https://www.i-scholar.in/index.php/aah/issue/feed Asian Agri-History 2018-12-27T08:16:22+00:00 Dr. C. L. Laxmipathi Gowda editor@informaticsglobal.com Open Journal Systems <div id="journalDescription">Asian Agri-History, an international quarterly journal, is being published in English by the Asian Agri-History Foundation to promote understanding of all historical aspects of the development of agriculture in Asia from the earliest known records until the early 20th century.</div> https://www.i-scholar.in/index.php/aah/article/view/177161 Editorial 2018-11-20T04:12:31+00:00 C. L. Laxmipathi Gowda cllgowda@gmail.com This will be my last editorial. I have been Editor-in-Chief (EiC) of Asian Agri-History Journal for more than five years. Being Editor-in-Chief of AAH Journal gave me the opportunity to review and/or read all the papers submitted, and that enlarged my horizons and knowledge about Asian Agri-History. I have started giving lectures in schools, colleges and other events not just about Agri-history, but also of the knowledge that ancient Indian scientists and philosophers gave to the world at large in astronomy, mathematics, chemistry, metallurgy and medical sciences. The Trustees have nominated Dr RP Thakur, whom I have known for more than four decades, as the next EiC (see page ii for details). I am confident that he will effectively carry forward the duties as EiC for the journal. 2018-12-14T00:00:00+00:00 https://www.i-scholar.in/index.php/aah/article/view/177162 Letter to the Editor 2018-11-20T04:28:08+00:00 B. L. Puttoo puttoobl@rediffmaill.com I would like to elaborate a fact concerning the Agrarian Policy in India before 1991 [Paromita Chakraborty, AAH 22 (1) : 43-53]. Jammu and Kashmir is the first state in India to partially abolish the Jagirdari System and absentee landlordism in 1949. 2018-12-14T00:00:00+00:00 https://www.i-scholar.in/index.php/aah/article/view/177163 Sweeteners: From Ancient to Modern Times 2018-12-27T08:08:16+00:00 Rajendra Prasad rajuma36@gmail.com Honey was the first sweetener to be discovered by humans in the ancient times. It remained the main sweetener in Europe until Alexander the Great’s visit to India in 326 BCE, when he came across the sweet-juice-producing sugarcane. Sugarcane originated in India during the Vedic period (1200–1000 BCE), and even today, most of the sugarcane grown all over the world has some genetic linkage to the ‘Noble’ canes bred at the Sugarcane Breeding Institute of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR-SBI), India. The technology for making sugar from sugarcane juice was also first developed in India. The word <em>sugar</em>, as well as <em>Saccharum</em>, the generic name for sugarcane, are derived from the Sanskrit word <em>sharkara</em>. Sugar beet as a source of sugar was identified in Europe in the middle of the 18<sup>th</sup> century. Production of sugar syrups started much later. In recent times, the excess consumption of sugar and modern sedentary lifestyles created the problem of diabetes, triggering the search for non-sugar sweeteners. Saccharin, the world’s first and widely used artificial sweetener was accidentally discovered in 1879 in Germany. It was followed by the discovery of other artificial sweeteners, such asaspartame (APM), cyclamate, sucralose, acesulfame-k and neotame, which have been approved by different government authorities and are being marketed in many countries. Nevertheless, when taken in amounts more than the medically approved levels, they may cause health problems. This has made man turn back to Nature once again and search for natural non-sugar sweeteners. The most acceptable natural non-sugar sweetener today is ‘Stevia’, which had been known to people in South America since ages. Stevia is gaining popularity all over the world, and is reported to have antioxidant, antiviral, anti-hypertension, and anti-inflammatory properties. The two alcohol sweeteners erythritol and xylitol can also be considered as natural, since they are produced from natural products. Erythritol is produced from fermented fruits and foods, while xylitol is produced from hemicelluloses from hardwood. Yet another natural sweetener, licorice (<em>mulethi</em>), is mostly used as a flavoring agent and for medicinal purposes. Licorice, aspartame and cyclamate have nearly the same calorie value as sucrose, while xylitol has 63% calorie value as compared with sucrose. The rest of the non-sugar sweeteners are calorie-free. 2018-12-14T00:00:00+00:00 https://www.i-scholar.in/index.php/aah/article/view/177164 Crop Improvement in the World - Past, Present and Future 2018-12-27T08:10:39+00:00 M. J. Vasudeva Rao vasudevaraomj@gmail.com V. Ramanatha Rao vramanatharao@gmail.com Sharan Angadi sharanang@gmail.com Historically human beings have evolved with the progression of the world. Humans in the wild were hunter-gatherers for meeting their food needs. Agriculture started when they settled down at one place, and started cultivating plants and rearing animals which provided food and gradually other needs. Since then, by selectively propagating and growing the plants of choice, humans have, intentionally or otherwise, changed the genomes of virtually every plant grown for food or non-food purposes. More recently, changing of genetic structure of plants has continued more vigorously and precisely as plant breeding based on the science of genetics developed. In this paper, we describe how humans have used, knowingly or unknowingly, the basic methods of plant breeding, in directing the evolution of plants. References are made, where relevant, to ancient writings, especially from India. 2018-12-14T00:00:00+00:00 https://www.i-scholar.in/index.php/aah/article/view/177165 Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) for Production and Protection of Vegetables, Plantation, Cash and Fruit Crops in Assam, India 2018-12-27T08:12:40+00:00 Lakshmi Kanta Hazarika Surajit Kalita surjit_kalita@yahoo.com Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) related to production and protection of horticultural crops has been practiced by the ancestors over centuries. The collection, compilation, documentation and scientific evaluation of these ITK should be undertaken for use by the present and future generations. While documenting the ITK methods commonly practiced by the farming communities of Assam, 14 ITK methods related to vegetables, 10 each to plantation and cash crops, and 11 to fruit crop production and protection were identified, primarily through a semi-structured questionnaire, and these are discussed in this article for their usefulness for sustainable agriculture. 2018-12-14T00:00:00+00:00 https://www.i-scholar.in/index.php/aah/article/view/177166 Ecosystem Functions, Services and Biodiversity: Past, Present and Future Implications — II 2018-12-27T08:13:46+00:00 V. Ramanatha Rao vramanatharao@gmail.com The relationship between ecosystems functions and services and biodiversity is discussed and the components of biodiversity are briefly described with a focus on agricultural biodiversity and plant genetic resources. The importance of agricultural biodiversity for sustained future of humans is discussed, along with links to historical knowledge with modern-day needs and thinking as to: (i) why we should be concerned about biodiversity conservation, (ii) how conservation and use of biodiversity at different levels is essential for our survival and (iii) how such efforts can be balanced with contemporary developmental efforts. The concepts of biodiversity conservation and conservation of plant genetic resources are noted, along with a brief description of current approaches of <em>in situ</em> and <em>ex situ</em> conservation and the complimentarity between the two. Wherever possible, I have tried to link these with our ancient tenets and practical suggestions and conclude with the need to combine the two knowledge systems for an improved approach to conservation and use of biodiversity, leading to a healthy ecosystem. 2018-12-14T00:00:00+00:00 https://www.i-scholar.in/index.php/aah/article/view/177167 Potential of Cow's Rumen Fluid as Bio-Activator in the Production of Solid Organic Fertilizers 2018-12-27T08:14:57+00:00 Fatimatuz Zuhro bundafatim@gmail.com Hasni Ummul Hasanah Sugeng Winarso Mohammad Hoesain Organic fertilizer becomes a necessity in order to produce better quality, safe-to-consume agricultural produce, and to support soil conservation and environment. However, organic fertilizer needs to be decomposed and requires a long time to release nutrients for plants as compared to the inorganic fertilizers. The solution of that problem is by applying the bio-activator created from cow’s rumen fluid in the production of organic fertilizers. The purpose of this research was to know the effect of bio-activator created from cow's rumen fluid in the production of solid organic fertilizers. The solid organic fertilizers in this research were from (i) animal manure, (ii) vegetable waste and (iii) legume plant residue. The results of the study showed that bio-activator application had effects on the time of composting, and physical and chemical characteristics of solid organic fertilizers which was indicated by pH value and C/N ratio in accordance with SNI-2011 standard, as well as faster composting process than other solid organic fertilizers. 2018-12-14T00:00:00+00:00 https://www.i-scholar.in/index.php/aah/article/view/177168 Plant Protection Practices in India Based on Indigenous Knowledge 2018-12-27T08:16:22+00:00 M. G. Chandrakanth mgchandrakanth@gmail.com H. Ramachandra Reddy A. L. Siddaramaiah B. Padmodaya S. Jahagirdar N. Basavaradhya A. Ravishankar Ancient Indian texts such as Varahamihira's '<em>BrihathSamhitha'</em>, Chavundaraya's <em>'Lokopakara' </em>and Sarangadhara's SarangadharaSamhitha’, provide recommendations for an integrated approach to control crop pests and diseases by managing soil, seed, plant and environment. The seed treatment with cow dung, milk, juice of plants and cow ghee is also prescribed. As prophylactic measure for disease control, the incense of plant leaves and flowers, along with fish meat, turmeric, mustard, are mentioned. '<em>Panchagavya'</em> to control plant diseases were found effective in managing soil-borne diseases of tomato and Panama wilt disease banana. 2018-12-14T00:00:00+00:00