Biocontrol and Secondary Metabolites: Applications and Immunization for Plant Growth and Protection covers established and updated research on emerging trends in plant defense signaling in, and during, stress phases. Other topics cover growth at interface as a sustainable way of life and the context of human welfare and conservation of fungi as a group of organisms. Further, the book explores induced systemic resistance using biocontrol agents and/or secondary metabolites as a milestone for sustainable agricultural production, thus providing opportunities for the minimization or elimination of the use of fungicides.

Controlled Release Fertilizers for Sustainable Agriculture provides a comprehensive examination of precision fertilizer applications using the 4-R approach-the right amount of fertilizer at the right time to the right plant at the correct stage of plant growth. This volume consolidates detailed information on each aspect of controlled release fertilizers, including up-to-date literature citations, the current market for controlled release fertilizers and patents. Presenting the tremendous advances in experimental and theoretical studies on sustainable agriculture and related areas, this book provides in-depth insight into state-of-the-art controlled release mechanisms of fertilizers, techniques, and their use in sustainable agriculture. Conventional release mechanisms have historically meant waste of fertilizers and the adverse effects of that waste on the environment. Controlled release delivery makes significant strides in enhancing fertilizer benefit to the target plant, while protecting the surrounding environment and increasing sustainability.

Biostimulants in Alleviation of Metal Toxicity in Plants: Emerging Trends and Opportunities focuses on the role of substances or micro-organisms whose presence can address issues of metal contamination in soils, seeds and plants. Including a range of biostimulant tools, the book highlights both endogenous and exogenous application. Written and edited by a global team of experts, this book presents an overview on biostimulants in determining metal toxicity. As plants encounter a wide range of environmental challenges during their lifecycle, among which metal toxicity is a common form of abiotic stress, this book thoroughly covers important topics on the subject matter. Once inside a plant system, toxic metals may initiate a variety of physiological alterations in plants, including adversely impacted seed germination, root and shoot growth, chloroplasts ultrastructure and photosynthesis, nutrients assimilation, carbohydrates metabolism, and plant hormonal status which, collectively, results in reduced plants yields. In addition to several naturally occurring physiological and metabolic re-programing responses, plants may also modify their root and shoot systems in order to dilute entered amount of toxic metals. As an additional tool biostimulants have emerged as one of the important plant protectors under adverse conditions.

Advances in Agronomy, Volume 163, continues to be recognized as a leading reference and first-rate source for the latest research in agronomy. Each volume contains an eclectic group of reviews by leading scientists throughout the world. As always, the subjects covered are rich, varied and exemplary of the abundant subject matter addressed by this long-running serial.