The flow is uniform and incompressible

(d) None of the above

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

The business plan answers the key questions about the business: who, what, where, when, why, and how. For a developing business, it begins the process of making an idea materialize into reality and determining whether or not an idea should become reality. It also establishes goals and benchmarks for the business. A comprehensive business plan makes it easier for a business to receive external support, especially in terms of financing from potential investors, lenders, and grant sources. Finally, and possible most importantly, going through the process of planning is very valuable because it forces the business owners and/or managers to think through every detail of the business.

Introduction

We are faced with the dual challenges of Climate change and food insecurity irrespective of the countries and regions across the globe. Asia Pacific region is one of the most climate change vulnerable regions in the world (Prabhakar & Matsumoto, 2010) on account of its relatively higher & dense population depending on climate related sectors and living in climate change vulnerable locations. In particular, the agriculture production system is facing serious repercussions due to increasing weather vagaries since past few decades. Agriculture being highly dependent on climatic condition is like gambling at the hands of erratic rainfall or droughts leading to crop loss on a regular basis in terms of reduced yield, increased pest resurgence and lack of safety net in case of weather based disasters all of which prominently affects the small holder farm families. Indian subcontinent has been facing extreme climatic events since the past decades in form of floods, erratic rainfall, high temperature, shrinking water sources, etc. which have caused deprivation in agriculture in economic and non-economic terms. In a series of researches and studies conducted over the years; the need for enhanced adaptation research and policymaking capacity in developing Asia has been reflected. Hence, adaptation research has to take an important place at global, national and local level.

Introduction
Horticulture is distinct from other economic sectors as its output is heavily reliant on weather conditions. The degree of success of horticultural production and economics is decided to a large extent by how well weather conditions corresponding to the crop’s optimal requirements are best utilized to raise the crops. Also, how successfully adverse weather circumstances, such as moisture, thermal, wind, radiation and biotic stresses were handled to minimize adversity. It is well understood that variability in weather elements (particularly rainfall and temperature) is the primary cause of inter-annual variability in crop output. The onset of weather extremes (dry spells, droughts, floods, heat waves, and hailstorms) has a negative impact on horticultural yield, resulting in a low level of productivity. Furthermore, weather can have an impact on output at multiple levels (vegetative stage, harvest, transportation, storage, etc.). Flooding, droughts, heat waves, cold spells, hailstorms, and other natural calamities pose significant risks to farms. These natural catastrophes can lead to lower yields, leaving uninsured farmers with little income for the season. Farmers often plant low-risk, low-return crops (such as early maturing varieties that are drought-resistant) to deal with erratic weather rather than investing in more profitable crops that are more sensitive to weather fluctuations and extremes. Thus, atmospheric stress has significant impacts on the food ecosystem (Bal and Minhas, 2017; MANAGE, 2018).

Agriculture, the cultivation of plants and rearing of animals for food, fiber, and other products, is intrinsically linked to the Earth’s climate. Temperature, rainfall patterns, and atmospheric composition profoundly influence agricultural productivity and distribution. However, the stability of these climatic conditions is increasingly threatened by climate change, driven primarily by the escalating concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This chapter delves into the multifaceted relationship between climate change and agriculture, exploring the ways in which altered climatic conditions affect agricultural practices, productivity, and sustainability. We will examine the impact of rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events on crop yields, livestock health, and overall agricultural output. Furthermore, the chapter will discuss the implications of these changes for global food security, economic stability, and the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on agriculture. Finally, we will explore strategies for mitigating the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture and enhancing the resilience of agricultural systems in the face of this unprecedented challenge.

1. National Agriculture Market (NAM), an online trading portal for farm produce was launched on:

 a) 4 April 2016 b) 10 April 2016

 c) 14 April 2016 d) 16 April 2016

 2. UN General Assembly declared 2016 as:

 a) International Year of  Oilseeds

 b) International Year of Pulses

 c) International Year of Sustainable Agri.

 d) International Year of Cereals

 3. Which of the following is the richest source of vitamin C (ascorbic acid)?

 a) Lime b) Guava

 c) Aonla d) Ber

The concept of insect pest management and the strategies employed have evolved over the time. With the increased emphasis on safe agricultural practices and elevated demand for safe and healthy food, the various solutions for pest management have shifted more towards use of biocontrol agents. Bio- rational pest management methods have now evolved as important pillar of the integrated pest management to replace the synthetic insecticides and also other associated advantages. They include the use of botanical pesticides, insect growth regulators, pheromones and allelochemicals. The major positive attributes associated with all of them are their low mammalian toxicity, safety to beneficial and non-target organisms, higher specificity, low risk of development of resistance and low environmental persistence. Though bio-rational insecticides are considered to be safe, in an organic ecosystem, it should be done with caution because over reliance on them for longer periods may facilitate the target insect pests to develop some kind of resistance against them. So, proper deliberations on the positive and negative attributes of bio rational pest management strategies should be done so as to facilitate their long term usage in organic farming.

Agriculture, the cultivation of life that sustains human civilization, is profoundly intertwined with the rhythms of the natural world. Of all the environmental factors that influence farming, weather reigns supreme, orchestrating a complex symphony of elements that dictate the success or failure of crops. This chapter delves into the intricate relationship between weather and agriculture, exploring how temperature, precipitation, sunlight, and other atmospheric conditions shape every facet of agricultural production.
Weather’s influence begins with the very first stage of a plant’s life. Temperature governs seed germination and seedling development, while sunlight provides the energy for photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy. The availability of water, dictated by rainfall patterns, is crucial for plant growth and nutrient absorption. Wind patterns can aid in pollination but also cause damage to crops.
Throughout the growing season, weather continues to play a critical role. Optimal temperatures are essential for each stage of plant development, from flowering to fruit production. Adequate rainfall, or irrigation to supplement it, ensures healthy growth and abundant yields.
Extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods, heatwaves, and frosts, can have devastating consequences for agriculture. These events can destroy crops, reduce yields, and disrupt food production, leading to economic losses and food insecurity (Fig. 18.1).

Introduction
It is reasonable to consider that the history of humanity has been marked by two transformational revolutions: the cognitive revolution (35,000 to 70,000 years ago), when Homo sapiens began to manifest our capacity to abstract, imagine things that did not exist and give meaning to non-representational thoughts; the agricultural revolution (10,000 to 12,000 years ago), when Homo sapiens stopped being a hunter/collector to settle on land, cultivating the soil and raising domesticated animals. It was possibly the beginning of property ownership, monogamy, family and also when malaria, and other diseases more easily spread in communities, became consolidated as human diseases. It was with the cognitive revolution that things changed and our previously acquired abilities of creating images and dealing with abstract concepts started to push humankind to become the “Dominant Mammal” controlling all other animals and Earth’s environments. Progressively, man learned to work with wood, iron and all minerals extracted from the soil, produced clothes with leather and wool from animals, linen and cotton from plants, silk from insects, and latter from natural oils created arts, jewellery, dynamite, electricity, vaccines, transatlantic ships, locomotives, cars, computers, antibiotics, contraceptives, robots, portable cell phones, informatics, bioengineering, internet, artificial intelligence, social networks and many other innovations . Not surprisingly, conscious of all these attributes, man felt important, central and essential, falling into the temptation of judging himself a magnificent creature with all rights and that became deep rooted in some cultures. For the pleasure,comfort, sophistication and power, man interfered with and altered the environment in a so ambitious and predatory manner that he modified and compromised his and other species living conditions, causing also climate changes that threaten his own survival on the planet. With time, it became clear that, in addition to this entirely anthropocentric “Ego’s” point of view, there might be another perspective fromwhich one can perceive the world and interact with it. An ecological “Eco’s” perspective corresponds to a compassionate view (how can we contribute to the greater good and make the world a better place) of the Globe. After all the damage done to nature by man, moving from the socalled Ego to the Eco attitude became a mandatory needConcerning Global Health, for a long-time, human health has benefited by sacrificing the “health” of wild ecosystems (e.g., deforestation and conversion of wilderness to farmland, damming of water for irrigation, destruction of swamps and dislocation and jeopardy of wild species) which reflects a protectionist vs utilitarian conflict, over the question of whether to put human domination of the biosphere on hold or whether to embrace it .It hides unaddressed concerns about the value of (macroscopic) life (human, animal or plant), the definitions of health and wellbeing (human, animal, plant and environmental) and their relative importance. This has hampered the development and acceptance of a One Health (OH) understanding of Global Health.

Background

The demand for development of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies is increasing, since many problems have appeared with the use of synthetic pesticides and semiochemicals – informative molecules used in insect-insect or plant-insect interaction – are being considered as an alternative or complementary approach within IPM strategies. (Heuskin et al., 2011). Indeed, such communication molecules like para-pheromones do not present any related adverse effects on beneficial organisms in the ecosystem.

For fruitflies management, several eco-friendly control options  have been developed and recommended across the globe which  include trapping, safe disposal of infested fruits, repulsion with botanical products and physical covering of the developing fruits, besides area-based control through mass trapping and sterile-insect technique. Nevertheless, the use of para-pheromones-based lures in trap systems appears to have greater potential to be among the more widely adopted practices (Verghese, 2009).

Introduction

In recent years aquaculture has become the fastest growing food production sector in the world with 10% annual growth rate in comparison with 3% for livestock and 1.6% for capture fisheries. FAO (2000) estimates that by 2030, over half of the fish consumed by the world’s people will be produced by aquaculture. It is not only the demand for animal protein but the high returns associated with aquafarming when compared with agriculture or animal  husbandry that has accelerated the growth of aquaculture. Thus, in the last two decades aquaculture with greater emphasis on shrimp farming made fast strides among Asian countries including India. The culture of carps in freshwater and shrimps in brackishwater are the two main culture practices followed in India. During nineties around 10% of 2.7m ha. brackishwater area has been put under farming along with a number of other supporting and ancillary units viz.; hatcheries, feed mills, processing and packaging industry etc.