eChapters

Introduction
Project title:
Objective (S):

1. Proteins in solution absorb ultraviolet light with absorbance maxima at 280 and 200 nm. Amino acids with aromatic rings are the primary reason for the absorbance peak at 280 nm. Peptide bonds are primarily responsible for the peak at 200 nm.
2. Aromatic amino acids tyrosine and tryptophan give proteins their characteristic ultraviolet (UV) absorption at 280 nm, which is routinely used to estimate protein concentration. Phenylalanine and disulfide bonds also contribute to absorption at 280 nm, albeit slightly.

1.1. Introduction

The significance of milk as the most wholesome single food available in nature has never been debated. It is as ancient as mankind itself, as it is the substance created to feed the mammalian infant. All species of mammals, from the lowly rat to the mighty whale, produce milk for this purpose. Several centuries ago, perhaps as early as 6000-8000 BC, ancient man learned to domesticate species of animals for obtaining their milk for consumption. These included cows, buffalos, sheep, goats and camels, all of which are still used in various parts of the world for the production of milk for human use (Fig. 1.1 & 1.2).

Physiological plant disorder is caused by non-pathological conditions such as poor light, weather damage, waterlogging or lack of nutrients affect the operation of the system caused. Physiological condition selected from diseases caused by plant pathogens such as viruses or fungi to distinguish. Although the physiological disorder symptoms may occur such as disease, they can often be prevented by changes in environmental conditions. However, once the nutritional deficiencies of plants showing symptoms, is likely to return that season yield will be reduced.

Introduction India’s animal husbandry sector plays a vital role in the country’s economy and food security. It provides livelihood to millions of people, contributes significantly to the agricultural gross domestic product (GDP), and meets the nutritional needs of the population. The sector encompasses various aspects of livestock production, including dairy farming, poultry farming, sheep rearing, goat rearing, and piggery. Milk Production India is the world’s largest milk producer, with an annual production of 230.58 million tonnes in 2022-23. This represents an impressive growth rate of 3.83% over the previous year. The top five milk-producing states are Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh. Egg Production India is also the third-largest egg producer in the world, with an annual production of 138.38 billion eggs in 2022-23. Egg production has grown by 6.77% in the last year. The top five egg-producing states are Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, West Bengal, and Karnataka. Meat Production India’s meat production in 2022-23 was 9.77 million tonnes, with an annual growth rate of 5.13%. The top five meat-producing states are Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal,

Introduction
Clinical physiology is the branch of medical science that focuses on understanding the functional processes within the body under both normal and disease conditions. It emphasizes how body systems respond to disease, injury, and therapeutic interventions, and, forms the foundation of many diagnostic and therapeutic practices in veterinary medicine.
Importance and scope of Clinical Physiology in Veterinary Medicine: Clinical physiology is indispensable and plays a pivotal role in veterinary medicine. The knowledge allows for early detection of diseases, select effective treatment plans, and improved outcomes for animal patients. It is used to monitor the effects of treatment interventions, adjusting medications or therapies based on the physiological responses observed in the patient. A solid understanding of cardiovascular physiology is essential to manage heart failure condition in dog, and, treating respiratory diseases in cats or gastrointestinal
disorders in horses, relies on the knowledge of respiratory and digestive physiology. Beyond treatment, clinical physiology also plays a significant role in preventive medicine. Knowing the normal range of heart rates, blood pressure, and respiratory rates in different species allows veterinarians to quickly assess whether an animal is in distress or experiencing a pathological condition, and allow for timely intervention. It is also critical in managing the health of populations of animals, such as in livestock farming, where maintaining optimal physiological function is essential for productivity and welfare. The major systems in the body - including the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, nervous, endocrine, renal, musculoskeletal, reproductive, and immune systems, can be affected by a variety of diseases, and clinical physiology provides the framework for understanding these effects. It encompasses the study of physiological processes across a wide range of species, including companion animals, livestock, wildlife, and exotic animals.

Protozoa are considered as unicellular eukaryotic organisms and evolved after bacteria and thousands years early to multi-cellular organisms as well as animals. This unicellular eukaryotic organism contains all the organelles or structures like multi-cellular organisms but in single cells. Similar to multicellular, the genetic information of protozoa is also stored in chromosomes. The protozoa differ from bacteria in different manners. The differentiating features of bacteria and protozoa are given in Table 1.
1. General Structures of Protozoa
Protozoa, like other eukaryotic cells, contain a nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, and lysosomes. Beyond these common organelles, protozoa feature a range of unique structures with specific functions that enable them to operate independently. Protozoan cells can be categorized into two primary components: the cytoplasm and the nucleus.

Inland fisheries are important global contributors to food security, livelihoods, and ecosystem services. A report on the global snapshot of expert-perceived impacts of COVID-19 on inland fisheries has been submitted by Stokesa et al, (2020). They studied an online survey to determine perceptions of Inland fisheries pressures between June and July 2020. They also analysed pandemic impacts on inland fisheries, based on the responses analyzed against fish capture and human development index data.

Introduction
Veterinary embryology is a fundamental branch of veterinary science that focuses on the study of the development of embryos in animals, tracing the journey from the moment of fertilization to the point where a fully developed fetus is formed. This field is not just an academic endeavor but a critical component of veterinary practice, research, and animal husbandry. It offers profound insights into the origins of life, the complex processes that drive the formation of tissues and organs, and the ways in which genetic and environmental factors interact to shape the development of an organism. The field of veterinary embryology is vast and encompasses several stages of development. The process begins with gametogenesis, where the reproductive cells—sperm in males and ova in females—are produced through a process of meiosis. These gametes are haploid, meaning they contain half the number of chromosomes found in somatic cells. The union of these gametes during fertilization restores the diploid number of chromosomes, marking the beginning of a new individual organism. The fertilized egg, or zygote, is the starting point of embryonic development. Following fertilization, the zygote undergoes a series of rapid cell divisions known as cleavage. During cleavage, the single-celled zygote divides without growing, resulting in a cluster of smaller cells called blastomeres. This process continues until the formation of a structure known as the blastocyst, which consists of an inner cell mass that will eventually develop into the embryo, and an outer layer of cells called the trophoblast, which will form the placenta. The blastocyst is a critical stage in development as it is involved in implantation into the uterine wall, a necessary step for establishing a successful pregnancy. The next major phase in embryonic development is gastrulation, a highly orchestrated process that results in the formation of three primary germ layers: the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. These layers are the foundation for all the tissues and organs in the body. The ectoderm gives rise to the nervous system, skin, and sensory organs; the mesoderm

Hypothesis become theories and theories attain rank of laws after withstanding rigorous experimental tests. Feasibility of a process is confirmed in the laboratory. Qualitative and quantitative analyses give complete chemical picture of the substance. It is with these considerations in mind we proceed to learn what is there in a laboratory.

Volumetric Analysis Precautions

1. Use Clean Glassware: Ensure all glassware, such as burettes, pipettes, and volumetric flasks, is thoroughly cleaned and rinsed with distilled water to avoid contamination and ensure accurate measurements.

2. Clean Glassware Properly: Before use, all glass apparatus should be thoroughly cleaned with a cleansing mixture of potassium dichromate (K2 Cr2 O7 ) and concentrated sulfuric acid (H2 SO4 ) to remove any residual contaminants. After cleaning, rinse the glassware thoroughly with distilled water to ensure no traces of the cleansing mixture remain.

3. Proper Calibration: Calibrate all measuring instruments, including burettes, pipettes, and balances, before use to maintain accuracy in measurements.

4. Avoid Parallax Error: When reading the meniscus level in a burette or volumetric flask, ensure the eye is at the same level as the meniscus to prevent parallax error.

5. Use Correct Indicators: Choose the appropriate indicator for the titration based on the type of reaction and the pH range of the endpoint to ensure precise determination of the endpoint.

Nature has made such a beautiful system that a fruit does not spoil unless its outer covering is removed and till it is there on the plant. For example banana will not spoil for long time if we do not remove its peel. Similar is the case with apple, guava, mango and many other fruits and vegetables. But as soon as the outer covering is removed the damage begins and the commodity is spoilt very soon.

Preservation is extending shelf life of fresh or processed food by using various methods and prevention or reduction of spoilage. Better the preservation, lesser the spoilage, more the spoilage poorer and inefficient is the preservation.

Therefore, in order to prevent or reduce the spoilage, we have to first identify and understand the causes of spoilage. There are chiefly 3 agencies that cause spoilage in fruits and vegetables i.e. (i) microorganisms, (ii) enzymes & chemical changes and (iii) man, animals, rodents, insects, etc. For effective preservation we have to check the growth and activity of these spoilage causing agencies. So, in order to prevent spoilage and preserve a perishable commodity for long time the following principles and methods are to be followed.

3.1. Introduction

Food preservation can be defined as the science which deals with the process of prevention of decay or spoilage of food thus allowing it to be stored in a safe condition for future use. Scientifically, preservation may be defined as a science which deals with the process for prevention of decay. All foods gradually undergo deterioration or spoilage from the time they are harvested or manufactured. Some commodities spoil rapidly, while others can keep for longer but limited periods. Spoilage in the food products may be caused due to some physical, chemical and microbial changes during storage. The preservation of these products can be resulted by controlling following physical, chemical and microbial changes.

Analytical Chemistry

The science involving the determination of the constituents in terms of elements and compounds is called Analytical Chemistry. It is used to identify the substances found in a material and to quantify the exact amount of substances in them.

The basic principles involved in Analytical Chemistry are changes takes place in the substances by the process of combination, decomposition, replacement and double decomposition.

Providing balanced nutrition to different groups of dairy cows with varying production levels is a significant challenge for commercial dairy farmers. The production performance of dairy cows is directly influenced by the type of feed provided. Ensuring balanced nutrition is crucial to optimize productivity in milk production and reproduction while minimizing feed costs. Dairy cow rations should consist of high-quality forages, a balanced mix of grains and protein sources, essential minerals, vitamins, and other feed supplements. Proper feeding practices are essential to prevent under or overfeeding and ensure that cows receive the right amount and combination of feed ingredients.
Formulating well-balanced rations that meet the nutrient requirements of cows results in optimal feed digestion and utilization. Transitioning from traditional feeding systems to a total mixed ration (TMR) feeding system is recommended for efficient and profitable feeding of dairy cows. TMR feeding systems have been widely adopted in developed countries due to their effectiveness. Each mouthful of TMR provides a complete and balanced ration for the cows, reducing feed selection by the animals and promoting synchronization of carbohydrate and protein availability in the rumen, leading to lower rumen acidity.
TMR feeding systems offer benefits such as labor savings, the ability to feed various types of feeds, and ensuring a nutritionally balanced ration at all times. While TMR may pose challenges in meeting individual nutrient requirements for each cow, larger dairy farms with multiple groups of cows can effectively manage this issue. By providing a nutritionally balanced ration consistently, TMR feeding systems help cows consume energy close to their requirements while maintaining the physical characteristics of roughage necessary for proper rumen function, ultimately leading to optimal production and economic efficiency.

Body Parts of Farm Animals

It is important to know about the various terms used to indicate different body parts of the animals so that whenever a description of the animal/body part is presented, one could specifically understand it. Some of the terms used to point out different body points of common livestock species have been shown in Figure 2.1.1-2.1.5. Terms which are more frequently used for different livestock species have been depicted in Table 2.1.1.

Introduction

The microorganisms exist as single cell or cluster of cells capable of orderly growth, metabolism and reproduction in two identical daughter cells. These includes cellular organisms {protozoa, algae and fungi (Eukaryotes), bacteria and archaea (Prokaryotes)} and viruses (non cellular entities). The study of microorganisms contribute to understanding of :

1. Basic biological sciences - It acts as a tool for providing the basic information for life processes. The discovery of DNA, RNA, proteins and enzyme functions all came from microbial study.
2. Applied biological sciences - Medicine, agriculture, industry, plant and animal pathology, immunology, plant and animal nutrition, biotechnology all have origin from the understanding of the cell function and metabolism of microorganisms.

This chapter examines cytokines as essential signalling molecules that regulate immune and inflammatory responses. It introduces interleukins, interferons, chemokines, tumour necrosis factors and colony-stimulating factors. Their sources, target cells and biological actions are considered in relation to immune-cell activation, differentiation, migration and communication. The chapter explains important properties such as pleiotropy, redundancy, synergy and antagonism. It also covers antiviral activity, chemotaxis, inflammation, fever and the regulation of humoral and cell-mediated immunity. Special attention is given to excessive cytokine production, cytokine storms and septic shock. These questions help readers understand how cytokines coordinate protective immunity and contribute to immune-mediated disease.

A pH meter is very commonly used for the measurement of the reaction of a solution or a medium. The pH determination with the help of a pH meter is based on the measurement of the electromotive force (e.m.f) of a pH cell consisting of an electrode sensitive to W ions and a reference electrode.

The study of general reproduction and reproductive performance in animals is a vast and intricate field that spans across various species, habitats, and biological systems. Reproduction is a fundamental biological process that ensures the continuity of life across generations. It involves a series of complex physiological and behavioural events, from mating and fertilization to gestation and birth. The general reproduction and reproductive performance in domesticated animals is a fascinating and complex field that has significant implications for various aspects of human society, including agriculture, pet ownership, and conservation efforts. Domesticated animals encompass a wide range of species, from farm animals such as cows and chickens to pets like dogs and cats, and even animals kept for conservation or recreational purposes, such as horses and certain bird species. Each of these species has unique reproductive systems and cycles, and understanding these is crucial for effective management and care. For instance, the gestation period for dogs is typically around two months, while for horses, it’s closer to a year. Similarly, some birds, like parrots, may lay eggs only once or twice a year

Current Status of Seed Production

Organized seed production in the country became possible with the formation of National Seed Corporation (NSC) during 1963, which paved the way for a sound seed industry to come as a consequence of the introduction of hybrid technology during 1961-65. The release of high yielding dwarf varieties of wheat and rice by the 1960’s gave further impetus to the growth of the seed industry in the country. For the total area under cultivation of 26.7 m hac and 44.8 hac of wheat and rice respectively, the seed requirement for these two crops alone come to 32 lakh tones and 13 lakh tones respectively of which the varieties contribute about 98 per cent and the hybrids 2 per cent. Only about 10-15 per cent of the total requirement is met by the seed producers leaving the balance for the farmers to manage and the seed producers have to grab the opportunity to supply quality seed materials in order to increase the production.

Current Status of Seed Production

Organized seed production in India became possible with the formation of National Seed Corporation (NSC) during 1963, which paved the way for a sound seed industry to come as a consequence of the introduction of hybrid technology during 1961-65. The release of high yielding dwarf varieties of wheat and rice by the 1960’s gave further impetus to the growth of the seed industry in the country. For the total area under cultivation of 26.7 m ha and 65 per cent of the area) insect, disease and weeds (10-40 per cent loss) and also poor shelf-life. Hybrid technology have defined solution in several crop plants specially vegetables, cotton, rice etc. with the development of appropriate hybridization and seed production. In 1990-91, the area planted to ‘bought seed’ was about 10.35 per cent. The total ‘bought seed’ was estimated at around 5.91 lakh tonnes valued at Rs 679.80 crores. 

Pesticide poisoning occurs when a pesticide enters the body and interferes with the vital systems of the body. Symptoms can begin anything from 1/2 hour to 24 hours after exposure. The typical symptoms and signs of pesticide poisoning are:

Pesticide poisoning occurs when a pesticide penetrates the body and disrupts its essential systems. Symptoms can appear anywhere from a half hour to 24 hours following exposure. The common symptoms and indicators of pesticide poisoning are:

Initial symptoms may include

First Aid

First aid is the preliminary care of a person who has been exposed to pesticides before getting proper medical attention. The initial step is to remove the person from the source of the exposure by removing pesticide from their skin, removing contaminated clothing, or transporting them to fresh air. Be careful not to contaminate oneself throughout this process.

Pesticide on the Skin

• Remove any contaminated clothes.

 • Drench clothing and skin with plenty of water.

• Clean hair and skin with soap and water.

• Dry the victim and wrap them in clean clothes.

• Prevent the victim from being chilly or overheated.

INTRODUCTION

Plant pathogens induce diverse reactions in the body of their hosts. This result in creation of abnormalities which become visible on the plants. A visible or otherwise detectable expression of abnormal physiology, development, or behaviour in a plant resulting from disease is called symptoms. Normally, a distinction is made between symptoms and signs A symptom of disease is expressed as a reaction of the host to a causal agent, where as, a sign is evidence of disease other than that expressed by the host. Signs are usually the structures of the pathogen.A disease is first noticed by the presence of symptoms and /or signs, and recognition of specific type of symptoms or sign aid in the eventual diagnosis of the disease.

1 The changes in functioning at the cellular level and establishment of disease process is termed

a) Pathogenesis b) Virulence

c) Prognosis d) None of the above

The general systemic states are generalized in nature and involve whole body systems. They are common to many diseases and contribute to the pathogenesis
of the disease. Pathogenesis is defined as the changes in functioning at the cellular level and establishment of disease process. Hyperthermia,
hypothermia, fever, toxaemia, septicaemia, bacteraemia, shock, dehydration, acid-base imbalance, hyponatremia, hypokalemia etc. are some examples of
general systemic states.

HYPERTHERMIA Hyperthermia is a condition characterized by elevated body temperature due to increased heat production or absorption, or reduced heat loss   owing to physical cause. Etiology • Physical causes such as exposure to high environmental temperature, severe and prolonged physical activity especially in hot humid condition or    animals    confined    with    poor    ventilation. • Spontaneous hemorrhage in hypothalamus can cause neurogenic hyperthermia. • Severe dehydration affects the heat loss by evaporation and thus can lead to hyperthermia. • Too much muscular activity.

Definitions

        Toxicology: Knowledge (or science) of poisons, including their chemical properties, identification, biological effects, and the treatment of conditions they cause.

        Poison: Any solid, liquid, or gas that, when introduced into or applied to the body, can interfere with the life processes of cells of the organism - by its own inherent chemical properties - without acting mechanically and regardless of temperature.

Definitions
 
    •    Toxicology: Knowledge (or science) of poisons, including their chemical properties, identification, biological effects, and the treatment of conditions they cause.

    •    Poison: Any solid, liquid, or gas that, when introduced into or applied to the body, can interfere with the life processes of cells of the organism - by its own inherent chemical properties - without acting mechanically and regardless of temperature.

    •    Poison = Toxicant: The term poison is now used less often. Reason: Historical application of the term (malicious) vs. a compound used as a feed additive, agricultural, or other chemical - manufactured to fulfill a perceived human need.

We may study the nutrient metabolism in a better way as explained in the following summarized form in Table 1.

Historical Development of Soil Science/Agriculture

Francis Bacon (1561-1624 A.D.): Found the water as nutrient of plants.

Van Helmont (1577-1644): Give the ideas about the role of soil as a simple source of water and minerals for the plants.

Section-A : Write True / False

Q.1 The moment generating function (m.g.f) of a random variable X (about origin having the probability function f (x) is defned as

Abstract

Rural women play a vital role in farming system operations and contribute substantially in the physical aspect of farming, livestock management, postharvest and allied activities. Around 43% of the agricultural labour force of developing countries is composed of women dependency. India has achieved self sufficiency in agricultural production, but a considerable amount of production gets spoiled in every year due to inadequate post-harvest management, processing, infrastructure and skill. To uplift the livelihood and economic conditions of the rural women there is an urgent need to impart trainings for skill development regarding the value addition of horticultural crops. This offers tremendous opportunities for women occupation but also inculcate entrepreneurial characteristics in them. Trainings and skill development are useful for rural women as they can add more value to the seasonal fruits and vegetables and generate varieties of products namely Pickle, Murabbaa, Chutney, Jam, Sharbat etc. These efforts enhance their family income by around 30-40 thousands per annum as they fetch more prices of raw produce after processing. Moreover during peak production times glut only promote produce and profit loss. Instead of direct marketing of their produce they can do value addition of their produce and then sell them in market, it not only increases the value of their products but the prices also enhance by many folds. After giving training to rural women, they are motivated to go for self marketing of their produce at domestic and village level. Similar way these trainings can transform the life style and income level of farming families comprehensively.

Introduction 
Augmented energy demand as well as impacts of employment of fossil coals on human health and environment, stresses and imposes the need to lessen the use of conventional fuels or replace them. Equally, global warming has stretched to a distressing level due to many diverse anthropogenic actions leading to increased pollution. The alternate energy sources are desirable that might be the conspicuous and sustainable approach of enabling environmental remediation, besides meeting the global energy call (Grosser et al 2016, Kanchanasutha et al 2016). A potential solution is generation of Biofuels, either conventional biofuels produced from agricultural crops or advanced biofuels produced from wastes, inedible crops or forestry products (Sreedevi Sarsan et al 2021). Advanced biofuels production especially by the utilization of agricultural and animal wastes using new technologies and processes are gaining increased interest among researchers and general public all over the world. Food waste, municipal trash, animal waste and other wastes can all be utilised as feedstocks to create biogas, a clean and sustainable energy source and thus may be the ideal replacement for traditional energy sources. The raw biomass may be converted into fuel products like biogas by briquetting, gasification, and anaerobic digestion, among other processes (Deepanraj et al 2015). In comparison to landfills, incinerations, and composting processes, anaerobic digestion (AD) is suggested as an inexpensive and environmentally benign technique for the generation of renewable energy (Van Forest et al 2012; Nishio et al 2007; Capson-Tojo et al 2016; Xu, F et al 2018; Cha, M et al 2020). The production of energy-rich biogas and alleviation of issues related to the removal of organic waste are all achieved by anaerobic digestion (AD) of organic solids (Sonakya et al 2001). This is since AD is a highly energy-efficient and ecologically benign technique. In an atmosphere devoid of oxygen, the AD system uses anaerobic microbes to transform the naturally occurring substances in the biomass into biogas. The primary byproduct of AD, biogas, has a methane content of roughly 50-70% by volume and 30- 40% atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) when feedstocks are digested under anaerobic circumstances, with small levels of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) (0.1-3% v/v), humidity, and other trace pollutants also present (Sahota et al. 2018). The generation of biogas is known to be influenced by factors such as waste types, pretreatment procedures, the microorganisms or enzymes added, operation circumstances and design of the digestors (Mao et al 2015).

Introduction

Spectral signature: A spectral signature is the unique pattern of reflection and emission of a target at different wavelengths. This difference helps to classify remote sensing images based on the spectral signatures of different objects.

Electromagnetic (EM) spectrum: The EM spectrum is the range of all types of EM radiation. Some examples are visible light from a lamp, radio waves from a radio station, microwaves, infrared light, ultraviolet light, X-rays, and gamma rays.

Spectral response patterns: A spectral response pattern is the amount of energy that an object reflects or emits at different wavelengths. It shows how the object interacts with the EM radiation.

Generation system of seed multiplication is nothing but the production of a particular class of seed from specific class of seed up to certified seed stage. The choice of a proper seed multiplication model is the key to further success of a seed programme. This basically depends upon,

• The rate of genetic deterioration
• Seed multiplication ratio
• Total seed demand (Seed replacement rate)

ABSTRACT

Of the total production of the crop yield, only 63 per cent is available for human consumption. The remaining is lost in more or less equal proportions to weeds, pests and diseases. Prior to genetic engineering, the exchange of DNA material was possible only between individual organisms of the same species. In the field of agriculture for instance, farmers have continuously modified naturally occurring species through seed selection and controlled breeding. With the advent of the recombinant DNA technology, it has however been possible to identify specific genes associated with desirable traits in one organism and transfer those genes within and beyond the boundaries of species into other organisms.

1. Genes for herbicide resistance

Modern agriculture has developed a range of effective herbicides to tackle the effects of weeds on crop yield. Some of the most useful of these are broad-spectrum herbicides because they are active against a wide range of weeds. However, these can only be used at times when the crop is not itself vulnerable to herbicide action. The development of herbicide-resistant crops therefore offers the opportunity to spray crops at the most effective time to kill weed species without damaging the crop plants. By definition, herbicides are much more toxic to plants than to animals. Therefore, it is not surprising that they generally affect ‘plant-specific’ biological processes. The herbicidal activity of many herbicides has been found to result from the specific inhibition of a single enzyme/protein. The following are four distinct strategies for engineering herbicide resistance: i. Overexpression of the target protein, ii. Mutation of the target protein, iii. Detoxification of the herbicide, using a single gene from a foreign source and iv. Enhanced plant detoxification.

Random Mating

Random mating occurs when each female gamete has an equal chance of being fertilized by any male gamete of the same plant or with any other plant of the population and, furthermore, there is an equal chance for seed production. It is not possible to achieve true random mating in plant breeding because selection is involved. Consequently, it is more realistic to describe the system of mating as random mating with selection. Whereas true random mating does not change gene frequencies, existing variability in the population or genetic correlation between close relatives, random mating with selection changes gene frequencies and the mean of the population, with little or no effect on homozygosity, population variance, or genetic correlation between close relatives in a large population.

Acid soils are found in India in about 93 million hectares ( Table 1) and they occur in the Himalayan region, the great Indo-Gangetic and Brahmaputra plains, peninsular plateau and uplands and the coastal plains including island eco-systems under varying environmental conditions of landscape, geology, climate and vegetation. Conditions which are conducive for the formation of acid soils, such as high rainfall coupled with high temperature encouraging intense weathering and loss of alkali and alkaline earth metals with a simultaneous accumulation of iron and aluminium hydroxy compounds or the formation of free acidic substances in the humid forest foot hill regions, exist in some region or other in almost all the states in India.  A soil with pH less than 7.0 is deemed as an acid soil (Soil Survey Staff,1951). However, for characterization and classification, acid soils may be defined as those having pH less than 5.5 in 1:1 water extract (Soil Survey Staff, 1999).

Horticulture deals with the art, science, business and technology of cultivation and management of horticultural plants. The word Horticulture is derived from two Latin words viz. ‘Hortus’ (means garden) and ‘Culture’ (means growing). Horticulture is an aesthetic science that deals with cultivation of fruit, vegetable, spice, plantation, medicinal, aromatic and flower crops. There is a vast therapeutic use of horticulture wherein gardening and aroma therapy are used to deal with new age maladies like depression and various addictions.

In ancient times, huge gardening spaces to grow large number of fruits, vegetables and flowers were available and these areas were demarcated with the help of high walls. This enclosed area was referred to as garden. This led to the term garden culture. The land area is decreasing due to industrialization and population growth, at the same time, there is a drastic increase in demand for horticultural produce. To meet the increased demand for horticultural produce and to cope up with the space constraints, multitier cropping systems, vertical gardening and other intensive cultivation practices are being resorted to. Hence, horticulture may also be described as the “Practice of growing and manipulating plants in a relatively intensive manner”.

Presently, fruits, vegetables, flowers and ornamentals are grown not only within the home premises, but also in large quantities on a commercial scale. In other words, many horticultural crops throughout the world are grown primarily as business enterprises. Thus, horticulture has two aspects in general i.e., the amateur and the professional. In addition, with the establishment of horticultural experiment stations as an integral part of colleges and universities, comparatively a large amount of scientific information on the behaviour and cultivation of horticultural plants and products is freely available. This information or literature, constitutes the science of horticulture, and the application of this scientific information constitutes the “Technology of Horticulture.” Thus, present day horticulture may be defined as the science and technology of production, processing and merchandising of fruits, vegetables, flowers and ornamentals where each crop has its own science and technology. Consequently, horticulture may appear differently to different people. To a teacher, professor, research scientist, extension official and landscape architect, it is an applied science and a profession, while to a commercial producer, wholesaler, a retailer of horticultural products, or to the manufacturers or seller of horticultural products, it is a business. It is also a fascinating hobby for connoisscur.

The narrow sense heritability estimates were high for days to first flowering, plant height at first flowering, number of leaves at first flowering, plant height at maturity, productive tillers per plant, boot leaf area, 100 grain weight, grain length and grain L/B ratio. These characters may be controlled by additive genetic variance. This indicated that the individual genotype can be evaluated readily from their phenotypic expression. Simple selection would more effective in the sets of materials exhibiting greater additive genetic variability and desirable mean performance. Thus, it merit selection in the next generation. On the other hand, the remaining traits may largely be controlled by non-additive genetic variance or the number of genes controlling these traits may be more, or these traits may largely be influenced by a large number of modifiers or might be largely influenced by environment. As the effects of the environmental variance were generally low, the observed low heritability for the above traits might be due other factors other than environment. These traits are hard to improve by selection. It necessitates progeny testing.

The relative magnitude of different gene effects and an understanding of the mode of inheritance of complex quantitative traits have a direct bearing on the method of hybridization and selection which should be adopted in a specific breeding programme. Useful biometrical methods have been developed by the Birmingham group of scientists, to analyse the genetic architecture in organisms, through the use of first and second degree statistics obtainable from the true breeding inbreds, their first generation crosses and the different types of segregating progenies (Mather, 1949; Hayman, 1958; Gamble, 1962; Mather and Jinks, 1971). Since then this method has been widely used in the genetic analysis of various crops.

Generation of new genetic variability through recombination breeding followed by appropriate selection procedure is one of the key factor for crop improvement. Gain in selection is restricted by correlated response of agronomically desirable as well as undesirable characters. There is a host of examples in various crop species where genes for desirable agronomic traits have been found to be closely linked with those governing undesirable characters (Murthy, 1971; Clegg et al., 1972). Such close linkages delay the realization of the full recombination potential in many crops. The biparental mating or the disruptive mating scheme, finds its importance in the improvement of autgamous speice,s because it increases the probabilities of obtaining useful recombinants as compared to selection without intermating (Hanson, 1959; Jensen, 1970).

In contrast to classical pedigree breeding, random mating population could produce large amounts of variability. This variability can be maintained in the population by the use of recurrent intermating, while the population is improved by selection. According to the standard breeding methodology in self-pollinated crops selection for quantitative characters are generally taken up in early segregating generations. For characters like yield, selection is continued till the material becomes homozygous. Such characters are controlled by large number of genes and a very large population has to be raised to make selection effective. Since most plant breeders could never grow the theoretically required size of population, the recombination is highly restricted. It is likely that many of the valuable genes may be practically lost in the process of advancing the material by continued selfing the generations. Andrus (1963) suggested crossing of selected sibs in early generation for reassembling the genes capable of functioning in a balanced polygenic system.

Eswaran (2007) made genetic analysis of six parents and their 30 hybrids of Okra with the method of analysis proposed by Hayman (1954b). He estimated the various genetic parameters viz., _D?, _F?, H?₁, H?² and Ê as well as the various genetic ratio. The results are presented in Tables 69 and 70.

The estimates of _D? were significant for seven out of ten characters studied. This indicated that the component of variation due to additive genetic variance was important for days to seedling emergence, number of first fruiting node, height of first fruiting node, plant height, days to first picking, number of fruits per plant and fruit weight. These characters could be improved by resorting to simple selection. The estimates of H? ₁and H? ₂were positive and significant for almost all the characters studied. It indicated that there were unequal frequency of alleles i.e., u ¹ v at all the loci, in this context, ‘u’ refers to the frequency of alleles which increase the mean expression of the character and are situated at loci which exhibited dominance. On the other hand, ‘v’ corresponds to the frequency of alleles at loci that decreases the expression of the character. Further proof for the unequal distribution of the alleles over loci was obtained

Among the different biometrical methods available, triple test cross analysis is one of the most efficient designs currently available for investigating the genetic structure of populations. It provides a test of epistasis and in its absence it gives independent and equally precise estimates of additive and dominance genetic components (Mather and Jinks, 1982).

11.1. Statistical analysis

Triple test cross

Jinks and Perkins (1970) method was applied to detect epistasis and estimate additive and dominance components of genetic variance.

Abstract

Genetic analysis of yield and yield components in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) was worked out by using half diallel mating design. The good general combiners observed were Solan Vajr, FT-5 and UHF-265 for plant height; UHF-107 and UHF-260 for days to first picking; Solan Vajr for number of fruits per cluster; FT-5, EC-191536 and UHF-120 for average fruit weight; Solan Vajr, UHF-265 and FT-5 for harvest duration and FT-5 and Solan Vajr for marketable yield per plant. The best three specific combiners for marketable yield per plant were EC-191536 x Solan Vajr, BL-342-1 x FT-5 and UHF-107 x EC-191536. Hayman’s approach revealed non-allelic interaction in the expression of number of fruits per cluster, number of fruits per plant and marketable yield per plant. Preponderance of non-additive gene action was observed with dominance towards tallness, delayed first picking, more fruits per cluster, longer harvest duration and higher marketable yield, while involvement of complimentary epistasis was indicated in the inheritance of average fruit weight and number of fruits per plant.