eChapters

Abstract

Traditional knowledge on plants and their uses by tribal indigenous culture is helpful in the conservation of biodiversity. During 2017-2018, ethnobotanical investigations of the plants growing in Neelum Valley in District Bandipora (a part of Kashmir Himalaya) were carried out to collect information regarding different usages of the plants species growing in the region through questionnaire and interviews. Floristically, a total of 57 species belonging to 54 genera and 38 families were investigated to be used as medicine, food, fodder, timber, fuel wood, vegetable/edible fruit, resin yield and herbal tea purposes. On the basis of the floristic analysis of the study area, the leading family recorded was Asteraceae with (11%) species co-dominated by Rosaceae (9%). In terms of habit forms, herbaceous (70%) growth form is the most dominant. The most frequently used plant parts are leaves (26%) followed by whole plant (23%) and roots (19%). The plant documented cured different categories of diseases, the most common diseases such as diarrhea, fever, digestive problems, urinary troubles, rheumatism, eye diseases, skin diseases and wounds. Based on investigated knowledge, the data are discussed under sub-head as single, double and multi-diseases curing plants. The present study can provide a baseline data for future researchers, policy makers, common public, land managers, and the other stakeholders to develop scientifically-informed strategies for conservation of natural resources and sustainable use of plant resources in hotspot regions like Himalayas and other similar biodiversity rich sites.

Abstract

Family Apiaceae (or Umbelliferae) is one of the largest plant group represented by 418 genera and 3257 species (TPL 2013). The plants members are mostly aromatic, used by local populace as traditional medicines as well as spice and condiments in their routine food preparations. They have characteristic aroma due to the presence of some essential oils or oleoresin. Members of this family possess large number of compounds having antibacterial, hepato-protective, vaso-relaxant, inducing apoptosis and antitumor activities. Although the family is distributed globally but Indian subcontinent is a major center of its diversification, where more than 200 species are distributed specifically in the Himalayan eco-terrains. Jammu province (Jammu and Kashmir, India) in North Western Himalaya having unique climatic conditions supports a large variety of medicinal and aromatic plants, and amongst these Apiaceae are well known. Local people uses these plants as vegetables, for culinary purposes and valued as traditional medicine like Bunium persicum (black cumin), Carum carvi (caraway), Coriandrum sativum (coriander), Cuminum cyminum (cumin), Foeniculum vulgare (fennel), Narthex asafoetida (Heeng), Trachyspermum ammi (ajwain) and Centella asiatica (Brahmi). People in Jammu province have their unique traditional way of using plants, knowledge of which is being transferred from generation to generation through oral dialect. As the data on the numbers of Apiaceae is scattered in the literature and difficult to be procured by the researchers. Therefore the current attempt is made so that the data along with some quantitative statistics can be provided at one platform only.

Abstract

In developing countries, about 80 percent of the world population depends on traditional medicines for their primary healthcare as estimated by World Health Organization. In a recent floristic survey undertaken in Chithara Village Panchayat recorded a very rich diversity of wild medicinal plants. Based on extensive literature search, of the total 272 plants, 96% species were known to have marginal to outstanding medicinal properties and uses. Among the plants, ten species namely, Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst., Cannabis sativa L., Cissampelos pareira L., Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt, Eclipta prostrata (L.) L., Euphorbia hirta L., Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit., Justicia adhatoda L., Solanum americanum Mill. and Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal were found to be very important as they possess medicinal properties for curing a large number of diseases in traditional system of medicines in India and other parts of the world. The whole plants including root, stem and leaves are utilized traditionally for curing various ailments such as abdominal pain, cold, cough, diarrhoea, dysentery, inflammation, fever, rheumatism, sexual disorders, skin diseases, respiratory diseases etc. These plants are also reported to contain numerous important phytochemicals such as alkanes, amino acids, flavonoids, organic acids, polyphenolic compounds, polyphenols, steroids, tannins, terpenes etc. which qualifies their various medicinal properties. Plants are reported to yield potent drug such as vasicine and vasicinone (by A. vasica), bacosoids (B. monnieri) and withanolides (W. somnifera). The paper provides the details of traditional medicinal usages and chemical constituents of ten high value medicinal plants recorded from the study area.

Abstract

Plants are an integral component of life in many ethnic communities. Plant-based medicaments have been used since time immemorial as curative and protective agents for prolonging life of humans and animals by combating a plethora of ailments. One such ailment affecting women of reproductive age-group is leucorrhea. The study aimed at systematically documenting the precious traditional knowledge regarding the plants traditionally used for curing leucorrhea in Jammu and Kashmir. A total of 55 infomants (39 females and 16 males) between the age group 25-94 years were selected and interviewed for extracting ethnomedicinal information and 29 plant species belonging to 28 genera and 23 families were observed to be of ethnomedicinal significance in the treatment of leucorrhea in Jammu and Kashmir. Fabaceae was observed to be the frequently encountered family. Bulk of the taxa were observed to grow in wild habitat and majority of them were herbs. Seeds were observed to be of highest therapeutic significance and ethnomedicinal formulations were prepared in the form of powder, decoction, paste, etc and all of these were administered orally. The present study may serve as a base line data for further research and will go a long way in the treatment of leucorrhea thereby promoting well being of women folk. Advanced investigations are required to validate the time-tested information associated with medicinal flora to determine the identity of phytochemicals linked with leucorrhea, so that compounds of pharmacological application having prospective relevance in the alleviation of human maladies may be discovered.

Abstract

Lichenized fungi or lichens represent the most successful symbiotic organisms on earth. They are the inconspicuous group of lower plants having numerous properties. Their different growth forms namely crustose, foliose and fruticose have been put to use in one way or the other. Since ancient times, they were used as food, fodder, dye and in perfumery. Lichens are a rich source of several important secondary metabolites because of which they are widely used as a source of medicine against several diseases and to improve the health of humans as well as animals. Most of the information related to the usage of lichens is gathered from the traditional knowledge holders. Therefore, there is a need to explore and document this traditional knowledge associated with lichens. The present paper thus makes an attempt to present and document the valued information on the ethnobiological uses of lichens from the Northwestern parts of the Himalayas, if not, the undocumented information will be lost for all the future generations. Ethnobiology of 39 species of lichens belonging to 08 families is being presented in this communication.

Abstract

Wild plants of medicinal value are the embodiment of knowledge perception gift from our ancestors and these plays a significant role in curing various human health disorders. This gifted knowledge of economic plants used by the local people usually has long narrations for use in their daily activities. Considering the value of indigenous knowledge associated with plants, a study was undertaken on herbaceous communities in Atraulia area (Burhanpur tehsil), district Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh. During the investigation, a total of 71 informants (22 females and 49 males) were interviewed and data regarding ethnobotanical information on wild plant species were documented and analysed. The results indicated a total of 169 species belonging to 41 families used in indigenous herbal preparation as medicine from Atraulia area by local tribal people. The dominant growth forms were the annual herbs represented by 91 species, followed by 46 species of perennial nature and 32 species of biennial growth. Therefore, we can conclude that this region is rich in herbaceous plants and plant used as medicine is wide spread in the study area. This communication deals with demography of the informants, botanical name of herbaceous plants, family, part used, disease cure, use report, frequency of use and recommendation for conservation of unique valueable resources.

Abstract

Asteraceae is one of the largest family of flowering plants and have been used by mankind for a variety of purposes including food, medicine, cooking oils, sweeteners and tea infusions. In India, Asteraceae is 4^th largest family of angiosperms and ranked third among dominant families of angiosperms in Arunachal Pradesh. The indigenous communities of Arunachal Pradesh possess a rich knowledge on utilization of the plant resources around them for food, fodder, medicine and other purposes. Due to the remoteness and inaccessibility, the indigenous communities are mostly depended on their traditional medicines using plant resources around them for treating minor and major ailments. The effectiveness of these plants in traditional medicine has also been confirmed after isolation and characterization of the bioactive compounds responsible for their pharmacological activities. The present study is a review on ethnomedicinal plants belonging to Asteraceae family that are being used by different tribes of the state. The tribal communities have been using 36 medicinal plant species from this family as recorded from published literature and field study. Maximum number of species have been found to exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant, antihelminthic, analgesic and anti-malarial properties. Among the recorded species, Ageratum conyzoides, Spilanthes acmella, Artemisia nilagirica, A. maritima, Blumea balsamifera, B. lacera, Eclipta prostrata, Vernonia cinerea and Chrysanthemum indicum were already being used in Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy, Folk and Sowa-Rigpa systems of Indian Medicine. Therefore, the study highlighted the pharmacological potential of ethnomedicinal plantsfrom Asteraceae family which would provide opportunities for future drugdiscovery.

Abstract

Ethnobotany is the area of study which include direct interaction of human and plants. This communication compiles and evaluates 301 ethnobotanically important medicinal plants used by ethnic tribes for the treatment of different ailments living in Uttarakhand Himalaya. The state is a home of five major tribes, viz., Bhoxa, Bhotiya, Tharu, Raji, and Jaunsari. These tribal people have age-old relations with plants, and their indigenous knowledge passed from one generation to another. In this communication, a total of 90 plant families were reviewed and recorded that Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Rosaceae, Fabaceae, Amaranthaceae Apiaceae, Combretaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Anacardiaceae and Malvaceae members are frequently used as medicinal plants. Total 68 roots of different species, followed by leaves of 55 species, whole plants of 29 species, fruits of 26 species and 28 types of seeds of different plants families used by locals for the treatment of various diseases such as fever, cold, cough, diabetes, skin problems, digestive problems and other associated ailments. The mode of application of herbal formulations varies from tribe to tribe. Herbaceous communities belonging to 160 species were the frequently used plant groups followed by trees, shrubs, and lianas. The decoction was recorded as the most frequently used method of preparation. Medicinal plants sold in the market was not primary for local people rather herbal plants locally available used as food, spice and beverages preparations. Therefore, there is a need for proper documentation and conservation planting of these unique medicinal plants growing in the Himalayas.

Abstract

The paper deals with taxonomy, ethnobotany and threat status of lesser known liana species Hodgsonia heteroclita (Roxb.) Hook.f. & Thomson. The local people use in terms of foods and rites and its role in ecosystem have been reported. Local people used the seeds of liana as food because of high nutritive value. Threat assessment has been following IUCN version 3.1 to evaluate the threat status of the species in Sikkim Himalaya. Out of the five criteria, data on two criteria could be collected and was used to evaluate the threat category of the species. The criteria used for threat assessment were (a) reduction in population and (b) geographical range in the form of either B1 (extent of occurrence) or B2 (area of occupancy) or both. Considering the population status and geographical range of the species, it has been classified as “Least Concern” (A1acd; B2ab(ii,iv)).

Abstract

The Khasi tribe of Meghalaya depends on wild medicinal plants for curing a number of ailments since ages. The traditional knowledge systems which evolved through trial and error method are an integral part of their culture. The objectives of the present study were to highlight the medicinal plants used by the Khasi tribe to treat various diseases, provide scientific validation of the medicinal plants by pharmacological screening using secondary literature and suggest strategies for its sustainable management. A total of 363 plants distributed in 283 genera and 129 families were documented. The life forms of these plants were in the order of herb > tree > shrub > climber > parasite > epiphyte. The herbal remedies for treating various ailments are prepared by using the whole plant either individually or in combination with other plant parts. Cross validation with the help of secondary literature showed the presence of active compounds in these plants. Therefore, it is suggested that traditional knowledge should be properly documented and scientifically explored with more emphasis on species specific phytochemicals and their mode of action.

Abstract

Since pre-historic times plants have tendered their services to mankind in the form of food, shelter and medicine. Due to the advancement of human civilization, various folklore systems of medicines were developed across the globe. Among the various folklore system of medicine, Sowa-Rigpa” is one of the oldest well recognised and widely accepted system of folk-lore medicine in the world. It is one of the commonly used of system of medicine in different parts of Tibet, Bhutan, China, former Soviet Union (some parts), Himalayan ranges, Magnolia and, Nepal. The exact origin of Sowa-Rigpa system of medicine is still not known. In the present scenario due to the awareness among the people about the determental effects of the modern chemical drugs, people preferred to use herbal based system of medicine to treat diseases. So, it is needed to understand the floristic wealth of tradional system of medicine to identify the important plants with potential source of drug candidate molecules. In the present chapter an attempt has been made to study the folklore plants used in Tibetan Mountain based Sowa-Rigpa system of medicine and food. Total 332 plant species presented as the most important in Sowa-Rigpa system of medium.

INTRODUCTION

Potato plays a vital rolein foodsecurityworldwide. It is the third most important food crop, afterrice and wheat. It is a nutrient-rich crop which provides more calories,vitamins and nutrients per unit area than any otherstaple crops. FAO declared potato as the crop to address future global food security and poverty alleviation during2008. In Indian agriculture, potatoplays a very important role as it alone contributes about 21 percent of the total vegetable area and 26 percent of total vegetable production of India (DAC&FW, 2017a). As per FAOSTAT data for the year 2017,India with48.6 million t is ranked second in potato productionin the world, onlybehind Chinawith 99.2 million t (Figure 1).

INTRODUCTION

Potato production in India has shown a steady increase in the past, presently making the country second largest potato producer in the world. As per the latest available data, during 2018-19, approximately 52.5 million metric tons of potatoes have been produced (NHB, 2019). Increase in production, often resulting in gluts at harvest, has led to several post-harvest problems like storage and proper utilization of the produce. About 90% of the potato crop in the countryis harvested during January-February in the Indo-Gangetic plains comprising the states of Punjab, Haryana, UP, Bihar, West Bengal, MP and Gujarat where the harvest is followed by rising temperatures of hot and dry summer, and further by warm and humid rainy season. Since potato tubers contain about 80% water, under such circumstances, a semi-perishable commodity like potato, cannot be stored for more than 3-4 months without refrigeration because of very high losses due to shrinkage, sprouting and attack by microorganisms.

Therefore, potatoes are mostly stored in refrigerated cold stores maintained between 2-4^oC and 90-95% relative humidity (RH). Low temperature storage has advantages of natural control of sprout growth, low evaporative losses and minimum risk of diseases and pests. These conditions are ideal for storage of seed potato but these cause cold-induced sweetening leading to excessive accumulation of sugars in most of the potato cultivars making them unfit for processing due to browning in chips. Also, such tubers are less preferred for consumption because of sweet taste. Hence, potatoes meant for processing are either stored under non-refrigerated conditions for short term or stored at 10-12^oC with the use of some sprout suppressant like CIPC (isopropyl N-(3chlorophenyl) carbamate) to minimize the accumulation of reducing sugars. The chips produced from such tubers are light in colour.

Potato processing on the other hand is essential to sustain the increasing potato production in the country and to provide proper remuneration to the cultivators. Potatoes can be processed into a variety of products. Potato chips, French fries and dehydrated chips are the most popular processed potato products in the organized and unorganized sectors. The present chapter deals with postharvest management of potatoes in terms of dormancy and sprouting issues and storage technologies for seed, table and processing potatoes. Besides, areas suitable for growing processing potatoes in the country, potato processing scenario in the organized and unorganized sectors are also discussed.

INTRODUCTION

India is the second largest producer of potato in the world contributing about 12.52%of production from 11.29 % area under potato with an average yield of 22.31 t/ha. Potato is grown in almost allthe states in India under diverse agroclimatic conditions. About 90% of the total potato area is located in the subtropical plains, 6% in the hills and 4% in the plateau region of the peninsular India. Indo-Gangetic plains account for about 76% of the potato area and about 87% of the potato production in the country. Availabilityof assured qualityseed is the most important production constraint in all the potato growing regions of the country.

Seed is the basic vital input in agriculture and its timely availability in adequate quantity as per demand decides the strength growth of agricultural economy in the country. Seed has played a very important role in India’s green revolution and shallcontinue to be the importantcomponent in the days to come. There is a saying “as you sow, so shall you reap”, which traditionally relates to the quality of seed determining the production, has been the wisdom of our forefathers. The traditional farmers’ practices are to save their own seeds generally selected from healthy plants from fields which are freefrom diseases pests, harvest them separately, clean, cure and then store in containers and inspect regularly for any kind of damage; or they get quality seed from other seed producing farmers onbarter basis, indicating thereby the importance of seed in their production system.

INTRODUCTION

Insect pests cause variable and complex problems for potato farmers. Insect pests account for 16% of the crop losses of potato worldwide, and reductions in tuber yield and quality can be between 30% and 70% for various insect pests. India has a greatdiversity of insect pests that attack potato. Thesepests can damage potato plants by feeding on leaves, reducing the photosynthetic area and efficiencybyattacking stems, weakeningplants and inhibitingnutrient transport, and by attacking the potato tubers destined for consumption orfor use as seed. In India, approximately 60 billion rupees (US$1.2 billion)worth of potato tubersare lost annually due to pest damage, which accountsfor 10–20% of total production (Chandel et al., 2013). The potato pests are grouped into soil pests, foliage feeders, sap feeders, and storage pests. Inseed production, aphids and whiteflies are of greatest concern. In ware production, the key pests may be insects which attack tubers, such as tubermoth, whitegrubs, and cutworms. In some situations, foliage feeders suchas noctuid moths and coccinellidbeetles are also important.The Potato cyst nematode (PCN) (Globodera spp.) and root knot nematodes (RKN) (Meloidogyne spp.) are amongst the most economicallyimportant nematode pests of potato. Cyst nematodeshave amazing adaptation for long term survival in the soil, even in the absence of a suitable host whichmakesthemchallenging to the farmers, scientists and policy makers. They are subjected to stringent quarantine and/or regulatory procedures, wherever they occur and presents a serious threat to domestic and international commerce in potatoes. RKNs are prevalent all over the world and can cause significantcrop loss in both warmand cool climatic conditions, depending on their species. In this chapter, the current information on biology, ecology and management of the major potato pests is discussed in the Indiancontext.

INTRODUCTION

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is afflicted by many kinds of viruses and their various strains belonging to different taxonomic groups (Table 1) throughout the world resultingin declinein yieldand tuber quality. Exact estimation of yield and economic losses caused by potato viruses depends on a number of factors mainly strain of the virus, variety, seasonand growingconditions etc. Generally crop losses ranges between 5 to15 per cent if all plants are secondarily infected with PVX and PVS; 15-30 per cent for 100 per cent secondary infection of PVYnand 40-70 per cent due to PLRV. Besides, in Europe and North America Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) is wellknown to reduce yieldssignificantly (16-64 per cent) dependingon the viroid strain/potato varietyand warmweather (Singh, 1988). Thesevere strains of Potato virus Y (PVY)and Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) have the potential to reduce yield up to 80 per cent, while mild viruses like Potato virus X (PVX), Potato virus S (PVS)and Potato virus M (PVM) can cause up to 30 per cent yield loss in infected plants. Atospovirus Groundnut bud necrosis virus (GBNV) causing severe stem/leaf necrosis disease in plains/plateaux of central/western India heavily infects the early crop of potato. Similarly, a whitefly transmitted begomovirus Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus-potato (ToLCNDV) known to cause apical leafcurl disease in India, has become a serious problem in North Indian plains.

The viruses can be mechanically transmitted with plant sap, by contact and with seeds. Infectedtubers, whitefly and aphid vectors are importantfactors for the transmission of the virusesin nature. Potatoviruses are transmitted by aphids in two ways. The viruses are either non-persistent (stylet-borne) or persistent and circulative (they are ingested and persist in the aphid throughout its life cycle). The most common persistent and circulative virus affecting potatoes in India is PLRV. Common non-persistent or stylet-borne viruses are PVY, PVA, PVS and PVM. Control of circulative viruses by insecticides is highly effective, which is not the ease with stylet borneviruses. Sustainable potato production is possible only if the virus incidenceis kept under check especially in sub tropics where the weather is highlyconducive both for vectors and the common viruses. In thischapterthe major viruses and viroidof potato including symptomatology, diagnostics and their management have been discussed.

INTRODUCTION

Potatois theworld’s most importantnon-grain foodcommoditythatranks fourth as main food crop in the world after rice,wheat and maize. The crop is grown inmorethan 100 countries, mainly in Asia (195.67 million tons)and Europe (121.76 million tons)(yieldin 2017 as per FAOSTAT, 2019). Because of its efficiency in producing high dry matter, energyand edibleprotein per unit area per unit time, it holds promise for food security in the scenario of ever growing world population. The full potential of this crop however, can onlybe realized if diseases and pests are kept under control, especially in asubtropical country like India, wherethe weather is highly conducive for a number of pathogens.

A number of soiland tuber borne diseases are known to affectthe potato crop causing heavy yield losses. These diseases not only reduce quality and market value of the producebut also spread to new un-infested fields through infected seed potato tubers. Diseasessuch as black scurf, common scab and powdery scab disfigure potato tubers and reduce their market value whereas dry rot, charcoal rot and softrot spoilthe harvested produce during transitand storage. Potatowart is a serious disease which once established is difficult to eradicate and thus require quarantine measures. Bacterial wilt or brown rot of potato is another serious disease which is likely to threaten potato cultivation with the rise in globaltemperature and requires immediate attention.

Potato is becoming a more and more important foodstuff in the world and therefore, its cultivation is expanding fast especially in developing countries. This intensivecultivation, in fact, has led to the emergence of diseases in certain areas where they were of less importance in the past. For instance common scab, known to be a minor disease about2-3 decades ago, is now emerging as serious problem in many potato growing areasof the country including Indo Gangetic plains. Similarly brown rot/bacterial wilt which was endemic in mid hills and plateau region, has now become a limiting factor for potato cultivation in many areasin Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, north eastern region and in Kumoan hills of Uttrakhand. Sclerotium wilt on the other hand has shown upward trend in plateau region especially in Karnataka. This is because the dynamics of pathogens keeps on changing over time and space and also with the changing farming practicesof a region. Many such new diseases are likely to emerge in a big way in future also, hence warrants regular and careful monitoring. In the following pages, the majorsoiland tuberbornediseases are discussed with special reference to India.

INTRODUCTION

Potato is an important horticultural food crop which has the potential to meet food demand of the fast growing human population across the world, including India. This is going to be the future food crop for the millions especially in the third world countries. However, this crop is highly prone to wide range of diseases and pests that are considered to be the main bottle neck in potato production across the globe. Amongst the biotic stresses, late blight caused by oomycete Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary has historically been an important disease of potatoes and tomatoes worldwide. In the mid 1800, late blight caused widespread crop failures throughout Northern Europe including Ireland where it was responsible for the Irish famine. Since then, it has spread far and wide and now occurs wherever potatoes are grown. Losses due to P. infestans have been estimated to € 12 billion per annum of which the losses in developing countries have been estimated around € 10 billion per annum (Haverkort et al., 2009). In India, average annual losses to the tune of 15% have been estimated which amounts to 7.95 million tons of potatoes (Current production is 53 MT). Disease appears every year in epiphytotic form in hilly regions whereas in the plains, although it usually appears every year but its intensity is low (traces to 25%). It is only in few years that it assumes epiphytotic form leading to crop losses to the tune of 40%. Recently, late blight has become a serious problem in kharif grown potatoes and tomatoes in Karnataka state (Sharma et al., 2015). Phytophthora infestans is considered as re-emerging pathogen due to regular emergence of its novel strains with increased virulence and its appearance in new locations with surprising intensity. Management of this devastating pathogen is challenged by its remarkable speed of adaptation to control strategies such as genetically resistant cultivars.

INTRODUCTION

Potato ranks third among the major food crops after wheat and rice in the world. It is most important and versatile food of the world. India is second largest potato producer next to china.Potatois bulky and watery in nature and requires lot of energy for production and processing. It is a shortduration crop of 90-120 days, having highest yield per ay per unit area as compared to other major crops. Being a relatively short duration crop in the plains of India, its mechanization assumes a special importance in order to accomplish various farmoperations inverylimited time foritshigherproduction.Manualproduction of potato is time consuming and tedius job, it requires about 1600-2000 man-hours per hectare. With the rising cost of production and depleting energy reserves, increase in crop productivity with minimum input of energy and cost one of the paramount concerns (Garg and Singh 2002). Sustenance of agriculturalproductivitygoes handin handwith mechanization of differentfarm operations, which aims at achieving timeliness of operations, efficientuseof inputs safety and comfort of farmers, reduction in cost of produce and drudgery of farmers (Verma et. al, 1992).With the emergence of new crop rotations and enhanced cropping intensity, many farmers experience scarcity of time and labour. Mechanization plays an important role in timely completing farm operations involved in potato production. It implies a resource management strategy to increase productivity and economic returns. Efforts have been made at various levels to mechanise both production and processing. Various mechanical tools, implements and machinery have been developed for land development, fertilizer application, planting, weeding, harvesting, preparation for storage and on-farm processing of potato (Singh and Gulati 2014).

INTRODUCTION

Information is power in the present age of rapid technological innovations; since information technology (IT) empowers people. IT emerged as the major driver of growth in all walks of life during last quarter of 20^th century and is currently in a steady growth trajectory. It encompasses almost all human endeavors including agriculture. IT can facilitate agriculture in two broad ways; (i) as a tool for direct contribution to agricultural productivity and (ii) as an indirect tool for empowering farmers to take informed and quality decisions which will have positive impact on the way agriculture and allied activities are conducted. Precision farming extensively uses IT to make direct contribution to agricultural productivity. The indirect benefits of IT in empowering Indian farmer are significant and remains to be exploited. The emerging scenario of a deregulated agriculture under WTO has brought about a greater ‘need’ and urgency to make IT an integral part of decision making by agriculture sector. The changing environment faced by Indian farmers makes information not merely useful, but necessary to remain competitive. The farmer urgently requires timely and reliable sources of information inputs for taking decisions. At present, the farmer depends on trickling down of decision inputs from conventional sources, which are slow and unreliable. Besides, the personnel who work for the welfare of Indian farmers, such as extension workers, do not have access to latest information, which hinders their ability to serve the farming community effectively. IT will constitute the primary resource in agri-clinics, agri-business centers, kisan call centers, agri-nukkads, etc. that have been launched by Government of India and other organizations to ensure inclusive growth. Potato is an input-intensive crop and IT will have a special role in making its cultivation more productive and profitable.