Swadeshi Science | Vibha India

 Genes are the pieces of DNA which determine development and behavior of all living organisms. In plants genes for regulation of growth, flowering time, fruit and grain development, disease resistance and many other aspects are known and are being studied. There are technologies to transfer genes from one plant to other plant and also from other organisms to plants. These gene transfer technology has been used to produce plants which are very useful. One of the genetically modified plants which is commonly used in many countries is cotton. Scientist have transferred a gene from bacteria which codes for a toxin against insects in cotton. As a result of it when certain insects eat Bt cotton they die. Because of this technology farmers have to use less chemicals to kill insects. This genetically modified cotton is call Bt Cotton.  Another genetically modified plant which is used in western countries is soybean. Herbicide resistance gene has been transferred in soybean (and other ...

 Opportunities After completion of Class 12, science students usually either look for getting admission in Engineering Colleges or Medical Colleges. However, apart from these two major streams of career-making there is another equally respectable and lucrative field: 'Agricultural Science'. Getting job opportunities in agricultural streams are easier than any other realm of science as it has not yet reached to the point of plateau. The future belongs to agriculture as to feed ever increasing population; there is no other way than 'Agriculture'. One of its most important disciplines is Horticulture, the science of cultivation of garden crops, which is further divided into vegetable, flower and fruit culture. Pomology or science of fruit production has ample career opportunities in the gamut of job realm. Plenty of jobs require knowledge and training in fruit production. The level of training could be vocational or at the school/college/Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) level. U...

 Mushrooms are the magic store of medicinal benefits. In ancient Egypt and Asia, mushrooms were a holy longevity tonic; in Europe, the mummified 5,000-year- old “Ice Man” was found with a medicine kit of dried mushrooms. Cancer Fighting Properties Many of the foods provided by nature contain cancer fighting ingredients, and mushrooms are no exception. According to recent studies, consuming just 31/2 ounces of the white button variety each day, can decrease the risk of developing prostate cancer and breast cancer. In Japan, Russia, China, and the U.S.A., several different antitumor agents have been developed from various medicinal mushrooms (Lentinus edodes, Ganoderma lucidum, Schizophyllum commune, Trametes versicolor, Inonotus obliquus, and Flammulina velutipes). Protection against Alzheimer’s Disease and Age-related Cognitive Decline Some research suggests that regular consumption of niacin-rich foods like crimini mushrooms also provides safety against Alzheimer’s disease and age...

 The health conscious people prefer food containing low energy (low calorie) and low fat. For them mushrooms are precious health food as they are low in calories, high in vegetable proteins, chitin, iron, zinc, fiber (8-10% of dry weight), essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals. They have very little sodium and fat and no cholesterol. Mushrooms help our body strengthen itself and fight off illness by restoring our bodies balance and natural resistance to disease. In a study with six mushroom varieties viz. white button, crimini and portabella (Agaricus bisporus, harvested at different maturity levels), and maitake (Grifola frondosa), shiitake (Lentinus edodes) and enoki (Flammulina velutipes) they were found to be rich in total dietary fibers, including chitin and beta-glucan. Chitin present in the cell wall of the mushroom lowers cholesterol and beta-glucan keeps our heart healthy. It was already known that mushrooms offer high-quality protein, vitamins and unsaturated fatty...

 Mother Nature has presented man with attractive variety of mushrooms to be used as food as well as medicine. They were highly appreciated in the history and culture of ancient people in various civilizations. Mushrooms being low in calories, fat content with no cholesterol and being rich in various minerals are the ideal choice of food for health conscious people. These days researches are looking up to mushroom in search of novel drugs to cure diabetes, heart ailments and even cancer of various types. About Mushroom Mushrooms are macroscopic fruiting bodies produced by microscopic fungi of certain fungal groups. They are often classified as a vegetable or herb. There are more than 14,000 types of mushrooms of which only about 3,000 are edible, more than 700 have known medicinal properties. There are many species of mushrooms which are poisonous. The world over, only about 20 mushrooms is commercially cultivated. For rest of the mushrooms, either appropriate technologies for culti...