Agronomy and crop production Books

Book SynopsisHorticultural Reviews presents state-of-the-art reviews on topics in the horticultural sciences. The emphasis is on applied topics including the production of fruits, vegetables, nut crops, and ornamental plants of commercial importance. The title appears in the form of two volumes per year.Table of ContentsContributors. Dedication: Daniel J. Cantliffe (Peter J. Stoffella). 1. Genetic Resources of Kiwifruit: Domestication and Breeding (Hongwen Huang and A. Ross Ferguson). I. Introduction. II. Genetic Diversity and Germplasm Resources of Actinidia. III. Natural Distribution of Actinidia. IV. Domestication and Commercialization of Kiwifruit. V. Origins of Kiwifruit Cultivars. VI. From Genetic Diversity to Cultivar Development. Literature Cited. 2. Garlic: Botany and Horticulture (Rina Kamenetsky). I. Introduction. II. Variability and Genetic Resources. III. Plant Morphology and Effects of Environmental Factors on Annual Development. IV. Fertility Restoration and Seed Production. V. Propagation. VI. Chemical Composition, Medicinal and Neutraceutical Traits. VII. Horticultural Requirements. VIII. Postharvest Bulb Storage. IX. Concluding Remarks. Literature Cited. 3. Black Pepper: Botany and Horticulture (V. A. Parthasarathy, B. Sasikumar, R. R. Nair, and K. Johnson George). I. Introduction. II. Taxonomy, Morphology, and Cytology of Black Pepper. III. Horticulture. IV. Breeding. V. Biotechnology. Literature Cited. 4. Biology and Management of Weedy Root Parasites (D. M. Joel, J. Hershenhorn, H. Eizenberg, R. Aly, G. Ejeta, P. J. Rich, J. K. Ransom, J. Sauerborn, and D. Rubiales). I. Introduction. II. Economic Impact. III. Distribution. IV. Developmental Aspects. V. Management. VI. Concluding Remarks. Literature Cited. 5. Controlling Biotic Factors That Cause Postharvest Losses of Fresh Market Tomatoes (M. J. Mahovic, J. A. Bartz, and K. R. Schneider). I. Introduction. II. Factors Influencing Postharvest Loss. III. Sources and Means of Fruit Contamination During Harvest and Handling. IV. Controlling Biotic Hazards. V. Conclusions. Literature Cited. 6. The Master Gardener Program 1972–2005 (Mary Hockenberry Meyer). I. Introduction. II. Program Demographics. III. Program Activities. IV. Training and Management. V. Program Training and Management Costs. VI. Program Numbers and Impact. VII. Future Direction and Challenges. Literature Cited. Subject Index. Cumulative Subject Index. Cumulative Contributor Index.

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Book SynopsisHorticultural Reviews presents state-of-the-art reviews on topics in the horticultural sciences. The emphasis is on applied topics including the production of fruits, vegetables, nut crops, and ornamental plants of commerical importance. The title appears in the form of two volumes per year.Table of ContentsContributors. Dedication: Margaret Sedgley (Bryan Coombs). l. Analyzing Fruit Tree Architecture: Implications for Tree Management and Fruit Production (E. Costes, P. E. Lauri, and J. L. Regnard). I. Introduction. II. Architectural Analysis. III. Consequences of Tree Architecture for Tree Training, Orchard Management, and Fruit Production. IV. Conclusions. V. Glossary. Literature Cited. 2. Peach Orchard Systems (Richard P. Marini and Luca Corelli-Grappadelli). I. Introduction. II. Crop Physiology. III. Light Management. IV. Peach Orchard Systems. V. Vigor-Controlling Methods for Peach Trees. VI. Limitations to High Peach Yields. VII. Future Trends and Direction. Literature Cited. 3. Irrigation Scheduling and Evaluation of Tree Water Status in Deciduous Orchards (Amos Naor). I. Introduction. II. The Modern Irrigation Scheduling Concept. III. Deficit Irrigation. IV. Water Stress Assessment and Timing of Irrigation. V. Concluding Remarks. Literature Cited. 4. Leucadendron: A Major Proteaceous Floricultural Crop (Jaacov Ben-Jaacov and Avner Silber). I. Introduction. II. Botany of the Genus Leucadendron. III. World Industry and Economics. IV. Horticulture. V. Crop Potential and Research Needs. Literature Cited. 5. Chinese Jujube: Botany and Horticulture (Mengjun Liu). I. Introduction. II. Botany. III. Physiology. IV. Environmental Requirements. V. Horticulture. Literature Cited. 6. Taxus spp.: Botany, Horticulture, and Source of Anti-Cancer Compounds (John M. DeLong and Robert K. Prange). I. Introduction. II. Historical. III. Botany. IV. Horticulture. V. Pharmacology of Anti-Cancer Compounds from Taxus. VI. Conclusions. Literature Cited. 7. The Genus Allium: A Developmental and Horticultural Analysis (Rina Kamenetsky and Haim D. Rabinowitch). I. Introduction. II. Taxonomy and Geographical Distribution. III. Genetic Resources and Possible Use of Wild Allium Species. IV. Morphological Structures and Comparisons Between Biomorphological Groups. V. Plant Development. VI. Propagation. VII. Chemical Composition. VIII. Concluding Remarks. Literature Cited. 8. The Invasive Plant Debate: A Horticultural Perspective (Alex X. Niemiera and Guy Phillips). I. Introduction. II. Perspectives. III. Ecology of Invasive Species. IV. Regulatory Matters. V. Conclusion. Literature Cited. Appendix A. Subject Index. Cumulative Subject Index. Cumulative Contributor Index.

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Book SynopsisThe importance of understanding the metabolism of agrochemicals in plants has never been greater. In a world where food safety and environmental concerns are increasing, knowledge of the metabolic processes within plants and the terminal residues of agrochemicals in food crops is invaluable.Trade Review"...an essential text..." -- Biological Agriculture Horticulture, Vol 18, 2000 "The book can be recommended to research and advanced university students." --Journal of Agronomy & Crop Science, March 2001Table of ContentsIntroduction -- Regulatory Considerations (T. Roberts). Experimental Approaches for Plant Metabolism Studies (R. Baloch). Primary Metabolism of Agrochemicals in Plants (T. Katagi & N. Mikami). Secondary Metabolism of Agrochemicals in Plants (D. Cole & R. Edwards). Bound Residues Arising from the Use of Agrochemicals on Plants (M. Skidmore). The Comparative Metabolism of Agrochemicals in Plants and Mammals (S. Bounds & D. Hutson). Herbicide Metabolism as a Basis for Selectivity (W. Owen). Herbicide Safeners and Synergists (K. Hatzios). Index.

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Book SynopsisThis is an identification guide and information source for a major group of agriculturally important insects on a world-wide basis. It enables the non-specialist anywhere in the world to identify aphids found colonising crop plants, and offers summaries of available knowledge of each species.Table of ContentsINTRODUCTORY SECTION. Introduction and Aims of the Book. Systematics. Life Cycles. Host-Plant Relationships. Geographical Distribution. Morphology and Key Characters. THE CROPS AND THEIR APHIDS. Notes on the Use of this Section. List of Crop Plants and their English Names. Lists and Keys to Aphids on Each Crop. THE APHIDS. Introduction to the Section. Systematic Treatment of Genera (Alphabetical). TECHNIQUES. Collecting. Preservation and Mounting. Labelling and Storage. SOURCES OF INFORMATION. Regionally Classified Faunal Works. General Biology. Morphology, Anatomy and Physiology. Genetics and Development. Migration and Dispersal. Relationships with Other Insects. Host-Plant Relationships. Control. Bibliographies. REFERENCES. PHOTOGRAPHIC GUIDE.

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Book SynopsisThe only way to recommend new crop varieties, agrochemicals and husbandry systems is after they have been thoroughly tested in a series of replicated field trials. The trials, which are used to test these products or systems, need to be designed in such a way that the results obtained are reasonable and representative.Trade Review"...suitable for a practical course to science students wishing to appreciate statistical methods in agricultural and environmental research." (Short Book Reviews, Vol. 21, No. 2, August 2001) "...useful to undergraduate students..." (Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 961, 2001/11)Table of ContentsPreface. Basic Principles of Experimentation. Basic Statistical Calculations. Basic Data Summary. The Normal Distribution, the t-Distribution and Confidence Intervals. Introduction to Hypothesis Testing. Comparison of Two Independent Sample Means. Linear Regression and Correlation. Curve Fitting. The Completely Randomised Design. The Randomised Block Design. The Latin Square Design. Factorial Experiments. Comparison of Treatment Means. Checking the Assumptions and Transformation of Data. Missing Values and Incomplete Blocks. Split Plot Designs Comparison of Regression Lines and Analysis of Covariance. Analysis of Counts. Some Non-parametric Methods. Appendix 1: The Normal Distribution Function. Appendix 2: Percentage Points of the Normal Distribution. Appendix 3: Percentage Points of the t-Distribution. Appendix 4a: 5 Per Cent Points of the F-Distribution. Appendix 4b: 2.5 Per Cent Points of the F-Distribution. Appendix 4c: 1 Per Cent Points of the F-Distribution. Appendix 4d: 0.1 Per Cent Points of the F-Distribution. Appendix 5: Percentage Points of the Sample Correlation Coefficient (r) When the Population Correlation Coefficient is 0 and n is the Number of X.Y. Pairs. Appendix 6: 5 Per Cent Points of the Studentised Range, for Use in Tukey and SNK Tests. Appendix 7: Percentage Points of the Chi-Square Distribution. Appendix 8: Probabilities of S or Fewer Successes in the Binomial Distribution with n 'trials' and p = 0.5. Appendix 9: Critical Values of T in the Wilcoxon Signed Rank or Matched Pairs Test. Appendix 10: Critical Values of U in the Mann-Whitney Test. References. Further Reading. Index.

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Book SynopsisBiology of Citrus provides a concise and comprehensive discussion of all major developmental, genetic and horticultural aspects of citriculture in an easily readable text. The book deals with the history, distribution and climatic adaptation of the crop, followed by taxonomy and systematics, including a horticultural classification of edible citrus species. Subsequent chapters cover tree structure and function, reproductive physiology, including flowering, fruiting, productivity, ripening, post-harvest and fruit constituents. The main aspects of cultivated citrus, such as rootstocks, irrigation, pests, viruses and diseases are dealt with, leading to a concluding chapter that considers genetic improvement, including the use of tissue culture and plant biotechnology. The book includes many specially produced original illustrations and the extensive reading lists will make it invaluable for students and citrus specialists.Trade Review'This work is of notable interest, based on the most up-to-date scientific and technical knowledge, which is undoubtedly useful for scholars of the subject and, in particular, for undergraduates as well as for students in advanced courses specialising in citriculture and horticulture.' P. L. Pisdani, Advances in Horticultural Science' … the best general source of information on citrus available at this time for anyone working with citrus.' Heinz K. Watscher, Hortscience' … ideal as an essential reference work for students and citrus specialists.' Fruits'Biology of Citrus is easily read and highly recommended.' Patricia Broadbent, Annals of BotanyTable of ContentsPreface; Acknowledgements; Introduction; 1. History and growing of citrus; 2. Citrus and its relatives; 3. The vegetative Citrus tree: development and function; 4. Reproductive physiology: flowering and fruiting; 5. Aspects of cultivated citrus; 6. Genetic improvement in citrus; Index.

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Book SynopsisThe work of Nickolay Ivanovich Vavilov has formed the basis of much of the study of plant genetic resources that is carried out. In recognition of his contribution to plant science, and to commemorate the centenary of his birth, a collection of all of Vavgilov's works on the origin and geography of cultivated plant species was published in Russian in 1987. This English translation sees the publication of these seminal papers in their original form, but not original language, for the first time. The structure of the book, with papers arranged in chronological order from 1920 to 1940, provides a unique opportunity to retrace both the development Vavilov's theories on cultivated plants and his gradual creation of a definite terminology. the book will be of great interest to all those concerned with the development of cultivated plant species, not only in terms of the history of this discipline and its status, but also its future direction.Table of Contents1. On the Eastern centers of origin of cultivated plants; 2. On the origin of cultivated plants; 3. Centers of origin of cultivated plants; 4. Geographical regularities in relation to the distribution of the genes of cultivated plants; 5. Universal centers of a wealth of types of cultivated plants; 6. The problem concerning the origin of cultivated plants as presently understood; 7. The problem concerning the origin of agriculture in the light of recent research; 8. The role of Central Asia in the origin of cultivated plants; 9. Mexico and Central America as a basic center of origin of cultivated plants in the New World; 10. The plant resources of the world and the work performed the the All Union Institute of Plant Industry toward their utilization; 11. The world centers of origin of agriculture and the soil map of the world; 12. Soviet science and the study of the problem concerning the origin of domesticated animals; 13. Problems concerning new crops; 14. The present state of worldwide agriculture and agricultural sciences; 15. The plant resources of the world and their utilization for socialistic agriculture; 16. Plant resources of the world and the mastering thereof; 17. The phyto-geographical basis for plant breeding; 18. Asia - the source of species; 19. Plant resources of the world and their utlization for plant breeding; 20. The important agricultural crops of pre-Columbian America and their mutual relationship; 21. Reply to the article by G. N. Shlykov, 'formal genetics and consistent Darwinism; 22. The theory of the origin of cultivated plants after Darwin; 23. Introduction of plants during the Soviet era and its results; 24. New data on the cultivated flora of china and its importance for Soviet plant breeding; 25. A letter to S. M. Bukasov; Indices.

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Book SynopsisVolatile (essential) oil crops yield a wide range of products - fresh and dried herbs, oils and oil components and various oleoresins. Changing lifestyles in developed countries have led to dramatic increases in demand for these products, particularly over the last decade.Table of ContentsPreface ix Acknowledgements xi List of Contributors xiii 1 Introduction 1R.K.M. Hay and K.P. Svoboda 2 Botany 5R.K.M. Hay and K.P. Svoboda 3 Physiology 23R.K.M. Hay 4 The Chemistry of Volatile Oils 47P.G. Waterman 5 Genetics 63Ch. Franz 6 Biological Activity of Volatile Oils 97S.G. Deans and P.G. Waterman 7 Biotechnology of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants 113K.P. Svoboda 8 Commercial Aspects 137N. Verlet Appendix: Commentary on the British Pharmacopoeia Monograph on Peppermint Oil 175 Botanical Species Index 177 Chemical Index 183

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Book SynopsisCoffee: Recent Developments Edited by R.J. Clarke and O.G. Vitzthum Coffee, one of the most commercially important crops grown, is distributed and traded globally in a multi--million dollar world industry. This exciting new book brings together in one volume the most important recent developments affecting the crop.Trade Review?The editors of Coffee: Recent Developments have drawn together a comprehensive and extremely important book that should be on the shelves of all those involved in coffee.? ( Café Culture, September 2009)Table of ContentsPreface; List of Contributors; Chemistry I: Non-volatile compounds; Chemistry II: Non-volatile compounds; Chemistry III: Volatile compounds; Technology I: Roasting; Technology II: Decaffeination of coffee; Technology III: Instant Coffee: Technology IV: Beverage preparation; Health effects and safety considerations; Agronomy I: Coffee breeding Practices; Agronomy II: Developmental and cell biology; Agronomy III: Molecular Biology; Appendices: International Standards Organization (ISO); International Coffee Organization (ICO); Units and Numerals; Index

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Book SynopsisThe fourth edition of this highly regarded book has been considerably enlarged to cover all aspects of cocoa production. Higher prices for cocoa have led to much new knowledge about the plant and changes to its methods of production.Table of ContentsPreface vii Acknowledgements ix Note on Terminology x List of Plates xi List of Figures xv List of Maps xviii Glossary xix 1 History and development G. A. R. Wood 1 2 Botany, types and populations H. Toxopeus 11 3 Environment G. A. R. Wood 38 4 Planting material H. Toxopeus 80 5 Propagation G. A. R. Wood 93 6 Establishment G. A. R. Wood 119 7 Shade and nutrition M. Wessel 166 8 Maintenance and improvement of mature cocoa farms R. A. Lass 195 9 Replanting and rehabilitation of old cocoa farms R. A. Lass 210 10 Labour usage R. A. Lass 234 11 Diseases R. A. Lass 265 12 Insects and cocoa P. F. Entwistle 366 13 From harvest to store G. A. R. Wood 444 14 Quality and inspection G. A. R. Wood 505 15 Marketing A. P. Williamson 528 16 Production G. A. R. Wood 543 17 Consumption and manufacture G. A. R. Wood 587 Appendix 1 Visual Symptoms of Mineral Malnutrition 598 Appendix 2 International Cocoa Standards 601 Appendix 3 Conversion Factors 607 Appendix 4 Publications on Cocoa 608 Index 610

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Book SynopsisGene Banks and the World's Food contributes to the crucial debate on how best to preserve some of society's most valuable raw material. The authors also provide an up-to-date report on the status and locations of gene banks, which includes the latest available information on germplasm holdings by crop. They (hen discuss how these holdings are beingTable of Contents*FrontMatter, pg. i*CONTENTS, pg. v*Preface, pg. vii*A Note on Terminology, pg. xi*Acknowledgments, pg. xiii*1. Gene Banks: A Global Resource, pg. 1*2. Seeds in Due Season, pg. 19*3. Plant Collectors and Gene Banks, pg. 41*4. Gene Banks, pg. 72*5. Biotechnology and Genetic Resources, pg. 97*6. Genes in the Bank, pg. 110*7. Gene-Bank Dividends, pg. 142*8. Wild Species: The Wider Gene Pool, pg. 155*9. A Case Study in Rice Germplasm: IR36, pg. 171*10. Global Imperatives, pg. 186*Appendices, pg. 197*Literature Cited, pg. 209*Index, pg. 233

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Book SynopsisInspired by the mystique of a uniquely American tree, the pecan, John Gifford set out to explore the US pecan industry. What he discovered during his two-year immersion was a nut that's poised to become the next superfood and an industry that today finds itself in the most important juncture in its history.Trade ReviewIn Pecan America, John Gifford takes an outwardly simple Subject, the pecan, and reveals its historical richness, ecological significance, and cultural Complexity. Pecan America is a delightful and informative journey into a beloved but at times misunderstood American food, and readers will be glad they accompanied Gifford on the adventure." - Stephanie Anderson, author of One Size Fits None: A Farm Girl's Search for the Promise of Regenerative Agriculture"If the thought of ancient midland groves that cheat the reaper of modernity electrifies you, then you'll appreciate Gifford’s road trip into the heart of pecan country." - George Frazier, author of The Last Wild Places of Kansas: Journeys into Hidden Landscapes

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Book SynopsisIn a world of high finance, unprecedented technological change, and cyber billionaires, it is easy to forget that a major source of global wealth is, literally, right under our noses.Trade Review"Gavin Fridell�s insightful, well argued and up-to-date analysis of the world coffee economy demonstrates that the state�s role in coffee statecraft continues to be essential to creating a more just division of the earnings in the world of coffee. As well as providing a thorough guide to the economics and politics of one of the world�s most important commodities, this book will spark much needed debate about the nature of neoliberalism and market-based solutions to economic and social problems." Steven Topik, University of California Irvine"Gavin Fridell provides an invaluable, beautifully written and thoroughly engaging account of the contemporary global coffee market. I would recommend this work widely, not just for those interested in any aspect of the coffee economy but also for those interested in contemporary changes to the global economy or agrarian commodities."Economic GeographyTable of Contents1. The Global Market and Coffee Statecraft2. Making Coffee3. Pro-Poor Regulation4. Coffee Unleashed?5. Fair Trade and Corporate Power6. Coffee and the Non-Developmental State

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Book Synopsis* A new book in Polity's successful Resources series which tells the fascinating story of sugar in the global economy * Ambitious and intriguing, this book advances our understanding of the hugely profitable sugar industry and the economic exploitation and health issues associated with it.Trade Review�This is a fascinating interdisciplinary book and it covers much ground very well. It is well referenced and has a useful �further reading� section. I would recommend it for anyone interested in the good, the bad and the ugly of our globalized food system.�International Affairs "This is a fascinating interdisciplinary book and it covers much ground very well. It is well referenced and has a useful �further reading� section. I would recommend it for anyone interested in the good, the bad and the ugly of our globalized food system." Tim Benton, UK�s Global Food Security Programme and University of Leeds, UK "Ben Richardson�s Sugar is an intriguing survey of all things sugar, including consumption and foodways, the means of production, and how governments deal with their sugar industries and conduct their sugar-related international trade relations. True to his mission of providing a Marxist perspective, Richardson concludes by advocating for �reform from below.� Sugar draws on the scholarship of many sugar experts and will be a valuable resource for journalists and others researching sugar issues." Elizabeth Abbott, Author, Sugar: A Bittersweet History "Sugar has shaped our history and our politics; it affects our health, and influences the livelihoods of millions. Sugar is a lens on a fast-changing, globalised world, where the politics of agrarian change, international commerce, workers� rights and human health must be examined together. This is a fascinating book that both informs and challenges. Anyone interested in global politics, agriculture, business and social change and justice should read it." Ian Scoones, University of SussexTable of ContentsAcknowledgements 1. Introduction 2. Growing Markets, Growing Waistlines 3. Terminal Trade Dependency 4. Exploiting and Expelling Labour 5. Expanding and Exhausting Land 6. A Sweeter Deal for All? Selected Readings Notes

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Book SynopsisSquashes and pumpkins come in many shapes, sizes and colours. This guide also covers other members of the gourd family, from marrows to courgettes and cucumbers. Practical information is given on how to grow each type, as well as harvesting and cooking uses.

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Book SynopsisFor over four decades, John Coykendall's passion has been preserving the farm heritage of a small community in rural southeastern Louisiana. In Preserving Our Roots: My Journey to Save Seeds and Stories, Coykendall shares a wealth of materials collected in his journals, ensuring they are passed on to future generations.

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Book SynopsisSoil Genesis and Classification, Sixth Edition, builds on the success of the previous editions to present an unparalleled resource on soil formation and classification. Featuring a color plate section containing multiple soil profiles, this text also includes information on new classification systems and emerging technologies and databases with updated references throughout. Covering the diverse needs of both the academic and professional communities, this classic text will be a must have reference for all those in soil science and related fields.Trade Review“You should buy it and persuade your library to buy it as well.” (European Journal of Soil Science, 1 December 2011) “The book is well suited for practicing and future soil scientist, geographers, geomorphologists, soil conservationists, sanity engineers, ecologists, foresters, agronomists, and archaeologists. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above.” (Choice, 1 April 2012) Table of ContentsAuthors vii Preface to the First Edition ix Preface to the Second Edition x Preface to the Third Edition xi Preface to the Fourth Edition xiii Preface to the Fifth Edition xiv Preface to the Sixth Edition xv 1. Introduction 3 2. Morphology and Composition of Soils 35 3. Soil-forming Factors: Soil as a Component of Ecosystems 89 4. Soil Materials and Weathering 141 5. Soil-forming Processes 163 6. Modern Soil Classification Systems 181 7. U.S. Soil Taxonomy 207 8. Alfisols: High Base Status Soils with Finer-textured Subsoil Horizons 233 9. Andisols: Soils with Andic Soil Properties 249 10. Aridisols: Soils of Dry Regions 265 11. Entisols: Recently Formed Soils 283 12. Gelisols: Very Cold Soils 293 13. Histosols: Organic Soils 307 14. Inceptisols: Embryonic Soils with Few Diagnostic Features 321 15. Mollisols: Grassland Soils of Steppes and Prairies 331 16. Oxisols: Low Activity Soils 349 17. Spodosols: Soils with Subsoil Accumulations of Humus and Sesquioxides 361 18. Ultisols: Low Base Status Soils with Finer-textured Subsoil Horizons 375 19. Vertisols: Shrinking and Swelling Dark Clay Soils 385 20. Spatial Arrangement of Soils: Soilscapes and Map Units 397 21. Interpretations of Soil Surveys and Technical Soil Classification 425 Bibliography 437 Index 531 Color plate section located between pages 232 and 233

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Book SynopsisA sociological study of changing farming methods, Conservation Tillage and Cropping Innovation investigates those techniques that have gradually continued to replace the plow culture. With thorough documentation of the conservation tillage and cropping revolution, this book features chapters on: The Social Construction of Innovative Networks; Planning Conservation Cropping: Implications for Research, Development, and Extension; The New Agriculture of Conservation Cropping: Present and Future.Table of ContentsForeword; Preface; Acknowledgments; Introduction; Conceptualizing System Innovation: Social Construction of Conservation Tillage and Cropping; Plow Culture in the United States and Australia; Farming in the 1950s: The Driving Forces; The Social Construction of Innovative Networks; Social Construction of New Tillage and Cropping Systems in the united States; The Construction of New Tillage Systems in Australia; The Spread of Conservation Tillage in Kentucky and Queensland; Reconstructing the Farm Landscape: The Spread of Conservation Tillage in the United States; Planning Conservation Cropping: Implications for Research, Development, and Extension; The New Agriculture of Conservation Cropping: Present and Future; Bibliography; Acronyms; Index.

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Book SynopsisEfforts to increase efficient nutrient use by crops are of growing importance as the global demand for food, fibre and fuel increases and competition for resources intensifies. This book provides both a timely summary of the latest advances in the field as well as anticipating directions for future research.Trade Review“There are then a series of excellent individual chapters on phosphorus, the cationic macronutrients potassium, calcium and magnesium, sulphur, iron, zinc and the micronutrients boron, chlorine, copper, manganese, molybdenum and nickel.” (Experimental Agriculture, 2012) Table of ContentsPreface vii Contributors ix Part I: Generic Aspects of Crop Nutrition 3 Chapter 1 An Overview of Nutrient Use Efficiency and Strategies for Crop Improvement 5Malcolm J. Hawkesford Chapter 2 Crop Root Systems and Nutrient Uptake from Soils 21Peter J. Gregory Chapter 3 The Role of the Rhizosphere in Nutrient Use Efficiency in Crops 47Petra Marschner Chapter 4 Optimizing Canopy Physiology Traits to Improve the Nutrient Utilization Efficiency of Crops 65M. John Foulkes and Erik H. Murchie Chapter 5 Senescence and Nutrient Remobilization in Crop Plants 83Per L. Gregersen Chapter 6 Effects of Nitrogen and Sulfur Nutrition on Grain Composition and Properties of Wheat and Related Cereals 103Peter R. Shewry Part II: Nitrogen as a Key Driver of Production 121 Chapter 7 Genetic Improvement of Nutrient Use Efficiency in Wheat 123Jacques Le Gouis Chapter 8 The Molecular Genetics of Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Crops 139Bertrand Hirel and Peter J. Lea Chapter 9 Biotechnological Approaches to Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Plants: Alanine Aminotransferase as a Case Study 165Allen G. Good and Perrin H. Beatty Chapter 10 Transporters Involved in Nitrogen Uptake and Movement 193Anthony J. Miller and Nick Chapman Chapter 11 Crop Improvement for Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Irrigated Lowland Rice 211Shaobing Peng Part III: Other Critical Macro- and Micronutrients 227 Chapter 12 Phosphorus as a Critical Macronutrient 229Carroll P. Vance Chapter 13 Uptake, Distribution, and Physiological Functions of Potassium, Calcium, and Magnesium 265Frans J.M. Maathuis and Dorina Podar Chapter 14 Sulfur Nutrition in Crop Plants 295Luit J. De Kok, Ineke Stulen, and Malcolm J. Hawkesford Chapter 15 Iron Nutrition and Implications for Biomass Production and the Nutritional Quality of Plant Products 311Jean-François Briat Chapter 16 Zinc in Soils and Crop Nutrition 335Behzad Sadeghzadeh and Zed Rengel Chapter 17 Overview of the Acquisition and Utilization of Boron, Chlorine, Copper, Manganese, Molybdenum, and Nickel by Plants and Prospects for Improvement of Micronutrient Use Efficiency 377Patrick H. Brown and Elias Bassil Part IV: Specialized Case Studies 429 Chapter 18 Drought and Implications for Nutrition 431Eric Ober and Martin A.J. Parry Chapter 19 Salt Resistance of Crop Plants: Physiological Characterization of a Multigenic Trait 443Sven Schubert Chapter 20 Legumes and Nitrogen Fixation: Physiological, Molecular, Evolutionary Perspectives, and Applications 457Muthusubramanian Venkateshwaran and Jean-Michel Ané Index 491

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Book SynopsisPlant Transformation Technologies is a comprehensive, authoritative book focusing on cutting-edge plant biotechnologies, offering in-depth, forward-looking information on methods for controlled and accurate genetic engineering.Trade Review“Books such as this are invaluable for any laboratory that performs recombinant technology in plants and come not only highly recommended, but are essential reading for all molecular biology students.” (The Quarterly Review of Biology, 1 September 2012) Table of ContentsContributors. Preface. SECTION 1 Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation. Chapter 1 Host Factors Involved in Genetic Transformation of Plant Cells by Agrobacterium (BENOˆIT LACROIX, ADI ZALTSMAN, AND VITALY CITOVSKY). Chapter 2 Genomics of Agrobacterium–Plant Interaction: An Approach to Refine the Plant Transformation Technology (AJITH ANAND, ZARIR E. VAGHCHHIPAWALA, AND KIRANKUMAR S. MYSORE). SECTION 2 Other Transformation Technologies. Chapter 3 Particle Bombardment: An Established Weapon in the Arsenal of Plant Biotechnologists (THEODORE M. KLEIN). Chapter 4 A Novel Gene Delivery System in Plants with Calcium Alginate Micro-Beads (NAOKI WADA, SHIN’ICHIRO KAJIYAMA, NARUEMON KHEMKLADNGOEN, AND KIICHI FUKUI). Chapter 5 Pollen Transformation Technologies (TATIANA RESCH AND ALISHER TOURAEV). Chapter 6 Intragenic Vectors and Marker-Free Transformation: Tools for a Greener Biotechnology (CAIUS M. ROMMENS, ANTHONY CONNER, HUA YAN, AND ZAC HANLEY). Chapter 7 Visualizing Transgene Expression (JOHN J. FINER). SECTION 3 Vectors, Promoters, and Other Tools for Plant Transformation. Chapter 8 Current State and Perspective of Binary Vectors and Superbinary Vectors (TOSHIYUKI KOMORI AND TOSHIHIKO KOMARI). Chapter 9 Novel Dual Binary Vectors (pCLEAN) for Plant Transformation (PHILIPPE VAIN). Chapter 10 pORE Modular Vectors for Plant Transformation (DWAYNE D. HEGEDUS). Chapter 11 pANIC: A Versatile Set of Gateway-Compatible Vectors for Gene Overexpression and RNAi-Mediated Down-Regulation in Monocots (DAVID G.J. MANN, PETER R. LAFAYETTE, LAURA L. ABERCROMBIE, WAYNE A. PARROTT, AND C. NEAL STEWART, JR.). SECTION 4 Transgene Integration, Stability, Methylation, Silencing. Chapter 12 Understanding and Avoiding Transgene Silencing (MICHAEL W. GRAHAM, STEPHEN R. MUDGE, PETER R. STERNES, AND ROBERT G. BIRCH). Chapter 13 Site-Specific Recombination for Precise and “Clean” Transgene Integration in Plant Genome (VIBHA SRIVASTAVA AND DAVID W. OW). SECTION 5 Selection Systems, Marker-Free Transformation. Chapter 14 Selectable Marker Genes: Types and Interactions (BRIAN MIKI, ASHRAF ABDEEN, YUZUKI MANABE, SOUAD EL OUAKFAOUI, DOUGLAS A. JOHNSON, LORETA GUDYNAITE-SAVITCH, MING HU, AND PHIL MACDONALD). Chapter 15 Transformation Methods for Obtaining Marker-Free Genetically Modified Plants (JAN G. SCHAART, FRANS A. KRENS, ANNE-MARIE A. WOLTERS, AND RICHARD G.F. VISSER). Chapter 16 Intellectual Property Aspects of Plant Transformation (JIM M. DUNWELL). Index. Color Plate between pages 82 and 83.

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Book SynopsisEvery bale of hay has a little bit of summer sun stored in the heart of it— learn from a mother-daughter team how hay is made! Feeding her horses one cold and wintry day, a girl thinks about all the hard work that went into the fresh-smelling bales she''s using. The rhyming text and brilliant full-page paintings follow the girl and her mother through the summer as they cut, spread, dry and bale in the fields. Mower blades slice through the grass./A new row falls with every pass./Next we spread the grass to dry./The tedder makes those grasses fly! This celebration of summer, farming, and family, illustrated by Pura Belpré honor artist Joe Cepeda, includes a glossary of haymaking words, and a recipe for making your own switchel— a traditional farm drink, to cool you down in the summer heat. A Bank Street Best Children''s Book of the Year

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Book SynopsisThe potato is economically a very important crop in many parts of the world. All improvements through potato breeding or biotechnology must be based on a thorough knowledge of potato genetics. This book fills a major gap in the current literature for an up-to-date account of this topic and its implications for crop improvement. Written by authorities from the UK, USA, Canada, Peru, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and Poland, this major reference work will be indispensible for workers in plant genetics, breeding and biotechnology.Table of Contents1: Production of monohaploids of Solanum tuberosum L. and their use ingenetics, molecular biology and breeding, E Jacobsen and M S RamannaCellular and molecular genetics 2: Tissue culture, G Wenzel 3: Somaclonal variation, A Kumar 4: Molecular genetics, K N WatanabeEnvironmental stress, morphology and quality 5: Environmental stress and its impact on potato yield, M E Vayda 6: Inheritance of morphological and tuber characteristics, R Ortiz and ZHuaman 7: Inheritance of table and processing quality, M F B Dale and G R MackayInheritance of resistance to pests and diseases 8: Inheritance of resistance to nematodes, M.S. Phillips 9: Inheritance of resistance to viruses, K M Swiezynski 10: Inheritance of resistance to late blight, V Umaerus and M Umaerus 11: Inheritance of resistance to warm-growing-season fungal diseases, J JPavek and D L Corsini 12: Inheritance of resistance to fungal diseases of tubers, R L Wastie 13: Inheritance of resistance to bacterial diseases, J G Elphinstone 14: Inheritance of resistance to insects and mites, K V Raman et al.Potato breeding 15: Breeding strategies for clonally propagated potatoes, J E Bradshaw and GR Mackay 16: Breeding potatoes based on true seed propagation, A M Golmirzaie, PMalagamba and N Pallais 17: Introgression of genes from wild species, including molecular and cellularapproaches, J G Th Hermsen

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Book SynopsisThis book provides a comprehensive overview of grassland nitrogen incorporating information from crop science, soils and fertilizers, ruminant consumption and environmental aspects. The published information is reviewed on the various transformations of nitrogen in temperate grassland systems. These include those taking place in soils. The effects of soil, weather and management practices are discussed and considerable emphasis is placed on soil-plant-animal interactions. A second aim of the book is to describe the factors that influence the response of grassland to the application of fertilizer nitrogen, and how the optimum rate of application may be determined. In addition, nitrogen balances are described for different grassland systems, showing how the annual inputs and outputs vary greatly depending on sward type and management. The book is of interest to a wide readership, especially those engaged in research, teaching and advisory work, and students taking courses in agriculturalTable of Contents1: Grasses: uptake of nitrogen and effects on morphology and physiology 2: Legumes: biological nitrogen fixation and interaction with grasses 3: Consumption, digestion and excretion of nitrogen by ruminant livestock 4: Amounts, sources and fractionation of organic nitrogen in soils 5: Mineralization, immobilization and availability of nitrogen in soils 6: Leaching of nitrogen from soils 7: Volatilization of ammonia 8: Volatilization of gaseous nitrogen and nitrogen oxides through denitrification and nitrification 9: Use of fertilizer nitrogen and slurry nitrogen on grasslands: recovery and response 10: Response to fertilizer nitrogen: influence of sward type, pattern of fertilizer application and method of harvesting 11: Response to fertilizer nitrogen: influence of weather, seasonal factors and soil type 12: Response to fertilizer nitrogen: influence of type of fertilizer and supplies of other nutrients 13: Influence of fertilizer nitrogen on the composition and nutritional quality of grassland herbage 14: Nitrogen balances in contrasting grassland systems

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Book SynopsisWhile botanically quite different, coffee, cocoa and tea are often considered together in the teaching of students of horticulture or agriculture. This is because all three represent plantation cash crops that are used as stimulant beverages and are grown in many of the warmer, less developed regions of the world. While there are a number of specialist books available on aspects of each individual crop, as well as grower manuals focusing on particular regions, there is currently no book that provides a general introductory overview of the scientific principles underlying production of all three crops. This book fills this gap, and will serve as a broad-based text for students of agriculture, horticulture and food science, as well as professionals seeking an overview of the topic.Table of ContentsPart I: Introduction and Overview 1.1: Stimulant Beverage Crops 1.2: Origins and Distribution of Coffee, Cocoa and Tea 1.3: Production and Markets Part II: Coffee 2.1: Botany and Plant Improvement 2.2: Climatic Requirements, Soil Requirements and Management 2.3: Field Management 2.4: Mineral Nutrition and Fertilizers 2.5: Pests, Diseases and Weed Control Part III: Cocoa 3.1: Botany and Plant Improvement 3.2: Climatic Requirements, Soil Requirements and Management 3.3: Field Management 3.4: Mineral Nutrition and Fertilizers 3.5: Pests, Diseases and Weed Control Part IV: Tea 4.1: Botany and Plant Improvement 4.2: Climatic Limitations, Soil Requirements and Management 4.3: Field Management 4.4: Mineral Nutrition and Fertilizers 4.5: Pests, Diseases and Weed Control Part V: Processing 5.1: Crop Processing at the Plantation and for Retail Sale

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Book SynopsisThe sweet cherry is one of the most popular of temperate fruit crops with consumers and is grown commercially in more than 40 countries of the world, in temperate, Mediterranean, subtropical and arid regions of all continents. The sour cherry is cultivated in fewer countries, mainly in Europe and the USA, and is used mainly in processed cherry products. Until recently, horticultural improvement of cherries as a commercial crop has been slow, and major production problems such as bird damage, rain-induced cracking, and bacterial diseases, have remained. However, in the last 25 years, major developments have occurred. New improved varieties of sweet cherry have been bred which have larger fruit, are more disease resistant and set fruit more reliably. Improved sour cherry varieties have also been bred and mechanised systems of harvesting introduced. New dwarfing rootstocks are now being released. This book provides a comprehensive review of all of these topics, and many more. It covers alTable of ContentsPart One: Introduction 1: The taxonomic classification of sweet and sour cherries and a brief history of their cultivation, A D Webster 2: World distribution of sweet and sour cherry production: national statistics, A D Webster and N E Looney Part Two: Plant Materials 3: Sweet cherry scions: characteristics of principal commercial cultivars, breeding objectives and methods, G Bargioni 4: Sour cherries cultivars: objectives and methods of fruit breeding and characteristics of principal commercial cultivars, A Iezzoni 5: Rootstocks for sweet and sour cherries, A D Webster and H Schmidt Part Three: Crop Physiology and Husbandry 6: Propagation of sweet and sour cherries, A D Webster 7: Selection of the orchard site, orchard planning and establishment, M Longstroth and R L Perry 8: Flowering , pollination and fruit set, M Thompson 9: Cherry nutrient requirements and water relations, E J Hanson and E L Proebsting 10: Tree canopy management and the orchard environment, principles and practices of pruning and training, J A Flore and C D Kesner 11: Principles and practice of plant bioregulator usage in cherry production, N E Looney 12: Rain-induced cracking of sweet cherries; its causes and prevention, J Vittrup Christensen Part Four: Crop Protection 13: Orchard floor vegetation management, E J Hogue and N E Looney 14: Cherry diseases: their prevention and control, G I Mink and A L Jones 15: Management and control of insect and mite pests of cherry, J F Brunner 16: Sweet cherries: protection of fruit from bird and rain damage, D Pennell and A D Webster Part Five: Harvesting, Handling and Utilization 17: Harvesting and handling of sweet cherries for the fresh market, N E Looney, A D Webster and E M Kupferman 18: Harvesting and handling sour and sweet cherries for processing, G K Brown and G Kollar 19: Cherry processing, K Kaack, S E Spayd and S R Drake 20: Index

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Book SynopsisSoybean is one of the world's leading sources of seed oil and seed protein and is grown extensively, particularly in the Americas and Asia. Indeed, soybean is the lowest-cost producer of vegetable oil, since the oil is a coproduct of its protein-rich meal. Major advances have recently been made in our understanding of soybean genetics and of the application of new technologies to soybean improvement. Thus it is now possible, using molecular methods, to alter the protein and oil composition of soybean, as well as produce other foreign proteins in the plant. Further progress should permit the improvement of nitrogen fixation and other desirable traits. This book focuses on recent progress in our understanding of the genetics and molecular biology of soybean and provides a broad review of the subject, from genome diversity to transformation and integration of desired genes using current technologies. It is aimed at workers in legume agronomy, plant genetics, breeding and biotechnology.Table of Contents1: Germplasm Diversity within Soybeans, R G Palmer, T Hymowitz and R LNelson 2: Molecular Genetic Mapping of Soybean, R C Shoemaker, K M Polzen and J ESpecht 3: Cytoplasmic Genetics in the Legumes (Fabaceae), with Special Reference toSoybean, S A Mackenzie 4: Plant Transposable Elements: Potential Application for Gene Tagging inSoybean, L O Vodkin 5: Limitations and Potentials of Genetic Manipulations of Soybean, J ESpecht and G L Graef 6: In vitro Selection and Culture-induced Variation in Soybean, J M Widholm 7: Soybean Seed Composition, N C Nielsen 8: Genetic Modification of Soybean Oil Quality, N S Yadav 9: Molecular Genetic Analysis of Soybean Nodulation Mutants, P M Gresshoff 10: Improvement of Soybean for Nitrogen Fixation: Molecular Genetics ofNodulation, A J Delauney and D P S Verma 11: Soybean Transformation: Technologies and Progress, J J Finer, T-S Chengand D P S Verma"

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Book SynopsisThis book examines the challenges faced by farmers trying to maintain crop biodiversity in developing and transitional economies. Using a collection of empirical case studies of farmers and crop scientists across a range of agricultural economies and income levels, it presents economic tools and methods for valuing and managing crop biodiversity. It discusses the economic benefits of crop biodiversity for farmers and suggests ways in which crop biodiversity can be supported by national policies. The book provides an indispensable 'tool kit' for all those concerned with the development of strategies to facilitate sustainable management and conservation of crop genetic diversity for future generations.Table of ContentsI: Preface, J von Braun and E Frison Part I: Introduction 1: Concepts, Metrics, and Plan of the Book, M Smale Part II: Private Value: Stated Preferences of Farmers 2: Crop valuation and farmer response to change: Implications for in situ conservation of maize in Mexico, G Dyer, CIECO, Mexico 3: Farmer demand for agricultural biodiversity in Hungary's transition economy: A Choice experiment approach , E Birol and A Kontoleon, University of Cambridge, UK, and M Smale 4: Demand for attributes and on farm conservation of coffee in Ethiopia, E Wale, Alemaya University, Ethiopia and J Mburu, University of Bonn, Germany Part III: Private Value: Revealed Preferences of Farmers 5: Missing markets, migration and crop biodiversity in the Mexican milpa system: A household farm model, M E Van Dusen, Berkeley, California, USA 6: Determinants of cereal diversity on household farms in the highlands of northern Ethiopia, S Benin, IFPRI, Uganda, M Smale and J Pender, IFPRI, Washington DC, USA 7: Demand for cultivar attributes and the biodiversity of bananas in Uganda , S Edmeades, IFPRI, Washington DC, USA, M Smale, and D Karamura, INIBAP, Uganda 8: Farmer management of agricultural biodiversity in Hungary's transition economy, E Birol, M Smale and Á Gyovai, Institute for Agrobotany, Hungary 9: Rural development and the diversity of potatoes on farms in Cajamarca, Peru, P Winters, American University, USA, L H Hintze, Inter-American Development Bank, USA, and O Ortiz, International Potato Center, Peru Part IV: Public Values, Villages and Institutions 10: Managing rice biodiversity on farms: The choices of farmers and breeders in Nepal, D Gauchan, Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Nepal, M Smale, N Maxted and M Cole, University of Birmingham, UK 11: Determinants of cereal diversity in villages of Northern Ethiopia, B Gebremedhin, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Ethiopia, M Smale and J Pender 12: Social institutions and seed systems: the diversity of fruits and nuts in Uzbekistan, E Van Dusen, E Dennis, Indiana University, USA, M Lee, J Ilyasov, S Treshkin IPGRI-CWANA, Uzbekistan, and M Smale 13: Village seed systems and the biological diversity of millet crops in southern India, L Nagarajan, IFPRI, Washington DC, USA, and M Smale 14: Seeds supply and on farm demand for diversity: a case study of Eastern Ethiopia , L Lipper, R Cavatassi, FAO, Rome, Italy and P Winters 15: Institutions, stakeholders, and the management of crop genetic sources on Hungarian family farms, G Bela, B Balázs, Institute of Environmental and Landscape Management, Hungary, and G Pataki, St Istvan University, Hungary 16: Cooperatives, wheat diversity and crop productivity in southern Italy, S Di Falco, IFPRI, Washington DC, USA and C Perrings, University of York, UK Part V: Conclusions 17: Scope, limitations and future directions, M Smale, L Lipper and P Koundouri, University of Reading, UK 18: An annotated bibliography of published literature about the economics of conserving crop biological diversity on farms, P Zambrano, IFPRI, Washington DC, USA, and M Smale

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Book SynopsisThis book discusses various plant adpatations and techniques for crop improvement.Table of ContentsSection 1: An Overview of Crop Improvement 1: Plant Adaptation, Biodiversity, and Crop Improvement Strategies – Introductory Remarks 2: Understanding Plant Adaptation to Achieve Systematic Applied Crop Improvement – A Fundamental Challenge 3: Research Approaches for Variable Rainfed Systems – Thinking Globally, Acting Locally Section 2: Analysis of Genotype by Environment Interactions 4: Analysis of Multi-environment Trials – An Historical Perspective 5: Experimental Design and Analysis for Variety Trails 6: International Network for Genetic Evaluation of Rice (INGER) and its Modus Operandi for Multi-environment Testing 7: International Multi-environment Trials at the International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) 8: The CIMMYT Wheat Program’s International Multi-environment Trials 9: Analysis and Interpretation of Data from the Crop Variety Testing Program in Western Australia 10: Relationships Among Analytical Methods Used to Analyse Genotypic Adaptation in Multi-environment Trials 11: Methods of Data Standardisation Used in Pattern Analysis and ANMI Models for the Analysis of International Multi-environment Variety Trials 12: Retrospective Analysis of Historical Data Sets from Multi-environment Trials – Theoretical Development 13: Retrospective Analysis of Historical Data Sets from Multi-environment Trials – Case Studies 14: Three-mode Analytical Methods for Crop Improvement Programs 15: Selection for Grain Quality Traits in Early Generation Barley Breeding Trials using Residual Maximum Likelihood (REML) 16: The International Crop Information System (ICIS) – Connects Genebank to Breeder to Farmer’s Field Section 3: Interpretation of Genotype by Environment Interactions 17: The Physiological Basis of Genotype by Environment Interaction in Crop Adaptation 18: Characterising Environmental Challenges Using Models 19: A Physiological Approach to the Understanding of Genotype by Environment Interactions – A Case Study on Improvement of Drought Adaptation in Groundnut 20: Integrating Genotype by Environment Interaction Analysis, Characterisation of Drought Patterns, and Farmer Preferences to Identify Adaptive Plant Traits for Pearl Millet 21: Using Simulation Models to Design New Plant Types and to Analyse Genotype by Environment Interactions in Rice 22: Integrating Physiological Understanding and Plant Breeding via Crop Modelling and Optimization 23: Comparing Simulation of Experimental Approaches to Analysing Genotype by Environment Interactions for Yield in Rainfed Lowland Rice Section 4: Integrated Approaches to Plant Improvement 24: Positive Interaction of Genotype by Environment Interactions in Relation to Sustainability and Biodiversity 25: A Strategy for Yield Improvement of Wheat which Accommodates Large Genotype by Environment Interactions 26: Pattern Analysis of Gains from Selection for Drought Tolerance in Tropical Maize Populations 27: Environmental Characterisation Based on Probe and Reference Genotypes 28: The Importance of Environmental Characterisation for Understanding Genotype by Environment Interactions 29: Using Simulation Models and Spatial Databases to Improve the Efficiency of Plant Breeding Programs Section 5: Synthesis of Strategies for Crop Improvement 30: Synthesis of Strategies for Crop Improvement

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Book SynopsisSoilborne diseases have, until recently, received less attention than plant diseases affecting the shoot and foliage. However, this is not a reflection of their economic importance, but rather of difficulties in investigating and detecting pathogens below soil level. Many soilborne diseases are stress related and it is in the tropics where crop growth is particularly limited by environmental stress, predisposing crops to infection by soilborne pathogens. There is thus a great need for information on soilborne diseases of crops in the tropics. This book aims to fill this need by providing reviews of relevant research. It covers the major tropical crops and also includes general chapters on principles, ecology and control. Written by leading research workers from countries including the UK, USA, Australia and India, it will be indispensable for plant pathologists working in this area.Table of ContentsPart 1: INTRODUCTION 1: Soilborne Diseases and Their Importance in Tropical Agriculture R J Hillocks, Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Kent, UK and J M Waller, International Mycological Institute, Egham, Surrey UK 2: Field and Laboratory Methods for Studying Soilborne Diseases J A G Irwin, Cooperative Research Centre for Tropical Plant Pathology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia Part 2: SOILBORNE DISEASES OF SPECIFIC CROPS 3: Cereal Crops D R Sumner, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Georgia Agricultural Experiment Stations, Tifton, Georgia, USA 4: Food Legumes D J Allen, Honiton, Devon, UK 5: Root and Tuber Crops S A Simons, CAB INTERNATIONAL, Regional Office for Africa, Nairobi, Kenya 6: Vegetable Crops G L Hartman, US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, University of Illinois, Urbana, USA and L E Datnoff, University of Florida, Belle Glade, Florida, USA 7: Bananas and Plantains S R Gowen, University of Reading, Crop Protection Research Unit, Reading, UK 8: Citrus J A Menge, University of California, Riverside, California, USA and S Nemec, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Orlando, Florida, USA 9: Beverage Crops and Palms J M Waller and M Holderness, International Mycological Institute, Egham, Surrey, UK 10: Annual Oilseed Crops S J Kolte, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Nainital, Uttar Pradesh, India 11: Sugarcane B T Egan, R C Magarey, and B J Croft, Bureau of Sugar Experimental Stations (BSES), Indooroopilly, Queensland, Australia 12: Cotton and Tropical Fibres R J Hillocks 13: Rubber A de S Liyanage, Rubber Research Institute, Agalawatta, Sri Lanka, currently at Australian Plant Quarantine and Inspection Service, Barton, Canberra, Australia. Part 3: ECOLOGY AND CONTROL 14: Associations between Soilborne Pathogens and other Soil-Inhabiting Microorganisms R J Hillocks and J M Waller 15: Abiotic Factors and Soilborne Diseases C M Liddell, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA 16: Effect of Cultivation Practices and Cropping Systems on Soilborne Diseases J Palti, Agricultural Research Organisation, Bet Dagan, Israel and J Katan, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot , Israel 17: Chemical and Biological Control R Rodríguez-Kábana and N Kokalis-Burelle, Auburn University, College of Agriculture, Department of Plant Pathology, Auburn, Alabama, USA 18: Host-plant Resistance and Integrated Control J M Waller and R J Hillocks

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Book SynopsisPlants producing an aromatic oil, fruit, or seed have been used in religious ceremonies, for personal use and adornment, and for flavouring throughout history. There is now also world-wide pressure by consumers to use perceived natural compounds in edible and personal products. It is vital that producers should be able to service this growing demand efficiently, economically and above all reliably. Many essential oil crops are part of the economy of countries with expanding populations, resulting in increasing pressure on land to produce food and fuel. It is thus important to ensure the optimum social and economic benefit from establishing and growing essential oil crops. This book is concerned with growing essential oil plants profitably to obtain an aromatic derivative. Each chapter covers a different family. A brief history of the use and economic development is given, and cultivation, harvesting and distilling described. Results of current research and recommendations for improved Table of Contents1: World Trade in Essential Oils 2: Annonaceae 3: Geraniaceae 4: Gramineae 5: Lamiaceae 6: Lauraceae 7: Myristicaceae 8: Myrtaceae 9: Oleaceae 10: Piperaceae 11: Rosaceae 12: Rutaceae 13: Santalaceae 14: Zingiberaceae 15: Distilling and Extracting Essential Oils

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Book SynopsisBiological management of nutrient supply to plants is intrinsically more complex than the provision of nutrients as inorganic fertilizers. We need to know whether the nutrients released are retained or lost from the system, whether rates of decomposition can be manipulated to improve nutrient use efficiency, and how the various fractions of plant residues translate into pools of organic matter in soil. Only then can predictive models for nutrient release, plant uptake and soil organic matter dynamics be truly tested and validated. This book brings together contemporary ideas on the characterization and manipulation of plant quality and especially its role in soil organic matter formation and nutrient cycling. It contains work from the leading workers in both temperate and tropical systems. There are also contributions describing work outside decomposition in soil ecosystems, such as the work of plant biochemists and animal nutritionists, as research in these areas has provided many ideTable of ContentsPart 1: Review: Any Progress? 1: Plant Litter Quality and Decomposition: An Historical Overview, O W Heal, J M Anderson and M J Swift Part 2: Pathways and Processes in Litter Decomposition 2: Fungal Degradation of Lignin, K E Hammel 3: Plant Degradation by Ruminants: Parallels with Litter Decomposition in Soil, A Chesson 4: Role of Phenolic Secondary Metabolics in Plants and their Degradation in Nature, J B Harborne 5: Decomposition Induced Changes in the Chemical Structure of Fallen Red Pine, White Spruce and Tamarack Logs, J A Baldock, T Sewell and P G Hatcher 6: Solid-state NMR Investigations of Organic Transformations During the Decomposition of Plant Material in Soil, D W Hopkins and J A Chudek 7: Kinetically Defined Litter Fractions Based on Respiration Measurements, H Marstorp Part 3: Foraging, Feeding and Feedbacks 8: Linkages Between Soil Biota, Plant Litter Quality and Decomposition, D A Wardle and P Lavelle 9: Soil Fauna-mediated Decomposition of Plant Residues Under Constrained Environmental and Residue Quality Conditions, G Tian, L Brussaard, B T Kang and M J Swift 10: Relationships Between Litter Fauna and Chemical Changes of Litter During Decomposition Under Different Moisture Conditions, C Wachendorf, U Irmler and H -P Blume 11: Metabolic Interactions in Plant Litter Systems, J S Waid Part 4: Manipulation of Plant Litter Quality 12: Residue Quality and Decomposition: An Unsteady Relationship?, B Vanlauwe, J Drels, N Sangina and R Merckx 13: Effect of Multipurpose Trees, Age of Cutting and Drying Method on Pruning Quality, P Mafongoya, B H Dzowela and P K Nair 14: Regulating N Mineralization from Plant Residues by Manipulation of Quality, E Handayanto, G Cadisch and K E Giller 15: Climate Change: The Potential to Affect Ecosystem Functions Through Changes in Amount and Quality of Litter, W J Arp, P J Kuikman and A Gorissen 16: Progress and Potential for Genetic Manipulation of Plant Quality, A Bavage, I G Davies, M P Robbins and P Morris Part 5: Synchrony and Soil Organic Matter 17: Synchrony of Nutrient Release and Plant Demand: Plant Litter Quality, Soil Environment and Farmer Management Options, R J K Myers, M van Noordwijk and P Vityakon 18: Synchronizing Residue N Mineralization with Rice N Demand in Flooded Conditions, M Becker and J K Ladha 19: Management of Leguminous Leaf Residues to Improve Nutrient Use Efficiency in the Sub-humid Tropics, R B Jones, S S Snapp and H S K Phombeya Part 6: Building Soil Organic Matter 20: Characterization of Soil Organic Matter by Solid-state 13C NMR Spectroscopy, J O Skjemstad, P Clarke, A Golchin and J M Oades 21: Development and Use of a Carbon Management Index to Monitor Changes in Soil C Pool Size and Turnover Rate, G J Blair, R D B Lefroy, B P Singh and A R Till 22: Long-term Vegetation Management in Relation to Accumulation and Mineralization of Nitrogen in Soils, J Z Burket and R P Dick 23: Phosphorus Mineralization and Organic Matter Decomposition: A Critical Review, N Gressel and J G McColl Part 7: Modelling: Providing the Framework 24: Modelling Litter Quality Effects on Decomposition and Soil Organic Matter Dynamics, K Paustian, G Ågren and E Bosatta 25: Simulating the Mineralization of N from Crop Residues in Relation to Residue Quality, A P Whitmore and E Handayanto 26: Modelling the Measurable: Interpretation of Field-scale CO2 and N-Mineralization, Soil Microbial Biomass and Light Fractions as Indicators of Oilseed Rape, Maize and Barley Straw Decomposition, J Magid, T Mueller, L S Jensen and N E Nielson 27: Synthesis of Litter Quality and Enzymic Approaches to Decomposition Modelling, R L Sinsabaugh and D L Moorhead Part 8: Outlook 28: A Minimum Dataset for Characterization of Plant Quality for Decomposition, C A Palm and A P Rowland 29: Driven by Nature: A Sense of Arrival or Departure?, K E Giller and G Cadisch

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Book SynopsisThe domestication of wheat, more than any other plant, has allowed food to be produced in sufficient quantities to support community settlement, cultural development and population growth. Wheat is one of the major sources of energy, protein and dietary fibre in human nutrition. This book comprehensively describes how wheat is produced and used. It begins with a consideration of how the different grain characteristics influence the subsequent utilization of the harvested wheat. A large part of the book is then devoted to advice and discussion concerning establishing, managing and harvesting a successful crop, including the control of disease, and the use of wheat as forage. There is also a thorough consideration of the storage and use of the crop post-harvest. Wheat is grown and used throughout the world and the book reflects this by containing examples from many different countries. Research on the impact of the environment on the quality of the grain is presented and discussed, and tTable of Contents1: An Introduction to the Utilization, Development and Production of Wheat 2: Grain Characters Influencing Utilization 3: Genotypic Effects on Grain Quality: Species and Varieties 4: The Crop Environment and Grain Quality: Weather and Soils 5: Crop Establishment 6: Crop Nutrition and Fertilizer Use 7: Biology and Control of Diseases, Weeds and Pests: Effects on Grain Yield and Quality 8: Postharvest Management of Grain 9: Wheat Vegetation as Forage 10: Ethanol, Starch and Gluten Production

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Book SynopsisPhosphorus is an essential element for plant growth and its input has long been recognised as necessary to maintain profitable crop production. However, phosphorus inputs can also increase the biological activity of surface waters and this can lead to the destruction of such aquatic ecosystems. Advanced eutrophication of surface water leads to problems with its use for fisheries, recreation, industry and drinking, due to the increased growth of undesirable algae and aquatic weeds, and oxygen shortages caused by their death and decomposition. It is therefore important to have a good understanding of the causes and mode of phosphorus loss from soil to water, to enable the problems to be controlled and managed. This book has been developed from an international workshop held in Ireland in late 1995. It is the first comprehensive consideration of the topic, and many leading researchers in the area have contributed to it. It is essential reading for all soil scientists and freshwater biologTable of Contents1: Contributors 2: Preface 3: Acknowledgements 4: Phosphorus in Agriculture and Its Environmental Implications, A Sharpley and S Rekolainen 6: Estimating the Contribution from Agriculture to the Phosphorus Load in Surface Water , S D Lennox, R H Foy, R V Smith and C Jordan 7: Phosphorus Losses from Agriculture to Surface Waters in the Nordic Countries S Rekolainen, P Ekholm, B Ulén and A Gustafson 8: Reconstructing Historical Phosphorus Concentrations in Rural Lakes Using Diatom Models N J Anderson 9: The Dynamics of Phosphorus in Freshwater and Marine Environments, C E Gibson 10: The Behaviour of Soil and Fertilizer Phosphorus, M A Morgan 11: Setting and Justifying Upper Critical Limits for Phosphorus in Soils, E Sibbesen and A N Sharpley 12: Phosphorus Fertilizer Strategies: Present and Future, H Tunney, A Breeuwsma, P Withers and P Ehlert 13: Sources and Pathways of Phosphorus Loss from Agriculture, A L Heathwaite 14: Hydrological and Chemical Controls on Phosphorus Loss from Catchments H P Pionke, W J Gburek, A N Sharpley and J A Zollweg 15: Movement of Phosphorus from Agricultural Soil to Water, B Pommel and J M Dorioz 16: Losses of Phosphorus in Drainage Water, P C Brookes, G Heckrath, J De Smet, G Hofman and J Vanderdeelen 17: Sustainable Phosphorus Management in Agriculture, G Bertilsson and C Forsberg 18: Phosphorus Requirements for Animal Production, P B Lynch and P J Caffrey 19: Nutrient Management Planning, T C Daniel, O T Carton and W L Magette 20: A European Fertilizer Industry View on Phosphorus Retention and Loss from Agricultural Soils, I Steén 21: European Perspective on Phosphorus and Agriculture, F Mariën 22: Views on Phosphorus and Agriculture - Paris Commission, S Sadowski 23: Phosphorus Loss in Runoff, Leaching and Erosion, Poster Chapter 24: Catchment Studies, Modelling and Management, Poster Chapter 25: Phosphorus Status of Soils and Fertilizer Recommendations, Poster Chapter 26: Phosphorus Loss from Agriculture to Water: Synthesis and Summary, A E Johnston, H Tunney and R H Foy 27: Index

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Book SynopsisMaintaining soil health is fundamental to successful crop production and ecosystem sustainability. To enable effective management soil health must first be measured and then monitored and so the authors review and evaluate how soil organisms can be used to fulfil this role. This book is essential for all soil scientists and consultants. It is of particular relevance to those involved in soil health monitoring and maintenance as well as those undertaking soil remediation. It is also important reading for agronomists, ecologists and environmentalists. This book is a comprehensive and effective resource for all those working to sustain healthy soils.Table of Contents1: Defining and Assessing Soil Health and Sustainable Productivity 2: Soil Health: its Relationship to Ecosystem Health D J Rapport 3: Rationale for Developing Bioindicators of Soil Health 4: Bioindicators: Perspectives and Potential Value for Landusers 5: Soil Microbial Biomass, Activity and Nutrient Cycling as Indicators of Soil Health 6: Soil Enzyme Activities as Integrative Indicators of Soil Health 7: Soil Microflora as Bioindicators of Soil Health 8: Potential Use of Plant Root Pathogens as Bioindicators of Soil Health 9: Soil Microfauna as Bioindicators of Soil Health 10: Community Structure of Soil Arthropods as a Bioindicator of Soil Health 11: Can the Abundance or Activity of Soil Macrofauna be used to Indicate the Biological Health of Soils? 12: Biodiversity of Soil Organisms as an Indicator of Soil Health 13: Biomonitoring of Soil Health by Plants 14: Bioindicators to Detect Contamination of Soils with Special Reference to Heavy Metals 15: Chemical and Molecular Approaches for Rapid Assessment of the Biological Status of Soils 16: Use of Genetically Modified Biosensors for Soil Ecotoxicity Testing 17: Biological Indicators of Soil Health: Synthesis

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Book SynopsisLess than two decades ago, the world was focusing on the impending food crisis across Asia, which was given little hope of ever being able to meet its rapidly growing food demand. Since then, Asia has made a quantum leap in food production. Technological innovations and policies that promoted intensive rice production systems helped achieve this. The authors of this book argue that there is a growing sense of complacency about future food supplies in Asia and that such complacency is not warranted. While rice productivity may increase, this will be limited by a number of factors: withdrawal of land and labor from agriculture to other uses, increased competition for resources, and land degradation. It is unlikely to match the increase in demand for rice because of population growth. The book provides a thorough assessment of the opportunities for increasing land productivity, including crop diversification. It evaluates the successes and limitations of the Green Revolution for rice in ATable of Contents1: Introduction - The State of Rice in Post-Green Revolution in Asia 2: Rice Productivity Growth: The Case Against Complacency 3: Sustaining Farm Profits Through Technical Change 4: Intensification-Induced Degradation of the Paddy Resource Base 5: Erosion, Pollution and Poison: Externalities and Rice 6: Asian Rice Market: A Demand and Supply Prospects 7: GATT and Rice: Impact on the Rice Market and Implications for Research Priorities 8: Agricultural Commercialization and Farmer Product Choices - The Case of Diversification Out of Rice 9: Strategic Look at Factor Markets and the Organization of Agricultural Production Beyond 2025 10: Post-Green Revolution Seed Technology for Intensive Rice Systems 11: Fertilizers and Pesticides: Higher Levels versus Improved Efficiencies 12: Dealing with Labor Scarcity - Mechanical Technologies 13: References

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Book SynopsisRice has supported a greater number of people for a longer period of time than any other crop. Nearly half of the global population is dependent on rice as its major staple food. While Asia remains the main centre of production and consumption of rice, the importance of rice is increasing rapidly in Africa and Latin America, and exports of rice from the United States and Australia are of major importance to the world rice trade. This book explores the factors which have contributed to the sustainability of rice production over the eight or nine thousand years for which rice has been produced. Sustainability is defined as the maintenance or improvement of production levels and protection of natural resources, within the context of economic viability and social acceptability. The author covers a wide range of issues, including soil fertility, plant breeding, pest management, irrigation, land degradation and social and economic factors. Greatest emphasis is placed on the special features Table of Contents1: The Importance of the Sustainability of Rice Farming 2: The Origins and History of Rice Farming 3: Rice Farming Today 4: The Biophysical Basis of the Sustainability of Rice Farming 5: Maintaining the Nutrient Requirements of Rice 6: Maintaining Water Supplies for Rice 7: Social and Economic Factors and the Sustainability of Rice Farming 8: Concerns About the Sustainability of Rice Farming 9: Increasing and Sustaining Rice Production

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Book SynopsisIn many tropical areas the main constraint to increased output of livestock products is the inability of producers to feed animals adequately throughout the year. Yet opportunities exist to enhance ruminant livestock feed supplies by using crop residues, such as cereal straw and legume haulms. Greater emphasis is therefore now being placed on vegetative production in plant breeding research. Crop residues also play an important role in conserving soil moisture, preventing erosion and providing products such as fuel or thatch for smallholders. This book provides a multi-disciplinary perspective on crop residues, bringing together crop, animal and social scientists from six continents. It has been developed from papers presented at a workshop held in April 1996 at ICRISAT Asia Center, as part of the Systemwide Livestock Program of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) convened by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), based in Africa. It wiTable of Contents1: Technological Constraints and Opportunities in Relation to Class of Livestock and Production Objectives, 2: The Influence of Socioeconomic Factors on the Availability and Utilization of Crop Residues as Animal Feeds, 3: Crop Residues in Tropical Africa: Trends in Supply, Demand and Use, 4: Cowpea and Its Improvement: Key to Sustainable Mixed Crop/Livestock Farming Systems in West Africa, 5: Dynamics of Feed Resources in Mixed Farming Systems in Southeast Asia, 6: Dynamics of Feed Resources in Mixed Farming Systems of South Asia, 7: Dynamics of Feed Resources in Mixed Farming Systems of West/Central Asia-North Africa, 8: Dynamics of Feed Resources in Mixed Farming Systems of Latin America, 9: Crop Residues as a Strategic Resource in Mixed Farming Systems, 10: Alternatives to Crop Residues as Feed Resources in Mixed Farming Systems, 11: Alternatives to Crop Residues for Soil Amendment, 12: Crop Residues for Feeding Animals in Asia: Technology Development and Adoption in Crop/Livestock Systems, 13: The National Perspective: A Synthesis of Country Reports Presented at the Workshop,

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