Search results for ""author brian forster""

This is a hands-on practical guide to the use of Trichoderma as a biocontrol, as part of sustainable disease control measures for Ganoderma disease in oil palm plantations. The manual provides background information on Ganoderma (basal stem rot), the most devastating disease of oil palm in Southeast Asia, as well as on the benefits of Trichoderma fungi in safe guarding yields. The disease is caused by soil-borne fungi, Ganoderma spp, which are found in West Africa and South America, as well as Southeast Asia. Practical information is given on: the use of Trichoderma to manage Ganoderma for research and commercial use health and safety considerations in the laboratory, nursery and field in vitro multiplication of Trichoderma starting from media preparation and culture Ganoderma pathogenicity testing Trichoderma in vitro antagonism screening of Ganoderma Trichoderma screening to protect seedlings scoring Ganoderma response to Trichoderma in selecting aggressive Trichoderma isolates commercial use and application in oil palm plantations This is an invaluable manual for oil palm growers, estate/plantation managers, pathologists and breeders and research institutes across the world (especially tropical zones). It is also useful for those starting a career in oil palm plant protection, and as a reference guide for managers and for training purposes.

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This comprehensive book covers the underlying scientific principles, state-of-the-art technologies and methodologies of plant mutagenesis. It covers historical development and commonly used terminologies, chemical and physical mutagenesis, mutation induction, mutation breeding and mutations in functional genomics research. Suitable both as a manual for professionals and a resource for students in plant breeding and research, the book includes exemplary cases of practical applications and an appendix of recommended doses of gamma and fast neutron irradiation for almost 200 plant species.

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This is a hands-on, practical guide to general and specific practices in oil palm nurseries to produce healthy, vigorous and uniform plants ready for field planting. There are two nursery stages, pre-nursery and main nursery. The pre-nursery receives both germinated seeds and tissue culture produced plantlets (ramets) which are planted in a relatively small area in which shade and humidity can be controlled. Once young plants are established they are transferred to the main nursery, potted-on and grown on to produce field-ready plants. Good nursery practices, using sustainable approaches where possible, aim to provide high quality planting materials for both commercial production and field trialling. The book covers: Nursery set up - pre-nursery and main nursery Fertilizer programmes Watering Culling Weeding Pests and diseases Pre-field genotypic screening and selection Quarantine nurseries This is an invaluable manual for commercial seed producers, nursery plant producers, commercial plantation companies and plant breeders, as well as researchers in oil palm. It is useful for those starting a career in oil palm production, and as a reference guide for managers and for training purposes.

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This is a practical guide to mutation breeding in oil palm, representing completely novel work supported by the Plant Breeding and Genetics Section of the Joint FAO/IAEA Division (Vienna, Austria). Oil palm is the top oil crop and the only major crop and only oil crop not to have been improved by plant mutation breeding. The manual is hands-on, providing step-by-step illustrated methods in mutation induction, mutation detection and mutant line development for oil palm improvement. Presenting sound practices based on scientific innovation and knowledge, this guide provides techniques integrated with expertise and is authored by practitioners actively engaged in oil palm seed production and breeding. Promoting green, eco-friendly agriculture, this book features coverage of: Radio-sensitivity testing Challenges and opportunities for mutation breeding Protocol for developing mutant generations for mutant screening Services in irradiation treatments The only available resource containing protocols and guidelines on how oil palm can be manipulated for mutation breeding, this book is essential reading for oil palm breeders, seed producers and plantation companies, oil palm traders, students and research institutes across the world. It provides a resource for training, a knowledge base for people new to oil palm and a reference guide for managers, to ensure best practices in maximising sustainability and production of this important crop. .

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