This book provides important insights into the combustion behavior of novel energy crops and agricultural fuels. It describes a new experimental approach to combustion evaluation, involving fundamental, bench-scale and commercial-scale studies. The studies presented were conducted on two representative biomass energy crops: a woody biomass poplar (Populus sp. or poplar) and an herbaceous biomass brassica (Brassica carinata or brassica). Moreover, agricultural residues of Manihot esculenta or cassava were also analyzed. The main accomplishments of this work are threefold. Firstly, it offers an extensive characterization of the above-mentioned fuels, their ash chemistry and their emissions of both solid particles and gaseous compounds that form at typical grate combustion conditions. Secondly, it presents an in-depth analysis of ash fractionation processes for major ash species. Thirdly, it describes the role of some critical and volatile key elements (K, Cl, S and P) in grate-fired combustion systems and elucidates the main differences in the ash chemistry during combustion of Si-rich and P-rich fuels. All in all, this work provides novel insights on the basic and fundamental mechanisms of biomass grate combustion with a special focus on ash transformation and highlights important issues and recommendations that need to be considered for an appropriate conversion of ash-rich fuels and for the development of future technology in the context of both small- and medium-scale biomass-based heat and power production.

Volume 2 covers nitrogen fertilizer efficiency, acid tolerance of the legume symbiosis, fruit tree nutrition, rhizosphere pH change, iron deficiency in crop production, the effects of nutrient deficiences on seed production, the elemental composition of plants, and the role of potassium. The articles in this volume join together both the fundamental and the applied parts of this discipline. The editors' aim to make the reviews comprehensible to scientists in relevant disciplines, rather than purely to the specialist. The format of each volume is a small number of full-length reviews of important topics, plus an editorial which briefly mentions other rapidly developing topics that may therefore be reviewed in future volumes.

A monumental 1176 page treatise on every aspect of Farm Crops and Farm Livestock in the Edwardian period, this most complete work of its kind, is a mine of information. The livestock section discusses numerous breeds of horses (including ponies and donkeys) cattle, sheep, goats and poultry; the history, characteristics, care, breeding, and showing of each individual breed, as well as a more general discussion of animal husbandry, live stock ailments and remedies, farm pests, and of course animal products-meat, dairy, wool, honey, etc.. Sheepdogs are not overlooked. The farm crop section covers all British grains, beans and peas, potatoes, hops, flax, turnips, forage crops (for cattle) in similar detail, as well as "subsidiary crops" (that is, vegetables I modern usage). As well as the material specifically on crops and livestock, there is considerable background information, including a summary of the seasons and seasonal tasks, a detailed analysis of the then recent experiments in manuring and composting at Rothamstead that continue to this day, and a discussion of the impact of non-farm animals (badgers, mice, owls ...) on the farm.In addition to sixty eight full page plates there are numerous illustrations in the text, and a complete index. (Hardcover 978-1-84902-540-9, Paperback 978-1-84902-541-6)

Advances in Agronomy continues to be recognized as a leading reference and a first-rate source for the latest research in agronomy. As always, the subjects covered are varied and exemplary of the myriad of subject matter dealt with by this long-running serial.
Volume 94 contains four superior reviews and 17 tables and 30 figures.
* Maintains the highest impact factor among serial publications in Agriculture
* Presents timely reviews on important agronomy issues
* Enjoys a long-standing reputation for excellence in the field

The 5th International Symposium on the Molecular Breeding of Forage and Turf covers all aspects of molecular breeding of forage and turf plants, from gene discovery, functional genomics, molecular genetics and marker technology, marker-assisted selection, transgenesis to transgenic molecular breeding; address applications - among others - for enhanced quality, tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses; relating to forage grasses, forage legumes, their bacterial and fungal endosymbionts, as well as turf grasses.

The Symposium includes keynote presentations from international science leaders in the above fields and offer abstracts in the following topics - breeding and functional genomics for tolerance to biotic stress, - Molecular breeding and functional genomics for tolerance to abiotic stress, - Molecular genetics and modification of flowering and reproductive development, - Genomics of plant-symbiont relations, - Molecular breeding for animal, human and environmental welfare, - Development and Application of molecular technologies in forage and turf improvement, - Bioinformatics-bringing data to a usable form for breeders, - Population and quantitative genetic aspects of molecular breeding, - Gene manipulation, field testing, risk assessment and biosafety, - Intellectual property rights for molecular tools or marker systems.

Advances in Agronomy continues to be recognized as a leading reference and a first-rate source for the latest research in agronomy. As always, the subjects covered are varied and exemplary of the myriad of subject matter dealt with by this long-running serial.
Volume 96 contains seven superior reviews with 25 tables.
* Maintains the highest impact factor among serial publications in Agriculture
* Presents timely reviews on important agronomy issues
* Enjoys a long-standing reputation for excellence in the field

The main purpose of this book is to introduce black rice to a wider circle of people. Although there have been research on different aspects of black rice, the information is scattered and not easily accessible to laypersons. The book intends to cover all the aspects of black rice from research, history, to its development. As such, the book will be suitable for both rice researchers and non-professionals who want to know more about this unique rice crop. Black rice, also known as forbidden rice, is packed with high level of nutrients and antioxidants. The antioxidants found in black rice is higher than the blueberries (that contain highest amount of anthocyanins). Black rice is black due to anthocyanin content in the outer layer of its kernel. Legend tells that this rice was consumed only by royals in China and it was expected that this rice would increase life span of the king. Consumption of black rice without approval was hanged. Ordinary individuals were not allowed to consume black rice. Thus this rice is also known as forbidden rice and Emperor's rice. Now this black heirloom rice is widely available in different parts of the world. Researchers have found that black rice reduce Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), the free radicals produced in the body which is the cause of many diseases. This rice also reduce diabetes, inflammation, heart attack, allergy and obesity; reduce the growth of cancer, improves digestive system and is panacea of many health problems. Thus this rice is also known as long life rice. Food nutritionists consider black rice as modern super foods. The cultivation method of black rice is similar to general rice cultivation practices. There are many varieties available in black rice which is of different Asian origin but Chinese black rice is the most famous among them. Black rice has a wide range of applications because its bran is used as a natural food colouring dye, and it is also used to prepare noodles, pasta, porridge, wine etc. This rice takes slightly longer time to cook than widely available white rice. In modern era, black rice serve as one of the best food materials available to us to maintain our health with regular physical exercise.

Advances in Agronomy continues to be recognized as a leading reference and a first-rate source for the latest research in agronomy. As always, the subjects covered are varied and exemplary of the myraid of subject matter dealt with by thislong-running serial.
Volume 93 contains six indespensable reviews.
* Maintains the highest impact factor among serial publications in Agriculture
* Presents timely reviews on important agronomy issues such as nutrients, water relations, polyacrylamide, and more
* Enjoys a long-standing reputation for excellence in the field

Advances in Agronomy continues to be recognized as a leading reference and a first-rate source for the latest research in agronomy. As always, the subjects covered are varied and exemplary of the myraid of subject matter dealt with by this long-running serial.
Volume 94 contains six oustanding reviews and more than 20 color figures.
* Maintains the highest impact factor among serial publications in Agriculture
* Presents timely reviews on important agronomy issues
* Enjoys a long-standing reputation for excellence in the field

This major work has but one aim: to provide breeders and researchers from the public and private sectors with all the latest information on the breeding of crops of economic relevance. Also, it serves as a major reference book for post-graduate courses and PhD courses on breeding vegetable crops, as well a one-stop-shop for horticulturists and extension agents interested in current advancements in the development of new vegetable crops varieties. Each chapter incorporates the most up-to-date information on the crops examined, and an important novelty is that, in comparison to other books already published on this subject this one contains the most cutting-edge information on molecular breeding techniques.

Advances in Agronomy continues to be recognized as a leading reference and a first-rate source for the latest research in agronomy. As always, the subjects covered are varied and exemplary of the myraid of subject matter dealt with by thislong-running serial.
Volume 92 contains four indespensable reviews and 17 detailed images.
* Maintains the highest impact factor among serial publications in Agriculture
* Presents timely reviews on important agronomy issues such as nutrients, water relations, polyacrylamide, and more
* Enjoys a long-standing reputation for excellence in the field

Volume 91 contains four indespensable reviews and over 30 descriptive figures.
* Maintains the highest impact factor among serial publications in Agriculture
* Presents timely reviews on important agronomy issues
* Enjoys a long-standing reputation for excellence in the field

Natural plant fibers fibres are being increasingly used in manufacturing industrial products because of their renewable and biodegradable natures. Kenaf is an annual bast fibre crop that can provide fibres for several industrial applications (composites, insulation mats, absorbents, bedding material, etc.) as well as raw material for energy exploitation (solid biofuels). Kenaf: A Multi-Purpose Crop for Several Industrial Applications introduces the physiology and field management of kenaf, agronomy, productivity, harvesting as well as its the industrial and energy uses of this promising non-food crop. Including recent research collected by the BIOKENAF project, Kenaf: A Multi-Purpose Crop for Several Industrial Applications provides a global picture of state of the art research and developments with Kenaf from Asia, USA and Australia. This thorough introduction if followed up with an assessment of the crops economic viability as well as an the environmental impact assessment of kenaf. Although not a new crop, Kenaf: A Multi-Purpose Crop for Several Industrial Applications provides a comprehensive introduction to this crop and its developing applications for energy engineers, industry managers, politicians and managers working to develop sustainable energy sources and bio-economies.

Volume 90 contains seven timely reviews and over 50 descriptive figures.
* Maintains the highest impact factor among serial publications in Agriculture
* Presents timely reviews on important agronomy issues
* Enjoys a long-standing reputation for excellence in the field

With an ever-increasing human population, the demand placed upon the agriculture sector to supply more food is one of the greatest challenges for the agrarian community. In order to meet this challenge, environmentally unfriendly agroch- icals have played a key role in the green revolution and are even today commonly recommended to circumvent nutrient de?ciencies of the soils. The use of ag- chemicals is, though, a major factor for improvement of plant production; it causes a profound deteriorating effect on soil health (soil fertility) and in turn negatively affects the productivity and sustainability of crops. Concern over disturbance to the microbial diversity and consequently soil fertility (as these microbes are involved in biogeochemical processes), as well as economic constraints, have prompted fun- mental and applied research to look for new agro-biotechnologies that can ensure competitive yields by providing suf?ciently not only essential nutrients to the plants but also help to protect the health of soils by mitigating the toxic effects of certain pollutants. In this regard, the role of naturally abundant yet functionally fully unexplored microorganisms such as biofertilizers assume a special signi?cance in the context of supplementing plant nutrients, cost and environmental impact under both conventional practices and derelict environments. Therefore, current devel- ments in sustainability involve a rational exploitation of soil microbial communities and the use of inexpensive, though less bio-available, sources of plant nutrients, which may be made available to plants by microbially-mediated processes.

This book brings together information on harvest methods, system productivity, and methods for conducting safe, efficient, and environmentally acceptable operations in tropical forests. It highlights the challenges of harvest operations in the tropics, includes techniques that have been shown to be successful, and discusses newer technologies. Numerical examples are provided to provide clarity for interpreting graphs, procedures, and formulas.

Volume 88 contains eight timely reviews on topics dealing with biodiversity, carbon sequestration, crop improvement, nitrogen dynamics, and the discipline of soil science. Discussions include but are not limited to: Agriculture, soil biodiversity, climate change and agricultural diversity; ways to improve soil aeration, oxygation and plant processes, and oxygation scenarios; and pre-sowing seed treatment as a means for improving germination, plant growth and crop yield.
Advances in Agronomy continues to be recognized
as a leading reference and a first-rate source for the latest research in agronomy. As always, the subjects covered are varied and exemplary of the myraid of subject matter dealt with by thislong-running serial.
* Over 40 figures and 32 tables
* Presents a review of the present and future status of soil science
* Offers an analysis of biodiversity in agronomy

In the last four decades of the twentieth century the use of sweetpotato was diversified beyond their classification as subsistence, food security, and famine-relief crop. In developing countries they serve both as human food and for feeding livestock. In Western countries they appeal to health conscious consumers because of their nutritional aspects. The sweetpotato is very high in nutritive value, and merits wider use on this account alone. The book has 2 parts. A general one giving up-to-date information on the history, botany, cultivars, genetic engineering, propagation, diseases and pests, nutritional data and marketing; and a second part presenting data on sweetpotato growing practices in different areas of the world. The information should be useful to researchers, practitioners and crop administrators in different countries.

Advances in Agronomy continues to be recognized as a leading reference and a first-rate source of the latest research in agronomy. Major reviews deal with the current topics of interest to agronomists, as well as crop and soil scientists. As always, the subjects covered are varied and exemplary of the myriad subject matter dealt with by this long-running serial. Editor Donald Sparks, former president of the Soil Science Society of America and current president of the International Union of Soil Science, is the S. Hallock du Pont Chair of Plant and Soil Sciences at The University of Delaware.
Volume 82 contains eight state-of-the-art reviews on topics of interest in the plant and soil sciences. Three of the reviews present cutting-edge molecular scale techniques and approaches that directly impact food production, crop improvement, and environmental quality and sustainability.

Plant development and productivity are negatively regulated by various environmental stresses. Abiotic stress factors such as heat, cold, drought, and salinity represent key elements limiting agricultural productivity worldwide. Thus, developing crop plants with the ability to tolerate abiotic stresses is a critical need which demands modern novel strategies for the thorough understanding of plant response to abiotic stresses. Crop Improvement under Adverse Conditions will serve as a cutting-edge resource for researchers and students alike who are studying plant abiotic stress tolerance and crop improvement. The book presents the latest trends and developments in the field, including the impact of extreme events on salt tolerant forest species of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the overlapping horizons of salicylic acid in different stresses, and fast and reliable approaches to crop improvement through In Vitro haploid production. Written by renowned experts and featuring useful illustrations and photographs, Crop Improvement under Adverse Conditions is a concise and practical update on plant abiotic stress tolerance and crop improvement.

Advances in Agronomy continues to be recognized as a leading reference and a first-rate source of the latest research in agronomy. Major reviews deal with the current topics of interest to agronomists, as well as crop and soil scientists. As always, the subjects covered are varied and exemplary of the myriad subject matter dealt with by this long-running serial. Editor Donald Sparks, former president of the Soil Science Society of America and current president of the International Union of Soil Science, has just been appointed the S. Hallock du Pont Chair of Plant and Soil Sciences at The University of Delaware.
* Maintains the highest impact factor among serial publications in Agriculture
* Presents timely reviews on important agronomy issues
* Enjoys a long-standing reputation for excellence in the field

This book explores the agricultural, commercial, and ecological future of plants in relation to mineral nutrition. It covers various topics regarding the role and importance of mineral nutrition in plants including essentiality, availability, applications, as well as their management and control strategies. Plants and plant products are increasingly important sources for the production of energy, biofuels, and biopolymers in order to replace the use of fossil fuels. The maximum genetic potential of plants can be realized successfully with a balanced mineral nutrients supply. This book explores efficient nutrient management strategies that tackle the over and under use of nutrients, check different kinds of losses from the system, and improve use efficiency of the plants. Applied and basic aspects of ecophysiology, biochemistry, and biotechnology have been adequately incorporated including pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, agronomical, breeding and plant protection parameters, propagation and nutrients managements. This book will serve not only as an excellent reference material but also as a practical guide for readers, cultivators, students, botanists, entrepreneurs, and farmers.

Fungi growth in the storage of cereal grain has led to serious losses of grain quality and quantity each year the world over. These fungi and moulds are capable of producing mycotoxins which accumulate in grains. This book contains reviews from 21 experts on the relationship between mould growth in grain and its effects as well as the accumulation of mycotoxins. Discussed are properties of "storage fungi" such as the water and temperature relationship, taxonomy and nomenclature aspects etc. New methods of storage allow for early detection of these mould growths. Significant attention is paid to "Aspergillus" and "Penicillium" species colonizing in cereal grain and their growth requirements. The book touches on the significance of mycotoxins in grain being used for food production and possible detoxification processes. There is considerable attention given to a new technique of decontamination in countries with humid climates involving proper drying techniques at low temperatures or heated air dryers. This volume covers numerous scientific and practical aspects of grain storage on farms and in industries which are important in preventing quality losses and contamination with mycotoxins.