Search results for ""Author Graham Matthews""

In this fascinating book, Graham Matthews takes the reader through the history of the development and use of chemicals for control of pests, weeds, and vectors of disease. Prior to 1900 only a few chemicals had been employed as pesticides but in the early 1940s, as the Second World War raged, the insecticide DDT and the herbicide 2-4-D were developed. These changed everything. Since then, farmers have been using a growing list of insecticides, herbicides and fungicides to protect their crops. Their use has undoubtedly led to significant gains in agricultural production and reduction in disease transmission, but also to major problems: health concerns for both users of pesticides and the general public, the emergence of resistance in pest populations, and environmental problems. The book examines the development of legislation designed to control and restrict the use of pesticides, the emergence of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and the use of biological control agents as part of policy to protect the environment and encourage the sustainable use of pesticides. Finally, the use of new technologies in pest control are discussed including the use of genetic modification, targeted pesticide application and use of drones, alongside basic requirements for IPM such as crop rotations, close seasons and adoption of plant varieties with resistance to pests and diseases.

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Pesticides continue to be a major means of controlling pests and diseases of crops and have made a major contribution to increasing the world’s food production. Despite the problem of developing pest and disease resistance to certain pesticides, and public concern about their indiscriminate use and side-effects, they are likely to remain the basis of integrated pest management programmes. However, as this book seeks to demonstrate, there is scope to improve both the safety and efficiency of crop protection methods. The emphasis of the book is on methods of assessment and on application techniques to particular categories of crops. Written by leading authorities from Europe and North America, the book provides detailed reviews of relevant topics. It is essential reading for all researchers, advanced students and professionals concerned with crop protection, whether from the disciplines of entomology, plant pathology, weed science or agricultural engineering.

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This book presents a global overview of the background to, and the current state of, crop protection and pest management in cotton crops. Cotton is one of the most economically important crops in the world and has been grown for centuries but maintaining high yields of good quality requires sophisticated approaches to pest management. The introduction and use of pesticides over the decades significantly increased cotton yields but lead to many adverse environmental impacts. Over time, new and alternative insecticides were developed but overuse has enabled pests to develop significant resistance. The development of genetically modified cotton varieties with toxins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis enabled much improved control of lepidopteran larvae, including bollworms, but as the toxins had no effect on sucking pests, farmers had no choice but to continue using insecticides. Also, some of the new cotton varieties developed in recent times have not adapted to different climatic conditions and the quality of cotton fibre declined as a result. This book shows the need for more research to select cotton varieties with high quality fibres suitable for different cotton growing areas and to develop integrated pest management strategies to minimise the use of pesticides. It also demonstrates the need for an inter-disciplinary approach bringing together plant breeders, entomologists, plant pathologists, agronomists and agricultural engineers to achieve high yields of high quality cotton. In the future, farmers will need to adopt new technology to determine when and how pesticides are used in conjunction with cultural and biological control strategies. · Emphasises the importance of research on growing cotton in a world experiencing climate change · Demonstrates how crucial crop protection is in achieving high yields of high quality cotton · Shows how new technology will bring major changes in how cotton is grown in the future

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PESTICIDE APPLICATION METHODS Pesticide Application Methods is the standard work for all those involved in crop protection. This fully revised and expanded edition provides up-to-date information on the different types of application techniques and how they should be used to ensure efficient and effective pest control. The third edition of this excellent book was published more than 10 years ago, since when a number of important developments have taken place. Examples include changes to legislation both in the EU and USA concerning water quality. This has an impact on how spray is applied and, more particularly, how the sprayer is designed to minimise quantities that remain in the equipment when spraying is completed, and in addition inform how and when the sprayer is cleaned. Concern about spray drift has also continued and has led to more research on how to reduce the amount of spray that moves downwind from a treated area. Important new information on this topic is included within the new edition. Professor Graham Matthews has been joined by two new co-authors to increase the breadth and depth of coverage in this updated edition of Pesticide Application Methods. This important new edition is a commercially significant reference tool and will be of great use and interest to all those working in crop protection, including agricultural entomologists and plant pathologists, pesticide scientists, advisors and consultants, large-scale growers, agricultural and horticultural scientists, agrochemical industry personnel including those involved in equipment supply and product formulation. Libraries in government and commercial research establishments, universities and agricultural colleges where agricultural and biological sciences are studied and taught should have multiple copies of this definitive book on their shelves.

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