This book provides an up-to-date review of fasciolosis, a disease caused by Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, including its biology, transmission, epidemiology, host distribution, economic impact, and novel approaches for its diagnosis, treatment and prevention. It first offers a brief overview of the history of the disease, the genetic diversity of the parasite and its distribution, and the ecology of the vector snail, which belongs to the Lymnaeidae/Planorbidae family. It also examines the current strategies and novel approaches for controlling the parasite, diagnosing infections and vaccine development. Importantly, it highlights issues relating to the control of fasciolosis, including drug resistance, lack of effective diagnostics, and the parasite's long-term survival strategies based on regulation and modulation of the host immune system. Lastly, it discusses the novel control snail vectors using bait formulations, and synergetic and phototherapy treatment with chlorophyllin, which does not kill the vector.

There is considerable scope for improving the outcome of any blasting operation through basic understanding and application of the principles of blasting science and technology. The main objective of Performance of Explosives and New Developments is to sensitize the practitioner to critically examine the various empirical approaches in blasting which may have been in use for a long time, but lack any sound material basis. On the other hand, where the empirical approaches have proven of value, significant additional improvement can be achieved through better understanding of the underlying process. None of the components involved in a blasting operation should be treated in isolation, as they are all interlinked. Fragmentation of rock by blasting represents the first stage in the size reduction process which is essential to extraction of valuable minerals and metals. Therefore, understanding the performance of the explosive and initiators under actual field conditions, and critical assessment of the blast results afterwards are central to effective blast design, improved productivity, and novel applications. Performance of Explosives and New Developments presents the state of the art on explosive energy, its utilization in blasting, and some new developments and innovative applications, and is aimed at academics and practitioners in the field.

This book provides an up-to-date review of fasciolosis, a disease caused by Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, including its biology, transmission, epidemiology, host distribution, economic impact, and novel approaches for its diagnosis, treatment and prevention. It first offers a brief overview of the history of the disease, the genetic diversity of the parasite and its distribution, and the ecology of the vector snail, which belongs to the Lymnaeidae/Planorbidae family. It also examines the current strategies and novel approaches for controlling the parasite, diagnosing infections and vaccine development. Importantly, it highlights issues relating to the control of fasciolosis, including drug resistance, lack of effective diagnostics, and the parasite's long-term survival strategies based on regulation and modulation of the host immune system. Lastly, it discusses the novel control snail vectors using bait formulations, and synergetic and phototherapy treatment with chlorophyllin, which does not kill the vector.

Organic farming is a system approach utilizing the natural cycles and biological interactions for crop production and protection. It aims at harmonizing with nature and a method of production without destroying the environment. Vermitechnology is one of the important components of organic farming. The earthworm (verm) is now known to be a good biological element for the recovery of vermifertilizer and vermin- protein for use in agro-ecosystems, aquaculture, poultry etc. Earthworm culture, popularly called vermiculture is being widely practicised in a big commercialized manner. Therefore, it is high time to enter into the vermitechnology as a part of the biotechnology programme. In India, some companies have adopted vermiculture, but by and large the general awareness remains limited, despite the fact that several non-governmental organizations and governmental institutions are trying hard to popularize vermitechnology. This book is an attempt to help those desirous of starting a vermicutlure and vermicompost industry. Based on this rationale, the Vermiculture Research Station in Aligarh, India embarked on an extensive programme of transferring vermitechnology to the farmers back in 2000 under the Lab to Land programme. The farmers were given specialized training through field demonstrations in vermitechnology, organizing special courses and setting-up their own field units in rural areas. It is heartening to note that female farmers have also come forward in this new venture and are now producing quality vermicompost to supplement their income.

Ethno-medicines have gained new dimensions in the present days through phyto-chemical research in India and abroad. Information on medicinal plants and folk drugs recorded during fieldwork is now being subjected to investigation in the search for new biodynamic compounds of therapeutic value. The curative properties of plants acquired by trial and error over centuries in "Human Laboratories" of tribals hold high esteem all over the globe. The present study is based on this rationale and provides first-hand information on some 1120 contemporary ethno-pharmacological prescriptions involving 444 taxa of medicinal plants collected and identified from certain rich tribal inhabited forest zones of the country between 1971-1997.

Gastropods pest are largely neglected in the literature of pest control methods. Terrestrial/ aquatic snails and slugs are destructive pest of field crops/aquatic vegetation and gardens. Gastropods also act as intermediate host of many helminthic species. Fasciolosis and schistosomiasis are included in the list of important helminthiasis. Both have long impact on cattle and human health and economy. One of the effective tools to control helminthiasis is to destroy the carrier snails, to de-link the life cycle of the flukes. The present book highlights the major control methods of gastropods pest of horticulture/agriculture and carrier snails of different flukes. The major control measures, which are commonly used now a days are cultural/biological/mechanical and by synthetic/plant derived products. Recent researches, on snail control measures include use of cow urine/dung, bait formulations and synergistic combinations against harmful gastropods are also discussed. Snail trapping by different attractants used in bait formulation and phytotherapy of snails is one of the emerging methods in control of helminthiasis. Present book is useful to the agriculturist/livestock users.

Aphids or plant lice, are small, soft bodied, sucking insects that feed on plant fluids. Heavy infestations reduce plant growth. Honey dew produced by Aphids makes leaves and flowers sticky and acts as a substrate for black sooty fungus. Their tremendous damaging potential related to their high breeding capacity, polymorphism, parthenogenetic and host alteration. About 4700 aphid species are known worldwide. About 803 species/subspecies belonging to 207 genera represents Indian Aphididae. The desert area represents less number of aphids species. The green citrus aphid Aphis spiraecola Patch (homoptera: Aphididae) is one of the most important polyphagous species found in India, is cosmopolitan. Aphis spiraecola is pestiferous over 65 plant genera especially Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Fabaceae, Malvaceae, Polygonaceae, Rosaceae, Rubiaceae, Rutaceae and Solanaceae. Aphis spiraecola is pest of Mexican aster and Lemon, damages directly or indirectly mainly in Northeastern Uttar Pradesh, India. The biosystematical and bioecological study of the aphids furnishes useful taxonomical, biological and ecological infestation and is necessary for formulating and control programme.