eChapters

The application of back-cross breeding first proposed by H. V. Harlan and M. N. Pope in 1922 provides a precise way of improving varieties that excel in a large number of attributes but are deficient in a few key characteristics. F. N. Briggs too started an extensive back-crossing programme to develop bunt resistant varieties of wheat in 1922. As the name implies, the back-cross method of breeding makes use of a series of back-crosses to the variety to be improved during which the character or characters in which improvement is sought is maintained by selection. At the end of back-crossing, the gene (or genes) being transferred will be heterozygous. Selfing at the end of last back- cross produces homozygosity for this gene pair and coupled with selection will result in a variety similar to the well adapted and recurrent parent but superior for the particular characteristic for which improvement programme was initiated.

In back-cross method of breeding, the adapted and highly desirable parent is called the recurrent parent and the source of desirable character being transferred is called as donor parent. It is most effective and easy to apply when the missing trait is qualitatively inherited, dominant and produces a phenotype that is readily observed in a hybrid plant. The procedure for transferring a recessive trait is similar to that for dominant trait but involves an additional step of selfing. Back-crossing is also used to transfer entire sets of chromosomes in a foreign cytoplasm to create a cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) genotype as has been practiced in maize, onion and wheat, etc. This is done by crossing the donor (of chromosomes) as male until all donor chromosome are recovered in the cytoplasm of the recurrent parent. Back-cross breeding has also been used to develop isogenic lines (lines that differ only in alleles at a specific locus) for traits like disease resistance and plant height, etc.

1.1. Origin and distribution

• Native to Southern Europe and Northern Africa to Southwestern Asia.

• Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh are major producers of coriander in India.

1.2. Economic importance

• All parts of plant are edible, but fresh leaves and dried seeds are used in cooking.

• May help to lower blood sugar.

• Rich in immune boosting antioxidants.

• May benefit heart health.

• May protect brain health.

• May promote digestion and gut health.

This chapter focuses on the ergonomic design of tools, machines and equipment used in occupational and domestic activities. It examines the human–tool interface and explains why equipment must reflect users’ anthropometric dimensions, biomechanics, cognitive capabilities and sensory requirements. Important design considerations include handle dimensions, grip comfort, wrist position, operating force, weight, balance, vibration and feedback. Adjustable features and alternative equipment sizes are presented as methods for accommodating user diversity. Examples from industrial, agricultural and domestic work show how ergonomic improvements can reduce fatigue, musculoskeletal strain and operational errors. The chapter also considers lightweight materials, mechanical assistance, automation and other technological innovations that improve safety and efficiency.

The main aim of blood testing is to ascertain the adequacy of each new diet in relation to the herd’s requirements, i.e. what the cows think of their rations. So blood sampling should be carried out as soon as possible after major changes in dietary constituents. But two weeks must elapse after the changes to allow the rumen to become fully adapted. The metabolic profile is based on the concept that the laboratory measurement of certain components of the blood will reflect the nutritional status of the animal with or without the manifestation of clinical abnormalities. The values of Hb, PCV, TEC, TLC, DLC and erythrocytic indices are useful indicator of health status of the animal.

Abstract

During natural disasters, mostly panic and curiosity lead to greater causalities. But the tsunami is such a disaster which no one have witnessed during their life time nor heard of from their ancestors. On 26, December 2004, tsunami has struck all of a sudden many South Asian coasts including the east coast of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh causing greater devastation and causalities. This historical event has taught us many lessons and the paper deals with some aspects related to tsunami from the citizen’s view point.

Keywords: Natural calamities, Tsunami mechanisms, Mitigation strategies, Citizen’s perspective.

INTRODUCTION

The tsunami that ravaged the coasts of South India had left tell tale signs that affirm the need for early warning systems as well as well-planned mitigation measures for the benefit of the affected. Over the last 12 months, since the tsunami struck the east coast of India on 26 Dec. 2004, numerous seminars, discussions, programmes and project proposals have been deliberated on various aspects that deserve attention. Government agencies, self-help groups and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have done commendable post-tsunami work. All sections of the society have responded both emotionally and rationally to the event in an unprecedented manner. In retrospect, to the informed citizen – one who has heard about the event, read about it and discussed it with others, though not have had the ‘experience’ of the natural disaster by himself / herself - what do all these mean ? the tragedy and its aftermath. This paper documents the issues that a citizen would like to ponder over so as to understand the various dimensions of the post-tsunami activities and draw a few lessons that the tragedy had taught us. The major issues pertain to (i) the mechanisms (ii) the coastal vulnerability and the need for assessment (iii) mitigation strategies (iv) media exposition (v) communication networking and (vi) educational facilitation.

2.1. Origin and distribution

• Native to South Eastern Europe, West Asia and Mediterranean region.

• Cultivated in Central and Southeastern Europe, Western Asia, India, and Northern Africa.

• In India, cultivated in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Punjab.

2.2. Economic importance

• Culinary use in smaller quantities.

• Used as an herb (Dried or fresh leaves), spice (Seeds) and vegetable (Fresh leaves, sprouts, and micro greens).

• Seeds are used both whole and powdered in the preparation of pickles, vegetable dishes, dal and spice mixes such as panch phoron and sambar powder.

• Balance cholesterol.

• Soothe upset stomach and digestive problems.

• Reduce menstrual cramps.

• Seeds are aphrodisiac effect.

• Reduce appetite.

Carbohydrates are constituents of all living cells. Animal as well as plant cells use carbohydrates as source of energy. Blood glucose is a useful indicator of energy metabolism and fertility status. Under certain clinical circumstances, estimation of carbohydrates becomes essential. Sugar levels (particularly glucose) in blood or urine are used as an important parameter for diagnosis of ketosis and diabetes mellitus.

Abstract

The paper deals with the roles played by the NGO’s in the relief and rescue phase of Dec, 2004 tsunami and the effective role played by NCRC -NGO Coordination and Research Centre - in the rehabilitation phase along Tamil Nadu coast by creating successful partnership with government and the public.

Keywords: The Role of NGO’s, Tsunami 2004, Relief and Rehabilitation, NGO Coordination Research Centre.

INTRODUCTION

The scale of the tsunami disaster was unprecedented and the response too was out of the ordinary. Tamil Nadu was the worst affected state in India with Nagapattinam district being the most affected with over 6000 lives lost, about 40,000 houses damaged or destroyed and 1.96 lakh people affected. Relief poured in from both government and non-governmental organizations, including the religious organizations, and the first few days witnessed heartwarming outpourings of help and support.

There were about 400 NGOs and an equal number of volunteers to help in the relief operations which included food, clothing, household utensils and bedding. With such a large scale of external support, mainly from organizations and people from outside Nagapattinam, it was not surprising that chaos and confusion marked the first few days of relief operations still. Based on the experience of some professionals experienced in disaster management, a coordination platform was created called the NGO Coordination Cell. This platform was managed by two NGOs, who had long standing field presence in Nagapattinam, viz., South Indian Federation of Fishermen Societies and SNEHA, with the mandate and support of the District Administration. The main role of this platform was to meet the field based requirements of all the relief camps with the resources and materials available with the NGOs and the Govt. The paper briefly deals with challenges faced by the NGO’s in relief and Rehabilitation of the historical Dec 2004, Tsunami.

Abstract

Subsequent to December 26^th 2004 historical Tsunami, The Government of India has conceived a master plan for setting up Tsunami Warning System (TWS) similar to Pacific Ocean Tsunami Warning System. Concurrently, the union Govt has also initiated scientific studies through Department of Science and Technology and the significant amongst these are the

• All India Co-ordinated Programme on Tsunami disaster and risk assessment using GIS technology and
• Bilateral programme with Norway to know the know – how and capacity building in the fields of Landslides and Tsunami

As a part of this bilateral mission, the authors visited institutions connected to Geohazards and Tsunami affected areas of Norway. The article briefly narrates the salient inferences on the Tsunami scenario and the related studies in Norway.

Keywords: Landslides triggered tsunamis, Norway

Mangelsdorf (1951) has opined that hybrid corn has been the most far-reaching development in applied biology. Hybrid cultivars have contributed enormously to world’s food and feed resources. Although dramatically successful at first in corn, hybrids have spread to several other crops both in cross-pollinated and self-pollinated species. Their use is likely to spread more in time to come. Hybrid varieties are those in which F1 populations are used to produce commercial crop. Parents of F1 may be inbred lines, clones, varieties, or other populations. Hybrid breeding is historically rooted in development of hybrids in corn and therefore most of the issues covered in this section relate to hybrid breeding in maize.

Dolichos bean is known as Lablab bean, hyacinth bean or sem. Grown as field crop in MP, Maharashtra, AP and TN. Genus Dolichus is renamed as Lablab (Syn. D. lablab, D. purpureus, Lablab niger, L. bvulgaris) and Lablab purpureus name is widely accepted. Dolichos lablab L. (synonyms Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet.) is leguminous pod vegetable grown in tropics and few temperate countries. Lablab niger var. lablab is synonym to Dolichos lablab var. typicus where long axis of seed is parallel to suture and is vegetable type. Lablab niger var. lignosus synonym to Dolichos lablab var. lignosus where long axis of seed is perpendicular to suture and is pulse type.

Increased ketone bodies level in blood, known as ketonemia and condition is ketosis. The disease respond readily to treatment with glucogenic substances which can be one of the test therapy to differentiate this condition from milk fever and hypomagnesemia. The efficacy of this therapy can be estimates through estimation.

Collection of blood samples

Collection of blood sample is already discussed in exercise no. 4.

4.1. Origin and distribution

• Native to Indian ocean, Malaysia or Philippines

• Grows in tropical Pacific, Asia, and parts of east Africa.

• Areca is derived from a local name from Malabar Coast of India and catechu is from Malay name caccu.

• Karnataka (40%), Kerala (25%), Assam (20%), Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya and West Bengal are major arecanut growing states.

• India is the largest producer and consumer.

Genetics and Gene

Genetics is defined as the branch of biology dealing with heredity and variation. The hereditary units which are transmitted from one generation to the next are called genes. Genes have been defined in various ways. These are units of inheritance located in linear order on chromosomes. The genes are considered as hereditary determinants of a specific biological function located in a fixed place on the chromosome. Chemically, gene is a segment of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) encoding one polypeptide and defined operationally by the cis-trans or complementation test. Gene is the functional unit of inheritance (a sequence of DNA) which is located on a certain position (locus, plural loci) on a chromosome. The locus is sometimes used interchangeably for gene. DNA, in conjunction with a protein matrix, forms nucleoprotein and becomes organized into structures with distinctive staining properties which are known as chromosomes. The chromosomes are located in the nucleus of the cell. Since genes are located on the chromosomes, in many ways behavior of genes is parallel to the behavior of the chromosomes. Two or more alternative forms of a gene are called as alleles. All genes on a chromosome are said to be linked and they all belong to the same linkage group.

Horse

The lumbar vertebrae in horse are six in number. The bodies of these vertebrae are shorter. The first three of them have a distinct ventral spine which subsides thereafter. The transverse processes increase in length from first to third or fourth and then diminish. The first one or two slightly curve caudad and the last two or three curve craniad and the third is at right angles. The caudal border of the transverse process of the fifth vertebra at its base has an oval concave facet which articulates with a convex facet on the cranial border of sixth vertebra. The sixth transverse process is thick at the base and thin, narrow at its free end. It is curved forward. It has a large concave facet on its caudal border by which it articulates with the corresponding facet on sacrum.

The sacrum of horse is formed by the fusion of five sacral vertebrae similar to that in ox. However, the fusion of the spinous processes is incomplete. On either side of the base of the each spinous process is a groove which presents the dorsal sacral foramen. There are four foramina on each side of the dorsum of the sacrum of horse. The ventral surface of sacrum of horse is not so deeply arched as that of ox. The wings of sacrum are prismatic. Each wing has a large oval convex facet for articulation with similar facet on the caudal border of the transverse process of last lumbar vertebra.

The coccygeal vertebrae are eighteen to twenty in number in horse. The laminae of the neural arch of the coccygeal vertebrae beyond fourth vertebra fail to meet dorsally.

The pelvic bone (os coxae) of horse is in general similar to that of ox. The gluteal line on the gluteal surface of the ilium is faint. The ilium is placed more obliquely. The articular surface of ilium is rough and large and extends nearly to the external angle. The internal angles of the ilium of opposite sides are more close to each other. The external angles are formed of four tuberosities each.

The ischium of the two sides meets at a greater angle because of which the pelvic floor is bowl like. The ischial arch is wide and shallow. The ridge on the ventral surface of ischium is absent. The tuber ischii is not trifid. The lower border of tuber ischii forms the ventral ischiatic spine. The ventral surface of pubis is crossed by pubic groove which leads to acetabular notch that transmits the pubic femoral ligament.

1. A production of 600 tones/ha/year of tilapia in cages has been recorded in Laguna Bay in Philippines.

2. Indian Major Carps (IMC) contributes 84% of India’s aquaculture production.

3. The seed production of the carps has been standardized, with commercial hatcheries producing over 19000 million fry per year.

4. A pit like structure located near the outlet of the pond is called as harvesting pit (measures about 50 - 100m2).

5. Size of the nursery pond = 12 x 6 x 1m.

6. Size of the Rearing pond = 25 x 12 x 1m.

7. Size of the production pond is 0.1 to 2 ha.

8. Size of the quarantine pond is less than 0.5 ha.

9. During construction to retard erosion and seepage, soil must contain a minimum of 25% of clay.

10. The depth of the pond must be 0.5 to 1m.

1.1. Origin and distribution

• Native of Yemen, South Arabia, Sudan and Sinai.

• Introduced into Tamil Nadu in eighteenth century grown as an annual crop (5 to 7 months).

• C. angustifolia (Tirunelveli senna)

• Indigenous to Somalia, Southern Arabia, part of Sindh (Pakistan) and Kutch area of Gujarat.

• Cultivated in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu (Tirunelveli, Ramanathapuram, Madurai, Salem, Tiruchirapalli)

• C. acutifolia (Alexandrian senna)

• Indigenous to Sudan and Sinai.

• Cassia abovata

• Common all over India.

• C. italica

• Grows in west Rajasthan and Saurashtra (Gujarat)

• New source of the senna drug

1. Ornamental fishes are also called as living jewels.

2. The ancient Romans were the first to keep ornamental fishes as pets at homes.

3. Aquarium fish can fetch 100 times more price than the food fish.

4. Marine ornamentals fetches 10 times more costly than freshwater ornamental fishes.

5. Ornamental fish farming is a boon to India for rapid development of national economy.

6. Values of international trade of ornamental fishes are about US $ 5 Billion.

7. Major traders of ornamental fishes are USA, Europe, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines and Sri Lanka. (8 countries, code word: SIPS-JEUA)

Horse

The testicles in horse are oval in form and they are comparatively smaller in size than those in ox. The long axis of the testicles is parallel to the body of the animal and hence the attached border of the testicle is dorsal while its free border is ventral in position inside the scrotum. The testicle of the stallion is about 10 to 12 cm long, 5 cm wide and about 6 to 7 cm thick. It weighs about 225 to 300 gm. The size of the left and right testicle varies and the left testicle is often larger than the right one.

The epididymis is adhered to the attached (dorsal) border of the testicle. The rest of the features of epididymis in horse are similar to those of ox.

The vas deferens of horse right from its origin from the tail of epididymis to its course up to the dorsal surface of the bladder it has a uniform diameter of about 6 mm. Thereafter, it forms a fusiform enlargement, the ampulla of the vas deferens and beyond the ampulla the duct abruptly reduces in size. The ampulla is about 15 to 20 cm long and its diameter is about 2 cm. The genital fold is wider and hence the two ducts apart from each other. The vas deferens and the duct of seminal vesicle open in a common ejaculatory orifice on each side of the colliculus seminalis.