Kodoth Prabhakaran Nair – författare

This book conceptualizes a revolutionary idea based on a mechanistic-mathematical model in which the “Buffer Power” of the principal and problematic nutrients like phosphorus, potassium and zinc is quantified. This is achieved by using either a very sophisticated technique, electro-ultra-filtration, or a simple adsorption-desorption equilibrium technique, and by integrating the “Buffer Power” of the nutrient in question into the computations, accurate fertilizer recommendations are made. This technique was field tested across Europe, (Germany and Belgium), Africa (The Republic of Cameroon), and Asia (both Central Asia- Turkey and South Asia-India), during a period of three decades in test crops, such as, summer rye (Secale cereale), maize (Zea mays), wheat (Triticum aestivum), white clover (Trifolium repens), a highly nutritious and palatable fodder crop for Africa, black pepper (Piper nigrum) and cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum). Remarkable precision in predictability of plant uptake of phosphorus, potassium and zinc was obtained employing the technique.

“The Nutrient Buffer Power Concept” project was shortlisted for the very prestigious U.S. $1 Million Rolex Awards For Enterprise of The Rolex Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland, for its outstanding originality and quality from more than 3500 nominations worldwide and is the only project chosen for this very coveted distinction from the Asian continent.

This book discusses the various aspects, from production to marketing of turmeric and ginger, the world’s two most important and invaluable medicinal spice crops. The book begins with their origin and history, global spread, and goes on to describe the botany, production agronomy, fertilizer practices, pest management, post-harvest technology, pharmacology and nutraceutical uses. The book presents the economy, import-export and world markets involved with reference to turmeric and ginger. It would be a benchmark and an important reference source for scientists, students, both undergraduate and post graduate, studying agriculture and food sciences and policy makers. It would be of great interest to professionals and industry involved in spice trade.

This book discusses the role of food and the human nutrition-behavior interface.  Food makes us what we are, but in addition to providing adequate nutrition, does it influence behavior? This book looks at this critical question from various angles and considers different concepts and approaches to food, nutrition and well-being. To better understand the entire gamut of the food-behavior linkage, the author unravels the workings of the mind - brain link. The book discusses this aspect and the findings add to the existing fund of knowledge in this area. Much of today’s malaise in humans can be traced to the food consumed by individuals. This book provides a comprehensive picture of the current state of human nutrition and how this can be linked to behavior.

This book considers all aspects of black pepper from its growth, as a flowering vine, to how the dried fruit (peppercorn) is used as a spice and traded as a commodity. It is the economic mainstay of several India states and, principally, in Kerala State, with the Indian subcontinent being the largest black pepper producer. Indonesia has also emerged as a large producer of black pepper. Black pepper commands a leading position among the spices and has an immense commercial importance to world trade, finding its way onto the dining table of millions around the world, on the European and North American continents, and Japan. The use of black pepper ranges from a simple dietary component and flavour enhancer, to that of a spice with huge pharmacological benefits. 

This book catalogues the multi-scale impact of agronomy and economy on Cardamom, known as the “Queen” of spices. Cardamom is the second most important spice crop in the world, after Black pepper, known as the “King” of spices. Spices were the symbols of luxury and royalty, and cardamom was used in the manufacture of perfumes during the Greek and Roman times. It became one of the most important Oriental spices used in both Greek and Roman cuisine as well as its pharmacological applications. The book is divided into 15 chapters and concentrates on aspects of cardamom production and processing, the taxonomic aspects of cardamom, chemistry, pathology, entomology and is concluded with the future of cardamom. Special emphasis is given to the utility of “The Nutrient Buffer Power Concept”, a soil management technique in precise fertilizer management, especially with regard to Potassic fertilizers in cardamom production.  

This book paints a wide canvas of the immense global economic potential of ten most important cash generating crops spread over Asia, Africa and Latin America, namely, Arecanut, Cashew Nut, Coconut, Cinchona, Cocoa, Coffee, Tea, Oil Palm, Rubber and Wattle. It provides a cross-sectoral, multi-scale assessment of the status of these crops, from seed to dining table, an invaluable treatise on the subject. Structured to be an invaluable tool for the inquisitive researcher, an ardent student, and, an insightful policy maker.   

Spices can be classified as major spices, like Black pepper, Cardamom, Turmeric, Ginger etc, and minor spices and condiments, and tree spices. This book will discuss exclusively minor spices and condiments.

Spices constitute a very important group of agricultural products, which, since antiquity, have been considered indispensable in the culinary art of flavoring foods. The history of spices is very much entwined with the history of mankind. And, some spice crops like Black pepper predominates in the family of spices. In fact, colloquially, it is called “King”of spices and, another, Cardamom, is called the “Queen”of spices. There is worthwhile amount of published work, on these in addition to Turmeric and Ginger.

A detailed survey of published literature proves that there are a number of minor spices, which have tremendous commercial potential, globally. And, an authentic book on these will not only serve as an important guide to the academic community, but, also provide a fillip to industry involved in value addition.

This book discusses leafy spices or herbs known as “aromatic herbs”, which, apart from being used in culinary art for flavoring of foods and beverages, are also known to possess antiseptic, anti-oxidant and other medicinal properties, in addition to many nutraceutical and cosmetic properties.

Of the numerous herbs twelve of the commercially important herbs are imported into 4 major European markets, namely, France, Germany, United Kingdom and The Netherlands to the tune of 12000 to 13000 tonnes per annum. This book discusses these leafy herbs and their tremendous commercial potential in international trade. The book offers a comprehensive insight into  commercial herbs, with an objective of enhancing their yield, and provides a platform for further research into the global trade potential.