eChapters

Abstract

The knowledge of engineering (physical) properties constitutes important and essential data in the design of machines, storage structures and processes. The present investigation was carried out determine the physical parameter (diameters, mass, volume, density, sphericity, angle of repose etc.) of varieties KPS 10. The moisture content in green pea (KPS 10) was observed 411.77% (db). The average values of dimensional and geometrical parameter like length (D₁), width (D₂), height (D₃), AMD, GMD and SMD were found 9.517mm, 9.343 mm, 7.707 mm, 8.856 mm, 8.816 mm and 15.305 mm respectively. Mean values of mass of 1000 pea seeds, volume, bulk density and true density were found 329.501 g, 0.2 ml, 0.275 g/cm₃ and 0.304 g/cm₃ respectively. Average values of angle of repose, sphericity, porosity and moisture content were found 24.7, 0.926 %, 9.528 and 80.96%, respectively.

The plan reviewing the arrangement of fruit plants in an orchard is known as the orchard layout. Although several systems of planting are followed to increase the production of orchard, selection of root stocks, soil, system of training pruning and cultivars are very important factor influencing designing of layout. However, improper system results in overlapping of plant parts, competition for water, light, nutrient and unequal distribution of water etc., which ultimately results in poor performance or fruit orchard.

Layout plan

The marking of position of the plant in the field is referred as layout. The layout plan of the orchard should be prepared carefully, preferably in consultation with horticultural experts or fruit scientists. The orchard layout plan includes the system of planning provision for orchard paths, roads, water channels and farm building. A sketch of the proposed orchard should be prepared before the actual planting is taken up.

Agricultural Economics is an applied discipline that examines the economics of agricultural commodity production, marketing, exchange, and consumption in the economy. It largely focuses on how a society decides to use its limited resources, which have alternative uses, to produce things for both current and future consumption. Due to this shortage, people are forced to choose between options, and economic knowledge is utilised to compare the options and select the best one. For example, a farmer can grow paddy, sugarcane, banana, cotton etc. in his garden land. But he has to choose a combination of crops depending upon the availability of labour and irrigation water.

The emergence of economic problems is caused by two key reasons.. They are: (i) the existence of unlimited human wants and (ii) the scarcity of available resources. The existence of human wants is the starting point of all economic activity in the world. Unless we make efforts, we cannot satisfy wants. Hence, wants, efforts and satisfaction form the circle of economics. Thus, the science of economics focuses around want - effort - satisfaction.

Pedigree method of plant breeding is defined as a method of breeding in which individual plants are selected in the segregating generations from a cross on the basis of their desirability judged individually and on the basis of a pedigree record. This has been the most widely used method of plant breeding in all the self-pollinated crops and still continues to be so. This method has been first described by H. H. Lowe in 1927. This is the most widely used method to handle segregating generations following crosses between two parents to develop new cultivars combining desirable traits from both the parents. In this method, superior types are selected in successive segregating generations and a record is maintained of all parent-progeny relationships. The records help the breeder to advance only progeny lines with plants that exhibit genes for the desired traits. Selection begins in F2 generation where individual plants are selected which in judgment of breeder will produce the best progeny in F5/F6 when the selection is finally concluded. In F3 and F4 generations, many loci will have become homozygous and family characteristics begin to appear. By F5/F6 generation, most families are expected to be homozygous and uniform and hence selection within such families is no longer effective. 

16.1 Introduction

Successful egg production is highly dependent on sanitation and decontamination, and producing clean eggs is the most major element of egg sanitation. Egg contents might become contaminated either vertically or horizontally. The ideal option for small farms can be to keep hatching eggs in a hygienic area and incubate them as soon as possible without sanitation but it’s not the same kind in case for commercial producers need to get a poultry veterinarian guidance on the proper egg handling and sanitation program depending on their needs. There are several preharvest techniques used to minimize egg contamination, including immunization, feed additives, home sanitation, bacteriophages, and biosecurity.

Foliage or house plants are mostly those with attractive foliages or flowers and are able to survive and grow under indoor conditions. They are mostly used for interior decoration or interior plantscaping. Foliage plants of world’s importance include Aglaonema, Dieffenbachia, Dracena, Epidendrum, Ficus, Peperomia, Philodendron, Sansevieria, Syngonium, Schfflera, ferns, Anthurium, Codiaeum. Florida shares more than 55% in foliage industry.

Ever since industrial revolution altered the whole gamut of economic activity at least two hundred years ago, the path of economic growth including its modified form economic development had appeared unending and limitless. The whole focus of economic activity is to produce mere goods and services for use by the mankind so that life could be more comfortable and satisfying. Increasing population and increased needs of more goods and service was also seen as a hindrance or limitation in the march towards economic growth and development.

Abstract

Adulteration refers to a process by which the quality or the nature of the given substance is reduced by the addition of foreign or an inferior substance, removal of vital component, packing and storage under harmful conditions, insect infestation, poisonous material, undesirable chemicals and unintentional contaminants. All these change in food whether intentional or unintentional are covered under food adulteration. In cereal grains adulteration results by incidental contamination during the period of growth, harvesting, processing, transport, and distribution and results in various health hazard, sand, marble chips, earth and filth are also adulterants in grains. Pest and pesticides residues are also hazardous.

Dermatophilus congolensis was first described from clinical case of exudative dermatitis in cattle in Congo by Van Saceghem (Van Saceghem, 1915). It is primarily known as an animal pathogen causing acute, sub acute or chronic skin disease. The first cases of human infection with D. congolensis were reported in 1961 in four people who developed skin infection after handling an infected deer in a wildlife reserve in USA (Dean et al., 1961).

Properties of genus

1.   Morphology

Dermatophilus is a gram positive, non-acid fast, unusual bacterium having branched filaments. It follows a life cycle with different morphological features. It can be found in smears prepared from clinical samples in any form of its life cycle. Young filaments are 0.5 to 1.5 μm in diameter.  They enlarge within epidermis as they produce layers of transverse and longitudinal septations and reach 5 to 8 μm in diameter, surrounded by a mucoid capsule. The septations result in the formation of a sporangia (a kind of fungal fruiting body, sac like structure with spores) containing up to eight cocci cells. In the presence of liquid, the cocci are released and converted into flagellated motile zoospores, the infective form of the organism. It can infect the new site in the same animal or new host. These zoospores become visible in smear as parallel lines forming a ‘railway-track’ or ‘trum-track’ appearance (Fig.1). Under favourable conditions, the zoospores form germ tubes that develop into branching filaments. These filaments are the invasive form of the organism and the cycle is repeated.

Abstract

Fusarium wilt is major disease in Central India, the major lentil growing region of country. The disease is soil borne causing heavy loss, development of wilt resistant varieties is most effective means of controlling this disease. Highly resistant sources of wilt in lentil have not been reported from the Indian lentil breeding programme. One hundred thirty lentil genotypes including one susceptible check were evaluated in control conditions of green house against wilt, based on controlled condition screening- LL 1370, IPL 333, PL4, RLG 195, RVL 14-4, L 4737, RKL 607-1, WBL 77, LL 1320, LL 1397, VL 525, LL1379, VL526, RVL14-5, L4717, VL126, L4076, RLG191 and VL150 have been identified as highly resistant genotypes. These can be used in hybridization programme for wilt resistance breeding and studying the inheritance of wilt resistance in lentil.

14.1 Introduction

An oil spill (or slick) is the intentional or unintentional release of oil into the natural environment as a result of human activity. The term often refers to marine oil spills where oil is released into the ocean or coastal waters (Fig. 14.1).

Oil can refer to many different materials, including crude oil, refined petroleum products or by-products, oily refuse, oil mixed in waste, or oily ballast. Oil is also released into the environment from natural geologic seeps on the seafloor, as along the coastline. The fate, behavior, and environmental effects of spilled oil can vary depending upon the type and amount of material spilled. In general, lighter refined petroleum products such as diesel and gasoline are more likely to mix in the water column and are more toxic to marine life, but tend to evaporate relatively quickly and do not persist long in the environment. Heavier crude or fuel oil, while of less immediate toxicity, can remain on the water surface or stranded on the shoreline for much longer. Oil from the Exxon Valdez and Gulf War oil spills, while weathering over time, has persisted along the shoreline for years after the spill.

Bulk population method of breeding is defined as the growing of genetically diverse populations of self-pollinated crops in a bulk plot with or without mass selection, followed by single plant selection. It is applicable to self-pollinated crops and not applied to cross-pollinated crops. Bulk population breeding is a strategy of crop improvement in which natural selection effect is solicited more directly in the early generations of the procedure by delaying stringent artificial selection until later generations. The Swede, H. Nilsson-Ehle, developed the procedure. H.V Harlan and colleagues provided additional theoretical foundation for this method through their work in barley breeding in 1940s. As proposed by Harlan and colleagues, the bulk method entails yield testing of the F2 bulk progenies from crosses and discarding whole crosses based on yield performance. In other words, the primary objective is to stratify crosses for selection of parents based on yield values. The current application of the bulk method has a different objective.

Pharmaceutical and chemical industries depend largely on toxicological evaluations to provide information regarding safety of their commercial products. Toxicologists so far have been relying on animal studies to investigate potentially beneficial or harmful effects of drugs and chemicals prior to testing them in humans. Traditionally, the safety assessment process during drug development has been based on screening indiscriminately a plethora of new chemical entities (NCEs) using a large number of animals as testing models in order to identify new therapeutic agents with the expectation that one or a few of these NCEs have some competitive advantages over the existing therapeutic agents. That is why they are more efficacious, bioavailable, selective, and safer. This approach is costly, time-consuming, and requires large quantities of test material. Currently, it takes about 10-12 years and a huge expenditure for a drug to move from research laboratory to patent. Thus alternative cell culture models in the early phases of the drug discovery process can save time and money both by eliminating least beneficial NCEs.

Preparation of Reagents

Culture media

For the culture of hepatocytes medium M199 (GibcoBRL, USA) is used. One pouch of the dry media is dissolved in 1 liter of filtered distil water. The pH of the media is adjusted by adding 0.4% sodium bicarbonate to be around 7.4. The media is than sterilized by filtration through seitz filter (0.22 mm) and stored in 50 ml sterilized conical flasks.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a different system of health care being practiced across the world. It is not only an alternate health approach but a distinct full-fledged complete rational system of medicine having holistic, individualistic, and dynamistic approach to life, health, disease, remedy and cure. This system of health care science is offering treatment option for acute and chronic ailments of humans and animals. Homoeopathy takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels.

Birth of Homeopathy

Homeopathy was founded by Dr Hahnemann who was more concerned to evolve a safe and effective therapeutic paradigm around the key concept of similia. Dr. Hahnemann codified a new medical system with seven principles/ concepts when vital force theory , miasmatic theory of causation of diseases (Bhalwar, 2009) were prevalent and the concept of drug proving on healthy human being was proposed by Albrecht von Haller (Hahnemann,1922) .He fortified his key concept of “similia” with drug proving, drug dynamisation and individualization, and four ancillary theories viz. chronic diseases (Miasm), vital force (vital principle), single medicine and minimum dose. He named his new system of therapy as “Homeopathy” and published the first edition of Organon of Medicine in 1810.

Introduction
Impact Assessment (IA) is a systematic process used to evaluate the potential or actual effects of a project, policy, or program on society, the economy, and the environment. It helps decision-makers understand the implications of their actions and ensures that interventions achieve their intended outcomes while minimizing negative consequences.
Meaning of Impact Assessment
Impact Assessment is a structured method of determining the significance of an action or intervention in various sectors. It involves analyzing both the intended and unintended effects of policies, projects, or programs. IA provides insights into the sustainability, feasibility, and effectiveness of an initiative before or after its implementation. By assessing social, economic, and environmental impacts, IA helps stakeholders make informed decisions.
Concept of Impact Assessment
The concept of IA is rooted in sustainable development and evidencebased policy making. It is used in multiple fields, including environmental management, social development, economic planning, and corporate governance. The key principles of IA include:"
i. Comprehensiveness: Evaluating a wide range of impacts, including social, economic, and environmental factors.
ii. Transparency: Ensuring that the assessment process is open and inclusive.

Introduction

Beginning with the Green revolution organised training of farmers and extension personnel in the country has now come of age. Since, multiple training institutions government and non-govt have come up, playing a pivotal role in transferring the technical knowledge and know how to the farming community. The turning point and a giant leap in farmers’ training came with the establishment of Farm Science Centre or Krishi Vigyan Kendras by ICAR during 1974. Having district as its jurisdiction area, KVKs have played crucial role in transfer of technology through a well qualified and trained work force at its disposal. As an organization, KVK has its own process for managing the trainers/ subject matter specialists in order to keep them motivated and dedicated to the service of poor farming community. Keeping in consideration some of the job related attributes/ factors that contributes towards effectiveness and efficiency of the SMSs, the present study has been conceived with the main objective- ‘To study the job satisfaction of the KVK trainers’.

About 80% of the world population live in developing countries and are dependent on agriculture. Agricultural products, just after harvesting, are dried to the safe moisture level. Open solar drying for drying agricultural products is being practiced since ages throughout the world. Due to its several drawbacks as danger of (dust, rain, ultra-violet rays, birds, animals etc.), advance technique, i.e. greenhouse drying, is being adopted for drying crops to reduce the drying time and increase the quality of the food products.

Drying involves a heat and mass transfer phenomenon in which heat energy supplied to the product surface is utilized in two ways: (i) to increase the product surface temperature in the form of sensible heat and (ii) to vaporize the moisture present in product through the provision of the latent heat of vaporization. The removal of moisture from the interior of the product takes place due to induced vapour pressure difference between the product and surrounding medium. The moisture from the interior diffuses to the product surface to replenish the evaporated surrounding moisture.

The working principle of greenhouse drying is in which the product is placed in trays receiving the solar radiations through the plastic cover and moisture is removed by natural convection or forced convection.

Greenhouse drying are being adopted to reduce the losses and to increase the quality of the dried products. Solar energy is the most promising power source of energy for drying of agricultural products. Most of the farmers adopt open sun drying because it is abundant and inexpensive. But the open sun dried products are also subjected to remarkable losses due to environment. Losses of fruits and vegetables are estimated to be 30%-40% during drying under open sunlight. The post-harvest losses can be reduced by adopting advanced means of drying, i.e. greenhouse drying. The greenhouse dryer can be operated in natural and forced mode as required. Studies reveal that the greenhouse dried products are of superior quality and better colour retention as compared to open sun drying.

Goods can be classified as follows

1. Free goods: Goods which are not scarce and available at free of cost are called free goods. Eg: air.
2. Economic goods: Economic goods are scarce and one has to pay a price for it : eg: Rice, pen, cloth etc.
3. Visible and Invisible goods: Things which can be seen and felt can be called as visible goods. Such goods are also called as tangible good. Eg. Rice, bicycle.

   Invisible goods are also called as services or intangible goods. We cannot see or feel those goods. Eg. Copyright of a book, service of a doctor.

4. Consumer goods and capital goods (Producer goods): Consumer goods satisfy our wants directly. Eg. Rice, Pen, etc.

   Goods like machinery, equipments will not satisfy our want directly but used for further production