Turmeric has been used as a medicine, a condiment, and a dye since at least 600 B.C., while ginger has been used extensively throughout history for its medicinal purposes. "The Agronomy and Economy of Turmeric and Ginger" brings these two important plants together in one reference book, explaining their history, production techniques, and nutritional and medicinal properties in detail.

This book is intuitively organized by plant and use, allowing quick access to information. It puts the uniquely Indian use and history of turmeric and ginger plants into a global context of production and economic aspects. It explores the plants from a botanical perspective, and goes into details of their chemical composition as well. Rounding out the book are chapters on disease and pest control issues.

The book is a valuable resource for those involved in the production and marketing of these plants, as well as those looking for more information on the medicinal and nutritional properties of turmeric and ginger.
The first book to bring together extensive information about turmeric and gingerIncorporates medicinal, nutritional and agricultural aspects of the two plantsOffers a global perspective

"It is likely that Plant genetic resources will become the essential methods manual to facilitate their international exchange and local dissemination. It may well become the standard reference for researchers at universities, institutes, government departments and plant nurseries for many years. It provides an indispensable contribution as a handbook for plant collectors." (Plant Science Bulletin - Botanical Society of America) Maintaining and benefitting from plant genetic diversity are key challenges facing agriculture. Challenges include a narrowing genetic base for many key crops, the loss of landraces and wild varieties with agricultural intensification and urbanisation, and the need to develop the role of existing gene banks from repository of genetic diversity to enablers of the flow of germplasm and genetic information for breeding more robust varieties. Plant genetic resources: A review of current research and future needs surveys the wealth of research addressing these challenges and the opportunity for a more integrated, global approach to protecting and leveraging plant genetic diversity for a more sustainable agriculture. The book assesses ways of valuing and monitoring plant genetic diversity and discusses advances in in-situ and ex-situ strategies for conserving plant genetic diversity. The book concludes by reviewing ways of enhancing the use of plant genetic diversity, including participatory plant breeding programmes and more effective seed systems. With its eminent editor and range of international expertise, Plant genetic resources: A review of current research and future needs will be a standard reference for university and other researchers studying crop genetic resources and breeding, staff managing genebanks and germplasm collections, government and other agencies regulating the collection, storage and exchange of germplasm, as well as companies involved in crop breeding.

Collaboratively written by top international experts and established scientists in various fields of agricultural research, this book focuses on the state of food production and sustainability; the problems with degradation of valuable sources of land, water, and air and their effects on food crops;the increasing demand of food resources; and the challenges of food security worldwide. The book provides cutting edge scientific tools and methods of research as well as solid background information that is accessible for those who have a strong interest in agricultural research and development and want to learn more on the challenges facing the global agricultural production systems.
Provides cutting edge scientific tools and available technologies for researchAddresses the effects of climate change and the population explosion on food supply and offers solutions to combat themWritten by a range of experts covering a broad range of agriculture-related disciplines"

This collection features five peer-reviewed literature reviews on crop rotations in agriculture. The first chapter discusses the effects of crop rotation and intercropping management practices and their impact on soil health enhancement and stability. It also considers the importance of leguminous crops and soil organic matter in maintaining healthy soils, sustaining crop productivity and enhancing biodiversity. The second chapter examines the principles of crop rotation, precrop effects in crop rotations, and the nutrient effects of legumes and other rotation crops. It also reviews the role of rotation crops in suppressing weeds, diseases and pests and studies rotations and crop yields, as well as the challenge of designing a crop rotation. The third chapter illustrates how crop models account for the interactions between soil, genotypes, management, and climate, on crops grown in various rotations, and their effects on yield and environmental outcomes under current and future climate scenarios. The fourth chapter assesses the potential of decision support systems for crop rotations in improving soil health and agricultural sustainability. The final chapter reviews how crop rotations with non-cereal species can be implemented to substantially reduce inoculum sources for residue-borne cereal leaf diseases.

This collection features four peer-reviewed literature reviews on cover crops in agriculture. The first chapter describes the contribution of cover crops to improving soil health. The chapter reviews their key role e.g. supplying a food source for soil organisms, providing a source of carbon to help build soil organic matter, enhancing nutrient dynamics in the soil and improving soil structure. The second chapter considers recent research on the benefits of cover crops in organic cultivation in areas such as soil structure and erosion control as well as nutrient cycling. It also looks at the wider role of cover crops in control of weeds, diseases and pests, promoting biodiversity and reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs). The third chapter highlights the use of different cover crops species to promote live or dead soil mulch cover in Conservation Agriculture systems. It also reviews how cover crops effect aspects such as soil acidity and nutrient availability, soil physical and biological properties, soil nematode control, weed control and grain yield. The final chapter reviews the role of cover crops in weed control. Cover crops are important additions to crop rotations because they suppress weeds during rotational periods when crops are absent and provide ecosystem services that enhance soil quality and fertility.

This collection features five peer-reviewed literature reviews on nematode pests in agriculture. The first chapter assesses the value and impact of using integrated pest management (IPM) to combat nematode pests. It summarises the basic biology and morphology of the most economically-important nematode pests and reviews cultural, biological and chemical methods of control. The second chapter discusses advances in understanding plant root response to nematode attack. It highlights how nematodes form feeding structures in host roots and how this behaviour has allowed plants to evolve new mechanisms of resistance that target this structure with a toxic response. The third chapter discusses key nematode pests of wheat, including cereal cyst, root-knot and root-lesion nematodes. It features research on best practice in detecting and managing these pests effectively. The fourth chapter summarises what we know about soil and plant nematodes damaging maize, including lesion, root-knot and vermiform nematodes. It reviews research on characteristics, identification and effects which provide the foundation for effective control. The final chapter describes the characteristics and control of key nematode pests of potatoes: potato cyst nematodes, root knot nematodes, root lesion nematode, potato rot and stem nematodes as well as virus vector nematodes.

This collection features four peer-reviewed literature reviews on drought-resistant crops. The first chapter assesses the genes involved in drought and heat tolerance, as well as the physiological traits related to increased tolerance to abiotic stress in wheat. It reviews advances in our understanding of the molecular markers associated with these physiological traits, and the roles of key genes in determining a wheat plant's response to heat and drought stress. The second chapter discusses mechanisms of drought resistance in rice. It reviews ways of assessing drought tolerance performance, identifying genes promoting drought tolerance through quantitative trait loci (QLT) analysis, as well as breeding for drought tolerance. The third chapter highlights the genetic diversity and quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with the traits contributing to drought and heat tolerance in soybean. It also reviews genomic resources that can facilitate a better understanding of phenotype-genotype associations and formulate genomic-assisted breeding strategies. The final chapter addresses the polygenic nature of tolerance to drought and to heat in grain legumes. It reviews advances in understanding plant adaptation to stress, the assembly of molecular and phenotyping tools to support breeding and the development of tolerance through traditional and molecular breeding techniques.

This book examines global environmental governance and how legal, institutional, and conceptual reform can facilitate a transformation to a new 'natural-systems' form of agriculture. Profound global climate disruption makes it essential that we replace our current agricultural system - described in this book as a fossil-carbon-dependent 'modern extractive agriculture' - with a natural-systems agriculture featuring perennial grains growing in polycultures, thereby mimicking the natural grassland and forest ecosystems that modern extractive agriculture has largely destroyed. After examining relevant international legal and conceptual foundations (sovereignty, federalism, global governance) and existing international organizations focusing on agriculture, the book explores legal and institutional opportunities to facilitate dramatic agricultural reform and ecological restoration. Among other things, it explains how innovative federalism structures around the world provide patterns for reorienting global environmental governance, including what the book calls eco-states that would, through exercise of pluralistic sovereignty, be responsible for agroecological management. Drawing from his experience working in international institutions, the author provides detailed global-governance proposals for facilitating the type of agricultural reform that can help avoid ecological collapse, especially through soil degradation and climate change. This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of international law, agroecology, climate change, ecological restoration, sustainable development, and global governance, as well as policy-makers and practitioners working in these fields.

Written by noted experts in the field, Handbook of Mango Fruit: Production, Postharvest Science, Processing Technology and Nutrition offers a comprehensive resource regarding the production, trade, and consumption of this popular tropical fruit. The authors review the geographic areas where the fruit is grown and harvested, including information on the ever-expanding global marketplace that highlights United States production, imports and exports, and consumption, as well as data on the outlook for the European market. Handbook of Mango Fruit outlines the postharvest handling and packaging techniques and reviews the fruit s processed products and byproducts that are gleaned from the processing of waste. The authors include information on the nutritional profile of the mango and review the food safety considerations for processing and transport of mangoes. This comprehensive resource: * Reviews global mango production trends and countries that are the major exporters and importers of mangoes * Explores the burgeoning marketplace for mangoes with special emphasis on the US and European marketplace * Assesses latest trends in packaging of and shipping of mangoes * Provides in depth coverage on value-added processing and by-products utilization * Offers vital information on the innovative processing technologies and nutritional profile of popular tropical fruit Written for anyone involved in the production, marketing, postharvest handling, processing and by-products of mangoes, Handbook of Mango Fruit is a vital resource offering the most current information and guidelines on the burgeoning marketplace as well as the safe handling, production, and distribution of mangoes.

This specially curated collection features five reviews of current and key research on fruit losses and waste. The first chapter reviews the magnitude of losses and waste of fruit and vegetables as well as key issues in estimating losses. It provides a detailed assessment of the main causes of losses and waste together with strategies for their prevention. The second chapter assesses the adoption of new, non-destructive technologies as a way of measuring harvest maturity and improving sorting operations to minimise the risk of product loss and waste. The third chapter outlines the importance of harvest management of apples and considers the importance of various factors associated with fruit physiology, maturation and ripening to reduce losses. The fourth chapter reviews existing research in the preservation of fruit quality and reduction of post-harvest damage and loss by adopting suitable technologies and knowledge during post-harvest operation, storage management, transportation and marketing of mango fruit. The final chapter explores the advantages and disadvantages of cultivating ripening-impaired tomato mutants. It describes how controlling tomato diseases in both pre- and postharvest operations can help avoid fruit losses.

This specially curated collection features three reviews of current and key research on nutraceuticals in fruit and vegetables. The first chapter provides a brief description of the chemistry of bioactive compounds (BCs) and their presence in temperate fruits, and discusses recent advances in strategies towards improving sustainable crop production for nutraceuticals. It examines polyphenols, carotenoids, vitamin C and production practices that influence bioactive compound synthesis. The second chapter describes the claimed health benefits associated with the antioxidant properties of bioactive compounds found in mangoes, such as vitamin C, phenolics and carotenoids. The chapter also examines specific cell, animal and clinical studies that suggest mango pulp, juice and extract are effective against metabolic diseases and certain forms of cancer. The final chapter considers how developments such as genetic dissection using fruit ripening mutants, new transgenic plants, and molecular breeding have opened a road map for scientists to further unravel the intricacies and regulation of genes governing fruit quality attributes. Improvements in precision in engineering plant genomes have enabled development of novel tomatoes with marketable traits such as higher carotenoid and anthocyanin content, both beneficial for human health.

This specially curated collection features three reviews of current and key research on climate change, insect pests and invasive species. The first chapter reviews the impact of climate change on insect pests and how it has affected insect pest development and population dynamics, activity and abundance, diversity and geographical distribution. It also assesses insect-host plant interactions and the effectiveness of crop pest management techniques. The second chapter discusses the literature on the potential impact of climate change on the principal insect pests of wheat, including cereal aphids, Hessian fly, orange wheat blossom midge, cereal leaf beetle and cotton bollworm. It assesses the different methods used to assess likely impacts as well climate change effects on biological control in wheat systems. The final chapter surveys what we know about the ecology of invasive species and potential management strategies. In particular, it assesses how integrated pest management (IPM) needs to evolve to deal with invasive species, particularly in focussing more on monitoring, prevention and rapid response.

"The sustainable intensification of smallholder farming systems is a standard reference on how best to target support for smallholders to achieve real improvements in their livelihoods." (IITA - Cassava Matters) Due to a lack of understanding of the constraints they face, many projects developed to support smallholders fail with low adoption rates and limited improvements in livelihoods and food security. Greater emphasis must be placed upon successfully supporting smallholder farmers and their farming systems. The sustainable intensification of smallholder farming systems provides a comprehensive review of recent research on effective support measures to improve the livelihoods of smallholders in sub-Saharan Africa. This collection features detailed discussions on ways to improve access to key resources, such as seeds, tools and expertise for soil health improvement and integrated pest management (IPM) programmes. A part dedicated to finance and information assesses the need to improve support systems, including farmer organisations and commercial extension services, for the benefit of particular groups of smallholders, e.g. female farmers. Based on a wealth of practical experience from leading experts in the field, The sustainable intensification of smallholder farming systems will be a standard reference on how best to target support for smallholders to achieve real improvements in their livelihoods. It will be essential reading for university and other researchers studying smallholder farming systems in departments of agricultural science, international development, politics and development economics. It will also be a key reference for government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) involved in development programmes focussing on smallholders, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

This specially curated collection features four reviews of current and key research on fusarium in cereal crops. The first chapter describes how progress can be built over current agricultural practices in integrated pest management plans. It also addresses the disease cycle of Fusarium head blight, host-pathogen interactions, genetic resistance, the role of mycotoxins, as well as the impact of the disease on yields and loss of crop quality. The second chapter reviews current research on the main fungal diseases affecting barley, as well as what we know about the mechanisms of barley genetic resistance to fungal pathogens. It features detailed discussions on biotrophic foliar diseases such as stem rust and powdery mildew and necrotrophic diseases such as spot blotch and Fusarium head blight. The third chapter reviews control measures for Fusarium head blight, wheat blast and powdery mildew, including the development of resistant cultivars. The final chapter considers the current status of global wheat production, the impact of crop loss on food security and the emergence of the current regulatory environment surrounding pesticides. It also features discussions on the current status of the global fungicide market.

This book deals with the agronomy of the eight major grain, fiber and oilseed row crops produced in the United States: Corn, Wheat, Grain Sorghum, Barley, Rice, Cotton, Soybeans, and Peanuts. For each crop, Dr. Smith presents a structured discussion of: the types of cultivars, the history of the crop, its uses and processing, a detailed discussion of how to plant and grow the crop, the pests and problems involved, and the harvesting, grading and marketing practices.

This book introduces a variety of new crop species that are energy- and water-efficient, well adapted to marginal lands and suited to intensive culture. It focuses on a technological strategy which holds immense promise for world agriculture and the ultimate benefit of man in near and long term.

This book is the second volume of a three volume reference set that will provide comprehensive information on breeding commercial horticultural crops. In a systematic way, it deals with the history and commercial importance of each fruit, the origin and early development of cultivation, regional characteristics, breeding objectives, fruit characteristics such as color, shape and disease resistance. Volume II deals with, for example, citrus fruits, avocados, and kiwifruits.

Plant diseases cause yield loss in crop production, poor quality of produce, and great economic losses as well. Knowledge of the perpetuation and spread of the pathogens and various factors affecting disease development is an important need. Disease diagnosis is the prime requirement for determining preventive or curative measures for effective disease management. This new 2-volume set, Diseases of Field Crops, helps to fill the need for research on plant diseases, their effects, how they spread, and effective management measures to mitigate their harmful consequences. The volumes in this set showcase recent advances in molecular plant pathology and discuss appropriate diagnostic techniques for identification of causal agents and diseases, providing the information necessary to establish management strategies. The chapters in these two volumes include detailed description of symptoms, causal organisms, disease cycles, epidemiology, and management techniques of economically important diseases. The volumes explore existing strategies and offer new methods that can be used in an integrated manner and with a comprehensive approach for the management of major diseases of the field crops. Also taken into consideration is the impact of global climate change on the spread and severity of plant diseases. This volume focuses on a selection of cereal crops or grains for fodder and human food and the diseases that affect them. The crops include rice, maize, wheat, millet, sorghum, jute, and more. Volume 2 covers pulses, oil seeds, narcotics, and sugar crops.

Plant diseases cause yield loss in crop production, poor quality of produce, and great economic losses as well. Knowledge of the perpetuation and spread of the pathogens and various factors affecting disease development is an important need. Disease diagnosis is the prime requirement for determining preventive or curative measures for effective disease management. This new 2-volume set, Diseases of Field Crops, helps to fill the need for research on plant diseases, their effects, how they spread, and effective management measures to mitigate their harmful consequences. The volumes in this set showcase recent advances in molecular plant pathology and discuss appropriate diagnostic techniques for identification of causal agents and diseases, providing the information necessary to establish management strategies. The chapters in these two volumes include detailed description of symptoms, causal organisms, disease cycles, epidemiology, and management techniques of economically important diseases. The volumes explore existing strategies and offer new methods that can be used in an integrated manner and with a comprehensive approach for the management of major diseases of the field crops. Also taken into consideration is the impact of global climate change on the spread and severity of plant diseases. This volume covers pulses, oil seeds, narcotics, and sugar crops. Each of the chapters focuses on one crop, with a detailed account of symptoms, causal organisms, disease cycles, epidemiology, and management of the diseases caused by fungi, bacteria and viruses. Some crops discussed include green gram, chickpeas and peas, lentils, soybeans, groundnuts, sunflowers, sugarcane, tobacco, and others. Volume 1 focuses on cereals, small millets, and fiber crops.

There is an ever-increasing demand for more food but one of the stumbling blocks to achieving this goal is quality and quantity losses due to various pests and pathogens and the mycotoxins synthesized by these harmful biotic entities. Thus far, strategies employed to manage these post-harvest diseases and mycotoxins decontamination include established physical, cultural, and chemical methods. Recently, the application of chemicals to reduce decay and deterioration caused by various pathogens has been impeded as these hazardous chemicals contaminate the environment, enter the food chain, and destroy beneficial microorganisms and pests by aiming at non-target microorganisms. In light of this, the usage of eco-friendly and non-polluting alternatives to chemical pesticides is the call of the hour. Bio-management of Postharvest Diseases and Mycotoxigenic Fungi deals with the current state and future prospects of using various bio-management techniques that are natural, eco-friendly, and environmentally safe. It aims to increase awareness of their potential as well as sensitizing readers to the various aspects of biologicals in pest control. Key Features: Highlights classical versus new techniques adopted to manage postharvest diseases Discusses novel approaches in managing fungal spoilage and mycotoxin decontamination Provides readers with a 360-degree perspective of the pre- and post-harvest quality mycotoxin decontamination research being conducted Details proposals of new ideas to ensure a food secure and pesticide-free world This book disseminates notable and diversified scientific work carried out by leading experts in their own field. Written by qualified scientists in each of their respective disciplines, it can serve as a current and comprehensive treatise on the emerging field of bio-management of postharvest diseases and mycotoxin decontamination by products that are "generally regarded as safe."

This book is to gathers, in one volume, the latest information on the genomic researches of Musa. A group of leading experts in Musa genetics, genomics and breeding contributed to this volume in a style that will be understood by students and researchers. This book provides basic as well as advanced information for those interested in learning more about the banana genome and its improvement as well for those pursuing further research in the crop.

This user-friendly book introduces biochar to potential users in the professional sphere. It de-mystifies the scientific, engineering and managerial issues surrounding biochar for the benefit of audiences including policy makers, landowners and farmers, land use, agricultural and environmental managers and consultants, industry and lobby groups and NGOs. The book reviews state-of-the-art knowledge in an approachable way for the non-scientist, covering all aspects of biochar production, soil science, agriculture, environmental impacts, economics, law and regulation and climate change policy. Chapters provide 'hands-on' practical information, including how to evaluate biochar and understand what it is doing when added to the soil, how to combine biochar with other soil amendments (such as manure and composts) to achieve desired outcomes, and how to ensure safe and effective use. The authors also present research findings from the first coordinated European biochar field trial and summarize European field trial data. Explanatory boxes, infographics and concise summaries of key concepts are included throughout to make the subject more understandable and approachable.

Wheat Blast provides systematic and practical information on wheat blast pathology, summarises research progress and discusses future perspectives based on current understanding of the existing issues. The book explores advance technologies that may help in deciding the path for future research and development for better strategies and techniques to manage the wheat blast disease. It equips readers with basic and applied understanding on the identification of disease, its distribution and chances of further spread in new areas, its potential to cause yield losses to wheat, the conditions that favour disease development, disease prediction modelling, resistance breeding methods and management strategies against wheat blast. Features: Provides comprehensive information on wheat blast pathogen and its management under a single umbrella Covers disease identification and diagnostics which will be helpful to check introduction in new areas Discusses methods and protocol to study the different aspects of the disease such as diagnostics, variability, resistance screening, epiphytotic creation etc. Gives deep insight on the past, present and future outlook of wheat blast research progress This book's chapters are contributed by experts and pioneers in their respective fields and it provides comprehensive insight with updated findings on wheat blast research. It serves as a valuable reference for researchers, policy makers, students, teachers, farmers, seed growers, traders, and other stakeholders dealing with wheat.

Microbial Mitigation of Stress Responses of Food Legumes provides knowledge on the impact of abiotic and biotic stress on the agriculture of grain legumes especially pulses and it critically reviews the cutting-edge research in exploring plant microbe interactions to mitigate the stress. It helps in understanding the fundamentals of microbial-mediated management of abiotic and biotic stress in grain legumes. Salient features: Describes the usefulness of microbiome of plant/insects for enhancing the production of grain legumes Focuses on recent advances in microbial methods for mitigating the stress and their application in sustainability of legume production Provides a unique collection of microbial data for the improvement of legume productivity Details microbial metabolites at the gene and molecule levels for plant stress management The reader will get all essential and updated information on various stress factors, crop responses, and microbial-mediated stress management for better food legume production.