eChapters

Study done in India on various aspects of marine copepods are those of Krishnaswamy (1952), Kartha (1959), Ummerkutty (1960, 1966), Ganapathi et al. (1961), Kasturirangan (1963), Saraswathy (1966), Abraham (1970), Silas and Pillai (1973), Sarladevi (1979), Sarkar et al. (1985), Madhupratap and Haridas (1986), Wells and Rao (1987), Gajbhiye et al. (1991), Madhupratap (1999), Kesarkar and Anil (2010), Ramanibai and Shanthi (2011), Srichandan et al. (2014). Jayabarathi et al. (2015), Nishida et al. (2015), Arunpandi et al. (2017), Loka et al. (2017), Deepika et al. (2019), Kaviyarasan et al. (2019), Khandagale et al. (2022), Nawaz et al. (2023), Thangaraj and Vijayanand (2023).

Copepods are planktonic crustaceans, which occur in marine, fresh as well as brackish waters. They represent about 80% of the zooplankton in the ocean. There are more than 210 families, 2400 genera and 24000 species identified in this group. Planktonic copepods are considered to be the most abundant metazoans on earth.

The name 'copepod' is derived from the Greek words meaning 'animals with oar shaped foot' i.e., ‘kope’ means oar and ‘podos’ means foot (Stottrup,2003). Copepods are important secondary producers and primary consumers and ultimately contribute significantly to the food chain in large ecosystems.

Copepods are very hardly planktonic forms which can withstand most of the unfavourable conditions and can produce diapause eggs and resting eggs to survive in these conditions. Most of the copepods can adjust wide range of salinity and temperature levels. Due to its hardy nature, copepods can be easily introduced into all types of water bodies.

Copepods forms important food for many aquatic animals especially fishes. Certain fishes and fish larvae were evolutionary adapted to feed on copepods. Copepods have been found to be nutritionally superior to almost all other live feeds.

5.1. Origin and distribution

• True or black mustard: Brassica nigra Koch-Self sterile

• White mustard (Yellow mustard) : Brassica compestris, Syn: Sinapsis alba- Self sterile

• Indian or brown mustard: Brassica juncea (L.) Czern

• These three species are commonly used as condiment.

• White mustard is indigenous to Southern Europe, whereas brown mustard is from China introduced to Northern India.

• Black mustard is endemic in Southern Mediterranean region.

• White mustard is widely cultivated in Australia, China, Chili, Denmark, Italy, Japan, UK, Netherlands, North Africa, Canada and USA.

India’s indigenous poultry breeds play a crucial role in rural livelihoods, providing a sustainable source of nutrition and income. These native breeds are well-adapted to the local environmental conditions, demonstrating remarkable resilience and disease resistance. Despite their lower production potential compared to commercial breeds, their economic value and cultural significance make them indispensable in the rural context.

Indigenous Fowls of India

• India has a population of 217.80 million indigenous (Desi) chickens, representing 25.57% of the total poultry population (851.81 million) in India (BAHS, 2023, GOI).

• A total of 20 indigenous chicken breeds, 3 duck breeds, and 1 geese breed have been registered under the ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetics Resources (NBAGR) to date (Table 4.1 & 4.2).

• Indigenous fowls are typically reared under a backyard system, often referred to as “backyard poultry,” with minimal focus on housing and feeding.

Morinda citrifolia L is a unique horticultural plant belonging to Rubiaceae family. It has a tremendous demand because of its high medicinal value. Increase in demand has led to commercial farming of the tree. Noni is an ideal plant for mixed farming with other horticultural plantations. There is concurrent efforts to select early bearing plants with big size and fruits.  Noni can be grown in any type of soil under adverse climatic conditions.  Crop Improvement, nutritional requirement, water requirement, pest and disease management are the research priorities in Morinda citrifolia.

Indian Noni (Morinda citrifolia) is popularly known as Indian mulberry belongs to Rubiaceae family.  It is also called great Morinda, Cheese fruit, Mouse’s Pine Apple, Nono, Jumbie bread fruit, Hog apple. Noni was one of the most widely used medicinal plants in Polynesia prior to European contact, and continues popular among modern population. Noni is commonly known as canary wood in Australia, Kura in Fijii, mora de la India in spanish, nono in Tahiti and Nin in Marshall Island. Medicinal values of Noni were known to man many centuries ago. Uses of Noni were mentioned in Indian ethnopharmacology and ayurvedic medicines. Noni is grown as medicinal plant in most of  South Indian temples as sacred plant like basil (Tulasi). In India, it is called by several names in different  regional languages like nuna, manjanathi, manjanuna in Tamil,  molugu, mogal, bundamaddi in Telugu, kakaiplam, kattapitalavam, mannanatti in Malayalam, tagatemara, haladipavete in Kannada, Ach Al in Hindi, Paphan, Achchhulca in Sanskrit, Aseti, Nagkura, Mundari solidaru in Marathi.

The history of Patent law in India starts from 1911 when the Indian Patents and Designs Act, 1911 was enacted. The present Patents Act, 1970 came into force in the year 1972, amending and consolidating the existing law relating to Patents in India. The Patents Act, 1970 was again amended by the Patents (Amendment) Act, 2005, wherein product patent was extended to all fields of technology including food, drugs, chemicals and micro organisms. After the amendment, the provisions relating to Exclusive Marketing Rights (EMRs) have been repealed, and a provision for enabling grant of compulsory license has been introduced.

PPVFR act is an effective system for protection of plant varieties, the rights of farmers and plant breeders and to encourage the development of new varieties of plants. Stimulate investment for research and development to produce new plant varieties.Facilitate the growth of the seed industry that will ensure the availability of high quality seeds and planting material to the farmers. Registration of a plant variety gives protection only in India. Provides the exclusive right to produce, sell, market, distribute, import, or export the variety.

Milestones in Seed Sector

• 1957- First AICRP

• 1963 -NSC established

• 1966 -Seed act passed

• 1968- Operational

• 1971- Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards adopted

• 1975- GSSC established

• 1977- AIC NSP launched

• 1980- GSSCA Established

• 2001- PPVFR Act passed

Plants containing lignans have been utilised as folk medicines in traditional medicine of many different cultures for over 1000 years. Plants high in lignin, such as Kadsura coccinea (Schizandraceae), Fraxinus sp., and Olea europaea, have long been employed in Chinese, Japanese, and Eastern world folk medicine. Lignans are an important family of starting products for the development of new therapeutic agents based on structural modifications of such compounds due to their widespread use in traditional medicine. Podophyllum hexandrum, a plant with a high lignin concentration, has been employed throughout history and in modern times. It has been used extensively in ancient Ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety of disorders such as Condyloma acuminate, Taenia capitis, monocytoid leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, cancer of brain, lung, bladder and venereal warts.

The Himalayan locals have long used Indian Podophyllum, with an aqueous extract of the roots being a frequent cathartic. It has also been used as an ophthalmia treatment. Thomson tested the resin from the Indian plant in 1890 and found 56 percent podophyllotoxin concentration. Podwyssotzki discovered podophyllotoxin as the active principle of podophyllin in 1880 and obtained it in a pure state. Several lignans have been found in the rhizomes of Podophyllum hexandrum, which are dimerization products of phenylpropanoid pathway intermediates linked by the central carbons of their side chains.

The modern commercial poultry production in India is barely 50 years old, although backyard poultry keeping dates back to pre-historic period. In between 1955 to 1965, some Christian Missionaries had imported White Leghorn, Rhode Island Red and White Rock breeds, to upgrade the local chicken, having very high disease resistance power; but highly broody. Later, hybrid broiler (Arbor Acres) and layer (Babcock) strains were brought to India in early seventies, to start modern poultry industry. Among the two, the layer industry took wings early and registered a spectacular growth rate between 1970 and 1985. The broiler industry came to existence five years later and showed 25 -100% annual growth rate initially and 10-20% growth rate subsequently; between 1975 – 2005. The growth indicators of poultry development in India are presented

ABSTRACT

Evolution theory postulates that the collision between the Indian and the Eurasian plates in early Eocene and Miocene epoch leads to formation of the Himalayas, and currently recognized across the globe as repository of life. Some species of this regions is categorized under endangered and endemic category. Rhododendrons placed under family Ericaceae is an important genus of flowering plants. It is one of the multiferous keystone member of plants, mostly endemic to Southeast Asia. Wide distribution of rhododendrons concentrated in Himalayas. The Eastern Himalaya, especially Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim states of India is the main centre of species distribution and provide wide range of habitat for ecological studies. Several species exhibits many nutritional, medicinal and aromatic properties as evident from tribal knowledge and published research sciences. Different parts of plant such as flowers and leaves used in folklore herbal medicine and for preparation of local wines. Chemically, rhododendrons are repository of several bioactive molecules in the form of taraxerol, hyperoside, betulinic acid, quercitin, arbutin, rutin, coumaric acid, and several other fine molecules in minor quantities. In the present communication, Indian rhododendrons species diversity of different regions are revised and updated the current list for India. Besides, its value addition and future prospective is also presented for Indian economy. The checklist, chemistry, traditional knowledge, ecological requirement, keystone taxa, potential value added products for future, threat and future perspectives of rhododendrons for conservation is also discussed and presented in different subheads. First time checklist of all Indian rhododendrons are prepared and provided here in this communication.

Indian river systems, spanning diverse ecosystems and climatic zones, are pivotal for sustaining the country's rich biodiversity, particularly regarding ichthyofaunal diversity. This chapter explores the ecological importance of major river systems such as the Ganges, Brahmaputra, Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery in supporting various freshwater fish species essential to environmental balance and local economies. These rivers provide critical habitats and migration routes, facilitating the survival and reproduction of numerous fish species. However, pollution, habitat fragmentation, overfishing, and climate change have led to declines in fish populations and the loss of species diversity. The chapter underscores the importance of integrated conservation strategies that combine river ecosystem restoration, sustainable fisheries, and habitat protection to address these threats. Additionally, it highlights the need for community engagement, policy support, and technological innovations such as environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring to ensure effective conservation of freshwater fish diversity. Through a comprehensive ecological approach, this chapter advocates for urgent measures aimed at preserving fish species within Indian river systems, promoting biodiversity, and supporting the communities reliant on these resources.

Abstract

Medicinal plants are being widely used either as single drug or in combination in health care delivery system. Hemidesmus indicus is a rare and endangered plant of Deccan plateau of India and is a potential source of several active principles of therapeutic value. Its immense medicinal values can bring H. indicus as a royal source of herbal medicine in India. It contains various phytoconstituents belonging to the category glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, sterols and volatile oils. The main pharmacological activity of H. indicus include anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidants, anti cancerous activity, anti acne activity, anti venom activity, antinociceptive, renoprotective, heptoprotective activity, anti arthritis and anti leprotic activity. The root of Hemidesmus indicus was used mainly for the preparation of drink locally called as nannari or sugandhapala. The drink is medicinal, which cools the system, gives good appetite and acts as a blood purifier and roots are used for preparation of chutneys and pickles.

Introduction

The seed industry has witnessed a substantial change in the 20th century, with farmers relying on purchasing seeds from market with better traits rather than relying on seeds from previous season’s harvest. Developments in seed technology have increased the momentum of the industry’s growth, and the introduction of genetically modified crops has further boosted the seed market. The value of global seed market has tripled since 2000 and reached US$ 54 billion in 2014 (Indian Seed Market (pdf), www.icfa.org.in).

Abstract

India is known as hub of medicinal plants in recent years due to availability of variety of species in different regions which is used in treatment of frequently occurred local diseases. Family a pocynaceae is one of frequently used angiosperm members as medicine in different Indian system of medicine. At present, the genus Rauvolfia is represented by 77 species distributed across the globe, known to contains various unique active phytochemicals in the form of flavonoids, phytosterols, oleoresins, steroids, tannins and alkaloids. R. serpentina (also known as Indian snake root or sarpaghandha) and R. tetraphylla (also known as devil root or barachandrika) are two very important distinctive medicinal shrubs growing in India having wide application in traditional system of medicine for curing human disease and various herbal formulations available in market using these plants. In the present communication, we have discussed the biology, chemistry, pharmacology, cultivation practices and future perspectives of R. serpentina and R. tetraphylla for conservation and as a potential plants for future application in herbal medicine discovery.

Oroxylum indicum (L.) Vent. (family Bignoniaceae Juss.) also known as Broken bones tree, Indian trumpet flower, Midnight horror, Shivnak, Sonapatha and Shyonaka. O. indicum is being used as medicinal herb for thousands of years without any known adverse effects. The tree is named as ^”Tree of Damocles^” after an incident depicted in an ancient story by Cicero. O. indicum Vent is a small or medium sized deciduous tree growing throughout Asia continent. It has been used traditionally for a wide diversity of ailments such as cancer, diarrhea, fever, ulcer, jaundice and arthritis. Destructive and non-sustainable collection methods coupled with low regeneration and habitat destruction have posed serious threats to the survival and availability of this highly useful tree. The existence of O. indicum in natural population is highly threatened and it has been categorized as endangered and vulnerable by the Government of India. There have been number of scientific studies conducted to evaluate the toxic effects of the plant. Almost all the studies have shown that O. indicum is not toxic to humans even up to high doses.

Morphological characteristics

O. indicum is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree with soft light brown or greyish brown bark and corky lenticels that grows up to 12 metres tall. The leaves are big, 90-180 cm long, 2-3 pinnate with 5 or more pairs of primary pinnae, rachis is fast, cylindrical, swelling at branch junctions, leaflets are 2-4 pairs, oblong or elliptic, acuminate, glabrous. The enormous leaf stalks wither and fall off the tree, accumulating towards the trunk’s base and resembling a jumble of broken limb bones.

Abstract

The major subduction of the Indian plate and the related high magnitude earthquake (>9M) occurred in Sumatra region, triggered a major tsunami on 26, Dec 2004 which caused massive disasters in many coastal regions of South Asian countries including India, killing tens of thousands of life and causing property loss of several million rupees. Duly realizing the credentials of Geospatial / Geomatics technology and the expertise of NRDMS, an all India coordinated programme was conceived by NRDMS on tsunami disaster assessment and got it executed through six specialized institutions working on geomatics technology in the country. In the programme, the tsunami disaster in terms of natural, physical and human resources were assessed using geomatics technology and village wise digital databases were generated which will form a potential baseline information in coastal area.

Keywords: Indian Ocean Tsunami 2004, DST Initiatives, Disaster Assessment, Mitigation.

Introduction

A downer cow is an animal In sternal recumbency and isn’t showing obvious clinical sign of hypocalcemia,hypomagnesmia or any limb or spinal Injury. Most causes are related to parturition, occurring in few days before or upto a week after calving.

Causes for Making an Animal Downer

Animals Inability to stand may be caused by illness or injury. Following may be the reasons

Introduction

Spatial datasets always exhibit two common features (i) the occurrence of a few very large concentrations (hot-spots) and (ii) the presence of data below the detection limit (black spots). Extreme values can strongly affect the characterization of spatial patterns, and subsequently the prediction. Several approaches exist to handle strongly positively skewed histograms (Saito and Goovaerts 2000). One common approach is to first transform the data (e.g. normal, Box Cox or lognormal), perform the analysis in the transformed space, and back-transform the resulting estimates. Such transform, however, does not solve problems created by the presence of numerous black spot data, since either it yields a spike of similar transformed values or, in the case of the normal-score transform, it requires a necessarily subjective ordering of all equally-valued observations. Moreover, except for the normal score transform (Deutsch and Journel 1998), it does not guarantee the normality of the transformed histogram, which is required to compute confidence intervals for the estimates. Last, the back-transform of estimated moments is not straightforward and can introduce bias if not done properly (Saito and Goovaerts 2000); for example, lognormal kriging estimates cannot simply be exponentiated. Another way to attenuate the impact of extreme values is to use more robust statistics and estimators. The non-parametric approach of indicator kriging (IK) falls within that category (Journel 1983, Goovaerts 2001). The basic idea is to discretize the range of variation of the environmental attribute by a set of thresholds (e.g. deciles of sample histogram, detection limit, regulatory threshold) and to transform each observation into a vector of indicators of non-exceedence of each threshold. Kriging is then applied to the set of indicators and estimated values are assembled to form a conditional cumulative distribution function (ccdf). The mean or median of the probability distribution can be used as an estimate of the concentration of the material in question (Barabas et al. 2001, Cattle et al. 2002, Goovaerts et al. 2005).

Technology adoption is mounting every day in the field of agriculture. The greatest need of the day is to effectively communicate the information related to farm technologies to the millions of farmers to educate and to adopt them in order to modernise their agriculture. Inspite of our best efforts, only 25 to 30 per cent of the modern agricultural technologies have reached farmers. This modern technology however has been restricted to favourable farming situation only.

Indicators of agricultural sustainability are a composite set of attributes or measures that embody a particular aspect of agriculture. These are quantified information, which help to explain how things are changing over time. Smyth and Dumanski (1993) define indicators as environmental attributes that measure or reflect environmental status or condition of change.

Indicators are the natural or synthetic chemical compounds that are used to detect the equivalence point in a volumetric analysis where unknown compound in a solution form is quantitatively estimated with the help of a known standard solution. The equivalence point, also known as the stoichiometric end point, is the point or stage of a titration reaction where the equivalent amount of the reacting substances are mixed together, and this point is identified by monitoring the rate of change in pH, conductivity, flow of current, adsorption, fluorescence, changing of solution colour, occurrence or disappearance of turbidity, flocculation or deflocculation, etc.