Internationl Congress Abstract

The First International Congress
8-10 November 2014
ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY AND

ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
Living for a Sustainable Future

Abstracts
Editors
Vir Singh, Govind S Kushwaha and Vrinda Negi

Co-editors
Anil K Shankhwar, Chitranshi Dhami and Nupur Rautela
GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology

Pantnagar-263145, Uttarakhand, India
ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS: Living for a Sustainable Future

Edited by: Vir Singh, Govind S Kushwaha and Vrinda Negi
GB pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India
8-10 November 2014
Management of Soil System Using Precision Agriculture Technology in

India
Aakash Mishra1, Harshvardhan Puranik2, Poonam Gangola3, Pawan Pant4& Padam
Singh5
1
Dept. of Soil Science, College of Forestry, Ranichauri, UUHF, Bharsar-249199

2
Dept. of Agrometeorology, I.G.K.V.V., Raipur, Chattishgarh
3&4
Dept. of Soil Science, G .B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar263145
5
Department of Agriculture Engineering, G .B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology,
Pantnagar-263145
To maximize the productivity from the limited natural resources on a sustainable manner, the
only way left is to increase the resource input use efficiency. It is also certain that even in
developing countries, availability of labour for agricultural activities is going to be in short
supply in future. The time has now arrived to exploit all the modern tools available by
bringing information technology and agricultural science together for improved economic
and environmentally sustainable crop production. In this context, Precision agriculture
merges the new technologies borne of the information age with a mature agricultural
industry. It is an integrated crop management system that attempts to match the kind and
amount of inputs with the actual crop needs for small areas within a farm field. This goal is
not new, but new technologies now available, allow the concept of precision agriculture to be
realized in a practical production setting.

8-10 November 2014
Possibilities of Wastelands Phytoremediation using Native Species of India

Arpna Ratnakar1, Anil Kumar Shankhwar2, Sangeetha Raj2,Uma Melkania2
1
Department of Environmental Science, Baba Bhimarao Ambedkar University, Lucknow

2
Department of Environmental Science, CBSH,
G .B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar-263145
Although the green revolution has performed, however food security is still a global
challenge. Vis--vis the meeting the growing demand of food supply ultimately focuses on
the utilization of wasteland (68.35 m ha in India). Afterwards the reclamation, wasteland
might be a breakthrough for providing the additional cultivable land. Hence the soil
reclamation makes a great deal towards the sustainability. The reclamation and restoration of
contaminated soil is an older concept and have a wide array of methods already had been
adopted e.g. soil excavation, soil washing, thermal treatment, electro reclamation, and other
chemical techniques. However these thermal, chemical and physical treatment methods have
failed to eliminate the pollution problem because those methods only shift the pollution to a
new phase such as air pollution etc. Hence emergent need of plant mediated green technology
like phytoremediation to harness the pollutants as nutrient sources for their metabolic
activity. Being a cost-effective, reliable, environmentally friendly, and greener technology in
comparison to any other chemical treatment methods (Abreu et al. 2012) phytoremediation
offers the rational and alternative solution for foresaid problems (Bck and Tre,
2014).Some plants extraordinarily hold the ability of phytostabilization (to immobilize metals
and store them below ground in roots); hyper accumulation.Phytoremediation technology
enables to easily implemented, environmentally friendly, and aesthetically pleasing (Henry,
2000). Screening of plants e.g. Ricinus communis, Brassica juncea,Hydrilla verticillata,
Lemna minor, Pistia stratiotes, Salvinia molesta, Spirodela polyrhiza, Eichhornia crassipes
from the site, specific native species for phytoremediation always have an added advantage of
acclimatization, tolerance and natural accumulators as well. Keeping in view, the need of
cost-effective, reliable, environmentally friendly, and greener technology for wasteland
reclamation and restoration,the possible effort made through this chapter tohighlight
thephytoremediation potential as a remediation technology

8-10 November 2014
Role of Biotechnology in Crop Improvement for Sustainable

Agricultural Production Ensuring World Food Security: Hope and
Concerns
1
Arti Bartwal, 2Kiran Bharti, 2Pawanika Chandolaand 3Sandeep Arora

1
Department of Biochemistry
Department of Plant Physiology
3
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering
G. B Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar-263145
2
In view of the increasing world population and consequent urbanization, the world food
security is severely threatened. Ironically, the rapidly changing climatic conditions are also
negatively affecting plant productivity, thereby further deteriorating the food security
scenario. Food security comprises four key dimensions of food supplies: availability,
stability, access, and utilization. Recent advances in agricultural applications of modern
biotechnology show its significant potential to contribute to sustainable agricultural
productivity, reducing poverty, and enhancing food security in developing countries.
Agricultural crop production is extremely sensitive to climate change. Crop growth and
development is directly affected by numerous biotic and abiotic stress factors, which
influence crop productivity linearly or nonlinearly. Agricultural biotechnology for
sustainable productivity aims to enhance developing countries institutional capacity for the
use and management of biotechnology research to develop environmentally compatible and
improved germplasm. Various improved varieties of crops has already been developed using
biotechnological approach such as insect-resistant, herbicide-tolerant species and crops able
to fix nitrogen leading to decontamination/ refinement of the environment. Use of modern
plant breeding methods leading to enhanced production of crops like legumes to improve soil
structure, organic matter and fertility have been and can be attained. Biotechnology can give
little assistance to sustainable agriculture in the short term, be more useful in the medium
term, and it could be highly useful in the long term as an integral part of the art and science of
plant breeding and other components of sustainable agriculture systems. However, the
benefits from modern biotechnology are accompanied with certain unenthusiastic effects and
concerns. The nature and extent of the positive and negative impacts will depend on the
number of aspects including priority, need, aspiration and capacity of individual countries.
However, there are also disadvantages which need to be further examined and debated to
ensure that crop biotechnologies are used effectively and appropriately for mankind.

8-10 November 2014
Fluorescent Pseudomonads: Role as Biocontrol and Biofertilizer for

Sustainable Agriculture
Asmita Rajwar1 and Tripti Mishra2
1
Department of Microbiology, CBSH

Department of Environmental Sciences, CBSH
G. B Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar-263145
2
Particular bacterial strains in certain natural environments prevent infectious diseases of plant
roots. How these bacteria achieve this protection from pathogenic fungi has been analysed in
detail in biocontrol strains of fluorescent pseudomonads. During root colonization, these
bacteria produce antifungal antibiotics, elicit induced systemic resistance in the host plant or
interfere specifically with fungal pathogenicity factors. Pseudomonas spp. that can colonise
the roots of crop plants and produce antifungal metabolites represent a real alternative to the
application of chemical fungicides. However, without solving some inherent problems
associated with the effective delivery of microbial inoculants to seeds and without knowledge
on the biosafety aspects of novel biocontrol agents, the commercial potential of Pseudomonas
spp. for plant disease control will not be realised.
Keywords: Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, Fluorescent pseudomonads, plant
pathogen, disease suppression, biocontrol.
Vegetarianism-Ecological,Ethical and Sustainable Basis of Human Living

Rupal Shukla and Abhishek Singh Pokhriya
Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Technology
G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar-263145
In this paper I propose to answer to the age old question Is killing and eating of plants and
animals justified? Addressing the question takes on special significance in the light of
arguments which seem to show that even non-sentient life is intrinsically valuable.
Vegetarianism has been around for centuries, but recently we have seen the eruption of a
more militant vegetarianism that is inspired by the animal "rights" movement

8-10 November 2014
Climate Change and Productivity of Crop Plants

Bhupendra Mathpal1, Nitin Kumar2, Anil Shankhwar3 and Naram Ramu4
1,2
Department of Plant Physiology, CBSH

4
Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture
G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar-263145
3
The CO2 concentration in the earths is rising year by year and is predicted to double over
the next 50-100 years. The global climate change due to increase in CO2 concentration,
temperature and variability in precipitation patterns has resulted in abiotic stresses like
heat, drought, frost and floods. These stresses could occur in varying intensities coinciding
with different growth and developmental stages of crops affecting productivity and
quality. The natural variation in earth climate is caused by many cosmological and
geological processes. However the climate change refers to additional and relatively rapid
changes induced by human activities. The rise in temperature attributed to alarming
increase in atmospheric concentration of the greenhouse gases viz., CO2, CH4, N2O and
chlorofluorocarbons mainly due to accelerated consumption of fossil fuels in industries
and transport. Theoretically this rise in CO2 concentration should result in stimulation in
photosynthesis and productivity due to reduction in photorespiration. However many plant
species grown at elevated CO2 exhibit decreasing CO2 potential, particularly with long
term growth in elevated CO2. Doubling of the current ambient CO2 concentration
stimulated the growth of C4 plants to the tune of 10-12%, whereas that of C3 plants was
about 40%. The influence of CO2 enrichment on field crops including rice has been
studied. CO2 enrichment (900 mol l-1) for rice at 30 days before heading increased grain
yield through increase in grain number. Gmelina arborea plant grown under high CO2
(460 mol l-1) showed high rate of photosynthesis compared to those under ambient CO2
levels (360 mol l-1). Growth of Gmelina in elevated CO2 resulted in increased root
volume, stem diameter and significant increase in plant height. So, significant variations
exist in the physiological, biochemical and molecular responsiveness to elevated CO2
among terrestrial plant species including those with C3, C4 and CAM plants. Using a
combination of genetic engineering and transgenic technology, different approaches to
reduce photorespiration has been taken. This is done by either reducing the
photorespiration by direct manipulation of enzymes in this pathway. Understanding, the
impacts of increase in temperature and CO2 on crop plants is the first step in developing
sound adaptation strategies to address the adverse impacts of climate change. Hence,
investigation on the effect of elevated temperature, CO2, drought and flooding on different
crop plants and the subsequent assessment of impacts of climate change on major cereal
crops under different climate change scenario is urgently required.

8-10 November 2014
The Teeming World of Microbial Life and Ecological Resilience

Bhavdish N. Johri
Department of Biotechnology, Barkatullah University, Bhopal-462026
In this Hot, Flat, Crowded World perhaps microorganisms represent the only exception to
extremities; from cold to hot, low to high pressure, stress, and dark to deep sea world, all are
enriched with microbes. Current scenario further shows that they are deep down in subsurface
rocks and in permafrost under the Antarctic for millennia of years! Is it merely the resistance
of the cell membrane that permits growth and survival of microbial life in such extreme
environmental conditions? According to the Darwin/Mac Arthur model increase in species
richness increases the stability of ecological function (Mac Arthus 1955). Taking cognizance
of this fact, microbial species in many an environmental situations live a lonely life and bereft
of competition. However, survival under such harsh conditions is truly a reflection of stability
and resilience of the existing communities. Some of these considerations will be discussed
using earth microbiome, endophytic existence, symbiotic relationships and associated
examples derived from microbe-animal, microbe-human, and microbe-plant relationships.
Estimation of Total Soluble Sugar from Barnyard Millet (Echinocloa

colona L.)
Dipti Singh and A K Verma
Department of Biochemistry, CBSH
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar 263145
Barnyard millet is the fast growing millet and its origin is probably in eastern India. It is also
called by several others name e.g.; Japanese barnyard millet, ooda, sawan, sanwa and
sanwank, nutritionally too. Reducing sugar estimated in this experiment by NelsonSomogyis method. The total soluble sugar was extracted from different varieties of
barnyards millet. All the varieties, VL-21 was shown minimum (140.09 mg/g) content of
total sugar. That might be due to the available form of sugar was different. The reducing
sugar in variety VL-21 was maximum (4.86 mg/g).Non reducing sugar was also extracted
from different varieties of barnyards millets. Among the different varieties VL-21 was shown
minimum (135.25 mg/g).
Keywords: Barnyard millet, Total soluble sugar estimation.

8-10 November 2014
Antioxidant Defense System in Medicinal Plants under Abiotic Stress

Chandra Kanta
Department of Biological Sciences, CBSH
Medicinal herbs in food as a medicine are a current hot trend that is capturing everyones
imagination with images of a new magic bullet or fountain of youth. Plants have developed
an array of protective defense strategies (antioxidant system) to cope up with abiotic stress
condition. The antioxidative system includes both enzymatic and non-enzymatic systems.
The main enzymatic antioxidants are superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT)
glutathione peroxidase (GPX), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR),
whereas non-enzymatic portion comprised of low molecular weight antioxidants i.e. proline,
thiol, ascorbic acid and glutathione. The function of this antioxidant system is to scavenge
the toxic radicals produced during oxidative stress and thus help the plants to survive through
such conditions. The intake of antioxidant compounds present in food is an important healthprotecting factor. Natural antioxidants present in foods and other biological materials have
attracted considerable interest because of their presumed safety and potential nutritional and
therapeutic effects. Because extensive and expensive testing of food additives is required to
meet safety standards, synthetic antioxidants have generally been eliminated from many food
applications. The increasing interest in the search for natural replacements for synthetic
antioxidants has led to the antioxidant evaluation of a number of plant sources. Recently,
there has been an upsurge of interest in the therapeutic potentials of medicinal plants as
antioxidants in reducing such free radical induced tissue injury.
Keywords: Antioxidants, Oxidative stress, SOD, CAT, GPX, APX, GR and Diseases.

8-10 November 2014
Microbial Phytases: Perspectives and Prospects

Deep Chandra Suyal1, Ishwar Prakash Sharma2, Anil Kumar Shankhwar3
1

3
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture& Technology, Pantnagar-263145
2
Phosphorus (P), like nitrogen, is an essential element for all forms of life and is involved in
various energy yielding metabolic processes, energy transactions via AMP, ADP and ATP,
with implications on glucogenesis, fatty acid transport, amino acid and protein synthesis and
activity of Na+/ K+ pump. Phytic acid is the primary storage form of P in cereal grains,
legumes and oilseeds, possessing a very stable chemical structure differing from other organophosphate molecules in having high phosphate content. Under normal physiological
conditions, phytic acid acts as an anti-nutritional component in plant-derived food and feed
and therefore, its presence is undesirable especially for monogastric animals which lack
inherent phytase in their digestive tracts. The excess of P in the feed that remains unutilized is
partly excreted in manure and results in pollution of ground water leading to eutrophication of
freshwater bodies. Facing the problem of P deficiency in plants, animal feed together with its
pollution in areas of intensive livestock production, phytase seems destined to become
increasingly important. Phytase belongs to a large family of phosphohydrolase enzymes and is
a unique acid phosphatase as it can catalyse hydrolysis of phytate to inositol and
orthophosphoric acid. The benefits of phytase are two-fold: saving the expensive and non
renewable inorganic P resource by reducing the need for its inclusion in animal diets and
protecting the environment from pollution of excessive manure P runoff. Hence, for both
environmental and economic concerns, phytases and phytase-producing microbes are
attracting significant industrial interest.
Keywords: Phytic acid; phytase, phytase applications; microbial phytases

8-10 November 2014
Decolorization of Black Liquor by Newly Isolated Soil Fungi

Deepika Rajwar and JPN Rai
Department of Environmental Sciences,CBSH
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar-263145
The pulp and paper mill generates wastewater with very high biological oxygen demand
(BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), toxic substances, recalcitrant organics, turbidity,
high temperature and intense colour. The colouring body present in the wastewater from pulp
and paper mill is organic in nature. It is estimated that 273-450 m3 of water is required to
produce 1 ton of paper and about 60-300 m3 of waste water is discharged. One of the
significant problem is the persistent dark brown color in the released effluent from waste
water treatment facilities of which the major contributors are lignin and its derivatives, such
as chlorolignin, discharged from the pulp bleaching process. Black liquor which originates
from the chemical pulping stage contains lignin, carbohydrates, organic acids, sulfur
compounds, phenolic compounds, terpenes and resin. Conventional treatment processes like
chemical pre-treatment and lagooning are not adequate to meet the regulatory effluent
standards for being discharged into sewers. Biological methods of the effluent treatment have
the advantage of being cost effective and in addition to colour removal. They can also reduce
both the BOD and COD of waste water. White rot fungi (WRF) are used for bioremediation
processes since these organisms have strong enzyme system to degrade a wide range of
pollutants. Present work investigate the potential of isolated soil fungi for decolourization of
pulp and paper mill effluent and optimization of process parameters.
Keywords: Black liquor, white rot fungi, COD, lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase,
laccase.
10

8-10 November 2014
Renewable Energy as a Sustainable Approach

Dipanshu Chinwan1 and Deeksha Rajvanshi2
1
Department of Agriculture Engineering, College of Technology

Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Technology,
G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar- 263145
2
Agriculture is the sole provider of human food. Most farm machines are driven by fossil
fuels, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and, in turn, accelerate climate change.
Such environmental damage can be mitigated by the promotion of renewable resources such
as solar, wind, biomass, tidal, geo-thermal, small-scale hydro, bio-fuels and wave-generated
power. The concept of sustainable agriculture lies on a delicate balance of maximizing crop
productivity and maintaining economic stability, while minimizing the utilization of finite
natural resources and detrimental environmental impacts. Sustainable agriculture also
depends on replenishing the soil while minimizing the use of non-renewable resources, such
as natural gas, which is used in converting atmospheric nitrogen into synthetic fertilizer, and
mineral ores, e.g. phosphate or fossil fuel used in diesel generators for water pumping for
irrigation. Hence, there is a need for promoting use of renewable energy systems for
sustainable agriculture, e.g. solar photovoltaic water pumps and electricity, greenhouse
technologies, solar dryers for post-harvest processing, and solar hot water heaters. If there are
adverse climatic conditions for the growth of particular plants in cold climatic zones then
there is need for renewable energy technology such as greenhouses for maintaining the
optimum plant ambient temperature conditions for the growth of plants and vegetables. The
economics of using greenhouses for plants and vegetables, and solar photovoltaic water
pumps for sustainable agriculture and the environment are presented in this article. Clean
development provides industrialized countries with an incentive to invest in emission
reduction projects in developing countries to achieve a reduction in CO2 emissions at the
lowest cost. The mechanism of clean development is discussed in brief for the use of
renewable systems for sustainable agricultural development specific to solar photovoltaic
water pumps in India and the world. This article explains in detail the role of renewable
energy in farming by connecting all aspects of agronomy with ecology, the environment,
economics and societal change.
Keywords: Bio-fuel, solar, geothermal, wind hybrid, Sustainability
11

8-10 November 2014
Utilization of Fruit Waste (Apple Pomace) for Biofuel Production by using

Microbial Tools
Govind Kumar, Pankaj, Anil Kumar Shankhwar1, Priyanka Khati, Divya Joshi, &
Anita Sharma
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar
1
In India Red Delicious variety of apple was introduced by Satyanand Stokes in 1918 in
Himanchal Pradesh and soon its cultivation spread to Kashmir and Uttarakhand. India is the
ninth largest producer of the apple in the world contributing an annual production of 1.42 MT
(million tonnes) from an area of 0.25 million hectares. In Kumaon region, apple is cultivated
in about 0.02 million hectare of land which accounts for about 2.8% of total area under fruit
cultivation. Total production of apple is 0.018 million tonnes, that is about 4.23 % of total
production of fruits in Uttarakhand. Of the total apple fruits produced, 71% is consumed for
table purposes while 20% is processed into various products. Out of total fruit processed,
65% is processed into apple juice concentrate. During processing for juice about 75% of the
fresh weight of fruit is recovered as juice and 25% as pomace. There are about 500 juice
processing plants in India that produce a total of 1.3 million tonnes of apple pomace every
year. This involves annual disposal expenditure to the tune of $ 10 million. There, it is
disposed of by application to the soil. This procedure is costly and also presents
environmental problems. Apple pomace has high C.O.D and is biodegradable (high BOD). Its
disposal in the environment results into foul smell and affects terrestrial and aquatic
ecosystems. Hence, there is a strong need to have an integrated approach for its utilization
and treatment. Utilization of such waste in an economical and effective way would prevent
resource wastage on one hand and provide additional economic advantage on the other hand.
Pomace has high amount of fibre, minerals and carbohydrates so could also be utilized for
manufacturing of beverages like alcohol and vinegar through fermentation. Production of
ethanol form apple pomace using microbial tools is cost effective and environmentally
friendly approach. In addition to this apple pomace can also be use in production of edible
products (juice, jelly, sauce, soft drink, cookies, papad, toffee etc.), fermented products (beer,
vinegar, cider) and industrial products (flavour compounds, pectin, oxalic acid, citric acid and
animal feed).
12

8-10 November 2014
Utilization of Biological Tools as Alternative of Chemical Nematicide for

Sustainable Environment and Agriculture
Ishwar Prakash Sharma1, Deep Chandra Suyal2 and Anil Kumar Shankhwar3
1

2
3
Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) have the
potential for controlling soil-borne diseases and hence they may be one of the important
biocontrol agents for the managements of root-knot disease in agricultural fields. Mostly all
the agricultural crops are adversely affected by this disease and globally higher yield losses
recorded every year. Both the AM and PGPRs are responsible for the managing this disease
because they develop resistance to the plants against pathogens. So that, they are
economically and environmentally secure biocontrol tool against the soil borne pathogens.
Towards a State of Ecological Integrity:Eco-philosophy,Sanctity of life and

Ecological Renaissance: Imperatives of our Contemporary World
Deeksha Rajvanshi1and Dipanshu Chinwan2
1
Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Technology

Department of Agriculture Engineering, College of Technology
2
Great ecosystems are like complex tapestries-a million complicated threads, interwoven,
make up the whole picture. Nature can cope up with small rents in the fabric, it can even,
after a time, cope with major disasters like floods, fires and earthquakes .What nature cant
cope with is the steady undermining of its fabric by the activities of man. Humanity in
situation needs to understand its role and responsibility as a dominant force towards the state
of ecological sustenance, start accounting for and governing the sanctity of life, and actively
foster societal development in tune with the planet of which we are part. It is time to
reconnect to the ecosystem. The need of the hour is to help the universe and all its creatures
in the journey of self-actualization and in the process of healing the earth, making it blossom
again and paint renaissance enmeshed with the imperatives of our contemporary world.
13

8-10 November 2014
Van Panchayat: Conservation Issue and Management Strategy

Jyoti Pandey, Anil Kumar Shankhwar1 and L.S. Lodhiyal
Department of forestry and Environment Science, DSB campus, Kumaun University, Nainital
1
Department of Environmental Sciences, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology,
Pantnagar-263145
At some four billion hectares, forests cover nearly 31 per cent of the global land area (FAO,
2010). The importance of forests in relation to two of the most important global
environmental threats i.e. climate change and biodiversity loss is hard to overstate (Agrawal,
2007). They have long been recognized as the reservoir and source of much of the species
biodiversity on the planet. These statistics about forests are important to convey their
immense significance for the survival of humanity as a species. The other importance of the
forests has been recognized widely is the immediate relevance of forests to the livelihoods of
resource dependent communities. It has now been estimated that globally around 500 million
people depend directly on forest resources for their immediate requirements of fuel, food,
fodder and timber (White and Martin, 2002). Thus, in view of simultaneous importance of
forests for global conservation and local livelihoods, sustainable management of forests has
always been a challenge for most of the nations.
Vegetarianism: Ecological, Ethical and Sustainable Basis of Human Living

Brinda Sharma, Sonakshi Goel, and Gauri Gandhi
College of Technology,
Vegetarianism has become the most popular diet among the young generations facing the
new millennium. This discipline eliminates the intake of meat and in some cases also the
consumption of dairy products and eggs. The purpose of this paper is to prove that
vegetarianism is the diet that offers more benefits to our health, spirit, and society. Vegetarian
diets go hand in hand with environmental ethics. They are the need of the hour to ensure
sustainable future as they try to maintain a balance in the food web. In addition to ecological
integrity, vegetarianism is required for a healthy and energetic living. Moreover, most of the
world religions recognize non-vegetarianism as sinful. According to them, this brutal
treatment of the animals leads to violence and lack of human integrity. Thus, Vegetarianism
is required for the path of non-violence, peace and spirituality. The paper presents each of
this aspects and urges to promote and shift to vegetarianism.
14

8-10 November 2014
Impact of Heavy Metals on the Growth of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.

Jyotsna Rastogi, Satish Chandra, Dipti Singh and Sumita Rana
Heavy metals are the natural components of lithosphere and are generally toxic above a
threshold level. The heavy metals bring significant changes in the environment structure and
function. Members of periodic table which are actively abundant in the earth crust, extracted
and used in the reasonable amount are generally referred to as heavy metals. Cadmium occurs
naturally in the environment from the gradual process of abrasion of rocks and soil and from
singular events such as forest fires and volcanic eruptions. Nickel is derived in soil from
natural and anthropogenic sources. Nickel concentration in uncontaminated soil varies
between 5 and 50ppm. Ni is a component of enzyme urease and essential for plants
functioning. Experiment was performed on tomato(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) cv.
Navodaya belonging to the family Solanaceae. The selected plants were treated 4 times with
10, 20, 30 and 40 g Cadmium and Nickel. The plants were treated twice at pre-flowering
stage at 10 days interval and twice at post-flowering stage. Almost all selected growth
parameters were sensitive to all or at least high doses of Cd and Ni. Among the parameters
studied, the shoot length and root length was least sensitive to Cd, but more sensitive to Ni.
The total chlorophyll content increased in the plants treated with Cd and Ni. The highest
increase was recorded in chlorophyll a content in response to Ni treatment. But due to
reduction in the leaf area and leaf number, the plant biomass decreased significantly on
treatment with higher doses of Cd and Ni. The lower doses of Ni enhance the biomass.
Keywords: Heavy metals, nickel, cadmium, tomato, chlorophyll pigments
15

8-10 November 2014
Sustainable Agricultural Practices for Improving Food Security

Tanweer Alam, Kantipudi Rajesh kumar, Sitanshu and Sravan Tummuti1
Department of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences,
1
Department of Genetics and Plant breeding, Institute of Agricultural Sciences,
Banaras Hindu University 221005
Since the 1966-67, when the green revolution started and thus massive use of pesticides are
used. The intensive and extensive agriculture utilized there harmful agro-chemicals to such
an extent that it soon leaves residue in the environment. These harmful chemicals causes
problems to the environment human and their live stocks. DDT was synthesized in the year
1874 by Zeidler. This wonderful chemicals control obnoxious pests to a greater extent, but
soon it was observed that it has harmful effects on the human beings and the environment.
The DDT has affinity to deposit in the adipose tissue and even lactating mammals have its
presence. The Agro-chemicals have plays a pivotal role in securing the food to the humans.
The menace of hazardous chemicals and to its environment poses several threats to the
humans. In the year 1992, a global meeting was held in Rio de Janerio named Earth summit
which discusses various issues of chemicals and its consequences. So, after the hazardous
effect of chemicals several methods viz. Biological control, integrated pest management, use
of pheromones and hormones, biorational use of insecticides, botanical insecticides, novel
insecticides and several such eco-friendly methods thus developed and working
tremendously. The biological control utilizes introduction, augmentation and conservation.
The agents used in biological control are microorganisms, fungi, viruses, vertebrates,
nemalthelminthes, arthropods, have the advantages of permanent effect, non-poisonous
against biological control agents. So, it is the right time for the agricultural scientists to
popularize the eco-friendly approaches of insect pests that have no residues in the
environment and preserve the biodiversity to a larger extent. The already fragile environment
can be protected by using eco-friendly approaches. The sustainable agriculture is now need of
an hour and popularize it on a mass scale to secure food and preserve the environment.
16

8-10 November 2014
Antimicrobial Activity of Reboulia hemisphaerica L. (liverwort)

Against Plant Pathogens
Kavita Negi, Vidisha Kandpal and Preeti Chaturvedi
There is growing interest in the use of medicinal plants and herbal products for pathogen
related diseases control program as plant derived drugs are considered safe and free from
adverse side effects. Bryophytes belong to the group of the oldest known land plants, which
includes liverworts, hornworts and mosses. Reboulia hemisphaerica (liverwort) was collected
from Uttarakhand Himalayas(Dwarahat) and Himachal Pradesh(Palampur).The antimicrobial
activity were studied by extracting them in three different solvents viz methanol, ethanol and
acetone (80%). The present in vitro study was investigated against plant pathogenic bacteria
(Erwinia chrysanthemi) and fungus (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici)by using agar
well diffusion and food poisoned assay respectively. Both the extracts showed significant
antibacterial activities but R. hemishaerica (Palampur) was found lesser active against F.
oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. The highest degree of antibacterial activity was shown by
ethanolic extract of R. hemisphaerica (liverwort)against(Erwinia chrysanthemi with
MIC/MBC (3.0/2.5 g/ml) and (100/250 g/m) respectively. The antibacterial and antifungal
activity of the plant extract was comparable to the broad range antibiotic, streptomycin and
Carbedazime respectively. Estimation of secondary metabolites revealed that the ethanolic
extract of the liverwortwas having maximum flavonoid (at 100g/mL) and phenolics (at
100g/mL). The present study concludes that organic extracts of R. hemisphaerica contain
potent antimicrobial constituents for the biocontrol of F. oxysporumf. sp. lycopersici and E.
chrysanthemi. Thus, the herbal formulation of R. hemisphaerica can be used to develop
novel biocontrol agent as a substitute of conventional fungicides.
Keywords:
Reboulia hemisphaerica,
metaboltes.
biocontrol,antimicrobial
17
activity,
secondary

8-10 November 2014
Soil Pollution and Their Effects on Crop Productivity

Kharag Singh, Shri Ram and Santosh Chandra Bhatt
Department of Soil Science,
G.B Pant University of Agriculture &Technology Pantnagar. 263 145
The upper layer of the unsaturated zone of earth is the soil. Soil is the natural body made of
mineral and organic constituents. It is produced by solid material recycling and complex
processes of solid crust modifications. Soil offers shelter, habitat for numerous organisms and
is the living medium for plants. Soil is the basis for agriculture. All vegetation for human
food and animal feed depend upon soil. Enormous quantities of waste from man-made
products are being released into the soil causing soil pollution. Polluted water also causes soil
pollution. Soil pollution is caused due to unhygienic habits, agricultural practices and
inappropriate methods of disposal of solid and liquid wastes. Soil pollution is a also caused as
a result of atmospheric pollution. In industrialized countries, soil pollution is a result of use of
chemicals in agriculture, dumping of waste materials, mining, smelting of metals and also
dumping of domestic refuse and solids, untreated sewage and industrial wastes.
Soil Microbial Community as a Indicator of Heavy Metal Recovery

Megha Verma, Meenakshi Sati, Megha Bora and J.P.N. Rai
Dept. of Environmental Sciences, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities,
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology Pantnagar
Email: megha_pth@yahoo.in
Using plants and microbes are the most common and economically beneficial for heavy metal
removal from soil. Hyperaccumulator, Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, plant growth promoting
rhizobacteria have some specific quality for heavy metal removal. Hyperaccumulator plants
have some specific type of genes which can express only in the presence of heavy metals.
PGPR were mainly used for assisting plants to uptake nutrients from the environment or
preventing plant diseases. Heavy metal contamination of soil may pose risks and hazards to
humans and the ecosystem. Remediation of heavy metal contaminated soils is necessary to
reduce the associated risks, make the land resource available for agricultural production,
enhance food security and scale down land tenure problems arising from changes in the land
use pattern.
18

8-10 November 2014
Use of recycled PET Bottles into Value Added Products

Kirti Kesarwani, Aditi Vats and Priyanka1
Dept.of Familiy Resource Managment, G.B Pant University of Agriculture &Technology
Pantnagar. 263 145
1
Ethelind School of Home Science, S.H.I.A.T.S.
Poly(ethylene terephthalate), more commonly known as PET in the packaging industry and
generally referred to as polyester in the textile industry. PET is used as a raw material for
making packaging materials such as bottles and containers for packaging a wide range of
food products and other consumer goods such as soft drinks, alcoholic
beverages, detergents, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products and edible oils. PET is one of the
most common consumer plastics used. It is an indispensable material with immense
applications owing to its excellent physical and chemical properties. On the other hand, due
to its increasing consumption and non-biodegradability, PET waste disposal has created
serious environmental and economic concerns. Thus, management of PET waste has become
an important social issue. In view of the increasing environmental awareness in the society,
recycling remains the most viable option for the treatment of waste PET and converting it
into a valuable product. Recycled PET is used to produce fibres, sheet, and containers etc.
Recycling of the PET reduce the amount of waste going to landfills and it helps to protect the
environment. The environmental benefits gained from using recycled raw materials rather
than virgin materials to make these products include conservation of natural resources as well
as reduced energy consumption, carbon dioxide (CO2) and other emissions, and waste going
to landfills.
19

8-10 November 2014
Physical Environment as an Environmental Ergonomics

Kumkum Pandey
Department of Family Resource Management,
G.B Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar. 263 145
Environmental ergonomics is that physiological and performance effect in occupational
settings, pertaining to ventilation and pollutants, psychophysical quantification of sound and
noise, vibration full or partial, self and or work items. Therefore increasing numbers of
ergonomist in todays competitive world have begun to believe that the physical environment
that includes light, noise, humidity, vibration dust etc. might have a great impact on
employees' outcomes. There are several research findings indicate that workers outcomes are
affected positively or adversely by the visual, acoustical, and thermal characteristics of the
organization environment such as workers behavior; attitudes; and achievement; personality
development; workers preferences and comfort. Concrete foundation is crucially needed to
discuss the circumstances of the physical environment in industrial setting. The valuable
theorists mostly cited as guidance is person-environment fit theory (Caplan and Van
Harrison, 1993). The match between attributes of the person and attributes of the
environment reflects the concept of person-environment (PE) fit (Roberts and Robins,
2004). This paper will reviews the related concept of physical environment from ergonomics
perspectives which is mostly applied in workplaces setting in order to relate it with the
condition or situation in industrial setting because ergonomics dealt with the scientific study
of the interaction of man, machine and his environment.
Keywords: Ergonomics, acoustic, environment, organizational ergonomics
20

8-10 November 2014
Biodiversity Loss Assessment: A Critical Appraisal of Ecology

M. Esakkimuthu1 and Pardeep Kumar2
1
Department of Agricultural Communication,

Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding,
G.B Pant University of Agriculture & Technology Pantnagar- 263 145
2
Important biological causes of the loss of biological diversity include the loss of habitats, the
introduction of exotic species, over harvesting of biodiversity resources, and homogenisation
of species in agriculture. The common factor of all these elements is that they are human
driven. This paper analyzes the economic and social root causes behind biodiversity loss. The
analysis is based on both theoretical considerations and case studies. The firstly demographic
change, although from a theoretical point of view the relation between population pressure
and the impact on biodiversity is almost obvious, no systematic attempt has been made so far
to analyze this relationship in a quantitative way. The secondly consumption and production
patterns, global increases of energy consumption and the use of natural resources drive
habitat conversion world-wide. In this part of the analysis, particular attention is paid to
economic growth, poverty and land tenure aspects, as causes of biodiversity loss. Finally,
Public policies entail three major elements: perverse policies that provide incentives which
degrade biodiversity, failure to incorporate the monetary value of biodiversity into decision
making and failure to integrate biodiversity concerns as a transversal element into policy.
Although there is ample theoretical evidence of the economic, social and political causes of
biodiversity loss, empirical evidence for most of these relationships is fragmented, meager or
non-existent. More research in this area is imperative. It is also most questionable whether
current nature-conservation policies provide sufficient answers to these root causes of
biodiversity loss and are able to counteract the loss of biodiversity-related cultural values,
biological species and ecosystems in an effective way.
Keywords: Exotic species, input, biodiversity, economic, growth and homogenisation
21

8-10 November 2014
Approach of Students towards Sustainable Products

Mamta, Anita Rani and Manisha Gahlot
Department of Clothing and Textiles
G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology,Pantnagar-263 145
Email: mamtagbpuatpantnagar@gmail.com
Sustainable future is the most emergent issue which has been accepted globally with similar
seriousness. The efforts have been initiated at global and national level to ensure sustainable
future by initiation of different products, legislations, etc. But for taking a big leap towards
secure future small steps have to take at grass root level for support our nation. This can be
done by creating awareness among local population about the aspect by which they can make
minutes by effective individual contribution towards the cause of sustainability. Keeping in
view the concept of sustainability, a study was planned to assess their knowledge of green
apparel and textiles, a commodity consumed most by general population. The study was
conducted in Kumaon region of Uttarakhand to assess the purchasing practices of young
adult female students and to compare responses of respondents from agricultural and
traditional university. One agricultural and one traditional university were selected for the
study. The selected agricultural university was G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and
Technology, Pantnagar and traditional university was Kumaun University, Nainital. These
universities were selected purposively because they had sufficient strength of students in the
PG courses and accessible by the researcher. Total 244 students were selected as respondents,
out of which 122 were agriculture university students and 122 were traditional university
students. The findings of the study revealed that the students of agricultural university
considered green aspects most of times, were prompted to buy by the quality level of green
goods, their main source of information was internet and they preferred to make purchase
along with their friends. On the other hand students of traditional university considered green
aspects sometimes, were prompted to buy by the recyclable mark on green goods, their main
source of information was audio visual media and they preferred to make purchase along with
their parents. The students of two universities preferred to purchase from independent local
shops, considered quality, price and style factors and donated their apparel and textile to
either their siblings or maids or to orphanage most of the times.
Keywords: Green apparel, Environment safe, organic, purchasing practices, Sustainable
products
22

8-10 November 2014
Conservation and Management of Native Pollen Bees Biodiversity by

Enhancing Habitat Resources: A Perspective
Manish Kumar Yogi and M. S. Khan
Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar-263145
Email: manishyogi18@gmail.com
The success of all restoration efforts and indeed, of life depends on a healthy and diverse
population of native pollinators. Between 60 and 80% of the worlds flowering plants require
a visit from an insect pollinator to be most productive. Native bees contribute significantly to
crop pollination and, on farms with sufficient natural habitat located nearby, may even
provide all of the required pollination for some crops. In order to support the native bee
community, it is essential to provide suitable nesting sites in addition to floral resources.
Native bees are threatened by factors such as habitat degradation, agricultural intensification,
deforestation, pathogens, alien species, climate change and the indiscriminate use of
insecticides. The easiest approach to supporting native bees in a landscape is to look for
potential nesting areas and then to protect them as best as possible. Additionally, devising
artificial nesting shelters will support their population. A variety of hole diameters into
downed dry wood sections, bundles of paper straws or hollow stems and exposure of pithy
interior of the stems may be employed to further increase nesting opportunities for wood
nesting bees. However, to be sustainable, artificial nests need to be maintained over time to
prevent the buildup of parasites and disease. Different species of ground nesting bees nest in
different soil types, but the soil should be at least 35 percent sand. Making of raised sand
beds edged with lumber or bricks and creating a sandpit by simply digging a pit of 2 or 3 feet
deep, and fill it with fine-grained, pale-colored sand or a sand-loam mixture are practices
which build-up the ground nesting bees population. For healthy ecosystems, including agroecosystems, diversity and abundance of native bee fauna is important. By providing nesting
sites, pollen and nectar sources, and protection from pesticides, a diverse community of
native bee species will increase. Different native bee genera pollinate different plant species
and thus they are likely to contribute to increased agricultural productivity and the
conservation of the natural biological diversity of the region.
23

8-10 November 2014
Tourism Disturbance in National Parks

Meenakshi Bisht
Research scholar, Zoology, S.B.S Govt. P.G. College, Rudrapur
Tourism in national parks is a very important economical source of all over world. Although
tourism is good for economic growth, it also creates negative impact on national park. Tourist
comes in national parks to see the natural beauty of nature and to see the wild life. They
enjoy it and create many disturbances in national parks also. They generates many type of
pollution such as soil pollution, air pollution, noise pollution, water pollution etc. when a
large number of tourist comes in park then crowding become a big problem of parks
animals and their habitat and on vegetation also. Vehicles in national parks cause soil
pollution. Garbage by tourist also affects the parks environment. Thus tourism create
disturbance in national parks by number of ways. So it is very important to protect the
national park and their biodiversity. To protect the national parks it is very important that
people know the importance of national park and importance of biodiversity. And for this we
have to generate awareness among people about environment and wild life. At last the most
important way to protect the national park from disturbance is to minimize the tourism in
national parks.
Biosorption of Heavy Metals by Bacteria: Process and Mechanisms

Meenakshi Sati, Megha Verma, J.P.N. Rai
During last two decades, extensive attention has been paid on the management of
environmental pollution caused by heavy metals. In this regard, several conventional
strategies have however, been attempted focusing especially on heavy metals removal from
derelict environment, but are expensive, disruptive and less practical under natural
environmental conditions. In contrast, biosorption, a relatively young, inexpensive and
socially acceptable technology involves the use of renewable resources like microbes and
plants to tackle heavy metal problems and subsequently to restore the lost fertility of soils.
This review highlights the alternative biological agent abundantly present in nature i.e.
bacteria for heavy metals remediation. Bacteria are preferred as biosorbents more than other
microorganisms because of their high surface-to-volume ratios, high content of potentially
active chemosorption sites such as on teichoic acid in their cell walls, their abundance in all
environments such as water, soil and air and can be easily propagated under laboratory
conditions.
Keywords: Bioremediation, Heavy metal, Pollution, Bacteria, Toxicity
24

8-10 November 2014
Soil Humus Formation and its Functions in Agro-ecosystem

Megha Bora, Anil Kumar Shankhwar, Megha Verma and Vir Singh
Department of Environmental Science, College of Basic Science and Humanities,
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, India
E-mail: meghabora187@gmail.com
Soils represent a major pool of about 172 x 1010 t carbon in the cycling of C from the
atmosphere to the biosphere and are the habitat for terrestrial photosynthetic organisms,
which fix 11 x 10 10 t C per year, about half of which eventually finds its way into soils.
Organic matter is mainly present in the top 2030 cm of most soil profiles and is essentially
an array of organic macromolecules consisting principally of combinations of carbon,
oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur. Soil organic matter is commonly
measured as the quantity of organic carbon. The global pool of organic carbon in soil to a
depth of 1 m has been estimated at 1,200 -1,550 Pg (2 m: 2,3702,450 Pg), and as such is
significantly greater than either the biological-biota (560 Pg) or atmospheric (760 Pg) carbon
pools. Almost all organic matter in soil is directly and indirectly derived from plants via
photosynthesis. Thus atmospheric carbon dioxide is transformed by reduction into simple and
complex organic carbon compounds, which in combination with key nutrients enable the
plant to function and grow. Carbon dioxide is released directly from plants by respiration, but
most of the fixed carbon is retained and ultimately transferred to the soil ecosystem via a
combination of spatially distinct pathways over a variety of timescales. The most important
pathways are the direct addition of senescent material as above-ground and below-ground
detritus, return of ingested plant matter in animal faeces, and exudation of soluble organic
compounds from roots Organic matter in soils is represented by plant debris or litter in
various stages of decomposition through to humus and includes the living organisms in the
soil.
25

8-10 November 2014
Pollinators for Sustainability of Agriculture

S.P.More , Thangjam C. Singh, and G.S.Yurembam
Department of Irrigation & Drainage Engg
Email: msandip40@gmail.com
Pollinators and pollination are crucial in the functioning of almost all terrestrial ecosystems
including those dominated by agriculture because they are in the front line of sustainable
productivity through plant reproduction. Pollinators are essential for orchard, horticultural
and forage production, as well as the production of seed for many root and fibre crops.
Pollinators such as bees, birds and bats affect 35 percent of the worlds crop production by
increasing outputs of 87 out of 124 leading food crops worldwide. Food security, food
diversity, human nutrition and food prices all rely strongly on animal pollinators. Maintaining
and increasing yields in horticultural crops under agricultural development is critically
important to health, nutrition, food security and better farm incomes for poor farmers. Among
insects, bees, flies, beetles, butterflies, midges, moths, wasps, and weevils are important
pollinators of many crops. Perhaps one-third of our total diet is dependent, directly or
indirectly, upon insect pollinated crops. In the past, pollination has been provided by nature at
no explicit cost to human communities. As farm fields have become larger, and the use of
agricultural chemicals has increased, mounting evidence points to a potentially serious
decline in populations of pollinators under agricultural development. Crop pollination key
to food production and security has been little understood, in part because it has been
provided by biodiversity at essentially no cost. As farm fields have become larger, production
systems have intensified, and the use of agricultural chemicals that impact beneficial insects
such as pollinators has increased. A result of this is that pollination services are showing
declining trends in a number of instances. Bees are essential components of almost all of the
worlds terrestrial ecosystems. They provide both pollination services, and are excellent
indicators of the state of terrestrial environments including responses to global warming.
Evaluation of good practices for their impacts on pollinators, and their relative costs and
benefits to farmers and land managers is also useful, since the value of these practices must
withstand the test of providing sufficient benefits, considering the time, effort and costs of
implementing them.
Keywords: Cross-pollination, Global warming, Pollinators, Sustainable
26

8-10 November 2014
Plant Biodiversity Losses in Ramgarh Hills of Kumaun : Need To Protect

and Sustainable Use for Future Generations
Mukesh Singh Mer, Brij Lal Attri, Raj Narayan, Anil Kumar and Arun Kishore
Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture, Mukteshwar Kumaun 263 138 Uttarakhand
Plant biodiversity including different plant species provide a variety of products like food,
fodder, medicines and raw materials to this region. The plants also provide an important
source of renewable energy. One of the most fundamental values of plant biodiversity is in
supplying the food for human, given naturally, therefore we can only domesticated, with wild
animals and different organisms including different food chain. Of the estimated 250,000
species of flowering plants at global level, about 3000 are regarded as food source and only
200 species out of these have been domesticated. Around 119 pure chemical substances
extracted from some 90 species of higher plants are used in medicines throughout the world.
In this region the natural biodiversity rich in fuel and fodder tree Quercus luchotrichophora
70 %, Rhododendron 5% , chir pine 8% deodar 2%, Kharshu (Quercus Spp.)10%, and
Bhimal, Kharik (50 % in other niche of area also presence in cultivable land) etc., before 20
years back but till 2014 it remains 40%, 3%, 33%, 2%, 5% with 10% land remains vacant due
to mortality, utilization by peoples and 20% respectively. The ecological niche change or
reduced and their effect on socio economic environment due to imbalance in every life. The
various medicinal plants Berberris, Coleus, Gloriosa, Myrica, Oxalis, Asparagus, Bacopa,
Dactylorriza, Gloriosa, Kuth, Giloe also less in number due to their highly intensive
harvesting. Fruit plants Pyrus spp., Prunus spp. also found naturally. The biological resources
make indirect contributions to the welfare and stability of society. Environmental functions
support economic activity by recycling important elements like carbon, oxygen and nitrogen
and by acting as buffer against excessive variations in weather, climate and other natural
events outside the control of human beings. The plant density of forest reduce day to day by
more utilization of fuel wood and fodder due to unmanaged harvesting. As natural habitat
declines, the ecological processes slow down. The rich biodiversity helps in the
sustainability/stability for existence, and risk aversion. Constant pressure on most commercial
species for several decades has resulted into loss of population of such and many of these
have been categorized as endangered. This region rich in very valuable plant biodiversity,
rich source of environmental support to provide microclimate, highly potential to capture rain
water percolation in earth gravitational water table, natural organic manure from degradation
of leaves, fresh air control the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere, reduce soil erosion,
production of leaves and wood for carbon sequestration for socio-economic relation to human
life but reduction of species and number affect these sustainable ecological system.
27

8-10 November 2014
Natural Resource Management for Sustainable Fisheries Development

Rajinder Kaur, Iqra Nazir1 and Nandkishor A. Ingole
Department of Fishery Biology, College of Fisheries,
1
Department of Aquaculture,College of Fisheries
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar- 263 145
Email - rajindergoraya7@gmail.com; nanduingole122@gmail.com
Fisheries sector play an important role in India to ensure a stable supply of fish, provide
income and employment opportunities, earn foreign exchange, preserve inland and marine
environments and traditional fish culture and offer recreational opportunities. Among these,
the constant stable supply of fish is by far the most important element directly linked to food
security issues. The government considers production prospects to be a key factor in the food
security problem and the issue of sustainability in terms of food supply. Since the World
Food Conference of 1974, conditions of world food security have changed profoundly,
sustainable agricultural development, including the essential contribution of the fisheries
sector has become of utmost importance both to ensure adequate supply of food at affordable
prices and as the main source of economic and social progress for the rural poor community.
Food security is now dependent upon a set of circumstances that has political, social and
economic dimensions not only at the national but also at regional and global levels. The
article deals with the indication that a number of very important issues must be confronted if
the fisheries sectors in the Indian region are to be able to satisfy the regions prospective
demands for fish food and to maintain or even increase the contribution of fish to national as
well as regional food security. Unless appropriate policies and management measures are
designed and implemented, the combination of population increases and economic growth in
conjunction with over-exploitation of the resources and serious environmental problems will
place enormous strains upon the sectors capacity to fulfill its expected role in food security.
Keywords: Natural Resource Management and Sustainable Fisheries
28

8-10 November 2014
Eco-friendly Pest Management with Host Plant Resistance

Neha Bhatt and Pooja Gangwar
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar 263 145
Integrated pest management is not a new concept in insect pest management but certainly it is
an essential factor in sustainable management of pests. Many insect resistant varieties have
been developed during the past 50 years. Through the efforts of international and national
working group of scientists, different pest resistant varieties have been developed from
different parts of the world. Pest resistance is controlled by different allelochemicals,
morphological factors, fiber content, nutrient level, vascular bundle density, leaf trichome
density etc. Insect resistant varieties greatly increase farming efficiency since insect control is
available for the cost of only the seed. In addition, research on developing resistant varieties
provides 100- to 300-fold greater returns on investment than research to develop insecticides.
Insect resistance has helped to prevent the application of several million tons of insecticides
onto croplands, reduced insecticide rates and applications, and encouraged the use of
biological and cultural insect control practices in integrated insect pest management
programs. Several examples demonstrate how insect resistant varieties act synergistically
with both biological and chemical insect control tactics. National agricultural program staffs
in many countries should work jointly with scientists located at different centres and farmers
should be trained about the benefits of insect resistant varieties in insect pest management.
Effort should be made to incorporate insect resistance genes into locally adapted varieties
which possess grain quality and yield desirable to specific localized conditions.
Keywords: Host plant resistance, Insect pest
29

8-10 November 2014
Impact of Global Climate Change on Insect Pest Dynamics

1
Neha Pandey, 2Kiran Bharti and 3A.K. Karnatak
Department of Entomology, VCSG CoH, UUHF, Bharsar

2
Department of Plant Physiology, CBSH
3
Dept. of Entomology, College of Agriculture,
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar - 263145,
Email- dr.neha207@gmail.com
The wide uncertainties in climate scenarios, regional variation in climate effects accompanied
by modern farming practices have a marked effect on insect pest dynamics. The ecological
balance is changing and there are no simple and widely applicable adaptation prescriptions.
Insect pests as well as their potential predators give varied and unpredictable responses to
climate change. Climate change (warmer temperature) has marked impact on survival,
fecundity, dispersal and life cycle of insects. Higher rate of growth and reproduction is
generally observed in insects with increasing global temperature. Insects of mid to high
altitudes are expected to benefit more from climate change because it will lead to their rapid
growth and development. Trophic interactions are also affected by global climate change.
Climate change is aiding the insect pest invasions by widening the invasion niche directly or
indirectly. Warmer climate is enhancing the dispersal capacity of various insects by reducing
their developmental time thus allowing insects to reach their minimum flight capacity sooner.
Climate change may make (Integrated Pest Management) solutions less effective and difficult
to implement. Marked change in survival and distribution pattern of insect population has a
direct effect on biological control agents which serve as important IPM tool and important
part of sustainable agriculture. Thus to combat the effect of global climate change on pest
population dynamics, farmers need to adapt to these changing situations and come to some
common solutions, although the choice of solutions or adaptations to be made is not an easy
task.
Keywords: Insect pest, climate change, IPM , farming
30

8-10 November 2014
Need of Technological Innovations in Solving Environmental Problems and

Sustainable Development in Hilly Areas
Nidhi Rawat and Uma Melkania
Department of Environmental Science, CBSH,
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar.
Email: nidhirawat05@gmail.com
Hills and Mountains are significant resource of water, forests, biodiversity etc., representing
the real potential for development of local communities. However, there are many problems
related to human impact in hilly-mountain areas, their degradation, and limitation of
perspectives for sustainable use of mountain resources. The concept of sustainability emerged
within the last two decades with emphasis on development as a process of change in the
direction of investment, orientation of technological with human needs. Poor access of the
technology and practices in the hill-mountain region is one of the major problems for
sustainable development. Hilly regions are more susceptible to climate change or other
environmental issue due to topography. Some technologies adopted in hill-mountain region
are watershed management, organic farming, cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants,
conservation of soil and water. It is necessary the use of appropriate science and technology
in the Himalayan region for the sustainable development.
Keywords: Environmental issues, Himalayan Region, Hilly-Mountain region, Watershed
Management.
31

8-10 November 2014
Eco-Physiological Role of Karrikins, a new family of Plant Growth

Regulators in Breaking Seed Dormancy
Nitin Kumar, Bhupendra Mathpal, Pawnika Chandola and S. K. Guru
Department of Plant Physiology, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities
G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology Pantnagar-263145
Germination is a critical event in the plant life cycle. The timing of emergence from the
protective seed coat is crucial for survival and reproductive success of plants. A variety of
abiotic stimuli, including light, temperature etc, provide information about the external
environment that affects germination. Recently Karrikins are discovered in smoke obtained
from burning plant material as a family of plant growth regulators (Flematti et.al. 2003).
Karrikins have been found potent in breaking dormancy of seeds of many species adapted to
environments that regularly experience fire and smoke. The recent discovery that karrikins
trigger seed germination and control seedling growth in taxa that experience fire indicates
that their contribution could extend far beyond fire ecology. This has also been exemplified
in several new studies reflecting the sensitivity of seeds of many species, specifically towards
karrikins in smoke. Interestingly, Karrikins have been reported to trigger germination of
primary dormant Arabidopsis seeds far more effectively than one of the potent
phytohormones namely strigolactone GR-24. These discoveries explained if karrikins are
produced in the environment by processes other than fire, such as by chemical or microbial
degradation of vegetation in response to disturbance of the soil or removal of the plant
canopy. Another way is that plants contain endogenous karrikins that function naturally in the
control of seed germination and that species from fire-prone habitats have evolved to respond
also to exogenous karrikins. Karrikins are now firmly established as an important family of
naturally occurring plant growth regulators for seed germination. This behaviour of Karrikins
opens an array of perspectives in its utilization for weed management. One of the major
important of weed management in emergence of weed seeds at different times and phases.
This reduces the efficacy of current weed management practices. It is proposed that in
germination stimulant such as Karrikins can stimulate germination of weed species in the
soil. This will enhance the efficacy of weed management strategies currently in use.
32

8-10 November 2014
Microbial Action for Pesticide Degradation A Step Towards Sustainable

Environment
Pankaj, Priyanka Khati, Govind Kumar, Saurabh Gangola and Anita Sharma
Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Sciences & Humanities
GB Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar US Nagar-263145
Email: pankajbhatt.bhatt472@gmail.com
Natural environment has a rich pool of microbial diversity. All the animals, plants and
microbial system(s) interact each other in different ways in an ecosystem. Human
interference with the nature has disturbed over all biodiversity in devasting manner and use/
application of xenobiotic compounds for different purposes is one of them. Xenobiotic
compounds such as pesticides are mainly used in agricultural sector to kill insect pests to
enhance crop productivity to fulfil the food demands of billions of population globally.
Microorganisms play a fundamental role in global recycling of matter by releasing different
elements (C, N, and P&S) from an immense variety of complex organic compounds. These
elements can be reused by living organisms for their own survival. Bacteria and fungi display
spectacular metabolic versatility in the area of sewage and waste water treatments,
degradation of xenobiotics and mineral recovery. At present, approximately 1000 of different
chemical substances are used to enhance agricultural productivity. Bioremediation or
bidegradation of such hazardous compounds from the natural environment is one of the
promising approaches, where complete/ partial transformation of the said compounds into
environmentally accepted form is possible. Under natural conditions various potent bacterial,
fungal species are used for the degradation of hazardous chemicals in the environment. At
present scientists are working hard to develop a safe, sustainable microbial technology to
clean the polluted sites. We can use the microbial culture to remediate the toxic pollutant
from the environment and maintain natural environmental process.
33

8-10 November 2014
Bioremediation: A Sustainable Approach for Waste Management

Pardeep Singh1, Rishikesh Singh 2P. K. Mishra3, Dhanesh Tiwary2
1
Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-BHU), Varanasi-221005

2
Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University,
Varanasi-221005
3
Department of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (IITBHU), Varanasi-221005
Waste generation has increased as a consequence of increasing urbanization and
industrialization which aimed to provide standard to the escalating human population.
Generation of wastes contribute to a major part of it and further leads to the various
undesirable effects on environment and human health by contaminating water and land
resources. Various organic and inorganic matter contents of these wastes are contaminated
water and soil environments. Several methods have been evolved for the treatment of
wastewater containing such materials; however, they have limited use either due to their costs
or associated environmental consequences. Bioremediation is the use of microorganisms for
the degradation of hazardous chemicals in soil, sediments, water, or other contaminated
materials. Often the microorganisms metabolize the chemicals to produce CO2 or CH4, water
and biomass. Alternatively, the contaminants may be enzymatically transformed to
metabolites that are less toxic or innocuous.Bioremediation process is an integrated approach
employing microbial community such as bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and earthworm. It is a
sustainable process for the treatment of such organics-rich solid waste and wastewater
generated from diverse sources. Further, the solid residue generated in this process has found
to have potential soil macro- and micro-nutrient, thus has its application to use as organic
manure. This process is highly susceptible to various physico-chemical parameters like pH,
temperature, moisture content and aeration. These processes have been found to be beneficial
at small scale as well as large wastewater treatment by passing it through a batch/continuous
reactor. In addition, these processes are found to be sustainably used for conversion of toxic
petrochemical and textile waste to the nontoxic end product. However, more research is
required for the establishment of bioremediation technique at larger scale and further research
is needed for the holistic analysis of environmental consequences of such products.
Keywords: Bioremediation, Biodegradable wastes, Organic matter and Sustainability.
34

8-10 November 2014
Environmental Ethics and Sustainable Development: A Review

Parul Sundha, Poonam Gangola1 and Uma Melkania
Department of Environmental Science, College of Basic Sciences & Humanities,
1
Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture
G.B.Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India
E-mail: parul34046@gmail.com
An ecological conscience or moral that reflects a commitment and responsibility toward the
environment includes plants and animals as well as present and future generations of people.
It is oriented toward human societies living in harmony with the natural world on which they
depend for development, survival and wellbeing. Environmental ethics is a new subdiscipline of Practical Philosophy that deals with the help of a reciprocal and holistic
attitude, where all comprehensive aspects and parts of nature are preserved, protected and do
coexist with harmony. It emphasizes upon the development of a sustainable ecology and
society providing ethical justification and moral motivation for the cause of global
upliftment. Environmental ethics is theory and practice about appropriate concern for, values
in, and duties regarding the natural world. Sustainability has now become a concern of
virtually every sector of human society. The sustainability framework extends ethical concern
to future generations. Human society now consumes natural resources faster than they can be
replenished, and this is compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. It
is increasingly clear that education about environmental and societal degradation with
reference to human ethics could lead to an action. Acknowledging the importance of the
natural environment to human development will help in engaging in actions for
environmental conservation and sustainable development. Current and future generations are
inheriting a world that is biologically impoverished, has fewer resources, and suffers from
more pollution than ever before. Therefore, sustainability challenges have become the worthy
issue and moral concern to present day humans to consider the well-being of future
generations. The objective of this paper is to explore the rationale for teaching environmental
ethics within a decisionmaking paradigm along with a critical appraisal of ways to achieve
sustainable development. Additionally, it aims to assist those who are increasing their
understanding of ethical education for environmental protection.
35

8-10 November 2014
Impact of Long Term Chemical Weed Management on Soil Microflora in

Cropping Systems
Pawanika Chandola, Nitin Kumar,Kratika Bhandari, Kiran Bharti, 1Arti Bartwal and
S K Guru
Department of Plant Physiology, College of Basic Sciences & Humanities
1
Department of Biochemistry, College of Basic Sciences & Humanities
The soil microbial community is directly or indirectly affected by natural and anthropogenic
factors. Microbial biomass is a sensitive indicator of changes occurring in soil ecosystem.
Among anthropogenic factors, herbicides are of primary importance due to their continuous
use in different cropping systems and crops to control weeds. Herbicides are biologically
active compounds, and may lead to significant changes in microbial populations and
activities influencing soil microbial and ecological balance. According to guidelines for the
approval of herbicides, information about their effects on soil microorganisms and soil
fertility are required. However contradictory reports are encountered in literature on the effect
of herbicides on the growth of various groups of soil microorganisms. Some herbicides
stimulate the growth of microorganisms, but others have depressive or no effects on
microorganisms. This is due to the interference from various factors of the rhizosphere.
Microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria use the herbicide molecule as a food source.
Conditions that favour microbial growth will result in faster degradation of the herbicide,
leading to reduced persistence. In our study on the effect of herbicides used in rice- wheat
cropping system, an increased bacterial population and respiration was observed in herbicide
treatments in rice crop. Likewise another study in maize crop showed that soil microbial
population was unaffected by the herbicide application. Field applied herbicides in crops at
the recommended rates usually had no significant or consistent effects on the soil biology.
However, long term use of herbicides may lead to accumulation of metabolites whose fate is
not evaluated in most of the studies. It is desirable that soil health is continuously monitored
in chemical intensive production system to ensure maintenance of beneficial microflora.
36

8-10 November 2014
Phytoremediation: A Biological tool for Alleviation of Metal

Contamination from Soil
Kiran Bharti, Neha Pandey1, Pawanika Chandola, Arti Bartwal2, Nitin Kumar,
Deepti Shankhdhar and S. C. Shankhdhar
1
Department of Plant Physiology, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities

Department of Entomology, Uttarakhand University of Horticulture & Forestry, Bharsar
2
Department of Biochemistry, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities
G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, U.S. Nagar. 263145
Imagining the Mother Nature without one of its very important component soil would be
incredibly tough. From times immemorial soils importance has been recognised in an Indian
history. Hosting a number of living species by providing food and shelter it plays a vital role
in maintaining ecological integrity. Regrettably, an astonishing number of anthropogenic
activities are continually being involved in disturbing its composition and structural profile.
Industrialization at large scale, dumping of oil and fuel, over application of agrochemicals
like pesticides and fertilizers, civic disorganisation, are among human activities which apart
from other harmful substances has contaminated the soils with excess of metals. Such
polluted sites cannot be utilized for agriculture leaving the barren land. As a plan of action
the sites require remediation strategies before utilization. Though the conventional strategies
have been successful in decontaminating soil up to an extent but simultaneously they may
disrupt soil integrity and are expensive as well. Recently, phytoremediation has emerged as a
strategy that is biological in nature and hence expected to conserve the soils integrity. It is
based on the fact that there are many plants such as Astragalus pectinlus, Stanlyes pinnola,
Alliummacropetalum etc. which are known to sequester certain metal elements in their tissues
and can be named as hyper accumulators. This low cost strategy can be brought about mainly
by four different methods rhizofiltration, phytostabilization and phytoextraction,
phytovolatilization. The present chapter focuses on the problem of metal contamination in
soil and phytoremediation as a strategy to overcome it so as to aid in maintaining ecological
integrity and sustainable agriculture.
37

8-10 November 2014
Pesticidal Potential of Plants Essential Oils against Insect Pests of Stored

Grain
Pooja Gangwar and Neha Bhatt
G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, U.S. Nagar. 263145
Many plant essential oils show a broad spectrum of activity against pest insects and plant
pathogenic fungi ranging from insecticidal, antifeedant, repellent, oviposition deterrent,
growth regulatory and antivector activities. Management of insect pests under storage
condition is very difficult due to non-availability of adequate insecticidal and non-chemical
control measures. Although, several insecticides belonging to organophosphate,
organothiophosphate, phosphonate, carbamate, pyrethroid etc are used to control insect pests
under field condition, only a few active ingredients of organophosphate and pyrethroid group
have been found suitable for use under storage condition for prophylactic treatment. Similarly
for curative treatment, only two common fumigants phosphine and methyl bromide are being
used currently, for stored-product protection world over. Although effective, their repeated
use for several decades has disrupted biological control system by natural enemies and led to
outbreaks of insect pests, widespread development of resistance, undesirable effects on nontarget organisms, and environmental and human health concerns. Essential oil from more
than seventy five plant species belonging to different families, such as Anacardiaceae,
Apiaceae (Umbeliferae), Araceae, Asteraceae (Compositae), Brassicaceae (Cruciferae)
Chenopodiaceae, Cupressaceae, Graminaceae, Lamiaceae (Labiatae), Lauraceae, Liliaceae,
Myrtaceae, Pinaceae, Rutaceae and Zingiberaceae have been studied for fumigant toxicity
against insect pests of storage grain . Most essential oils comprise of monoterpenes compounds that contain 10 carbon atoms often arranged in a ring or in acyclic form, as well
as sesquiterpenes which are hydrocarbons comprising of 15 carbon atoms. The most common
monoterpenes are 1,8-cineole, the major constituent of oils from rosemary and eucalyptus;
eugenol from clove oil; thymol from garden thyme; menthol from various species of mint;
asarones from calamus; and carvacrol and linalool from many plant species, which have
shown potent fumigant toxicity against storage insect pests. Ultimately, it is in developing
countries which are rich in endemic plant biodiversity that these pesticides may ultimately
have their greatest impact in future integrated pest management (IPM) programmes due to
their safety to non-target organisms and the environment.
Keywords: Essential oil, monoterpenes, phytochemicals, antifeedants, repellents, fumigants
38

8-10 November 2014
Self Cleaning Garment

Priyanka Kesarwani and 1Kirti Kesarwani
1
Ethelind School of Home Science, S.H.I.A.T.S.

Department of FRM, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar263145
Email: kpriyanka1208@gmail.com
Textiles have always been at the forefront of material innovation. Water and soil repellency
has been one of the major targets for fibre and textile scientists and manufacturers for
centuries. Nature has already developed an elegant approach to create super repellent surfaces
as well as self-cleaning surfaces. Lotus leaves is the best example of self-cleaning surfaces.
The concept of self-cleaning textiles is based on the lotus plant whose leaves are well-known
for their ability to self-clean by repelling water and dirt. More recently, botany and
nanotechnology have united to explore not only the beauty and cleanliness of the leaf, but
also its lack of contamination and bacteria, despite its dwelling in dirty ponds. The lotus
plant's magnificent ability to repel dirt has inspired a range of self-cleaning and antibacterial
technologies. The self-cleaning fabrics have a nanofilm coating of nanoparticles, which can
break down dirt molecules, pollutants, and microorganisms when exposed to visible and UV
light. Clothes made this way could be cleaned by simply exposing them to sunlight thus
resulting in the fabric that repels water, resist stains and even kill off the bacteria that grow in
sweat and make clothes smell. The use of a self-cleaning coating is attractive as they are
labour saving, in the long run, it can save time and money by reducing expensive dry
cleaning bills. The opening of new application fields for textiles will lead to a new growth
stage. For the growing market of technical textiles a further increase in production volume,
sales and application fields can be expected by successful transfer of the self-cleaning effect
on textile materials.
Keywords: Self-clean textiles, nanotechnology, nature, nanoparticles
39

8-10 November 2014
Importance of Livestock Health Services for Sustainability in Livestock

Production: The Next Food Revolution in India
Pushpa, Bulbul G. Nagrale, and B.S. Chandel
Department of Dairy Economics, Statistics & Management, National Dairy Research
Institute, Karnal-132 001, Haryana, India
The importance of Livestock Sector is proving in Agriculture Sector as is evident from its
rising share in Agricultural GDP. However the growth of Livestock Sector is conditioned by
livestock support services, wherein the performance of services is judged from the efficiency
and effectiveness of livestock support services. The present study is targeted at this crucial
component of development. The efficient delivery of livestock services has become a subject
of rising concern to many national and international organisations such as FAO, World Bank
and ILRI In India, recognising the importance of livestock for the rural poor and their limited
financial access to these livestock support, the central and state governments have been
extending these services at a huge subsidy. There is a vast network of veterinary institution in
the public sector that offers veterinary and breeding services to the farmers at very low prices.
One side, government is subsidising these services so that farmers can easily avail these
services and on the other side, due to high subsidy the quality of services are not maintained
by the Govt. agencies as they are charging a very nominal fee for delivering these services.
Initiative policy aimed at increased cost recovery, which could alleviate these financial
difficulties, is often deferred by the policy makers on the assumption that the farmers would
not be willing to pay for these services.
Ecophilosophy Introspection into Hinduism

Govind S Kushwaha and Vir Singh1
Department of Social Sciences& Humanities, College of Basic Science and Humanities
1
Department of Environmental Science, College of Basic Science and Humanities
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar-263145, Uttarakhand, India
Eco-Philosophy is invented by two fields of studies such as Ecology and Philosophy.
Philosophy means study of reality. Ecology studies the environment at surface level where as
Eco-Philosophy studies the environment at deep level as well as how it ought to be, so that
we can live in this world with all basic and necessary needs. Eco-Philosophy means a study
through which we can understand the real nature of the environment towards philosophy.
Now, this question raises in the whole universe, how to protect our earth? Because we living
in it. The Hinduism reveals many aspects of Ecology which are amenable with modern
science. The ancient Indian thoughts on Ecological factors; Flow of energy in Ecosystem;
Natures hydrological cycle; Ecological niche and Socio-ecological pyramids are discussed in
this paper.
40

8-10 November 2014
Agrometeorological Services and Information meeting Farmers Needs to

Improve their Livelihood
Rajeev Ranjan, Ankita Jha, Anil Shankhwar1 and Asha Latwal
Department of Agrometeorology, College of Agriculture
Department of Environmental Science, College of Basic Science & Humanities
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology,Pantnagar-263 145, Uttarakhand
Email: rajeevranjanagri@gmail.com
1
The steady increase in human populations and periodic weather hazards in many areas around
the country have caused food shortages, put stress on the resource base and have jeopardized
the long term sustainability of these agricultural production systems. Therefore, there is a
need to improve agrometeorological services, both to enhance production and to conserve the
environment. The climatic and environmental resource base of crops plays a dominant role in
their survival, growth, and development. Therefore, weather and climate, crops, other parts of
the resource base, and crop/weather and crop/climate relations need the continuous attention
of applied research. This helps not only to protect the resource base and sustain the quality
and quantity of crop yields, but it also is a basis for the farmers income. However, to make
sense, the products of science as well as forecasts and advisories must increasingly be made
available to assist the farmers, through operational agrometeorological services, which range
from agroclimatological characterization to management of natural resources.
Agrometeorological services were used to prepare farmers for climate extremes and climate
use. Design rules of microclimate and water management solutions are more successful
towards government institutions, if anywhere, than with farmers, because of missing
education and extension programmes and facilities. Advice on above and below ground
microclimate management or manipulation, such as shading, wind protection, mulching,
other surface modification, drying, storage, or frost protection. Livelihood is means to gain
adequate stocks and flows of food and cash to meet basic needs, together with reserves and
assets to offset risks, ease shocks, and meet contingencies. Monitoring and early warning
exercises directly connected to such already established measures in agricultural production,
to reduce the impacts and to mitigate the on sequences of weather and climate related natural
disasters for agricultural production. Complying with farmers conditions and needs using
new weather and climate information approaches and technologies.
Keywords: Weather forecasting, Agrometeorological Advisory Service, Climate change and
Farming System.
41

8-10 November 2014
Prospect of Utilizing Pine Needles (Pinus roxburghii) for

BioenergyProduction andEcological Integrity
Rajnsh KumarDwivedi, Ravi Pratap Singh, T.K. Bhattacharya
Departmentof Farm Machinery & Power Engg. College of Technology,
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar 263 145, India
Email: rdwivedi2003@gmail.com; dr.ravipratapsingh@gmail.com; tkb183@gmail.com
Pine needles are leaves litter of (Pinus roxburghii) a difficult forest waste. They do not decay
as other biomass and piled up pine needles are a major source of forest fires. They may
however a good source of biomass fuel. The Pine forests in Uttarakhand produce about
8.23lakh tonnes collectable dry biomass of pine needles annually. Among the various
techniques involved in the management of forest biomass such as, pyrolysis, briquetting,
biomethanation and alcoholic fermentation,biomethanation also seems to viable. Biogas
technology may be considered as an appropriate technology to meet out the basic needs of
cooking fuel in rural India by using local resources organic in nature.Studies on improvement
of biomethane production from pine needle leaves were investigated using an alkali
pretreatment. In order to facilitate rapid and effective hydrolysis of lignocellulose, pine
needle leaves were mechanically pretreated with reduction in particle size, which increases
the available surface area for chemical and enzymatic attack. Anaerobic batch fermentation
of the treated and untreated pine needles were carried out in 4 litre capacity P V C reagent
bottles as anaerobic reactor at mesophilic conditions (35 1C) for 40 days. The experiment
was replicated thrice and all the results were compared with untreated pine needles
(control).The process parameters such as pH and total alkalinity were measured initially,
weekly and finally and their effects were analysed.The analysis of foregoing results on
parameters governing the process, reduction in total solids and volatile solids, biogas yield,
indicates that lime (CaO) and urea treated substrate gave best performance (0.46 lg-1VS)
whichis equivalent to24.07 l biogas/kg ground pine needles as compared to fresh cattle dung
0.774 lg-1VS (29.99 l/kg).The present study showed that the alkali pretreatment of pine
needles can significantly improve its biogas yield.
Keywords: Renewable energy, Pre-treatment, Biogas, biomethanation,Bioenergy, Pine
needles, anaerobic digestion, Lignocellulose.
42

8-10 November 2014
Biosensors A New Approach for Plant Disease Forecasting

Rakesh Choudhary, Mohammed Talha, Navin Chander Gahtyari,Manjeet
Kumar
Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar 263 145, Uttarakhand, India
Email:agrico.rakesh@gmail.com
In simple words biosensor is any device that uses specific biochemical reactions to detect
chemical compounds in biological samples. Biosensor = bioreceptor + transducer. A
sensor that integrates a biological element with a physiochemical transducer to produce an
electronic signal proportional to a single analyte which is then conveyed to a detector. The
bioreceptor is a biomolecule that recognizes the target analyte whereas the transducer
converts the recognition event into a measurable signal. The uniqueness of a biosensor is that
the two components are integrated into one single sensor. This combination enables one to
measure the target analyte without using reagents. The simplicity and the speed of
measurement is the main advantages of a biosensor. Professor Leland C. Clark Jr. (1918
2005) is known as father of biosensor for his invention of Clark Electrode. Biosensors play a
part in the field of environmental quality, medicine and industry mainly by identifying
material and the degree of concentration present.Many plant diseases are initiated by airborne
dispersal of spores, which vary in time and space. Traditional methods of identifying plant
pathogens can be slow and inconclusive, and this has prompted the search for alternative
diagnostic techniques of spores in environment and forecasting. DNA-based biosensor
methods can also be used to monitor pathogen populations for changes in genetic traits.
Genetic traits such as fungicide resistance and pathotype or race can be monitored by the
biosensors, which helps with control decisions and improves understanding of epidemics and
disease forecasting. With the use of biosensor, the first fully automated device for the
capture, detection and wireless reporting of airborne spores of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum has
been discovered. Further research is needed to understand the variability in concentrations of
airborne spores over field and regional scales and to deliver results quickly to make practical
monitoring programmes effective.
43

8-10 November 2014
Abiotic Stress Management through Biological Agent Trichoderma spp. in

Agriculture
Yogendra Singh Gusain1, Ranveer Kamal,Anil Kumar Shankhawarand A.K. Sharma
1
College of Forestry and Hill Agriculture Ranichauri, Uttarakhand University of

Horticulture and Forestry, Bharsar 249199, India
College of Basic Science & Humanities, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology,
Pantnagar, US Nagar 263145, India
The genus Trichoderma comprises a great number of fungal strains that colonize plants roots
as a symbiont and have properties to stimulate plant growth and development. Trichoderma
species have long been recognized as agents for the control of plant disease and for their
ability to increase plant growth and development. Recently the work on Trichoderma
focusing on their abilities to alleviate abiotic stress, however the specific knowledge of
mechanisms regarding the abilities to control multiple plant abiotic stress factors has yet to be
covered. There are several molecular biology approaches like genetic engineering,
recombinant DNA technology etc. being used at biochemical level for the improvement and
development of Trichoderma strains. The use of Trichoderma as a biological agent could be
cost-reducing and effective strategy. Here we have described the putative mechanism of the
alleviation of abiotic stress in plants through the application of Trichoderma species and their
future perspectives.
Keywords: Abiotic Stress, Trichoderma, Biological Agent, Plant Diseases
44

8-10 November 2014
Agro-Ecology: A Holistic Approach for Achieving Ecological Integrity

Rekha Balodi, Sunaina Bisht and Pankaj Rautela
Department of Plant Pathology
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar- 263145
Email: balodirekha30@gmail.com
Ecological integrity refers to the state of homeostasis in which the organization and function
of the ecosystem are not affected by extrinsic factors like anthropogenic activities. In
addition, the natural ecological processes remain intact and self-sustaining, the ecosystem
evolves naturally and its biodiversity is self-renewed and maintained. Ecological integrity is
desirable to reverse the deleterious impacts of anthropogenic activities. Among all
anthropogenic activities agriculture is most important activity affecting state of an ecosystem,
an agriculture field is considered as an artificial ecosystem created by man. To meet the
increasing demands of food commodities, increase in production and productivity of
agricultural system is driven by high inputs of agrochemicals and monoculture. These trends
in agriculture have caused a negative impact on environment and affected the public health.
Agro-ecology refers to system of agriculture driven by principles of sustainable agriculture to
meet the demands in an eco-friendly manner. Sustainable agriculture is based on the
principles of ecological balance, maintenance of natural processes and creation of beneficial
interaction among different components of agro-ecosystem instead of depending on external
inputs. The operations of an agro-ecosystem are driven by prevailing environmental and
socioeconomic status of the region. Thus, it requires an approach for transition for achieving
sustainability and can be adopted in context of local demands and conditions. The basic
features of approach should include understanding of challenges in local level and approach
should include all the aspects at local level. The focus of this approach understands the
traditional knowledge and know- how, and its combination with the modern approaches. This
ensures a farmer centred approach for promoting methodologies suitable for balancing
demands with supply and ecological detonation with restoration and conservation of natural
ecological processes.
45

8-10 November 2014
Crop Residue-Derived Biochar: An Environmentally Ethical Insight in the

Era of Climate Change
Rishikesh Singh
Institute of Environment & Sustainable Development (IESD)
Banaras Hindu University Varanasi-221005
Email: rishikesh.iesd@gmail.com
Climate change has been foresighted as the major driver for acceleration of various
environmental extreme events, the world is facing currently. Anthropogenically-induced
gaseous emissions are considered as the major stepping stone for this change. The increase in
the frequency of their occurrence is really worrisome with the passage of time. In order to
mitigate the unprecedented impact of climate change various measures have been proposed in
the recent meetings of the UNEP in this 21st century. Terrestrial carbon (C) sequestration is
one of the important measures to be focused. Of various terrestrial C sequestering measures,
biochar technology, though very recently but with heavy impact, has been emphasized on
others such as afforestation, reforestation, agroforestry and judiciously managed agronomic
practices. Generally, biochar is a C-rich aromatic ringed structure derived from closed
chamber heating, popularly known as pyrolysis, of lignocellulosic biomass as a by-product.
Its ability to store ~50% biomass C derived from photosynthetically trapped instantly for
long-term give this technology further impetus for widespread adoption for climate change
mitigation. Biochar addition to soil is a carbon negative process having greater carbon credit
potential in addition to various positive effects on soil physico-chemical and biological
properties. Potentially available lignocellulosic crop residues (~4000 MT/yr) has been
initially prospected as the most suitable feedstock for this technology, however, the
compromise of various ecosystem services of crop residue has been underestimated that time.
In addition, various environmental ethical issues are related with complete crop residue
removal. In order to judicious management of crop-residue to biochar technology without
compromising ethical values, research has been steered progressively. In the present article, a
critical insight has been given on the crop residue-derived biochar with highlights on
environmental ethical issues. No doubt, crop residue could be a better resource for biochar
technology; however, with such greater research world over, it is still limited to be socially
acceptable as soil ameliorant possibly due to ethical issues. Total conversion of crop residue
to biochar is generally not possible; however, crop residue could be used as supporting
material alongwith other lignocellulosic biomass such as energy crops, weeds and algal
biomass for conversion to biochar technology. Such integrated conversion pathways are the
need of the hour in the era of climate change as the by-products would be the cleaner fuels
like bio-oil, syn-gas and biochar for long-term sequestration. Though, the environmental
ethical issues related with the resulting biochar by-product will be a matter of further
concern. Therefore, there is still a scope of miles to go with biochar technology for mitigating
climate change.
Keywords: Lignocellulosic biomass, pyrolysis, biochar, climate change, carbon credit.
46

8-10 November 2014
Exploitation of Allelopathy for the Management of Plant Diseases in

Sustainable Agriculture
Sajeesh, P.K, Vinod Upadhyay and Nitish Rattan Bhardwaj
Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture,
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar- 263145
Email: sajeeshnarayan17@gmail.com
Management of plant disease-causing organisms is an essential component in every crop
production system. Since green revolution numerous synthetic pesticides have been
developed and used for control of crop pests. Many of the chemical pesticides act not only
the target species of pathogen but also other non-harmful or beneficial organisms and is
detrimental to the microbial biodiversity in agro-ecosystems. This is therefore no longer
acceptable in modern agriculture which focuses the importance of sustainable food
production. One of the important and unexploited management strategies is the allelopathy.
Allelopathy is a direct or indirect biochemical inhibition of one plant or microorganism on
another through the production of toxic compounds or allelochemicals released into the
environment. Because of the rapid degradation properties of allelochemicals, most of these
naturally occurring compounds have no lasting harmful residual effects to the environment. It
is reported that certain allelochemicals from decomposing plant tissues have potential for
control of soil-borne plant pathogens such as Pythium spp., Fusarium spp., Rhizoctonia spp.
and Thielaviopsis basicola (Berk. & Br.) Ferr. Most of the natural products that cause
allelopathy are secondary products, synthesized by plants and microorganisms, and most of
the currently identified compounds are products of the shikimic acid and acetate pathways
Allelopathy is affected by many factors, e.g., light quality, light intensity, day length, nutrient
limitation (N, P, K, B, Ca, Mg and S), soil moisture, temperature, age of plant organs,
genotype, other allelochemicals, and plant density. These factors make the effects of
allelochemicals very complicated. Furthermore, allelopathic inhibition is typically the result
of the combined action of a group of allelochemicals. Many reports suggest that management
strategy like allelopathy can be developed and used as viable alternatives to chemical
measures. However, most of these reports focus only on the control of target pathogens by
biocontrol agent(s) or allelopathic substances without further investigations of their impacts
on the agro-ecosystem and the environment. The potential of using allelopathy for the
management of plant diseases must be determined not only by effective control of target
pathogen(s) but also by their negative impacts of agricultural production on biodiversity and
agricultural sustainability.
47

8-10 November 2014
Meeting the needs of Food Security in the Face of Climate Change: A

Sustainable Agriculture Approach
Amit K. Singh1, Geetika Sonkar2, Talat Afreen3, C.Nayak4
1
School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067

Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
3
Departments of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005
4
Department of chemical Engineering and Technology, IIT (BHU), Varanasi 221005
Over the course of the 21st century, the world will need to produce significantly more food in
order to deliver a basic, but adequate, diet to everyone. The UN Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) estimates that feeding the world population will require a 60 percent
increase in total agricultural production. Only if we consider South Asia region 23% of the
world's population live on 2.4% of the worlds land surface area, making it most densely
populated geographical region in the world. The region has shown tremendous progress in
last four decades in food production and availability, yet 1/4 of the worlds hungry and 40%
of the worlds malnourished children and women live here. The amount of food required will
be even greater if current trends in diets and the management of food systems continue. With
many of the resources needed for sustainable food security already stretched, the food
security challenges are huge. We need to make concurrent efforts to establish climateresilient agricultural production systems, make efficient use of resources, develop low-waste
supply chains, ensure adequate nutrition and encourage healthy eating choices. Together,
these will constitute a sustainable food system. Intensification of food production must be
accompanied by concerted action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture to
avoid further acceleration of climate change and avert threats to the long-term viability of
global agriculture. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is an integrative approach to address
these interlinked challenges of food security and climate change. At multiple levels
adaptation and building resilience of agricultural to climate change reduces greenhouse gas
emissions from agriculture (including crops, livestock and fisheries). If emissions from land
use change are also included, generates about one-quarter of global greenhouse gas
emissions. Making these changes, although technically feasible, requires urgent, collective
and substantially increased action internationally, nationally and locally.
Keywords: Food security, Climate-smart agriculture (CSA), Greenhouse gas, Sustainability,
48

8-10 November 2014
Quartz Crystal Nanobiosensor (QCN): A Modern Device for Nano

Detection
Manjul Mungali and K. P. Singh
Bio nanotechnology& Nanobiosensor Research Laboratory, Biophysics Unit
CBSH, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar-263145
The term "waterborne disease" is reserved largely for infections that predominantly are
transmitted through contact with or consumption of infected water. Trivially, many infections
might be transmitted by microbes or parasites that accidentally, possibly as a result of
exceptional circumstances, had got into water, but the fact that there might be an occasional
freak infection need not mean that it is useful to categorise the resulting disease as
"waterborne". The detection of biomolecules is a key to the prevention and identification of
problems related to environment, health and safety. Presently available pathogens diagnostic
kits are mainly chemical based. These methods are expensive, complicated, time consuming,
and require skilled personnel with expertise in molecular biology. QCN introduce a rapid,
specific, sensitive and real-time detection of water borne pathogens. Quartzcrystals
nanobiosensor directly detects the binding of an analyte to a receptor.Applications include
detection of bacteria, viruses, and oligonucleotidesand measurement of myoglobin and
enzyme cofactors.
Keyword: Real-time detection, Pathogens, QCN, Waterborne
Aquaculture: Fish for Sustainability and Food Security

S.K. Sharma and C. Tiwari
Krishi Vighyan Kendra, Kashipur
GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar 263145 India
Aquaculture lies at a crossroads. One direction points toward the giant strides in productivity,
intensification and integration, industry concentration, and diversification in products,
species, and culture systems Predictions specify the worldwide demand for fish will continue
to increase over the succeeding period, determined predominately by growing populations
and urbanization in developing countries. Aquaculture is the fastest emerging food-producing
segment in the world, predictable as a possible sustainable solution for food security and
increased nutritional food in developing regions. There are a number of limitations which
could inhibit the successful development of aquaculture and global fisheries at large, which
include over exploitation of food fish, disease, reduced water quality and environmental
degradation, and a lack of governance and regulation in production. In case aquaculture does
not grow rapidly international price rises can be predictable, reducing access to fish for
consumption and leaving less developed countries vulnerable to these changes. India is
experiencing rapid development in aquaculture and has the potential to lead in producing
future feed alternatives and systems management.
49

8-10 November 2014
Use of Phyto-Bioremedial Approach in the Reclamation of Heavy Metal

Contaminated Soils
Sandeep Prakash Upadhayay, Poonam Gangola and Pawan Kumar Pant
Department of Soil Science
Email:sandeepupadhyay383@gmail.com
Release of heavy metals without proper treatment poses a big threat to public health on global
basis because of its persistence, biomagnifications and accumulation in food chain.
Bioremediation approaches are efficient strategies to reclaim the heavy metal contaminated
soils. Bioremediation can be broadly described as the use of living organisms to degrade
environmental pollution or to prevent pollution through waste treatment. Most of the
traditional remediation methods do not provide acceptable solutions for the removal of metals
from soils. The current cleanup technology involves excavation and removal of the
contaminated soil and subsequent deposition in landfills. Besides its detrimental impact on
the soil ecosystem, this technology is cost-intensive. An alternative approach is
phytoextraction, an in situ technique relying on plants that trans locate heavy metals from the
soil and accumulate them in their roots and above-ground tissues. To date, more than 400
hyper accumulating plant species, among them Thlaspi caerulescens, Silena vulgaris, and
Brassica juncea, have been shown to remove Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn from metalcontaminated soils. It is also revealed that inoculation with PGPE not only stimulated the
growth of host plant, but also influenced the accumulation of Cd in the root, stem and leaf
tissue of S. nigrum L. Bioremediation frequently addresses multiphase, heterogeneous
environments. Successful bioremediation is dependent on an interdisciplinary approach
involving such disciplines as microbiology, engineering, ecology, and chemistry. Progress in
developing strategies for in situ microbial approaches to metals remediation has clearly
lagged bioremediation of organics. Phytoextraction appears a very promising technology for
the removal of metal pollutants from the environment. Phytoremediation methods are well
suited for use at very large field sites where other methods of remediation are not cost
effective or practicable.
Keywords: Heavy metals, contaminated soil, Environmental pollution, Bioremediation,
Phytoremediation methods.
50

8-10 November 2014
Sustainable Food Security by Post Harvest Processing and Value Addition

of Plum: Enhancing the Shelf Life and Human Living Standard
Sheshrao Kautkar, Rishi Richa, Anjinryulu Kothakota and N. C. Shahi
Department of Post Harvest Process and Food Engineering, College of Technology
U .S. Nagar, Uttarakhand, India
In view of changing the food habits of Indian people a study to document enhancing human
living standard by processing the plum in a right way with increasing its shelf life was
conducted. Plum (Prunus salicina Linn.) is a stone fruit which is an important fruit grown in
the temperate regions amongst all the stone fruits. In human nutrition plums are valued as a
rich energetic source with high protective, dietetic and therapeutic value. Fresh fruits have
low calorie content (46 calories per 100 g), relatively high nutritive value and contain no
saturated fat. Plums are characterized by high antioxidant capacity (6259 mol TE per 100
g), higher than oranges, apples or strawberries. They are rich sources of vitamin A, C, beta
carotene, phytochemicals and some minerals like potassium, fluoride and iron. It is a highly
perishable fruit with a shelf-life of 3-4 days at ambient temperature and 1-2 weeks in cold
storage. Most of its production goes waste due to short shelf life, poor market demand and
less processing avenues. Therefore post harvest processing and value addition of plum
become very essential to minimize the losses and to impart value. The plums are best for
eating fresh, or it can be used for preparation of sauce, juices, jams, jellies, pie, desserts and
wines.
51

8-10 November 2014
Use of Geospatial Technology in the Monitoring of Nonpoint Sources (NPS)

Pollution
Shobhika Parmar, Vijay Kumar Sharma1, Anil Kumar Shankhwar, Vrinda Negi, and
Vir Singh
Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Basic Science and Humanities, G.B. Pant
University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, US Nagar, Uttarakhand, 263145;
1
Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005
A point source of pollution discharges to the environment from an identifiable location,

whereas a nonpoint source of pollution enters the environment from a widespread area. NPS
pollution comes from many diffuse sources. NPS pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt
moving over and through the ground. Excess fertilizers, other toxic and nontoxic chemicals in
agricultural and residential areas, construction, forestry, septic systems, recreational boating,
atmospheric deposition and hydro-modification etc are the major contributors to NPS
pollution. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and human-made
pollutants, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters and ground
waters. Characteristically, NPS pollutants have the potential for maintaining a relatively long
active presence on the global ecosystem and may result in long-term, chronic (and endocrine)
effects on human health and soil-aquatic degradation.A distinct advantage of simulation is
that it can be used to alter the occurrence or future impact of detrimental conditions. The use
of mathematical models for assessing NPS pollution provides the information gaps and helps
identifying the critical areas and chemicals for future monitoring, regulation and remediation.
Models can range in complexity from the simplest empirical equation to complex sets of
partial-differential equations that are only solvable with numerical approximation techniques.
Some of the well established NPS pollution modelling are Storm water Management Model
(SWMM), Hydrological Simulation Program-FORTRAN (HSPF), Chemicals, Runoff, and
Erosion from Agricultural Management Systems (CREAMS), Groundwater Loading Effects
of Agricultural Management Systems (GLEAMS), Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution
Model (AGNPS), Areal Nonpoint Source Watershed Environment Response Simulation
(ANSWERS), and Soil Water and Assessment Tool (SWAT). The use of Geographical
Information Systems provides an extensive approach to evaluate land use and other mapping
characteristics to explain the spatial distribution of nonpoint source contamination.
52

8-10 November 2014
Eco-friendly Processing of Woollen Fabric

Srishti Maurya,Razia Parvez1and Susan Paul
Department of Textiles and Apparel Designing
1
Department of Family Resource Management
Ethelind School of Home Science
Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Science.Allahabad,201007,
Email: Srishti.maurya@gmail.com
Contact no.945593770
Environment friendly processing technology finds wide application in textiles and it proved to
be a boon to the ever-changing conditions of the ecology as well as economy. In this
scenario, enzymes are emerging as the best alternative to the polluting textile processing
methods. Wool has tendency to felt and shrink due to its scaly structure. Due to their structure
it shows various thick and thin places that make the fabric slightly harsh and rough in texture
that results in its duller appearance. Further, after a short period of wear, pilling appears on
the surface which is another acute problem that destroys the aesthetic quality and
performance of the fabric. Enzyme treatment caused damage to the surface scales of wool
fibres as well as reduced the average fibre diameter. Protease enzyme left the wool scale
intact and did not cause excessive damage to the wool. On the other hand protease enzyme
removed the surface scales or even liberated individual cortical cells at higher concentrations.
The pilling tendency of fabric also decreased due to the removal of surface scale in enzymatic
hydrolysis process.
Keywords: Wool, Enzyme, Eco-friendly
53

8-10 November 2014
Food Security and Sustainable Food Production

Shubhangi Pant, Anandini Arora, and Saakshi S. Sarpotdar
Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Technology,
Sustainable Agriculture has attracted attention throughout the aid community-development
workers in the field, as well as researchers, academics, and the policy makers of the
development agencies. For environmentalists, Sustainable Agriculture refers to the way of
providing sufficient food and fibre which complements and enhances our natural resources
endowment of forests, soils and wildlife. While for agriculturists, the term encompasses the
idea of consolidating and building upon the achievements of Green Revolution. One of the
most integral aspects of Sustainable Agriculture, today, is that of Sustainable Food
Production and Food Security. Environmental degradation, competition for resources,
increasing food demands, increasing population, and the integration of agriculture into
international economy threaten the sustainability of many food production systems. Thereby,
the motive of the abstract is to merge the objectives of environmentalists as well as
agriculturists and work for Sustainable Food Production and Security. To achieve that, rising
food yields must be decoupled from unsustainable utilization of water, energy, fertilizers,
chemicals and land. We call for a multi-faceted agro-ecological intensification of food
production to increasing productivity on crop and pasture land; preserving the environment
through ultimately stopping the expansion of agriculture into sensitive ecosystems, lowering
resource intensity and sound use of inputs; and reduction of food waste. Food prices began to
rise slowly around 2004 and have fluctuated much since 2007, highlighting the vulnerability
of global supplies and re-vitalizing interest in farming and related issues after a long period of
neglect. Agro-ecological intensification of food production plays a fundamental role in
meeting the objectives of Sustainable Agriculture, which includes, choosing quality seeds of
well-adapted high yielding variety; maximizing the capture and efficient utilization of
available water; adopting profitable and sustainable crop rotation practices; using fertilizers,
pest control methods efficiently; using profitable and sustainable crop rotation methods and
optimizing recycling and use of biomass and agriculture by-products. Food security thus can
only be met with the incorporation of sustainable food production measures along with
adopting new technological techniques in order to meet the global food demands without
disturbing the ecological systems of the world.
Keywords: Sustainable agriculture, intensification, food security
54

8-10 November 2014
Enzymatic Enumeration and Antimicrobial Aactivity of Foliar Endophytic

Fungi of Centella asiatica (L.) Urban
Shubhpriya Gupta and Preeti Chaturvedi
Department of Biological Sciences, C.B.S.H
Email: shubhpriya05@gmail.com
Endophytes are microorganisms that live within plants for at least a part of their life cycle
without causing any visible appearance of disease. These endophytic fungi are capable of
producing various secondary metabolites which may directly or indirectly be used as
therapeutic agents against a surfeit of problems. Fungal enzymes are one of those metabolites
which are used in food, beverages, confectionaries, textiles and leather industries to simplify
the processing of raw materials and are often more stable than enzymes derived from other
sources. During the present investigation, six foliar endophytic fungi were isolated from
Centella asiatica,(Mandookparni/ Indian Pennywort) an important medicinal plant of
apiaceae family. The fungi were identified based on the morphological and molecular
characterization. The fungal isolates were screened for extracellular enzymes such as
amylase, cellulase, laccase, pectinase, lipase, and protease on respective solid media. 50% of
endophytic fungi showed positive results for lipase; 83.33% for amylase; 33% for laccase,
50% for protease, 66.66% for pectinase and none for cellulase. The fungal extracts were
assessed for antibacterial activity against three standard pathogenic bacterial strains: Bacillus
subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Most of the extracts showed in vitro
inhibition of bacterial growth. The Phytochemical screening revealed the existence of a
diverse group of secondary metabolites in the crude extracts of the endophytic fungi that
resembled those in the host plant extracts.
Keywords: Endophytic fungi, enzymes, antimicrobial, Centella asiatica,
55

8-10 November 2014
Sustainable Agriculture: Nutrient Cycling and Soil Conservation

Talat Afreen1, Sughosh Madhav, Geetika Sonkar2 and Amit K. Singh
1
Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005

2
Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
Agriculture started with the date of civilization and is progressing very rapidly to feed and
support the increasing population of the world. Many early civilizations like Mohenjo-Daro
collapsed due to adoption of inappropriate cultural practices, mainly agriculture. Now,
conventional so-called modern agriculture has also been reached at its climax. Growing
human population would further increase demand for food supplies leading to more
intensification of agriculture worldwide in future.Thus sustainable agriculture is todays need.
Sustainable agriculture is an integrated system of plant and animal production practices
having a site-specific application that will cover the long-term: Satisfy human food and fibre
needs, upgrade environmental quality and the natural resource. This form of agriculture
validates us to produce healthful food without compromising future generations. The fate of
Agricultural practices depends upon availability of soil nutrient which is a dynamic process
and changes over time. Many complex biochemical interactions are involved in nutrient
cycle. Consequently, comprehensive knowledge about various cyclings and their interactions
is essential for the intelligent use of soil as a medium for plant growth and yield. Biochemical
nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystem has direct implication for ecosystem functioning.
Carbon can be transferred from the soil to the atmosphere as a result of agricultural processes
so agriculture depletes Soil Organic Carbon. Soil Organic Carbon Content (SOC) is the
largest terrestrial carbon pool and an indicator of soil quality and productivity so assessing
soil organic carbon (SOC) is very important. Cultivation causes an immediate and rapid loss
of SOC. The loss of SOC continues for several decades after the implementation of
cultivation, reducing SOC pools on agricultural soils to 70% of their original levels on
average. Similarly, Nitrogen (N) is of major importance for crop production in tropical agro
ecosystems as it is a limiting factor. Most of the soil N is tied to organic matter and only a
small percentage of the total N is available to plants through N-mineralization. Dry tropical
agro ecosystem is depends largely on N fertilization for good yield as they are nitrogen
deficient. Now a days conservation tillage is being advocated for its environmental benefits.
No till (NT) agricultural practice also reduces nitrous oxide (N2O) emission up to 40-70%,
depending upon rotation. In addition, carbon sequestration also occurs by conservation tillage
due to more accumulation of residues and organic carbon on soil surface.
Keyword: Sustainable agriculture, Soil Organic Carbon Content (SOC), Nitrogen (N),
conservation tillage.
56

8-10 November 2014
ITK For Disease Management and Pest Control In North East India
Thangjam C. Singh1, S.P. More, G.S.Yurembam3
1

3
Department of Irrigation & Drainage Engineering, College of Technology
2
Email: chanddev.devchand@gmail.com
Traditional farming system is an ecologically based age old farming system developed by
ancient farmers through generations of their interaction with nature and natural resources for
food, fodder and fibre. Indigenous knowledge is the knowledge of the indigenous people
inhabiting different geographical regions of the world with their own language, culture,
tradition, belief, folklore, rites and rituals. Traditional farming system in north east of India is
complex and unique of its own as the land use system in this regions is dominated by slash
and burn agriculture where management of crops and pests are carried out by integrating
indigenous knowledge and traditional ecological knowledge of the communities. This twin
knowledge have been recognized by the world scientific communities and scientists are
showing keen interest in traditional agriculture because indigenous farmers and their
system may be of great help to remedy the deficiencies of pest management in modern
agriculture. While doing so, it not only preserves the age old agricultural heritage of the
country and identity of Indian farmers but also promotes the scientific development of
traditional practices with honour and dignity of indigenous farmers for sustainable
agriculture because it holds the potential eco-friendly message for pest management.
Indigenous farmers of the region also possessed rich traditional ecological knowledge such
as growing location specific nitrogen fixing trees such as Alnus nepalensis, Flemingia vestita
sparsely for enrichment of soil fertility keeping tree boles /trunk and erecting /pegging
wooden structures amidst jhum/terrace fields for facilitating perching of birds which prey
on harmful crop pest, recycling of jhum based waste products for the management of
crops etc. This systematic approach not only protects this fast disappearing ITK under the
influence of modern agriculture but also preserve the indigenous pests and disease
management identity of farming communities of this country. Therefore, this rich
heritage of the county should be harnesses, preserved, documented and developed as
modern science such as indigenous integrated pest management before they are lost.
Keywords: ITK, Pest management, Sustainable, Traditional farming system.
57

8-10 November 2014
Nitrogen Management for Maximum Potato Yield and Environment

Conservation
Udit Kumar, M.Raghav, *Girish Chandra, *B.Prasad, &**Amrendra Kumar
Department of Vegetable Science/*SS&T/**Agronomy
Email: udit_74@rediffmail.com
Sound nitrogen management for potato makes good economic sense. Optimal nitrogen
fertilization is essential for achieving commercial tuber yield and size requirements and
results in maximum economic return. Excessive nitrogen inputs can reduce tuber specific
gravity and can delay maturity, making vines difficult to kill. Good nitrogen management
also makes good environmental sense. Excess fertilizer nitrogen application increases
environmental losses of nitrogen, including nitrate leaching to groundwater and emissions of
nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas. Good nitrogen management represents an effective and
practical means for producers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Our goal in optimizing
crop nitrogen management is to match the nitrogen supply to the crop nitrogen demand. The
amount of nitrogen required by the crop is determined by the level of crop growth the
greater the growth, the higher the crop demand for nitrogen. Crop growth is influenced by
management practices such as variety selection and planting date, and also by soil and
climatic conditions. Split fertilizer N application can improve the efficiency of crop nitrogen
use in sandy soils that are susceptible to leaching. Split nitrogen application has not been
found to improve tuber yield in medium- textured soils, and may reduce yield potential in
years with dry soil conditions early in the growing season. One can improve your fertilizer
nitrogen management through weekly petiole nitrate testing starting as early as 40 days after
planting and continuing until the crop approaches maturity. Good agronomy is an important
part of good nitrogen management. It is recommended that you do an annual soil test for
phosphorus and potassium. Soil pH should be maintained between 5.2 and 6.2, depending on
variety. It is also important to achieve optimum plant and stem populations for the market
targeted, scout fields to ensure adequate control of pests and diseases and regularly monitor
tuber health and quality in order to take appropriate and timely management decisions that
will make the difference between a normal and an above average yielding crop.
58

8-10 November 2014
Ecological Agriculture: An Essential Component of Climate Resilient

Management Practices
Utobo Emeka Benjamin and Uma Melkania
Department of Environmental Science,
Email - emekabenjamin@yahoo.co.uk
The need to systematically redirect agricultural knowledge, science and technology towards
sustainable, biodiversity based ecological agriculture and the underlying agro ecological
sciences cannot be overemphasized, especially in this era of climate change threat to food and
livelihood security in many developing countries. This is because the ecological model of
agricultural production, which is based on principles that create healthy soils and cultivate
biological diversity and which prioritizes farmers and traditional knowledge, is climate
resilient as well as productive. Ecological agriculture practices are the bases for the
adaptation efforts so urgently needed by developing country farmers, who will suffer
disproportionately more from the effects of climate change. Many answers lie in farmers'
farms and farmer knowledge, for example, how to increase the biological diversity of the
system, create healthy soils that store more water under drought conditions and how to add
social resilience needed to face the increased unpredictability in weather patterns.
Keywords: Ecological agriculture; Climate change; Sustainability; Biodiversity; Developing
countries.
59

8-10 November 2014
Microbial Respiration as a Measure of Soil Health and

Ecosystem Development
V. Sangeetha, Anil Kumar Shankhwar and R.K. Srivastava
Department of Environmental Science, College of Basic Science and Humanities,
E-mail: sangeethaak7071@gmail.com
Healthy soils are essential for the integrity of terrestrial ecosystems to remain intact or to
recover from disturbances, such as drought, climate change, pest infestation, pollution, and
human exploitation including agriculture. Protection of soil is therefore of high priority and a
thorough understanding of ecosystem processes is a critical factor in assuring that soil
remains healthy. Soil health is the net result of on-going conservation and degradation
processes, depending highly on the biological component of the soil ecosystem, and
influences plant health, environmental health, food safety and quality. Deterioration of soil,
and there by soil health, is of concern for human, animal and plant health because air,
groundwater and surface water consumed by humans can be adversely affected by
mismanaged and contaminated soil. As such, deteriorating soil health and the benefits of soil
management has become of political concern. A healthy soil functions to buffer nutrients as
well as contaminants and other solutes via sorption to or incorporation into clay particles and
organic materials. The soil itself thus serves as an environmental filter for removing
undesirable solid and gaseous constituents from air and water. The extent to which a soil
immobilises or chemically alters substances that are toxic, thus effectively detoxifying them,
reflects the degree of soil health in the sense that humans or other biological components of
the system are protected from harm.
60

8-10 November 2014
Need to Reduce Post Harvest Losses to Meet Food Security

Vinod Upadhyay, Nitish Rattan Bhardwaj and Sajeesh P.K.
Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture
The Post-harvest diseases that cause spoilage of both durable and perishable commodities are
widespread. Durable commodities are generally stored in a dry state with moisture level
below 12.5 percent; whereas perishable products have higher moisture levels (about 50 per
cent or more) during storage. The harvested produce might have been infected by pathogens
prior to harvest under field conditions or during transit and storage. It is estimated that, in the
tropics, about 25 per cent of all perishable food crops harvested are being lost between
harvest and consumption. Losses caused by postharvest diseases are greater than generally
realized because the value of fresh fruits and vegetables increases several-fold while passing
from the field to the consumer. Postharvest losses are estimated to range from 10 to 30% per
year despite the use of modern storage facilities and techniques. Postharvest diseases affect a
wide variety of crops particularly in developing countries which lack sophisticated
postharvest storage facilities. Infection by fungi and bacteria may occur during the growing
season, at harvest time, during handling, storage, transport and marketing, or even after
purchase by the consumer. The reduction of losses in perishable food crops because of
postharvest diseases has become a major objective of international organizations. The reality
is that there is a portending food crisis that will require the concerted efforts of all who are
involved in food production to double their efforts. In fact, to adequately feed the worlds
expected 10 billion people within the next 40 to 50 years, food production efficiency and
distribution will need to be improved immensely. India's post-harvest fruit and vegetable
losses are over Rs 2 lakh crore annually, owing to inadequate cold storage facilities and lack
of proper food processing units. As per the Indian Council on Agricultural Research
(ICAR), the maximum post-harvest losses in fruits and vegetables ranges between 12.4 to
18%. The losses may be both quantitative and qualitative. Therefore efficient management
strategy should be taken to prevent the economic loss from spoilage of harvested
commodities.
61

8-10 November 2014
Role of Specific Rhizospheric Bacterial Response in Atmospheric Carbon

Sequestration
Vivek Kumar, Kapil Khulbe, Susma Tamta1, Rashmi Srivastava2 and A.K. Sharma2
1
Department of Botany, DSB Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital-263002, India

Department of Biotechnology, Bhimtal Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital-263002,India
2
Department of Biological Sciences, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology,
Pantnagar- 263145, India
Email: viveklohiya22@gmail.com
Carbon sequestration in forest ecosystems has become an important issue about abrupt
climate change. To address this issue, one of the best approaches is to adopt rhizosphere
systems of Biomineralizing tree. Present study was undertaken to identify the oxalogenic
tree(s) and role of oxalotrophic microorganisms in carbon sequestration. Terminalia alata
showed deposition of calcium carbonate on bark. It was observed that soil below the tree has
alkaline pH while the soil 15 meters away from tree has neutral pH. Biomineralizing trees
accumulate important concentrations of calcium oxalate a low-soluble salt which accumulates
in the vacuoles of specialized cells called crystal idioblasts. The tree trunk and soil has the
deposition of CaCO3 (oxalate-carbonate pathway). After plant death when fungi decay, the
proportion of the free oxalate crystals present inside the soil or litter, increases outside the
living tissues. This plant oxalate pool is a widespread and abundant carbon source for oxalate
consumers. Fungi participate to the biomineralization and fungi release oxalate crystals from
plant webs and expose them to bacterial attack. Oxalotrophic bacterial community responses
to help in oxalate catabolism. Oxalotrophic bacteria were shown to be significantly higher in soils
under a biomineralizing tree. oxalotrophic bacteria having frc gene, a gene coding for formyl-CoA
transferase and characteristic of oxalate catabolism.Bacteria utilize oxalate and convert it to
calcium carbonate thus resulting in the increase of soil pH beneath oxalogenic tree. Amongst
the screened bacteria, two of the oxalotrophic bacteria were identified as Ralstonia sp. and
Stenotrophomonas sp. by sequencing 16S rDNA region. Oxalate accumulation in the tree gets
converted in soil into calcium carbonate through the activity of oxalotrophic bacteria on the
plant litter beneath the tree which act as long lived carbon sink. Thus, these trees could be
utilized in agroforestry/social forestry system.
Keywords: Terminalia alata, oxalotrophic bacteria and oxalate-carbonate pathway
62

8-10 November 2014
Effect of Environment on Corrosion Characteristics of Aluminium and its

Protection through Nanocomposite coating
Zeba Khanam, M.G.H. Zaidi1 and Vir Singh
Department of Environmental Sciences
1
Department of Chemistry,
Email: zbkhnm@gmail.com, Mob.: +919045663378
Corrosion is the most fundamental threat to metals imposed by environment resulting into its
destructive loss due to chemical interaction with their environment. The protection of metals
against corrosion has attracted much attention globally as a result of huge losses of natural
resources and finances that are sustained annually. In the present era corrosion prevention of
aluminium has been a subject of study due to its high technological value and wide range of
industrial as well as house hold applications where it gets exposed to variety of aggressive
environments. Consequently, there is an ever-increasing interest in developing new
acceptable corrosion-control technologies. Numerous efforts have been spent by various
researchers to develop environmentally benign alternatives and the most promising ones
identified thus far have been polymeric nanocomposite coatings. In the present work, the
systematic corrosion study was carried out on aluminium in 0.5M NaCl solution at room
temperature using potentiodynamic polarization curves and electrochemical impedance
spectroscopy. Furthermore, the surface investigation of coated and uncoated aluminium has
been done using scanning electron microscope (SEM) to examine the effect of the
nanocomposite coatings on the corrosion resistance. The study reveals the anticorrosive
properties of nanocomposite coating giving excellent protection from pitting corrosion of
aluminium. Thus, corrosion management involving science, engineering and technology is
essential to mitigate its effect in order to reach possible equilibrium between corrosion and
sustainability.
63

8-10 November 2014
Climate Resilient Agriculture: An Approach Towards Sustainability of

Small Holder Producers
Aritra Dutta, Vinod Singh and Govind Singh Kushwaha1
1
Department of Agricultural Communication, College of Agriculture

Department of Social Sciences& Humanities, College of Basic Science and Humanities,
Agriculture plays an important role in the social and economic life of people in India, and
will continue to do so in the future. Today agriculture accounts for about 14 percent of the
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 11 percent of exports. Currently almost 46 percent of
Indias geographical area is under agriculture. Despite of several landmark achievements over
the past decades, substantial growth of agriculture has not been achieved to meet out future
demands. This is due to many challenges faced by small holder producers. Climate change is
considered as one of the most burning challenge that is needed to be addressed with
immediate effect to restore sustainability of farming community. Climate change is expected
to have far-reaching negative effects on agricultural production and food security in
developing and transition countries. More than 80 percent of the farmers are smallholder
producers, with very poor capacity and resources to deal with the vagaries of weather and
changes in climate. In India, yields from rain-fed agriculture could be reduced by 20-50 % by
2020. Studies have also shown that estimate the overall reduction of agricultural output at 315 % globally but up to 21 % in the developing world by 2080. Thus a comprehensive model
which addresses food security, markets, and ecosystem resilience is needed to be
incorporated. The model should focuses on promoting diversified cropping and farming
systems and possibilities of income from more than one source, so as to reduce the risk of
crop loss from both market and climate variations, while providing dietary diversity and food
and nutrition security to the extent possible. It is imperative that we integrate a package of
climate-smart agriculture practices into ongoing programmes which includes weather-based
locale specific agro-advisories, contingent crop planning, promotion of low-external input
technology, water budgeting, livelihood diversification, and promotion of local agrobiodiversity. These, together, would build the resilience of the farming community, while
simultaneously improving the quality of the resource base.
64

8-10 November 2014
Sustainable Vegetable Production and Maintain the Ecosystem of Indian

Agriculture
Kannan D, Dhirendra Kumar Singh, Naganagouda Patil and Pradeep Kumar
Department of Vegetable Science, College of Agriculture
Sustainable agriculture is a way of farming that can be carried out for generations to come.
This long-term approach to agriculture combines efficient production with the wise
stewardship of the earths resources. Sustainable Agriculture a commitment to satisfy human
food and fiber needs and to enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole,
now and into the future Agriculture is often viewed as consisting of three types of systems:
economic, ecological and social. The most important link between farming practices and
sustainable vegetable is the health, or quality, of our agricultural soils. Organic farm products
have got more value as compared to inorganic products. People are becoming more conscious
for their health and environment. Bio-farming is sustainable and eco-friendly which enables
to conserve biodiversity and to protect environment. Organic vegetable production system
avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetically compounded fertilizers, pesticides, growth
regulators, and livestock feed additives. It mainly relies upon crop rotation, organic manures,
bio-pesticides and integrated pest management (IPM). Its favors of organic farming, biopesticides, and preparation and use of organic manures by different methods in a hygienic
manner. sustainability in vegetable production systems centre on the need to develop
technologies and practices that do not have adverse effects on environmental goods and
services, are accessible to and effective for farmers, and lead to improvements in food
productivity. Permaculture, Organic vegetable farming, Biodynamic Farming, Eco-Farming,
Nature Farming evolved as an alternative to chemically intensive agriculture. Each offers its
own brand of philosophy and practical farming methodologies. Producers aim to ensure that
the safety and quality of their products will satisfy the highest expectations of the food
industry and consumers. In addition, on-farm practices should ensure that arable and
vegetable crops are produced under sustainable economic, social and environmental
conditions Sustainable Farming Systems and varieties suited to the local climate, soil, pests &
diseases being grown, nutrients calculated, nutrients stored considering environmental/safety
risks and Pest management known, is IPM applied and pesticides stored safely & securely
economic sustainability. Significant challenges, however, remain to develop national and
international policies to support the wider emergence of more sustainable forms of
agricultural production across both industrialized and developing countries. The adoption and
diffusion of sustainable agricultural practices has become an important issue in the
development-policy for India.
Keywords: Sustainable, Vegetable, Maintain, Agricultural and Environment
65

8-10 November 2014
Ethnomedicinally Important Tree Species of District Sonebhadra, Uttar

Pradesh, India
1
P. K. Singh,Prashant Swapnil,Mukesh Meena,Anand Vikram Singh,Akash Kedia,

Dharmendra Kumar Singh, Rahul Bhadouria, Hema Singh and Shivam Singh
1
Department of Botany, Govt. VBSD Girls College, Jashpur (C.G.) 496331

Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005
Email: shivamkshatriya@gmail.com
Fourty five ethnomedicinally important tree species belonging to 25 families were recorded
with the help of tribal people and village medicine-men of district Sonebhadra. The study
indicates that the traditional knowledge and culture is alive and well functioning in the area.
The natural plant heritage may be used as an important tool in shaping the economical
upkeeping of the tribals, if managed in a proper way. The survey of the area shows that the
important plant species are declining at a faster rate because of overexploitation for their
economic values and environmental disturbances.
Keywords :Ethnomedicinal plants, Tree species
Gross National Happiness: One Step Ahead Towards Development

Initiative
Vinod Singh, Aritra Dutta, and Govind Singh Kushwaha1
1

Department of Social Sciences& Humanities, College of Basic Science and Humanities,
The assessment of gross national happiness was designed in an attempt to define an indicator
and concept that measures quality of life or social progress in more holistic and psychological
terms than only the economic indicator of gross domestic product (GDP). GNH has only been
officially used in Bhutan, where a Gross National Happiness Commission is charged
reviewing policy decisions and allocation of resources. In 2013, with a new administration,
the country shifted the focus from spreading GNH globally to the well-being of people within
Bhutan. This shift has been interpreted by some as an abandonment of GNH in favour of
more standard development initiatives.
66

8-10 November 2014
Organic and Thermo Seed; Basis for Sustainable Agriculture

Manisha Negi, Siddharth Shankar Bhatt and Rajni Rawat,
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar-263145
Email: manisha.negi8@gmail.com
Organic farming can provide quality food without adversely affecting the soils health and
the environment; however, a concern is whether large-scale organic farming will produce
enough food for Indias growing population. The basis of agriculture is the seed. Thus, the
International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) requires organic seed
for organic agriculture, and the European Union (EU) stipulates that organic production
proceed from the use of organic seed. Commonly, one would think that an organic seed is one
that is produced through 'non-chemical' farming, or one that is not treated with chemicals.
Being organic, however, whether applied to seed or crop produce, takes on a much wider and
deeper meaning that cuts across disciplines and dimensions. This is also true for 'organic
agriculture' and 'sustainable agriculture'. Delving into organic seed while dealing with
sustainable agriculture is considered necessary given the critical role of the seed in promoting
sustainable agriculture. Thermo Seed is a new concept for sound and healthy seed. By using
thermal treatment, Thermo Seed allows control of seed-borne pathogens without use of
pesticides. The treated seed is clean and highly productive. Thermo Seed is competitive with
chemical seed treatment with regard to both treatment effectiveness and cost. It is therefore
attractive for both conventional and organic farming. It is a new concept, highly effective,
profitable and environmental friendly. The basic principle of Thermo Seed is a selective
effect: The seed-borne pathogens are much more sensitive to the treatment than the seed
itself. Thermo Seed is an advanced improvement on the hot water seed treatment method
used by many seed companies from the early 20th century to the 1960s. The hot water
method, however, had low capacity; it was laborious and energy demanding. In addition, it
suffered from low precision, which often gave insufficient disinfection or reduced germ
inability. Thermo Seed was developed on the basis of new ideas, fruitful research and
advanced process technology. Through its outstanding precision, Thermo Seed maximizes the
disinfection rate and all the disadvantages of hot water treatment are avoided. The prospect of
organic seed partly depends on the success of organic certification in the country, the demand
abroad for organic seed and products, and the presence of local companies who will go into
this business. A large part of this success, however, will be determined by how successful
local initiatives will be in community seed banking/genetic conservation, and by improved
general awareness and willingness of consumers to pay for organic produce.
67

8-10 November 2014
Technology Driven Solid Waste Management for Sustainable Future

Anurag Chaudhary1, Swati Singh2,R. P. Dahiya3
1
Centre for Energy Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi 110016
Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal (Sonepat), India
Waste is mainly a by-product of consumer-based lifestyles that drive much of the worlds
economies. Solid waste is the most visible and pernicious by-product of a resource-intensive,
consumer-based economic lifestyle. Waste doesnt have any value to the person who
produces it. Lifestyle and living standards of the habitants as well as resource available in the
area decides the characteristics and type of solid waste generated. The technology and
methods that are used for its proper disposal are generally according to their knowledge and
resource affordable to the population. Improper and unscientific disposal leads to generation
of green house gases like carbon dioxide and methane. These gases contribute to global
warming and climate change. Around 50% of the solid waste generated is organic waste
which can be recycled or used for energy purposes. Till 2006 India started generating eight
times municipal solid waste than it did in 1947. By 2025 it is expected that India will
generate 700 gm per capita per day. It has been estimated that the per capita rate of increase
in the generation of MSW for the class I cities is 1.3% annually. The typical composition of
MSW
in
India
isaround40-60%
of
organic
waste,3040%ofearthenmaterials,paper,metals,plastics,leatheretc. Municipal solid waste management
in India is guided by the Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Hnadling) Rules, 2000.
The rules advocate the use of Composting, Biomethanation, Pelletization with or without
energy recovery and other thermal processes for adoption as processing techniques for
municipal wastes. It has been estimated by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy that a
power generation potential of about 1500 MW from the MSW exits in India and the Indian
Government is actively promoting the waste to energy technologies, by providing various
incentives and subsidies for waste to energy projects. System dynamics tools are used to
project the future generation of amount of solid waste according to rate of population and
living style.
68

8-10 November 2014
Climate Change and Sugarcane Cultivation

1
1
D.N.Kamat, S.N.Suman and Abha Rani

2
Department of Soil Science, IARI New Delhi.
3
Department of Home Science Extension Education, SHIATS, Allahabad
Email:kamatrau.pusa@gmail.com
Sugarcane is grown in the world from altitude 36.7 N and 31.0 S, from sea level to 1000m
of altitude or little more. It is considered as essentially a tropical plant. It is a long duration
crop and thus it encounters all the seasons' viz., rainy, winter and summer during its life
cycle. . Principal climatic components that control cane growth, yield and quality are
temperature, light and moisture availability. The plant thrives best in tropical hot sunny areas.
The "ideal" climate for production of maximum sugar from sugarcane is characterized by a
long, warm growing season with a high incidence of solar radiation and adequate moisture
(rainfall). A total rainfall between 1100 and 1500 mm is adequate provided the distribution is
right, abundant in the months of vegetative growth followed by a dry period for ripening.
During the active growth period rainfall encourages rapid cane growth, cane elongation and
internode formation. But during ripening period high rainfall is not desirable because it leads
to poor juice quality, encourages vegetative growth, formation of water shoots and increase in
the tissue moisture. Growth is closely related to temperature. Optimum temperature for
sprouting (germination) of stem cuttings is 32 to 38c. It slows down below 25, reaches
plateau between 30-34, is reduced above 35 and practically stops when the temperature is
above 38.Temperatures above 38 reduce the rate of photosynthesis and increase respiration.
For ripening, however, relatively low temperatures in the range of 12 to 14 are desirable,
since this has a noticeable influence on the reduction of vegetative growth rate and
enrichment of sucrose in the cane. At higher temperatures reversion of sucrose into fructose
and glucose may occur besides enhancement of photorespiration thus leading to less
accumulation of sugars. Smut initiation and spread is high at ambient temperatures of 25 30. Similarly the spread of red not disease is high at higher temperatures (37-40) when all
other conditions are similar. High humidity (80-85%) favours rapid cane elongation during
grand growth period. A moderate value of 45-65% coupled with limited water supply is
favourable during the ripening phase. Sugarcane is a sun loving plant. Being a C4 plant,
sugarcane is capable of high photosynthetic rates and the process shows a high saturation
range with regards to light. Tillering is affected by intensity and duration of sunshine. High
light intensity and long duration promote tillering while cloudy and short days affect it
adversely. In sugarcane, a C4 plants (those in which the first product has four carbon atoms)
CO2 is first trapped inside the leaf and then concentrated in the cells which perform the
photosynthesis. Although more efficient photo synthetically under current levels of CO2,
these plants are less responsive to increased CO2 levels than C3 plants. In changing climate
scenario, though there may be some yield reduction but overall production will increase due
to have biotic as well as abiotic tolerance properties of sugarcane.
69

8-10 November 2014
Alarming Impacts of Electricity Generation on Environmental Aesthetics

Rishu Sharma and Yalek Messar
Department of Horticulture
E-mail: rishu.sharma155@gmail.com
Environmental aesthetics is one of the new areas of aesthetics which have emerged in the last
part of the twentieth century. It constitutes the aesthetic appreciation of both natural and
human environments. Generally aesthetics is the science or philosophy that deals with beauty
and human judgments concerning beauty and environment refers to our surroundings specifically, those that are perceived. Likewise, Environmental aesthetics is the interaction
between an individual and the environment, in relation to beauty. Aesthetic surroundings
offer many advantages to the social wellbeing. Natural landscape of the area attracts potential
visitors towards it thereby promoting the tourism and ultimately the economic stability. It
also offers health benefits by providing sound and healthy atmosphere to live with added
social benefits. But nowadays with emerging technologies of energy generation the
surroundings are losing their aesthetic value. Energy crises in the recent world has led to the
development of many options for generation of energy for example coal power, natural gas,
nuclear power, wind energy, hydroelectric energy etc. These options have undoubtedly
changed the situation of past and have contributed a lot towards economic sustainability.
However, these electricity generation options have potential aesthetic, i.e. visual and acoustic,
impacts that negatively affect environment as well as human beings. Coal mines and the
infrastructure that accompanies them (e.g., access roads) are not usually considered
aesthetically pleasing and due to their extended land use, they can change the view and thus
the aesthetic value of whole landscapes. Gas pipelines cause oceanic view distractions which
may ultimately affect tourism. Wind turbines affect the real visibility of the landscape. Large
reservoir hydropower schemes cause destruction of natural beauty such as waterfalls, wild
vegetation, beautiful sceneries etc. In addition to visual impacts, these electricity generating
technologies also produce noise either during construction or during operation. Judging the
relevance and size of these impacts is a difficult issue as aesthetic preferences vary across
cultures and people but the threats to the surroundings and habitants are dangerous.
70

8-10 November 2014
Environmental and Health Benefits Through Ornamental Horticulture

Yalek Messar and Rishu Sharma
Department of Horticulture,
Email: y.messar04@gmail.com
Scientists have, for decades, been trying to bring to the attention of people and their
governments the importance of maintaining the biodiversity of planet Earth and of carrying
out our daily lives in a fashion that ensures our offspring will inherit a cleaner, greener, more
ecologically sustainable world. Governments everywhere, aside from sponsoring some
minimally resourced initiatives, have been slow to catapult these issues ahead of things like
health care, education, transportation, international trade, infrastructure development and
human resources. Only very recently have policy makers realized the interconnectedness of
human effort with the natural world, and that measures that not only protect but enhance the
environment will be supported and demanded by the voting public and their children. Many
people take the benefits of ornamental horticulture for granted, but the benefits can be seen in
office blocks and holiday resorts, zoos, urban buildings and offices. In every part of the world
the harvest of ornamental horticulture is on display in the home gardens of those who
understand and value the beautifying aspects of growing things. Even the rooftops in some
cities have sprouted the greenness of gardens. The beautification of parks and streets, the
green foliage on freeways and the ornamental plants that are the essence of urban landscapes
are all part of horticultures bounty. This huge diversity is collectively the mosaic of the
world of horticulture. Post-recession consumers are willing to undergo greater search,
acquisition, and learning costs in making decisions regarding purchases of big-ticket items
(such as landscaping). They have, however, exhibited a willingness to purchase and, in some
cases, pay a premium for products and services that enhance their quality of life in terms of
social well-being, physical well-being, psychological well-being, cognitive well-being,
spiritual well-being, and environmental wellbeing. This paper has demonstrated that
substantial peer-reviewed research has been conducted that illustrates the manner in which
green industry products and services enhance the quality of life for consumers by providing
significant environmental amenities in the form of eco-systems services, and a plethora of
health and well-being benefits. This research should be strategically incorporated into both
industry wide and firm-specific marketing messages that highlight the quality of life value
proposition in order to maintain the industrys sense of value and relevance for consumers of
the future.
Keywords: Horticulture, biodiversity, landscaping and ornamental plants.
71

8-10 November 2014
Allelochemicals: Plant Introducing Chemicals in Environment and its Role

in Agricultural Crops
Girish Chandra1, Udit Kumar2 and Pankaj Kumar3
1
Department of Seed Science & Technology, Collage of Agriculture

2
Departmentof Vegetable Science, Collage of Agriculture
3
Departmentof Genetics & Plant Breeding, Collage of Agriculture
Email:girishctiwari24@gmail.com
Allelopathy is a process by which a plant releases chemicals that can inhibit the growth and
development competitors. Soil sickness, a general term for a problem that may well be caused
by residues of allelo chemicals that persist in the soil after the plant is gone, may make some
sites unsuitable for growing other plants. In general, the role of allelopathy in plantplant
interactions and especially its potential for weed control in agriculture. The allelopathic plant
competes with other species through "chemical warfare" by releasing chemicals that inhibit
the growth of its neighboring plants. Allelopathic inhibition is complex and can involve the
interaction of different classes of chemicals. Sometimes mixtures of chemicals having a
greater allelopathic impact than individual compound alone. Different plant parts, including
flowers, leaves, leaf litter and leaf mulch, stems, bark, roots, soil and soil leachates and their
derived compounds, can have allelopathic activity that varies over a growing season. The
allelochemicals are secondary metabolites produced by the plants and by-products of primary
metabolic process. These may also biosynthesized products of carbohydrates, fats, and
proteins. The cereal crops including rice, sorghum, wheat, rye, maize, and barley, shows
strong allelopathic activities, with the potential for identification of the molecular dissection
of this trait to promote allelopathy-oriented crop improvements. The basic approach used in
allelopathic research for agricultural crops has been to screen both crop plants and natural
vegetation for their capacity to suppress weeds. This may provide basic structures or
templates for developing new synthetic herbicides. There are specific allelochemicals
involved in weed suppression, including benzoxanoids in rye; diterpenoid momilactones in
rice; tabanone in cogongrass; alkaloids and flavonoids in fescue etc.
Keywords: Allelochemical, plant, weed etc.
72

8-10 November 2014
Organic Vegetables for Nutritional Security, Production Strategies and

Issues
Vibha Mishra, Rajani Rawat, Yalek Messer, Rishu Sharma, Manisha Negi
Department of Vegetable Science 1,2,
Department of Horticulture 3,4
Department of Seed Science and Technology5
Email- vibha29mishra@gmail.com
Nutritional security and safety vary widely around the world. Reaching these three goals is
one of the major challenges for the near future. India is the second most populous country in
the world. With the increasing population, the cultivable land resource is shrinking day to
day. Vegetables play an important role in balanced diet of human beings and are only source
of vital protective nutrients and minerals. During last decades, as per the increasing demand
reckless use of pesticides, insecticides and chemical fertilizers has been increased to a
considerable amount in production of vegetables. Sustaining agricultural production against
the finite natural resource base demands has shifted from the resource degrading chemical
agriculture to a resource protective biological or organic agriculture. Organic plant
products contain more dry matter and minerals (Fe, Mg); and contain more anti-oxidant
micronutrients such as phenols and salicylic acid, Organic animal products contain more
polyunsaturated fatty acids, data on carbohydrate, protein and vitamin levels are
insufficiently documented, 94100% of organic food does not contain any pesticide residues,
organic vegetables contain far less nitrates, about 50% less; and organic cereals contain
overall similar levels of mycotoxins as conventional ones. Various studies find that versus
conventional agriculture, organic vegetables yielded 91%,or 95-100%,along with 50% lower
expenditure on fertilizer and energy, and 97% less pesticides, or 100% for corn and soybean,
consuming less energy and zero pesticides. A 2009 study compiling research from 293
different comparisons into a single study to assess the overall efficiency of the two
agricultural systems has concluded that organic farming could produce enough food on a
global per capita basis to sustain the current human population, and potentially an even larger
population, without increasing the agricultural land base. Organic vegetable farms withstand
severe weather conditions better than conventional farms, sometimes yielding 70-90% more
than conventional farms. Thus, organic agricultural systems have already proved able to
produce food with high quality standards with improvements of organic production to
achieve sustainable food production for humans in the near future.
73

8-10 November 2014
The Concept of Sustainable Agriculture and the Sustainable Use of

Agricultural Biodiversity: Concepts, Trends and Challenges
Rajani Rawat, Yalek Messar, Vibha Mishra, Manisha Negi, Rishu Sharma
Department of Vegetable Science
G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology
Email-rawat.rajni08@gmail.com
Sustainability as a goal of agricultural research and development is a relatively recent
concept. In recent years, national and international research organizations have responded to
the increasing importance of sustainability in agricultural development. Sustainability must
recognize its multiple dimensions: physical, economic, ecological, social, cultural and ethical.
Sustainability can be defined only in the boundaries of a systems framework, that is, after
specification of what is to be sustained. Choosing the boundary is difficult because
agricultural systems operate at multiple levels: soil-plant system, cropping system or farming
system, agro-ecosystem and so on to higher regional, national, and global levels. Agricultural
systems are very complex and for proper functioning rely not only on the biodiversity of
agriculturally used areas but also on the services of biota from the wider agricultural
environment (e.g. pollinators, crop wild relatives) is a component of agriculture, and as such
it cannot be equated with agriculture. Agricultural biodiversity has been valued almost
exclusively as a source of traits that can be used in scientific breeding programs to improve
the productivity of crop varieties and livestock breeds. In particular, a wider deployment of
agricultural biodiversity is an essential component in the sustainable delivery of a more
secure food supply. Diversity of kingdoms, species and gene pools can increase the
productivity of farming systems in a range of growing conditions, and more diverse farming
systems are also generally more resilient in the face of perturbations, thus enhancing food
security. Many of the benefits of agricultural biodiversity are manifested at different
ecological and human scales, and cut across political divisions, requiring a cross-sectoral
approach to reassess the role of agricultural biodiversity in sustainable and secure food
production.
Keywords: Sustainable Agriculture, Agricultural systems and Agricultural biodiversity
74

8-10 November 2014
Sustainable Agriculture as a Means for Attaining Sustainable Society

Neelam Basera, Anjali Chunera and Amita Yadav
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar
India has been going through a fast pace of growth and development in recent times. There is
talk of the country leapfrogging into the league of developed nations sooner than later. But
this growth has raised concerns for long term resource availability and its management.
Experts are now calling for sustainability and the term has gained currency in the last few
years. Sustainability is the management and conservation of the natural resource base and the
orientation of technological and institutional change in such a manner as to ensure the
attainment and continued satisfaction of human needs for the present and future generations.
Such sustainable development (in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector) conserves
land, water, plant and animal genetic resources, is environmentally non-degrading,
technically appropriate, economically viable and socially acceptable. For a country like India,
economic development and population growth will lead to an increasing demand for food. To
feed the population and to feed it well, food production will need to be increased. The
problem, however, is that half of the habitable land on Earth is already used for farming. As
resources are limited, the challenge is to achieve global food security while having a positive
impact on the environment and society. Sustainable agricultural practices provide the
solution. Sustainable agriculture is the need of the hour as it emphasizes on non-extractive
methods (and the use of non-renewable resources) and greater reliance on renewable
methods, thus enhancing the resource base for future generations. Hence sustainable
agriculture provides a framework for ecological, economic, and social policies and programs
that continues to grow in importance and is finding application in an ever wider range of
circumstances for grooming a sustainable society.
Keywords: Sustainability, Sustainable development, Sustainable agriculture, Economic
development
75

8-10 November 2014
Analyzing the Role of Major Indian Religious Philosophies in Promoting

Environmental Sustainability and Ecological Conservation: An Analytical
Overview
Saad Ullah Khan
Department of Mass Communication, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh202002
Phone No: +91 8979694548
E-mail: research_khan@hotmail.com
India is a land of religions. Its the very first and unique land on this planet where all major
religious philosophies amalgamate to give rise to what the world knows today as Indian
religious philosophy. From macro point of view, Indian religious philosophies largely
inculcate among them what the west today termed as eco-philosophy. Hinduism regards
nature as the expression of God on earth. Thats why Hindus worship all forces of nature and
considered every living thing as sacred. In Islam, nature, like the Qur'an, is God's revelation.
Divine truth is inherent in nature. In principle, the sacred is found everywhere, all space is
sacred and everything that exists is sacred, given that it is God's creation. However, human
constructions may also be considered sacred, especially mosques and shrines as well as
certain cities. At the same time, parts of nature may also be considered especially sacred
such as trees and especially palms. Buddhist philosophy believes in non-violence and even
forbade cutting of tress. The human mind made a fateful decision during the course of the
Scientific Revolution; that of ignoring the perennial wisdom of the worlds spiritual
traditions. Scientific research and development seemed to bring to the world
technological superiority over nature. Lacking in the austere self-discipline of
knowledge and impelled by greed, man has tried to become a presiding deity of
modern civilization. His emphasis has been on rights over obligations, particularly in
the context of natural environment, leading to discernable dysfunctions in the form of
environmental degradation which raises serious questions regarding the long term viability
of modern society. Even some of the most secularized nations are calling for a
rediscovery of the sacredness of nature. For educationalists and human resource policy
makers, religion centered education may be the answer for bringing about
environmental behavioral change and for
CEOs, a proactive stance to integrate
environmental concerns into the framework of their business strategies. Religion blended
with vasudev kutumbakam (the world is one family) can be a powerful tool for this planet.
Part of the challenge of modern religions and the modern strategist is to reclaim their
connection with the earth. This research paper attempts to focus on the environmental
prospects as being reflected by the major Indian religious philosophies. This paper also zero
in on how to implement the teachings and practices of various Indian religions as well as
different Indian religious philosophies into an institutional frame-work. It will also reflect
that how Indian religious philosophies in its actual sense can play a vital role in
environmental conservation in contrast to west based philosophy of materialism and nature
exploitation.
Keywords: Religious philosophies, nature, materialism, sacred, materialism, degradation
76

8-10 November 2014
Gross National Happiness: A Measure of Happy, Sustainable and

Interdependent World
Brinda Sharma, Gaurav Singh Chaudhary, Gauri Gandhi
College of Technology,
Although the people in the West have for decades got richer, they have not become happier.
(...) Studies show that people are not happier today than 50 years ago. And this is despite the
fact that the real median income in this period has more than doubled."
Why we are developing our world with this mindlessness? Should we measuring our world
by something other than GDP and income levels? We live in an age of stark contradictions.
The world enjoys technologies of unimaginable sophistication; yet has at least one billion
people without enough to eat each day. The world economy is propelled to soaring new
heights of productivity through ongoing technological and organizational advance; yet is
relentlessly destroying the natural environment in the process. Countries achieve great
progress in economic development as conventionally measured; yet along the way succumb
to new crises of obesity, smoking, diabetes, depression, and other ills of modern life.This
position paper proposes forging a coordinative approach to public policy that is
systematically informed by Buddhist conceptual resources and that is consonant with the
Royal Bhutanese Governments commitments to sustainably enhancing personal, communal,
and national happiness. This is the Gross National Happiness approach. Such an approach
would allow the differing strengths and insights afforded by Bhutans various ministries and
knowledge communities under an analytically forceful, yet unifying policy aim. In particular,
it would orient public policy toward building personal, communal, and national capacities for
contributing freely and skillfully in directing the process of integration into global systems
toward the consolidation of public good.
Keywords: Bhutan; Buddhism; environmental and economic interdependence; Gross
National Happiness; Gross Development Product
77

8-10 November 2014
Agro-Ecology: The Science of Sustainable Agriculture

Preeti Bora, Sakshi Saraf and S.Priyadarshini1
1
Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Technology

Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, College of Technology
Agro-ecology is the science of applying ecological concepts and principles to the design,
development, and management of sustainable agricultural systems. The goal of these methods
is to achieve sustainability of agricultural systems balanced in all spheres. Unsustainable
farming practices in many regions are causing land resources to degrade-threatening future
food security as well as the livelihoods of poor rural people and also, the excessive use of
chemical pesticides and insecticides has adversely affected the crop quality and the natural
resources. The conspicuous methods under Agro-ecology include organic farming, polyculture cropping systems, cover cropping and mulching, crop rotation and minimum tillage,
integrated pest management, weed ecology and management, and agro-forestry systems. It
offers the only practical way to actually restore agricultural lands that have been degraded by
conventional agronomic practices. Also, Agro-ecology is immensely beneficial for farmers to
have an environmentally sound way to sustainably intensify production in marginal areas. In
India, many modules are being run to evaluate the success rate of this system, and as a result
of one of the modules , it was observed that Energy Efficiency increased from 4.8 to 30.5 and
the use of Chemical Fertilizer(N kg/ha + P2O5 kg/ha) decreased from (80+120) to 0.0 under
the Agro-ecological system. By this paper presentation, we want to spread awareness
regarding the advantages of agro-ecological alternatives, and how this approach and
associated technologies be multiplied and adopted more widely and consistently, worldwide.
Keywords: Poly-culture, mulching, integrated pest management, agro-forestry systems.
78

8-10 November 2014
Nano Particles: Application in Sustainable Agricultue

Priyanka Khati, Pankaj, Govind Kumar, Saurabh Gangola and Anita Sharma
Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Sciences & Humanities
The need for the development of a sustainable life for growing population has generated a
world of technology which has drastically changed the meaning of life on the earth. But on
the other hand nature is the biggest and smartest creator on earth, which has not only lead to
the origin of life but also its diversification. Considering the present food crisis to feed
billions of population, one must have to look for faster and more throughput approaches to
develop sustainable agriculture systems. Nanotechnology, one of the promising field can
help in leading towards a life of sustainability, is among the debatable issue these days. Role
of Nanoparticles has been recognized in recent times, but with no doubt their contribution is
time immemorial, so considering nanoparticles only as a part of technology is a
misconception. Nanoparticles can help revolutionarize the productivity of crops in different
ways, some of which are described in this chapter.
Forward Osmosis: Innovative Technology of Water Reuse

Tripti Mishra, Sudipta Ramola, Asmita Rajwar and R.K. Srivastava
Department of Environmental Sciences,
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar
With rapid economic development and dramatic increase in population, the world is facing
challenges of water and energy supplies. Innovative membrane-based technologies such as
the forward osmosis (FO) process show great potential for seawater desalination, wastewater
treatment and reclamation. On the other hand, the need to reduce green house gas emissions
from fossil fuels has focused attention on alternative energy sources for global sustainable
development. Osmotic power, based on FO, prove to be an attractive option. The attractive
features of osmotic processes coupled with the urgent needs to address the challenges of
water scarcity and energy shortage worldwide, have seen a dramatic rise in research and
development in the osmotic membrane processes over the past 5 years. The present chapter
provides the principle and theory of forward osmosis along with their strength and
limitations.
Keywords: Forward Osmosis, Water Reuse, Draw Solute, Asymmetrical Membranes
79

8-10 November 2014
An Innovative Approach towards Sustainable Agriculture: A Contextual

Paradigm
M. Esakkimuthu1 and Pardeep Kumar2
1
Department of Agricultural Communication,

Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding,
2
Sustainable agriculture takes many forms, but at its core is a rejection of the industrial
approach to food production developed during the 20th century. This system, with its reliance
on monoculture, mechanization, chemical pesticides and fertilizers, biotechnology, and
government subsidies, has made food abundant and affordable. However, the ecological and
social price has been steep: erosion; depleted and contaminated soil and water resources; loss
of biodiversity; deforestation; labour abuses; and the decline of the family farm. The concept
of sustainable agriculture embraces a wide range of techniques, including organic, free-range,
low-input, holistic, and biodynamic. The common thread among these methods is an embrace
of farming practices that mimic natural ecological processes. Farmers minimize tilling and
water use; encourage healthy soil by planting fields with different crops year after year and
integrating croplands with livestock grazing; and avoid pesticide use by nurturing the
presence of organisms that control crop-destroying pests. Beyond growing food, the
philosophy of sustainability also espouses broader principles that support the just treatment of
farm workers and food pricing that provides the farmer with a livable income. Critics of
sustainable agriculture claim, among other things, that its methods result in lower crop yields
and higher land use. They add that a wholesale commitment to its practices will mean
inevitable food shortages for a world population expected to exceed 8 billion by the year
2030. There's recent evidence, though, suggesting that over time, sustainably farmed lands
can be as productive as conventional industrial farms.
.
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8-10 November 2014
Convention on Biological Diversity for Poverty Alleviation and Preserving

the Fragile Biodiversity
Tanweer Alam, Kantipudi Rajesh Kumar, Sitanshu and S.V.S.Raju
Department of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology
Institute of Agricultural Sciences,
Banaras Hindu university -221005
Email :kantipudi.rajeshkumar@gmail.com
Biodiversity means the variability among living organisms from all sources and the
ecosystem of which they are part. About 13 million species are found and 1.75 million
species are identified, Biological resources are the mainstay of our economical development
several international conventions and treaties related to biodiversity are under enforcement,
Nepal has adopted some of them. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), 1992 is the
most important international convention related to biodiversity which brought new era in the
field of biodiversity. The agreed text of CBD was adopted by the conference of UNEP on 22
May, 1992 in Nairobi, Kenya. More than 100 countries and many international organizations
participated the conference. Ministry of Forestry and Soil conservation is the focal point of
CBD. Main features of CBD are conservation of Biological diversity is a common concern of
humankind, state have a sovereign right over their biological resources. The objectives of
CBD are conservation of biological diversity, fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising
from the use of genetic resources, transfer of required technologies and appropriate funding.
The beneficiaries of CBD are that the gene rich countries have sovereign rights on their
biodiversity and their economy may rise. Farming communities will receive their share from
the benefits of the biodiversity. The future generations will be more food secured by the
conservation of biodiversity for future need. The scientific communities will be benefited by
the conservation and improvement of genetic resources. So, that in the long run all the people
will be benefitted. The Nepal is rich in biodiversity, which is the basis of development of
Nepal. WTO and UPOV may affect biodiversity negatively. CBD favours developing
countries.
Himalayan Nettle Fabric for UV Protection: An Approach Towards

Sustainable Environment
81

8-10 November 2014
Deepti Pargai, Manisha Gahlot and Anita Rani

Department of Clothing and Textiles,
Life on earth would not exist without the sun as it is essential for sustaining all living things.
But too much exposure to the UV radiation can cause harm to the living beings. Acquainted
with the harmful effect of UV radiation, there is a demand of UV protective textiles among
consumers, which could provide sufficient UV protection. The UV protective properties of
many fabrics having different weaves and using different dyes have been widely reported in
literature. However no work has been carried out on UV protection properties of nettle fabric
having different weaves. Nettle is considered as an eco-friendly natural bast fibre by many
ecologists as it is naturally resistant to diseases and pest and unlike cotton doesnt require any
pesticides to flourish. Nettles do not compete with food crops. Observing its presence, it does
not even need to be planted. Since it is a perennial, once grown it only needs harvesting, no
planting, irrigation or nurturing. In spite of having these environmental friendly properties it
is not commercialised in India. Hence there is a need of value addition to this wildly grown
plant fiber so that it can be used for protection against UV radiation. This study reports the
UV protection properties of nettle fabric having different weaves. Twill and crepe weave
fabric was prepared using hand spun single nettle yarn. Effect of physical characteristics of
fabric on Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) was studied. On the basis of results it was found
that fabric properties like thickness, weight, thread count and cover factor affected the UPF of
the nettle fabric and it can also be concluded that nettle fabric with combination of weaves
can provide good UV protection this can also reduce our dependency on chemicals to dress
the world.
Environment Ethics - The Need of the Hour

82

8-10 November 2014
Siddharth Shankar Bhatt and Manisha Negi

Email: siddharthbhatt2714@gmail.com
In the context of human civilization the most degrading and unsocial phenomena on the
planet earth has been environmental crisis. Today, we as humans have widened the very
impetus harmony between our Neo-lifestyle and environment. The conundrum of
naturalization of humans and humanization of nature is undoubtedly unanswerable. The last
decades of the Twentieth century witnessed a world-wide environmental crisis. In modern
time human beings are alienated from nature, the main cause behind this the development of
science and growing of industries and human greed. Environmental issues become more
serious every day. The major issue is population growth and pollution. For the cause of
population growth and industrial development there are much pollution in the world. The
number of population growth and industrial development determines the total impact on the
environment. Thus it can be said that environmental damage emerges from population,
multiplied by the consumption unit per capita and environmental damages originating from
per unit of consumption. This implies that large population with low levels of consumption
can cause environmental damages as well as small population with high-level consumptions.
Science and technology alone cannot turn the way round. There is a desperate need to revive
ethical approach in our lifestyles which may further augment awareness for our duty to future
generations and non-human beings. Environmental ethics is a new sub discipline that deals
with the ethical problems surrounding environmental protection. It aims at providing ethical
justification and moral motivation for the cause of global environmental protection. At the
level of ideas, environmental ethics challenges the dominant and deep-rooted
anthropocentrism of modern mainstream ethics and extends the object of our duty to future
generations and non-human beings. At the practical level, environmental ethics criticizes the
materialistic, hedonistic and consumerist attitude of modern capitalism, and demands for a
green lifestyle that is harmonious with nature. Environmental ethics emphasizes upon the
development of a sustainable ecology and society with the help of a reciprocal and holistic
attitude, where all comprehensive aspects and parts of nature are preserved, protected and do
coexist with harmony. Humans co-inhabit Earth with five to ten million species. Nature has
equipped Homo sapiens, the wise species, with a conscience. Perhaps conscience is less
wisely used than it ought to be when; it excludes the global community of life from
consideration, with the resulting paradox that the self-consciously moral species acts only in
its collective self-interest toward all the rest. Environmental ethics claims that we humans are
not so 'enlightened' as once supposed to be.
Becoming Vegetarian is Being More Human....

Priyanka Agarwal
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8-10 November 2014
Department of Environmental Science

Email :priyankagarwal46@gmail.com
It is necessary to correct the error that vegetarianism has made us weak in mind, or passive
or inert in action. I do not regard flesh-food as necessary at any stage. Mahatma Gandhi
People become vegetarians for many reasons, including health, religious convictions,
concerns about animal welfare or the use of antibiotics and hormones in livestock, or a desire
to eat in a way that avoids excessive use of environmental resources. Some people follow a
largely vegetarian diet because they can't afford to eat meat. Vegetarianism has become more
appealing and accessible, thanks to the year-round availability of fresh produce, more
vegetarian dining options, and the growing culinary influence of cultures with largely plantbased diets. Vegetarianism is a good idea for anyone, whether young or old, healthy or sick.
Reasons supporting vegetarianism are inarguable since becoming a vegetarian is scientifically
proven to improve ones lifestyle in several different ways. First and most importantly to
many, vegetarianism improves ones health tremendously. Secondly, it can improve or
display ones spirituality and beliefs. Another reason for changing to a vegetarian lifestyle
that most people dont know is for the ecology and our surroundings. All of the above
reasons and many more show that vegetarianism is a wonderful enhancement to anyones
overall life. Being a vegetarian is a wonderful, spiritual, and helpful way of life and it could
be to all. It could improve health, spirituality, and even the ecology. There are many more
reasons supporting vegetarianism and one could always find some that are most important to
them. Some think of vegetarianism as a punishment or restriction while true vegetarians and
the ones who know most distinguish that it is a fantastic and quick way to refine and add
energy, godliness, and will power to anyones life.
84

8-10 November 2014
Biosurfactants and their Role in Bioremediation of Petroleum

Hydrocarbon and Heavy Metals Contaminated Soil
Govind Kumarand Anita Sharma
Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Science and Humanities
Email: govind34093@gmail.com
Most of the agricultural soil, in the vicinity of refineries and industries are
contaminated by hydrocarbons and heavy metals. These contaminated soils cause pollution of
local ground water by leaching process, threatens the safety of potable water, limits the use of
ground water, and causes enormous economic loss and ecological disaster. They affect some
of the soil factors including soil water, soil air, exchangeable iron and available phosphorous
and sulphate. PAHs and metals (Cd, As, Pb etc) are common environmental. Contaminants of
coal, electroplating and crude oil processing industries. These contaminants are carcinogenic
and interact to the human being through biomagnifications process in food chain. Due to low
bioavailability and toxicity, these pollutants are of concern in soil environments and their
removal is of paramount importance in present scenario. There are several technologies to
remediation of these soil and include physical or chemical techniques to remediate such as
thermal treatment, soil washing, the extraction of gases or liquid matter etc. Such techniques
require the use of heavy equipment and substantial amount of energy and are not cost
effective. Based on above problem, use of microbially produced surfactants (biosurfactants)
is an alternative with potential for remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon and metalcontaminated soils because it increases the bioavailability of heavy metals and petroleum
hydrocarbon (hydrophobic) by the emulsification process. Biosurfactant based
bioremediation is a cost effective and environmental friendly approach because biosurfactants
are amphipathic, have low molecular weight and biodegradable compounds and make
pollutants more accessible for biodegradation with low toxicity. Biosurfactants have become
an important product of biotechnology for industrial and medical applications.
Effect of Crop Residue Burning on Environment and its Management

85

8-10 November 2014
Kiran Rawat and Nataraja Subash

In India the open biomass burning is the most common, convenient and cheapest way to
remove the residues from the field. There is little time available between harvesting of rice
and planting of wheat and moreover, performance of wheat crop is highly susceptible to any
delay in planting. Preparation of the field also involved removal or utilization of rice straw
left in the field. It is one of the major sources of trace gases CH4, N2O, NOx and CO2these
gases causes to global warming. In many countries, open burning in the paddy field is a
common way to eliminate rice residues after harvesting. Several management options
available to farmers for the management of rice residues are burning, incorporation, surface
retention and mulching, and baling and removing the straw. Farmers use different straw
management practices as per the situation. This practice is used to clear the remaining straw
and stubble after the harvest in order to prepare the field for the next crop. The residue
burning on a larger scale also leads to severe atmospheric pollution. During rice harvesting
seasons, open burning of rice residues in the field releases a large amount of GHGs which are
responsible for climate change. GHGs release from open burning of biomass not only affects the
air and soil quality but adversely affect the human health on regional as well as on global scale. Rice
straw incorporation coupled with organic manure increases grain yield of wheat and improves
soil physical condition. Residue incorporation results more microbial activity than residue
removal or burning. Thus, if residues are managed properly, then it can warrant the
improvements in soil properties and the sustainability in crop productivity.
86

8-10 November 2014
Climate Change and Agriculture: Impact and Mitigation

Suborna Roy Choudhury1,Md. Riton Chowdhury2and N. Ramu3
1
Department of Agronomy, B.A.C-Sabour, BAU, Bhagalpur, Bihar,

School of Agriculture Science, CUTM, Paralakhemundi, Gajapati, Odisha,
3
Department of Agronomy, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar
Email: md.riton@gmail.com
2
Climate is changing very rapidly, is not a new phenomenon though change has been a
consistent feature of Earths climate. Periods of comparatively cool temperatures initiated the
Ice Age. However earth has experienced the longest period of consistently warm
temperatures since the beginning of life. That warm period almost same with the period over
which modern agriculture has evolved. Climate change is documented as one of the most
serious environmental, societal and economic challenges that the world is facing today. It is
now world-wide proved that the earths climatic system has demonstrably changed on both
global and regional scales since the pre-industrial period. During the past 100 years, global
average surface temperature increased by about 0.70C. Tree rings and other records provides
the indication of the average Northern Hemisphere temperature during the second half of the
20th century was likely to have been the highest in the past 1300 years. Besides, warming of
the Earths surface, there has been an increase in heat waves, cold waves, warming of the
lower atmosphere and deep oceans, fewer frosts, retreat of glaciers and sea ice and a rise in
sea level during the 20th century of approximately 17 cm. Many species of plants and animals
have changed their location or the timing of seasonal activities in ways that give further
evidence of climate change.
87

8-10 November 2014
Function and Importance of Soil Fauna Diversity in Ecosystem

Poonam Gangola, Parul Sundha1, Aakash Mishra, Pawan Pant and Sandeep
Upadhayay
Department of Soil Sciences,
Email: priya.gangola@gmail.com
1
Soil represents one of the most important reservoirs of biodiversity. It reflects ecosystem
metabolism since all the bio-geo-chemical processes of the different ecosystem
components are combined within it; therefore soil quality fluctuations are considered to be
a suitable criterion for evaluating the long-term sustainability of ecosystems. The drivers
of ecosystem structure are partly natural and partly of human origin, including threats to
soil quality and land management practices (Wickings et al., 2010). Sustainability and
human well-being depend on these ecosystem characteristics. The living soil is
represented by soil biota that interacts with aboveground biota and with the abiotic
constructs of soil, represented as soil structure, organic matter, and nutrients. Soil fauna is
an important reservoir of biodiversity and plays an essential role in several soil ecosystem
functions; furthermore, it is often used to provide soil quality indicators. Human activities
frequently cause a degradation of soil environmental conditions which leads to a reduction
in the abundance and to a simplification of animal and plant communities, where species
able to bear stress predominate and rare taxa decrease in abundance or disappear. The
result of this biodiversity reduction is an artificial ecosystem that requires constant human
intervention and extra running costs, whereas natural ecosystems are regulated by plant
and animal communities. For these reasons the identification of agricultural systems which
allow the combination of production targets and environmentally friendly management
practices, protecting both soil and biodiversity, is essential to prevent the decline of soil
fauna communities in agricultural landscapes.
88

8-10 November 2014
Environment and Nature Imagery in the Spiritual Poetry of Some Sants

and Sufis of India
Rupa Abdi
Kabir were mere puppets of clay, called humans as such
Were guests for a few days, yet we occupy so much
The importance of our natural environment for our survival on this planet can no longer be
denied. Much has been said about its environmental, economic, and aesthetic value. However
the role that Nature has played in shaping our consciousness has not received much attention.
This paper is an attempt in that direction. Our mystic poets with their keen insight into the
workings of Nature and human psychology used various elements of Nature in their symbols
to express subtle experiences and metaphysical truths that could not be expressed in words.
Their purpose was to awaken in humanity Universal love and compassion which included
reverence and protection of Nature.
Indigenous Traditional Knowledge

N. Ramu1,Anil Kumar Shankhwar2and Govind Kumar3
1
Department of Agronomy,
3
Department of Microbiology,
Email: ramu_07r@yahoo.co.in
2
Indigenous Traditional Knowledge (ITK) is an integral part of the culture and history of a
local community. It is evolved through many years of regular experimentation on the day to
day life and available resources surrounded by the community. It is the unique, traditional,
local knowledge existing within and developed around specific condition of men and women
indigenous to a particular geographical area. It is the unique, traditional, local knowledge
existing within and developed around specific condition of men and women indigenous to a
particular geographical area. Normally ITK is the knowledge that people in a given
community has developed over time and continues to develop it. It is based on experience,
often tested over long period of time, adapted to local culture and environment, dynamic and
changing and lay emphasis on minimizing risks rather than maximizing profits
Adina Cordifolia: An Important Medicinal Plant

89

8-10 November 2014
Pratima Raypa, A.K. Verma, and Ashutosh Dubey

Department of Biochemistry, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities,
Plants have been used in traditional medicine for several thousand years. The knowledge of
medicinal plants has been accumulated in the course of many centuries based on different
medicinal systems such as Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha. In India, it is reported that
traditional healers use 2500 plant species and 100 species of plants serve as regular sources of
medicine. During last few decades there has been an increasing in the study of medicinal
plants and their traditional use in different parts of the world (Lev, 2006). Herbal remedies
are considered the oldest forms of health care known to mankind on this earth. Prior to the
development of modern medicine, the traditional systems of medicine that have evolved over
the centuries within various communities, are still maintained as a great traditional
knowledge base in herbal medicines. Haldu(Adina cordifolia)is deciduous tree over 20m
high belonging to the subfamily Cinchonoideae, family Rubiaceae. This plant exhibited a
broad range of antioxidant activity. Leaf of Adina cordifolia may be a good source of
medicine for therapeutic use as it has large antioxidant, flavonoid and phenolic content.
Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Change

Sarita Joshiand and R.K.Srivastava
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar-263 145
Email: joshi.sarita84@yahoo.com
The link between biodiversity and climate change has been established. Rapid climate change
affects ecosystems and species ability to adapt and so biodiversity loss increases. The rapid
climate change and accelerating biodiversity loss risks human security Biodiversity the term
given to the variety of life on Earth, provides, through its expression an ecosystems, goods
and services that sustain our lives. According to Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, a
comprehensive assessment of the links between ecosystem health and human well-being. The
global climate change affects coral reefs by bleaching, coral loss and ocean acidification.
This is due to the gases that trap heat being in the ocean and bleaching the coral. In 2008,
30% of all coral reefs were being facing extinction due to this problem. 2010 could be the
turning point to all this. If we act now we could change this and pursue the problem and sort
it out. Hopefully, in years to come the coral reefs will still be around and evolving as they
should.
90

8-10 November 2014
Traditional Plants of Today: Drugs of Tomorrow

Satish Chandra* Jyotsna Rastogi and Sumita Rana
Email: satishchandrasemwal@gmail.com
History of medicine begins from untraceable past with the start of civilizations; people of that
time used different plant parts in various ailment. In the present time, when modern
medicines are well accepted model for treatment and prevention of many diseases; a large
population of the world still depends on the plant for their health related issues. Different
ethnic group possess traditional knowledge about medicinal plant which pass through
generation to generation either orally or in text form. Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Tibetan
Chinese, Korean and many folk medicinal systems falls in this category. Since, traditional
knowledge evolved by practicing medicinal plants from generations, it may be useful in
modern medicinal system for discoveries of new drugs. acetyldigoxin, ajmalicine, atropine
and quinine are some drugs which were discovered after inspiring from traditional
knowledge, still there is vast probability of new and new drug discoveries.
Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change of Relationships Between

Organism and their Environment
Chandan Singh Ahirwar, Cannan Durai and Jitendra Chandra Chandola
Department of Vegetable Science, College of Agriculture
E-mail: csrahul126@gmail.com
Sustainable agricultural practices have to balance environmental health and economic
profitability in order to promote social and economic equity. It is the act of farming using
principles of ecology, the study of relationships between organisms and their environment. It
has been defined as "an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a
site-specific application that will last over the long term Sustainable agriculture can be
understood as an ecosystem approach to agriculture. Practices that can cause long-term
damage to soil include excessive tilling of the soil and irrigation without adequate drainage.
Long-term experiments have provided some of the best data on how various practices affect
soil properties essential to sustainability.
91

8-10 November 2014
Enhancement of Iron and Zinc content in Rice and Wheat: A Sustainable

Strategy to Combat Malnutrition
Sudhir Kumar, Navin Chander Gahtyari , Manjeet Kumar, Naveen Kumar1
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering
Email: sudhiraaidu2006@gmail.com
1
Human and animal metabolism, growth and well-being depend on an appropriate and
balanced intake of nutrients. At present, 49 nutritional components are known to be essential
and indispensable for sustaining human life. These comprise water and carbohydrates, 10
essential amino acids, linoleic and linolenic acids, seven mineral macro-elements, 16 mineral
Microelements and 13 vitamins. In the context of human nutrition the microelements and the
vitamins are grouped under the common term micronutrients. Micronutrient malnutrition
alone affects more than two billion people, mostly among resource-poor families in
developing countries, with Fe, I, Zn, and vitamin A deficiencies most. Iron (Fe) is an
essential micronutrient for most organisms, including all plant and animals. Fe deficiency is
one of the most prevalent micronutrient deficiencies globally, affecting an estimated two
billion people and causing 0.8 million deaths annually worldwide. Fe deficiency is ranked
sixth among the risk factors for death and disability in developing countries with high
mortality rates. Zinc deficiency is also one of the most common malnutrition deficiencies and
25% of the worlds population is at risk of zinc deficiency Zinc is one of the essential
elements for development of various enzymes, co-factors mental growth and hair growth in
human and animals. In Asia and Africa, it is estimated that 500 to 600 million people are at
risk for low zinc intake (Source: http:// www.harvestplus.org/ 2010). The majority of people
suffering from micronutrient malnutrition often do not have access to supplementation
strategies or possibilities of diversifying their diets. In the long term, therefore,
Biofortification strategies must include delivery of sufficient micronutrients through locally
grown crops that have been optimized for their micronutrient.
92

8-10 November 2014
Regeneration Status of Tree Species in a Cupressus torulosa D. Don Forest

of Central Himalaya
Sumita Rana, Jyotsna Rastogi and Satish Chandra
Email: sumitarana64@gmail.com
In the present study regeneration status of tree species was assessed in a Cupressus torulosa
D.Don forest in Nainital, Central Himalaya. The study sites were selected between 22002300m above mean sea level (between 29o19-29o28 N latitude and 79o22-79o38 E
longitude) in Nainital. A systematic random sampling method using square quadrats was used
for vegetation sampling. Population structures were made on the basis of density of seedlings,
saplings and trees of different size classes, while, regeneration status was determined from
the population size of seedlings, saplings and trees. The total density value of trees was 460 600 trees ha-1 with former at hill base and later at hill top. The sapling density ranged between
200 and 520 individual ha-1 and it was maximum at hill top. The Seedling density ranged
between 300-400 individual ha-1 and it was maximum at hill base. At hill base, in Cedrus
deodara seedlings and saplings size classes were completely absent while Quercus
leucotrichophora and Prunus cerasoideswere represented by seedlings and saplings only. In
C. torulosa and Q. floribundamajority of individuals belongs to intermediate size classes as a
result a bell shaped population structure was reported. At hill slope, only seedlings and
saplings were present in Q. floribunda and P. cerasoides while population structure of C.
torulosa indicated time phase good regeneration followed by a phase of poor regeneration. At
hill top site, P. cerasoides, F. numoralisandR. purpurea, were represented by seedlings and
saplings only, indicating that these species were new to area and may become established in
due course of time while C. torulosa with high density in intermediate size classes and
decreasing number toward higher and lower size indicated fair type of regeneration.
Keywords: Cupressus torulosa forest, population structure, regeneration status, size classes.
Genetics-Ushering into the Realms of Sustainable Agriculture

93

8-10 November 2014
Tabinda Ali1, Indu Bala Sethi2& Pooja Pandey3

1
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture

2
3
Department of Vegetable science, College of Agriculture
Plant genetics remains a key component of global food security, peace, and prosperity for the
foreseeable future. Millions of lives depend upon the extent to which crop genetic
improvement can keep pace with the growing global population, changing climate, and
shrinking environmental resources. Genetically engineered seed must be integrated into
ecologically based farming systems and evaluated in light of their environmental, economic,
and social impactsthe three pillars of sustainable agriculture. An important goal for genetic
improvement of agricultural crops is to adapt our existing food crops to increasing
temperatures, decreased water availability in some places and flooding in others, rising
salinity, and changing pathogen and insect threats. Such improvements will require diverse
approaches that will enhance the sustainability of our farms. These include more effective
land and water use policies, integrated pest management approaches, reduction in harmful
inputs, and the development of a new generation of agricultural crops tolerant of diverse
stresses. Genetically engineered crops are also a good way to achieve sustainable agricultural
system. Corn and cotton have been genetically engineered to produce proteins from the soil
bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) that kill Lepidopteran pests, this supported another
important goal of sustainable agriculture i.e. increased biological diversity. Non-target
invertebrates were more abundant in Bt cotton and Bt corn fields than in conventional fields
managed with insecticides. One limitation of using any insecticide, whether it is organic,
synthetic, or genetically engineered, is that insects can evolve resistance to it. For example,
one crop pest, the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella), has evolved resistance to Bt toxins
due to repeated sprays of Bt toxins to control this pest on non-genetically engineered crops.
Weeds are a major limitation of crop production globally. Some crop plants have been
genetically engineered for tolerance to glyphosate. In these herbicide-tolerant crops, a gene,
isolated from the bacterium Agrobacterium encoding an EPSPS protein resistant to
glyphosate, is engineered into the plant. Growers of herbicide-tolerant crops can spray
glyphosate to control weeds without harming their crop. Germplasm resources include wild
relatives, obsolete varieties, landraces, cultivars, varieties which provide a broad genetic base
will also lead to a sustainable agriculture. Narrow genetic base leads to genetic uniformity
and may lead to gene erosion and ultimately diversity of crop plants will disappear. Biotic
and Abiotic stresses both threaten the food production to feed the burgeoning population.
With limited resources i.e. arable land decreasing, global warming and desertification, etc. it
is pre requisite to breed for tolerant crops in terms of pest, weeds, pathogens and also to
incorporate those genes which confer resistance to drought, salt stress, etc. The path towards
a future sustainable agriculture lies in harnessing the best of all agricultural technologies,
including the use of genetically engineered seed, within the framework of ecological farming.
94

8-10 November 2014
Jyoti Dhyan: Becoming A Light of Love and Wisdom

Abha Ahuja
Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Home Science,
Sri Sathya Sai Jyoti Dhyanam turn the Sadhak into the light of purity, love & wisdom and
slowly enhance capabilities of individual to cater to multitasking global society. This
reflection of light of purity, love& wisdom can be seen in the day to day activities of the
individual and this light is reflected in the creative & innovative ways of work world. The
light meditation helps individual to connect issues in work world and identify the roots where
the solution lies. This Jyoti Dhyanam let loose the complex thread net work of nerves in the
brain & neuromuscular system of the body. The synaptic links get stronger and helps develop
confidence, discrimination, determination and dedication in the individual. A regular practice
in early morning between 3:30 to 4:30 a.m and late evenings between 5 and 6 pm helps
individual to go deep in the light and experience light in the whole body especially five
outlets senses of light, hearing, taste, touch and smell. All these five senses attuned with light
and develop maturity in an adult putting restriction on the basics of childhood use of such
senses. Slowly the whole body regulates through the blossoming flower of lotus heart
illuminating with this light. First stage light is outside in our vision in the space, second stage
this light is in us and third stage we reflect this light of purity, love & wisdom. This
presentation deals with practicing light meditation with older children & adults and a
technique of guided visualization in young children through their ever enlarging imagination.
This practice helps reassure self develop faith and turn self to light of purity, love & wisdom.
95

8-10 November 2014
Silk Cocoon Processing for Empowerment of Rural Women

Alka Goel
Department of Clothing & Textiles, College of Home Science
Textile industry is becoming highly competitive with reverence to eco friendly material and
in order to fulfill the needs of consumer, lots of new eco friendly textile products are coming
to the market. Still natural products always remain in demand. Silk is a natural fiber with
protein constituent. The protein of silk is composed mainly of fibroin and produced by insect
larvae to form cocoons. Process of rearing silkworm is known as sericulture. Uttarakhand is
very rich in natural resources and sericulture is a known practice followed by the people of
Uttarakhand. Women have been the economic partner of men in several fields, but when it
comes to entrepreneurship, man seems outwardly, at any rate, to dominate the entrepreneurial
world. In India women make a remarkable contribution to the society, which is also
applicable to the Uttarakhand, as women of Uttarakhand are very hard working. They keep
themselves engaged in home as well as in farm and animal husbandry. Indian traditional
textiles and handicrafts have numerous opportunities to develop entrepreneurial skills among
rural women. Sericulture may serve as an important source of income requiring less input,
provides employment at home to the entire family members by way of processing and reeling
of cocoons. It is highly suitable to small and marginal farmers, as it involves simple
technology and requires small investment. The author presents the outcome of study on
producing good quality silk fiber by adopting appropriate method of cocoon processing. The
technology was transferred to rural women through training.
Keywords: Empowerment, sericulture, cocoon, rural women
96

8-10 November 2014
Agroforestry for Productivity, Profitability, Sustainability and Livelihood

Support: A Study Toward The Conservation and Management of Natural
Resources
Arvind Bijalwan and Anup Prakash Upadhyay
Indian Institute of Forest management
An autonomous institute of Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change
Government of India, P.O. Box- 357, Nehru Nagar, Bhopal-462 003, M.P., India
Email- arvindbijalwan276@gmail.com
Agroforestry is a land-use system, includes woody perennial (forest and horticulture trees),
agricultural crops (cereals, pulses, cash crops, vegetables, flowers, herbs etc) and/or live
stocks (pastures, domestic animals, poultry, piggeries, fisheries etc) in a unit piece of land for
productivity, profitability, sustainability and livelihood support. The agroforestry practice
followed the traditional pattern in India which judiciously utilize the time and space for
natural resource conservation and management as highlighted by the classical example of
home-gardens of Kerala state in India. Home-gardens enlighten about the science behind
operation of every bit of land and time with combination of Multipurpose Tree, Crops and
Livestock in a section of land. Likewise, the Baranaja cropping pattern in Garhwal
Himalaya of Uttarakhand state in India is an another classical model of productive, profitable
and judicious conservation and management of natural resources and self sustaining system
that includes the twelve different crops in a year on a piece of land with important
multipurpose trees in a piece of land. At present, there is significant need to reframe the
traditional agroforestry system and translate them into more scientifically sound, practically
feasible, ecologically desirable and socially acceptable by the farm and rural community.
India particularly, is a land of marginal farmers where farmers depend on their piece of land
for their livelihood; hence agroforestry is potentially viable option for marginal farmers.
Agroforestry also hold low input, low susceptibility toward natural calamities, maintain floral
and micro-faunal diversity and stabilize the natural resources. Agroforestry is also proving
great source for Carbon storage and soil and water conservation; moreover, planting and
protecting trees on farm land also reducing the biotic pressure in virgin forests.
Keywords: Agroforestry, Productivity, Profitability, Sustainability, Home-gardens, Baranaja,
Carbon Sequestration, Natural Resource Conservation and Management
97

8-10 November 2014
Soyabean :A Natural Superpower: Beneficial In Prevention And

Treatment of Various Diseases
Bhupender Virk, Kiran Pannu, Simran Pannu
Surajmal Girls College Kichha ,Udham Singh Nagar ,Uttarakhand
Lovely Professional University ,Jhalander ,Punjab
Soyabean forms a part of the category of leguminous plant. It contain high level of protein
including significant amount of essential amino-acids that must be provided to human body.
Soya foods are rich in vitamins and minerals including folate and potassium. Soya protein
products can replace animal-based foods. It contain approximately 36.49% gm/100gm of
protein . In the past 15 years, soya foods have attracted the attention of research scientists
and nutritionist around the world for health properties. Tremendous work has been done in
manufacturing and processing of different soya products. Traditional non- fermented food
uses of soyabeans include soymilk later tofu and fermented foods include soysauce,
fermented bean paste, natto, tempeh, soya oil etc. Thus production of soyabean in India is
also increased. Soyabean is beneficial for health . It has the potential to reduce risk of
cardiovascular disease by the reduction of serum cholesterol. Consumption of soya foods
may help to maintain and rebuild bone density and strength and acts as an effective treatment
for osteoporosis. It can be used to combat malnutrition by adding soya protein to breads, corn
meal , pasta, milk or any traditional food. It is a low cost and effective way to ensure
adequate nutrition for vulnerable groups. It contain isoflavones which are responsible for
anticarcinogenic effect. The productive estrogen-related effects of is flavones are beneficial
to women. Therefore , we should consume soya products and aware the people about the
benefit effect of soyabean . Government should also initiate step .
Keywords : Fermented, cardiovascular, osteoporosis, anticarcinogenic, malnutrition
98

8-10 November 2014
Environmental Awareness level and Associated Factors regarding crop

residual burning in Mirzapur village of Kurukshetra district, India.
Dipti Grover, Pardeep Kaur and Hardeep Rai Sharma
Institute of Environmental Studies,
Kurukshetra University Kurukshetra-134 203,
Haryana, India
The research was carried out to identify the factors responsible for crop residual burning and
to check the awareness level among farmers regarding residual burning and it environmental
impacts. For the study, questionnaire and face to face interview method were adopted to
generate data from 50 respondents (farmers) of Mirzapur village in Kurukshetra district of
Haryana. Questionnaire comprises of information about the idea behind practice of crop
residual burning, and its impacts on soil quality, human health and environment. Most of the
respondents (96%) practice agricultural crop residue burning after crop harvesting. So that
their land is prepared for next crop and free from pest, weeds etc. Main factor observed
behind residual burning were 1) Non availability of labour for manual harvesting of stubble,
2) high cost in removing the residues 3) field preparation for next crop and 4) cheap market
value of the crop residue. About 90% of the respondants were well aware regarding air
pollution caused by residual burning however they were not aware about specific health
problems related to air pollution like asthma, respiratory problems and eye irritation and
about emission of green house gases. The farmers were unaware about negative impact of
residue burning on soil quality like decline in soil fertility because of decrease in microbial
biomass and organic matter. The research concluded that the farmers had low awareness
regarding crop residue burning and its related impacts. There is a need to create awareness
among respondents through gram panchayats (village society), and group discussions. The
use of new technologies like happy seed harvester along with composting is recommended to
deal with the problem.
Keywords: Crop residues, burning, impacts, air pollution, farmer, seed harvester
99

8-10 November 2014
Effect of Crop Residue Burning on Environment and its Management

Nataraja Subash and Kiran Rawat
In India the open biomass burning is the most common, convenient and cheapest way to
remove the residues from the field. There is little time available between harvesting of rice
and planting of wheat and moreover, performance of wheat crop is highly susceptible to any
delay in planting. Preparation of the field also involved removal or utilization of rice straw
left in the field. It is one of the major sources of trace gases CH4, N2O, NOx and CO2these
gases causes to global warming. In many countries, open burning in the paddy field is a
common way to eliminate rice residues after harvesting. Several management options
available to farmers for the management of rice residues are burning, incorporation, surface
retention and mulching, and baling and removing the straw. Farmers use different straw
management practices as per the situation. This practice is used to clear the remaining straw
and stubble after the harvest in order to prepare the field for the next crop. The residue
burning on a larger scale also leads to severe atmospheric pollution. During rice harvesting
seasons, open burning of rice residues in the field releases a large amount of GHGs which are
responsible for climate change. GHGs release from open burning of biomass not only affects
the air and soil quality but adversely affect the human health on regional as well as on global
scale. Rice straw incorporation coupled with organic manure increases grain yield of wheat
and improves soil physical condition. Residue incorporation results more microbial activity
than residue removal or burning. Thus, if residues are managed properly, then it can warrant
the improvements in soil properties and the sustainability in crop productivity.
On Being Human
Leo W. Zonneveld
In the vivifying biological and sensorial layers of organic unification, inner evolutionary
illumination has driven the advance of the most promising phenomenon in nature that relies
on reason, intuition and inspiration to safeguard and advance its own progress.
Consciousness, at the highest level in nature, is humanitys mysterious, and most precious
gift. It seeks to format the unruly, but infinitely rich spectra of intercommunication between
personal realities into a realm of unity. Acceleration and intensification encapsulate evolving
developments, enlarging and simultaneously compressing humanitys operations on a scale
of cosmic dimensions. The rapid acceleration of the natural, evolutionary process of societal
fusion will persistently stretch and readjust the borders of personal reality. The dawn of a
new physics of consciousness arises. In time, it will reflect, endorse and further unravel the
psycho-cosmic relevance of humanity, and awaken a new zest for living.
100

8-10 November 2014
Assessment of Biodiversity in the Vicinity of Bharti Island, Larsemann

Hills, East Antarctica
Pawan Kumar Bharti Chauhan
Antarctica Laboratory, R & D Division,
Shriram Institute for Industrial Research, 19, University Road, Delhi-110 007
Tel.: +91 11 27667267, Fax: +91 11 27667676
Society for Environment, Health, Awareness of nutrition & Toxicology (SEHAT-India),
1775, Sohanganj, Near Clock Tower, Delhi-7, India
E-mail: gurupawanbharti@gmail.com,
E-mail: pkbharti@shriraminstitute.org,
1
Antarctica is the most precious asset on the earth and is the last heritage of human kind.
Antarctica is the only area on earth planet which is strictly devoted to scientific research and
the continents of extremes come to be known as the Continent of Science. It is the nature
biggest laboratory on earth where no outside anthropogenic (human activities) interference
has taken place over the centuries till recent times. Being at a unique geographic location, it
offers unique opportunities for Scientists to conduct number scientific research experiments.
Antarctica is attracting world attention because of the tremendous biological species in
surrounding seas and likelihood of vast hydrocarbons. Even though it is difficult to survive
at Antarctica, still Scientists all around the worlds have been engaged in pursing the exciting
scientific research investigations. The investigations are essential not for the exploitation of
natural resources buried under the region but for the preservation of environment and ecology
on earth; especially in the light of climate change. Antarctica provides a unique, unpolluted
and stable pure environment for carrying out scientific observation. It is far away from all
sources of environmental contamination and thus remains an unpolluted datum point from
which global changes due to pollution could be monitored and is suitable for a wide range of
scientific research. India has conducted scientific studies, both at Dakshin Gangotri and
Maitri stations in Antarctica in various disciplines. It now intends to broaden the scope of its
scientific research by complementing the existing studies from an additional location. The
new location for the new research base is at Larsemann Hills, Prydz Bay area, East
Antarctica, which is about seven days away by ship from Maitri. The Larsemann Hills
(69206930S lat: 75557630E long.), named after Larsemann Christensen, is an icefree coastal oasis with exposed rock and low rolling hills. However, it is mandatory to have
some background ecological information prior to the initiation of station activity in the
proposed area. Hence, the lichens, one of the major biological elements of Antarctica and
highly privileged environmental indicators in addition to Moss communities, are studied to
generate baseline information for future biomonitoring studies in the area to assess
anthropogenic activities in the area after the construction of the third Indian research station
in Larsemann Hills.
Keywords: Antarctica, Biodiversity, Antarctic environment, South Pole, pollution
assessment
101

8-10 November 2014
Traditional Medicaments and Folk Uses of Papaya in North Eastern Plains

Zone of India
PL Saran, R Choudhary, I.S. Solanki and G Devi
Indian Agricultural Research Institute Regional Station, Pusa, Samastipur- 848 125
1
Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat)
*E-mail:plsdehradun@gmail.com
In the present investigation, an attempt has been made for the first time to explore the
traditional knowledge on medicinal properties of different parts of papaya as a supportive
therapy with medical treatment for the management of several diseases, especially jaundice
and hydrocele by the farmers of different tribes from North Eastern Plains Zone (NEPZ) of
India. Information and knowledge were collected from the tribal farmers through
questionnaire and interviews on medicinal aspects. Each part of papaya plant is useful in one
way or another; from its fruit to its stem and leaves. The delicious papaya fruit has nutritional
values that make it potent raw material in the food processing industry beyond simple raw
consumption. Different parts of papaya, viz. ripe and unripe fruits, seeds, bark, leaves, roots
and latex are used for treatment of several diseases like, jaundice, stomach problem, dengue,
ringworm, roundworm, wound dressing, urinary complaint, anti-hemolytic activity, weight
loss, high blood pressure, snake bite to remove poison and abortion. Among different
diseases, farmers put jaundice (94.96%) and stomach problems (87.66%) at rank I, and
dengue (67.38%) at rank II. Farmers between 46-60 years age group possess more traditional
knowledge (91.70%) about the medicament properties of papaya parts and their role in
different common diseases. Traditional knowledge regarding medicinal uses of different parts
of papaya and management of several common diseases by their use depends upon the age
group of farmers and tribals. The knowledge level increases with the increase in age.
Traditional knowledge of labourers and farmers of NEPZ regarding medicinal uses of
different parts of papaya for management of dengue fever and jaundice diseases supported
along with medical treatment by papaya leaf and fruit extract increase the PLT and RBC,
respectively. Papaya fruit enhancing the hydrocele problem might be due to some antinutrients and toxicants.
Keywords: Papaya, traditional knowledge, tribes, medicinal properties, diseases
102

8-10 November 2014
Life Science through Light

Poonam Gusain and Vir Singh
Email: Poonamgsn@gmail.com
Sun is unremarkable in the universe, formed about 4.6 billion years ago. For the earths
inhabitants sun is a powerful center of attention since millions of years. It pours essential
energy for lifes process to work. Some ancient rocks (~4.5 billion years old) found to
contain bacteria-like fossilized structures, these fossilized ancient microbial mats were called
stromatolites consisting of layers of filamentous phototrophic prokaryotes, perhaps closest
relatives of the green nonsulphur bacterium Chloroflexus. Since a year dots we are
fascinating that life is evolved under the places sheltered from UV Light, for example
strometolites, deep under the sea2. But recently it was reported that UV light from sun helped
to evolve life, and may have been an essential ingredient for lifes formation. Sun deities
presided over virtually all ancient civilizations including Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the
Mayans. There are a couple of Hindu festivals devoted to God Sun, One of the famous
festival is Kumbha.Since ancient Hindu civilizations the people are following SuryaNamaskar with sun gazing. They believe that through Surya-Namaskar mind naturally
begins to concentrate which is the gateway of all spiritual processes. There is a scientific
explanation behind sun gazing practices, our eyes (retina) and brain (pineal gland) are well
equipped with powerful photoreceptors, during sun gazing, different colors of light provides
all kind of energy and vitamins required for cellular metabolism. Additionally all the seven
colors have a cure for all kinds of diseases such as Alzheimers, Parkinsons, obesity,
arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer and others. One of the treasures of sun light is Vitamin D,
perhaps the single most nutrient in the world of nutrition. Our ancients passed their whole life
in lap of nature with lots of open doors and windows within their hearts. On the other hand
we are continuously constructing the indoor forests (buildings) of concretes and seeking for
happiness through artificial stimulants. We are avoiding communication with sunlight
starlight and almost Nature, the free of cost healing medicines available to everyone.
Agriculture Production and Small Farmers in India; the Main Feeder of

Nation vs. Their Own Food Security and Economic Viability
103

8-10 November 2014
Punit Kumar Agarwal, Pushpa, Bulbul G. Nagrale, O.P. Singh1

Dairy Economics, Statistics & Management, N.D.R.I., Karnal- Haryana,
1
Agricultural Economics, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
Small-scale farmers will remain an important part of Indian agriculture for years to come.
Numerous institutional and policy reforms are needed to increase production and improve
food security and nutrition of small farmers, underlining the differences between the earlier
Green Revolution and this Second Green Revolution. Small farmers find it difficult to
access inputs, credit, extension, and marketing opportunities for their output. The bulk of the
rural poor, as well as small and marginal farmers, live in such resource poor areas, where
under nutrition is concentrated as well. The fact that consumption patterns have been
changing towards non-cereals presents a good opportunity for small farmers to diversify their
cropping patterns in order to improve both incomes and nutrition. In terms of production,
small and marginal farmers also have a larger share in the production of high-value crops.
They contribute around 70 per cent to the total production of vegetables and 55 percent to
fruits, against their share of only 44 percent of total land area. Their share in cereal
production is 52 percent and in milk production 69 percent. Thus, small farmers contribute to
both diversification and food security. Policies and programs that focus on reducing poverty
and increasing food security need to take a broad-based approach to agricultural
development, by focusing on smallholder agriculture.
Keywords: Nutritional security, Second Green Revolution, Cropping pattern, Consumption
pattern,
104

8-10 November 2014
Genetic Improvement Methods for Sustainable Animal Production:

Human Being and Animal the close drivers for Sustainable Eco-System on
the Earth
Pushpa, Bulbul G. Nagrale, Punit Kumar Agarwal, B.S. Chandel
Department of Dairy Economics, Statistics & Management
National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal-132 001, Haryana, India
Genetic improvement implies change. For a change to be an improvement, the overall effects
of the change must bring positive benefits to the owners of the animals in question or to the
owners community. Moreover, to be an improvement, the effects of the change should bring
positive benefits in both the short and the long term, or at minimum a short-term benefit
should not result in long-term harm. Sustainable production systems need to be tailored to
account for physical, social and market conditions. For breeding organizations this raises the
question of whether they should diversify their breeding objectives, or whether they should
breed an animal that can do well under a wide range of environments (physical environment,
management system and market conditions). To date, however, only limited insights into the
underlying genetics of phenotypic adaptation to the environment have been achieved.
Livestock breeding requires variability within and between populations if it is to improve the
traits of interest. Genetic diversity is important to meet present requirements, but is especially
important to meet future requirements. For example, a change of emphasis from high-input to
low-input production systems will favour different breeds and different characteristics within
breeds. More generally, the increasing importance given to factors such as animal welfare,
environmental protection, distinctive product quality, human health and climate change, will
require a wider range of criteria to be included in breeding programmes. These criteria are
often met by local breeds. Thus, it is possible that the most appropriate strategies for
managing these breeds may involve only limited genetic change. For example, it may be wise
to maintain adaptation to the local environment and disease challenges and even to maintain
the level of a production trait, such as body size or milk production, if this is currently at or
near an optimum level.
Keywords: Genetic improvement, sustainable production, breeding.
Lumenosophy: A Philosophy for the Age of Enlightenment

105

8-10 November 2014
S. Willnus
Just in time for Christmas, the renowned philosopher Henryk Skolimowski has given us a
beautiful gift of a book, The Song of Light, which holds the seeds for his new philosophy to
light the way and express the glory of an age about to unfold. He doesnt spell out a
structured set of ideas to be set in stone and turned into rigid dogmas but rather gives us a
poetic sense of who and what we all are so that we might help to grow this philosophy into its
full blossoming. In l975, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi saw the Age of Enlightenment coming and
inaugurated its dawning for the whole world on January 12th. He said at the time that those
who sleep late miss the dawn and that a lot of people wouldnt recognized the reality of this
for some time. The bleakness of our world situation now is calling for everyone to wake up.
Now is the time. In The Way of Liberation, Adyashanti warns that we are at a very critical
point in time and that awakening to Reality is no longer a possibility but an imperative. Its
not necessary to spend years in a cave to awaken or become enlightened. Just stopping for
moments of silence to let little gaps in your busy day offer chances to experience a sense of
the true, higher Self is a perfect beginning. It really is only about realizing what we already
are. Watch for all the little contractions in the body and let them relax. Let the fist become an
open, giving hand. By relaxing and letting go of all the old hard concepts and opinions we
can open up and the light of our true essence can shine through. Think what your philosophy
for the Age of Enlightenment would be if you could express freely the love of that great light
you hold within. In The Song of Light, Henryk says, There is nothing deeper that Great
Light and there is nothing more fulfilling. Why is it so fulfilling? Because you are realizing
that you are coming home. And that your search has ended.Adyashani closes his paragraph
on our perilous times with these wordsAnd yet all is eternally well, and more well than
can be imagined. Were all in this mess of a world together but we can definitely shine our
way out. Now is the time to shine.
106

8-10 November 2014
Importance of Nutrients in Plant Disease Management for Sustainable

Agriculture
Shailbala
Sugarcane Research Centre, Kashipur
The U.S. National Research Council (1989) defined sustainable agriculture as those
alternative farming system and technologies incorporating natural processes, reducing the use
of inputs of off farm sources, ensuring the long term sustainability of current production
levels and conserving soil, water, energy and farm bio-diversity. It is a system of food
production through environmentally friendly organic inputs. It emphasized on both
preventive and curative methods of pest control. Balanced use of nutrients for plant disease
management is very important for sustainable agriculture especially for obligate parasites as
well as facultative parasites. When there is high nitrogen level, there is an increase in severity
of infection in obligate parasites. Facultative parasites show decrease in diseases severity at
high nitrogen level. Potassium decreases the susceptibility of host to the optimum level while
role of phosphorus in resistant is different. Manganese, zinc and boron can manage a number
of diseases because of the function in lignin and phenol bio-synthesis, photosynthesis, cell
wall structure and plant metabolism etc. Silicon creates a physical barrier which can restrict
fungal hyphae penetration and believed to control a number of plant diseases. Nutrients can
reduce disease to an acceptable level or at least to a level at which further control by other
cultural practices or conventional organic material will be more successful and less
expensive.
Keywords: Sustainable agriculture, chemical agriculture, nutrients, plant diseases, pathogen
fertilizer, obligate parasites, facultative parasites
107

8-10 November 2014
Significance of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi in Sustainable Forest Development

Veena Pande and Amit Panwar
Department of Biotechnology
Kumaun University, Bhimtal Campus, Bhimtal, Uttarakhand, India
The mycorrhizal associations between plants and fungi occur, almost ubiquitously, in a wide
range of terrestrial ecosystems. Mycorrhizal fungi connect their plant hosts to the
heterogeneously distributed nutrients required for their growth, enabling the flow of energyrich compounds required for nutrient mobilization while simultaneously providing conduits
for the translocation of mobilized nutrients back to their hosts. Historically, these have
mainly been considered within the rather narrow perspective of their effects on the uptake of
dissolved mineral nutrients by individual plants. More recent research has placed emphasis
on a wider, multifunctional perspective, including the effects of ectomycorrhizal symbiosis
on forest ecosystem processes. The ectomycorrhizal fungi play an important role in forest
ecosystem functioning, they establish an effective symbiosis encompasses in a series of
complex and overlapping developmental processes in the colonizing mycelium and roots of
host trees. The forest soils are complex, heterogeneous growth substrates where organic and
mineral components provide nutrient resources for soil organisms and plants. Predicting soil
responses to changing climate and management practices it is important to determine their
effect on forest production. In the present study, the effect of ectomycorrhizal fungi was
observed on growth and development of two major Indian Himalayan tree species, viz. ban
oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) and chir pine (Pinus roxburghii).It was concluded that
associated ectomycorrhizal species influence the growth and development of specific tree
species. In view of the significant contribution of ectomycorrhizal fungi to enhance plant
growth, there is a need to focus on development and economic utilization of more potential
ectomycorrhizal association for sustainable forest development.
Keywords: Ectomycorrhizal fungi, Quercus leucotrichophora, Pinus roxburghii.
108

8-10 November 2014
An Evaluation of the Biological and Toxicological Properties of Aloe

Products
Anjineyulu Kothakota, Sheshrao Kautkar, Anwesa Sharkar and J.P. Panday
Department of Post-Harvest Process & Food Engineering,
E-mail: kothakotaanjanikumar23@gmail.com
Aloe (Lilliaceae) has long been used as a remedy in many cultures. Aloe products, which
include the latex, gel, and whole leaf, are used, among other reasons, as laxatives, in creams
for skin ailments, and as a treatment for a wide range of diseases, respectively. The
heterogeneous nature of Aloe products may contribute to the diverse biological and
therapeutic activities that have been observed. Variations in the composition of Aloe can
result in products with different chemical and physical properties, making the comparison of
products difficult. In this article, the chemistry, uses, pharmacological activity, and toxicity of
Aloe gel, latex, and isolated compounds are reviewed. This article is confined to literature
pertaining to Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. (also known as A. barbadensis Miller) and Aloe ferox
Miller since they are the most widely used species both commercially and for their
therapeutic properties.
Keywords: Aloevera, Toxicological effects, Aloe products, biological effects
109

8-10 November 2014
Lumenosophy: The Philosophy of Lumenarchy and Cosmocracy

Vir Singh
Lumenosophy, the new term coined by Prof. Henryk Skolimowski on the 10th of December
2013, might be all-potent to help us usher in a new Era of Light. Having come into being on
the occasion of the Human Rights Day, the new term underlines the supreme significance of
Light in the existence and continuous blossoming of humankind in lumenosphere a sphere
of evolutionary wisdom, altruism, justice, unity, compassion and creativity. Lumenosophy
(Latin: Lumen = Light; Greek: Sophia = wisdom) means wisdom of Light. Light spells deeper
meaning and so many meaningful dimensions of everything else in the universe. The first
meaning of Light is wisdom. All wisdom is a form of Light. Wisdom itself is an articulation
of light. All actions involving wisdom spell true creativity of Light. The best of the
philosophy that has a flow of Light in its soul is Lumenosophy. Wisdom can never be static.
Wisdom is always evolutionary. Evolution extending from the evolution of a thing, or of
whole life to that of the whole cosmos is an indispensable phenomenon of Light. No
evolution can be possible without an input of Light. That is why the whole Lumenosphere
evolves. That is why everything in the universe evolves. That is why human mind, human
thinking, human cultures and human philosophy evolve. What would not evolve is one that
exists outside the Lumenosphere, if anything exists outside the Lumenosphere at all.
Lumenosophy, from evolutionary perspective, is a more evolved form of philosophy.
Numerous philosophers, right from ancients of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle to medieval time
philosophers, like Galileo and Copernicus to contemporary ones, have left important
footprints of their philosophies, but hardly any of them gave soul to their respective
philosophies. Philosophies throughout human history have virtually been like bodies without
soul until the creation of eco-philosophy in 1974 by Henryk Skolimowski who attempted for
the first time to give philosophy its due the soul. Light is the soul of life as well as of
philosophy. There can be no existence without Light. There can be no wisdom without Light.
The first purpose of philosophy must be to enlighten. If a philosophy is unable to enlighten, it
is no meaningful philosophy it is philosophy just for namesake. Lumenosophy reflects a
long stride of philosophical evolution. As evolution destines to arrive at a climax stage where
the things and the associated phenomena exist intensively. In this dynamic state of evolution
life and beauty exist intensively and with overwhelming impact. Lumenosophy attempts to
unfold the deeper creative designs of the cosmos. It attempts to extend the limits of human
mind deeper into the cosmos. It contributes to enlarge the limits of Nousphere (the sphere of
the mind or intellect) into our cosmos. Lumenosophy has two most evolved forms of sociocultural systems and human creativity in its folds: 1) Lumenarchy, and 2) Cosmocracy.
Lumenarchy, another term coined by Skolimowski in 2010, is a socio-cultural (and also
livelihood or economic) system based on the virtues of light, namely wisdom, truth, altruism,
goodness, equity, compassion, justice, and creativity, and is a glorious succession of
monarchy, anarchy, oligarchy, patriarchy and matriarchy. While other archies have not
worked, the one based on the virtues of light will help construct a new happy, vibrant and
sustainable world.
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The First International Congress

8-10 November 2014

ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY AND

Living for a Sustainable Future

Vir Singh, Govind S Kushwaha and Vrinda Negi

Anil K Shankhwar, Chitranshi Dhami and Nupur Rautela

GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology

The First International Congress

ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS: Living for a Sustainable Future

Management of Soil System Using Precision Agriculture Technology in

Dept. of Soil Science, College of Forestry, Ranichauri, UUHF, Bharsar-249199

The First International Congress

ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS: Living for a Sustainable Future

Possibilities of Wastelands Phytoremediation using Native Species of India

Department of Environmental Science, Baba Bhimarao Ambedkar University, Lucknow

The First International Congress

ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS: Living for a Sustainable Future

Role of Biotechnology in Crop Improvement for Sustainable

Arti Bartwal, 2Kiran Bharti, 2Pawanika Chandolaand 3Sandeep Arora

The First International Congress

ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS: Living for a Sustainable Future

Fluorescent Pseudomonads: Role as Biocontrol and Biofertilizer for

Department of Microbiology, CBSH

Vegetarianism-Ecological,Ethical and Sustainable Basis of Human Living

The First International Congress

ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS: Living for a Sustainable Future

Climate Change and Productivity of Crop Plants

Department of Plant Physiology, CBSH

The First International Congress

ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS: Living for a Sustainable Future

The Teeming World of Microbial Life and Ecological Resilience

Estimation of Total Soluble Sugar from Barnyard Millet (Echinocloa

The First International Congress

ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS: Living for a Sustainable Future

Antioxidant Defense System in Medicinal Plants under Abiotic Stress

The First International Congress

ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS: Living for a Sustainable Future

Microbial Phytases: Perspectives and Prospects

Department of Microbiology, CBSH

The First International Congress

ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS: Living for a Sustainable Future

Decolorization of Black Liquor by Newly Isolated Soil Fungi

The First International Congress

ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS: Living for a Sustainable Future

Renewable Energy as a Sustainable Approach

Department of Agriculture Engineering, College of Technology

The First International Congress

ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS: Living for a Sustainable Future

Utilization of Fruit Waste (Apple Pomace) for Biofuel Production by using

The First International Congress

ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS: Living for a Sustainable Future

Utilization of Biological Tools as Alternative of Chemical Nematicide for

Department of Biological Sciences, CBSH

Towards a State of Ecological Integrity:Eco-philosophy,Sanctity of life and

Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Technology

The First International Congress

ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS: Living for a Sustainable Future

Van Panchayat: Conservation Issue and Management Strategy

Vegetarianism: Ecological, Ethical and Sustainable Basis of Human Living

The First International Congress

ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS: Living for a Sustainable Future

Impact of Heavy Metals on the Growth of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.

The First International Congress

ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS: Living for a Sustainable Future