eChapters

INTRODUCTION

The aquaculture sector expands and environmental regulations become stricter, waste management has emerged as a significant responsibility for managers of aquaculture farms. Waste generated by aquaculture facilities usually comes in the form of either effluent or sludge. Effective management and disposal of wastewater in aquaculture are becoming progressively crucial due to the strict regulations concerning the discharge of waste into natural water systems. The worldwide expansion of aquaculture industries has led to a rise in adverse environmental effects due to the release of significant quantities of polluting effluents containing uneaten feed and fecal matter (Chávez Crooker and Obreque-Contreras, 2010) Efficient management of wastewater in aquaculture is crucial for fostering sustainable practices. A variety of innovative methods have been developed to treat aquaculture wastewater effectively. These encompass eco-sensitive systems such as aquaponics and integrated multi-trophic systems, along with biofilm technologies that exploit the mutual growth of algae and fungi to remove nutrients. Furthermore, the reuse of wastewater via oxidation ponds can both provide natural sustenance for fish and treat household sewage effectively. Technologies like constructed wetlands and recirculation systems have proven highly effective in removing nutrients and recycling water, thus aiding in sustainable aquaculture practices. Additionally, specialized continuous automatic treatment equipment has been devised specifically for aquaculture wastewater, ensuring efficient purification processes. Together, these diverse strategies collectively strive to address the challenges posed by nutrient pollution and resource depletion in managing aquaculture wastewater.

INTRODUCTION

Phenolic compounds in the wastewater are harmful pollutants which originate as byproducts from several industries like pulp and paper mills, coaking plants, petroleum refineries, tanning industries, phenolic resin manufacturing units etc. Phenolic compounds impart colour and odour to water and are toxic even at a very low level of concentration. The various processes for the removal of phenolics from the wastewater can be grouped into two broad categories. In one category are those processes like microbiological degradation, chemical treatment, incineration etc. which aim at destroying the phenolics, while the other category has processes involving the recovery of phenolics e.g. solvent extraction, activated carbon treatment, uptake by porous polymeric adsorbents etc. Among these various methods polymeric adsorbents are very promising for the removal of phenolic compounds due to following reasons. The efficiency of removal of phenolics by porous polymeric adsorbents and their subsequent elution from the polymer matrix is exceptionally good. The requirement equipment is very simple and the operation is usually trouble free. The operation can be carried out at ambient temperature and the space requirements are comparatively small. Very stringent specifications regarding the quality of the effluent can be met by the use of polymeric adsorbents.

The Cladocera, commonly known as ‘waterfleas’ form a primitive group of microcrustaceans. They play an important role in the aquatic food chain and also contribute significantly to the zooplankton dynamics and secondary productivity in freshwater ecosystem. Though most cladocera is filter feeders, they also feed on detritus, algae, small rotifers and copepod nauplii. They keep a check on eutrophication for which this group is also widely used as good indicators of ecosystem health and sentinels of environmental change (Eggermont and Martens, 2011; Padhye and Dahanukar 2015). At the same time, cladocera is the favorite food prey of many invertebrates and many vertebrates. Their characteristic jerky movements make them easily visible to the predators and that is why most of fish larvae were found to prefer cladocera over the prey (Mayer and Wahl,1971).

Cladocerans have a distinct head, a single compound eye, and a large mandible for grinding food particles. Cladocerans feed on algae, small rotifers, and copepod nauplii. Cladocerans reproduce mostly asexually via parthenogenesis. But they can also reproduce sexually based on the environmental conditions.

The distribution of cladocerans is affected by different factors including temperature, rainfall, water quality, nutrients, macrophytes, flood pulse etc. (Ghidini et al.,2009; Kiss et al., 2014). Their metabolic rate is variable with water temperature.

The order cladocera belongs to the subclass Branchipoda and includes minute crustaceans generally in the size range of 0.2 to 5.0 mm.

INTRODUCTION

Aquaculture is the fastest growing food producing sector with annual growth rate of 10.34% and it play a very important role in improving the income generation as well as nutritional security of farmers in many developing countries including India. In the fresh water system, carps are the most widely cultured species throughout the country and carp culture in India is believed to be as old as carp culture in China. Although in early years, carp culture was largely restricted to the North-Eastern States of India, during the last four to five decades, it has spread to almost all parts. The traditional carp culture practice is rapidly transforming into scientific farming in several parts of India. Generally, carp culture in India is a polyculture of 3-6 species of major carps and exotic carps (Vijay Anand, 2019), namely, catla (Catla catla), rohu (Labeo rohita), mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Among six species, common carp (Cyprinus carpio) cultured in the composite fish farming system is potential species, which plays a vital role in the Inland Fish production especially for the North Eastern Hill states of India as the species has got high adaptability and tolerance towards high range of temperature and dissolved oxygen variation. The species is introduced to India in 1937 as the Prussian strain and in 1957 as the Bangkok strain. Due to their high food value, the farmers of the state have been culturing the fish in rice fields in monoculture or along with other species particularly in Apatani Plateau of Ziro area gaining an average weight 75g to 110g (Hussain et al., 2018).

INTRODUCTION

Integrated farming is an innovative approach towards increased fish production. In integrated fish farming two or more commodities are framed together on a common infra-structural base with the objective of optimizing use of available resources. It is based on the concept that “there are no wastes and waste is only a misplaced resource, which can become a valuable material for another product”. There are several advantages of integrated farming system viz. increased productivity, greater income, improved cash flow, fuller employment, a better diet for the farmer’s family and less biological and economic risk (Pillay, 1990). On the other side, there is the disadvantage that the integrated system is more complex, with a need for more knowledge and better management, since the failure of one system could adversely affect other system (Singh et al., 2014). In integrated farming system, animal manure is shed directly into a fish pond as fertilizer and supports the growth of natural fish food organisms. The fish not only utilize spilled animal feed, but also directly feed on fresh animal excreta which is partially digested and is rich in nutrients. Surplus excreta support the rich growth of planktonic fauna. Fertilizers and supplementary feed are not used, resulting in a drastic cost reduction. These farming systems are relatively confined units with little exchange of water. Manure from livestock which indirectly trigger the growth of mainly photosynthetic organisms resulting in the production high yields fish with low input and limit the dependency on supplementary feed (Saikia et al., 2020 and Sharma et al., 1979; 1998). Ugwumba et al. (2010) suggested that the higher the number of viable enterprises integrated into an agricultural system the higher the expected profit. Integrated culture system is quite compatible with the earthen pond culture and relevant to benefit the rural poor (Misra et al, 2016, Vohra et al., 2012).

INTRODUCTION

Generation of solid wastes has a universal problem which are facing by most of the countries in present scenario. These wastes are generated due to several human accomplishments as well as natural disaster. It is estimated that in India nearly 700 million tons of organic wastes is generated annually included leaves, husk, sawdust, steam bark, flowers etc. Vermicomposting is a simple biotechnological process of composting, in which certain species of earthworms are used to enhance the process of waste conversion and produce a better end product. Vermicompost is nutritionally rich natural organic fertilizer, which releases nutrients relatively slowly in the soil and improves quality of the plants along with physical and biological properties of soil. It has a more beneficial impact on plants than soil.

During vermicomposting, earthworms eat and grind substrates, convening with anaerobic micro flora to increase the surface area for microbial colonization and enzymatic action. Screening of locally available earthworm species and their suitability for vermicomposting during summer and winter seasons is very much required for effective recycling of available bio-waste for production of quality organic manure – vermicompost. Earthworm’s vermicompost is proving to be highly nutritive ‘organic fertilizer’ and more powerful ‘growth promoter’ over the conventional composts and a ‘protective’ farm input (increasing the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil, restoring and improving its natural fertility) against the ‘destructive’ chemical fertilizers which has destroyed the soil properties and decreased its natural fertility over the years.

Vermicompost is rich in NKP (nitrogen 2-3%, potassium 1.85-2.25% and phosphorus 1.55-2.25%), micronutrients, beneficial soil microbes and also contain ‘plant growth hormones and enzymes’. It is scientifically proving as ‘miracle growth promoter and also plant protector’ from pests and diseases. Vermicompost retains nutrients for long time but the conventional compost fails to deliver the required amount of macro and micronutrients including the vital NKP to plants.

Introduction to Statistics

The word statistics has been derived from Latin word “status”, the German word “statistik”, the Italian word “statistica” or the French word “statistique”. During early periods, it was used by emperors and kings only for collecting the information about state and other information which was needed about their people, their number, land, status of people, revenue of the state etc. Gradually, it meaning and uses extended and there onwards its nature changed.

Some scientist/ researchers were given definition of statistics as per time and place.

• An ancient date, A.L. Bowley gives some definitions according their use and place. He seems to be inadequate because these do not include all aspects of statistics. As per time, place or requirement, he gave three definitions of statistics:

• Statistics may be called the science of counting

• Statistics may rightly be called the science of average

• Statistics as the science of counting and average

Statistical Series: When observations of any characteristic present in the individual of a group are recorded and arranged one after the other in a systematic order, they form a series, known as statistical series. For example: milk yield of 20 cows, height of the students in a class in a systematic order, etc. These are some important types of series:

• Discrete series: In this series, observations can take up only exact values and not any fractional values, is called discrete series. That means, this type of series has whole number of counting. For example: number of the students in a class, members of a family, number of births in a certain year, etc

• Continuous series: A series which can take up any numerical value (integral/ fractional) within a certain range is called continuous series. For example: milk yield of 20 cows, height, weight, temperature, etc.

• Array series: When we arranged the observations of a series either in ascending order of their magnitude or descending order of their magnitude, then it becomes an array series.

• Spatial series: When items of a series are given according to space or place or time, then such type of series is known as spatial series. For example: month wise milk yield of a herd of cows, month wise income or expenditure of an industry, population of a country according to states, etc.

Population: The word population or universe in statistics means a set of observations relating to a phenomenon under investigation.

Sample: It is a fraction or a subset of population drawn through a valid statistical procedure so that it can be regarded as representative of the entire population.

Sampling: The statistical procedure of drawing a sample from the population is called Sampling.

Census enquiry or complete enumeration: When each and every unit of the population is investigated for the characteristic under study, known as census enquiry or complete enquiry.

Sample enquiry or sample enumeration: It is a part of the population is investigated for the characteristic under study, known as sample enquiry or sample enumeration.

Necessity of sampling: Since, the process of collecting information from all the elements of a large population may be, in general, expensive, time consuming and difficult. We help to sampling and generalise the properties of the sample to the entire population. The statistical procedures which are used for drawing inferences or conclusions about the population from sample data are covered under Inferential Statistics or Statistical inference. Thus, sampling theory is the basis of statistical inference in which we wish to obtain maximum information about the population with minimum effort and maximum precision.

Diagrammatic Presentation of Data

The quantitative data when classify are converted into averages and if the number of average is large then it is not possible to draw a conclusion from their large numbers of averages. Moreover quantitative data are dull, confusing, boring for many of us. Therefore, a statistical device to make such confusing data more attractive was developed i.e. if such complex data are presented by geometric f igures, pictures, graphs or curves then it will become more attractive and more impressive, is called as diagrammatic representation of data. These diagrams are nothing but the use of geometrical figures to improve the overall presentation and offer visual assistance for the reader.

Types of Diagrams

Generally, diagrams are made for a special series or a time series and they are divided into five different categories:

1) One dimensional diagrams

2) Two dimensional diagrams

3) Three dimensional diagrams

4) Pictograms

5) Cartograms

Need of an average

Through frequency distribution are the condensed form of raw data, but these are not sufficient for making comparison between two or more data. Therefore further condensation of frequency distribution into a single figure is made. This single f igure is always representative of the frequency distribution and such a figure is known as average.

Measure of Central Tendency

According to Croxten and Cowden “An average is a single value within the range of the data that is used to represent all the values in the series”. A statistical measure used for representing the centre of central value of a set of observations is known as “Measure of Central Tendency”. It is also called as “Measure of f irst order”.

Characteristics of an ideal Measure of Central Tendency

An ideal measure of central tendency should possess the following properties:

1) It should be rigidly defined i.e. it has a fixed and finite value

2) It should be easy to understand 3) It should be easy to calculate

4) Its calculation should be based on all the observations

5) It should be capable for further algebraic treatment

6) It should not be affected by extreme values of the observations

7) It should be least affected by fluctuations of sampling

Dispersion

Measure of central tendency tells about the central position of the series. They do not throw like on the formation of series because in some cases, two series may have a same measure of central tendency but differ in their composition. In order to study the formation, composition, structure and scatteredness of the items of the series, measure of second order are necessary. The measure of second order will give idea about the formation of the series. As the representation of a series on the basis of its measure of central tendency is not sufficient but when a series is represented on the basis of its measure of central tendency as well as its measure of dispersion, then it will give the complete adequate representation of the series. Therefore, it is defined as the extent or degree of which data tend to spread around an average is called the dispersion. It is also known as variability or measure of second order.

Characteristics of an ideal Measure of Dispersion

An ideal measure of dispersion should possess the following properties:

1) It should be rigidly defined i.e. it has a fixed and finite value

2) It should be easy to understand

3) It should be easy to calculate

4) Its calculation should be based on all the observations

5) It should be capable for further algebraic treatment

6) It should not be affected by extreme values of the observations

7) It should be least affected by fluctuations of sampling

Correlation

In a statistical analysis, when two variables are studied simultaneously, then it is called “Bivariate study’. Now, in a bivariate study, if it is found that change in the values of one variable then in sympathy with the change in the values of other variable, then these two variables are said to be associated and the association is termed as correlation. In other words, the term correlation indicates the relationship between two such variables in which with changes in the values of one variable, the values of the other variable also change. In short, the tendency of simultaneous variation between two variables is called correlation.

Types of Correlation

Correlation can be classified by-

• Positive and Negative correlation: The correlation may be classified according to the direction of change in the two variables. In this regard, correlation may be either positive or negative. Positive correlation refers to the movement of variables in the same direction. Negative correlation efers to the movement of variables in the opposite direction.

• Simple, Partial and Multiple correlations: When only two variables are studied it is a problem of simple correlation. When three or more variables are studied simultaneously, it is a problem of multiple correlations. On the other hand, in partial correlation we recognize more than two variables, but consider only two variables to be influencing each other the effect of other influencing variables being kept constant.

• Linear and non-linear correlations: In linear correlation for every unit change in the values of one variable, there is constant change in the value of other variable. The perfect positive and negative correlations are also linear correlations. In non-linear correlation the change in the values of one variable does not have a constant ratio to the change in the other variable.

The theory of probability has its origin in the games of chance related to gambling such as throwing a die, tossing a coin, drawing cards from a pack of cards etc. Jerame Cardon (1501-1576), an Italian mathematician was the first man to write a book on the subject entitled “Book on Games and Chance”, which was published after his death in 1663. The systematic and scientific foundation of the mathematical theory of probability was laid in mid-seventeenth century by two French mathematicians B. Pascal (1623-1662) and Pierre de Fermat (1601 1665).

Important terms and concepts

To understand probability, let us first get acquainted with some important terms and concepts associated with probability.

• Trial: An experiment is any natural or planned activity for which it is not possible to predict the particular result called a trial.

• Events: The possible outcomes of experiments of a trial are called events. For example: Tossing of a coin in an experiment and one toss of the coin is called trial. In tossing of a coin there are only two outcomes or events, i.e. head or tail.

Types of events

Events can be of following different types:

• Exhaustive events

• Equally likely events

• Mutually exclusive events

• Dependent events

• Independent events

• Null or impossible events

• Exhaustive events: It is the total number of all the possible outcomes of an experiment.

Theoretical Probability Distribution

Many random variables associated with statistical experiments have similar properties, and as such can be described by the same probability functions. The distribution obtained from a theoretical listing of outcomes and probabilities, which can be described by a mathematical formula representing same phenomenon of interest is called a theoretical probability distribution. The distributions of discrete and continuous random variables are accordingly called discrete or continuous probability distributions.

Discrete Probability Distribution: It can be defined as a probability distribution of discrete random variables. Such a distribution will represent data that has a f inite countable number of outcomes. If the random variable X is a discrete random variable, the probability function P(X) is called probability mass function and its distribution is called discrete probability distribution. There are two conditions that a discrete probability distribution must satisfy. These are given as follows:

Types of Discrete Probability Distributions

There are several important discrete probability distributions-

• Uniform distribution

• Binomial distribution

• Negative Binomial distribution

• Geometric distribution

• Poisson distribution

• Hyper-Geometric distribution

Time Series

A series of observations recorded over time is known as a time series. In other words, a time series is a set of observations taken at specified times, usually at equal intervals. For example: Annual retail sales, rainfall measurements, heartbeats per minute, etc. Such studies are to be based on the analysis of time series data collected over time. Thus, the analysis of time series plays an important role in an investigation of economic, social, commercial and even biological phenomenon.

Components of time series

In a long time series, generally, there are following four components:

• Secular trend or long term movements

• Seasonal variations

• Cyclic variations • Random or irregular movements

• Secular trend or long term movements: It is that characteristic of a time series which extends consistently throughout the entire period of time under consideration. It shows a long term tendency of an activity to grow or to decline. The term long period of time in a relative phenomenon and cannot be defined exactly. For some cases a period as small as a weak may be fairly long while in other cases, a period as long as two years may not be assumed long.

An index number is a statistical measure designed to show changes in a variable or group of related variables with respect to time, geographical location or other characteristics like: income, profession, etc. A collection of index numbers for different years, months, locations, etc. is called an index series. Since index number are usually used to measure the level of business and economic activities over a period of time, so they are rightly called barometers of economic activities or simple called economic barometers. The various problems faced in the construction of an index number are to known the specific purpose of index number, selection of items, data for index numbers, choice of base periods, choice of an average, selection of weights and choice of a suitable formula.

Methods of Constructing Index Numbers

A number of formulae have been developed for constructing index numbers, which may be grouped into the following categories:

• Unweighted index numbers

• Weighted index numbers

• Unweighted index numbers: In this case, weights are not expressly assigned. 

Statistical Inference

It is the process of drawing valid inference or conclusion about the population on the basis of a sample drawn from the population. In other words, Statistical inference is the process of using a sample to infer the properties of a population. It requires studies pertaining to three aspects:

• Point Estimation • Interval Estimation

• Testing of Hypothesis • Point Estimation: It is to find a single value, which is used as an estimator of unknown parameter. For example, sample mean may be used as an estimate of the population mean µ.

• Interval Estimation: It is to find confidence limits based on sample values, within which the unknown parameter lies with confidence coefficient described in probability term. In other words, we estimate an unknown parameter using an interval of values that is likely to contain the true value of that parameter and state how confident we are that this interval indeed captures the true value of the parameter.

• Testing of Hypothesis: 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. Two types of problems mainly arise in tests of significance:

• Testing the significance of the difference between estimator and the pa rameter.

In 1935, Prof. Ronald A. Fisher laid the foundation for the subject in his monumental work entitled “The Designs of Experiments”. Experimental designs concern the arranging of treatments in such a manner that the inferences and conclusions regarding the effects of these treatments can be easily done and their reliability measured. Experiments are made with a view to find the validity of a particular hypothesis and to have an idea about the extent of the reliability that can be placed on a particular conclusion arrived. The selection of the design will have a very great bearing on the accuracy of the ultimate results. By a random selection of experimental units it is possible to remove the ambiguity about the casual interpretation of the observed associations. Random sampling is the most essential ingredient of all experimental designs. Besides, there are many devices for increasing the precision of the inference and the calculations.

To understand design of experiments, let us first get acquainted with some important terms and concepts associated with design of experiments:

• Experiment: Experiment is a scientifically planned method. The experiment is conducted draw a valid conclusion about a particular problem. The conclusion is based on statistically observation.

• Treatment: The object or the procedures under comparison in an experiment are known as treatment. For Example: Fertilizers, varieties, cultivation practices, irrigation level in case of agricultural experiments and drugs, breeds, farms, etc. in case of animal experiments.

• Yield: The response of the treatment is measured by some indicator such as crop production, milk production, body temperature, etc. Such an indicator is called yield. The treatments are applied to some units such as field plots, sample of cows, sample of patients, etc. and the effect on the yield is observed.

• Experimental material: The experimental material is nothing but a set of experimental units. In other words, the material which is used in experiment is known as experimental material. For Example: A piece of land i.e. Agricultural field in agricultural experiments and a group of cattle i.e. animals in animal experiments.

A non parametric test (sometimes called a distribution free test) is a statistical analysis method that does not assume the population data belongs to some prescribed distribution which is determined by some parameters. That means, a non-parametric test can be defined as a test that is used in statistical analysis when the data under consideration does not belong to a parameterized family of distributions. When the data does not meet the requirements to perform a parametric test, a non-parametric test is used to analyze it. The non-parametric test compared to parametric test, which makes assumptions about a population’s parameters (for example, the mean or standard deviation); When the word “non parametric” is used in stats, it means that population data does not have a normal distribution.

If at all possible, we should us parametric tests, as they tend to be more accurate. Parametric tests have greater statistical power, which means they are likely to find a true significant effect. Nonparametric tests can perform well with non-normal continuous data if the data of the sample are sufficiently large. Non parametric do not assume that the data is normally distributed. The only non parametric test we are likely to come across in elementary stats is the Chi-square test. In nonparametric tests have several advantages as compared to parametric tests. It includes:

• More statistical power when assumptions for the parametric tests have been violated.

• Fewer assumptions, i.e. the assumption of normality don’t apply.

• Small sample sizes are acceptable.

• It is used for all data types, including nominal data, rank data or ordinal data

• Knowledge of the population is not required to conduct this test.

• Nonparametric tests are valid when our sample size is small and our data are potentially non-normal.

Vital Statistics

It is defined as that branch of biometry which deals with data and the laws of human mortality, morbidity and demography. According to N.B. Ryder, they “provide cumulative summaries for successive time periods of population movements like birth, death, migration, marriage and marital dissolution as well as demographic and other relevant characteristics of the individuals involved in these events.”

Measures of Vital Statistics of Population

The total number of vital events such as births and deaths are converted into rates and ratios for comparison of vital statistics from place to place or year to year. In order to determine the population at any time ‘t’ after the census or between two censuses, a number of methods have been devised. Therefore, a suitable method which makes use of births, deaths and migration statistics, if we assume that:

(i) The census data gives us the total size of the population of a region or community together with age and sex distribution

(ii) The birth, death and migration statistics during different periods are obtained from registers.

Entomology is the science, which deals with study of arthropods which parasitize or affect the domesticated animals. Since these arthropods can cause damage or injury to their host by several ways, thorough understanding of the subject is very essential. Most of these arthropods are ectoparasites living on the body of the host or at the most in subcutaneous tissues while very few are endoparasites, living inside the body of the host. Similarly, most of the arthropods are temporary parasites, while very few like lice and mites are permanent parasites. Arthropods comprise of more than 80% of living creatures on earth.

Harmful Effects Caused by Arthropods to the Body of the Host

1. Injury to the skin: Most of the arthropods have biting tendency and cause injury to the skin by bites. As a result, micro-wounds are produced on the body which may later on be infected with bacteria leading to localised or generalised pyoderma condition or pyodermatic patches. Similarly, such wounds are predisposed to attack of blow flies which cause a condition called as “Blow fly myiasis.” Animals in order to escape the attack of flies try to run all around leading to phenomenon known as “Entomophobia”.

2. Blood sucking Habits: Most of the arthropods have blood sucking tendency like mosquitoes and ticks which may lead to anaemia.

3. Release toxins: Few of the arthropods release poisonous substances while biting. They inject certain poisons and toxins in the body of host. Eg. Some species of ticks release toxins causing paralysis in host known as tick paralysis.

4. Transmission of diseases: Arthropods have ability to transmit various bacterial, viral, protozoal, helminthic and mycotic pathogens. While sucking blood, they collect infective stages of the organism and while biting to the other host, they transmit the pathogens.

Class: Insecta

It is the biggest class in animal kingdom. About 70% of species of animals are included in class insecta.

General Morphological Characters

1. All the character of arthropoda are also present in this class.

2. Body is divided into three tagmas i.e. head, thorax and abdomen.

Normally body of arthropods consists of twenty segments. Head region is formed by the fusion of 1st six segments. Thorax is formed by next three segments and abdomen formed by last 11 segments.

Modification of six pair of appendages of head: 1st pair of appendages is modified into eyes. 2nd pair is modified into antennae. 3rd pair is lost. 4th pair of appendages is modified into mandible. 5th pair modified into first maxillae and 6th pair modified into 2nd maxillae means mouth part is nothing but modification of 4th, 5th and 6th pair of appendages. On abdomen, appendages or legs are lost.

Morphology of head region of insects

Highest point of head known as “Vertex”. Anterior portion sloping in forward direction known as “Frons”. Posterior portion sloping towards thorax is “Occiput”. On the medial aspect of head, there is a pair of compound eyes. Each compound eye is made of number of lenses called as “facet”. Compound eyes may meet one another in mid line (holoptic) or are wide apart (dichoptic). Just medial to compound eyes, there is a pair of non-functioning simple eyes known as “ocellus.” Just in front of these two eyes on either side, there is a pair of antennae. Antennae are made up of three parts, base, pedicle and f ilaments. Pedicle is non segment basal piece. On these antennae, hair may be present. At the base of each antenna, there is olfactory pin. Lateral part of head is known as “Gena”. Just below the frons, there is a chitinous plate known as “Clypeus”. Below clypeus, there is mouth part. Mouth parts are located on ventral side. Mouth part consists of labrum which forms the upper boundary of mouth and labium which forms the lower lip or lower boundary of mouth. On underneath the labrum, there is membranous structure called epipharynx which bears the organ of taste. On upper surface of labium, there is another membranous structure called hypopharynx which bears the opening of salivary duct. Between labrum and labium there is one pair of mandibles and one pair of maxillae. Mouth parts are collectively known as “Proboscis”.

Characters

1) They are called true flies.

2) It is one of the largest orders in the class Insecta, having more than 1, 20, 000 described species.

3) On thorax, there is only one pair of wing (Di = two; ptera = wings) i.e. Mesothoracic wing. Metathoracic pair of wings are modified into structures called “Halters or balancers.” Halter is a rod like structure having knob at distal end. During flight, this halter goes on vibrating @ 300 vibrations/sec. Its main function is to keep fly balanced during flying/flight.

4) One pair of compound eyes is present which is dichoptic in female and holoptic in male.

5) Larvae are apodous which is called maggots.

6) The order Diptera is divided into suborders, Orthorrhapha and Cyclorrhapha. These sub orders are distinguished morphologically by wing venation and structure of antennae.

Order: Diptera
Sub Order: Orthorrhapha
Series: Nematocera
Family: Ceratopogonidae
Genus: Culicoides
Species: Culicoides oxystoma, C. imicola 
Common name: Biting midges or Biting gnats or punkies or No see-ums.
Hosts: Animals and man 
Distribution: Worldwide 
Morphology of fly

1. Size is 1-3 mm in length. They are the smallest blood sucking flies. They can easily pass through mosquito nets.

Order: Coleoptera (beetles)
Class: Insecta
Subclass: Pterygota 
Division: Endopterygota 
Order: Coleoptera
Characters
1. They are commonly known as beetles.
2. It is the largest order and contributes 40% of total insects.
3. They bear two pairs of wings of which front pair is fully thickened,hence called as elytra, meet edge in the mid dorsal line act as hard or leathery cover for the posterior pairs of membranous wings.
4. Mouthparts are strongly mandibulated i.e. biting & chewing type.
5. Life cycle shows complete metamorphosis. Pupa is free or exarate type.

Order: Siphonptera (Fleas)
Class: Insecta
Subclass: Pterygota 
Division: Endopterygota
Order: Siphonaptera
Siphonaptera derived from two greek words viz. siphon (sucking) and apteron (wingless)
General characters of fleas
1. Body is laterally compressed.
2. Tegument is highly scleritized. Outer chitinous layer is very thick and it is dark brown in colour.
3. A pair of simple eye or ocelli are present on head. Compound eyes absent.

Lice
Class: Insecta
Subclass: Pterygota 
Division: Exopterygota
Order: Mallophaga (Biting louse) and order Siphunculata or Anoplura 
(sucking louse)
General characters of lice
1. Lice are permanent obligatory ecto-parasites of animals and birds. 
2. They are very host and site specific. 
3. Lice are dorsoventrally flattened, wingless creatures. 
4. Body is divided into head, thorax and abdomen. 
5. Eyes are reduced or absent in certain species. Compound eyes are absent.
6. Antennae are short. 

Bugs
Class: Insecta
Subclass: Pterygota 
Division: Exopterygota
Order: Hemiptera (Bugs)
Characters
1. These are true bugs.
2. Mouth parts adapted for piercing and sucking. Proboscis kept folded in head when not in use.
3. Two pairs of wings usually present, anterior harder pair called hemelytra.Posterior pair is membranous.
4. Both male and female are blood suckers.
5. Metamorphosis is incomplete

Order: Orthoptera

This order includes cockroaches and grasshoppers. They bear the following characters:

1. The body is oval and flattened in cockroach and elongated in grasshopper.

2. Two pairs of wings are present. Mesothoracic pair of wings is thickened (Tegmina) and act as cover for membranous metathoracic pair of wings.

3. Antennae are long and multi-jointed.

4. The legs are modified for fast running (cockroach) or jumping (grasshopper).

5. Metamorphosis is incomplete.

Class- Arachnida
 •Class Arachnida includes scorpions, spiders, ticks and mites.
 •Antennae, wings and compound eyes are absent.
 •Body divided into head, thorax and abdomen.
 •Mouth is small and adapted for suck blood or tissue fluids of host.
 •Most of the members have poison glands or claws for paralyzing the host before sucking.
 •The first and second pair of appendages is known as chelicerae and pedipalps, respectively.
 •The first six segments of body are termed as prosoma and rest segments as opisthosoma.

 Family: Argasidae
 •The family includes fowl ticks and tampans.
 •The integument is leather like, frequently mammillated and without dorsal shield.
 •Capitulum and mouth parts are situated anteriorly and on ventral side, thus invisible from dorsal side.
 •In general eyes are absent, if present these are two pairs and situated on lateral sides of supracoxal folds.
 •Spiracles are one pair and situated posteriolaterally to the third coxae.
 •Sexual dimorphism is not evident.
 •The important genera are Argas, Otobius and Ornithodoros.

Family: Ixodidae (Hard ticks)

General characters

•These ticks have hard chitinous shield called scutum on their dorsal surface, so they are called hard ticks. Scutum extends over the entire dorsal surface in male and only anterior one-third of dorsal surface in larvae, nymph and female.

 •Mouth parts are anterior and visible from dorsal aspect.

 •Eyes are one pair (if present) situated on the lateral margin of scutum.

•Spiracles are one pair and situated posterolaterally to the fourth coxae. 

 •Basis capituli or capitulum present at anterior, and have mouthparts and palps.

•The body of female may have one pair marginal grooves at lateral side of behind the scutum.

Mites
Subclass: Acari
Order: Parasitiformes 
Suborder: Gamasida/Mesostigmata
Characters
1. Mites of this group have the stigmata or spiracles in the middle of the body, hence suborder Gamasida is also called suborder mesostigmata. Mites of this group are referred as gamasid mite.
2. Size of these mites are large about 0.6-2.5 mm in length and hence visible via naked eye.
3. They parasitisize birds and mammals.

Class: Pentastomida

General characters

1. Usually, they are considered as aberrant arthropods as some authors suggest it to be related to annelids.

2. They are elongated, tongue like and transversely striated or sometimes, deeply ringed giving beaded appearance especially at the anterior end.

3. Two pairs of strong hooked claws are present at anterior-ventral surface.

4. Eggs contain fully developed larvae when laid

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally friendly step towards pest control based on a combination of common practices. IPM programs use up-to-date and comprehensive information about the life cycle of pests and their interactions with the environment. This information, along with existing pest control methods, is used to control pest damage in the most cost-effective manner and with the least possible risk to people, property and the environment. The IPM methods can be used in agricultural and non agricultural areas, including homes, gardens and workplaces. IPM uses all pest control options, but not limited to the appropriate use of pesticides. In contrast, organic food production shares many of the same concepts as IPM, but limits the use of pesticides to those that come from natural sources rather than synthetic chemicals.

IPM is a set of pest management assessments, choices, and actions rather than a single approach of pest control. Growers using integrated pest management (IPM) that recognize the possibility of insect invasion employ a four-tiered strategy including establishing action levels, keep a look out for and recognize pests, its prevention and control.

IPM establishes an action threshold—a point at which insect populations or environmental circumstances suggest that pest control intervention is necessary—before implementing any pest control measures. It’s not always necessary to take action when one pest is seen. Future decisions about pest treatment must take into account the degree to which pests will pose an economic risk. Set thresholds through systematic, regular, and consistent monitoring. Develop thresholds that are appropriate for your circumstance. Modifying thresholds, management and monitoring techniques if necessary. For the majority of pest monitoring techniques, quantitative thresholds can be created, such as treating when specific circumstances are favorable for the onset of a disease or when the number or percentage of invertebrate pests or damaged plant parts surpasses predetermined limits. A good monitoring procedure involves knowledge of pest and beneficial species likely to be present, awareness of the critical crop development stages, good sampling and recording techniques and an estimate of infestation level.

Acaricides: Acaricides are agents that kill members of class Arachnida like ticks and mites.

Acaricides are used both in medicine and agriculture, although the desired selective toxicity differs between the two fields.

What is acaricide resistance?

The ability of a parasite strain to survive and/or to multiply despite the administration and absorption of a drug given in doses equal to or higher than those usually recommended but within the limits of tolerance of the subject.

How does resistance develop?

• Animals are treated with the chemical (Acaricide), exposing nearly all of the tick population to the toxin.

• Susceptible individuals are killed, and those rare individuals that have some genetic resistance, survive.

• They reproduce, and pass along those “resistance genes” to the general tick population.

1. Collection of arthropods

a. Collection of arthropods from the host’s body: The collection of arthropods from the host’s body involves various techniques tailored to different species and circumstances. For instance, the extraction of small ectoparasites such as lice, fleas, and wingless keds typically employs usage of forceps with pointed tips for precision. In poultry, a method of brushing against the grain of feathers enables dislodgement of ectoparasites, which are then collected on a black surface for examination. A highly effective strategy for harvesting ectoparasites from small or deceased hosts, such as poultry, involves sealing the carcasses within a polyethylene bag. This confinement prompts ectoparasites to detach from the host and accumulate within the bag, facilitating subsequent collection using a brush. The retrieval of ticks to prevent the rupture of their mouthparts is achieved by straightening the tick forward and pulling backwards before extraction. These ticks are further placed in a tube sealed with a ventilated stopper or a gauze covered with cotton wool plug. The tubes ought to include paper for the ticks to cling onto, along with a labelled piece of paper. These tubes are stored in a cool and humid container for transportation to the laboratory. This container should be well-insulated and equipped with ice blocks or freezer packs as well as damp pads to sustain elevated humidity levels. It’s crucial to ensure that the ticks do not directly touch the ice. A sizable thermos flask can be utilized for this purpose. Mange mites, on the other hand, are obtained by conducting deep skin scrapings from the periphery of affected lesions, enabling the collection of specimens for analysis.

Rearing animals has been amongst the most ancient professions of humanity and since the advent of domestication, the livestock keepers have been involved with them to a certain extent on financial, social and emotional fronts and thus have been curious about certain key aspects of the livestock under their care. The curiosity can be defined with the ‘five W and one H’ of questions as What needs to be done (requirements)? When to do that (timing)? Where are they (location)? Why is there a need (rationale)? How will that meet my purpose (state)? The farming community has traditionally been using these attributes for making farm decisions by observing the animals constantly, or periodically at key occasions such as milking. Such monitoring, aided by the wisdom of experience of the generations of farmers, led to the identification of the key events or problems in the health and productivity of individual animals. However, such kind of monitoring requires a deeper engagement in livestock keeping than that is desirable in commercial farming and the decisions/ detections are severely limited by the capability of the observer.

Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) is a term that encompasses the deployment of sensors for the capture of key biological information, the use of algorithms for processing the biological information (data science), systems for making inferences and making decisions based on the processed data (artificial intelligence), interfaces that allow for making use of these data (reporting) and implements for automation (robotics). PLF is intended to optimize the process of animal production, health care and welfare by generating vast real time information to be used in various ways. There have been many systems being tried and found fit for practical applicability; whereas, few systems like geolocation and motion detection are extensively applied.

As per 20th Livestock Census (2019), Punjab has 1.3% share of India’s total livestock. The share of buffaloes was largest (57.4%) in total livestock population, followed by cross-breed cattle and indigenous cattle. The state of Punjab has about 70.60 lakh livestock in total, comprising of 25.41 lakh cattle, 40.16 lakh buffaloes, 3.48 lakh goats, 0.85 lakh sheep, 0.53 lakh pigs, 0.15 lakh horses and ponies, 1644 mules, 471 donkeys and 170 camels. The share of crossbred cattle increased to 29.3% in 2019 compared to 25.4% in 2012 which signifies that the farmers in the state are resorting to high yielding animals for increasing the milk production. These efforts have led to the highest per capita availability of milk in Punjab which stands at 1271 grams per day compared to national average of 444 grams per day (2021-22), although the share of Punjab in country’s milk production is 6.37%. Punjab is sixth largest producer of milk in India, with production of 14.76 million tonnes (t)/year.

Climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing global challenges of our time, with far-reaching consequences for ecosystems, economies, and societies. This has led to the higher temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, sea level rise and growing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as drought, floods, extreme heat and cyclones resulting in disruption of food supply chains. The most critical domains that impact environmental sustainability includes energy, transport, food, waste and water , although there are disparities in the consumption patten of high-income and low income countries. Apart from the food domain (33% of total GHG emissions), meat from ruminants and dairy products constitute the major proportion of carbon footprint. Although only 18% of calories are obtained from meat and dairy products, but they together account for 60% of agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions and occupy 83% of the world’s arable land. With 18% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the livestock sector has been identified as one of the primary causes of climate change and the dairysector accounts for around 3.0- 5.1% of the total GHG emissions globally.

India has a primarily agrarian economy. A significant portion of the country’s land is utilized for agriculture, and many of its agro-ecological regions cultivate a broad spectrum of crops. With a production of 93.9 million tons (Mt) of wheat, 104.6 Mt of rice, 21.6 Mt of maize, 20.7 Mt of millets, 357.7 Mt of sugarcane, 8.1 Mt of fibre crops, 17.2 Mt of pulses and 30.0 Mt of oilseeds crops, in the year 2011-12, it is usual that a massive amount of crop residues are produced both on-farm and off-farm. The country produces approximately 500-550 Mt of crop residues per year in the country. Therefore, landholders are facing difficulties in managing crop residues in the country. The human population has grown four times in the last century. With a projected 9.7 billion people in the world by 2050, worldwide food consumption and the demand for meat and milk are likely to increase by as much as 73% and 58%, respectively. Improved agricultural and industrial practices have contributed to the population boom, which continues to put pressure on food supply to feed a growing population. Huge quantities of food resources will be needed, but again, the crop residues produced at these levels of global production pose major challenges.

Availability of Crop Residues

India produces more than 500 million tons (Mt) of agricultural residue on an annual basis. The quantity of residue produced has grown significantly due to the cultivation of wheat and rice. Crop residue output varies greatly, and the use of these residue is influenced by the crops cultivated, the intensity of cropping, and the productivity across different Indian regions. About 70% of the total crop residues (352 Mt) are contributed by cereal crops (rice, wheat, maize, millets), with rice contributing 34% and wheat 22%. The excess agricultural residues—that is, the residues left over after subtracting the amount used for other purposes—are often burned on the farm. The amount of surplus crop residues available in India is estimated between 84 and 141 Mt per year where cereals crops contribute 58. As an estimate, about 70 MTs of surplus crop residue are burned annually.

Currently, the milk production of country is 221.06 million tonnes (2021 22) and the target is 300 million tonnes by 2023-24. The livestock sector contributed nearly 5.21% of total gross value added (GVA) and 28.36% of the agriculture and allied sectors GVA. Thus, there is a huge gap between demand and supply, therefore with the requirements of better yield from the dairy animals, we need more better and advanced options. Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of such options which can be exploited in dairy industry. Artificial Intelligence can be a game-changer for the dairy farming in India and it can emerge as a tool that empowers farmers in monitoring, forecasting as well as optimizing the farm animal growth. It can predominantly change the scenario of dairy farmers by maintaining the health, physiological and physical conditions of dairy-cows. This knowledge-based technology has a huge potential and could confront the loopholes in dairy farming and thus indirectly can strengthen the dairy industry. In dairy farming AI has multiple applications like monitoring the activities of the dairy-cows, boosting the milk production and farm productivity, detection of mastitis in dairy-cows and developing the smart cow houses powered by image analysis.

AI enables the dairy farmers to determine whether the cow is ill, ready to breed or has become less productive. The AI also sends alerts to the farmer about the change in the cow’s behavior allowing human intervention where needed. Regular 24x7 monitoring of dairy animals is the key for successful dairy farming, however, traditional methods of monitoring relied on visual observation, but it was not very efficient due to the lack of time and human resources. Without AI, it would be almost impossible for the farmer to keep a watchful eye on every cow in the herd. Artificial Intelligence components of the dairy automation system process the collected data to provide insights on the heat stress, change in feeding efficiency and the estrus of the cow. Diseases like sub-clinical mastitis, one of the more common diseases in the dairy industry, cost the Indian dairy industry one billion dollars annually. Eventually, it provides new hope and open prospects for the overall quality and progress in the dairy industry through a profitable business approach in dairy farming

Field-ready pregnancy diagnostic tests are an important tool for improving reproductive performance in livestock. They help optimize breeding programs, resource allocation, and decision-making processes, leading to better economic outcomes and sustainable livestock production systems. Pregnancy diagnosis is an important tool for improving reproductive performance in livestock for several reasons:

1) Timely management: early and accurate pregnancy diagnosis allows farmers and livestock producers to make timely decisions about the management of pregnant and non-pregnant animals. This includes adjusting feeding regimes, providing appropriate veterinary care, and establishing breeding plans.

2) Optimized breeding programs: In livestock, controlling the timing of pregnancies is critical to maintaining a well-organized breeding program. With accurate pregnancy testing, farmers can identify non-pregnant animals and breed them back earlier, optimizing resource utilization and shortening the generation interval.

3) Resource allocation: early identification of non-pregnant animals helps avoid unnecessary allocation of resources such as feed and health care to animals that will not produce offspring in the current cycle. This efficient allocation of resources is essential to maintaining a cost effective production system.

4) Lower costs: unproductive animals consume resources without contributing to farm productivity. By quickly identifying non-pregnant animals, farmers can avoid the cost of keeping these animals during their non-productive period.

5) Genetic improvement: for livestock programs focused on genetic improvement, accurate pregnancy diagnosis is critical. It enables the selection and promotion of animals with desirable traits for breeding purposes, thus accelerating genetic progress.

Reproductive problems in bovine dairy farms can significantly impact the productivity and sustainability of the cattle and buffalo industry. Challenges such as diminished conception rates, delayed age at first calving, prolonged calving intervals, and higher embryonic losses have comprehensive implications, resulting in economic setbacks and impeding genetic advancements. These intricate problems are attributed to a combination of factors encompassing deficient reproductive management strategies, inadequate nutritional provisions, suboptimal breeding methodologies, the prevalence of infectious diseases, and the impact of environmental stressors. Inadequate management of the estrus cycle and mistimed insemination practices underscore the significance of effective reproductive management. Poor nutritional support can detrimentally affect the onset of puberty, compromise the quality of oocytes and embryos, and usher in an overall decline in reproductive performance. The presence of infectious diseases not only intensifies difficulties in achieving successful conception but also amplifies the rates of embryonic as well as pregnancy loss.

Additionally, environmental stressors, particularly heat stress, can disrupt estrus patterns, impede oocyte development, and hinder embryo growth. Consequently, addressing these complex reproductive issues necessitates a comprehensive and multifaceted approach. This approach entails the implementation of sound reproductive management protocols to ensure precise monitoring of estrus cycles and timely insemination practices through proper record-keeping. Furthermore, optimizing nutritional provisions tailored to distinct reproductive stages enhances ovarian function, augments oocyte quality, and promotes healthy embryo development. Rigorous biosecurity measures, including strict quarantine practices and adherence to vaccination regimens, play a pivotal role in disease prevention and control within the farm environment. Moreover, the integration of advanced reproductive technologies, such as ultrasonography and embryo transfer, offers avenues for early pregnancy detection and facilitates selective breeding to enhance genetic progress. By amalgamating these strategies, a concerted effort can be made to enhance reproductive efficiency, safeguard herd health, and ultimately support the overall productivity and sustainability of the cattle and buffalo industries.

Mastitis is a consequence of interplay between the infectious agents and managerial practices. The mammary glands of cows are frequently exposed to potential pathogens, but on most of the occasion, cows get mastitis because their immune systems are not adequate to prevent infection. Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland in response to injury for the purpose of destroying or neutralizing the infectious agents and to prepare the way for healing and return to normal function. The average incidence of subclinical mastitis has been found to be 49% in cows and 28% in buffaloes. Similarly, clinical mastitis is prevalent in 7% of cows and 4% buffaloes. Besides this, 17% of the cows and 8% of buffaloes have been suffering from various udder and teat lesions such as udder/teat warts, bovine ulcerative mammilitis, udder impetigo and teat chaps etc. These lesions pre-dispose the animal to mastitis and cause a great discomfort at milking and hence markedly decrease the milk yield. The economic losses due to mastitis worldwide have been estimated at $35 billion. Current annual economic losses due to mastitis in India have been estimated to be Rs. 7165.51 crore that include Rs. 4151.16 crore and Rs. 3014.35 crore due to subclinical and clinical mastitis, respectively. Mastitis causes a reduced milk production, not only at its occurrence but throughout the rest of the lactation, increases the risk of new cases of mastitis and increases the risk of culling. Besides, mastitis impairs the quality of milk and milk products. Approximately 70-80% of losses are due to subclinical mastitis. Subclinical mastitis is also important due to the fact that it is 15-40 times more prevalent than the clinical form. It usually precedes the clinical form, is of longer duration, difficult to detect and constitutes a reservoir of micro organisms that lead to infection of other animals within the herd.Besides this, presence of mastitis causative organisms and antibiotic residues in milk following therapy of mastitis poses a major threat to the consumer health. Mastitis results in increase in the somatic cell count (SCC) and bacterial load of milk. The European Union has set up a threshold of 400,0000 cells/ml of milk from healthy quarter of a cow. The high SCC in mastitis milk has lipolytic effect on fat and there is increased tendency for rancidity of milk and milk products. Also, the mastitis milk with total bacterial count of more than 100,000 cfu/ml could release hydrolytic enzymes, which spoil the milk and milk products. It has been also observed that mastitis milk inhibits the growth of starter bacteria and results in decreased cheese production.

Animal diseases on livestock farms can have significant impacts on animal health, farm productivity, and economic sustainability. Effective disease management and prevention strategies are crucial to minimize the risk of disease outbreaks and their consequences. Managing animal diseases requires a proactive and collaborative approach involving farm personnel, veterinarians, and animal health authorities. By implementing a combination of prevention, early detection, diagnosis, monitoring, rapid response and control measures, farms can effectively manage and mitigate the impact of diseases on animal health and farm operations. Outlined below are several prevalent animal diseases that can affect farms, along with prevention and management strategies.

Haemorrhagic Septicemia (HS)

It is an acute infectious disease of cattle and buffaloes characterized by sudden onset, high fever, edematous swelling of subcutaneous tissues particularly under the neck, pneumonia and fatal septicemia. HS is highly infectious OIE enlisted disease caused by two specific serotypes of Pasteurella multocida, the Asian serotype B:2 and the African serotype E:2. It causes huge economic losses to dairy farmers of Asia and Africa due to high morbidity and case fatality. The outbreaks of HS are quite common in North region of the country

Intensive farming operations are particularly vulnerable to an increased risk of biohazards due to their densely populated livestock and close confinement. This increased animal density creates an environment where diseases can spread rapidly if not adequately managed. To mitigate these risks and safeguard the health and productivity of dairy herds, stringent farm biosecurity measures are essential. Farm biosecurity, a comprehensive framework of preventive measures and protocols, has emerged as a pivotal strategy in ensuring animal health and curbing the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). By prioritizing biosecurity, dairy farmers can maintain a healthy and disease-free environment for their animals, ultimately ensuring the quality and safety of dairy products while promoting sustainable and responsible farming practices. In recent years, the interconnected challenges of animal health and AMR have prompted a re-evaluation of agricultural practices and disease management strategies.

What is Farm Biosecurity?

Farm biosecurity refers to the set of practices and measures employed to prevent the introduction and spread of infectious diseases within animal production systems. It encompasses a wide array of strategies, ranging from physical barriers and hygiene protocols to monitoring and surveillance programs. The core principle of farm biosecurity is to mitigate the risk of disease incursions by minimizing the exposure of animals to pathogens, thereby preventing outbreaks and reducing the need for antimicrobial interventions. This strategic approach can be broadly categorized into ‘external farm biosecurity’ and ‘internal farm biosecurity’, each addressing distinct aspects of disease prevention within the farm environment.

ICAR-NDRI, Karnal is running a Kisan Seva Kendra at village Lalukheri of district Muzaffarnagar (UP) to cater the requirement of the farmers for frozen semen doses, crops seed and mineral mixture of villages around the center. This centre was established in year 2005; it started fully functioning in 2015. This centre is providing service to the farmers in ~25 villages around the centre. It provides frozen semen doses of high genetic merit bulls with the aim for making improvement in genetic potential for higher milk production of dairy animals of farmers in villages around the centre. The centre is also making available mineral mixture for improving fertility of dairy animals and also making available fodder crop seed to the farmers for growing quality fodder for their dairy animals. Kisan gosthis and farmers awareness camps are also being organized to increase farmers’ awareness regarding benefits of rearing high producing dairy animals and feeding them balance ration for improving their production and reproduction performance.

Since 2015, center has organised ~35 meetings for farmers awareness for adopting scientific techniques/practicesfor dairy husbandry and animal health checkup camps in ~25 villages for improving production and fertility of dairy animals. The maximum numbers of progenies so far, through the use of frozen semen doses from the centre, have been produced of dairy cows and buffaloes in the village- Bhorakhurd (300), Sonjanikheri (440), Alipur (300), Sotta (250) and Sallakheri (250), total 1540 calves.

Abnormal milk: It is milk that is not smooth and homogenous but is flaky, ropy, stringy, slimy, watery, discoloured or bad flavoured (Plate 1 & 2).

Abrassive peeler: It is equipment comprising a rotating drum lined with carborandum (an abrasive material) in which certain vegetables like potato and ginger are tumbled and exposed to the abrasive action of the carborandum lining, thereby facilitating separation of peel from the vegetables (Plate 3).

Absinthe: It is green liqueur which is flavored with wormwood, anise, and other aromatic herbs (Plate 4). Its commercial production is banned in ma ny countries for health concerns.

Absolute alcohol: It is water free alcohol. It contains atleast 99 per cent pure alcohol by weight and obtained by digesting rectified spirit over quicklime and redistilling the same.

Absolute density: It is the ratio of weight of certain volume of a substance at 1oC to that of weight of same volume of water at 4oC.

Absolute humidity: Absolute humidity is defined as kg of water vapour per kg of dry air at a given temperature and pressure. Absolute humidity is the mass of water vapour divided by the mass of dry air in a certain volume of air at a specific temperature. The warmer air absorbs more water than cooler one. Absolute humidity is the measure of water vapour or moisture in the air, regardless of temperature.

Absolute pressure: It is equal to atmospheric pressure minus vacuum pressure (Plate 5).

Absolute zero: It is a theoretical temperature characterized by complete absence of heat and motion and equivalent to exactly -273.15°C or -459.67°F (Plate 6).

B.T.U.: It stands for British thermal unit. The heat required to raise the temperature of one pond of the water through 1oF is called BTU (Plate 82).

Baby back ribs: Meaty pork ribs cut from the lower back rib section.

Bacitracin: A polypeptide antibiotic isolated from a bacillus (Bacillus subtilis or B. licheniformis) and usually used against gram-positive bacteria.

Back Bacon / Canadian bacon: Bacon cut from the loin that has little fat and is cut into round or oblong slices.

Backward feed evaporator: In this evaporator, fresh feed enters the last and the coldest effect and continues on until the concentrated product leaves the first effect (Plate 83).