Botany

Traditional Systems of Medicines, Siddha and Ayurveda Medicinal Plants

India has a rich medicinal heritage. A number of Traditional Systems of Medicine (TSM) are practiced in India some of which come from outside India. TSM in India can be broadly classified into institutionalized or documented and non-institutionalized or oral traditions. Institutionalized Indian systems include Siddha and Ayurveda which are practiced for about two thousand […]

Botany

Cosmetics and Perfumes,Natural Cosmetics and Perfumes Manufacturing, Simple Naturally made Cosmetics

Cosmetics Traditionally in Southern India, people have been using turmeric, green gram powder, henna, sigaikai and usilai for their skin and hair care. These were mostly home prepared products that are used for grooming. Today, cosmetics have a high commercial value and have become chemical based industrial products. Providing personal care services has become a […]

Botany

Henna Dyes – Is henna better than Hair dye

The ability to perceive colour is a wonderful aspect of human eyes and dyes add colour to the goods we use. They have been in use since the ancient times. The earliest authentic records of dyeing were found in the tomb painting of ancient Egypt. Colourings on mummy cements (wrapping) included saffron and indigo. They […]

Botany

Timber – Economic usage of Plants

Timber The basic need of shelter is obtained from the timber trees. Teak Botanical name : Tectona grandis Family: Lamiaceae Origin and Area of cultivation: This is native to South east Asia. It is observed wild in Assam. But cultivated in Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and North-West India. Uses It is one of best […]

Botany

Uses of Spices and Condiments – History behinds Production of Spices and Condiments

Spices and Condiments History: Spices were used extensively throughout the world for several thousands of years. Records of use of garlic and onion dates back 2500 years. Majority of the spices are native to Mediterranean region, India and South East Asian countries. Spices, especially pepper triggered the search for sea route to India and paved […]

Botany

Beverages – uses of coffee

Beverages How about a cup of coffee or tea? We always entertain our guests with this offer. All non-alcoholic beverages contain alkaloids that stimulate central nervous system and also possess mild diuretic properties. Coffee Botanical name : Coffea arabica Family : Rubiaceae Origin and Area of cultivation: Coffea arabica is the prime source of commercial […]

Botany

Uses of Vegetables and Fruits – Lady’s Finger

While walking through a market filled with fresh vegetables like stacks of lady’s finger, mountains of potatoes, pyramids of brinjal, tomatoes, cucurbits, we learn to choose the vegetables that is fresh, tender, ripe and those suit the family taste through experience and cultural practices. Why do we need to eat vegetables and what do they […]

Botany

Cereal Production, Rice/Paddy and Wheat cereals production and Cultivation

Cereals The word cereal is derived from Ceres, which according to the Roman mythology denotes “Goddess of agriculture”. All cereals are members of grass family (Poaceae) that are grown for their edible starchy seeds. The prominence of cereals as food plants is due to the following attributes: i. Greater adaptability and successful colonisation on every […]

Botany

Heterosis – Different Conditions of Hybrid plants

Heterosis (hetero- different; sis – condition) G.H. Shull was the first scientist to use the term heterosis in 1912. The superiority of the F1 hybrid in performance over its parents is called heterosis or hybrid vigour. Vigour refers to increase in growth, yield, greater adaptability of resistance to diseases, pest and drought. Vegetative propagation is […]

Botany

Organic Agricultural Farming – Essential Requirements for Organic Farming, Green Manuering, BioPesticides, biofertilizers,

Organic Agriculture Organic farming is an alternative agricultural system which originated ealginates in the seaweed thatarly in the twentieth century in reaction to rapidly changing farming practices. It is a production system that sustains the health of the soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions rather […]

Botany

Geographic Information System GIS

Geographic Information System GIS is a computer system for capturing, storing, checking and displaying data related to positions on Earth’s surface. Also to manipulate, analyse, manage and present spacial or geographic data. GPS is a satellite navigation system used to determine the ground position of an object. It is a constellation of approximately 30 well […]

Botany

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Biodiversity Impact Assessment (BIA), what is Bio Monitoring

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Environmental Impact Assessment is an environmental management tool. It helps to regulate and recommend optimal use of natural resources with minimum impact on ecosystem and biotic communities. It is used to predict the environmental consequences of future proposed developmental projects (example: river projects, dams, highway projects) taking into account inter-related socio-economic, […]