What is Tulsi ?

May 7, 2013, 5:14 am

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What is Tulsi (Holy Basil)?

"The Queen of Herbs" - is the most sacred herb of India. Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), although also known as Holy Basil, is a different plant from the pesto variety of Basil (Ocimum basilicum). Tulsi has been revered in India for over five thousand years, as a healing balm for body, mind and spirit, and is known to bestow an amazing number of health benefits. ORGANIC INDIA is pleased to offer Organic Tulsi, for the first time, as a stress-relieving, energizing and delicious tea. For our ORGANIC INDIA Tulsi Tea Collection we utilize a proprietary combination of 3 varieties of Tulsi: Rama Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Krishna Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) and Vana Tulsi (Ocimum gratissimum). Each variety lends its own distinct and characteristic taste that contributes to the delicious flavor and aroma of our blend.

What are the health benefits of Tulsi?

Tulsi is rich in antioxidant and renowned for its restorative powers, Tulsi has several benefits:

• Relieves stress / adaptogen
• Bolsters immunity
• Enhances stamina
• Provides support during cold season
• Promotes healthy metabolism
• A natural immuno-modulator

"Modern scientific research offers impressive evidence that Tulsi reduces stress, enhances stamina, relieves inflammation, lowers cholesterol, eliminates toxins, protects against radiation, prevents gastric ulcers, lowers fevers, improves digestion and provides a rich supply of antioxidants and other nutrients. Tulsi is especially effective in supporting the heart, blood vessels, liver and lungs and also regulates blood pressure and blood sugar." Dr. Ralph Miller, former Director of Research for the Canadian Dept. of Health and Welfare.

How can Tulsi offer so many health benefits?

The unique chemistry of Tulsi is highly complex. Tulsi contains hundreds of beneficial compounds known as phyto-chemicals. Working together, these compounds possess strong antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, adaptogenic, and immune-enhancing properties that promote general health and support the body's natural defense against stress and diseases. The essential oils in the leaves of Tulsi that contribute to the fragrance and refreshing flavor of Tulsi Tea, are a particularly rich source of valuable phyto-chemicals.

What is an adaptogen?

An adaptogen is an agent that helps the body adapt more efficiently to stress. Adaptogens reduce the intensity and negative impact of the stress caused by mental tension, emotional difficulties, poor lifestyle habits, disease and infection, pollution and other factors. Tulsi is one of the most effective adaptogens known.

What are antioxidants?

Antioxidants slow down the process of excess oxidation and protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals. When cells are attacked by free radicals, excess oxidation occurs which damage and destroy cells. Antioxidants stop this process. The cellular damage caused by free radicals can be responsible for causing and/or accelerating many diseases. Tulsi is rich in antioxidants and is recommended to guard against free radicals and protect from damaging excess oxidation.

What is an immuno-modulator?

An immuno-modulator is an agent that balances and improves the immune response of the body in fighting antigens (disease causing agents such as bacteria, viruses, microbes, allergens etc.) and maintaining health.

How soon can I expect to see results from drinking ORGANIC INDIA Tulsi Teas?

Some of Tulsi effects are quite immediate, while others develop gradually after weeks of regular use. For example, you may feel more relaxed and energized after the first cup. Although Tulsi has many specific effects on different body systems, its main benefits arise from its impressive general capacity to assist the body's natural process of healing and maintaining health. Tulsi overall health promotion and disease prevention effects are powerful, but often subtle. For example, you may simply notice that you do not seem to be bothered by stress or common illnesses, such as colds or flu, nearly as often as before. Or you may notice that you generally tire less easily. As with many other herbal supplements, it usually takes at least a week or so of consistent use for the body to experience major benefits.

What will Tulsi-Holy Basil do for me?

Tulsi is known as an adaptogen, helping our bodies "adapt" to different forms of stressors (environmental, physical, mental, emotional). Tulsi works for each person differently depending on what his or her body needs. Drinking Tulsi Tea promotes a sense of well-being, relieves stress, supports immunity, strength and stamina, provides relief from cold, fever and flu symptoms, and strengthens digestion and a healthy metabolism that may promote weight loss. This herbal panacea is The Herb for Our Times!

How many cups of ORGANIC INDIA Tulsi Tea do you recommend per day?

Tulsi Tea can be enjoyed throughout the day, from morning to night. However, even one cup of Tulsi Tea a day is beneficial. During times of illness, the quantity and the strength of ORGANIC INDIA Tulsi TEA can be increased to quicken recovery.

If I have cold or flu symptoms should I consume more Tulsi?

Tulsi has been used for thousands of years to prevent and minimize the symptoms of colds and flu, to support upper respiratory health, reduce fevers and promote overall health. When utilizing Tulsi Tea to lessen the duration of colds or flu, it is suggested that you increase the amount and strength of the tea you consume. Suggested use: 2-3 tea bags per cup of tea, 3-6 times per day.

Is Tulsi safe to use during pregnancy and lactation and with children?

During pregnancy and lactation, one should always consult a primary health care provider before using any herb or herbal formula. In India, eating fresh Tulsi leaves and making tea with Tulsi leaves is common with women during pregnancy and lactation. Tulsi is considered safe for use with children over the age of 2. You should consult your primary health care provider for use with younger children. Most children love Tulsi Tea!

Do ORGANIC INDIA Tulsi Teas contain caffeine?

Tulsi is naturally caffeine-free. However, some of our blends contain Black Tea and Green Tea, which do contain caffeine. Please check the individual Tulsi Tea pages in the website and/or the individual packages to see caffeine content.

Does Tulsi Tea have any side effects?

You might notice that you feel much better! If you need more energy and don't want caffeine or sugar, Tulsi will gently support and strengthen your energy. When feeling stressed or anxious, many report a gentle, soothing effect to their nervous systems and notice a greater clarity of mind! Tulsi Teas are considered very safe by modern scientific standards. In fact, Tulsi helps reduce the ill effects of many allopathic medicines and has proved to be beneficial for people of all ages.
 http://www.organicindia.com/tulsi-facts-3.php

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Peepal Tree

May 7, 2013, 5:18 am

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Kingdom :	Plantae
Division	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order :	Rosales
Family :	Moraceae
Genus :	Ficus
Species :	F. religiosa
Scientific Name :	Ficus religiosa
Found In :	Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary

Other names : Bo tree, Bodhi tree, Sacred tree, Beepul tree, Pipers, Pimpal, Jari, Arani,Ashvattha, Ragi, Bodhidruma, Shuchidruma, Pipalla, Ashvattha and the Buddha tree are the other names used for the Banyan tree.

Description : Peepal is a large, fast growing deciduous tree. It has a heart shaped leaves. It is a medium size tree and has a large crown with the wonderful wide spreading branches. It shed its leaves in the month of March and April. The fruits of the Peepal are hidden with the figs. The figs are ripen in the month of May. The figs which contain the flowers grow in pairs just below the leaves and look like the berries. Its bark is light gray and peels in patches. Its fruit is purple in colour. It is one of the longest living trees.

Other Species : Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam, Artocarpus incissus L., Artocarpus nobilis Thw. Are some of the other species of the Peepal tree.

Location : Peepal tree is grown throughout India. It is mainly grown in State of Haryana, Bihar, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh. It is also found in the Ranthambore National Park in India.

Cultivation : Peepal tree is easily propagated through the seeds or through the cuttings. It can grow in any type of soil. Young peepal needs proper nourishment. It requires full sunlight and proper watering.

Medicinal uses : This tree of life has also got the medicinal value. The juice of its leaves extracted by holding them near the fire can be used as the ear drop. Its power bark has been used to heal the wounds for years. The bark of the tree is useful in inflammations and glandular swelling of the neck. Its root bark is useful for stomatitis, clean ulcers, and promotes granulations. Its roots are also good for gout. The roots are even chewed to prevent gum diseases. Its fruit is laxative which promotes digestion and checks vomiting. Its ripe fruits are good for the foul taste, thirst and heart diseases. The powered fruit is taken for Asthma. Its seeds have proved useful in urinary troubles. The leaves are used to treat constipation.

Other uses : People in India collect the Peepal leaves, clean them, dry them and than paint them with the gold acrylic in order to preserve them for years. From the bark of the Peepal tree reddish dye is extracted. Its leaves are used to feed the camels and the elephants. When the leaves are dried they are used for the decoration purpose.

Cultural importance : Peepal tree has the great importance in India especially among the Buddhist who regard Peepal tree as the personification of Buddha. Lord Buddha attained enlightenment mediating under the Peepal tree. It is regarded as the sacred tree and the people uses its leaves for the religious purposes. According to the Buddha – 'He who worships the Peepal tree will receive the same reward as if he worshiped me in person'. The Peepal tree has its own symbolic meaning of Enlightenment and peace. People tie threads of white, red and yellow silk around it to pray for progeny and rewarding parenthood. Hindus in India holds the great spiritual regard for the Peepal Tree, they regard it as the tree beneath which Vishnu was born.

Banyan Tree, Indian Tree

May 7, 2013, 5:24 am

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Banyan Tree, Indian Tree
Banyan Tree is one of the mythological trees in India with extensive branches providing coolest shade. Banyan tree is mainly found throughout the moist and dry deciduous forest regions at an elevation of about 1200 metres. Banyan tree has numerous medicinal properties.

 Banyan tree is a very popular tree of the country. It is one of those trees, which have wide branches and are very much able of giving shade. The biological name of banyan tree is `Ficus Benghalensists`. There are several legends associated with the origin of its name. One legend suggest that the name `Banyan` was given to a tree growing in the Persian Gulf, under which some `Banyas` or traders had built a pagoda. Banyan tree grows widely in all parts of the country. It is widely planted throughout the country and elsewhere in tropical Asia in gardens and along roads for shade.

This tree belongs to `Moraceae` family. It is known by different names in different parts of the country. The Hindi speaking people call it `Bargad`, `Bor` or `Ber`. It is known as `Ala` in Tamil, `Petal` in Malayalam and `Mart` or `Pedda-mari` in Telugu. In fact, a banyan tree` is such a wide tree that people of an entire village will be able to settle under it. The origin of the banyan tree is mainly in south and west India and in the sub-Himalayan tracts. However, this tree is now found throughout the country. Due to the compound structure of the tree`s roots and wide branching, the banyan tree is broadly used for producing Bonsai. In Hinduism, the banyan tree is considered sacred and is called `Ashwath Vriksha`.

The banyan tree is an excellent example of what is called an epiphytic growth. Some birds that came to take rest among the leaves of a palm or other tree evict the seed of the tree. The seed germinates here after long roots appear and become thicken and strengthen very soon and ultimately strangle their host. The bark is grey in colour and soft also spotted generally as it flakes off very easily. In the grown-up trees, the trunk never forms like cylinders. Rather, it is a composition of several complex aerial roots. Some clumps of brown rope hang from every branch. These ropes ultimately get united and after reaching the ground, they take the root and grow into separate trunks. For this reason only, the tree widens and covers an ever-increasing area. People found one famous specimen of this tree that was reputed to have such great a perimeter of 600 m that almost 20,000 people could shelter within its columned shade.

The leaves of the banyan tree are large in size and leathery. They are mostly oval-shaped and dark and shiny green in colour. They are pale-veined. The tree has two large scales that cover the leaf bud. Though there are no flowers in the banyan tree, yet it bears some fruits. The timber of this tree is spongy and not adequately durable to create a great demand. However, the aerial roots provide stronger timber and people use them in making tent-poles. A coarse fiber can be obtained from the bark and young hanging roots, and can be used for making ropes. From the sticky, milky sap, people can make Birdlime and it posses some medicinal properties as well. Not only are these, the leaves of the tree are also used as plates.

Uses of Banyan Tree
Banyan tree is known for its extensive medicinal properties and uses. The stem bark, root bark, aerial roots, leaves, vegetative buds and milky exudates are all used in Ayurvedic medicine and in the preparation of a number of important compound formulations. Further, the crushed seeds and the milky juice exuded from the cut stems, branches and twigs are applied externally to relieve pains, sores, ulcers and bruises, and as an anodyne for treating rheumatism and lumbago. It is considered a valuable application for relieving and healing cracked and burning soles, and is also used as a remedy for toothache. The crushed dried fruits of banyan tree are taken with honey as a treatment for spermatorrhoea among the tribal inhabitants of central Orissa; in this region the latex of the plant is taken with banana in the treatment of gonorrhoea.

The seeds are considered cooling and tonic. A paste of the leaves, or the heated leaves, is applied as a poultice to promote healing of abscesses. An extract of the leaves is used as an aphrodisiac by the people in north-eastern Karnataka. The bark is astringent; its infusion is considered a powerful tonic and useful for treating diabetes, dysentery and diarrhoea, leucorrhoea, menorrhagia and nervous disorders. An infusion of the young buds is considered useful for diarrhoea and dysentery. The young tips of the aerial (hanging) roots are given as an anti-emetic; crushed and boiled in cow`s milk; the hot filtered solution is taken to relieve piles among the tribal inhabitants of Sundargarh District in Orissa. The aerial root tips are also applied as a paste to relieve bleeding piles and to promote healing of syphilitic lesions among the Kondhs of south-western Orissa, and mixed with egg as an external application to promote healing of bone fractures among the Gond tribe of Uttar Pradesh. Banyan tree is used in several other ways.

Neem Tree, Indian Tree

May 7, 2013, 5:27 am

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Neem Tree, Indian Tree
Neem Tree, a native of South Asia, is also known as Margosa. It has played a crucial role in agriculture and medicine for millions for years.Neem tree, also known as Margosa, has played a substantial role in Ayurvedic medicine and agriculture for millions of years. It is native to South Asia, where up to twenty million trees create an avenue. The Neem tree grows naturally in the Deccan peninsula, but is found all over India.

Cultivation of Neem Tree
Neem Tree is quite a familiar tree in India. It is a huge evergreen, impenetrable tree, growing some 10 to 10.5 metres tall with a breadth of about 2 to 3 metres. The leaves of this tree are split into several leaflets, each similar to a full-grown leaf. The tree has tiny, white flowers in supplementary clusters and 1.2 to 1.8 cm long green or yellow fruits with a seed inside each.

The seeds of Neem tree contain fairly large amount of essential oil, known as margosa or neem oil. The sour components separated from this oil include nimbin, nimbinin and nimbidin. The chief, dynamic constituent of these is nimbidin that contains sulphur. The flowers produce a glucoside, nimbosterin and an exceedingly acrid volatile oil, nimbosterol nimbecetin and fatty acids. The flowers contain a bitter substance and annoying acidic oil. The fruits of neem tree contain a sour principle, baka yanin and the trunk bark produces nimbin, nimbidin, nimbinin and a volatile oil. Neem tree is useful to mankind in every form. This tree is cultivated all across India, not only in gardens, but also roadsides and forest areas. The various parts of Neem tree has been used as medicine since Vedic era.

Benefits of Neem Tree
Neem tree has several uses, chiefly acting as an active disinfectant and cleanser, removing all impurities in cases of infectious disorders. Neem tree is generally considered an air purifier and a defensive against malarial fever and cholera. Every part of the tree possesses curative properties. The leaves are useful in assuaging gas, boosting the deletion of catarrhal matter and phlegm from the bronchial tubes and in increasing secretion and disposal of urine. They also function as an insecticide. The bark is a sour stimulant and vitalizes the body. It checks secretions and blood loss, in addition to counterbalancing any convulsive disorders. The root bark of this tree has the same attributes as the bark of the trunk. The gum released by the stem is a stimulant and revitalizes with a cooling effect on the skin and mucous membranes.

A mixture or a decoction of the fresh Neem leaves is an acrid vegetable vitaliser and remedial, particularly in acute malarial fevers, because of its action mechanism on the liver. It should be taken in dosages of 15 to 60 grams. The use of 3 grams of the inner bark of neem with 6 grams of jaggery each morning is very efficacious for piles. To arrest bleeding piles, 3 or 4 Neem fruits can be taken with water. Leprosy can also be healed by Neem. The sap of the Neem tree has been found to be pretty active for leprosy, when taken in regular dosages. Simultaneously the patient`s body should be massaged with the sap. This schedule should be continued for 40 days. If sap is not obtainable, 120grams of Neem leaves and three decigrams of pepper can be mashed in water and taken.

Several kinds of skin disorders are healed by Neem leaves. The leaves administered externally, are extremely helpful in skin diseases. They are principally advantageous for treating boils, cute ulcers, and eruptions of smallpox, syphilitic sores, glandular inflammations and injuries. They can be used either as a poultice, decoction or liniment. A balm made from Neem leaves is also of immense use in curing ulcers and gashes. A paste prepared from the bark by rubbing it in water can also be administered on the gashes. If there is any loss of hair or it has stopped to grow, shampooing with the decoction of Neem leaves may be useful. This will not only stop hair fall, but also aid in their growth. Regular application of Neem oil also obliterates insects in the hair.

Neem is exceedingly useful for eye disorders. Applying the juice of Neem leaves to the eyes each night is extremely efficacious in the treatment of night blindness. The leaves should be thumped and made into a thin paste with water. The juice should then be extracted through a clean piece of cloth and applied to the eyes with an eye rod. The juice is helpful for sore in the eyes caused by conjunctivitis.

Steam fomentation with Neem decoction renders instant solace in cases of ear-ache. A couple of Neem leaves should be boiled in a litre of water and the ear should be fomented with the steam thus made. The juice of Neem leaves blended with an equal measure of pure honey is an effectual repair for any boils in the ear. The juice needs to be warmed a little and a few drops dropped into the ear. Everyday application for a few days will furnish alleviation from such illnesses. In case of an insect liquefying in the ear, the juice of Neem leaves, with some common salt is warmed and few drops injected in the ear kills the insect. Brushing the teeth regularly with a Neem twig forestalls gum sickness. It strengthens loose teeth, alleviates toothache, removes bad breath and shields the mouth from numerous infections.

Neem is exceedingly handy at the time of childbirth. Application of the juice of Neem leaves to the woman in labour before childbirth yields normal contraction in the uterus and thwarts probable swelling. It disciplines bowel movements and arrests attack of fever, thereby helping in normal delivery. The use of a lukewarm decoction of Neem leaves as a vaginal douche mends any injuries caused during delivery and disinfects the vaginal passage. Neem is a powerful insecticide to exterminate soil nematodes and other plant parasites and is functional as a mosquito repellent. Neem twig is also used as a toothbrush, and its juice in toothpastes and contraceptives.

Casuarina Tree in India

May 7, 2013, 5:30 am

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Casuarina Tree in India
`Casuarina Tree` is such a tree that has a general appearance of a coniferous tree. The scientific name of this tree is ‘Casuarina Equisetifolia.’

The `Casuarina Tree` is such a tree that has a general appearance of a coniferous tree. The scientific name of this tree is `Casuarina Equisetifolia` and the very term `Equisetifolia` suggests that the bunches of the leaves are like a horse`s mane or tail. The name of its family is `Casuaranaceae`. In Hindi language, it is called as `Jungli Saru` or `Vilayati Saw` or `Jungli Jhao`. The Bengali people know it as `Belati Jhao`. In Tamil language, its name is `Chouk Sabuku` and in Telugu language, it`s `Serva`.

The `Casuarina Tree` is a nice tree that has small cones and big, straight stem. This tree is a quick-growing one and lives for quite a long period. This is a hardy tree and the sandy-soil of the sea-coast areas is most suitable for the tree. It has been cultivated all through the South India to retrieve the sandy seashore. In the North Kannad and particularly along the Coromandel Coast, it grows extensively for fuel. It can make a good, solid hedge if you plant it closely and keep it low. People in the coastal districts and inland regions often use this tree as a roadside or garden tree as it is an enormously decorative and useful tree. In fact gardeners cultivate it as a hot-house plant to meet the decorative purposes only.

The sound of the leaves of the tree is a soothing and restful one. The trunk of the tree is strong and it is branched and clothed with uneven bark. The bark cracks and comes away in long strips. The wavy and downy foliage contains a lot of slender, baggy, jointed branch lets. This branch lets arise from rough, woody branches and they are green in colour. They fulfill the functions of leaves and are partly deciduous. They fall down all through the year and form a soft carpet underneath the tree. Some authorities claim that one `Casuarina` tree will bear flowers of one sex only and if anyone finds both male and female flowers on one tree then it will be an exceptional thing. However, other authorities state that it is usually two-sexed and the one-sexed tree is the exception.

Flowers of Casuarina Tree
The flowers appear twice a year in the periods of February to April, and again after six months. They are generally unisexual. The male flowers are cylindrical mortal spikes and the female flowers have dense heads that lie in the axils of the branch lets. You can usually see these heads in groups. They are like small buds that are covered with twisted and dark red fur. The "bud" enlarges and become a cone-shaped tool and the red hairs fall down. The cones are round or oblong and about 2.5 am across. They are also consisting of several pointed sections that do not overlap as in a fir cone.

Uses of Casuarina Tree
The wood of the `Casuarina Tree` is solid and as the grain is uncertain, the Indian carpenters are almost unable to work with this. It also breaks and splits very easily and for this reason, it is more suitable for beams or posts than floorboard. However, it does not last long underground. The tree is mainly used as fuel and to do so, people cut it when it is 10 to 12 years old. However, if the tree is left until 20, then it could be more useful. The bark of the tree is normally used for tanning and dyeing fishermen`s nets. It can be used as a tonic and in the treatment of stomach complaints as well.

Tamarind Tree, Indian Plant

May 7, 2013, 5:32 am

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Tamarind Tree, Indian Plant
Tamarind Tree is considered as one of the most beautiful trees in India. It is a popular Indian tree.

Tamarind Tree belongs to the family of Fabaceae. Its scientific name is `Tamarindus Indica`. The name of this tree was derived from the Persian word `Tamar-e-Hind`, which means `Indian date`. Tamarind tree is known as a very charming tree and it is a member of the `Leguminosae` family and `Caesalpinieae` sub family. There are different names of tamarind in different regional languages of the country. Like for instance, it is known as Tamrulhindi, Ambili and Imli in Hindi Language. In Bengali language, tamarind is known as Tinti, Nuli and Tentul. The tree is named as Puli in both Tamil language and Malayalam language.

Description of Tamarind Tree
The flowers of the tamarind tree are very ordinary and the size of the tree is really large and it can reach a great age of around 200 years. Almost throughout the year, this tree stands tall and creates a very charming and beautiful sight. The tamarind tree has some nice and spreading branches and a canopy of bulging flora. The tree is much admired as an avenue, park or garden tree as it has very useful fruits and the timber of this tree is highly prized. It has a short but strong trunk to bear the weight of its wide and extensive top. The almost black bark is thick and some longitudinal and horizontal cracks cover it well. The tree can achieve the height of 27 metres.

In the months of May and June, there appear some tiny, scented flowers in the tree in loose, lethal and sidewise sprays. They remain almost unremarkable amongst the mass of the plants. Each of the flowers is more than 2.5 cm in length and the four velvety or yellow sepals increase to the full width and appear more like petals. The original petals are smaller and normally three in numbers. They are also velvety and yellow like the flowers. The difference is that the petals remain covered with a nice net of deep red veins. Three green stamens of the flowers and one long pistil bend from the centre. The buds of the tamarind tree are usually enclosed in two sheaths and often crimson in colour. These things make an appealing variation on the flower sprays. The pods are quite numerous. They significantly vary in size and shape on the same tree. Their appearance is of brown colour. They are off-white and brittle when got maturity. A stringy pulp contains the seeds from one to ten and the pod is more or less slimmed between these seeds. The pulp is brown and acid in some of the varieties of Tamarind and in others it is sweet but the one with reddish pulp is considered to be the best. The new and fresh leaves appear in the first months of the year and they appear even in September in some special occasions. The conversion of the tree is strange. The leaves of the tamarind tree are compound in its formation and usually divided into 10 to 12 pairs of leaflets. They are quite small and become even smaller at the end of the year. They are square, smooth and they grow diagonally.

Uses of Tamarind Tree
The fruit of tamarind tree has numerous usages. The pulp is used as an important ingredient in the curries. There are some commercial uses too. It is preserved and also sold in the markets. It is also used as a laxative in medicine. People make powder from grinding the seeds and boil it to paste with gum and make strong cement. A substitute for wheat or other flour can also be obtained from them that are used by the people. The stalks of the seeds have been employed for road surfacing as well. The scientists also discovered that the seeds could make a cheap but efficient substitute for cereal starch that is used for making the cotton yarn in proper size, for jute fabrics and for woollens. Further, the leaves and flowers of the tree are also quite useful. An infusion from the leaves can make a fine yellow dye that is used to give a green colour to silks. Though hard and very difficult to work on, the timber of the tree is of high value. People widely use this wood for making wheels, mallets, furniture, oil and sugar mills, etc.

Coconut Palm Tree, Indian Tree

May 7, 2013, 5:34 am

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Coconut Palm Tree, Indian Tree Coconut Palm Tree is known for its diverse uses and properties. Coconut Palm Tree is also known for its huge economic and commercial values.

 Coconut Palm Tree is considered as one of the most important and useful tree amongst all the trees of India. Originated from the Cocos Island, the tree bears the scientific name of `Cocos Nucifera`. The name `Cocos` came from a Portuguese word that means `monkey` and `Nucifera` means `bearing nuts`. The tree belongs to the `Palmae` family. It has a lot of names in various vernacular languages in India. Like for instance, in Hindi, it is called as `Narial`. It is `Narikel` in Bengali. The Tamil people named it as `Thennai Maram` and in Telugu; it got three different names like `Nari Kadam`, `Kobari` and `Tenkai`. The tree is known as `Tenga` or `Thengu` in Malayalam.

Description of Coconut Palm Tree
The coconut palm tree` is cultivated in all the damp and hot regions of India especially in the low and sandy atmospheres near the sea. It is normally a self-sown tree and the curved nuts can bowl along the ground for some distance with the help of sloping land or strong wind. It can also float buoyantly and be carried by the tides to other coasts. For these unique qualities, this palm has scattered very easily to all the tropical countries of the world that have a seacoast. As, it is amongst the nature`s most valuable gifts to the poor, it is of greater value than most other plants as a commercial proposition. The tree is high and branchless. It has a thickened base and terminal column of large, pinnate leaves. As the wood of this tree is very soft, it can easily bend to a considerable degree and is usually found leaning into the prevailing wind. One can also see the ring-like scars of fallen leaves all the way up the trunk. This is a great characteristic of all palms. The leaves normally grow around 4 to 6 metres in length and bear stout and solid stalks. The leathery leaflets are like swords in shape. They are around 60 to 90 cm in length and are arranged flat, like a feather.

Both female and male flowers of the tree grow on the same plant and the male flowers are smaller than the female ones. They appear clustered on many branched stems, covered in `spathes`. These spathes spring from the axils of the outer leaves of the crown. They are yellowish and similar to hard catkins. The fruit of this tree is large and oval shaped. It contains a hard, green coloured outer covering that becomes brown by the course of time. Inside the fruit, there is a thick brown fibre that surrounds a hard shell. The shell has three radical holes. The sweet and pleasant edible material is called the albumen. The albumen can be extracted by puncturing two of the pores. The seed lies opposite one of the pores.

The foliages appear in the course of one month and in their third year of growth, they begin to fall. The plant is full-grown and between its 25th and 30th year, it has about 28 foliages and it can reach the height of anything up to 24 metres. Usually there are about 12 branches of nuts. Some of them bear dry nuts and others bear mature nuts. Most of the young fruits fall off when they attain a proper size similar to that of golf balls. Only a few become successful to achieve maturity and in spite of such happenings, a single tree is capable of producing up to a hundred nuts a year. One kind of oil can be obtained from the nut of the coconut palm tree. If prepared freshly, the oil is straw-coloured and practically scentless. However, later the oil becomes a bit sour both in smell and taste. It is made into shampoos and can be applied to the scalp to enrich the hair and enhances its growth. It is capable of taking as a substitute for cod-liver oil after being refined. It is used for cooking purposes, in lamps and as an ointment. A large quantity of the oil is shipped abroad to be used in the manufacturing of soap and candles.

Uses of Coconut Palm Tree
People can obtain commercial copra by cutting the nut open and drying the white meat. This is used extensively in confectionary, in making soaps, margarine, etc. The rest of the copra is the dried kernel after the oil has been expressed and is used as a fattening food for fowls and cattle. Coir is the solid, stringy skin of the nut and has a lot of uses. It is equally sufficient as padding for mattresses and saddle for making carpets. It is also used for mats and for the production of strong ropes that are durable in salt water. When the shell of the coconut palm tree is cut across and the inner nut removed, there forms a hard brush that is used for cleaning and washing. No curry can be completed without the addition of albumen and the milk. By burning the shell, a black paint can be obtained.

People employ the web-like substance that grows where the flower branches expand in the making of bags and coverings, also for the straining of toddy. The toddy also contains Vitamin B. The leaves of the coconut palm tree are used for roofing and the trunk is used for roof beam, bridges and small boats. The wood of the tree is known as `porcupine wood` and has a nice-looking, spotty appearance. If it is dried and polished, the hard cases of the nuts are able to make useful cups and vessels.

Alkalinity or AT

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Alkalinity or A_Tis a measure of the ability of a solution to neutralize acids to the equivalence point of carbonate or bicarbonate.Alkalinity is closely related to the acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) of a solution and ANC is often incorrectly used to refer to alkalinity. The alkalinity is equal to the stoichiometricsum of the basesin solution. In the natural environment carbonate alkalinity tends to make up most of the total alkalinity due to the common occurrence and dissolution of carbonate rocks and presence of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.Other common natural components that can contribute to alkalinity include borate, hydroxide, phosphate, silicate, nitrate, dissolved ammonia, the conjugate bases of some organic acidsand sulfide. Solutions produced in a laboratory may contain a virtually limitless number of bases that contribute to alkalinity. Alkalinity is usually given in the unit mEq/L (milliequivalent per liter). Commercially, as in the pool industry, alkalinity might also be given in the unit ppm or parts per million.

Total alkalinity is the measure of the amount of alkaline buffers (primarily carbonates and bicarbonates) in your water.These alkaline substances buffer the water against sudden changes in pH. Total alkalinity is considered the key to water balance. It is the first parameter you should balance when making routine adjustments to your water.

If you neglect to check the total alkalinity in your pool or spa, you may have trouble balancing the pH. You may also notice that pH fluctuates suddenly despite your best efforts to keep it in the ideal range. If the alkalinity is too low, anything introduced to the water will have an immediate impact on pH.Abrupt shifts in pH can cause scaling or corrosion of metal equipment and fixtures as well as other problems. When the total alkalinity is high, the pH has a tendency to drift upward, causing scale to form.

Raw Water:

M-alkalinity as CaCo3

mg/l

160

When the total alkalinity is too low, add sodium bicarbonate. If the total alkalinity is too high, you can lower it by using muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate.

Maintaining an ideal level of alkalinity will protect your pool or spa and its equipment from the harmful effects of sudden pH fluctuations. Think of the alkalinity as training wheels: it keeps the pH in balance without allowing it to tip too far to either side. Of course the pH can still drift upward or downward, but that change will happen gradually as long as the alkalinity falls within the ideal range. The ideal range of total alkalinity for pools and spas is between 80 and 120 ppm (mg/L).

When the total alkalinity is too low, add sodium bicarbonate. If the total alkalinity is too high, you can lower it by using muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate.

For more detailed advice on the specific chemical treatment for your pool or spa, contact your dealer.

Alkalinity is sometimes incorrectly used interchangeably with basicity. For example, the pH of a solution can be lowered by the addition of CO₂.This will reduce the basicity; however, the alkalinity will remain unchanged

Theoretical treatment of alkalinity

In typical groundwater or seawater the measured alkalinity is set equal to:
A_T = [HCO₃⁻]_T + 2[CO₃⁻²]_T+ [B(OH)₄⁻]_T + [OH⁻]_T + 2[PO₄⁻³]_T + [HPO₄⁻²]_T+ [SiO(OH)₃⁻]_T− [H⁺]_sws− [HSO₄⁻]

(Subscript T indicates the total concentration of the species in the solution as measured. This is opposed to the free concentration, which takes into account the significant amount of ion pair interactions that occur in seawater.)
Alkalinity can be measured by titrating a sample with a strong acid until all the buffering capacity of the aforementioned ions above the pH of bicarbonate or carbonate is consumed. This point is functionally set to pH 4.5. At this point, all the bases of interest have been protonated to the zero level species, hence they no longer cause alkalinity. For example, the following reactions take place during the addition of acid to a typical seawater solution:

HCO₃⁻+ H⁺→ CO₂ + H₂O

CO₃⁻²+ 2H⁺→ CO₂ + H₂O

B(OH)₄⁻+ H⁺→ B(OH)₃ + H₂O

OH⁻+ H⁺→ H₂O

PO₄⁻³+ 2H⁺→ H₂PO₄⁻

HPO₄⁻²+ H⁺→ H₂PO₄⁻

[SiO(OH)₃⁻] + H⁺→ [Si(OH)₄⁰]

It can be seen from the above protonation reactions that most bases consume one proton (H⁺) to become a neutral species, thus increasing alkalinity by one per equivalent. CO₃⁻² however, will consume two protons before becoming a zero level species (CO₂), thus it increases alkalinity by two per mole of CO₃⁻². [H⁺] and [HSO₄⁻] decrease alkalintiy, as they act as sources of protons. They are often represented collectively as [H⁺]_T.
Alkalinity is typically reported as mg/L as CaCO₃. This can be converted into mill Equivalents per Liter (mEq/L) by dividing by 50 (the approximate MW of CaCO₃/2).

Example problems

Sum of contributing species

The following equations demonstrate the relative contributions of each component to the alkalinity of a typical seawater sample. Contributions are in μmol^.kg−soln^-1 and are obtained from A Handbook of Methods for the analysis of carbon dioxide parameters in seawater "[1],"(Salinity = 35, pH = 8.1, Temperature = 25°C).
A_T = [HCO₃⁻]_T + 2[CO₃⁻²]_T+ [B(OH)₄⁻]_T + [OH⁻]_T + 3[PO₄⁻³]_T + [HPO₄⁻²]_T+ [SiO(OH)₃⁻]_T− [H⁺] − [HSO₄⁻] − [HF]
Phosphates and silicate, being nutrients, are typically negligible. At pH = 8.1 [HSO₄⁻] and [HF] are also negligible. So,
A_T = [HCO₃^-]_T + 2[CO₃⁻²]_T+ [B(OH)₄⁻]_T + [OH⁻]_T− [H⁺]
A_T = 1830 + 2*270 + 100 + 10 − 0.01
A_T = 2480 μmol^.kg−soln^-1

Addition of CO₂

The addition (or removal) of CO₂ to a solution does not change the alkalinity. This is because the net reaction produces the same number of equivalents of positively contributing species (H+) as negative contributing species (HCO3- and/or CO3--).
At neutral pH's:
CO₂ + H₂O → HCO₃⁻ + H⁺
At high pH's:
CO₂ + H₂O → CO₃⁻² + 2H⁺

Dissolution of carbonate rock

Addition of CO₂ to a solution in contact with a solid can affect the alkalinity, especially for carbonate minerals in contact with groundwater or seawater . The dissolution (or precipitation) of carbonate rock has a strong influence on the alkalinity. This is because carbonate rock is composed of CaCO₃ and its dissociation will add Ca⁺²and CO³⁻² into solution. Ca⁺² will not influence alkalinity, but CO₃⁻² will increase alkalinity by 2 units.

P ALKALINITY

Alkalinity in trisodium Phoshate

P alkalinity

V1* 40*N*100/w *1000

W= material of aliquot

N= Normality of HCL

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Catalyst for water shift reactions:

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Iron -Chromia base Catalyst

Catalyst for water shift reactions:
For high temperature shift conversion reaction where Carbon dioxide is produced from Carbon monoxide on catalyst of Iron /Chromia which has optimum shape of tablets and has dimensions with diameter 6 mm and height 6 mm, it life times can be expected greater than 5 years.


For further reducing carbon-monoxide and thereby increase the H2 yield for Ammonia synthesis. The Low Temperature shift catalyst is a combination of copper and zinc oxide and is active at lower temperature where restriction in conversion due to equilibrium are minimized. But LT shift catalyst is very sensitive for high temperature , poisoning and contamination by water. It is made as tablets shape and has dimensions of 4.3mm diameter and 3.2mm height, with a lifetime expected to more than 5 years.

Catalyst for Hydrogenation reactions:

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Nickel- Molybdate Catalyst

Catalyst for Hydrogenation reactions:
In most hydrogenation reactor where hydrogen will be reacted with the reactant on a catalyst made from Nickel- Molybdate and its shape is designed as ring structure having dimensions, 5 mm outer diameter and 2.5 mm inner diameter, about greater than five year of life time is expected in the production services.

Zinc Oxide Pellets

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Absorbent

Every petroleum product has impurities, toxic or poisonous material where sulphur is one of them, which is present in higher percentage above all other, so for removing sulphur content, which may be in the form of hydrogen sulphide trace, are mostly absorbed on solid surface after maximum removal in pretreatments operations, for absorption process a Zinc oxide is used as absorbent, it made into cylindrical shaped extrude which is used to absorb Hydrogen Sulphide into its small pores, and the dimensions of the cylinder would be about 4mm diameter and 8 mm height.

Catalyst used for Methanation process:

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Catalyst used for Methanation process:

Nickel based Catalyst

The process gas composition contain small traces of CO and CO2. Removal of carbon oxide is accomplished in a methanator where CO + CO2 are converted in the presence of nickel based catalyst into CH4. The shape of the nickel based catalyst is made in a rings formation having dimensions of about 5 mm outer diameter its lifetime is expected to be about more than 10 years

CO + 3H2 ==> CH4 + H2O H = -49.2Kcal/mol

CO2 + 4H2 ==> CH4 + 2H2O H = -39.4Kcal/mol

The temperature rise foe one percent of CO converted is 74oC and for one percent of CO2 converted , it is 60oC.The performance of methanator where catalyst rx takes place is directly related to the efficiency of co-conversion and CO2 removal sections. High concentrations of carbon oxides can cause temperature runaway in the methanator catalyst and it is necessary to protect both the reactor vessel and the catalyst from serious damage. The vessel should be isolated , depressurized and purged with nitrogen. At temperature below 204^oC Nickel in presence of CO forms nickel carbonyl which is very poisonous.

Catalyst used in the Reforming process:

May 7, 2013, 9:43 am

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Nickel based Catalyst type I

Catalyst used in the Reforming process:

In reforming process where mostly high chain hydrocarbon can be reformed or rearranged for a desired products, this reaction becomes a primary step in the most petrochemical process plants the best catalyst used for this is a Nickel based catalyst with a cylindrical shape having seven holes with dimension having 16mm outer diameter and 11 mm height and each hole is of 3.5mm diameter, when coming to its life time it would about in the range 3 to 5 years.

Nickel based Catalyst type II

And another type of platinum-on-alumina based catalyst which has the same shape but different dimensions which are 20 mm outer diameter and 18 mm height with each hole diameter 4 mm, its life time is greater than 10 years.

These catalysts can be made from natural and synthetic materials, such as most widely used natural catalyst is clay and Zeolites where as crystalline aluminosilicates are example of synthetically prepared catalyst. This is what a catalyst used and prepared.
 

A catalyst will change or influence or effect three major parameters which are:

May 7, 2013, 9:45 am

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A catalyst will change or influence or effect three major parameters which are:
 http://dramarnathgiri.blogspot.in/2013/03/reforming-catalyst-technology.html

1. Rate of a reaction
2. Energy required for a chemical reaction
3. Sequence of mechanism steps of a chemical reaction
But it does not change the Equilibrium of the reaction
Some of the images of the catalysts which are used for some specific reactions, these catalysts selection depend on the shape, activity; surface area etc, bulk production of chemical will depend on the choice of catalysts.

Iron Catalyst

Iron based catalyst which is mostly used for ammonia synthesis reaction of Nitrogen and Hydrogen reactants, its optimum dimensions are about 1.5 to 3 mm diameter and have lifetime form 5 to 10 years

Draksharamam - Pancharama Temples - Manikyamba Shaktipeeth Bheemeshwara Swami - East Godavari

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Draksharamam - Pancharama Temples - Manikyamba Shaktipeeth Bheemeshwara Swami - East Godavari

Lord Surya has installed Shiva Linga, which is one of the Pancharama Temples.
Surya Pratishta - Draksharamam
Draksharamam Manikyamba Shaktipeeth sametha Bheemeshwara Swami

History:
As per the legend, this Sivalinga was owned by the Rakshasa King Tarakasura. No one could win over him due to the power of this Sivalinga. In the war between deities and Taraka, Kumaraswamy and Taraka were face to face. Kumaraswamy used his Sakthi aayudha to kíll Taraka. By the power of Sakti aayudha the body of Taraka was torn into pieces. But to the astonishment of Lord Kumaraswamy all the pieces reunited to give rise to Taraka. Kumaraswamy repeatedly broke the body into pieces and it was re-unified again.

Lord Kumaraswamy was confused and was in an embarrassed state then Lord Srimannarayana appeared before him and said "Kumara! Don't get depressed, without breaking the Shiva lingham worn by the asura you can't kíll him" you should first break the Shiva lingam into pieces, then only you can kíll Taraka Lord Vishnu also said that after breaking, the shiva lingham also will try to unite. To prevent the Linga from uniting all the pieces should be fixed in the place where they fall by worshipping them and building temples on them.

By taking the word of Lord Vishnu Lord Kumaraswamy used his Aagneasthra (weapon of fire) to break the Shiva lingham worn by Taraka. The Shiva lingham broke into five pieces and was trying to unite by making Omkara nada (Chanting Om). Then Surya deva by the order of Lord Vishnu fixed those five pieces of Shiva linga and worshipped them by building temples over them. By the formation of temple the pieces stopped their movement and were famous of panchrama kshetras. All the five Shivalinga in these five places have got scaly marking as them which are believed to be formed by the power of Agneyasthra used by Lord Kumaraswamy.

According to legend, these five pieces were installed as Sivalingas at five different temples by Indra, Surya, Chandra, Vishnu and Kumaraswamy at the respective places. These places (or Aaramas) are as follows:

Amararama (located in Amaravathi)
Draksharama (located in Draksharamam)
Somarama (located in Bhimavaram)
Ksheerarama (located in Palakol)
Kumararama (located in Samalkota)

• 
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW969SzZ2A0&list=PL3tF2wIIjeO6p7v5N-zIaG_0GvnGdo1RP

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Sugar and the Environment - Encouraging Better Management Practices in Sugar Production and Processing

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Nutrient Management

Shri K V K Raju - An Eternal Source of Inspiration

Nagarjuna Group is a dream willed into reality by its visionary Founder Shri KVK Raju. Shri KVK Raju a first generation technopreneur was born in a humble agricultural family in Andhra Pradesh on November 28, 1928. On graduating from Banaras Hindu University and the Madras Institute of Technology he went on to complete his Master's in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering from Michigan State University and the University of Minnesota, USA. After a short stint in the American Industry he returned to India and worked for short periods at Caltex Oil Refinery, Orient General Industries and Associated Electrical Industries. Finally, he joined Union Carbide of India and stayed there for 15 years. While working with Union Carbide, KVK's deep-rooted urge to serve society through industry impelled him to start a venture of his own. Thus was born Nagarjuna Group in 1973 with an investment of US$ 23 million. The Group has since then come a long way to become a diversified conglomerate with an asset base of US$ 2.5 billion.
A recipient of various awards for his outstanding contribution to the industry and society, KVK, was a firm believer in the adage "practice what you preach". A self-made man KVK practised simple living and high thinking. He dreamt big and worked with an unstinted focus of mind and body to make those dreams come true. KVK was a visionary with firm belief in his mission to serve society through industry. It is this belief, which continues to be the guiding light of Nagarjuna Group.

Welcome to ikisan.com, your agricultural information hub.

To explore Crop Specific Information pertaining to your region select respective Country and Statefrom the given drop down list and proceed.

Introduction Among various riputes of sugarcane production, although fertilizers contribute maximum to the increase in yield but these cannot help to maintain and enhance soil organic matter content which is ultimate key to sustainability. Organic matter maintains porous soil structure, provides superior water holding capacity and allows oxygen to penetrate for use by soil microbes that break down manure, crop residues and other organic matter. Infact, earlier to the introduction of chemical fertilizers in cane cultivation the fertility of fields used to be sustained not only by animal and plant wastes, but also by certain practices of mixed cropping, crop rotation etc. These practices have in fact been followed for centuries in India but have been rapidly given up in recent years due to input-intensive agriculture. There is no doubt that sugarcane crop needs fertilizers. A crop of 125 tonnes per hectare removes 83 kg nitrogen, 37.2kg phosphorus and 168 kg potassuim per hectare from soil. The tendency to supply all these nutrients through chemical fertilizers, however, has to be avoided as these have deleterius effect on soil productivity on long-term basis. However, to sustains sugarcane production under intensive cultivation as practiced in the hot climate of India, organic matter content of soil must be maintained either by recycling organic wastes, use of farm yard manure, green manuring, growing legumes in crop sequences and as companion crops. Role of Major Nutrients Nitrogen Influences sugrcane yield and quality. Required for vegetative growth (tillering, foliage formation, stalk fromation and growth) and root growth. Vegetative growth in sugarcane is directly related to yield. Deficiency of Nitrozen leads to: paleness of foliage. early leaf senescence thinner and shorter stalk longer but thinner roots Excess Nitrozen leads to: harmful to crop prolongs vegetative growth delays maturity and ripening increases reducing sugar content in juice lowering juice quality increases soluble N in juice affecting clarification susceptible to lodging, pest and disease incidence Phoshhorus Uptake depends on presence of soluble and plant absorbable form. P- requirement is relatively less than N and K. Necessary for formation of proteins and thus for yield build up. Important for cell division leads to crop growth Stimulates root growth Necessary for plant metabolism and photo synthesis Required for adequate tillering Interacts with N and thus enhance ripening. Deficiency of P leads to: reduced tillering delays in canopy development, excess weed growth affects stalk elongation. less production of secondary and tertiary stalks leaves grow closely leaf colour appears green violet for proper clarifiction while processing 300-400 ppm of phosphorus in cane juice is necessary. Excess P is wasted due to fixation in soil Potassium Requirement of K is greater than N and P. Required for carbon assimilation, photo synthesis translocation of carbohydrates Involved in various enzymatic activities important for sugar synthesis and translocation to the storage organs. develops resistance to sugarcane against pest, disease and lodging. Maintains cell turgidity under moisture stress conditions. Balances the effect of N and P Excess availability of K leads to "Luxury consumption". NPK requirements NPK requirements depends on variety, soil type, irrigation level etc. The requirements of nutrients not only met by the application of manures and fertilizers but also fertility status. Dosage Dosage of nutrient to be supplied will be determined based on crop requirement contribution from the soil and organic manures applied, likely losses of applied nutrients by means of leaching, volatililization, fixation etc. Time for Fertilizer Application Timing is based on crop need at different growth phases, and best use of applied nutrient with less wastage. Nitrogen requirement is maximum at tillering and early grand growth phase viz., within the first six months. upto tillering the nitrogen need is much limited and hence application at planting may not be required in most cases. If at all N needed from the beginning by the crop 10% of the total dose can be applied at planting by placing near the sett. Between 3-4 months age (tillering phase) high amount of N uptake is observed and hence, the first application of nitrogen should be at the start of tillering viz., at 45 days of planting. In case of short duration, early maturing varieties first application of N can be given at 30 days age of the crop. Beginning of the grand growth period viz the end of tillering phase the N-requirement is very high and this can be met by applying N between 90-120 days period for Eksali crop. Potassium application normally done along with N application because of better utilisation of N in the presence of K. Therefore K is applied at 45th and 90th day. In sugarcane late application of K at around 6 months has been found to improve sugar recovery particularly under drought situations. Late application or N beyond 120 days (Eksalicrop) will have adverse effect on juice quality because of continued vegetative growth, late tillering, reduce 5% of Juice, increased soluble nitrogen in juice, water shoot formation etc. Farmers should realise that late application of N will do more harm than good. Most of the late applied N goes to late tillers and water shoot formation besides becoming susceptible to pests and diseases. The time of N application however, can be extended to six months in case of adsali crop. Small quantities of N along with P and K can be applied late for recovery of crops suffered due to flood and water logging. This should be done only when there is sufficient time between harvest and the time of application. Fertilizer application should invariably followed by irrigation and excess irrigation should be avoided to avoid leaching losses. Method of application Apply phosphorus in the furrow bottom and mix slightly with soil before planting. Nitrogen and potassium fertilizers are given in split doses, applied in bands on either side of the cane row. Cover the fertilizer with soil immediately after placement to reduce volatilization losses. This is also achieved by partial earthing after first top dressing and full earthing up after second top dressing. Micro Nutrients Iron chlorosis particularly line induced chlorisis in calcarious soil leads to interveinal chlorisis, stunted growth. This could be corrected by repeated spray application of ferrous sulphate at 0.5% - 10% concentration. Application of cured press mud or FYM reduces chlorisis. Chlorosis may also occur due to nematodes. Zinc deficiency is another important micronutrient problem in soils where paddy is grown in rotation. To overcome zinc deficiency 0.5% ZnSo4 , spray can be done. Zinc spray can also be done along with ferrous sulphate spray. Ferrous sulphate and zinc sulphate together can be applied to soil at 25kg each per hectare. Foliar nutrition Foliar nutrition of urea (1 to 2.5%) and potassium (2.5%) under moisture stress is a useful practice to improve yield and quality. Foliar application of DAP formed to be useful to improve yield and quality. Good foliage wetting is necessary. 'Teepol' can be used as a wetting agent. Sprayings done preferably in the morning hours. A boom sprayer may be used in a grown up crop. Tissue analysis guide to deficient and non-deficient sugarcane during active growing period CropNutrient CropPlant part numhbered from top down CropCritical concentration CropRange showing deficiency symptom Range without deficiency symptom Nitrogen Blades 3,4,5,6 1.0% 1-1-5% 1.5-2. 7% Phosphorus Sheaths 3,4,5,6 Intermodes 8-10 0.08% 0.04% 0.02-.05% 0.10-.32% 0.05-0.2% 0.04-0.2% Potassium Sheaths 3,4,5,6 Internodes 8-10 2.25% 1.00% 0.3-1.5% 0.3-0.8% 2.25-6% 1-2% Calcium Sheaths 3,4,5,6 Internodes 8-10 0.15% 0.06% 0.02-0.1% 0.05% 0.1-2% 0.05-2% Magnesium Sheaths 3,4,5,6 Internodes 8-10 0.1% 0.05% <0.1% <0.05% 0.15-1.0% 0.10-1% Sulphur Blades 3,4,5,6 20-100 ppm 300-10,000ppm Zinc Sheaths 3,4,5,6 10 ppm <10ppm 10-100ppm Iron Blades 3,4,5,6 @ 1-10pm 20-600ppm Boron Blades 3,4,5,6 1ppm <1 ppm 2-30 ppm Copper Blades 3,4,5,6 5 ppm <3.5 ppm 5-100 ppm Manganese Blades 3,4,5,6 @ 1-10 ppm 20-400ppm Molybdenum Blades 3,4,5,6 0.05 ppm <0.05ppm 0.05-4 ppm @Varies with Fe/Mn ratio, Critical level can be below 10ppm if Fe/Mn remain>1 (Source : Schmehl and Humbert, 1964)

Zero Accidents: An Achievable Goal, Not a Dream

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Zero Accidents: An Achievable Goal, Not a Dream

"I'm convinced that zero is not only an aspirational goal but also something that is achievable," says chief EH&S officer Hendrik van Brenk. "Had we predicted 5 years ago the kind of safety performance we see today, we would have said it's impossible."
Skanska USA's current lost-time incident rate is 0.87, compared to an industry average of about 3.6.
In order to reach zero incidents, Skanska USA employees are encouraged to:

• Take individual responsibility for safety on the job by proactively watching for risks and stopping any activity that looks unsafe.
• Wear protective gear.
• Keep the work area clean.
• Take part in warm-ups to prevent injuries.
• Look out for co-workers, especially when working at heights.

What Else Do They Do?

These are some of the successful strategies Skanska USA is using to approach zero:

• Pretask planning. Prework sessions provide an opportunity to communicate messages about the job and the tasks. The purpose of a pretask meeting is not to dictate standards, but to discuss hazards and how to abate them. "We learn how to ask questions and how to engage people in a collaborative way," says van Brenk.

• Visible leadership. Executives take safety walks that are not formal inspections but rather an opportunity to engage workers, ask questions, and demonstrate concern. "The dialogue that's created sends a message—it resonates across the organization to leaders at all levels, including our CEO," van Brenk explains.
• Systems approach to safety. Skanska has been ISO-certified for more than a decade and about 4 years ago completed the requirements for OHSAS 18001, an international safety management system. "The systems approach provides a foundational structure to develop meaningful indicators for continuous improvement," van Brenk says.
• "Simple things." Beyond the structural elements of a strong safety process, Skanska USA emphasizes the simple things, such as a stretch-and-flex program, which consists of 10 to 15 minutes of warm-up exercises every morning to prevent ergonomic injuries. And, in fact, such injuries have dropped dramatically. But there are other benefits. "Camraderie is created where people can dialogue around safety, but not only safety," explains van Brenk. "It's also an opportunity to prepare mentally for tasks and share announcements and information."
• Transformational incentives. "I think we have to eventually move away from transactional incentives, such as earning a reward for not getting injured, to transformational incentives, for example building a project on time, at cost, [and] with zero defects and injuries," says van Brenk.

Nutrient Management

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INTRODUCTION

All of the nutrients we eat originally came from soil or air. Most of the nutrients, however, cannot be used directly by people or livestock.Crop production repackages plant nutrients – such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) – and energy into forms that we and other animals can use. The agriculture and food sector, which is a multi-billion dollar business in Ontario, depends on successful crop production. Your crops will grow properly only if they obtain nutrients in the correct amounts, at the appropriate times. Soils can supply many of the nutrients needed by crops, but often require additional nutrients from sources such as commercial fertilizers, manures, and other organic sources.

Successful crop production depends on proper nutrient management.

Nutrients, whether in fertilizer or other materials, are both an essential input and a major cost for crop production. In Ontario, commercial fertilizer and lime applied to cropland cost farmers almost $275-million annually. The manure from about 2-million cattle, 3-million hogs, and 37-million chickens and turkeys is also applied to cropland.
Some farmers apply nutrients in excess of recommended rates in hopes of attaining higher yields. This is not a best management practice if it ignores costs, profits, and environmental quality. Neither is it a best management practice to apply too few nutrients. Yield and profits will drop.

Livestock are an important part of the nutrient cycle in Ontario.	Growing crops with insufficient nutrients will lower yields and profits.

Over time, poor nutrient and soil management practices can impair your land's ability to produce crops.
Poor nutrient management can also be costly to the environment. Applying more nitrogen than the crop can use will increase the risk of nitrate-nitrogen leaching from the soil, thereby polluting precious ground water resources.

Nutrients must be managed wisely to preserve the quality of our soil, air, and water. Essential Nutrients from the Soil Macronutrients Symbol Nitrogen N Phosphorus P Potassium K Magnesium Mg Calcium Ca Sulphur S Micronutrients Zinc Zn Manganese Mn Boron B Iron Fe Copper Cu Molybdenum Mo Chlorine Cl Nickel Ni Cobalt Co

Runoff from snowmelt or heavy rains can carry nutrients such as phosphorus to streams, drains, and rivers. Eroding cropland can pollute surface waters with sediment and nutrients attached to soil particles. By adopting best management practices, you can do your part to reduce environmental risks. This booklet will help you plan and implement a nutrient management strategy to use nutrients profitably while protecting the environment. More specifically, Nutrient Management will help you increase your understanding of: the importance of nutrients to your crops the behaviour of nutrients in soil sources that add nutrients to soil factors that influence the supply of nutrients available to your crops the effects of poor nutrient management. This booklet also describes best management practices for: determining the amount of nutrients to apply applying nutrients. Throughout the booklet, we'll be referring you to other Best Management Practices booklets, especially Soil Management, Livestock and Poultry Waste Management, Water Management, Field Crop Production, and Horticultural Crops. We urge you to read these companion booklets: they'll help you see your nutrient program in the big picture of resource management on your farm.

WHAT ARE NUTRIENTS?

Plant nutrients are chemical elements, or simple compounds formed from them, needed by plants. The most common elements in plants are carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, obtained from air and water. All other nutrients are available in soil.

Green plants convert light, water, air, and plant nutrients into forms useful to people and animals.

Six nutrients are required by crops in relatively large amounts. These are often referred to as macronutrients. The other nutrients are required in quite small amounts – often less than one kilogram per hectare per year. These are called micronutrients. Nutrients exist in either organic or inorganic (mineral) form. Organic compounds are produced by living organisms and contain carbon. Inorganic compounds result mainly from chemical reactions and do not contain carbon. For example, protein is an organic form of nitrogen; ammonium-nitrate is an inorganic or mineral form. Nutrients are naturally present in soil in inorganic forms, as the result of the weathering of soil minerals. Nutrients taken up by living organisms may be converted to organic forms to make up the bodies of plants, animals, and micro-organisms. Organic forms of nutrients in living organisms return to inorganic forms when these organisms die and decompose.

Nutrient and Soil Management: The Best Combination

Nutrients are essential for plant growth and reproduction, but they are only one of the essential inputs needed by crops. Take another look at your present soil management program: if it considers only the amount of nutrients available to crops, it's probably unsatisfactory. Bear in mind that your soil's ability to support plants and to supply water, oxygen, and heat to plants is also important. A lack of any one of these directly affects plant growth, and can impair your crop's ability to use nutrients present in the soil. For available nutrients to be used efficiently, soil must have good structure, proper drainage, and good moisture-holding capacity. See Best Management Practices booklets, Soil Management, Field Crop Production, and Horticultural Crops for more information. DEVELOPING A NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Profitable, sustainable crop production depends on proper nutrient management. Your nutrient program should meet the following goals: satisfy crop nutrient requirements for profitable yield and quality minimize the risk of damage to the environment minimize the cost of supplying nutrients be practical and feasible with current resources use manure and other organic materials to best advantage. These goals are not incompatible. When all the nutrients available on your farm are used efficiently in meeting crop needs, the risk of damage to the environment (water quality in particular) should also be reduced.

Plants also take up nutrients that they don't need, but animals do: Iodine I Chromium Cr Sodium Na Selenium Se Crops cannot obtain sufficient nutrients from soil that is in poor physical condition. NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT AFFECTS CROP: Growth Maturity Reproduction Harvestability Insect Tolerance Disease Tolerance Winter Survival Profitability Standability Quality Yield

Meeting Crop Nutrient Requirements

When developing a nutrient management system, keep in mind the needs of all of the crops in your rotation.
Here are some reminders about yield, quality, and nutrients:

• final yields are not determined by fertility alone: remember soil management, climate, plant population, timing, pest and weed management, and variety selection
• some high-value crops have unique fertility requirements for quality, e.g. boron in rutabagas and potassium in tomatoes
• some legume crops provide some nitrogen for crops in following years – plan for and estimate the amount
• it may not be desirable to supply all of a crop's requirements from organic sources (manures, sludges, legumes, etc.), as some nutrients may be oversupplied
• you need to know fertility levels and crop requirements to apply appropriate rates
• timing is everything – if a crop can access nutrients when needed, quality and yields are higher
• the maximum yield that you can obtain will usually not be your most profitable yield.

Nutrient Deficiencies

No nutrient is more important than another – all are essential. The majority of soils can supply most nutrients to most crops. Generally, a nutrient management program is only concerned with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. However, deficiencies of other nutrients do occur. Some soil types are prone to deficiencies of certain nutrients, because of the way in which the soils were formed. Similarly, some crops have a higher requirement for specific nutrients than do other crops. The chart on page 21 lists the nutrient deficiencies most commonly encountered in Ontario and the situations in which they are most likely to be a problem. For more information on nutrient deficiencies, see "Nutrients in the Soil and in Plants", page 17.

The lack of a nutrient can limit crop growth and quality.

 

Nutrient Toxicities

If available at excessive levels, some nutrients are potentially toxic to plants. For example, the margin between boron deficiency and toxicity is quite narrow, and varies among crops. Cole crops and alfalfa have relatively high requirements for boron. In the year following application, however, boron applied for cole crops can cause damage to sensitive crops such as soybeans, field beans, and cereal grains.
For more information on nutrient toxicities, refer to "Nutrients in the Soil and in Plants", page 17.

Minimizing Costs of Applying Nutrients

A well-planned nutrient management system can save you money in many ways. Putting one together will help you:

• save time and money by purchasing and applying only what's needed
• make better use of on-farm nutrients
• identify opportunities for using lower-cost alternative sources of nutrients, e.g. manure from a neighbouring farm, sewage sludge, other forms of commercial fertilizers
• consider more efficient fertilizer application practices
• use rotations, cover crops, residue management, and sound soil management practices to conserve the nutrients in the soil.

Keeping It Practical

Be practical and work within existing resources: make sure the changes fit the rest of your crop production system use local sources of nutrients and equipment whenever possible cooperate with neighbours and dealers for special equipment needs.
	Keep it practical – use existing equipment whenever possible.

Nutrients and the Environment

Nutrients can pollute water. Nitrate-nitrogen can leach into ground waters. Phosphates can run off land to surface waters such as drainage ditches, streams, and rivers. Concentrations of these nutrients in water above tolerable limits are harmful to humans, livestock, and wildlife. Agriculture is one of the sources of nutrient pollution in rural areas.

Phosphorus and Water Quality

In unpolluted waters, growth of aquatic plants, including algae, is limited by the low level of phosphorus. When phosphorus is added to water, more plants are able to grow.
In recent decades, abundant plant growth has made the water in many lakes and rivers in Ontario unsuitable for drinking or swimming. Excessive plant growth has also led to the death of fish and other aquatic animals from lack of oxygen in the water. (Oxygen is used by plants for respiration and by micro-organisms in breaking down plants after they die.)
Phosphorus is a major pollutant in the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River watershed.

Phosphorus pollution comes from many sources in urban areas, mainly sewage treatment plants, storm sewers, and industrial sources. Most of these are point sources (i.e. easy to locate). In rural areas, the sources are sewage treatments from small towns, improper septic systems, storm sewers, manure runoff, nutrient runoff, milkhouse wastes, and eroded soil. Most of these are non-point sources (i.e. harder to pinpoint). Phosphorus from farmland has three sources: the farmstead pastures near watercourses cropland.

High phosphorus levels in water allow excess growth of aquatic plants

PHOSPHORUS POLLUTION SOURCES IN RURAL AREAS

	A 1986 study compared county fertilizer sales data with provincial soil test recommendations. It estimated that fertilizer application rates exceeded recommended rates in several Lake Erie counties.
Rural surface waters can also be polluted by runoff (soil particles and attached phosphates) from croplands.

Some phosphates and other pollutants are discharged to rivers from sewage treatment centres in small towns.	Waste washwater containing phosphate-based detergents from some dairy farms reaches surface waters through direct hookups to tile lines.

Illegal or improper hookups from septic systems can deposit phosphates and nitrate directly into ditches, streams, and rivers.	Manure can run overland or through tile drains to contaminate surface waters. This is especially true if your pastures or yard areas are located near watercourses.

The risk of contaminating surface water is increased when nutrients are applied in excess of recommended rates. This is of particular concern when soils are in the High (H), Very High (VH), or Excessive (E) fertility ratings of phosphorus. The Best Management Practices booklets, Livestock and Poultry Waste Management, Water Management, Field Crop Production and Horticultural Crops also have information to help you minimize the risk of phosphorus pollution.

Phosphorus pollution has contributed to the regular closings of rural beaches. Results from the Fanshawe Reservoir Clean Up Rural Beaches study shown above indicate the relative annual contributions of total phosphorus.

Nitrogen and Water Quality

STANDARDS FOR NITRATE- NITROGEN LEVELS IN WATER Intended Use Acceptable Concentration LIVESTOCK* 100 mg/L HUMANS 10 mg/L * producer experience suggests that the nitrate level in water for white veal calves should be similar to that for humans. A survey conducted in 1992 of 1,300 rural wells in Ontario found 15% with unacceptable levels of nitrate. In the same survey, ground water quality was tested in cropped fields adjacent to 141 of the wells. Of these sampled sites, 21% had an average level of nitrate that was unacceptable.

Nitrogen, in the nitrate form (NO3), can be leached from the soil into ground water. The amount of nitrate that's leached depends on: the amount of water draining through the soil the amount of nitrate-nitrogen in the soil the type of soil materials sandy and gravelly soils are more prone to leaching, as are soils that are shallow to bedrock. (This is compounded when soils have a naturally high water table.) Excess nitrate-nitrogen in the soil – from fertilizer, livestock manures, or legume plowdown crops – can make ground water unsafe to drink, especially for infants, the elderly, and young animals. Nitrate will also enter surface water through tile drainage systems. Nitrogen, in the ammonia form (NH3), is very toxic to fish. Contamination of watercourses with materials containing large amounts of ammonia, such as liquid manure, can kill large numbers of fish.

There are three main sources of nitrogen pollution in rural areas: faulty septic systems nitrate from household and human wastes can contaminate ground and surface waters livestock wastes bacteria, nitrate, and ammonium-nitrogen from improperly handled, stored, or applied manure can run off to surface water or infiltrate soils and leach to ground water resources cropland some of the nitrate from commercial fertilizers and manures can run off to surface water or leach into ground water crop residues. Ground water contamination by nitrate needs more research to determine the effect of nutrient management practices and site conditions.

Nitrate-nitrogen leached from soil can make drinking water unsafe.

Energy Use

Much of the cost of supplying nutrients stems from the energy required to manufacture, refine, transport, or apply them. Efficient use of nutrients helps reduce both the cost of crop production and the consumption of non-renewable resources.

Making a Nutrient Management Program Work

Nutrient management programs are often viewed on a field-by-field basis. This ensures that each field can supply the nutrients needed by the crops to be grown there. However, in planning a nutrient management program, you must consider the production system of your entire farm. The method you choose to supply nutrients can have an impact on other farm operations. Similarly, changes in other farm operations (e.g. tillage) can affect the way in which nutrients must be managed. Take all factors into account before making a change. Unless you're deliberately building up or drawing down the level of nutrients in specific fields, the amount of nutrients on your farm will remain about constant over time.

Consider all factors affecting the nutrient balance on your farm in your management program.

Approximate amount of nutrients contained in crops Crop Yield Per Acre N lb/ac P2O5 lb/ac K2O lb/ac Ca lb/ac Mg lb/ac S lb/ac Cu lb/ac Mn lb/ac Zn lb/ac Alfalfa, hay 4 tons 180 40 180 110 20 20 0.06 0.44 0.42 Red clover,  hay 2.5 tons 100 25 100 70 17 7 0.04 0.54 0.36 Timothy, hay 2.5 tons 60 25 95 20 6 5 0.03 0.31 0.20 Barley, grain 60 bu 52 22 15 1.5 3 4.5 0.04 0.04 0.09 Barley straw 1.5 tons 22 7 45 12 3 6 0.02 0.48 0.07 Corn, grain 150 bu 135 55 40 2 8 10 0.06 0.09 0.15 Corn, stover 4.5 tons 100 40 145 25 20 15 0.05 1.50 0.30 Oats, grain 80 bu 50 20 15 2 3 5 0.03 0.12 0.05 Oats, straw 2 tons 25 15 80 8 8 9 0.03 — 0.30 Rye, grain 45 bu 55 15 15 3 4 10 0.03 0.33 0.04 Rye, straw 2 tons 20 10 30 10 3 4 0.01 0.18 0.09 Wheat, grain 80 bu 100 50 30 2 12 6 0.06 0.18 0.28 Wheat, straw 3 tons 40 10 70 12 6 10 0.02 0.32 0.10 Soybeans, grain 40 bu 150 35 55 7 7 4 0.04 0.05 0.04 Apples 500 bu 30 10 45 8 5 10 0.03 0.03 0.03 Beans, dry 30 bu 75 25 25 2 2 5 0.02 0.03 0.06 Cabbage 20 tons 130 35 130 20 8 44 0.04 0.10 0.08 Onions 7.5 tons 45 20 40 11 2 18 0.03 0.08 0.31 Peaches 600 bu 35 20 65 4 8 6 — — 0.01 Potatoes 400 bu 80 30 150 3 6 6 0.04 0.09 0.05 Spinach 5 tons 50 15 30 12 5 4 0.02 0.10 0.10 Sweet potatoes 300 bu 45 15 75 4 9 6 0.03 0.06 0.03 Tomatoes 20 tons 120 40 160 7 11 14 0.07 0.13 0.16 Turnips 10 tons 45 20 90 12 6 — — — — Peanuts 1.25 tons 90 10 15 1 3 6 0.02 0.01 — Tobacco leaves 1 ton 75 15 120 75 18 14 0.03 0.55 0.07 Tobacco stalks — 35 15 50 — — — — — —

Source: Our Land and Its Care, The Fertilizer Institute.

Rice description

May 10, 2013, 3:40 am

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Rice description

Source : INRA

Rice is a grass "autogame", a tall crop, that is grown more easily in the tropics. Originally rice was probably cultivated without submersion, but it is believed that mutations led it to become a semi aquatic plant. Although it can grow in diverse environments, it grows faster and more vigorously in wet and warm conditions. This plant develops a main stem and many tillers and may range from 0.6 to 6 meters (floating rice) in height. The tiller bears a ramified panicle that measures between 20 and 30 centimeters wide. Each panicle has 50 to 300 flowers (floret or spikelet), which form the grains. The fruit obtained is a caryopsis. Rice presents a great capacity for ramifying.

a: tiller b: narrow leaf c: inflorescence (panicle), more or less wide and dense d: spikelet of a flower that contains only one grain (caryopsis).

Source : LAROUSSE

Rice is a source of magnesium, thiamin, niacin, phosphorus, vitamin B6, zinc and copper. Some varieties have iron, potassium and folic acid. White rice is one of the poorest cereals in proteins; some improved varieties however may provide 14g of protein per 100g.

Origin and history

In the beginning rice grew wild, but today most countries cultivate varieties belonging to the Oryza type which has around twenty different species. Only two of them offer an agriculture interest for humans:
- Oryza sativa: a common Asian rice found in most producing countries which originated in the Far East at the foot of the Himalayas. O. sativa japonica grew on the Chinese side of the mountains and O. sativa indica on the Indian side. The majority of the cultivated varieties belong to this species, which is characterized by its plasticity and taste qualities.
- Oryza glaberrima, an annual species originating in West Africa, covering a large region extending from the central Delta of the Niger River to Senegal.

It is believed that rice cultivation began simultaneously in many countries over 6500 years ago. The first crops were observed in China (Hemu Du region) around 5000 B.C. as well as in Thailand around 4500 B.C. They later appeared in Cambodia, Vietnam and southern India. From there, derived species Japonica and Indica expanded to other Asian countries, such as Korea, Japan, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Philippines and Indonesia. Japonica is an irrigated rice of temperate zone, with medium or short grains, also called round grain, and is a rainfed lowland rice of warm tropical zones. Indica is an irrigated rice of warm tropical zones, with long, thin and flat grains.

The Asian rice (Oryza sativa) was adapted to farming in the Middle East and Mediterranean Europe around 800 B.C. The Moros brought it to Spain when they conquered the country, near 700 A.D. After the middle of the 15th century, rice spread throughout Italy and then France, later propagating to all the continents during the great age of European exploration. In 1694 rice arrived in the South Carolina, probably originating from Madagascar. The Spanish took it to South America at the beginning of the 18th century.
Between 1500 and 800 B.C., the African species (Oryza glaberrima) propagated from its original center, the Delta of Niger River, and extended to Senegal. However, it never developed far from its original region. Its cultivation even declined in favor of the Asian species, possibly brought to the African continent by the Arabians coming from the East Coast from the 7th to the 11th centuries.
Rice is the world's most consumed cereal after wheat. It provides more than 50 percent of the daily calories ingested by more than half of the world population. It is so important in Asia that it influenced local language and beliefs. In classical Chinese, the same term refers to both "rice" and "agriculture". In many official languages and local dialectics the verb "to eat" means "to eat rice". Indeed, the words "rice" and "food" are sometimes one and the same in eastern semantics.

RICE QUALITY

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More than two thousand varieties of rice are grown throughout the world. The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines holds more than 83,000 varieties in its gene bank. The differences are related to morphology of the plants and grains, resistance to falling, precocity, ramification, productivity, as well as resistance and tolerance of biotic factors (weeds, diseases and insects) and non-biotic factors (cold, drought, soil acidity, lack of mineral components, etc).
* The market of high-quality rice with a low percentage of broken grains (less than 10%) is dominated by Thailand, Vietnam and the United States growers whose production essentially meets the market demands of developed countries.
* The market of lower-quality rice (more than 10% of broken kernels) is dominated by exporters from Asia region (Thailand, Vietnam and India) who mainly meet the market demands of developing countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia.
- Medium-quality rice: 15-20% broken
- Low-quality rice: 25-35% broken up to 100% broken.

Any irregularity (yellow or chalky kernels and foreign matter) reduces the rice quality grade.

Kernel sizes

- Long grain rice kernels are 3 times longer than they are wide (more than 6 mm). When cooked, this grain is light and separates easily. There are also glutinous long grain rices in Laos and Thailand.
- Medium grain rice kernels are 2 or 3 times longer than wide (5 to 6 mm), being shorter and wider than the long grain.
- Short or round grain rice kernels look almost as long as wide (4 to 5 mm long and 2.5 mm wide).
   • Long grain rice: Basmati from India and Pakistan, Jasmine White Rice from Thailand and Ferrini from Italy;
   • Medium and short grain: Arborio, Carnaroli, Vialone, Nano

Main rice types

Brown rice (husked rice)

Paddy from which only the external and non-edible husk has been removed. The bran layer remains, making it more nutritive than white rice. In Europe, this type of rice is often called "cargo rice" because of the way it is transported by sea. Frequently green kernels are found with the brown rice as grain maturation is not homogeneous. In addition, more than one variety may be planted in the same field. Separating the grains before or after harvesting is difficult and expensive. There are also green grains in the white rice, but they are less visible because of the more intensive husking process.

White rice

Milled and polished kernel which loses many of its nutrients when the outer layer (the husk and bran layer) is removed. It contains much less niacin, thiamin, magnesium, zinc, iron and fiber than the brown rice. In some countries, including the United States, white rice may be enriched with iron, niacine and thiamine so that it can reclaim part of its original nutritive value. White rice may be covered with magnesium silicate or with a mixture consisting of talc and glucose (also known as "talc-coated rice").

Red rice

Red rice has a red bran covering the kernel (Himalayan, Bhoutanais or Thai).
- Black rice: has a black thin bran covering a white grain. It comes from Bali, China or Thailand.

Others

• Arborio rice is a white and round grain, considered one of the finest rices because it can absorb a high quantity of liquid while cooking, without becoming soggy.
• Aromatic rice (naturally aromatized) has more flavor than the other varieties. The Basmati rice, cultivated in India and Pakistan, is the best known and most appreciated. It is indispensable in Hindu cooking, and has a light and dry texture and an aromatic taste. Jasmine rice grows in Northeast Thailand (Isarn region) and is also appreciated worldwide.