eChapters

ABSTRACT

In vitro multiplication studies on two peach cvs namely Prabhat and Flordasun grown widely under agroclimatic conditions of Haryana were carried out using nodal and shoot tip explants. Amongst various media modification, M medium containing 1.5 mg^-1 BAP was found the best for shoot induction from both the explants. However, shoot tip showed better response in comparison to nodal explants. Shoot multiplication was highest on M⁷medium (MS+ 6 mg l^-1 BAP). Cultivar response did not differ significantly. Rooting was obtained on M medium containing 0.5 mg l^-1 NAA.

The intricate dance between life and its atmospheric surroundings has shaped every living organism on Earth. From the microscopic bacteria thriving in extreme environments to the complex physiological systems of humans and large animals, weather and climate are not merely backdrops but active, pervasive forces dictating survival, distribution, behavior, and health. Weather, representing the short-term atmospheric conditions we experience daily— temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, and sunlight—directly influences immediate comfort, activity levels, and susceptibility to acute events. Climate, on the other hand, embodies the long-term patterns and averages of these atmospheric variables over decades or centuries, acting as a fundamental determinant of ecosystems, biodiversity, and the sustained well-being of populations. This chapter delves into the multifaceted ways in which these atmospheric phenomena exert their influence. We will explore how thermal conditions drive physiological responses, from metabolic rate adjustments and thermoregulation to the very limits of endurance in extreme heat and cold. Beyond direct physiological impacts, we will examine the indirect effects, such as the role of climate in shaping

Introduction

The town Paithan is famous by it’s name Dakshin Kashi. Godavari river has pristine glory and great significance for Hindus.

Nath temple is situated on the bank of Godavari river. It is a holy place and that’s why it becomes a place of public gathering on Ekadashi, Aashadi Ekadashi, Poornima, Deepawali, Dasera etc. Every year during Chaitra lakhs of people gather.

But at the time of Sheshti, which occurs once in a year is a special event. Hence many fold increase of congregation compared to other melas. The particular small stretch of river near temple was highly polluted, due to mass bathing and other polluting activities. The warm weather shall alter the photosynthesis rates, biodegradation and affect BOD, DO, pH etc. Recent Nath Sheshti at Paithan during 20^th March to 22^nd March 2006, drew about one lakh of pilgrims and had a few special aspects of interests from an environmental point of view.

Considering all the above aspects, it was decided to assess the changes in quality of river Godavari during Nath Sheshti.

Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernisation and Water Bodies Restoration and Management project (TN IAMWARM) is a multidisciplinary project funded by World Bank. It is being implemented by WRO, PWD as nodal agency in 63 sub basins along with line departments and TNAU as coordinating agency since 2007. TNAU is concentrating on up scaling water saving technologies including Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI) under Precision farming in sugarcane. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Virinjipuram is implementing TN IAMWARM project in Cheyyar & Kiliyar sub basin since 2007. Cheyyar  and  Killiyar Sub - Basin are the tributaries  of the Palar Basin that rises in KolarDistrict of  Karnataka enters through Vaniyambadi  and drains an area of about 13,470 Sq. K.M. of which 10,880 Sq. K.M. is in Tamil Nadu. The command area of this sub basin comes under the Cheyyar and Vandavasi Taluk in Thiruvannamalai and Uttermerur, Maduranthagam, and Seyyur Taluk in Kancheepuram Districts  which covers 458 tanks in 12 blocks with a registered ayakut area of 36746 ha. The major crops grown in the sub basin area are paddy, sugarcane, groundnut and pulses.

The Effective Climate Guidance (ECG) refers to information, tools, and frameworks designed to help individuals, organizations, and governments make informed and effective decisions and take appropriate actions to address climate change (Fig.7.1). It aims to provide practical, relevant, and actionable insights to navigate the risks and opportunities presented by a changing climate. Fig.7.1: Effective Climate Guidance (ECG)
7.1. Key Aspects of Effective Climate Guidance Include
• Materiality: Focusing on the most significant climate-related issues for the specific context (e.g., for a business, these would be the climate risks and opportunities that could impact its financial performance).
• Actionability: Providing clear steps or strategies that can be implemented.
• Decision-Usefulness: Ensuring the information is relevant and presented in a way that supports informed decision-making.
• Authority and Reliability: Based on credible scientific information and data.

Objective: Equip participants with the skills to communicate clearly, confidently, and empathetically in verbal, non-verbal, and written forms to foster collaboration, reduce misunderstandings, and build stronger workplace relationships.
Why It Matters
Effective communication is the cornerstone of professional success. It ensures ideas are conveyed clearly, builds trust, and prevents conflicts. Poor communication can lead to misaligned expectations, decreased productivity, and strained relationships. For example, a vague email can cause project delays, or a misunderstood tone in a meeting can create tension. This module empowers participants to master communication in diverse workplace scenarios.
Learning Outcomes: By the end of this module, participants will:
1. Understand the components of effective communication (verbal, nonverbal, written).
2. Practice active listening and empathetic responses to enhance interpersonal connections.
3. Craft clear, professional written messages tailored to their audience.
4. Apply communication strategies in real-world scenarios through interactive exercises.

Introduction
A microorganism or microbe is a tiny living thing that can exist as a single cell or in groups of cells. People have suspected the existence of these unseen microbes since ancient times. These single-celled creatures have caused serious infections that often led to deaths and illness. These microorganisms can spread quickly and cause big outbreaks of disease. In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered the first antibiotic, penicillin. This discovery started the development of one of the most important groups of medicines in medical history. In the next three decades, many different types of antimicrobial drugs were developed. In his Nobel Prize speech, Fleming warned that using penicillin too much might one day lead to bacteria becoming resistant to it, which would be a major problem. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest public health challenges today. Many of the microbes that cause diseases, like bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, no longer respond to common antimicrobial drugs such as antibiotics, antivirals, and antiprotozoals. Antimicrobial resistance is when a microbe becomes able to survive and grow even when treated with medications that used to work on it. Antibiotic resistance is a type of AMR, but it only applies to bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics. Resistant microbes are harder to treat, and doctors may need to use other medicines or higher doses. These options can be more expensive and have more side effects. Microbes that resist multiple antimicrobials are called multidrug resistant (MDR). Those that are resistant to almost all drugs are sometimes called ‘superbugs’. Antimicrobial prophylaxis is used by doctors to prevent infections, but it should only be used when it’s really needed to avoid unnecessary costs, side effects, and the development of resistance. Antimicrobial prophylaxis can be used to prevent a first infection or to stop an infection from coming back or reactivating.

Abstract

Experiments on micro irrigation and fertigation system were conducted under four agronomic conditions viz. pot culture, a young conventionally planted apple experimental block, a high density experimental block and a conventionally planted bearing apple orchard. Direct correlation was observed between growth and micro irrigation treatments of 40% and 60% depletion of soil moisture at field capacity (FC); allowing depletion up to 80% of FC was found to be detrimental causing permanent damage and mortality.  Two doses (low and high applied at 10 weekly intervals) of fertigation were tried and were found at par with each other.  In fact, accumulation of N in soil was observed when applied at high dose after the third application whereas in case of applications at low dose a steady high N level was maintained throughout the growing season.  Observations on physiological parameters revealed better performance by the micro irrigated and fertigated trees.  Powdery mildew in apple could also be affective controlled by pesticide delivery through the fertigation system; however, some pesticides were found to affect the growth of the apple trees.  Fertigation has found to reduce fertilizer application by 95% in apple orchards opening further possibilities of reduced chemical pollution in cultivated soils and agricultural produce.

Introduction

Plant needs nutrients for their growth and development. In a systemic agriculture, nutrients are supplied to the plant in different amount, form and time for the economic and optimum crop production. Green revolution realized in the late sixties of the last century is an outcome of efficient use of improved varieties and nutrient management. Success of the green revolution has increased use of chemical fertilizers in the post green revolution era. Soon the chemical fertilizers become indispensible from all the crops including vegetable and plantation crops. Non judicious use of chemicals in the agriculture has lead to the serious health, soil and environmental hazards. Biofertilizers are considered to be the most safe, promising and economic component of sustainable agriculture. Biofertilizer is a substance which contains living or latent microorganisms which, when applied to seed, plant root or soil, colonizes the rhizosphere or the interior of the plant and promotes growth by providing and essential nutrients or increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant. They can applied in all the agronomic, horticultural and plantation crops.

Rice farming under different subsystems of lowland ecology
1. Rainfed lowland with limited water at seeding and excess water at later growth stages: In rainfed lowland areas, the rice is direct seeded in dry soil in April-May before onset of monsoon (June) and seeds germinate with the showers received after sowing. Drought at the seedling stage kills seedlings and results in poor stand establishment. Furthermore, heavy rains in catchment areas of river basins result in water logging and flooding at late growth stages. The water hinders tillering and results in poor panicle number less than 200/m2 as against 350 /m2 of high yielding rice cultivars.
2. Rainfed lowlands with limited/excess water at transplanting and excess water at later stages: When on-set of the monsoon is delayed, transplanting delayed because the farmer has to wait for adequate rains for land preparation. Monsoon rain submerges the transplanted crop, resulting in poor stand. In some areas, the land gets inundated before transplanting and farmers generally transplant aged and tall seedlings to keep the plant parts above the water. Plant survival in deeper water depends on rise in water level and on the elongation ability and submergence tolerance of the plant. Varieties that elongate fast develop weak culms and may lodge when the water level recedes. In this situation tillering is poor and panicle per unit area are less.
3. Assured irrigated areas with excess water during crop growth due to poorly drained condition: Rice grown in the river deltaic areas of Krishna, Godavari and Indo-Gangetic rivers suffer from water stagnation even though some areas are having irrigation facilities. Heavy rains in the catchment cause flooding and stagnation in rice fields because of congested drainage or lack of drainage caused by topographically saucer-shaped land. These conditions develop during peak monsoon (July-September). The late planted crops, being at an early stage of growth, suffersfro water stagnation. In these areas, transplanting early in the season is necessary for plants to grow enough to escape submergence.

Introduction
Social media has turned into an essential element of individuals’ lives students in today’s world of communication. Its use is growing significantly more than ever before especially in the post – pandemic era, marked by a great revolution happening to the recent investigations of using social media show that approximately 3 billion individuals worldwide are now communicating via social media (Iwamoto and Chun, 2020). This growing population of social media users is spending more and more time on social network groupings, as facts and figures show that individuals spend 2 hours a day, on average, on a variety of social media applications, exchanging pictures and messages, updating status, tweeting, favouring and commenting on many updated socially shared information (Abbott, 2017). In the digital age, social media have emerged as a powerful tool for disseminating agricultural technologies and knowledge. ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Bengaluru Rural has effectively leveraged various platforms to bridge the gap between research and farmers, ensuring timely and relevant information reach the farming community. This article explores how KVK Bengaluru Rural strategically utilizes YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) for technology dissemination.
I. Facebook
Facebook’s interactive nature allows KVK Bengaluru Rural to engage with farmers and build a strong online community. The fact that KVK’s Facebook channel has 5080 followers is a significant indicator of its reach and engagement within the farming community. The followers represent a substantial audience actively interested in the KVK’s activities and information, this indicates that, the KVK has successfully established a relevant online community. With this follower base, the KVK can effectively disseminate critical information, such as weather updates, market prices, and technological advancements, to a large segment of the local farming population. A significant follower count suggests that the KVK is perceived as a reliable and trustworthy source of agricultural information, farmers are more likely to follow and engage with organizations they trust.

Indian agriculture, accounting for 25% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 15% of exports and 60% of the employment continues to be the mainstay of economy. Having achieved laudable success in agricultural production in the last 50 years (50 Million ton to 210 Million ton) India has transformed herself from a food deficit country to a food surplus country. Still there are many challenges, which Indian agriculture is facing, in a fast changing technical and socio-economic scenario. Relating to the natural resources and production base, water has emerged as the most crucial factor for sustaining the agricultural sector. India accounts for 16 percent of the world’s human population and nearly 30% of the cattle with only 2.4% of the land and 4% of the water resources.Even if the full irrigation potential is exploited, about 50% of the country’s cultivated area will still remain unirrigated, particularly with the current level of irrigation efficiency. The share of water for agriculture would reduce further with increasing demand from other sectors. But the water demand for agricultural purposes is estimated to increase in order to produce more cereals, horticultural produce and raw material for a fast expanding food industry. Efficient management of water is, therefore, key to future growth of Indian agriculture. The requirement of water by all sectors in 2025 is estimated to be 105 M ha m (Water Resources Development in India, 2010). Share of water for agriculture is expected to get reduced from the present level of 85 % to 69 % by 2025. On the other hand, the actual agricultural water demand is estimated to increase from 470 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM) in 1985 to 740 BCM in 2025. During the same period, the demand for non-agricultural use of water will multiply fourfold from 70 BCM to 280 BCM. The water use efficiency (WUE) in Indian agriculture, at about 30-40%, is one of the lowest in the world, against 55% in China.

The ICT enabled extension systems act as a key agent for changing current agrarian situation by improving access to information, sharing knowledge, providing incredible opportunities and enabling the empowerment of farming communities. In order to extend the benefits of ICT’s to the disorganized and disadvantaged farming sector, one of the road maps to achieve them are access of ICT’s to villagers through Mobile telephony.

ABSTRACT

The study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of ICT-Enabled Village Information Centres (VICs) with special reference to dairy farming in Tamil Nadu. Ex-post-facto research design was followed, wherein 180 users and 90 non-users of VICs constituting 270 dairy farmers covering three ICT-VIC initiatives viz., Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), M.S.Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) and n-Logue communication in Tamil Nadu were selected using random sampling technique. Data collected through personal interviews were analysed using appropriate statistical tools.

ABSTRACT

Agricultural growth is a catalyst for broad based economic development in most of the low-income countries. Over the last few decades, the share of agriculture in GDP has steadily declined in India from over 50 per cent in the 1950s to 18.5 per cent in 2006-07. The role of extension personnel in this juncture has become immense and there is a mammoth task ahead in the era of contract farming, organized retailing and market led extension. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is an umbrella that includes all technologies for the communication of information.  It caters for individualized instruction and the contents could be easily updated and expanded.

Cassava is one of the leading staple food crop which is consumed as food and rest is used in industries and as feed to animal. Cassava has the potential to increase farm income, reduce rural and urban poverty and help to close the food gap (Nweke et al., 2001). It is used in many sectors like food processing, textile industries, glucose production etc. Salem stands first in area and has about 650 sago and starch industries acting as a prime reason for the intensive area under the cassava cultivation in Salem also 60 per cent of the starch produced in India comes from Salem District alone. Nearly 200 products can be made from cassava which leads to implementation of several interventions in the district which helped in imparting knowledge on cassava value addition techniques and improve adoption. Present study was undertaken to analyse the perceived impact by focusing on the effect of interventions of CTCRI and TNAU among the women growers in enhancing group approaches and empowerment through entrepreneurship activities.

Abstract

The present study of effect of drip irrigation and rootstocks on apple cvs Red Fuji and scarlet Gala under high density plantation was taken up at Horticultural Research Station, Seobagh, Kullu (HP) during 2002-2004. Six year old plants grafted on clonal rootstocks viz., EMLA-106, EMLA-7 and EMLA-111 planted at 3x3m were taken for studies. Five levels of irrigation at 100% ETC, 80% ETC, 60% ETC, 40% ETC and basin irrigation at 100 ETc levels were applied through drips starting from March to fruit maturity. Each treatment was replicated four times with one tree in each in a split plot design. Fertilizer application and cultural practices were carried out as per the recommendations of the university. The data on yield, fruit quality and water use efficiency were collected and subjected to statistical analysis. The fruit firmness, TSS, titratable acidity, reducing sugars, total sugar and non-reducing sugars content decreased with increase in the volume applied through drip. There is a little difference among the varieties and rootstocks for biochemical parameters. Various physical quality parameters were significantly improved by drip irrigation over basin irrigation. The fruits of both the varieties had maximum length, diameter and weight on the rootstock EMLA-106. Similarly yield was also influenced by various levels of irrigation.  Drip irrigation at 40% ETC resulted in maximum water use efficiency (0.022 to 0.023 kg / plant/liter) in Red Fuji during both the years under study.

9.1 Introduction

The sources and types of chemical pollution to which freshwater systems can be exposed are many and varied. The origins of pollutants entering these systems range from those that are predominantly point sources (i.e., industrial effluents) to those that are mainly diffuse, such as agricultural run-off and acid deposition. Some of these are effectively continuous, whereas others are intermittent or episodic.

Pollutants can also be characterized by their quality: general organic loading, specific organic toxicants, inorganic toxicants, and acids. While most of the sources listed above produce mixtures of these characteristics, particular components are enhanced. Industrial effluents generally are the source of specific toxicants, but might also lead to general organic loading.

Some consideration should also be given to the types of system exposed to these pollutants. Most freshwater systems flow, but some more rapidly than others; that is, lakes and ponds have a slow throughput, the so called lentic systems whereas that for rivers and streams is rapid. Because they flow rapidly, the so-called lotic systems have been used for the transport of materials, such as removing industrial pollutants from factories and organic effluents from sewage works.

A view exists that lotic systems that depend substantially on organic inputs from terrestrial ecosystems as a basis for their economy should have the capacity for self-cleansing of at least organic pollutants. However, this perception has been challenged recently (Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, 1992). Of course, “still” or so-called lentic waters may also be important repositories of pollutants, and are certainly exposed to diffuse inputs from agricultural land leading to eutrophication.

Thus, the challenge for aquatic ecotoxicology is to develop methods that can not only assess but also estimate the ecological impact of chemicals on a variety of complex ecosystems under diverse and complicated circumstances (e.g., periodic perturbations or steady trickles, and mixtures of varying complexity). The predictive approach is important in risk assessment used in the regulation of chemical pollutants. Assessment, at times referred to as a “retrospective approach,” is used to determine whether particular contaminants have an impact on specified natural ecosystems. This chapter reviews current methods, first predictive and then retrospective approaches, to address such problems. Initially, one must define what is to be measured, for it has relevance to both approaches.

Introduction

Increasing public concern regarding the use of pharmaceuticals in livestock feeding due to the emergence of drug resistance has led to an enhanced interest to plant derived bioactive compounds as alternative means to improve livestock health and production. Plants bioactive compounds are the plant secondary metabolites having pharmacological or toxicological effects in animals. Secondary metabolites are formed within the plants as well the primary biosynthetic and metabolic routes for compounds associated with plant growth and development, and are considered as products of biochemical deviate in the plant cells and not required daily for the performance of the plant. Some of them are found to have various important functions such as protection, attraction or signaling in the plants. Most species of plants seem to be competent in synthesizing such compounds. Plants with potent bioactive compounds are often characterized as both poisonous and medicinal, and a beneficial or an adverse effect may depend on the quantity eaten by the animal. Some tropical tree leaves and typical food and feed plants with bioactive compounds with less prominent effects, their intakes are usually considered as advantageous.

Abstract

Micronutrients and bioactive compounds must be part of the population's diet in sufficient amounts to meet the body's needs. The concentrations of micronutrients and bioactive compounds in plant foods at harvest are known to vary with such factors as the variety or cultivar, stage of maturity, geographic or climatic effects, etc. Most subclasses of polyphenols e.g., phenolics acids and flavonoids, the effects of processing on the contents were found negligible in comparison to the differences between varieties of plants but carotenoids are among the food components most affected by environmental and processing conditions. Thermal processing has long been known to cause significant losses of vitamins, carotenoids and anthocyanins. The heat treatment viz. blanching, pasteurization, sterilization etc. result in losses of thermally labile nutrients and bioactive compounds, but the inactivation of oxidative and other degradative enzymes (e.g., lipoxygenase for carotenoids, polyphenol oxidase for flavonoids, ascorbic acid oxidase for vitamin C). Nutrients in dehydrated products are more likely to undergo degradation during storage because of the greater surface area exposed to oxygen and light. Blanched products generally resist decomposition better than unblanched foods during storage. Compared to losses during processing, subsequent storage often has a small but significant effect on vitamin and bioactive compound contents. Reaction rates are relatively slow at ambient or reduced temperature. The processing method chosen, and storage condition applied finalise the retention of these compounds which decreases with longer processing time, higher processing temperatures and storage of the food.