eBook Chapters

ABSTRACT

Astudy was undertaken to evaluate the performance of tissue culture derived plants vis a vis open pollinated seedlings of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton). A total of 102.5 ha (units) covering 50 ha in Kerala, 37.5 ha in Karnataka and 15 ha in Tamil Nadu was selected for the present study out of which each demonstration plot (unit) had an area of one hectare in which 80% of the plants are tissue cultured and 20% are open pollinated. Elite cardamom clones were subjected to in vitro multiplication and their respective open pollinated seedlings were compared. The planting was initiated in 1989 and completed with 1991 in all the zones identified. Plant growth characters such as number of tillers, number of bearing tillers and panicles per clump were recorded and compared. The yield was recorded in 1993-94 and 94-95 seasons after its stabilisation. Results indicated that tissue culture plants performed better compared to open pollinated seedlings with regard to growth attributes and yield irrespective of the seasons and zones. In Kerala region tissue culture plants exhibited a yield increase of 24.3 and 36% over open pollinated seedlings for the 1989 and 1990 plantings respectively. Similar trend was observed in Tamil Nadu for 1989 and 1990 planting where the percentage increase in yield became 130 and 21 respectively. In Kerala, the yield performance of tissue culture plants and open pollinated seedlings was on par during 1990 planting but in the subsequent year (1991) tissue culture plants showed 24% increase in yield compared to their respective open pollinated ones. Further, the study enabled to identify cardamom clones suited to in various zones of the cardamom tract. Accordingly 14 clones with a yield potential of over 750 kg/ha under moderate management were identified and this indicated that cardamom clones are highly location specific in their performance.

Abstract

In Himachal Pradesh, apple plantations have been made on seedling rootstock. The valley and comparatively warmer areas leads to the problems of irregular bearing and lower yields, besides less colour development in delicious varieties. Non uniformity in tree growth and yield is observed. To solve these problems, efforts have been made and plants of different cultivars of delicious and other prominent cultivars on different virus free clonal rootstocks have been introduced and planted at progeny-cum-demonstration orchard (PCDO) at anu situated at 1375m a.m.s.l. in Shimla district during 1989-90. Plant of three cultivars viz., Real Mecoy Red Delicious, Mutsu and Criterion on EMLA 26, EMLA 7a and EMLA 106 rootstock have been planted with a density of 1280 plants per hectare. The observations on yield were recorded during 1999-2002.

The effect of oil sludge on the growth and performance of Celosia argentea (L.) were evaluated using four levels of pollution viz: 0%; 0.25%, 0.5% and 0.75% of the 6kg soil and three levels of N.P.K. fertilizer (20:10:10) viz: low level (0.005 kg), normal level (0.01 kg) and high level (0.015kg). These treatments were imposed after the soil analysis were carried out on the site.  The results obtained show that pollution has a significant effect (P < 0.05) on the growth and performance of Celosia argentea, despite the different levels of fertilizer application with second level of pollution (0.25%) being the critical point. Thus, pollution retards the growth of this crop drastically beyond the critical level with Celosia argentea showing more tolerance to pollution at the post-application treatment than the pre-application treatment.

It is therefore suggested that land users should not embark on cultivating land that has an oil sludge pollution level beyond 0.25% of soil.

Introduction

Irrigated agriculture plays a predominant role in the state’s food grain production. Erratic trend of rainfall, it has been realized that the availability of water will become very less in forthcoming days as a result cultivation of crops will face water crisis. Development of new water resources needs excessive money investment with high level of expertise and technical knowhow. The ground water is also falling down to greater and greater depth due to overdraft causing for the restriction of the construction of tube wells. Further the efficiency of traditional irrigation system in India is now varying from 30% to 40% against 62 to 65% during the project plan periodbecause of wastage of this valuable water resource due to mismanagement. To meet the increasing demand for additional food grain production, the demand for water in the irrigation sector will increase substantially. In such a situation conservation of water and its proper management is necessary for developing a sustainable agricultural system avoiding the degradation of the land quality, water and other natural resources in an irrigated area.

Intercropping with food crops and vegetables is widely practiced by small and marginal farmers of the world mainly belonging to arid and semi-arid regions. Because of several benefits obtained, farmers prefer to adopt intercropping system. In temperate regions, mixed stands of cover crops and combinations of cereal and legumes forage production are very common.

Abstract

A field experiment was  carried out in the young orchard of Apricot cv. New Castle using Okra. cv. P-7 as an intercrop  to study the economics of growing intercrop in the newly planted orchards which has practically no output for the first three years. It was concluded that one can not only save the input expenditure of Rs.66,258 (for the maintenance of orchard plants during the first three years), an additional income of Rs. 2,41,858, with a net return of Rs. 1,23,800 can also be generated. There was neither any adverse effect of apricot plant canopy on the yield and performance of okra, nor was there any effect of cultivating okra on the growth and performance of apricot plants.

Abstract

Studies were conducted to investigate the effect of growing media and fertilizers on growth and flowering of rose cultivar ‘First Red’ under naturally ventilated polyhouse. During first flush, it was observed that growing medium containing soil, FYM, sawdust (2:1:1) gave maximum flower yield (5.58 cut stems) per square meter per month when fertilized with water soluble fertilizers (N-150 ppm and K-200 ppm) whereas, maximum number of ‘A’ and ‘C’ grade cut stems were recorded from plants grown in soil: FYM: sand which were fed with straight fertilizers (N-150 ppm and K-200 ppm).

Abstract

Soils of various depth ranges were identified at the experimental farm of Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Kukma-Bhuj, Gujarat. Different depth range of soils included in this study were shallow soil (effective soil depth <15 cm), moderately deep soil (effective soil depth15- 25 cm), deep (effective soil depth 25-70 cm), and very deep (effective soil depth 70 to >1m). The soils are developed from calcareous and ferruginous sand stone and mud stone. A field experiment was carried out to study the performance of different crops and grasses under variable soil depths. Crops namely, clusterbean (Maruguar), greengram (K 851), sesame (GT2), groundnut (GG2) and pearl millet (Pusa 23) and grasses C .ciliaris (CAZRI-75) and L. sindicus (CAZRI 30-5) were grown in these four different soil depths.

Abstract

The runners of ten strawberry cultivars were procured from different research stations, planted in the last week of October every year and mulched with paddy straw.  The earliest flowering was observed in Chandler, which produced the largest sized fruits (13.20 g) followedby Dana.(3.6 g). Higher incidence of fruit rot was observed in Chandler (26.2%) and least in the Sweet Charlie (9.3%). Sweet Charlie produced medium sized (11.80 g), highly glossy and attractive fruits having high TSS (10.2%), and minimum fruit rot can be better substitute for Chandler in sub-tropical areas.

Abstract

In India, women’s economic productivity is rather critical to 60 million households whose family members live below the poverty line. Therefore, the empowerment of poor women is vital for bringing down rural poverty.  The operation of the DWCRA project during the VIII plan of government of India (GOI) had inadequate impact and therefore, failed in organizing cohesion within and among the groups to identify the activities that could generate sustained income.  Considering the importance of women and lacunae in the Rural development programmes, Swarnajayanti Grama Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) was evolved and was launched on 1st April, 1999. With this, the erstwhile programmes viz. IRDP, DWCRA, TRYSEM, SITRA, GKY and MWs ceased operation.  SGSY aims at establishing a large number of micro enterprises in the rural areas. The ‘beneficiary’ families (known as Swarozgaris) may be individuals or groups (Self Help Groups).

2.1 Introduction

Perfumery, the art of making perfumes, began in ancient Egypt but was developed and further refined by the Romans and the Arabs. The history of perfume began in antiquity. The word perfume is used today to describe scented mixtures and is derived from the Latin word, “per fumum”, meaning through smoke. Although perfume and perfumery also existed in East Asia, much of its fragrances are incense based. The world’s first recorded perfume maker Tapputi was mentioned in a Cuneiform tablet from the 2nd millennium BC in Mesopotamia. Perfume and perfumery also existed in India. The earliest distillation of Attar was mentioned in the Hindu Ayurvedic Charaka Samhita. The Bible describes a sacred perfume, consisting of liquid myrrh, fragrant cinnamon and cassia. In Islamic culture, perfume usage has been documented as far back as the 6^th century and its usage is considered a religious duty. Al-Kindi in the 9^th century wrote a book on perfumes entitled ‘Book of the Chemistry of Perfume and Distillations’ that has more than hundred recipes for fragrant oils, salves, aromatic waters and substitutes or imitations of costly drugs.

French author Jean Giono once remarked, “The God creates the Odours, but the men manufacture the perfumes”. In today’s world, fragrances play bigger role than just being associated with a tiny bottle of liquid. It now serves the larger purpose of linking itself with anything you can imagine, from soaps to your favourite sweater knitted by your grandmother (Biswas, 2012). In the modern day, these products find their applications in items for personal sophistication to culinary delights and beverages, to a host of industrial products (Dev, 1993). India, a country known for its vast range of fragrant flowers and herbs, has used extracts from such raw material to produce incense sticks, medicines, body massage oils and sweet savouries.

The word ‘perfume’ is derived from the Latin term ‘perfumen’, meaning ‘through smoke’. Perfume is a fragrant liquid mainly distilled from natural oils, aromatic chemicals and resinoids; cologne is a lightly scented liquid used to cool the skin and deodorant contains chemicals to counter offensive body odour. Perfume is basically used by women, cologne by men and deodorant by both (Saha and Sareen, 1997). Throughout antiquity there was a continuous demand for incense, to mark the rites of scenting passage from birth to the grave, for the daily rituals of incensing rooms, linen and clothing. The South Asian synonym for perfume, ‘attar’, on the other hand, is derived from the Arabic word ‘aettr’ meaning ‘fat’ or ‘extract’. Almost all attars are basically aromatic oils extracted from flowers, plants and herbs through steam distillation. Some fragile flowers and oils that can not stand the heat of distillation are, however, crushed and the oil expelled by mechanical force (Mahmud, 1992).

Morphological characteristics

The plant is an erect undershrub, 1.5–2.5 m tall. Leaves are elliptic-oblong to lanceolate or ovate to ovate–lanceolate, 12–25 × 5–11 cm, acute or acuminate at apex, acute or cuneate at base, glabrescent, crenate-dentate; densely stellate–tomentose beneath; petiole 4–12 mm long; Fruits globose, drupes or berries, white to yellowish-brown with or without fruit stalk, fresh being succulent, 1–3 mm in dia. Intact fruits are smooth and brownish in colour and exhibit centrally located bilocular carpel and 4 nutlets each embedded with a yellowish white seed, in a transversely cut surface of a fruit;

Floral characteristics

Flowers appear in July-November are small, 0.5 cm long, pink in colour and crowded in axillary peduncled globose cymes, solitary, pedunculate or sessile. Flowers are bisexual, actinomorphic and fragrant. Calyx 4 or rarely 5 toothed, pubescent, corolla infundibular, 4 or rarely 5 lobed. Stamens are 4, exserted, anthers oblong 2 loculed, dorsifixed. Ovary is superior, 4 lobed, 4 loculed, 1 ovule in each locule, style short, stigma 2 lobed. Flowering & fruiting occurs during June–Dec. Fruits when tasted at first are somewhat sweet, later bitterish; fruit has fragrant odour specially after slight bruising the fruit. The fruits of Callicarpa macrophylla are edible.

Distribution

Plants of this species grow in open and secondary forests along the upper Gangetic plains, West Bengal Plains, Eastern and Western Himalayas, Kashmir, Assam, and northern Andhra Pradesh up to an altitude of 1800 meters. The species grows in other places worldwide, such as Nepal, Indonesia, China and South Korea.

Peri-parturient Health Care Periparturient period is defined as a period immediately around calving. It is the most critical time when high yielding cows are prone to nutritional deficits due to great metabolic alterations from dry to milking. Reduced feed intake and depressed immune system at this time make cows vulnerable to periparturient diseases affecting milk yield adversely and increasing mortality risk. Health care during this critical period aims at minimising deficits particularly in relation to dry matter intakes (DMI’s) and energy and mineral balance. •     Milk fever is the most common and important periparturient disease affecting high yielders. Due to the sudden onset of lactation, there is a huge demand for calcium resulting in dramatic decrease in blood calcium level during calving causing milk fever.

Introduction

Aquaculture has emerged as a viable business model having high growth potential for the entrepreneurs and start-ups in India. The rate of adoption of the aqua-business models for new age entrepreneurs has been very high in recent times. Some of the viable business models that are technology based and scalable have been attractive to the entrepreneurs are in the indoor aquaculture system like RAS, Biofloc systems. It offers many advantages like low space requirements, easy monitoring, higher level of intensification, easy management, short supply chain to the urban markets etc. These indoor aquaculture system are broadly defined as peri-urban aquaculture system offering high growth potential to the entreprenuers in India. The chapter provides a broad outline of the opportunities and recent trends of entrepreneurial developments through peri-urban aquaculture.

Entrepreneurship is the risk taking ability and readiness to venture into a new economic enterprise, along with all its challenges in order to make profit. One of the examples of entrepreneurship is the starting of new businesses in any field with business potential. In other words, entrepreneurship is the creation or extraction of economic value (Diochon et al. 2011; Gaddefors et al. 2017; Alvarez, et al. 2001). It is also viewed as a change, generally entailing risk beyond what is normally encountered in starting a business, which may include other values than simply economic ones. A person gets the benefits as he invests in one or more businesses, bearing most of the risks and availing most of the rewards. According to Shane (2000), entrepreneurship comprises both “enterprising individuals” and “entrepreneurial opportunities”[4]. An entrepreneur is generally seen as an innovator, a source of innovative ideas, services, and business.

Perianal gland tumors originate around the anus of the dog, upper and lower part of the tail and prepucial area. Retention of gonadal hormone receptors is one of the causes for perianal gland adenoma and adenocarcinoma.Cytology reveals the presence of hepatoid cells with centrally placed nuclei and prominent nucleoli. A small flattened reserve cells or resting cells are also noticed around the hepatoid cells. In malignant variety, the cells containing large vesicular nuclei, eosinophilic granular cytoplasm and binucleated cells, mitotic figures, reserve cells, moderate stroma and lymphoplasmacytic infiltration are seen (Figure 55 & 56).

Abstract

Foliar N and P content of olive trees have shown a gradual increase from the month of October till May. But gradual decrease in leaf K content occurred between the months of October to February, where after a gradual but continuous increase in its content was noted till the month of May. However, foliar Ca and Mg contents also registered an increase between the months of October to January, but thereafter, a continuous decrease in their content was evident till the month of May. Relatively higher N, P and K contents were estimated during non- cropped year as compared to the cropped year. But converse was true for Ca and Mg content. Among different cultivars maximum values of foliar N, P, K, Ca and Mg were found in Frantoio, followed by Leccino, while minimum values of leaf macronutrients were recorded in Ascolano. Thus maximum values of leaf N, P, K, Ca, Mg ensured regular bearing behaviour of the cultivar whereas deficiencies of these nutrients tended to induce erratic bearing behavior of the cultivar.

Introduction

The peripartum period, spanning from 3 weeks pre-calving to 3 weeks post calving, is a critical phase in a cow’s life. During this time, cows are susceptible to various diseases that can significantly impact their health, productivity and reproductive performance. Changes in metabolism and lack of optimum immunity have been closely associated with most of the transition period diseases. Hormonal changes in the early lactation results in drain in energy and nutrients rendering the animal in some degree of negative energy balance. Increased lipid mobilization in transition period has its role in fatty liver and ketosis directly.Metabolic stress in peripartum cows refers to the physiological changes that occur around calving, affecting energy and nutrient balance.

Peripheral nerves

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is the part of the nervous system that lies outside the brain and spinal cord. It includes cranial nerves, spinal nerves and their roots and branches, peripheral nerves and neuromuscular junctions. In the peripheral nervous system, bundles of nerve fibres or axons conduct information to and from the central nervous system. The primary role of the peripheral nervous system is to connect the central nervous system to the bones, muscles and skin of the body trunk and the limbs and the organs to allow the complex movements and behaviour.

The peripheral nervous system is divided into the somatic nervous system and the autonomic (visceral) nervous system.

The somatic nervous system is associated with skeletal muscle voluntary control of body movents. It consists of afferent and efferent nerves. Afferent nerves are concerned with relaying sensation from the body to the central nervous system. The efferent nerves are responsible for sending out commands from central nervous system to the body, stimulating muscle contraction. This system is made up of nerves that connect to the skin, sensory organs and all skeletal muscles.

The autonomic nervous system is the part of peripheral nervous system that controls the visceral functions which occur below the level of consciousness. It consists of two divisions, the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.

Peritoneal Fluid Peritoneal fluid (PTF) is an ultra-filtrate of plasma. The amount of the fluid and its constituents depends on oncotic and hydrostatic pressures, vascular permeability, mesothelial lining integrity, and lymphatic drainage. In healthy animals, the amount of peritoneal fluid is negligible making its aspiration difficult. However, in large animals, a small volume (up to 5ml) can be aspirated. Volumes of 10ml or above may indicate a pathological process in the abdominal cavity, unless the animal is in late pregnancy. Indications for collection and analysis The collection and analysis of peritoneal fluid is important in the diagnosis of diseases of the peritoneum and the abdominal segment of alimentary tract .Increased accumulation of peritoneal fluid may be evident in congestive heart failure, peritonitis, nephrotic syndrome,

Botany: Periwinkles (Catharanthus roseus) belonging to the family Apocynaceae are evergreen perennials that produce bright blue flowers. They grow best in well-draining, moist soil and partial sun to full shade. They work well as sprawling groundcover or border plants and bloom from early spring to early fall. Periwinkles are often grown as transplants, but they can be started from seed about 10 weeks before the last frost with the proper care.

Varieties: Nirmal, Dhawal and Prabal

Soil and climate: It is suited to all types of soil and tropical climatic conditions. Well distributed annual rainfall of 100 cm or more is ideal for raising as a rainfed crop.

Seeds and planting: Propagated through seeds either by direct sowing or throughtransplanting.

Seed rate: 2.5 kg/ha : Direct sowing

0.5 kg/ha : Through seedlings

45 - 60 days old seedlings are transplanted at a spacing of 45 x 20 cm during June - July or September - October.

2.1. Origin and distribution

• Native of Madagascar and spread to India, Indonesia, Indo-China, Philippines, South Africa, Israel, USA and other parts of the world.

• In India, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Assam are the major states that cultivate periwinkle.

• USA - world’s largest user as raw material.

• Germany, Italy, Netherlands and the UK are interested in roots.

2.2. Economic importance

• Economic parts: Leaves, stem and roots

• Used as an abortificent, purgative, antidiabetic, diuretic, hemorrhagic antimalarial, antidysentric and against skin diseases

Sphingid larva: Dilephila nerii :Sphingidae

The large larvae cause severe damage to plants by feeding extensively on leaves, buds and flowers.They are very big and can easily be hand picked and killed or fed to poultry.

Abstract: Periwinkles are popular seed propagated bedding plants with numerous hybrid varieties and series (First Kiss, Garden leader Splash, etc.) and cultivars available on world market and accepted by landscapers. A continued domestication by flower breeders produced a wide range of flower colours and flower patterns. The breeding objectives with high priority include alkaloid content, plant organs rich in pharmaceutical compounds, blooming potted plants with long display life, novel flower shapes/ form. Research focused on genetics of characters, genetic divergence, intervarietal/ interspecific hybridization and seed production has been discussed.

Scientific name: Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don
Family: Apocyanaceae
Catharanthus roseus (Vinca rosea)is a perennial flowering plant in the family Apocyanaceae. It is commonly known as Cape periwinkle, Madagascar periwinkle or graveyard plant etc. Periwinkle is an extensively investigatedmedicinal plant after the discovery of powerful anticancer alkaloids such as Vinblastine and Vincristine, in its leaves more than 50 years ago. These alkaloids have revolutionized  cancer treatment and saved countless lives worldwide. Today, Catharanthus roseus remains a vital source of inspirationfor cancer research and drug development.
Origin and distribution
Periwinkle is native and endemic to Madagascar. However, it is now cultivated and grown in many tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including the southern United States, West Indies, and several states in India, such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat. Unfortunately, the plant is endangered in its natural habitat due to habitat destruction and burn and slash agriculture.
Botany
Periwinkle is a perennial herb belonging to the Apocynaceae family. It is a popular ornamental plant, often grown in gardens for its attractive pink and white flowers that bloom throughout the year. The plant has a spreading habit, with flexible, long branches that bear simple, opposite leaves. These leaves are elliptical to ovate in shape, measuring 2.5-5 cm in length and 1-2 cm in width, with a glossy, dark green appearance and a pointed tip.

Objective: To study peroxidase isozyme variation in rice seedlings by electrophoresis.

Background information

For electrophoresis and PAGE please see practical no. 4. For peroxidase please see practical no. 7.(Page 17-22)

Isozymes (isoenzymes or more generally as multiple forms of enzymes) are the enzymes that are differing in the sequence of amino acids but they work on same substrate or in other words catalyze same biochemical reaction. The isozymes have difference in K_M values and regulatory properties. Isozymes are very useful for proper tuning of metabolic activities and to meet the specific need of particular tissue or developmental stage, e.g. lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Isozymes are coded by homologous genes that have diversity during evolutionary process. Although, strictly speaking, allozymes represent enzymes from different alleles of the same gene, and isozymes represent enzymes from different genes that process or catalyse the same reaction, the two words are usually used interchangeably.

Popularly known as Japanese, or Oriental, persimmon, it is also called kaki (in Spanish, caqui), Chinese plum or, Chinese fig when dried, belongs to the family Ebanaceae. The tree is native to Japan, China, Burma and the Himalayas and Khasi Hills of northeastern India.

Uses

Fully ripe Japanese persimmons are usually eaten out-of-hand or cut in half and served with a spoon. The flesh may be added to salads, blended with ice cream mix or yogurt, used in pancakess, cakes, gingerbread, cookies, gelatin desserts, puddings, mousse, or made into jam or marmalade. The pureed pulp can be blended with cream cheese, orange juice, honey and a pinch of salt to make an unusual dressing.

Persimmons are mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The genus contains nearly 400 species including the horticulturally important, Diospyros kaki, D. virginiana and D. lotus. The persimmon cultivated mainly for fruit is D. kaki, which is called the Japanese persimmon, Oriental persimmon, or simply Kaki. The generic name is derived from the Greek ‘dios’ (meaning divine) and ‘pyros’ (meaning grain of wheat), referring to the excellent fruit of the genus. The specific name kaki is from the Japanese common name given by Carl Peter Thunberg (1743–1828), a Swedish naturalist and medical doctor, and a pupil of Linnaeus. He stayed in Japan from 1775 to 1776 and published “Flora Japonica” in 1784 introducing many Japanese plants.

Japanese persimmons were introduced into the United States from Japan by Admiral Perry who discovered the fruit growing on the coast of Southern Japan in 1851. It is regarded as the national fruit of Japan and several improved cultivars have been developed there. It is the one of the easiest tree fruits to grow in the home landscape and also the most beautiful especially in fall when the foliage turns to brilliant colours and huge orange fruits hang from the tree like ornaments.

Genus : Diospyros 
Species : kaki L.
Family : Ebenaceae 
Chromosome No. : 2n=60, 90

Persimmon-Kaki, though native of China, but it was in Japan where the fruit developed to its present status and much of the cultural practices were established or developed in Japan, hence the Japanese name by which it was popular in Japan was accepted all over the world. Japanese persimmon sometimes called as date plum and Chinese date-plum are the names generally used to describe persimmon in United States. The Chinese name is Shitz and in France it is called as plaquemine. In Japan Kaki is regarded to be their prime and best fruit and about 800 cultivars have been recorded and described. Likewise the Chinese also fancy persimmon and large areas have been put under its cultivation.

Genus : Diospyros 
Species : kaki L.
Family : Ebenaceae 
Chromosome No. : 2n=60, 90

Persimmon-Kaki, though native of China, but it was in Japan where the fruit developed to its present status and much of the cultural practices were established or developed in Japan, hence the Japanese name by which it was popular in Japan was accepted all over the world. Japanese persimmon sometimes called as date plum and Chinese date-plum are the names generally used to describe persimmon in United States. The Chinese name is Shitz and in France it is called as plaquemine. In Japan Kaki is regarded to be their prime and best fruit and about 800 cultivars have been recorded and described. Likewise the Chinese also fancy persimmon and large areas have been put under its cultivation.

• Deciduous, Monoecious fruit crop.
• Rich in Vitamin A (2710/U/100g)
• Fruits are highly astringent due to tannin content.
• Flowers appear in spring on new growth in February- March.
• Type of flowers: Male, Female, Bisexual.
• Pollination - Cross-pollination
• Mode of pollination - Insects
• Persimmon fruits exhibit a double sigmoid growth area.
• Date-plum (Diospyros lotus) used Rootstock in India
• American - Diospyros virginiana
• Japanese or oriental Persimmon - Diospyros kaki.
• Fruiting time – August- September
• Inarching on its rootstock on D. lotus.
• Dwarf and Semi-dwarf, modified central leader system.

Introduction

Agrochemicals are categorised based on the specific target organisms they are intended to control, including insects, weeds, and fungi. Among these target organisms, weeds significantly contribute to the highest economic losses due to their interference in crop production. Herbicides, the predominant class of agrochemicals globally, account for 48% of the total expenditure. The largest consumers of agrochemicals are Europe, Asia, and the United States. Herbicides have various biological and chemical properties (Roy et al., 2023a). They exhibit variations in behaviour and spectrum weed control. These properties play an important role in herbicide selection, method of utilisation and application, post-application effects such as toxicity and residue accumulation in the soil. The crucial factor for any herbicide application is the behaviour of the herbicide in the soil and its transformation or modification once it reaches the soil (Miller and Westra, 1914). The fate of herbicides and their efficiency are regulated by herbicide properties, soil characteristics and climatic conditions.

The Management tools are very useful to achieve the objectives of any extension organization. There are number of management tools, which extensively used for better personal and organizational effectiveness, such as follows: Johari window, SWOT analysis, Agro-Ecosystem analysis, PRA, Transaction Analysis, etc.

• Personal Effectiveness-Johari Window:

The personal effectiveness is very useful for success of management in any extension organization. In Extension organization, the manager or leader has to deal with human beings to obtain the objectives’ of the organization through better personal effectiveness. The basic precondition for personal effectiveness is better self-awareness but understanding one does not alone make a person effective.

The Johari Window: The simple and widely used model of self-awareness is the Johari window, developed by Joseph Luft& Harry Ingham in 1973. In this model, there are two main dimensions for understanding the self: Those aspects of a person’s behavior and style that known to him(Self) and those aspects of his behavior known to those with whom he interacts(Others). A combination of these two dimensions reveals fur areas of knowledge about the self.

Objectives
• Comprehend the fundamental concepts of personal and professional communication and their significance in various contexts.
• Develop an understanding of the key elements that contribute to effective verbal and non-verbal communication.
• Identify common barriers to communication and learn strategies toovercome them in personal and professional settings.
• Enhance personal communication skills, including active listening, empathy, assertiveness, and constructive feedback.
• Acquire professional communication skills essential for writing, verbal interactions, and presentations in the workplace.
• Understand the dynamics of communication in different professional contexts, including teamwork, cross-cultural communication, and conflict resolution.
What is Communication
Communication is the process of exchanging information, thoughts, ideas, and feelings between individuals or groups. It involves the sender, message, medium, receiver, and feedback. Types of communication include personal communication, which is informal a nd characterized by emotional and personal expression, and professional communication, which is formal and involves clear messaging that follows organizational protocols.

Dr. Chauhan’s philosophy as a Veterinary Pathologist reflects a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of life and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of animals. His approach is rooted in compassion, scientific rigor, and a holistic appreciation of the delicate balance that sustains ecosystems. Over the years, he has become a beacon of hope for gaushalas and cow enthusiasts, demonstrating that veterinary medicine is not just a profession but a calling that demands empathy, dedication, and an unyielding respect for life.
At the core of Dr. Chauhan’s philosophy is the belief that every living being, regardless of its size or species, deserves dignity and care. To him, animals are not mere creatures but sentient beings with emotions, instincts, and intrinsic value. This perspective shapes his practice, as he treats each animal with the same care and attention he would give to a human patient. Whether it’s a stray dog in need of emergency care, a farm animal requiring preventive medicine, or an endangered species in a conservation program, Dr. Chauhan approaches his work with equal seriousness and respect.
Dr. Chauhan emphasizes the importance of understanding animals within the context of their natural behaviors and environments. He often says, “To heal an animal, you must first listen to what it cannot say.” This insight has driven him to study not only veterinary medicine but also animal behavior, ecology, and the complex relationships between humans and animals. He believes that understanding these dynamics is essential for providing comprehensive care. For example, he advocates for preventive care practices that align with an animal’s natural rhythms, such as vaccination schedules that account for seasonal changes and diets that mimic an animal’s natural food sources.

The College of Food Technology was established in the year 1976 at Parbhani as one of the constituent College of VNMKV, Parbhani. Food Technology College involves the knowledge of application of different fields of food Science and also includes transfer of Food Science technology to the students to make them well equipped with knowledge and skills required for employment in public  and private sector.

The compliance with hygienic and aesthetic standards in the dairy factory is, in the final analysis, dependent on the human element. Each employee, from top management to the most junior operative, has his role in the factory sanitation programme and carelessness at any stage may cause quality deterioration of products or endanger the health of consumers. Legal action against the dairy may also result from neglect of hygiene. Personnel hygiene refers to the personal cleanliness and related habits of the workers. Milkborne infections frequently originate from food contaminated by workers through their hands, breath, hair, perspiration, pimples, infected wounds, coughs, and sneezes. Transfer of even traces of human and animal excreta by the workers is a potential source of pathogenic microorganisms. Foodborne illness is known to originate from workers who were ill and practiced unsanitary food handling methods or poor personal hygiene. Even the healthy worker, who does not exhibit the symptoms of the disease, may harbour food poisoning bacteria in the respiratory or intestinal tract. It is always desirable, as a matter of practice, to look at different parts of the human body in terms of potential sources of bacterial contamination. Provisions regarding personal hygiene of employees are contained in all legislation dealing with milk treatment.

Every small business manager is a personnel manager in the sense that work is done through people, with people and for the people. Consequently, the owner-manager should be personally capable of handling employee relations until the company becomes large enough to afford a personnel manager. Planning personnel requirement, developing sources from which new employees can be recruited, choosing (recruiting) the needed people, training and developing them into productive workers, evaluating their performance, compensating them and dealing with various personnel relationship, including industrial relation are included under personnel management.

Staffing

Staffing is a critical function of organizing and managing a successful business. All companies, whether large or small, are involved in the staffing process. All businesses run the same risk every time they hire a new employee. The staffing function is generally divided into four major categories (1) staffing needs, (2) acquisition, (3) motivation, and (4) retention.

Organic Agriculture
Organic and biodynamic farming use natural methods to grow crops, avoiding inorganic fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals throughout the growth stages. This approach relies on natural biological systems, preserving their relationships and self-regulation, unlike conventional farming, which heavily depends on synthetic inputs. As a result, plant and animal varieties bred for intensive agriculture often do not align with organic principles. To unlock the full potential of organic farming, genetics of seeds should also be organic, ideally bred and grown exclusively in organic conditions to best suit these systems.
Organic plant breeding
Improving the genetic diversity of the crops and their adaptation to the future organic growing conditions and climate change need to be done through organic plant breeding. The choice of varieties for organic farming that are mostly derived from conventional bred varieties, sustainable use of natural input resources and at the dynamic equilibrium of the entire agro ecosystem are the main features. The organic breeding programs should match with the reproduction system of the respective crop. Seeds and vegetatively propagated crops are important resources for organic breeding. The Organic agriculture system relies on natural inputs and pesticide free and non GMO crops, vegetable and fruits aiming providing healthy food. In an overall manner, organic agriculture is the expression of underlying ecology, fairness and health. Organic agriculture is presently practiced in organically converted and managed land area equal to 2% of the cultivated area in India.
International Federations of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM) (2015 and 2017): Organic agriculture is defined as a production system that sustains the soil health, ecosystem and people. It relies on ecological processes, bio diversity, and local conditions. Organic farming is part of organic agriculture and it is basically based on the underlying principles of health, fairness, ecology and care. The well-known characteristic of organic farming is, it produces food without the use of any synthetic fertilizer or pesticides and also without the use of GMO. Trends and perspectives in organic plant breeding are recognized as a highly collaborative and possess strong interrelationships.

Introduction

In the era of communication and information, each one of us should have access to information as per our choice, interest, priority, need and requirement. We all are playing different role in different walk of life in different capacity, for different professions, avocations, duties and responsibilities as well. To internalize any concept or idea, a perceptual clarity is very much necessary for interweaving it in our experiential textures. This is possible when more and more number of sensory organs are engaged in a learning situation irrespective of the subject or content to learn. In 21 Century with the advancement of science and technology, more particularly, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), it is possible to establish the connectivity on e-mode and do the things on virtual mode to the possible extent. It is quite possible in urban set up with proper infrastructural facilities both at the source as well as at the receiver end, without any distortion of message on account of electricity failure or wrongful handling of computer or any gadget for that matter.

Introduction

Humans are able to live and work in almost all the environmental extremes of the planet earth and also in space due to their remarkable physiological adaptability and/or by modification of environment itself. Adequate nutrition plays a key role in adaptation and accordingly nutritional needs vary to a great extent. Nutraceutical, a term combining the words “nutrition” and “pharmaceutical”, is a food or food product that provides health and medical benefits, including the prevention and treatment of disease. Such products may range from isolated nutrients, dietary supplements and specific diets to genetically engineered foods, herbal products, and processed foods such as cereals, soups, and beverages. Nutraceutical is a broad umbrella term used to describe any product derived from food sources that provides extra health benefits in addition to the basic nutritional value found in foods. Products typically claim to prevent chronic diseases, improve health, delay the aging process, and increase life expectancy. Phytochemical profile in important crops such as ber, aonla, pomegranate, date palm, karoda, bael, aloe vera, cactus pear of arid region have been indicated that there is wide variation among primary and secondary metabolites. Thus it has become imperative to look into markers linked to high contents of bioactive compounds rather than size and sweetness of the fruits during exploration and evaluation of the plant germplasm.

Persuasive speaking is a powerful tool for influencing opinions, inspiring action, and fostering change. Unlike informative speaking, which focuses on sharing knowledge, persuasive speaking aims to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint, belief, or behavior. Whether in a business pitch, a political campaign, or a motivational speech, mastering the art of persuasion is essential for effective communication. This chapter explores the key components, strategies, and techniques that define persuasive speaking and how to deliver impactful persuasive speeches.
Persuasive speaking is a form of communication aimed at influencing the beliefs, attitudes, values, or behaviors of an audience. Unlike informative speaking, which focuses solely on sharing knowledge, persuasive speaking seeks to convince the audience to adopt a particular perspective or take a specific action. It is widely used in various settings, including public debates, marketing pitches, advocacy campaigns, and motivational speeches.
At its core, persuasive speaking involves presenting arguments that resonate with the audience, using a combination of credibility, emotion, and logic. Effective persuasion requires not only compelling content but also an understanding of the audience’s values, beliefs, and needs.
Key Characteristics of Persuasive Speaking
1. Goal-Oriented
Persuasive speaking is driven by a clear objective, such as changing opinions, inspiring action, or reinforcing existing beliefs.
Example: A speech urging people to donate to a charity aims to motivate the audience to take immediate action.
2. Audience-Centered
A successful persuasive speech focuses on the audience’s interests, concerns, and values, tailoring the message to connect with their perspectives.
Example: Advocating for renewable energy by emphasizing job creation to an audience concerned about unemployment.

1. Brief Basic Information on Country and Agrarian Status

Peru is the third largest country in South America with 1,285,215 square-meters and in general, there are three well defined regions: the Coast (11 per cent of the territory), the highlands (30 per cent of the territory) and the jungle (59 per cent of the territory). Peru is characterized by the high variability of agro-ecosystems ranging from Deserts in the Coast, lowlands, hills, high mountains, and rainforest in the Jungle. Each region has different agro-climatic conditions, infrastructure and enterprise development. The total cultivable land area is 54,76,977 hectares that is equivalent to 4.3 per cent of the national territory. The coast has 8,70,200 hectares of irrigated land (no rain-fed land because of lack of rain in the coast) and has the best conditions for cultivation of export crops. The highlands have 28,33,800 hectares of cultivable land, 70 per cent of them is under rain-fed condition and the total of the 17,73,000 hectares of cultivated land under rain-fed conditions1 . Land property has undergone a process of changes in the last 40 years.

Introduction

Agriculture in general and horticulture in particular are highly vulnerable to year-to-year climatic variability. Farmers and other decision makers in agriculture make decisions based on their understanding of general climatic patterns for their regions. Crops are constantly threatened by pests such as insects and nematodes, as well as diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses and other micro-organisms. However, depending on weather conditions, the severity is very variable from year to year and often control strategies are applied without considering the climatic variability. Moreover, following the global climate change predictions, meteorological conditions triggering pest population/disease infection cycles are destined to increase, leading to consequent increase of the pests/diseases pressure. Sustainable plant protection strategies rely on weather and climate related pest and disease forecasting models in order to:

Natural farming in India adopts a preventive and ecosystem-based approach to pest and disease management, prioritizing ecological harmony over chemical control. Rather than eradicating pests, the aim is to regulate their populations through natural mechanisms and enhance the farm’s biological resilience.
Natural farmers commonly use plant-based formulations such as Agniastra, Brahmastra, and Neemastra. These are prepared from locally available herbs, cow urine, and cow dung, and serve as effective insecticidal and antifungal sprays. Neem (Azadirachta indica) plays a central role due to its wide-ranging pestrepelling properties and is a staple in fermented bio-sprays. Practices like crop
rotation, intercropping, and companion planting help disrupt pest life cycles and minimize disease occurrence. Crops like marigold deter nematodes and aphids, while plants like basil and turmeric suppress fungal infections. These practices also promote the presence of beneficial insects and pollinators, contributing to natural pest control.
A key strategy in natural farming is enhancing soil health through inputs like Jeevamrit, compost, and fermented plant extracts. These boost microbial activity, which in turn suppresses soil-borne pathogens and strengthens plant
immunity. Waaphasa—ensuring proper soil aeration—helps prevent root diseases by maintaining an optimal air-moisture balance in the rhizosphere.
Regular field inspection and sanitation help in early detection of pest issues. Timely weeding and residue management further reduce disease spread. Immediate application of natural deterrents can prevent outbreaks from escalating.

In natural beekeeping systems, the management of pests and diseases focuses on prevention, ecological harmony, and chemical-free practices that safeguard both bee health and environmental integrity. Departing from conventional methods that often depend on synthetic antibiotics, fumigants, or miticides, natural approaches aim to fortify the colony’s inherent resilience through biological and culturally grounded techniques. Central to this strategy is the maintenance of strong, genetically robust colonies, ensuring clean and well-aerated hives, and providing nutritional support through diverse and abundant floral sources. Healthy, wellnourished colonies are inherently more capable of withstanding infections and parasitic invasions.

Indian apiaries commonly contend with pests such as wax moths, ants, wasps, small hive beetles, and mites like Varroa destructor and Tropilaelap sclareae. Diseases including American foulbrood, European foulbrood, chalkbrood, and Nosema can pose significant threats if not identified and contained promptly. Natural management emphasizes routine hive inspections to detect early symptoms, followed by the removal and safe disposal of infected combs. Maintaining adequate space between colonies can minimize disease transmission, while structural modifications to hive entrances and the use of barriers like ash rings or water moats effectively deter ants and other intruders.

In natural beekeeping systems, the management of pests and diseases focuses on prevention, ecological harmony, and chemical-free practices that safeguard both bee health and environmental integrity. Departing from conventional methods that often depend on synthetic antibiotics, fumigants, or miticides, natural approaches aim to fortify the colony’s inherent resilience through biological and culturally grounded techniques. Central to this strategy is the maintenance of strong, genetically robust colonies, ensuring clean and well-aerated hives, and providing nutritional support through diverse and abundant floral sources. Healthy, wellnourished colonies are inherently more capable of withstanding infections and parasitic invasions. Indian apiaries commonly contend with pests such as wax moths, ants, wasps, small hive beetles, and mites like Varroa destructor and Tropilaelap sclareae. Diseases including American foulbrood, European foulbrood, chalkbrood, and Nosema can pose significant threats if not identified and contained promptly. Natural management emphasizes routine hive inspections to detect early symptoms, followed by the removal and safe disposal of infected combs. Maintaining adequate space between colonies can minimize disease transmission, while structural modifications to hive entrances and the use of barriers like ash rings or water moats effectively deter ants and other intruders. Traditional plant-based treatments play a vital role in this approach. Natural substances such as neem, turmeric, garlic, tulsi, and cow urine (gomutra) possess antifungal, antibacterial, and repellent properties. Preparations like neem oil or garlic water sprays, when applied around the hive (avoiding direct contact with bees), can help repel mites and beetles. Cow dung and ash, smeared around hive stands, serve as an age-old deterrent to ground pests. Propolis, a resin collected by bees, acts as a natural antiseptic; encouraging its accumulation by roughening interior hive surfaces helps enhance hive hygiene and immunity.

Introduction

Surging food demand and shrinking land resources to produce more from the limited natural resources like soil and water is poised to environmental degradation. Increased production must be achieved mainly by increasing crop productivity per unit area while sustaining the environment and enhanced input use efficiency. Agricultural production systems are increasingly under pressure to adapt decision-making process to be make more informed and efficient use of irrigation water, fertilizers and pesticides. Adverse effects of climate change are added challenges to agricultural productivity. Efficient crop management strategies to improve resource use efficiency and reduce crop losses are vital issues to be taken care for a sustainable sustainably enhanced production system. Genetic improvement approaches involving high throughput phenotyping and genomics-assisted breeding enhancing resource use efficiency, stress tolerance, yield has become imperative. Precise crop health monitoring is one of the keys to the modern production system. Obviously, disease forecasting and surveillance systems are in great demand to adopt precise management against the losses caused by diseases. Predicting disease risk at regional and global scales is of great interest for on-farm management and for assessment of agricultural policies and practices.

Abstract

Ten pests belonging to six insect and mite orders were recorded infesting strawberry cv. Chandler in Paonta and Doon Valleys of North Indian during 2001-04. Out of these Heliothis armigera Hubner, Spodoptera litura F., Thrips tabaci  Kheg, Holotrichia insularis Brenke, Odontotermes obesus Ramb and Tetranychus telarius L were of primary significance. Two fortnightly application of endosulfan (0.05%) from mid April proved effective in containing the attack of first two most devastating pests.