eChapters

Nature has bestowed our country with diverse agro climatic and topographic conditions ranging from temperate to humid and from sea bed to snow line. The existing climatic conditions with a plenty of sunshine, nutrient rich soil, abundant water resources and reservoir of trained manpower, enable our country to grow various types of vegetables in tropical, subtropical, temperate, alpine and desert vegetation zones in one or the other seasons during the year.

Vegetables, the cheapest and nutrient-rich food source within the economic reach of poor man, play a vital role in human diet since they provide carbohydrates, protein, fat, minerals, vitamins, fibers and phytochemicals (non-nutrient bioactive compounds), which are essential for making the body immune system strong, detoxifying carcinogens, reducing muscular degeneration and protecting the body from infectious ailments. Vegetables besides having medicinal values also play an important role in nutritional security and national economy of the country since they are quick growing and short duration, and their yield per unit area per unit time is 5-10 times higher than the cereal crops.

Vegetable oils and fats play a very important role in our diet. They provide essential fatty acids which are precursors of important hormones such as prostaglandins. They control many physiological factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol and reproductive system [1]. Coconut oil is a popular vegetable oil obtained from kernel of fruit coconut (Cocos nucifera). It is liquid at room temperature and bland in taste. Coconut oil is extensively used in cooking purpose in coastal tropical regions although it has been used in abundance for its medicinal properties.

Disruption of the cellular or anatomical continuity of the normal organ structure is known as wound. Healing involves migration, infiltration, proliferation and differentiation of several cell types like keratinocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, macrophages, and platelets which are culminate as an inflammatory response, new tissue formation and wound closure. Healing of the wound starts from the moment of the injury and can continue for varying periods of time depending on the extent of wound. The process of wound healing involves coagulation, inflammation, formation of granulation tissue, matrix formation, remodeling of connective tissue, collagenization and acquisition of wound strength.

Chitosan is a -1, 4-linked polymer of glucosamine (2-amino-2-deoxy—D-glucose) and lesser amounts of N-acetylglucosamine. It is a derivative of chitin (poly-Nacetylglucosamine) which is the second most abundant biopolymer after cellulose. Chitosan is first discovered in 1811 by Henri Braconnota, a French chemist and pharmacist. Later in the century, chitin is found in crustaceans (such as crabs, lobsters, shellfish and shrimp). Chitosan is a biodegradable polymer and it accelerates wound healing. It has been reported that chitosan permits regeneration of tissue elements in skin wounds and has positive application effects on wound healing.

Introdoction

Tillage is a prime activity carried out prior to sowing of a crop with an objective to bring the soil to a favorable tilth to provide a congenial environment for crop growth and yield. The operation of ploughing once and left out for a few weeks followed by a broadcasting of rice seeds by hand and then ploughing and raking together at the same time once gave highly significant rice grain yield (Srisa-ard, 2008). Adoption of the “Sawah” system (bunded, puddle and leveled) in inland valleys in Ghana lead to significant improvement in soil and water management; enhancement in rice grain yield and made sustainable production. Even the practice of Sawah system of cultivation increased local rice production by over 300% because of the mechanisms with intrinsic resistance to erosion (better water control and nutrient management (Buri et al., 2012).

ABSTRACT

Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is the major constraint for cultivation of tomato in Kerala. Biocontrol of plant pathogens is becoming an important component of integrated disease management. Among the various antagonists tested against R. solanacearum of tomato, fungi were more effective than bacterial and actinomycetes organisms. Among them, Trichoderma virens, T. viride (Ozhalapathy and Vellanikkara) and T. pseudokoningii were the effective ones, recording the maximum antagonism index (AI) value of 6000 under in vitro condition. They inhibited the pathogen completely by the mechanism of both lysis and overgrowth. In pot culture study, T. viride and T. pseudokoningii and commercial Pseudomonas fluorescens gave maximum protection against wilt incidence. Under field condition, T. viride (Ozh), T. pseudokoningii and P. aeruginosa showed the lowest wilt incidence of 50.0, 58.3 and 58.3 respectively against cent per cent incidence in the control plot.

Experimental mutagenesis is an important unconventional source to produce mutations in high frequencies in cultivated plants. It makes possible the achievement of desired breeding objectives or atleast decisive progress in this direction through selection of mutants. By establishing extensive collection of mutants based on productive varieties excellent sources of valuable material for theoretical studies and for breeding work can be provided. The induced mutagenesis helps in diversifying varieties and in internal rectification. The simultaneous realization of different breeding objectives may be possible through induced mutagenesis especially in leguminous crops.

Stubbe (1959) stated that mutation breeding as a modern method of plant breeding has proved its justification. It mutation breeding, basic information is a prerequisite on the type of spectrum of induced mutations and relative effectiveness and efficiency of different mutagens.

Mould growth in raw materials or finished feeds result in production of mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are a large group of toxic chemicals causing wide range of pathological and physiological effects in animals. Symptoms depend on the amount of toxin present in the feed, the period for which the feed is ingested, the nutritional status of the feed and the susceptibility of the animal. Feed efficiency, growth rate and production are affected in animals consuming sub-acute doses.

Ruminants are generally considered less susceptible to mycotoxins than monogastric animals because of degradation of mycotoxin in rumen by rumen microorganism. However, certain mycotoxins resist rumen degradation and cause clinical mycotoxicosis. In high yielding dairy animals, during transition period, animals who are in negative energy balance (NEB), low body condition score and decreased resistance to infectious agents cause adverse effects in animal health with exposure of mycotoxins present in animal diet.

Effect of mycotoxin in ruminants

In cattle during metabolism, mycotoxin present in stored or ensiled feeds produce microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) which are responsible for mouldy odour, reduced feed intake and increased feeding times. This insufficient feed intake further produces negative energy balance (NEB).

The ingestion of mycotoxin-contaminated feedstuffs by animals leads to adverse effect on animal health and the effects are more serious in monogastric animals depending on the species and the susceptibility to toxins within the species. Ruminants are less susceptible to mycotoxins than monogastric animals because of biotransformation of mycotoxins to non-toxic metabolites in rumen by rumen microbiota (Fink-Gremmels, 2008).

4.1 Introduction

More and more industrial applications require self cleaned surfaces, water repellent, anti-dirt pickup and many other specific surface requirements. Introduction of nanotechnology has changed the coating scenario drastically. Hard, anti-scratch, hydrophobic coatings are achieved by the addition of small amounts of nano-pigments which help in creating hydrophobic surface. It is also possible to grow certain nano-fibers which on chemical treatment give surfaces which can either attract water or repel it. It is also possible now to create self healing coatings which can repair surface once they are damaged by scratch. Capacitance coupler pads have been devised to reach those corroding areas which are not covered by other corrosion protection methods. Stringent requirements of many modern industrial application resulted in developing coatings which can give special surface properties such as high hardness, scratch resistance, hydrophobicity, anti-dirt pickup etc.  This brief article presents a few new researches which provide one or more special properties to the surface.

Standard postoperative management of animals with fractures includes the use of nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drug inhibits inflammatory responses by blocking prostaglandin (PG) synthesis via the Cyclooxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism. However, PG is important factor in early phase of bone healing. A local increase of PG concentration is a response of bone to trauma and PG (particularly PG₂) may stimulate differentiation and proliferation of osteoprogenitor cells during early bone healing. It has been reported that NSAID, such as Diclofenac acid, ibuprofen, indomethacin, aspirin, salicylic acid decreased ingrowths of bone into porous coated implants and decreased mineral content in rabbits. In view of the above fact, this chapter is undertaken to investigate the effects of one potent NSAID (Flunixin Meglumine) on fracture healing.

The study is conducted in ten clinically healthy adult New Zealand White rabbits of either sex divided into two groups (A and B) consisting of five animals each. In all animals, mid-shaft simple transverse fracture is created in both the ulnae under thiopental (2.5%) anaesthesia. In animals of group A, 0.25ml (12.5 mg) Flunixin Meglumine (Ilium Flunixil) is injected intramuscularly on alternate days from day 5-20 postoperatively whereas, in group B no drug is given. Lateral and anterio-posterior radiographs are taken on day 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 post-fracture. The radiographs are observed for progress of fracture healing and complication, if any, at different interval. The specimen for histopathological study is collected from the healed site of test bones immediately after euthanizing the animals on day 40. Every specimen is consisted of both healing and adjacent host bone. The bone sections are preserved in 10% formalin for 9-10 days and then are decalcified using Goodling and Stewart’s solution (15% formic acid, 5% formalin and 80% distilled water). Completely decalcified sections are then processed routinely for H&E staining. These sections are observed for the status of healing at the fracture site, at cellular level.

Introduction

The water potential plays an important role on growth of bacteria. If the medium has higher concentration of solute, it is said to be hypertonic. Due to this, the cytoplasm dehydrates and shrinks, resulting in inhibition of growth of bacteria. If solute concentration is less, the medium is hypotonic and hence maximum osmotic pressure on the cell.

Requirements

1. Cultures of E.coli and Bacillus
2. Nutrient agar
3. Sodium Chloride (stock solution at 5 M concentration)
4. Inoculating loop
5. BOD incubator

Procedure

Abstract

The study with different inorganic phosphorus doses and their combination with phosphorus solublizing microbes (PSM) had significant effect on growth, total microbial population of the soil and leaf nutrient status of Walnut cv. Govind. The treatment T₁₁ consisting of 84.37g P₂O₅ + PSM (80g culture) had maximum growth (16.87 cm) and also have a significant improvement in total microbial count (12,126) of the soil and leaf nutrient status of Walnut cv Govind.

Abstract

The effects of packaging materials, temperature and dressers on onion (Allium cepa, L.) seed storage, at the end of 24 months, revealed maximum test weight (3.67 g) in poly jar x refrigerator x cow dung. Maximum seed germination was observed in cloth bag x refrigerator x thiram. Maximum germination of 87.33 per cent at the end of 21 months was recorded in poly bag x room temperature x thiram which declind to 77.33 per cent by the end of 24 months. Similarly (seed vigour) SV-I, SV-II (up to 21 months) and stress test (up to 18 months) were maximum which showed a declining trend after this period. It can be inferred that the onion seed germination and vigour can be maintained for 21 months when packed in poly jar, stored in deep freezer (-20°C) after treating with thiram (0.3%).

Abstract

The effects of packaging materials, temperature and dressers on bell pepper (Capsicum annuum, L.) seed storage, at the end of 24 months, revealed maximum test weight (5.15 g) in poly jar x refrigerator x cow dung. Maximum seed germination was observed in polythene bag x refrigerator x thiram. This combination resulted in slow but gradual decrease in germination from 3rd month (95.33%) to 24th month (75.33%). The same combination of treatments also extrapolated maximum SV-I (15-24 months) and  (Seed Vigour)SV-II (18-24 months). Stress test was maximum (50.01%) in poly jar x refrigerator x thiram. Thus, it was inferred that bell-pepper seed germination and vigour can be maintained for 24 months after treating the seeds with thiram, packing in polythene bag and then storing in refrigerator, after harvesting the crop.

For most people in their right mind, parasites are disgusting little creatures. The mention of them evokes images of tiny crawlers entering the body of innocent victims by devious means, encrusting themselves within various organs (often with very unpleasant effects), living off their host’s tissues, and then exiting the body, sometimes through scatological avenues, leaving behind hosts that are incapacitated, if not mere shells of their former selves (as is literally the case for some insects). The true facts are not always that gruesome (after all, parasites that have to spend a long time inside a host do not benefit if this host kicks the bucket, because then they die as well) but often enough parasitic reality is not pretty. Ask biology students about their parasitology course, and they will tell you that attending class is like visiting a little shop of horrors. I, for one, came out of my parasitology course with newly developed phobias (mercifully temporary) of such innocuous activities as eating meat and bathing in streams – they represent ways of transmission for some parasites. But students will also tell you that parasites are fascinating because of the complexity of their life cycles and the intricate ways in which they complete these cycles. So fascinating, in fact, that many students eventually become parasitologists and devote their entire lives to studying the little critters. Most of these people work with parasites of livestock or humans, but a few with an equal taste for ethology and ichthyology pursue the more esoteric questions that occupy this page: how fishes avoid getting parasitized, and how fishes alter their behaviour once they get parasitized (Barber et al., 2000)

Full thickness burn wound will not heal spontaneously which need early excision and adequate coverage to prevent fluid loss and risk of infection. Major portion of the skin is lost during burn injury which is the active layer for protecting the entry of micro organism from outside environment. So far, meshed autologous skin graft is regarded as the gold standard for treating extensive full thickness burns. However, their frequent use may be hampered by several impediments such as limited availability, donor site morbidity, associated with additional scarring. Severe burn patients invariably lack additional skin donor site. Moreover, creation of donor site in burned patient is equivalent to second degree burn and which further increase the total body surface area affected (TBSA). In past decades, numerous biomaterials have been investigated for the use as a dermal skin substitute for burn patients but none give promising results. The innovative tissue engineered bioactive materials offer potential tissue regeneration and prevent the tissue deterioration.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) derived naturally from mammalian tissue have been successfully used as scaffold for tissue reconstruction and wound management in clinical applications. ECM can be derived from various tissue or organs of different species but most commonly, porcine small intestinal submucosa and urinary bladder have been successfully used as scaffold for reconstruction. ECM is obtained by process of decellularization that involves the use of various ionic and non ionic detergents, acids, enzymatic solutions and mechanical/physical methods.

Abstract

Garden peas of two cultivars (Pb-87 and Pb-88) were procured. Pods were shelled manually, grains were blanched and dehydrated. Other lot of peas of both the varieties was allowed to mature on the plant till the plant foliage dried up, harvested, pods were dried in shade for few days, shelled manually and grains were further dried in shade. Grits were prepared by grinding rice and pea (dhal) in a laboratory grinder to pass through 20 mesh sieve. Blends were prepared by mixing rice and pea grits in the ratio of 100:0, 85:15 and 70:30. The blends were subjected to extrusion cooking using Brabender single screw extruder. The extruder die pressure, specific energy consumption (SEC), expansion ratio, density, water absorption index (WAI), water solubility index (WSI) and organoleptic characteristics were studied. Addition of pea grits resulted in a decrease in die pressure in all the blends. Addition of pea grits showed a significant effect on SEC. A decrease in expansion with increase in the level of pea grits in blend was observed. The extrudates having lower expansion showed higher density values and vice versa. Effect of replacement of rice grits with pea grits on WAI was found to be significant. Level of pea grits significantly affected the WSI. Incorporation of pea grits in the rice grits significantly affected the sensory characteristics. Replacement of rice grits with mechanically dried pea grits resulted in deterioration of acceptability score, but addition of field dried pea grits improved the same.

The availability of wide range of pesticides though has been responsible for increasing crop production through regulating arthropod (insect and mite) pest populations in agricultural and horticultural crop production systems but unfortunately, improper and excessive use of pesticides has resulted into a number of potential ecological problems including pest resistance, resurgence, residues in food, feed and fodder, environmental contamination, direct hazards to the users and mainly destruction of beneficial organisms including natural enemies. The most important group of natural enemies is entomophagous insects i.e. insect predators and parasites. Predatory insects are usually much larger than their prey and are generally voracious feeders that kill and eat a wide variety of insects as they grow and reproduce. Many predators are active in both their immature as well as adult stage. Insect parasites/ parasitoids are often tiny, non-stinging wasps. Parasitic wasps are free-living in the adult stage, but in the larval stage are parasitic on specific insects. The parasitic larvae eat their hosts from within, ultimately resulting in the death of the host insect. The compatibility of natural enemies with pesticides is essential as both these management strategies are important part of Integrated Pest Management programs designed to regulate arthropod pest populations and minimize plant damage.

Though the pesticide application represents viable solution to pest control, however indiscriminate use poses threat to target as well as non-target crops. The side effects of pesticides therefore have to be considered based on their use and on the agricultural system to which particular pesticide is used. Studies should be implied on effects and persistence of pesticides in crops and is consequent effects on soil microbial flora and associated nitrogen metabolism. Safe alternate methods like development of relatively cheaper biopesticide should be encouraged. More efficient methods have to be developed and validated for dissipation of pesticide residues in food grains. Human health and environment has gained great importance in the modern world. The widespread use of insecticides has resulted in problems caused by its interaction with the natural biological systems. Study showed that higher amounts of acetamiprid have some negative effects on corn plant physiology. Thus, the use of pesticide should be controlled following the standards of developed countries to protect health and the environment.

The modern improved crop varieties are responsive to fertilizers and demand higher fertilizer application rates to sustain high grain yields. With higher fertilizer inputs, the pest problems have become prominent and endangered the yields necessitating the large scale use of agrochemicals. Some of these chemicals are purposefully released or they may be accidentally released into the environment as waste water or residues from industrial manufacturing and processing of fields.

Soil is one of the most dynamic sites of biological interactions in nature, serving as a growth medium for vegetation and as a habitat for microorganisms and thus has a major role in determining the overall quality of our environment. The physicochemical properties of soil strongly influence the growth, activities and population dynamics of microorganisms in soil and also modify the effects of chemicals on the microbial community. Microorganisms are scavengers in soil. Due to physiological variability, they degrade a variety of chemical substances including insecticides, fungicides and herbicides in soil to derive energy and other nutrients for their growth and metabolism (El- Shahaat et al., 1987; Bhuyan et al., 1993). As a result, the population density of the active microorganisms increases which favorably influences the biological transformation of nutrient elements in the soil (Rangaswamy and Venkateswarlu, 1993; Jana et al., 1998). On the other hand, there are many pesticides which exert adverse effect on growth of soil microorganisms (Martinez-Toledo et al., 1992). However, no definite conclusions can be made on the effects of different pesticides on the growth and activities of microorganisms in soil since different groups of insecticides exhibit manifold variations in toxicity. The degree to which a pesticide affects microbial population and their activities is largely dependent upon the chemical, its dosage and the particular physicochemical parameters of the environment such as soil type, temperature, water content, pH, method of application and other factors. Soil physicochemical factors are particularly important and probably account for the variations in toxic effects often seen with the same compound. Some of the soil microorganisms and soil microbial processes appear to be more sensitive to pesticides than the others. For example nitrification appears to be highly sensitive whereas N-mineralization is relatively resistant. These results reflect the diversity of microorganisms mediating these processes. The present effort has been made to review briefly the effects of pesticides on microorganisms and their activities.