eChapters

Introduction

For optimum use of harvested rain water in surface reservoir like farm ponds or tankas, small sized solar PV pumping systems with 1 hp AC and DC motor were experimentally tested at research farms of ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur (Fig. 16.1). Total suction head in both pumps was about 5 m. Among two installed pumps, the system with AC pump consisted of 1400 Wp (200 Wp × 7) whereas the DC pump consisted of PV array of 920 Wp (230Wp × 4). Each PV panel of AC solar pump was connected in series, which was further connected with an inverter to generate AC output of about 220-240 volt and 4-4.2 ampere. In case of DC solar pump, panels are connected in parallel to generate DC output of 40-50 volt and 15-20 ampere.

Introduction

Cultivation of crops in greenhouse or protected structure has been increased tremendously in recent times and also has been spread from temperate regions to the warmer regions of tropics and subtropics. Plentiful technologies have been developed for heating the inside environment of greenhouse for optimum plant growth (Sethi et al. 2013). However, in hot arid areas, cultivation in greenhouse is very difficult as the temperature reaches to a very high level to sustain plant growth (Pek and Hayles 2004, Saran et al. 2010). Under such situation requirement for cooling the greenhouse microclimate environment is the necessity, but is very energy and water intensive. Hence, in such regions, reduction of air temperature inside the greenhouse or the regulation of temperature closer to the ambient temperature during summer is necessary for successful crop production. A typical diurnal variation of temperature and global solar radiation during late winter months inside a shade net structure has been plotted in Fig. 18.1. It has been found that global solar radiation has been decreased to almost 1/3 of the radiation received outside by using 75% shade net cover. The temperature inside structure during morning time has also been found higher than outside temperature and in summer such increase is expected to be much higher.

Therefore, cooling is considered as the basic necessity for greenhouse crop production in tropical and subtropical regions to overcome the problems of high temperatures during summer months. Development of suitable cooling system that provides congenial microclimate for crop growth is a difficult task as the design is closely related to the local environmental conditions. Different cooling techniques for greenhouse crop cultivation may be found in Kumar et al. (2009). Fan pad cooling system has been widely used for greenhouse cultivation however, requires large amount of water during evaporation based cooling. Since water resources are becoming scarce in future such fan-pad cooling system may not be viable in future specifically in hot arid region.

Terrestrial or epiphytic members of the family Bromeliaceae that are grown in gardens for their unusually coloured and patterned leaves or showy inflorescences and fruits are referred to as ornamental ‘Bromeliads’. Being low growing, they are ideally displayed in containers or as epiphytes. They are sun loving, suckering in habit and have xerophytic adaptations. The leaves are tough and fibrous often with spiny margins and sheathing leaf bases that hold water. A grayish-white waxy or powdery coating often covers the lamina. Certain bromeliads have a water collecting depression at the center. Inflorescences are sunken, erect or reclining, with condensed or long and much branched stalks carrying colourful bracts and usually, less showy flowers. In many, the terminal leaves become brightly coloured at flowering. These and the floral bracts remain showy even after the flowers are shed.

Ornamental bromeliads popularly grown in gardens include the following:

Aechmea blanchetiana

Copper leaf bromeliad

Plants have strap like leaves that develop streaks of coppery red colour on the upper surface in bright sunlight.

Aechmea burle-marxii

Burle-Marx bromeliad

In soil culture, also known as in-ground culture, crops are raised on level ground as well as in raised beds. Soil culture is more often used in growing vegetables (e.g., tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, and peppers) rather than ornamental crops such as herbs, roses, freesia, and foliage plants as well as popular with smaller commercial and organic growers. The soil should be well drained, fertile, have a medium to light texture and be high in organic matter. The soil in a greenhouse should be worked as deeply as possible to break any existing hardpans or those that may have developed because of repeated traffic over the area. Fumigation or pasteurization of the soil is a must before each crop or at least once a year. This will help to destroy disease, nematodes and weeds. If soil is steamed, hold it at 180 degrees F (82°C) for 4 hours. Production techniques used in soil culture are similar to intensive crop production methods used in the field. Although soil is readily available at most places where a greenhouse is located most commercial growers, no longer rely on soil culture in the greenhouse as they did ealier. Some of the reasons include insect and disease pressures and costly fumigation.

There are different types of greenhouses, the low cost and high cost or low technology or high technology greenhouses. The cost of greenhouse and expenditure on crop production under these greenhouses would vary according to technology to be used and the crop is to be produced. The cost would vary from place to place with location of greenhouse. For each type of greenhouse its cost would vary according to geo-climate, the production practices and input expenditure/availability. The cost of construction of greenhouse in 2019 hence varies from Rupees 500 to 6000 per square meter.

4.1 INTRODUCTION

Ever since the man appeared on the earth, he has been harnessing the natural resources to meet his basic requirements. Reference to soil, water and air as basic resources, their management and means to keep them pure are mentioned in the Vedas, Upanishads and in ancient Hindu literature. Agriculture began sometime during 10000 BC and during 1930 AD use of chemical came into vogue (Sarswat et al., 2003). The phenomenal increase in population of both man and animal in the last century and fast growing industrialization and urbanization in last few decades have overstrained the natural resource base, which are getting degraded much faster than ever before. Thus, the attention of whole world is focused on how to increase production to feed the burgeoning population and the question uppermost in every ones mind is “how can we produce enough food without damage to the natural resource base, in a sustainable manner?” Precision farming is a promise in this regard. It appears to reduce risk of crop failure (De Boer, 1997).

8.1 INTRODUCTION

In developing countries like India, sustainable development of horticulture is a biggest challenge. There is need to formulate strategies for their management through “state of art” technologies for harnessing the naturally available resources in a sustainable manner to meet the ever growing demands of fruits. Canopy architecture has its role in influencing the productivity of fruits. It has been well highlighted by Halle and Olderman, (1970) and Halle et al. (1978). The emerging concerns in the area of canopy architecture and its management are the existence of large number of old senile orchards among the fruits crops and the development of a rejuvenation technology to restructure their canopy and enhance productive and remunerative plant life. Actually, canopy management “designing the plant as per need, using inherent plant characteristics in accordance with given set of conditions and resources to make the plant to perform maximum. As a result of canopy management, the trees acquire their natural shape which very often is not ideal for quality production. A majority of the trees attain tall, upright and curved growth structure and the canopy is marked with criss-cross branches leading to a highly dense vegetative mass with very poor penetration of active solar radiation. Such conditions not only affect the photosynthetic rate but also facilitate proliferation of pests as they prefer shady conditions. Consequently with pressure of pest abundance and poor photosynthetic efficiency over the years in want of due care of tree canopy architecture, the trees turn senile and unproductive and uneconomical.

Existence of such unproductive senile orchards has a telling impact on the socioeconomic as well as livelihood status of the farmers and consumers are equally affected with low poor production and poor quality of produce is the biggest problem with old orchard. Uprooting such orchards and undertaking new plantation may not be a wise option considering the long gestation period of orchard establishment and resulting impact on livelihood of farm families, environment health as well as the investment cost. Mass scale uprooting of trees for replacement of the orchard will also have very adverse impact on production scenario at the regional and national level.

17.1 INTRODUCTION

Flower consumption is growing at an alarming rate of 20 per cent per annum at global level and India is, today, one of the world’s largest consumer base and fastest growing retail destinations. Commercial floriculture is today a potential money-spinner and an economically viable agri-business.

Cut flower trade in terms of export oriented units dealing with rose and gerbera is flourishing. Other cut flowers like gladiolus, tuberose, lilum, chrysanthemum, etc. are also being cultivated along with traditional loose flowers like jasmine, rose, crossendra, marigold on a higher scale. However, growing awareness of Indian consumers and popularity for cut flowers is creating demand for diversified flower crops. Further, trade of some flowers in the market is responsible for gluts. Thus, there is an urgent need to diversify the floriculture industry by introducing and adoption of anthurium as a cut flower with unique shape and high longevity.

Precision farming is an advanced approach for the flower growers to enhance their income. It mainly includes information and technology of farm management system to identify, analyze and manage variability within fields for optimum profitability, sustainability and protection of the land resource. Precision farming is applied for increasing efficiencies that can be realized by understanding and dealing with the natural variability found within a field.

Anthurium is taking a good place in market with high value. Farmers are undertaking anthurium cultivation and in this direction, precise farming technology will help the farmers to grow the crop with good quality and higher production per unit area.

19.1 INTRODUCTION

Indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals over the last five decades has adversely affected soil fertility, crop productivity, produce quality and particularly the environment. These degenerative effects of intensive agriculture have compelled to think for alternative and sustainable system of agriculture. As a result, number of alternative systems viz Biodynamic, Rishi Krishi, Panchagavya Krishi, Natueco Organic Farming, Homa Organic Farming, Natural Farming and Jaivik Krishi have emerged in different parts of the country. In organic farming production is achieved without use of chemical input (Singh, 2011 and Malik, 2000). In these systems, maximum reliance is placed on self-regulatory agro systems and locally available or farm derived renewable resources. Since the soil, water and environment have been contaminated, hence even organic production techniques once effective are now are not capable of mitigating these issues. This has created number of myths in the mind of policy makers and even large number of farmers.

26.1 INTRODUCTION

India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables and ranks next to Brazil and China, respectively. With the commensurate total production of 63.5 and 87.2 million tonnes of fruits and vegetables, the country shares about 11 per cent of total production under fruits and 13 per cent of total production under vegetables, respectively (Anon., 2008) in global scenario. Horticultural produce undergoes spoilage at the time of harvesting, handling, storage, marketing and processing resulting in huge wastage. Efficient management of this waste can help preserving essential nutrients of our food and feeds and bringing down the production cost of processed product, besides minimizing pollution hazards and purifying the environmental condition. Recycling of horticultural waste is one of the most important aspects of utilizing it in a number of new ways to yield new products and meeting the requirements of essential products required to mankind.

In advance countries like USA, Australia, Brazil and Israel, more than 50 per cent of fruits and vegetables productions are processed into different products, whereas, in India it is less than 2.0 per cent of total production. Generally, post harvest losses in fruits and vegetables range between 25-30 per cent of total production, valued at more than 57,000 crores annually due to lack of availability of appropriate post harvest infrastructure (Guleria and Verma, 2008). Horticultural crops are grown all over the country incurring wastes everywhere. There are different stages of waste from farm to fork.

28.1 INTRODUCTION

Precision Farming has assumed great significance in the country for making the use of available resources more judiciously and efficiently. It is farm management strategy which utilizes precise information to increase profit and to reduce enviornmental impact. It takes into account in field variability in soil fertility and crop conditions. In nutshell, it may be defined as management of input variables such as application rates, cultivars selections, tillage practices, irrigation scheduling, optimization of soil and plant nutrient through nutrient management practices and management of pest and diseases by reducing the quantities of pesticides. Development of new technologies has become integral part of precision farming.

Precision farming was widely accepted firstly as a management practice in corn belt of mid west United States of America which helped in increasing the yield and significant reduction in production costs. Besides, crops like wheat and soybean have also been included in its purview. In south east parts of U.S.A., research is currently on in the crops of citrus, cotton, groundnut, vegetables and even livestock. Precision farming management practices have also integrated controlling and monitoring of field information using geographical information system (GIS), Global Positioning System (GPS), sensors, Variable Rate Technology (VRT) and yield monitoring. These components are highly sophisticated. GIS software stores data pertaining to soil type, nutrient levels etc in layers and assign that information to the particular field location. It can also be used to analyze characteristics between layers to develop application maps or other management options. Global Positioning System is a referencing device capable of identifying sites within a field. Global positioning system (GPS) helps in storing information regarding field location in terms of latitude and longitude. Maps showing variability of nutrient levels soil types, topography, pest incidence and yield can be created by virtue of it. It is a set of 24 satellites in high altitude orbit above the earth for pin pointing objects on the surface of the earth. These satellites continuously transmit radio signals which are picked up and deciphered by special receivers. A GPS receiver requires at least four satellites to determine its position on earth. Receivers are mounted on tractors/top of cab or on some high point to get a clear view of the spy. Crop stress, soil properties, pest incidence etc. are determined by the help of sensors through traveling over the field by tractors or combine. These can be used for measurement of soil conductivity, fertility status, weeds etc. Another type of sensor viz Remote sensors (aerial/ satellite) can provide instead maps of field conditions. Computer control device and associated hardware are part of Variable Rate Technology (VRT) for application of fertilizers, pesticides etc on the basis of field characteristics of the specific location. In precision farming, information is needed about mean characteristics of small, relatively homogenous management zones. It is data acquisition of the farms to find the soil, vegetation and other parameters which are amenable to remote sensing. Remote sensing techniques are helpful in providing continuous acquired data of agricultural crops. Remote sensors image vegetation growing on different soil types with different water availability. The following applications can be made by relief sensors:

4.1 Selection of Isotopes for Tracer Studies

In radioisotopes we have all the essentials of a powerful research tool, a non-destructive means by which atoms could be followed and detected in the organism. Application mainly depends on the fact that chemical properties of the isotope of an element are essentially identical.

The basic requirement of a tracer is that it be

1.Chemically and physically, virtually equivalent to the substance it represents or displaces and that it, in no appreciable way, affect the system differing from its normal counterpart.

2.Radioactivity could be detected directly and

3.Unaffected by the physical or chemical treatments that are given. Hence, this has been used widely in the investigations of the various problems in biology, chemistry, physics and other fields like agriculture.

Although a number of radioactive isotopes are found in nature, most of the isotopes used as radioactive tracers are produced artificially. Methods for producing radioactive isotopes include nuclear fission and the bombardment of selected materials by neutrons or positively charged particles.

6.1 Production of Radioactive Nuclides

Nuclear Reactors

In a nuclear reactor, a fissionable nuclear fuel such as ²³⁵U or ²³⁹Pu is placed in a defined geometry within the reactor core. Fast moving neutrons released as the ²³⁵U or ²³⁹Pu nuclei fission are slowed to thermal energy (0.025 eV) by a low-Z moderator such as water, heavy water, beryllium, or graphite surrounding or mixed intimately with the nuclear fuel. The slowly moving neutrons are absorbed by addition of ²³⁵U or ²³⁹Pu nuclei, and a chain reaction is maintained. The rate of absorption of slow neutrons by fissionable nuclei determines the fission rate for the reactor and is controlled by placing inert neutron absorbers in the reactor core. Typical neutron absorbers, usually termed control roads include boron and calcium. Heat generated in the reactor is removed by a coolant such as water or one of a variety of gases or liquid materials.

7.1 Measurement of Radiation Dose

Radiation dosimetry involves the measurement of the energy actually absorbed in a substrate exposed to ionizing radiation. The radiation may be either electromagnetic or corpuscular in nature. The passage of electromagnetic radiation through a substrate causes ionization by virtue of the secondary electrons released. Particle radiations on the other hand, ionize directly because they are charged, or indirectly through the charged particle resulting from a collision with a substrate. Alpha, beta particles, and protons yield primary ionization. Gamma rays and neutrons produce ionizing radiation by their interaction with the substrate in passage through it.

Mesenchymal stem cells are multipotential cells capable of proliferation and differentiation into osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic lineages both in vitro and in vivo. Minimal criteria for defining MSC according to International Society of Cell Therapy (ISCT) are (a) they must be plastic-adherent when maintained in a standard culture conditions, (b) MSC must express some surface antigen such as CD105, CD73, CD90, CD44 and must not express CD34, CD45, CD 14, CD19, and HLA-DR, and (c) MSC must differentiate in vitro into osteoblast, adipocytes and chondrocytes under specific differentiating condition.

Although traditionally MSC isolated from bone marrow, more recent reports have detailed the isolation of cells with MSC characteristics from a variety of tissues including umbilical cord blood, chorionic villi of the placenta, Wharton’s jelly, peripheral blood, fetal liver and lung, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, periosteum, deciduous teeth, amniotic fluid, dental pulp, testis, synovium and the circulatory system. Bone marrow and periosteum sources are richest in young animals with their numbers diminishing, but still present in old age. It is estimated that MSCs represent approximately only 0.01 to 0.001% of the total nucleated cells within isolated bone marrow aspirate. The yield of MSCs from bone marrow varies from species to species. e.g., Canine =1 in 2.5 × 10⁴; Feline =1 in 3.8 × 10⁵; Murine =1 in 10.8 ×10³ to 1 in 3.45×10⁴ and Horses =1 in 4.2 × 10³. Despite this low number, they are remains a great interest, as they can be easily isolated from a small aspirate and culture-expanded through as many as 40 population doublings to significant numbers in about 8 to 10 weeks.

Mesenchymal stem cells are multipotential cells capable of proliferation and differentiation into chondrogenic, osteogenic and adipogenic lineages. Minimal criteria for defining MSC according to International Society of Cell Therapy (ISCT) are (a) they must be plastic-adherent when maintained in standard culture conditions, (b) MSC must express some surface antigens such asCD105, CD73, CD90, CD44 and must not express CD34, CD45, CD 14, CD19, and HLA-DR, and (c) MSC must differentiate in vitro into osteoblast, adipocytes and chondrocytes under specific differentiating condition. 
Although MSC is traditionally isolated from bone marrow, more recent reports have detailed the isolation of cells with MSC characteristics from a variety of tissues including umbilical cord blood, chorionic villi of the placenta, Wharton’s jelly, peripheral blood, fetal liver and lung, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, periosteum, deciduous teeth, amniotic fluid and synovium. Bone marrow and periosteum sources are richest in young animals with their numbers diminishing, but still present in old age. One of the attractive advantage of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) as a source of cell transplantation is their low immunogenecity. Recently, several studies have reported that BM-MSCs may be immune-privileged cells that do not elicit immune response due to an absence of their immunologically relevant cell surface markers. BM-MSCs also are known to inhibit proliferation of T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, dendritic cells and natural killer cells.

The knowledge and principles from interconnected disciplines of bioengineering, material science and life sciences are combined in tissue engineering with the aim of developing a construct that can wholly or partly restore/maintain/augment the function of a damaged tissue or organ. Tissue engineering construct generally comprises cells on a suitable scaffold. The ultimate functionality of a tissue engineering construct is mainly dependent on the cell behavior on scaffolds. The proliferation and cell viability on scaffolds varies from one cell type to another and from one species to another. So it is important to investigate individual cell-scaffold combinations.

The similarity in structure and composition to bone mineral, osteoconductive properties, ability to integrate with the bony tissue and absence of immune response makes hydroxyapatite [Ca10 (PO4)6(OH)2] the choice of calcium phosphate biomaterial with only disadvantage of slow rate of resorption. On contrary, silica–calcium phosphate composite in comparison to calcium phosphate is rich biomaterials having a faster resorption rate. Studies have shown that coating of hydroxyapatite with a calcium silicate containing layer encourages cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived stromal cells.

In this chapter a composite scaffold (calcium silicate, hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate), namely HASi with elements in the following percentages: 66.36 % - calcium, 25.35 % - phosphorus and silicon - 8.29 % and porosity of 50 – 500 µm is undertaken to evaluate the rBMSC proliferation and differentiation properties in vitro with the aim of assessing cytocompatibility of HASi and rBMSC in terms of cell attachment, cell morphology, cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation.

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

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

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

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

The liver is an organ that plays a central role in maintaining metabolic homeostasis, in its functions of metabolism, synthesis and storage of nutrients. The cells in the liver are parenchyma cells and non- parenchyma cells. The former include hepatocytes (80% of the cell population) and the later includes endothelial cells, Kupffer cells, lymphocytes and stellate cells. Liver dysfunction or failures are having different etiologies. Liver cancer has the fifth highest cancer incidence in the world, and is the third highest cause of cancer related deaths, with resection of the liver remaining the only curative option.

Following liver injury, the repair process involves two distinct phases: a regenerative phase, in which injured liver cells are replaced with regenerated hepatocytes; and a phase known as fibroplasia or fibrosis, in which connective tissue replace normal parenchyma tissue. The process even though initially beneficial becomes pathogenic when it is not controlled appropriately. Extensive accumulation of extra-cellular matrix (ECM) components ultimately leads to cirrhosis and liver failure. Thus, the ideal strategy to treat liver injury is to generate new hepatocytes replacing damaged cells without causing excessive ECM deposition.

3.1. Downy mildew of peas
It is an important disease of pea crop particularly in those areas where cool and wet climate is prevalent during its cultivation. The disease during favourable weather conditions causes considerable yield losses.
Pathogen: Peronospora viciae (formerly P. pisi)
Host range
Vigna faba, Vigna sativa. Pisum arvensis, P.sativum, Lathyrus sativus, Vicia hirsuta, Vicia sativa, Vicia villosa (Dixon, 1981).
Geographical distribution
Reports of the pathogen are from different countries on different crop host.
On Pea- Berkeley in England first discovered the disease in 1846 (Chupp and Sherf, 1960) and since then it has been found in all parts of the world where the crop is grown intensively. The occurrence of the disease has been reported from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Denmark, France, Germany, Kenya, Netherland, New Zealand, Rhodesia, Spain, Tasmania, USA, Ukrain, Italy, Poland and Australia (Dixon,1981). In India it is prevalent in Indogangetic plains including Uttar Pradesh and Punjab (Bains and Dhaliwal, 1986).

6.1. Downy mildew of Sugarcane

Pathogen: Sugarcane downy mildew can be caused by four species:

    1)    Peronosclerospora sacchari
    2)    P. miscanthi
    3)    P. spontanea and
    4)    P. philippinensis

Major Host
Hosts in the Saccharum genus include: S. officinarum, S. robustum, S. spontaneum and S. edule.

Minor Host
Other hosts include Zea mays (maize), teosinte (Euchlaena mexicana), Sorghum halapense (Johnson grass), S. sudanense (Sudan grass), Tripsacum dactyloides (Gama grass), Sorghum bicolor (broom corn). Other studies suggest there are 18 species that are systemically infected in the sub-family Panicoideae; these include species of Andropogon, Bothriochloa, Eulalia, Schizachyrium and Sorghum (Bonde & Peterson 1981)

Geographic Distribution
The disease is restricted to the Pacific, South Asia and South East Asian regions viz Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand (Suma & Magarey 2000).

9.1 INTRODUCTION

Cluster bean is grown in India to a lesser extent than other beans. It is a commercial crop of arid and semi-arid regions. It is grown for its green pods that are used as vegetable and dry seeds. It is also grown as forage and green manure crop. Among leguminous crops it is comparatively hardier, drought resistant and cultivated on a large scale as a forage crop in dry regions because of its deep tap root system which enables it to recover from water stress. Some of the cultivars are used for extraction of gum called as guargum. The gum obtained from this crop is like a mucilaginous substance called galactomannan that is used in various industries particularly textiles, cosmetics, explosives and paper. Due to its colloidal nature, the gum acts as a stabilizer and thickener in food products,viz., ice cream, bakery mixes and salad dressings. The seeds of clusterbean contain about 30-33% gum in the endosperm. The gum in the seeds are galactomannan polysaccharides. The discovery of the galactomannan gum in the endosperm during 1948, led to its importance as an industrial crop. Today it is one of the significant foreign exchange earners of the country. Fresh pods contain 82.5% water, 9.9% carbohydrate, 3.7% protein, 0.2% fat, 2.3% fibre and 1.4% mineral matter. Cyamopsis senegalensis is the ancestor of guar. The largest growing state is Rajasthan (82%). Young plants of cluster bean contain hydrocyanic acid which causes toxicity to animals. It is an amide (asparagine and glutamine) producing legumes.

Ridge gourd or Ribbed gourd (Luffa acutangula Rox b. L) and Sponge gourd or Smooth gourd (Luffa cylindrica) have diploid chromosome number  2n=2x=26. Luffa has old world origin in Subtropical Asian region including India (Kalloo, 1993). These two species are inter-crossable. F1 plants generally, intermediate between the parents and showed various irregularities like, univalants, rings and chains of 4 chromosomes, chromatids bridges and fragments at metaphase and thus the species are not easily crossable and the F1 plants appear to be of not much practical value. The genus is monoecious annual vine, tendrils are branched, flowers are yellow, anthers are free and pistil has three placentas with many ovules and stigma are three and bilobate. Fruits oblong or cylindrical and rind becomes dry on maturity.

Bottle gourd (Lageneria siceraria) 2n=2x=22 is also known as white flowered gourd. Most important vegetable of ancient China.
 
Origin : According to De Candolle (1882) Bottle gourd has been found in wild form in South Africa and India. However, Cutler and Whitaker (1962) are of the view that probably it is indigenous to Tropical Africa on the basis of variability in seeds and fruits. This species appear to have been domesticated independently in Asia, Africa and the New world (Heiser, 1973).
 
Botany: It is monoecious, annual vine with soft pubescence. Leaves are cordate ovate to reniform-ovate, Flowers are white, solitary, open at night and has hairy ovary. Fruit shape is cylindrical, oval egg shaped, club shaped, round and other shapes also appeared.

Genetics of Important Traits

Bitterness: Single dominant gene (Path and Singh, 1950)

Fruit colour: Monogenically controlled (Kalloo, 1993)

Two major genes are involved for fruit shape (Path and Singh, 1950). Single gene for fruit colour involved (patchy v/s white) and reported by Path and Singh (1950). Monogenic recessive inheritance for andromonoecious sex form is reported by Singh et al. (1996). Hermaphrodite sex form is characterized by long corolla (3.5-4.5cm instead of 2.5-3.5cm in normal). In hermaphrodite condition fruits bears prominent blossom scar.  Long fruit conditioned by AA genotype and Round fruit is due to aa genotype where Partial dominance is reported (Kushwaha, 1996).

Sweet potato Ipomea batatas(L). Lam. is an asexually propagated vegetable. It is grown in most of the tropical and subtropical region of the earth. In USA production extended to temperate regions. Vines as well as roots are eaten or fed to live stock. It is the source of industrial starch and potential source of the alcohol. Among the major tuber crops cultivated in India sweet potato rank third after potato and cassava in area and production.

Origin: Available evidence suggests South Mexico through Central America and Northern South America as the probable center of origin. It is perennial but handled as annual. Its hardiness and drought tolerance are well recognized.

Family: Convolvulaceae, Chromosome number: 2n=90

It is the only known natural hexaploid morning glory. Most of the wild species are diploid (2n=30). Hybridization is restricted with in species because of its hexaploidy nature. Extensive variability with in species is observed. Tuber is the fleshy subterranean stem or shoot but in sweet potato tuber is a root, and hence it cannot be a tuber (common error). It is a perennial, and the storage root is capable of continued enlargement and does not mature in the sense of reaching some final size or stage of development. From the stand point of function, the root system consists of absorbing roots and fleshy storage roots.

Nutrients

The nutrients are chemical elements which are absorbed by the plants in more or less quantity to transform light energy into chemical energy and to keep up plant metabolism for the synthesis of organic materials. These materials constitute among other things, foods for humans and animals and a range of raw materials for various industrial uses. Feeding of plants with nutrients is termed as nutrition. Successful growth and production of the plants in general requires a proper supply of the 17 elements. These elements are regarded as essential to life in higher plants.

Horticultural plants are grown for their produce like fruit, vegetable, flower, medicinal component, spices etc. Therefore, these plants should be managed in such a way that human desires for the purpose of growing them are fully satisfied in terms of quality and quantity of produce. This demands direct manipulation of plant growth itself or plant environment through various inputs. In manipulation of plant development, training and pruning are important for which our knowledge about plant development and its phenology has to be complete. These practices are important in fruit crops.

Vegetable crops: A seed is borne on fruit and fruit is a mature ovary and ovary is a typical part of flower. Flower in angiosperm, consists of four parts these are calyx/sepal, corolla/petals, androecium/stamens and gynocium/pistil, outer whorl of flower is collectively referred to as calyx. The individual components of calyx are called as sepal. Petals are collectively referred to as corolla. Petal is a unit of second inner whorl after sepals. Stamen is part of flower bearing the male reproductive parts composed of anther and filaments. Pistil is part of flower bearing the female reproductive parts composed of stigma style and ovary.

Seed Production Techniques in Vegetable Crops

Share (%) of F₁ hybrids- Cabbage 85%, Watermelon 70%, Okra 23%, Tomato 80%, Chilli 80%, Cauliflower 50%. Among the Asian countries, India is the 2^nd largest production of hand pollinated hybrid seed in vegetables.

The planning of a garden is an art. It is said that a poet is born, and in that sense a garden architect is also born. But that does not mean that a garden architect has nothing to learn. On the contrary he should learn enough of geology, geography, garden history, styles of gardening, and above all should have a profound knowledge about plants. It is imperative to know at the outset what is meant by landscape gardening. A landscape may be defined as any area, either big or small, on which it is possible or desirable to mould view or a design, whereas landscape gardening may be described as the application of garden forms, methods, and materials with a view to improving the landscape. The art of designing is known as “landscape architecture,” although the older term landscape gardening” is also popular.

Before discussing the principles of gardening in detail, it will be worthwhile to make some useful suggestions. The first and the foremost thing are not to imitate another garden which has secured a prize in a competition. One has to develop one’s own design giving due consideration to the local conditions. One more mistake which is commonly made is to plant many more specimens than a garden can accommodate causing overcrowding. In a landscape garden any difference in levels has to be taken advantage of, but in a perfectly flat land it will be costly to create artificial undulations. In each garden the care should be at least one feature or there be a second these two should harmonize with each other. Before planning a design are must be sure for what purpose the garden is utility or beauty or both.

Annuals

Annuals or seassonals are the group of plants which complete their life cycle in one season or in one year. Annuals are commonly known as seasonal as they complete the process of life like germination, growth flowering and seed formation in one season and finally the plant without. Annuals are widely used for garden decoration, cut flower and pot plants. They are frequently grown as bedding plant and in rock garden on the sides of lily pool and in shrubberies.

Trees

A trees is a woody perennial plant with clear stem or trunk. Trees trend to be long leaved living up to several 100 year.

TREE- logical meaning of each letter

T - Temperature and micro-climate moderation.

R - Removal of air pollutant.

E- Erosion control.

E - Energy conservation.

If x and y are related, we can study degree of relationship between them which is called correlation.

Y = f(x)=a+bx where y is a dependent variable and x is an independent variable. If x is known, y can be known.

X = f(y). Here x is a dependent variable and y is an independent variable or auxiliary variable.

9.1 Introduction

The tests used to ascertain whether the differences between estimator and the parameter or between two estimators are real or due to chance are called tests of hypothesis or tests of significance. In other words, the procedures, which enable us to decide whether to accept or reject hypothesis, are called tests of hypothesis or tests of significance. The following terms are commonly used in testing of hypothesis

The wide range of climatic conditions in India provides a choice of various bulbous crops to grow them in different parts of country. The term bulbous includes a wide array of perennial plants that are grown from underground organs, including bulbs, corms, tubers and rhizomes. Any plant described as bulbous will normally have a swollen root or stem or even leaves underground. A large number of these plants producing attractive flowers are commercially grown now days. Normally bulbous plant has a three phases during a year growth, flowering and dormancy. Bulbous plants are grown commonly in beds, shrubbery, herbaceous border, grassy land and in pots and bowl. A brief description of some common bulbous crops is given below.

1. Amaryllis: Common name (CN): Belladonna lily, King or Star lily, Botanical name (BN): Amaryllis spp., Family (F): Amaryllidaceae, Origin (O): South Africa.

Amaryllis is an excellent bulbous plant with deciduous foliage. Leaves are produced after cessation of flowering. It is suitable for bedding, pot, window boxes, greenhouses, borders, etc. Flowers are sold in the market as cut flowers. The flowers are large, trumpet shaped and are borne in umbels having 3-7 florets in small flowered varieties whereas 2-4 florets of giant size in Dutch hybrids. Amaryllis is propagated by vegetative means. They are mostly propagated through bulbs. They are also commercially propagated through tissue culture. Important species are Amaryllis belladonna, A. angustifolia, A. leopolidii, A. moreliana, A. papilio, A. striata, A. miniata and A. traubii.

Definition: Bonsai is an art of growing dwarfed, ornamentally shaped trees or shrubs in shallow containers or trays. It’s an art that expresses in miniature form of a natural tree. The word Bonsai is a Japanese term which literally means “planted in a container”.

This art form is derived from an ancient Chinese horticultural practice, part of which was then redeveloped under the influence of Japanese Zen Buddhism. Thus, origin of bonsai culture is China. Though it was popularized by Japanese. The ultimate goal of growing a bonsai is to create a miniaturized but realistic representation of nature in the form of a tree. In Japan bonsai is not only a hobby but also act as status symbol.

Introduction

Gerbera is a herbaceous flower crop with leafless stalk and daisy like flowers. It is also known as Transvaal daisy. Gerbera is a popular cut flower grown throughout the world. It is ideally suited for flower beds, borders, pots and gardens.

In California and Florida, it is grown in outdoors and is becoming increasingly popular as potted plant and bedding plant, whereas in other parts of United States it is cultivated in greenhouses. Gerbera cultivation has emerged as a very important option to progressive farmers in many parts of India, especially in Maharashtra, Karnataka, North Eastern states, U.P. and Uttarakhand.

Genetics

The genus Gerbera belongs to family Asteraceae. Gerbera comprises about 70 species, which are of African and Asiatic origin. The basic chromosome number is n=25. G. jamesonii is a diploid species with somatic chromosome number 2n=50. Among the different species, G. jamesonii is the only species under cultivation.

Seed is defined as “Fertilized and ripened ovule, consisting of the plant embryo, varying amounts of stored food material and a protective outer seed coat”. It is one of the most vital and important inputs for increasing production of crops. Commercial flower seed production is an international business involving highly specialized growers. Demand of flower seed production increased due to recent advances in commercial production of bedding plants, plug production technology, increased area of gardening, flower growing in home gardens and cut flowers with highly viable seeds and very high percentage of uniform seedlings. It seems to have great scope for expansion in developing countries like India, especially under north Indian climate having favourable growing conditions, skilled and cheap labour.

The world germplasm contains more than 1500 different varieties of flowers and ornamental crops. Each species of flower grown for seed has its own specific time, culture, problem of pollination and harvesting and storage requirements. Growing flower from seed is an important component of commercial flower production and their uses in landscape gardening.

Shifts or changes in the abundance and types of weeds within agricultural systems are common. These shifts can occur for a number of reasons and may result from cultural, mechanical, or chemical weed management strategies. The right combination of weeds and relying too heavily on any one practice is often the most common cause. Some of the concepts associated with weed species shifts are discussed below.

A weed shift is the change in the composition or relative frequencies of weeds in a weed population (all individuals of a single species in a defined area) or community (all plant populations in a defined area) in response to natural or human-made environmental changes in an agricultural system. Weed shifts occur when weed management practices do not control an entire weed community or population. Some species or biotypes are killed by (or susceptible to) the weed management practice, others are not affected by the management practice (tolerant or resistant), and still others do not encounter the management practice (dormant at application).

Those species that are not controlled can grow, reproduce, and increase in the community; resulting in a weed shift. Any cultural, physiological, biological, or chemical practice that modifies the growing environment without controlling all species equally can result in a weed shift. Weed shift may be due to introduction of new species or change in relative proportion of members of the existing community. Latter is the most common.

A. Species shift: Change in density of one or more species in field

B. Biotype shift: Change in density of biotypes within a species. These shifts often found noticed since biotypes typically are similar in appearance. Herbicide resistantbiotypes are the most frequently studied.

Weed Management

The productivity of crops much depends on intercultural and weeding operation. The efficient management practices ultimately increases the yield level. The productivity is much dependent on various attributes starting from the variety, climate including human resource management and other factors known well to the farmers. It is estimated that nearly 30-50 per cent of the crop is lost due to weed menace in the agricultural fields. The farmers use various methods of weed control like cultural, mechanical, chemical and manual means. Encompassing all these control measures is known as integrated weed management.

Introduction

The search for order in the location and size of settlements continues. Certain geographers examined the size of distribution of settlements and described in graphical form the relationship between the number and size of settlements. Their methods were radically different in that they were not deterministic, rather than making a set of assumptions, deriving a theory and testing it against reality, they observed the size and number of settlements in various countries and noted a common characteristic, which was called the rank size rule. Having once observed this order in the real world, they then sought to explain it. A relationship which is observed on several occasions is called an empirical regularity. The rank size rule is one such empirical regularity.

The rank size rule was first observed by Auerbach in 1913 but was proposed and popularized by G.K. Zipf in his book “Human Behaviour and the Principle of Least Effort”. Since then, many writers have attempted to explain it but the basic aim has always remained the same: to find a graphical description to the size distribution of cities which would apply to the situation prevailing in many countries.

Rank Size Rule: Theoretical Base and Concept

Rank size rule is a theory describing numerical distribution of settlement, which recognises an empirical regularity whereby the product obtained by multiplying a city’s rank by its size is equal to a constant, the population of the country’s largest city such that for a given settlement system

Thomas Robert Malthus enunciated his views about population in his famous book, Essay on the Principle of Population as it affects the Future Improvement of Society, published in 1798. Malthus revolted against the prevailing optimism shared by his father and Godwin that a perfect state could be attained if human restraints could be removed.

Malthus’ objection was that the pressure of increasing population on the food supply would destroy perfection and there would be misery in the world. Malthus was severely criticised for his pessimistic views which led him to travel on the continent of Europe to gather data in support of his thesis. He incorporated his researches in the second edition of his Essay published in 1803.

The Malthusian theory of population is the most well-known theory on population in economics. Malthus pointed out that an accelerated increase in population would outweigh the increase in food production. This would have an adverse impact on the development of an economy. The Malthusian theory explains the relationship between the growth in food supply and in population. It states that population increase faster than food supply and if unchecked leads to vice or misery. This theory is explained in the following propositions

1. Introduction

Agricultural mechanization refers to usage of any improved tool, implement and machine by the farm workers to improve the efficiency of any operation to increase productivity. It also helps to reduce drudgery or stress which adversely affects human mental faculties leading to errors, imprecision and hazards and eventually loss of efficiency if done manually. In developed countries, however, mechanization is synonymous to automation. There is scope to mechanize every operation of crop production, post harvest and agro-processing.

18.1. What?

The basic objective of sowing is to place the seed in rows at the desired depth, to maintain proper spacing between seed to seed, cover the seeds with soil and provide proper compaction over the seed if required. Precise sowing/planting helps in better crop stand. This helps to achieve optimum yields. Traditional sowing methods include broadcasting manually, opening furrows by a country plough and dropping seeds by hand (i.e.) dibbling. In the present day, improved seed-cum-fertilizer drills are used for sowing and fertilizer application. These are provided with seed and fertilizer boxes, metering mechanism, furrow openers, covering devices, frame, ground drive system and controls for variation of seed and fertilizer rates.

18.2. Types of sowing/planting equipment

Sowing equipment include seeders and transplanters. Various types of sowing equipment, viz., manually operated, animal drawn, power operated and tractor drawn are used throughout India.

18.2.1. Seed drills

Seeders are available for sowing seeds of various crops. Some seeders have been designed with adjustable metering mechanism which makes them versatile for sowing two or three kinds of seeds. For example, a multicrop planter developed by CIAE is used for sowing garlic, maize, moong, peas and groundnut. Similarly, the institute has developed a small seed sowing drill which is used for sowing small seeds such as bajra, rapeseed and mustard.

21.1. What?

Harvest is the process of gathering the end produce from mature crops in the fields. Harvest marks the end of the growing season, or the growing cycle for a particular crop. Harvesting is the most labour-intensive activity. Moreover, timely harvest before shattering of the produce or before rain assumes significance. As adjacent fields sown at the same time come to harvest simultaneously, farmers face great problem in getting manual labour for harvesting and cleaning their produce. To overcome these difficulties, different types of harvesters have been developed from time and again to suit different crops, situation and conditions.

21.2. Harvester and reaper

Harvesters are used to cut the crop after they mature. In such cases, threshing is to be done separately. Harvesters are available for a wide range of crops belonging to cereals, pulses, millets, oilseeds, fruits and plantation crops. Reapers are used to harvest crops such as rice, wheat, soybean, mustard, rapeseed, safflower and other thin stemmed crops. Reapers are operated using power tiller.