eChapters

Green peach aphid/peach leaf curl aphid : Brachycaudus helichrysi Aphididae

These are green aphids that suck the sap from growing buds. Leaf buds become weak and result in poor setting and premature fruit fall.
 
Blossom thrips : Thrips rhopalantennalis, T. flavus, T. florum, Haplothrips tenuipennis, Frankliniella dampfi : Thripidae

These are tiny, yellow, pale-brown and black slender insects seen within the flowers and flower buds. Adults and nymphs lacerate floral parts and suck sap resulting in brown spots. Infested flowers give sickly and faded look. Lesions cause flower fall, inferior fruits and loss in yield. Attack on tender leaves causes necrotic silvering, curling, deformation and withering.

I have known Dr R.S. Chauhan al through his professional carrier. I came in his contact when he was a student, a research worker, a professional colleague. He is very hard working, sincere and dedicated scientist and teacher. I observed his remarkable skills, unwavering dedication and strong commitment for upliftment of research and the profession. He is known as an excellent teacher. He devised simple understandable means for complex topics.
His work on Panchgavya has won lots of appreciation at all levels. In fact he is a person who proved scientifically the application of components of Panchgavya on control of some untreatable disease like cancer.
I have absolutely no hesitation in saying that he is the “Father of Cowpathy”. He proved the efficacy and application of products of cow origin with scientific validation.
To be true, even today whenever I have some query, I invariably consult him because I am of the opinion that he has a very strong basic background. May God always shower his blessings on him.

Pollu beetle: Longitarsus nigripennis:Chrysomelidae

This pest is monophagous to pepper and no alternate host has been reported so far.

Nature of Damage

Adult is a shining blue flea beetle with yellow head and thorax and has thick enlarged femur and tibia. The adult beetle is only the size of a pin head.  The infested berries dry up and turn dark in colour. Berries become hollow and crumble when pressed and such hollow berries are called “Pollu” meaning empty. The eggs are laid on the berries @ 1-2 eggs in each hole. Eggs hatch in 5-8 days. The grub period extends for 30-32 days. The emerging grubs feed on the berries of pepper and consume the internal contents.

Pepsin Digestibility of Food
Principle

Solvent extracted samples are digested for 16 hour with warm acid solution of pepsin under constant agitation. Insoluble residue is centrifuged, dried and weighed and analysed for protein ; or filtered, washed and analysed for protein.

Apparatus
    1.    Centrifuge : Capable of at least 1750 rpm with conical bottom tubes of 150 ml capacity. If necessary, solution may be centrifuged in 50 ml tubes.
    2.    Agitator : or water bath with shaking device and having temperature controlling unit.
    3.    Glass fiber filter paper.

Sphingid larva: Dilephila nerii :Sphingidae

The large larvae cause severe damage to plants by feeding extensively on leaves, buds and flowers.They are very big and can easily be hand picked and killed or fed to poultry.

Dr. Chauhan’s philosophy as a Veterinary Pathologist reflects a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of life and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of animals. His approach is rooted in compassion, scientific rigor, and a holistic appreciation of the delicate balance that sustains ecosystems. Over the years, he has become a beacon of hope for gaushalas and cow enthusiasts, demonstrating that veterinary medicine is not just a profession but a calling that demands empathy, dedication, and an unyielding respect for life.
At the core of Dr. Chauhan’s philosophy is the belief that every living being, regardless of its size or species, deserves dignity and care. To him, animals are not mere creatures but sentient beings with emotions, instincts, and intrinsic value. This perspective shapes his practice, as he treats each animal with the same care and attention he would give to a human patient. Whether it’s a stray dog in need of emergency care, a farm animal requiring preventive medicine, or an endangered species in a conservation program, Dr. Chauhan approaches his work with equal seriousness and respect.
Dr. Chauhan emphasizes the importance of understanding animals within the context of their natural behaviors and environments. He often says, “To heal an animal, you must first listen to what it cannot say.” This insight has driven him to study not only veterinary medicine but also animal behavior, ecology, and the complex relationships between humans and animals. He believes that understanding these dynamics is essential for providing comprehensive care. For example, he advocates for preventive care practices that align with an animal’s natural rhythms, such as vaccination schedules that account for seasonal changes and diets that mimic an animal’s natural food sources.

Companion animals are all those species of animals which are kept by man for companionship and which are often referred to as pets. It is quite common to see community dogs or cats living in residential colonies. This is because due to very fast urbanization all the open spaces are getting used up for construction of residential complexes, and the animals like dogs and cats living on these open areas are getting displaced. The residents that occupy these residential buildings find these animals to be a nuisance and want them to evicted.

Pet and companion animal can be discussed under street dog/stray dogs and owner dogs.

Dog Feeding

In Asia, dogs are the main pet animal kept both by urban and rural families. They are very versatile and adopt to common food habbits of their masters. Most often, they are fed on the home cooked foods – bread, rice, vegetables, pulses, milk and non – vegetarian meals. Many processed pet foods are also available in the market in the form of “Dry biscuits” or in “Canned form”, which provide all the requirements for Energy, Protein, Vitamins, Minerals and some moisture. Like any other farm animal, dogs also require these nutrients for their maintenance and productive purposes like – Growth, Lactation, Gestation, draft [sledge – cart on the ice] etcetra. Dogs and humans have been companions from time immemorial and the first readymade dog food was marketed under the name - DOG CHOW CHEKER in the year 1926. Since then such dog – foods have gained popularity. Most of the dog foods are manufactured abroad and marketed in India by Multi – National Companies (MNCs). Following are the guide – lines for feeding :

1. Energysources: Cereal grains - Jowar, Bajra, Oat, Maize, Sorghum.Average requirement of energy 3000 k.cal / kg of feed.

2. Protein sources: Vegetative origin : verypoor in Essential Amino acids. e.g. Soybean, grams, peas [green proteins], beans, other legumes.

3. Fat: 10 % (oil seeds are good sources Protein as well as Fats).

4. Non – starch fibrous feeds (5 %): To tone – up Alimentary canal.

5. Feedsupplements:Additional nutrients:Greenvegetables (carotenoids), fruits, skimmed milk, curd, butter – milk.

6. Feed Additives: These are Non-nutrients: Mushroom, herbal preparations [no side effects by Aanwala, Aloe-veera].

Estimation of Phosphorus in Feeds, Fodders and Faeces
(Titrimetric method of AOAC, 1965)
Principle

Metaphosphates and pyrophosphates are converted to the ortho-phosphate, which is treated at 65-70ºC with excess of molybdate in the presence of nitric acid. When acid solutions of phosphates are heated with ammonium molybdate, the phosphoric acid is precipitated as yellow ammonium phosphomolybdate (NH₄)₃ PO₄ (Mo03)12 2HNO₃.H₂O. Impurities like molybdic oxide, if happened to be formed any, goes into solution. The yellow precipitate formed reacts quantitatively with standard alkali, the excess of which is back titrated with acid.

This chapter introduces the physical properties that determine the performance, processing behaviour and end use of wool. It examines fibre diameter, crimp, length, strength, elasticity, resilience, moisture regain, felting behaviour and thermal characteristics. The chapter relates these properties to spinning, fabric construction, comfort and durability. It also explains objective measurements and quantitative descriptors such as coefficient of variation and staple strength, providing a scientific foundation for evaluating wool quality and predicting its suitability for different textile applications.

Introduction

In the past few decades, persistent change in climatic variables coupled with global warming lead to the genesis of climatic stress. Currently climatic stress is considered as the most serious ultimatum to livestock’s growth, development, production and reproduction in tropics and subtropics including India. Livestock’s in tropical countries are most commonly affected by the menace of climatic stress. It has been shown that, climatic stress upsets animal’s body homeostasis resulting in grievous decline in livestock’s production and productivity across the world. In general, livestock adapt to the climatic insults via behavioural, physiological, biochemical, metabolic, endocrine and molecular responses. Despite of these thermal adaptation mechanisms, livestock’s witnesses the perils of climatic stress thereby incur major loss in their production and productivity. Therefore, in this changing climatic scenario, it is imperative to rigorously understand and explore the precise mechanism of thermal adaptation to generate climate resilient species which could upsurge the socio-economic status of the farmers as well as the country.

Selye, H (1936), the pioneer in stress physiology, defined stressors as noxious stimuli that increase adrenocorticotropic hormone and clubbed these stimuli under the term stress. Rivier and Rivest (1991) and Chrousos and Gold (1992) defined stress as “a state of disharmony, or threatened homeostasis.” Stress challenges homeostasis, but does not disrupt it, in an adapting organism. McEwen (2000) defined stress as a “real or interpreted threat to physiological or psychological integrity that results in physiological and/or behavioral responses.” The following are the various stressors:

Mycotoxins are naturally occurring toxic secondary metabolites produced by molds. More than 25% of world’s food crops are contaminated with mycotoxins (Eskola et al., 2020). Like other environmental pollutants, mycotoxins also harm the health and productivity of animals and poultry. Mycotoxin development typically occurs in the field, during feed processing and storage under unfavourable conditions. Factors such as temperature changes, storage time, and conditions play a crucial role in fungal growth and aflatoxin synthesis.

The poultry industry in India is experiencing rapid growth, with meat production and egg production increasing by 5.13% and 6.77%, respectively, in 2022-2023 compared to the previous year (BAHS, 2023). Numerous factors and challenges impact poultry production on a global scale, such as intense international competition, evolving consumer attitudes toward food safety, animal welfare, and environmental conservation. Poultry commonly harbor infectious diseases that can also affect humans, with many of these zoonotic diseases having reservoirs in mammalian species other than humans, adding complexity to their management.

Introduction

Plant products have been used for centuries by humans as food and to treat ailments. Natural medicinal products originating from herbs and spices have also been used as feed additives for farm animals in ancient cultures for the same length of time. Keeping farm animals healthy is necessary to obtain healthy animal products. The main scope in animal husbandry is to ensure good performance of farm animals and get quality animal products, which can be achieved only with the effort to keep the animals healthy. Only quality feed together with proper hygiene, potable water and management can ensure the production of nutritious animal products with desired organoleptic properties (Saxena, 2008). A ban of antibiotics as feed additives in animal nutrition is realized since 1986 in Sweden and later on to various countries. A general ban is foreseen in some years from now, because of the increased occurrence of pathogens resistant against therapeutical antibiotics used in animals and humans. With the restricted use or ban of dietary antimicrobial agents we must explore new ways to improve and protect the health status of farm animals, to guarantee animal performance and to increase nutrient availability (Wenk, 2003). In this aspect, herbs and spices are not just appetite and digestion stimulants, but can, with impact on other physiological functions, help to ensure good health and welfare of the animals, what can positively affect their performance.

Introduction

Meat has become an integral part of human food to meet the essential nutrients, like proteins. For a balanced diet, a good biological availability of meat is preferred in the modern day era. The per capita consumption of meat in India is only 14g per day as against the actual requirement of 125g. Non availability of quality meat and its exorbitant prices have restricted meat consumption. Increasing the meat production through intensive rearing of various meat animals will help to meet the ever growing demand of a balanced human diet. In the modern era and educational status social taboos are also getting relegated with need of quality proteins.

The very important role of pigs in human life is control of environmental pollution by scavenging the biological waste. Pig converts biological waste material to quality proteins in the form of pork. Pigs have a rapid growth rate, high reproductive efficacy, require comparatively less space, and can be reared on small scale in backyards or as commercial units.

Introduction

Pigeon are domesticated from 4500 B.C. Domestic pigeons are decedents from the wild pigeon, distributed in Rocky Ravines throughout the Asia and Europe. They are generally kept for ornamental purpose. The production of young meat pigeon provides alternatives income to the small farmers. Squabs are being reared as a side line in village, towns and on farms. Squab rearing can be made profitable source of income with good management and market. Squabs require little land since all breeders are kept in small pens and houses. There are fair demand of squabs in large cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore. Squab rearing also has tremendous export potential to Dubai, Australia, Thailand and Singapore. A pigeon is a tradition part of Middle Eastern country diet. In China, pigeon meat is a popular restaurant dishes and there is a good demand from Jewish Community clubs all over the world. Rearing of pigeon using modern methods is a very profitable than traditional way.

Pigeons have been a friend of man from early times. They utilize not only for ornamentation but to get cheap food for the table. Pigeon are versatile birds and used for Sport of racing pigeon, Flyers and performers, showing of fancy pigeons and Meat production. In the earliest art, many used pigeons to symbolize love, peace and loyalty.

Being polytocous animal, sow give birth several (8-14) piglets in each farrowing, mother pig find several deficiencies and disorders during gestation, farrowing and postnatal conditions. Prior to birth intrauterine competition amongst the feotus piglets for nutrition and gas exchange is a big stress for abortion. Several infectious and non-infectious causes may hamper proper growth and pathological conditions resulting mortality (15-20%) in piglets than weaner and adults (Sarma, et al, 2012). Several risk factors are also responsible for piglet mortality.

Prenatal factors: Insults during pregnancy can impact a piglet’s ability to survive after birth and regulate their body temperature. Some maternal aspects that affect survability and mortality amongst piglets are prolong farrowing duration more than 4 hours, number of parity of sow, usually first and second parity show high mortality than subsequent parities and also older sow lose more piglets.

Mealy bug: Dysmicoccus brevipus: Pseudococcidae

Mealy bugs are major pests of pineapple in India. They can attack roots and aerial parts. Colonies of reddish –white mealy bugs infest roots, crown, and fruits and suck sap. The leaves change in colour from green to red or pink and the margins reflect inwards and leaf tip starts drying. Severely infested plants become stunted and bear only small fruits. The attacked plants should be drenched with an insecticide solution of contact insecticides like Quinalphos or Dichlorvos or Chlorpyriphos@ 0.05% concentration, in between the fronds and allowed to drip down to reach the roots. Addition of liquid soap @4 ml per litre or 4 g of soap powder per litre is a must to get the best results.

Introduction

Spectacular accomplishment in every sector has enabled India to be amongtop achieving nations. However, every section of the society is not benefited by these achievements and problem of malnutrition still remains unresolved. Malnutrition is a common problem faced by underdeveloped and developing countries suchas Philippines, Nepal, Sudan,Tanzaniaand Indiasincelongback. Malnutrition includes undernutrition(wasting,stunting,underweight),inadequate vitamins or minerals as well as overweight, obesity and resulting diet-related non communicable diseases(NCDs). As per the latest report of World Health Organization, 52 million children under 5 years of ageare wasted, 17 million are severely wasted and 155 million are stunted, while 41 million are overweight or obese (WHO, 2018). More than 50% women of marriage age are suffering from anemia. If women are malnourished at the time of pregnancyand delivery, the babybornface theproblems such asphysical retardation,sensitive tocommon infections, reduced cognitive abilities, reducedmental development, etc. As per the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, starting from the date of conceiving a child, the first 1000 days are a critical window from nutrition point ofview.Unfortunately, inseveral regions of developingcountries includingIndia, neither the mother nor the babyis provided with the right quantity and qualityof food during this window period. Therefore, it is important for the policymakers to identifymalnutrition at an earlystage for timelyplanningand implementation of various intervention strategies at the community, village, and district level. NitiAyog, Government of India (GoI) (previously known as Planning Commission), in an effort to eliminate malnutrition,regularlyplans several short and longtermnutritionalprogrammesand policies.In thischapter,we willdiscuss some of these policies launched since independence and their impact in combatingmalnutrition.