eChapters

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

The relationship between development of P. leucotricha with different weather parameters (i.e. temperature, relative humidity and rainfall) was ascertained by computing multiple regression equations between these factors along with coefficient of determination (R2). Multiple regression analysis revealed that weather parameters altogether accounted for 31.88 to 94.45 per cent variations in Shimla district (Himachal Pradesh) during 2002-03. The accumulated variation due to weather parameters during the years accounted to different levels of primary inoculum and infection conditions under the field conditions.

Abstract

The studies were conducted during the years 2002 and 2003, to standardize the best method and time for summer budding in walnut. Four methods of summer budding viz. chip, annular, patch and shield were performed at 10 days interval from 15th May to 24th July. The results revealed that among the four methods of summer budding, chip budding was found to be highly superior to other methods of budding and gave 92% bud take success on 25th May and 87 per cent on 15th May also. Annular budding performed on 14th June was found next superior method and time of budding for walnut propagation when it resulted in 81% bud take success. Chip budded plants attained maximum height and radial growth as compared to annular and patch budded plants. The period from mid of May to first week of June was considered as optimum time for chip budding and mid June to end of June for annular and patch budding for walnut propagation under mid hill conditions of North-western Himalayas.

Abstract

Old walnut seedlings in the age of up to twenty years were top worked using chip budding technique. In the seedling plants up to ten years of age, budding was done on older branches. But in the seedlings between 10-20 years of age, main branches were first dehorned during winters and the budding was performed on newly emerged branches in the month of May and June. Best results in the seedlings up to 10 years of age was obtained when budding was done in the second week of June with 89 and 97 per cent success in the year 2002 and 2003, respectively. The lowest success, however, was recorded in the plants between 10-20 years of age when budding was performed in the third week of May. Budding success in the plants between 10-20 years of age was slightly lower but they grew very fast as compared to those below ten years of age. Therefore, chip budding can be successfully utilized for the top working of old walnut seeding plants during second week of June when the buds become fully developed. For other areas this date may be different depending upon the maturity of the buds.

Abstract

During inspection of several lily plantations under cover in different districts of Himachal Pradesh plants with severe disease symptoms were observed. The affected plants showed a progressive loss of vigor, were stunted and had a severely malformed leaves. These symptoms were observed on large scale mainly in oriental lily hybrids ‘Acapulaco’. The plants were suspected to be infected with phytoplasma, the presence of which was demonstrated with fluorescent microscopy (DAPI stain). The phytoplasma etiology was further confirmed by conducting nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays using universal primer pairs P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2, which amplified a fragment of phytoplasma 16SrDNA. This is the first report of phytoplasma infection in lilies identified by molecular assays from India.

Abstract

On the basis of symptoms, samples from seven localities within Solan district (H.P.) at varying altitudes ranging from 600-1650mts comprising Nalagarh (600-750m), Badghal (850m), Dilchab (950-1000m), Shaya (1200m), Solan (1300-1450m), Bajhyana (1520m) and Tikari Pajahali (1650m), were collected and used for serological detection by DAS ELISA. It was found that all the isolates except Nalagarh, reacted positively with the antisera to ToLCV, thus substantiating the results on the identity of the present isolates. Out of the seven isolates under study, Dilchab and Shaya isolates did not show any PCR amplification for Rep gene indicating the variability in the regions flanking the Rep gene. Likewise, no amplification result in case of Nalagarh sample proposes the attack of some other pathogen producing similar symptoms.

Abstract

Population dynamics studies of phytoparasitic nematodes (mainly 2nd stage juveniles of root-knot nematode; Meloidogyne incognita) in the rhizosphere of persimmon (Diospyros kaki ) orchard, were carried out, in relation to seasonal fluctuations. There was recorded remarkable impact of temperature on the nematode population.  Highest nematode populations (7148/ 200 cc soil) were recorded during May, when temperature was maximum; 22.9^ºC (15.7- 30.0^ºC). Least population density of the nematode were extracted during January when temperature remained minimum; 7.9^ºC (2.4-13.3^ºC). However, relative humidity during entire course of investigation did not show any considerable impact on the population fluctuation of the nematode. With the fall in temperature from July onwards up to January (22.6- 7.9 ^ºC) there was gradual decline in the nematode population (3813- 468/ 200 cc soil), showing thereby that nematode populations in the rhizosphere is directly affected by the prevailing temperature and thereby soil temperature.

Abstract

Among different acaricides evaluated, propargite (0.0285%) provided maximum control (98.6%) followed by fenzaquin (0.0025%) with 97.2 per cent control. Both propargite and fenzaquin were effective even 14 days after spray giving 71.0 to 80.6 per cent control. Horticultural mineral oils (1.0 %) were also effective and provided 87.7 to 93.8 per cent mortality of the pest after 24 hours of spray, however, their efficacy declined after 14 days of spray to 43.2 to 60.1 per cent. It was concluded that propargite (0.0285 % and 0.057%) and fenzaquin (0.001% and 0.0025%) provided effective control beyond 15 days of spray. Horticultural mineral oil treated plants, however, needed to be retreated in about 15 days.

Abstract

European red mite is a  serious pest of apple in Himachal Pradesh. Recent survey has shown that 80 per cent apple orchards are infested with this pest. As a result of continuous feeding fruit remained undersized, poor coloured and sour in taste. New acaricides fenazaquin (0.001%) and propergite (0.057%) proved highly effective Standard acaricides dicofol ( 0.037%) and insecticide endosulfan (0.07%) remained effective upto 15 days only.

Abstract

Temperate fruit production in India is mainly confined to the Himalayan region particularly in north-west states namely J&K, HP and Uttaranchal and to the east in Arunachal Pradesh.Though these areas are sparsely populated, yet are the main centers for production of these fruits. Apple is the leading cash fruit among these fruits occupying nearly 85.0 per cent of the total area 90 per cent production under these temperate fruits.

The apple cultivation in these states is more than 100 years old where the English settlers planted acidic types varieties in Kullu, Shimla, Chaubattia and Kodikonal hills. Quality Delicious apples which were introduced by an American Missionary Samuel N.Sokes in 1917 at Kotgarh, form the today’s commercial apple production in H.P. exception Kashmir valley, temperate fruit production in India is in temperate type of climate available in these states due to higher hills experiencing adequate winter cold and snowfall.

Horticulture in the hills has special significance and specific requirements to sustain it for the improvement of the lot of the people living in the hills. The national policy on horticulture has to be so oriented so that it recognizes the varied agro climatic and soil conditions. The dynamic process of development and extension has to be specifically designed to cater to the requirements of the hill states; which, because of the difficult terrain, are by and large under-developed as compared to the rest of the country. The new national policy on horticulture should take into account the following points in order to make temperate horticulture a self sustaining enterprise.

Behaviour have an influence on rabbit housing. Since the domestication of the rabbit is recent in terms of species evolution (200 to 300 generations at most) the behaviour of the domestic rabbit is still much like that of the wild rabbit. The reactions of wild rabbits will often provide explanations for the problems of housing domestic rabbits and suggest ways of solving them. Common behaviours observed in rabbits are:
    1.    Territorial behavior.
    2.    Social behavior.
    3.    Sexual behavior.
    4.    Maternal behavior.
    5.    Feeding behavior.
    6.    Aggressive behavior.

Veterinary public health deals with the contributions of veterinary medicine to public health. It is concerned, in the first instance, with the control and elimination of zoonoses and also with the following areas of activity:
    ·    Food hygiene (production, processing and distribution of foods of animal origin)
    ·    Environmental contamination and degradation by animal wastes and animal products
    ·    Comparative medicine (eg. Studies in animals on naturally appearing cancer, cardiovascular disease, metabolic and other disorders encountered in humans)
    ·    Laboratory animal medicine
    ·    Education and training in VPH and communication with the public
    ·    Reproduction biology
    ·    Aspects of mental and societal health
    ·    Emergency veterinary functions in natural disasters and other catastrophes.

Bacteriophage is the term applied to bacterial viruses. Bacteriophage having the ability to lyse certain sensitive living cells. Phages are small particles, which can only be seen in the electron microscope after the application of suitable staining techniques. All phages have a head and most have a tail. The head may be isometric or prelate with a hexagonal outline.

There are two types of phages virulent and temperate which enter a different relationship with the host, the lytic and lysogenic cycles respectively.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis has been recognized as one of the most important infectious diseases in the world because of its high global impact and its chronic debilitating character, particularly in the poor section of society. Milk-borne tuberculosis is directly or indirectly related to the consumption of raw milk from infected dairy herds.

Normally raw milk contains different levels of inhibitory substances, which restrict the normal development of bacteria and some times may even kill them. The degree of inhibitory activity varies considerably in milks of different species, viz, cow, buffalo, human. Maximum activity present in human milk, variations occur in the milks of individual animals and some times even at different milking or from different quarters of the udder of the same animal.
There are two groups of antimicrobial substances present in milk:
    1.    Inherent or naturally occurring substances in milk. 
    2.    Non- inherent compounds secreted into milk from other sources.

1.1 Man’s place in Nature

All religions of the world share the view that man is the supreme being among God’s creations. He is the only one among many creatures to enjoy nature’s beauties and bounties. Nature is given to him so as to make responsible and judicious use of it. No religion justifies the most destructive attitude the modern man has developed towards his environment. All religions urge man to treat nature as a God-given gift, stating that God is omnipresent in the manifestations of the nature. It is irreligious for man to expect miracles and exploit the environment. Man must be confronted with the reality that struggle is essential for life rather than “struggle for existence.”

India is home of 16.7 % of the world population living in just 2.4 % of the worlds total land area. The decennial increase in population (1991-2001) has been 18.1 equivalents to the total population of Canada, France and Germany. The population in this century has 1.6 billion by 1960.

14.1 What is Education

Education is a systematic attempt towards human learning. All learning is subjective and self related. It is neither literacy nor information. Knowledge can never be learned. Knowledge is the fruit of experience and experience is the sensation of the individual. Individual experience is the internal function and is the function of awareness and understanding. And, one of the processes of knowledge and raising awareness is to be able to identify and clarify our values. Now values in education are essential to help each one of us directly so that we may order our relationships to the environment that lies outside us. Once we are clear about values, we shall be better able to shift and control information of the natural world, make wise choices and decisions, and be creative in our mental processes.

Tools of Public Awareness

The public awareness and awakening can be created among people through various means and ways. In this age of computers and communication, science and technology, information and advertisements there are several quick and effective means of spreading news. The electronic media, the press, education institution, religious, adult education, moral education, spiritual education, religious discourse etc. all are essentially complementary to each other. The governments and the policy makers can only work forwards environmental preservation on political basis. The media, if work passively on pro environmental issues, awareness can be effectively generated among people.

Plants play an important role in maintaining ecological balance by actively participating in the cycling of nutrients and gases like carbon dioxide, oxygen and air pollutants. Sensitivity and responses of plants to air pollutants is variable. Some plants are sensitive and act as bio indicators of air pollution (Kozhouharov et. al. 1985, Guderian, 1998). Others which are tolerant may act as sink to air pollutants. However this aspect needs more investigation for their use as indicators of air pollutants and in abatement of air pollution.

India’s agrarian culture and economy is undergoing drastic changes. In this progressive path of agricultural resurrection, a comprehensive multidimensional understanding of agricultural development is of great importance. In the present context of Kerala, where the local administrative bodies are vested with more powers to plan and execute need based agricultural development activities, a clear understanding of the concept of agricultural development among the major stakeholders shall serve as a firm base for development.

Today, in many countries mobile phones are being used by farmers, not only as a person voice communication medium but also to provide access to  information through sending message service (SMS), multimedia messages service (MMS) and access to the internet. Across the developing world, there are programmes that give farmers access to research and best practices, weather information and market prices via SMS, Interactive Voice Response (IVR) or call centers.

Information and Communication Technology is ruling the world in all walks of life and access to mobile phones and internet facility is growing in India at a rapid rate in recent years. However, the access to internet based technologies have confined primarily to the urban areas. Rural communities have not been able to gain to the same extent from IT. As a means of agricultural technology transfer to farmers, information technology has had a limited impact.

Kerala State receives an average annual rainfall of about 3000 mm but with high variability. The demand for water in Kerala is mainly for drinking, agriculture, power generation and aquaculture as well as for prevention of salt-water intrusion. Currently 71 per cent is used for irrigation , 18 per cent for domestic use and the rest is for other purposes. However, Kerala is one of the States with lowest per capita water availability among the Indian states. Basak (1998) reported the per capita water availability in Kerala was only 69 per cent of that of the country in 1981 though the general perception is contrary to this.

J    :    Joule.

J    :    Joining segment.

J chain      :    A polypeptide present in polymeric IgM and IgA that links the subunits together.
    
J gene segments, joining gene segments     :    The J gene segments, or joining gene segments, are found some distance 5' to the C genes in immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor loci. A V and in the case of IgH chains, tcrâ chains and tcrä chains, a D gene segment must also rearrange to a J gene segment to form a complete V-region exon.

Formation of a Rectangle

Experiments are usually laid out in square or rectangular plots for data and yield estimation, even though the field may be irregular. The plot is usually placed on the contour, parallel with a road, or in a north-and-south alignment. To mark a plot, construct a right angle and then form a rectangle or square.

Preserving flowers dates back to earliest recorded history. The first evidence of use of dry flowers was when the bones of a pre historic man discovered in the Middle East were found with a mantle of delicate wild flowers. The pollen grains that remain indicated specific flowers that were used. During ancient times people used to freshen or enliven their rooms with fresh sweet smelling flowers. In the sixteenth century, when the Elizabethan Age was coming to a close, it was considered fashionable to wear silk flowers as part of one’s attire. These days flowers are dried and are versatile in their use. They supply us with food, medicines, ornaments and adornment. Flowers became essential for a fashionable appearance. Each civilization developed its own interpretation of flowers. Pressed flower art became popular in Victorian times. The Japanese use pressed plants and colorful papers to create Oshibana Art.

3.1 Indian Floriculture Industry

Indian floriculture industry has been shifting from traditional flowers to cut flowers and dry flowers for export purposes. The liberalized economy has given an impetus to the Indian entrepreneurs for establishing export oriented floriculture units under controlled climatic conditions. About 60,000 ha area is under floriculture at present. During nineties, increasing demands for flowers in world market was coupled with production technology available abroad for high quality flowers. This encouraged some entrepreneurs to establish export-oriented units in Hyderabad, especially for the production of long stem rose by importing cultivars and adapting green house technology.

4.1 Dry Flower Garden

Contrary to popular assumptions, the area required for producing large quantity of dried flower material need not also be large. However, the garden should be planned so as to harvest dry flowers all year round by planting evergreens, deciduous plants, annuals and perennials. Rows of flowering plants should be planted in the dry flower garden. Herbs are easy to grow, and can be planted in pots and window boxes. They are useful in transforming simple cooking into gourmet dishes, while also lending their delicate scents to a room when dried and for use in wreaths, pot pourri and arrangements. Gardens for dry flower production should include a wide selection of weeds, grains, seed-heads and pods. Flowers such as hydrangeas, zinnias, roses, dahlias and sunflowers and a selection of line flowers such as golden rods, statice, gladiolus, larkspur and delphinium can also be grown as these will provide a greater variety of flowers needed in flower arrangements.

Microwave Oven Drying

Microwave drying is quick and relatively simple. It takes only a few minutes and provides dried flowers that look fresher and more colorful than obtained by other methods. Flowers with thick petals like magnolia are not suitable for drying in microwave. Since flowers vary in moisture content, texture and density, care should be taken to use the same sized flowers from one species at a time. It has been found that many flowers held almost true to life color and form using this process. Brightly colored flowers are best to dry. Flowers such as lilies, roses, violets, zinnias, and dahlias work well with this process.

The process for freeze dried flowers began in 1989. Freeze drying was first used by the Peruvian Incas of the Andes, who stored their food on the heights of the Andes. The ancient Incas were the first to learn the benefits of sublimation. They discovered that when they dried food at high elevations, the results were better. Even though the food would freeze, it would dry well if left exposed to the sun. The reduced pressure at high elevation, combined with the dry air and energy from the sun, had caused sublimation to occur.

Bleaching is essentially whitening or decolourizing. It is an important step in the processing of dry plants. It involves chemical processes that can change the ability of colour bodies to absorb light by changing their degree of saturation (Robson, 1967). This chemical action removes the discolouration occurring during the dehydration phase of preservation of plants. It allows the effective use of dyes for colouring. Bleaching agent is a material that lightens or whitens a substrate through chemical action. To reduce the processing costs, multistage bleaching is suggested. In this method, both oxidative and reductive bleaching chemicals are used.

One of the important aspects of dry flowers is the pleasure of gathering flowers and grasses to make wonderful dried arrangements. The only drawback is that the original colors fade and the floral arrangements can end up looking like a bunch of straw. To enhance the colors of dried flowers, dyeing is advocated. While coloring ferns or small leaves, it is better to work on an aluminum foil or waxed paper so it can collect extra paint, which can be used on another leaf. Leaves should be lightly brushed, and never saturated with paint. The painted specimens are placed on the waxed paper or on a computer paper to dry. Newsprint should not be used.

Skeleton Leaves

Skeleton leaves are semi-transparent leaves, also called fossil leaves. They are prepared by soaking the fresh leaves in bleached water and then by hand rubbing the soft green flesh from the network of veins. The leaves can be then dyed to variant colors to give them a beautiful and pleasing appearance. Although delicate by nature, they are actually sturdy and can easily be glued to a variety of surfaces. They come in several colors and sizes to meet a complete line of crafting needs. The delicate beauty of these leaves is sometimes meant to capture life, hope and memories. These delicate, gorgeous skeleton leaves are a perfect accent for all craft projects. They make a beautiful and elegant statement when they adorn your wedding invitations. They work surprisingly well on gift tags, greeting cards, scrapbooks, collages, papermaking, stenciling, and stamping. They are perfect for decorating bridal bouquet, wedding reception table, candles, and wedding favors.

Dried Leaves

Leaves are dried or preserved to capture the beauty of spring and hold it for a long time. Dried leaves are beautiful when used in any decoration. There are several preserving techniques that help to enhance the prized collection of leaves well. Drying leaves is an age old tradition. Leaves were dried to preserve them. The leaves were picked for their medicinal qualities, fragrance, or to be used as spices and for their decorative value. Leaves can be preserved by various ways: 

Dried Petals

Many types of dried petals are used for making pot pourii eg., land lotus petals, rose petals, mahogany petals, lily petals and lotus petals. Flowers are dried for everlasting beauty. They add an elegant touch to the room and are dried for everlasting beauty. Preserving blooms is a wonderful way to preserve memories and enjoy long lasting splashes of color. Many flower parts are used in dried form. A vibrant and thrilling range of dried petals are used to embellish greeting cards, folders, books, and other personal belongings.

Practical have a significant role in the study of any theoretical subject. Whatever a student learns in theory, he verifies it by actual doing with his own hands.  Thus, these reduce any doubts and misbelieve from his mind. These verifications by actually doing the things are performed in the laboratories.  A laboratory is a place with the basic and essential equipments and adequate facilities for students and teachers to perform and observe experiments.  Plants will continue to provide novel products as well as chemical models for new drugs in the coming centuries.  The arrival of chemical analysis and the characterization of molecular structures have helped in precisely identifying these plants and correlating them with their activity under controlled experimentation.

Sterilization Techniques

Sterilization: All the materials, e.g., vessels, instruments, medium, explants, etc., used in culture work must be freed from microbes. This can be achieved by one of the following approaches:

Micropropagation /Clonal propagation

Micropropagation or clonal propagation is the growing of plants from meristematic tissue or somatic cells of superior plants on nutrient suitable media under controlled aseptic physical conditions. Sexually propagated plants (through generation of seeds) demonstrate a high amount of heterogeneity since their seed progenies are not true to type whereas asexual reproduction (by multiplication of vegetative parts) gives rise to genetically identical copies of parent plant. Thus, it permits perpetuation of the parental characters of the cultivars among the plants resulting from micropropagation. Micropropagation proves useful for propagation of: 

Isolation of Protoplasts

Protoplast is the living material of the cell however an isolated protoplast is the cell from which the  cell wall is removed. In plant breeding programme many desirable combination of characters could not be transmitted through the conventional method of genetic manipulation. Higher plants that could lead to the genetic process involving fusion between the subsequent developments of a product to a hybrid plant is known as somatic hybridization. Plant protoplasts can be isolated from cells by two methods:

Experiment - 1

Aim: Isolation of plant genomic DNA through modified CTAB method

Principle: Genomic DNA is extracted from plant material requires cell lysis, inactivation of cellular nucleases and separation of the desired genomic DNA from cellular debris. Ideal lysis method is rigorous enough to disrupt the complex starting material (plant tissue), yet gentle enough to preserve the target nucleic acid. The cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) procedure is sufficient for the extraction and purification of DNA from plants and plant derived food stuff.  This is particularly suitable for the elimination of polysaccharides and polyphenolic compounds otherwise affecting the DNA purity and hence quality.

Experiment- 1

Aim: Direct DNA delivery to Plant by Particle Bombardment
 
In direct gene transfer method, the foreign gene of interest is delivered into the host plant cell without the help of vector. Klein and Coworkers (1987) evolved a procedure through which the delivery of DNA into cells of intact plant organs or cultured cells is done by a process called Projectile Bombardment. The microprojection (Small and high density particles) are accelerated to high velocity by particle gun apperatus. These particles with very high kinetic energy penetrate the cells and membranes and transmit foreign desired DNA inside of the bombardment cells.

Experiment - 1
 
Aim: Molecular analysis of putative transformed plants by Polymerase Chain Reaction

The expression of transgenes are not identified at that time but it can be achieved through DNA analysis of that plant. The presence of transgene are generally identified of PCR-based detection followed by gel electrophoresis and comparison with standard samples. The main achievement of PCR-based detection is that it is very sensitive. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) provides a rapid and sensitive method to amplify a specific gene sequence. 

The lack of mechanistic understanding of probiotic activity is a major drawback for the prediction of safety of probiotic intervention. The complex gut-associated microbial ecosystem and nutritionally related factors are the most important environmental triggers for the development and modification of chronic degenerative diseases including immune and metabolic pathologies. In fact, the interaction between the gut microbial ecosystem and the host is considered to be a critical factor in overall health or disease. Whether probiotics will exert protective, harmful, immune-stimulating or immune-suppressing effects on a host is dependent on the interaction between the microbial signals, the genetic make-up of the host and the effects by the environment. Many studies have revealed that certain probiotic bacteria stimulate immune cell proliferation and activity as evidenced by the production of cytokines and antibodies, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the immune response against pathogens. Ng et al. (2009)

Antibiotic Resistance and Gene transfer
 
It is important that probiotic strains should be assessed for their phenotypical antibiotic resistance and potential to transfer resistance gene as otherwise they cannot be used in food (BgVV, 2000; Vankerckhoven et al., 2008). It is vital to do research on characterization of acquired resistance mechanisms and transferability of resistance genes and on methods for determining transferability.

In spite of the problems with dosage and viability of probiotic strains, a lot more work is required for industry standardization and safety issues. However, it is noted that probiotics have considerable potential against many pathogenic and other diseases. A wide range of clinical trials are still needed to standardize and optimize the conditions. Ongoing basic research will continue to identify and characterize existing strains of probiotics, identifying strain-specific outcomes, determine optimal doses needed for certain results and assess their stability through processing and digestion.

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

Term ‘Scientific research’ is too broad to be explained by using one or two definitions. One should go through the different expert views about scientific research in order to internalize the concept of scientific research. In essence a scientific research is characterized by its rigor, testability, replicability, precision, confidence, objectivity, generalizability and parsimony.

Research: Uma Sekaran (2006) defined research as an organized, systematic, data-based, critical, objective, scientific inquiry or investigation into a specific problem, undertaken with the purpose of finding answers or solutions to it.

Rationally selected and contextually defined research problem is the foundation to the successful research project. If the selected research problem is not in line with the interests of the researcher, available time, resources, infrastructure & knowledge base then achieving success in research process remains highly uncertain. Consequently, in addition to hindering of professional growth of the researcher, it also results in wastage of time, money and human effort. Most importantly, it may sometimes add up incorrect knowledge into scientific base, hindering the process of scientific progress. Hence the identification of the research problem and designing the problem statement is the most important step in the research process.