eChapters

Jam:-Jam is a product made by boiling fruit pulp with sufficient sugar to a reasonably thick consistency. Jam is mainly prepared by apple, pear, sapota, apricot, peach, papaya, karonda etc. It can be prepared from one kind of fruits or from two or more kind of fruits. In general jam contain 0.5-0.6% acid and invert sugar should not be more than 40%.

Jamun fruit holds a dear place in Indian literature and religion. One such tale states that when Rama was exiled from Ayodhya, he lived on nothing but jamun for 14 years. Hindu mythology also likens Krishna’s blue skin to the color jamun. Its correlation with Krishna is one reason why the fruit is planted near temples honoring him, even today. Another text states how the Puranas split the cosmos into seven continents. The continent at the center and the one on which humans live was regarded as the island of jamun. At the center of the earth was a single jamun mother tree that produced fruits so large that, upon falling, gushed life-giving rivers for all to enjoy.

Introduction:Jamun (Syzygium cumini) belonging to the family Myrtaceae is a popular indigenous fruits Of India. It is also known as black plum, Indian black cherry, Ram jamun etc. in different parts of India. The tree is tall and handsome, evergreen, generally grown for shade and windbreak on roads and avenues. In India, the maximum number of jamun trees are found scattered throughout the tropical and subtropical regions. It also occurs in the lower range of the Himalayas up to an elevation of 1,300 meters and in the Kumaon hills up to 1,600 meters. It is widely grown in the larger parts of India from the IndoGangetic plains in the North to Tamil Nadu in the South.

Soil:The jamun tree can be grown on a wide range of soils. However, for high yield potential and good plant growth, deep loam and a welldrainedsoil are needed. Jamun can grow well under salinity and waterlogged conditions too.

Climate: Jamun prefers to grow under tropical and subtropical climate. It is also found growing in lower ranges of the Himalayas up to an altitude of 1300 meters. The jamun requires dry weather at the time off towering and fruit setting.

Varieties: The common variety grown under North Indian conditions is “Ram Jarnun”. It produces big sized, oblong fruits, deep purple or bluish-black in color at full ripe stage. The pulp of the ripe fruit is purple pink and the fruit is juicy and sweet. The stone is small in size. The variety ripens in the month of June- July and it is very common both in rural as well as in urban markets.

Bud-worm : Hendecasis duplifascialis : Pyraustidae

This pest is serious on J.sambac. The larvae are dark green with black head which bores into immature buds.  They make a hole on the buds, and feed inside, leaving behind faecal pellets entangled in few silk strands. Webbing is seen in severe infestation and pupation takes place in soil.

Jelly:-Jelly is a semi solid product prepared by boiling a solution of pectin containing fruit extract free from pulp after the addition of sugar and acid. A perfect jelly should be transparent, well set, should have original flavour of the fruits, attractive colour and it should be free from dullness. Jelly is mainly prepared by guava, sour apple, wood apple, loquat and papaya. Apricot, pineapple, strawberry etc of low pectin containing fruits can also utilize after addition of pectin powder because these fruits have low pectin contain.

Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis (Link) Schn.) is a non traditional crop in arid and semi-arid areas. The search for a replacement for sperm whale oil has led to the investigation of jojoba, as a potential crop plant, because its seeds contain a wax that is essentially identical to the whale oil. Development of jojoba as an economically viable crop requires improved methods of propagation and culture since it is a dioecious in nature. Jojoba is a new oil-producing industrial crop that has attracted much attention in recent years. Jojoba oil is unique in nature. No other plant is known to produce oil like jojoba. It is remarkable to note that, in spite of the variability in size or where grown, each jojoba seed contains an average of 50% pure oil by volume. Jojoba is native to the semiarid regions of southern Arizona, southern California and north western Mexico. Now Jojoba is being cultivated in many countries like Israel, Egypt, Arizona and Mexico. In Rajasthan (India) it provides a renewable source of unique high-quality oil. It is suitable oil yielding plant for hot arid region (Muthana,1981)  because of its adoptive nature to arid environment. Much of the interest in jojoba worldwide is the result of the plant’s ability to survive in a harsh desert environment. Jojoba can be grown as an oil-producing cash crop. Jojoba is a drought resistant plant and can be grown on marginal lands without replacing any existing crops. Moreover, for optimum production, the crop needs irrigation, management and a good cultivar.

A. Research journal

1. Haryana Journal of Horticultural Science (Quarterly)-Society of Haryana, Department of Vegetable Crops, CCS, HAU, Hisar (Haryana).
2. Hort. Science (Annualy)-American Society for Horticultural Sciences 600, Camerun Street, Alexandria, USA
3. Horticulture Research (Half yearly)-ScottishAcademic Press, 25, Perth Street, Edinburgh.
4. Indian Journal of Horticulture (Quarterly)-Horticulture Society of India, Division of Fruits and Horticultural Technology, IARI, Pusa, (New Delhi).
5. Journal of Applied Horticulture (Half yearly)-Managing Editor, Journal of Applied Horticulture, A-859, Indiranagar, Lucknow (UP).
6. Progressive Horticulture (Quarterly)- Hill Horticulture Development Board, Horticultural Experiment and Training Centre, Chaubattia, Ranikhet, (Uttarakhand).
7. Scientia Horticulture (Annualy)-Elsevier Science P.O. Box 945, New York,

Juvenility

Juvenility is referred to the phase of plant growth following germination from seed during which flowering does not occur and the bud meristem is not competent to respond to seasonal environmental inductive cues, and hence plant remains vegetative. The changes from juvenile to mature characteristics are well known as phase changes phenomenon. Plants are unable to initiate flowering after germination and have to undergo in a juvenile developmental phase. This transition period (phase) is a gradual and continuous process until the flowering takes place. The length of this phase varies considerably between different species. In annuals like Arabidopsis, the juvenile phase is typically very short, whereas in perennials like hybrid aspen, it is several years.

A plant is considered juvenile from the time it is at seedling stage until it is mature and capable of initiating flowering. Length of juvenile period in most of woody plants is still considered as a big problem. Indeed, it affects the plant breeding efficiency, plant propagation, and selection of new cultivars. In fact, juvenility is a complex phenomenon still not fully understood. Juvenility period extends from seed germination until the plant attains the ability to flower. Furthermore, all the stages namely seed germination, juvenile growth period and transition to the reproductive stage until fruitful inflorescence development are long and not always synchronous in the seedling population. It arrives at the age 30-40 years in Fagus sylvatica L., and at l0 years or even more in olives. Juvenile period is affected by both environmental and genetic factors. Attempts made in past to overcome juvenile period in most woody plants on the environmental level have shown very limited success.

Kair also known as Karil or Ker {Capparis decidua (Forsk) Edgew} is an economic desertic plant species, which grows well on sand dunes. The plant is adopted so well under hot arid ecosystem that during extreme of summer when it is difficult to survive by many other vegetation, it produces flowers and fruits. Ker is indigenous to India and growing wildly in arid and semi-arid regions of the country. In India, it is found growing naturally in arid and semiarid tracts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and southern part of Deccan Peninsula. Besides India, it is found in tropical Africa, Arabia, Sind, Baluchistan, Socotra, South Persia, Pakistan (Sind), Sudan and Egypt. The natural habitat of ker is pediments plains all over dry regions and its density ranges from 8-44 bushes ha-1 (Pareek, 1978). The population density of Capparis decidua on different land forms have been reported by Gupta et al., (1989) as the population varies from 9-70 bushes/ ha. They recorded highest population density on older alluvial plains (81 plant/ ha) and minimum on the periphery of runs (20 plants/ha).  In semi-arid of Pali region, 20-40 bushes /ha was noted in rangeland area (Singh,1993). In recent decade, the natural population of ker bushes has been declined due to increase in population pressure of man and animals and increase in cropping area due to canal irrigation in north-western Rajasthan.

Kair (Capparis decidua (Forsk.) Edgew, is an under-exploited, drought hardy, multipurpose, perennial, woody shrub or small tree found in hot arid regions of many regions of the world. It is a many branched, leafless and spinose plant capable of growing in different habitats. Due to its xerophytic adaptive nature, the plant grows successfully under harsh climatic conditions of arid regions. The immature fruits are used as fresh vegetables and also in the preparation of pickles. Dehydrated fruits are used in off season as vegetables either alone or in combination with other dried vegetables. Dehydrated kair is one of the important ingredients of ‘panchkuta’, a dehydrated mixture of sangri, kair, kachri, kumat and kamal kakri. However, mature unripe fruits without processing are unpalatable as these contain high concentration of glucosinolates. Ripe fruits are sweet and acrid and enjoyed by children in natives.

Kale is thought to have originated in the eastern Mediterranean and Asia Minor, where it was first cultivated for sustenance around 2000 BCE. In the 14th century BC, curly-leaved cabbage cultivars coexisted with flat-leaved forms in Greece.

Botany & taxonomy: Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) is a loose- leafed food plant that comes from the mustard family’s cabbage (Brassicaceae). Kale is a biennial plant that develops yellow four-petaled blooms in loose clusters in its second year, although being planted as an annual. In the winter, it is robust and flourishes, surviving temperatures as low as -15.0°C. After a strong frost, kale might become sweeter in flavour. Kale is a nutritional powerhouse because to its high levels of vitamins A, K, B6, and C, as well as calcium, potassium, copper, and manganese. Raw kale offers only 33 calories and 7 grammes of carbs per cup. As a result, it’s a diabetic and weight-loss-friendly vegetable.

Kamrakh or Carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.) known as ‘Star fruit’ is an important fruit of tropical and subtropical regions of the world. However, it is  a drought hardy plant and grow in dry land areas. Its fruit pulp is  sour-acidic in taste due to oxalic acid content.
 
Carambola are still in wild form or in homestead gardens and therefore, no improved and recognized varieties and /or systemic cultivation practices for this fruit has been developed so far. It is mainly grown as a fancy fruit in the garden and only limited plants are maintained. The plants prefers warm, moist climate but it can grow on any type of soil with good drainage system.

Kangkong also known as water spinach, water convolvulus and swamp cabbage is an important leaf vegetable in South East Asia including Taiwan and Malaysia. It is a semi aquatic herbaceous plant having trailing or floating habit; sometimes it is biennial or perennial. Normally the main shoot of this plant trails horizontally and lateral shoots bear leaves and flowers and trail like the main shoot. Stem is hollow and leaves are arranged alternate. The succulent foliage is light green and leaves are elliptic or ovate oblong and cordate at the base. Flowers are 2.5 to 5 cm long, white or pale purple with dark purple eye, solitary or in five flowered cyme. Fruit is a capsule, ovoid and smooth with 2 to 4 seeds. This crop is ideally suited to areas where water stagnation is a problem and is found trailing on moist soil or mud along margins of stagnant ponds, streams, marshes and wet rice fields. It is sometimes found floating on water surface. At every node, it produces a number of adventitious roots.

Karonda (Carissa carandas L.) is found growing throughout India, mainly in the semi-arid  and arid regions. It is widely cultivated in the home gardens, farmer’s fields and orchards as hedge plant. Karonda is commonly used as a condiment or additive to Indian pickles and spices. Karonda is one of the few fruits indigenous to India while 30 species of genus Carissa have been reported; many species are found growing wildly in India while other species came from Malaysia and South Africa (Hayes, 1957). It is cultivated throughout India in tropical and sub-tropical areas for fruits (Rai and Gupta, 1996). In India Carissa are found growing most widely in plains and  Siwalik hills and grow wild in Deccan Peninsula, Maharashtra along the western ghats, parts of Gujarat, Punjab, lower ranges of J & K, U.P., Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh M.P. and Aravalli hills, Mount Abu (Rajasthan). It also cultivated in other countries like Bangladesh, South Africa, U.S.A., Denmark, Ghana, Israel, Nepal and Pakistan.  It is also grows in the Sri Lanka lowland rain forests. It can be grown in any type of soil however; it is most suitable for planting in marginal lands (Sharma and Badiyala, 2002). It is a very hardy, drought-tolerant plant that thrives well in a wide range of soils. However, it is susceptible to very low temperature/frost under hot arid conditions (Singh et al., 2012).

Karonda is an indigenous, under utilized fruit of India. It is a hardy multipurpose horticultural bush flourishing well without much care in arid and semi-arid areas. At present ,emphasis is being laid on protection and  production value of karonda plant. It is grown as hedge for beautification which  serves as one of the best bio-fencing materials because of  thorny  nature. It is also grown as an ornamental plant due to its beautiful cherry like fruits. Karonda plants are useful in many ways as detailed  below:
 
Fruit: Karonda fruit is a rich source of iron and contains a fair amount of vitamin C, and therefore very useful for curing of anaemia and has antiscorbutic properties. Enthomedically,  fruits are used as an astringent, antisorbutic and as a remedy for biliousness. Mature fruit contains high amount of pectin  and therefore, besides being used for making pickles and chutney, it can be exploited  for making jelly. Raw fruit can be used for making chatney.

Leaf: Karonda leaves are palatable and contain a fair amount of nutrient which are browsed by sheep, goats and camels in arid and semi arid areas.If fruits fall on ground, enrich soil by adding organic carbon and other mineral nutrients. It reduces evaporation  from  soil underneath due to dense foliage. Leaves  are used for feeding silk worm.  Leaf decoction is used against intermittent fever, diarrhoea, oral inflammation and ear ache.

1. Introduction

Karonda is widespread throughout India, primarily in arid and semi-arid regions. As a hedge plant, the Karonda tree is frequently grown in residential gardens, farmer’s fields, and orchards. Karonda is widely used as a condiment or ingredient to Indian pickle and spices. It is a commonly growing indigenous shrub in India that may thrive in marginal and wasteland areas where other commercially important crops are unsuited. Karonda fruits are used in processed goods like as jam, jelly, squash, syrup, and chutney, and they are in high demand on the international market. Karonda is a rich source of nutrition and have highest Iron. The karonda fruits also contain vitamin C and it has antiscorbutic properties and helps to cure anaemia (Table 1). The fruits of Karonda are also used in many ayurvedic formulations. Root extract is used to reduce Chest pain.

Khejri (Prosopis cineraria), also known as shami (Sanskrit), janti and jand (Delhi, Haryana, Punjab), sumi (Gujarat), banni (Karnataka), kandi (Sindh) is a leguminous tree species of arid and semi-arid regions. It not only tolerates the extreme edapho-climatic conditions of these regions but also bears flowers and fruits and that too during the driest period from February to May (Pareek, 2002). Khejri is a tree having multipurpose uses, viz. nutritious rich pods and fodder and valuable fuel, besides its favourable effects on ecology and soil fertility(Arya et al.,1991). It is an important perennial component compatible to almost any companion crop in various agri-horti-forestry systems of production in the hot arid ecosystem (Harsh and Tewari, 1998). The crops such as bajra, guar, moth, mung, cowpea and ground nut during kharif and wheat, mustard, gram, etc. during rabi season are grown between the natural plantations of khejri trees without adverse effect on growth of crops. Almost all the vegetable crops grow better between the widespread natural this leguminous tree. Also the fruits such as ber, aonla, bael, kinnow, lime, etc. have been observed to perform better in association of khejri trees. Excellent growth and development of desert plant species of commercial significance such as jharber, ker, lasora, pilu, rohida, kumat, phog, kheep and grasses like sewan, dhaman, etc. has been observed in association with khejri trees (Mann and Saxena,1980; Samadia,2007, Samadia et al., 2009).

Khirni (Manilkara hexandra) also known as rayan, is an important multipurpose tree of dry parts of country. It is commercially used as a rootstock for vegetative propagation of sapota in different parts of the country (Singh and Singh, 2012).  Seedlings are found in natural state in the field as well forest areas. Its fruit are nutritious, edible and available during summer season at high price because of its low production. At present, the potential of this fruit crop is unexploited.  There is no improved cultivar for orchard plantation.  It can be planted as wind break on boundary of farm/orchards because of its dense foliage. It is a underexploited fruit tree semi arid to sub tropical regions. Malik et al. (2012) reported that Khirni is a socio- economically important fruit species for tribal peoples.

Kitchen garden

Growing of vegetable crops in the backyard of residential houses to meet the requirements of the family all the year round. It is most ancient type of vegetable farming. Such type of gardening is practiced in cities where land is the limiting factor. Vegetables can also be grown on the roof of buildings if land is not available.

Aim of kitchen garden

The main aim is a kitchen garden in the maximum output and a continuous supply of vegetables for the table throughout the year.

Lablab purpureus usually knowna s Dolichus bean, Hyacinth bean or Field bean belonging to the family fabaceae, one of the most ancient crops among cultivated plants. It is a bushy, semi-erect, perennial herb, showing no tendency to climb. It is mainly cultivated either as a pure crop or mixed with finger millet, groundnut, castor, corn, bajra or sorghum in Asia and Africa. It is a multipurpose crop grown for pulse, vegetable and forage. The crop is grown for its green pods, while dry seeds are used in various vegetable food preparations.

Season:Seed is very sensitive to weather. A grain crop can be sold for a lower price even if it damaged by rain. But a seed crop, if affected will lead to low seed quality. Hence selecting the right season is necessary. Generally, the seed should mature in cool dry climate. Seasons should be selected with this idea in mind. In Tamil Nadu the best seed crops are grown during March--April and September - October as the seeds mature during the cool months of January - February.