In February 2001, Foot and Mouth Disease arrived in Cumbria. At its peak Cumbria was the worst affected county in Britain with a staggering 41 per cent of all cases. For the local community, the environmental and social consequences were to prove devastating. As a local resident, leading UK photographer John Darwell found himself surrounded by the effects of the disease. Over the next twelve months, he committed himself to recording what was taking place. Despite government reports to the contrary, the Cumbrian countryside became largely a 'no-go area', whilst on the farms thousands of animals were destroyed, their bodies burnt on the now notorious pyres. The ultimate clean-up of the infected farms led to extraordinary lengths being taken to eradicate the virus. "Dark Days" represents, perhaps, the most complete record of this time and provides a powerful and emotive insight into one of the most dramatic and destructive periods in British farming history. It is published in association with Littoral Arts.

Confusion about the genera Geranium and Pelargonium existed even before Linnaeus' binomial system of classification bundled both into the former category in 1753. Despite later evaluations that separated the two, many practitioners of alternative medicine and aromatherapists, among others, remain unaware of the distinction. Laymen and plant sales personnel are often equally in the dark - the majority of garden centre 'geraniums' are Pelargonium species and cultivars. This work aims to dispel myths and peel away layers of incorrect and muddled information which contribute to the unclear image of the genera.
Geranium and Pelargonium: History of Nomenclature, Usage and Cultivation features discussion and new information on some of the following areas:
* taxonomy and history of usage and nomenclature
* cultivation for essential oil production and retail purposes in different countries
* phytochemistry of the genera
* chemistry of Geranium and Pelargonium oils
* theory and practice of distillation of Geranium and Pelargonium oils
* pharmacology an therapeutic properties of Geranium and Pelargonium oils and extracts
* use of Geranium and Pelargonium products in aromatherapy, perfumery, cosmetics, food processing and medicine
* new research into Geranium and Pelargonium
This book will be of interest to graduate students, scientists and professionals in the Geranium and Pelargonium growing and retail industry, the perfumery, food and cosmetics industries, and to those interested in Geranium and Pelargonium for alternative and conventional medical use.
* Theory and practice of distillation

eBook available with sample pages: 0203216539

Learn what it takes to create and implement a truly successful seed policy!This unique book brings together international experts on seed policy and law. While other books approach the subject from the perspective of seed industry development and privatization, Seed Policy, Legislation, and Law makes clear that a successful national seed policy must be based on a thorough analysis of connected issues such as biodiversity and rural development. In addition to giving you an essential overview of seed regulatory reform, this book will also bring you up to date on recent developments in the field, such as intellectual property and the biosafety of GMOs.Seed Policy, Legislation, and Law examines: quality control issues in developing countries case studies from Turkey, Uganda, and Bangladesh property rights for plant varieties the regulation of genetically modified seeds in emerging economies agro-biodiversity as it relates to seed policy why a farmer seed system is essential in a national seed sector the impact of the transition from central seed sector planning to a free market how international seed associations can impact policy development new technological developments like GURTs and appropriate policy responses

This book will cover several topics to elaborate how proteomics may enhance agricultural productivity. These include crop and food proteomics, farm animal proteomics, aquaculture, microorganisms and insect proteomics. It will also cover several technical advances, which may address the current need for comprehensive proteome analysis.An emerging field of the proteomics aim is to integrate knowledge from basic sciences and to translate it into agricultural applications to solve issues related to economic values of farm animals, crops, food security, health, and energy sustainability. Given the wealth of information generated and to some extent applied in agriculture, there is the need for more efficient and broader channels to freely disseminate the information to the scientific community.

This book outlines the performance and management of mangroves in the changing climatic scenario of the Asia-Pacific region and draws examples and lessons from the national and community-driven mangrove conservation programs of relevant countries including Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Japan as well as the Pacific islands. By highlighting the major drawbacks that hinder effective mangrove conservation, the book contributes towards enhancing climate resilience of communities through proposition of corrective methods and ameliorative approaches of mangrove conservation. Mangroves play an important role in adapting to climate change and provide a plethora of ecosystem services that are fundamental to human survival. Yet these ecosystems are exceptionally prone to extinction due to increased human interventions and changes in environmental boundary conditions. Especially in the Asia-Pacific region, mangroves have dwindled at an exceptional high rate over the past three decades. As the threat of climate change hovers over millions of people in this region, particularly those who crowd the low-lying coastal areas, conservation/restoration of mangroves through appropriate policies and practices remain highly imperative. The primary target readers for this book are students and researchers in the fields of conservation and management of mangroves, especially from the developing tropical countries of the Asia-Pacific region. Other target groups comprise policy planners, practitioners, and NGO workers, who will be able to apply the collective knowledge from this work towards proactive mangrove conservation through effective mediation in local communities.

With contributions from nearly 130 internationally renowned experts in the field, this reference details advances in transgenic plant construction and explores the social, political, and legal aspects of genetic plant manipulation. It provides analyzes of the history, genetics, physiology, and cultivation of over 30 species of transgenic seeds, fruits, and vegetables. Stressing the impact of genetic engineering strategies on the nutritional and functional benefit of foods as well as on consumer health and the global market economy, the book covers methods of gene marking, transferring, and tagging public perceptions to the selective breeding, hybridization, and recombinant DNA manipulation of food.

A comprehensive and authoritative synthesis on the successful production of fish larvae Success Factors for Fish Larval Production is a vital resource that includes the most current understanding of larval biology, in the context of larval production. The text covers topics such as how external (environmental and nutritional) and internal (molecular/ developmental/ physiological/ behavioral/ genetic) factors interact in defining the phenotype and quality of fish larvae and juveniles. The expert contributors review broodstock genetics and husbandry, water quality, larval nutrition and feeding, growth physiology, health, metamorphosis, underlying molecular mechanisms, including epigenetics, for development, larval behavior and environmental conditions. Compiled by members of a European Union-funded consortium of top researchers, Success Factors for Fish Larval Production provides a wide-range of authoritative information for the aquaculture industry and academia. In addition to a wealth of information, the authors review research and commercially applicable larval quality indicators and predictors. The successful production of good-quality fish larvae is of vital importance for fish farming and stock enhancement of wild fisheries: * Includes contributions from a consortium of noted researchers and experts in the field * Deals with on how to improve egg quality and larval production via broodstock management and nutrition * Suggests ways to control the phenotype of juveniles and table-size fish via manipulations of the conditions of larval rearing (e.g., epigenetics) * Includes ideas for optimizing diet composition, formulation, and technology * Integrates knowledge and practical experience in order to help advancing excellence in aquaculture Success Factors for Fish Larval Production offers fish biologists, developmental biologists, physiologists and zoologists the most current and reliable information on the topic. All those working in fish aquaculture facilities and hatcheries in particular will find great interest to their commercial operations within this book.

Find up-to-date information on barley for malting, food, and animal feed This comprehensive book covers every aspect of barley from molecular biology to agronomy of yield and quality. In addition to the exposition of the basic concepts, Barley Science explains the latest developments in the field. In addition, this remarkable book presents ideas and techniques for bridging the gap between physiology and breeding. Beginning with the history of this ancient cultivated grain, Barley Science presents state-of-the-art information on genetics and breeding, physiology, and agronomy. One chapter explains the CERES computer simulation of barley growth, development, and yield. Every chapter includes a thorough literature review, and you will find many helpful tables and figures.Barley Science offers cutting-edge information on the latest developments in the field, including: wild barley as a source of genes for crop improvement genetics and breeding for specific attributes genetic engineering determining barley yield under stress new breeding strategies for disease resistance choosing genotype, sowing date, and plant density for malting barley enhancing pre-harvest sprouting resistance barley proteins and malting performance Written by the top experts in the field, Barley Science is an excellent update and broadening of the information found in previous barley books. Agronomists, breeders, geneticists, and physiologists--and their students--will turn again and again to this essential resource.

Learn to integrate molecular genetic techniques with traditional plant breeding methods This comprehensive book provides the latest authoritative scientific information on improvement of both temperate and tropical crops. Crop Improvement: Challenges in the Twenty-First Century brings together expert plant breeders and geneticists to address issues related to crop adaptability and stability across environments for important food and fiber crops. It emphasizes the need to integrate molecular genetic techniques with traditional plant breeding methods to develop hardier, more productive crops. Crop Improvement includes the latest research on physiological and biochemical responses of plants to drought and heat stress, which should help breeders develop effective strategies for improving resistance to abiotic stresses. In addition, this helpful book elucidates the use of mixed models and best linear unbiased prediction. To make the book comprehensive, chapters discuss stability analysis in crop performance trials and genotype-by-environment interactions.Crop Improvement includes detailed information on breeding specific crops, including: rice tropical maize sorghum common bean sugar beet bananas and plantain cottonCrop Improvement offers both practical information and up-to-date research. It also suggests a vision of new directions and partnerships that are expected to evolve in this century. This book is an essential resource for practicing plant breeders and geneticists at universities, government agencies, and industry. It should also be of use to teachers and students engaged in crop breeding.

The natural resources of the earth - from oil and water to minerals and land - are crucial to our basic economic and social existence. But who is entitled to control, use and benefit from them? Should anyone 'own' the natural bounty of our planet? In this book, distinguished political theorist Margaret Moore tackles these questions and examines the different positions in the debate. States claim the right to control the natural resources within their territory. Liberals argue for a system of private ownership rights, including over natural resources, while egalitarians dispute such claims and argue for equal rights to natural resources. Moore shows why these standard approaches to resource justice are wanting, and offers an original approach that examines the different ways in which people interact with resources in order to determine what good is at stake in any particular case. In the context of serious environmental crisis and looming resource conflicts, this innovative and timely book will be essential reading for all students and scholars interested in the environment, property, distributive justice, and future generations.

Filling a gap in the market, this two-volume set is the first to present important pharmaceuticals as well as agrochemical pesticides in one handy work.Each of the around 40 chapters covers in a concise manner one class of heterocycles, clearly structured as follows: * Structural formulas of most important examples (market products)* Short background of history or discovery* Typical syntheses of important examples* Mode of action* Characteristic biological activity* Structure-activity relationship* Additional chemistry information (e.g. further transformations, alternative syntheses, metabolic pathways, etc.)* References.A valuable one-stop reference source for researchers in academia and industry as well as for graduate students with career aspirations in the field of pharmaceutical and agrochemical chemistry.

Take advantage of the introductory price available until 31st January 2013 - 205.00 / $330.00 / 229.00, thereafter 245.00 / $405.00 / 299.00

World population is set to increase by a third in the next 25 years, with no corresponding increase in global rainfall. About seventy per cent of the world's abstracted water is used in farming and therefore the economics of irrigation is becoming an increasingly important issue for sustainable development. Water for Agriculture provides a thorough overview of this highly topical subject, written in a clear and accessible style.
The Scope of the book is wide both in its analysis and in its geographical coverage. Topics covered include the infrastructure, operation and maintenance of irrigation service supply, the supply of drainage services, economic cost benefit analysis, water resource planning at the regional scale, political economy and irrigation policy. The content of Water for Agriculture is enhanced by numerous tables, diagrams, and in-depth case studies.
This book will be an essential read for those professionals involved in the planning of water resources, and for advanced students studying this topic as part of agriculture, development studies, economics, engineering, environmental science, geography, hydrology and planning courses.

There is an urgent need for new approaches or management systems that are multi-objective and integrate new objectives such as quality of produce and cultivation, growing or production methods, quality of the abiotic environment, landscape and nature values into the old objectives. For example, growth of the world fertilizer industry has increasingly been affected by grave concerns, such as environmental pollution and increment in energy consumption, which in many cases have a negative impact on food products and consumer health. In fact, water stress during intensive growth of crops causes inhibition of physiological processes, such as nutrient transport, and hence decreases yield and affects quality performance. For example, limited resources of water in some regions has forced us to seek other sources, such as saline water, for irrigation of crops. Additional benefits of the application of correct fertilizer doses include improved soil protection and environment protection in general and prevention of contamination of soil and groundwater with nitrites.

The aim of this book is to update knowledge and summarise recent research on pseudocereals, particularly regarding their botanical characteristics, composition, structure, use, production, technology and impact on human health. In the last few years, pseudocereals in particular amaranth and quinoa have acquired increased importance (which is also due to the increased demand for gluten ]free food). Worldwide, the demand for amaranth and quinoa has risen immensely, as seen in rising prices for amaranth and quinoa. At the same time, research in all relevant fields has intensified. At present there is some confusion surrounding the term pseudocereals and what it does and does not include, for example kiwicha which is Amaranthus caudatus or kaniwa which is Chenopodium pallidicaule. Sometimes other grains are included in the pseudocereal group like chia (Salvia hispanica L), an oleaginous seed. One of the aims of the book is to clear up some of the confusion over what is included in the group of pseudocereals. The book will include: the origin, production and utilization of pseudocereals; structure and composition of kernels; carbohydrates/fibre/bioactive compounds of kernels; proteins and amino acids of kernels; lipids of kernels; pseudocereal dry and wet milling: processes, products and applications; food uses of whole pseudocereals; pseudocereals in gluten free products; and the nutritional and health implications of pseudocereal intake.

This open access book addresses a wide variety of events and technologies concerning the sago palm, ranging from its botanical characteristics, culture and use to social conditions in the places where it is grown, in order to provide a record of research findings and to benefit society. It discusses various subjects, including the sago palm and related species; differentiation of species of starch-producing palm; habitat, morphological, physiological and growth characteristics; culture and management; productivity of carbon dioxide; starch extraction and manufacture; characteristics and utilization of starch; and cultural anthropological and folkloristic aspects. Problems such as food shortages due to increasing populations, global warming and climate change, and decreasing reserves of oil and other underground resources, have become more pressing in recent years. In the context of these problems, the book examines the role of the sago palm in sustainable food production, in the manufacture of other foodstuffs, as a raw material for ethanol and in the manufacture of biodegradable plastics. In addition to academics, this book will be useful to researchers and government officials working for international agencies, national governments, municipalities, and other research organizations; technicians, researchers, managers, entrepreneurs, and others working in industries such as agriculture, plant production, food production, manufacturing, chemical engineering, energy production, and distribution.

Maintain viability with these techniques for proper seed storage Healthy, viable seeds are the foundation for sustainable crop production, while poorly kept seeds can result in low germination and crop loss. Seed Storage of Horticultural Crops suggests appropriate strategies to help farmers and breeders store seeds of all kinds. This unique compendium gathers information from a wealth of scientific research and presents it in an easy-to-use format. Seed Storage of Horticultural Crops begins with a section on seed morphology and physiology. In subsequent sections, detailed information is provided for storage of the seeds of fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants from tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates.Seed Storage of Horticultural Crops provides specific details on the factors affecting seed viability, including: selecting and preparing seeds for storage conditions of air, light, temperature, and moisture methods of seed invigoration, including priming, magnetism, and growth regulators favorable conditions for germination eliminating problems such as insects and fungal infection This comprehensive volume is an essential reference for agronomists, students and educators, researchers, heritage seed collectors, and farmers. Richly illustrated with figures, tables, and photographs, Seed Storage of Horticultural Crops will help you obtain bountiful harvests, sustain growth, and preserve genetic diversity.

Dates are an important fruit, especially in many African, Middle-Eastern and Asian countries. In recent years this fruit has gained significant importance in terms of global commerce. During the period 1990 2009, global production of dates saw an increase of 219% and this trend is expected to continue as per FAO projections. Some of the major challenges confronting date fruit production and commerce are issues related to postharvest handling technologies, use of appropriate processing and packaging technologies, food safety aspects and quality assurance. Dates: Postharvest Science, Processing Technology and Health Benefits provides contemporary information that brings together current knowledge and practices in the value chain of dates, from production through to consumption. The important book published by Wiley Blackwell features coverage from leading experts on innovative processing technologies, packaging, quality management and pest control for dates. It is the only book to address the science and technology of the postharvest production of dates, a commercially important and growing sector of the food industry.

The lives of more than a billion people depend on the answer!Thirty years ago, the Green Revolution changed the way agriculture was practiced on the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP). This valuable book critically analyzes and discusses the rice-wheat cropping system introduced at that time. The Rice-Wheat Cropping System of South Asia: Trends, Constraints, Productivity and Policy addresses the crucial question, "Are the sustainability and productivity of this system in a state of decline?" The Rice-Wheat Cropping System of South Asia brings together information gathered from research institutions, government organizations, and farmer surveys. The analysis concentrates on the trends of rice-wheat cropping over time, paying special attention to the evidence of-and reasons for-changes in productivity. It also analyzes the impact of this regional system on soil fertility and water supplies, as well as the increasing demands for new and better fertilizers and pesticides. The Rice-Wheat Cropping System of South Asia looks at the problems that have arisen for both the rice and wheat phases, including: the need for changes in crop establishment techniques for crop diversification declining soil fertility changes in pest populations a host of water-management issues the need for policy redirection to sustain productivity growth the impact of global climate change sustainable improvements in productivityThis informative book is an essential planning tool for agronomists, policymakers, and agroeconomists. It is also a useful reference for anyone interested in the problems of famine and intensive cropping not only in South Asia but in the world.

As agriculture becomes more mechanized and science increases the possibilities for using inputs to enhance production, the role of PGRs becomes more vital. Plant Growth Regulators in Agriculture and Horticulture provides agriculture professionals and researchers with the information needed to effectively tap these versatile resources to enhance crop production.Through discussions of the "classical five" phytohormones--gibberellins, cytokinins, ethylene, abscisic acid, and auxins--and the growing number of nontraditional PGRs such as oligosaccharins and brassinosteroids, Plant Growth Regulators in Agriculture and Horticulture reviews past and present uses of PGRs in managing crop yield and offers some speculation on future directions.Detailed discussions on the use of PGRs in, for example, grain, ornamental, and citrus crops, introduce readers to strategies for enhancing crop quantity and quality, for improving the postproduction quality of life of perishable plants, and for crop load management, respectively. The book also includes informative visuals, such as tables of common, chemical, and trade names of different commercially available PGRs; diagrams of various PGR processes; as well as before-and-after pictures illustrating the effects of PGRs.Plant Growth Regulators in Agriculture and Horticulture is a comprehensive text covering the role of plant growth regulators in: root formation manipulating yield potential plant stress protection ornamental horticulture postharvest life of ornamentals manipulating fruit development and storage quality citriculture reducing fruit drop bloom-thinning strategiesIf the history of agriculture, which is over 10,000 years old, was condensed into a twenty-four-hour span, science-based plant breeding would be only about fifteen minutes old. Still, the role of PGRs in agriculture is modest compared to other agrochemicals, such as fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides. Plant Growth Regulators in Agriculture and Horticulture is an invaluable guide to the varied roles filled by PGRs in the attainment of higher-quality, better-yielding crops.

From recycled products to organic food, the movement to be "environmentally friendly" is now expanding into the forestry field. Recognizing this impact, Home Depot has committed to giving preference to selling "certified wood," proven to come from forests that meet certain biological and social sustainablility standards. Retailers and vendors can offer certified wood through the international Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and FSC accredited organizations like SmartWood, recently featured in People magazine.

Black Pepper is the first monograph to be published on this important spice, the most widely-used by mankind. This monograph includes chapters on all aspects of the crop's botany and its improvement, agronomy, chemistry, post harvest technology, processing, diseases, insect pests, marketing, economics and uses. The available information is collected and presented for the use of students, teachers and research workers. All the chapters are written by experts in their fields.

The book -- a veritable 'treasure trove' of all that is known about the crop -- is meant for undergraduate and graduate students, teachers and researchers in the areas of agriculture, horticulture and crop botany. This will serve both as a text book and as a reference book. It is hoped that this monograph will remain the major reference source for all pepper workers for at least the next decade.

An autobiographical, historical account of the author's agricultural and rural development experiences. Includes analyses of historical and socio-political contexts of different countries and institutions. The text is in a relaxed, not strictly academic, style which facilitates easy reading. Tales from an Itinerant Agronomist covers a lifelong dedication to systems thinking and learning in agriculture and rural development. It follows the author's own experiences, based at Universities and within International Aid programmes, developing farm and rural livelihood systems for small scale farming families. Covering extended time spent at educational and research institutions over the last 60 years; including Trinidad, Tanzania, Botswana, Sudan, Syria, Nepal and Namibia, and short periods in many other countries. The book looks at cross cutting themes including; the role of animal power in small farm systems, the performance of some agricultural and rural development educational institutions: Leeds University, UWI (Trinidad), University of East Anglia (Norwich,UK), WAU (Netherlands), SLU (Sweden) and a selected analysis of some trends and themes in agricultural research. Enriched by the inputs and experiences from many different farmers, colleagues and partnerships, Tales From an Itinerant Agronomist is suitable for readers with an interest in agriculture, farming, rural development, the environment and sustainability.

Mediterranean irrigation is diverse due to, among other factors, the relative importance of water in the economy of each country, varied levels of aridity, heterogeneous levels economic, social and technological levels of development, and differences in political and social organization. However, most of the Mediterranean countries face similar problems to meet their water demands because of the scarcity and variability of renewable resources, growing water requirements from non-agricultural sectors, increasing environmental concerns related to water quality and environmental degradation, a social demand for larger public participation, and important technological changes. The time has come to reconsider the "not one drop lost to the sea" philosophy of yesteryears largely and to 'live within limits'. This book focuses on eight selected countries (Tunisia, Morocco, Spain, France, Italy, Turkey, Israel and Egypt) and provides a comparative perspective that both thoroughly explores their specificities and identifies the common challenges faced by the irrigation sector in these countries. The book has been written at a critical moment, when the continued application of a supply-side water management model is revealing its unsustainable nature in numerous places; when significant technological changes are taking place in the irrigation sector; when new forms of management and governance are widely held as badly needed; and finally, when climate change is compounding many of the difficulties that have characterized irrigation policies and practices in the past decades. This complicated future context makes Mediterranean irrigation face various political dilemmas on water management, raising social tensions, triggering territorial and land conflicts, and stimulating new technological developments. This book provides a timely analysis of the particular trajectory of eight Mediterranean countries in these uncertain transformations, and attempts to identify the best strategies to avert or overcome future risks.

The first book on crop nutrition that covers topics from soil hydrology to molecular biology!The first book ever to elucidate so many different aspects of mineral nutrition of crops, Mineral Nutrition of Crops: Fundamental Mechanisms and Implications will allow you to grasp the complexity of the soil-water-plant-microbe interactions governing nutrient uptake and utilization by crops. By emphasizing a fundamental mechanistic approach, this book effectively complements the monograph Nutrient Use in Crop Production (The Haworth Press, Inc.). With Mineral Nutrition of Crops you will explore the many facets necessary to increase crop and pasture yields and minimize unwanted losses of nutrients to the environment.Mineral Nutrition of Crops covers a wide range of topics that span several scientific disciplines: agriculture, agronomy, botany, forestry, ecology, plant science, and soil science. From this book, you will gain vital knowledge required to understand the complexity of mechanisms and processes governing nutrient transport toward roots, including biological and chemical reactions influencing nutrient availability in the rhizosphere, uptake by root cells, long-distance transport toward grain, and the role of nutrients in metabolism. Also, you will explore issues relating to the following topics: biology and chemistry of nutrient availability in the rhizosphere kinetics of nutrient uptake by plant cells role of mineral photosynthesis and yield formation importance of seed nutrient reserves in crop growth and development breeding crops for improved nutrient efficiency significance of root size for plant production monitoring water and nutrient fluxes down the profile From Mineral Nutrition of Crops , you will gain the knowledge you need to understand and improve methods of crop growth and nutrition. Mineral Nutrition of Crops is an indispensable manual for anyone involved in the many aspects of growing crops.