High yields and environmental control in crop farming call for precise adaptations to local growing conditions. Treating large fields in a uniform way by high capacity machinery cannot be regarded as a sustainable method for many situations. Because differences existing within single fields must be considered. The transition from former field work carried out manually or by small implements to present-day high-capacity machinery caused that the farmers lost the immediate and close contact with soils and crops. However, modern sensing and controlling technology can make up for this deficit. High tech methods that include proximal sensing and signals from satellites can provide for controls that allow adjusting farming operations to small fractions of one ha and sometimes even down to some m2, hence in a site-specific mode. This applies to operations for soil cultivation, sowing, fertilizing and plant protection. This book deals with site-specific concepts, applications and results.

Cinnamon is the common name for the spice obtained from the dried inner bark of several species of the genus Cinnamomum in the Lauraceae family. In world trade, Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J. Presl Cinnamomum burmannii dominate, but it is of a different quality to 'true' or 'Ceylon' cinnamon produced from Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume (C. verum J. Presl), with the latter much easier to process, giving a more delicate, sweeter flavor with nuances of clove, but more importantly with only traces (often below detection thresholds) of coumarin, compared with 5-7 g/kg in other species. Cinnamon has been a popular and expensive spice in many civilizations, including ancient Egypt, Rome and in 14th and 15th century Europe, where it was used primarily to preserve meat for its antibacterial properties, fine aroma and flavor. Ancient Egyptians used cinnamon in mummification process due to its antibacterial properties and fragrance. The quest for cinnamon brought many explorers to Ceylon, whose ancient history is intertwined with the cinnamon trade. Ancient Egyptians and Romans used cinnamon as a valued spice and as an incense. In recent years, much research has been conducted in crop improvement, processing and value addition in cinnamon. In addition to direct use as a condiment/spice, cinnamon has found a multitude of uses in the food and beverage, traditional medicine, pharmacology, nutraceutical and cosmetics industries. Ceylon cinnamon is unique in that oils distilled from the bark (major constituents are cinnamaldehyde and oleoresins), leaf (eugenol is the major constituent used in dentistry, perfumes, flavorings and as an antioxidant) and roots (camphor) have different industrial uses. Cinnamaldehyde is now a proven natural bactericide widely used in food and beverage industry, effective against Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli. Thus, it has become an important natural component of organic fruit and vegetable juices to enhance microbial safety of these nutritious beverages. Because of its manifold uses, cinnamon is an important crop. There have been many recent publications on its ethnobotany, genetics, crop improvement, agronomy, processing, biotechnology, chemistry, food and medicinal uses, and industrial applications. However, one book condensing all these findings is lacking. Our publication, with chapters devoted to all these aspects of cinnamon written by experts in these fields, condenses current knowledge into a single source and contribute to the advancement and dissemination of knowledge and technology. Contributors to the book constitute internationally renowned senior scientists and academics with hands-on experience as well as movers and shakers of industry, thereby striking a right balance between theory and practice. Therefore it is a valuable source for students, teachers, scientists, planners policy makers, practicing agriculturists and industrialists, and a prized acquisition to any library in higher education institutions, R & D institutions and public and private sector institutions in agriculture and allied fields.

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.

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.

Contents - I. Introduction - II. Nontoxic Methods and Materials as Insecticides - III. Weeds - IV. Weed Control - V. Insects - VI. Insects and Diseases of Field Crops - VII. Insects and Diseases of Orchards and Vineyards - VIII. Insects and Diseases in the Garden and Truckfarm - IX. Pests of Ornamentals, Lawns, Flowers and Shrubs - X. Household Insects and Rodents - XI. Pests of Barns and Livestock - XII. Insects and Diseases of Trees and Forests -Bibliography - Foreword - To provide a reasonably comprehensive guide to agricultural pests and their control? we attempt to briefly describe the most important pests and agricultural products. In describing the control for each crop, we try to provide you with some information to aid your understanding of both the specific problem and its relation to other crops and pests. Through this understanding, the first stage in the intelligent application of control procedures is achieved. Thus, an over application of pesticides to overcome the.effect of unknowingly harboring a pest reservoir in or at the edge of the field/yard can be avoided. The second stage of intelligent (safe, economic) pest control is gained through thorough familiarity with the use of the chosen method of pest control. The effort expended by academic, industrial, and governmental experts in determining the best dosage levels and methods of application is wasted unless the product label is read and followed. Your interest, hopefully aroused by our work, can be further developed by contacting the appropriate experts in government, academia, or industry. To aid you in this activity, we try to provide references in each section. Finally, this effort is dedicated, with yours, to the production and consumption of agricultural products of the best quality.

Fruit Breeding is the eighth volume in the Handbook of Plant Breeding series. Like the other volumes in the series, this volume presents information on the latest scientific information in applied plant breeding using the current advances in the field, from an efficient use of genetic resources to the impact of biotechnology in plant breeding. The majority of the volume showcases individual crops, complemented by sections dealing with important aspects of fruit breeding as trends, marketing and protection of new varieties, health benefits of fruits and new crops in the horizon. The book also features contributions from outstanding scientists for each crop species. Maria Luisa Badenes Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA), Valencia, Spain David Byrne Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA

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.

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."

Rice is the major staple food in Asia, and food security means rice security for most Asians. By the year 2025, we need to produce about 60% more rice than we do today to meet the growing demand. Efficient use of inputs is vital to safely produce the additional food from limited resources with minimal impact on the environment. This book reviews emerging knowledge-intensive technologies and decision aids for improved nutrient management in rice, technology adoption constraints at the farm level, and innovative approaches for field evaluation and promotion of new technologies to farmers. It is highly useful to rice scientists and development workers, students of agronomy, soil science, and plant nutrition, and crop consultants and extension workers in rice all over the world.

Coffee, one of the most commercially important crops grown, is distributed and traded globally in a multi-million dollar world industry. This exciting new book brings together in one volume the most important recent developments affecting the crop. Contributions from around 20 internationally-respected coffee scientists and technologists from around the world provide a vast wealth of new information in the subject areas in which they are expert.

The book commences with three cutting-edge chapters covering non-volatile and volatile compounds that determine the flavour of coffee. Chapters covering technology follow, including comprehensive information on developments in roasting techniques, decaffeination, the science and technology of instant coffee and home / catering beverage preparation. The physiological effects of coffee drinking are considered in a fascinating chapter on coffee and health. Agronomic aspects of coffee breeding and growing are covered specifically in chapters concentrating on these aspects, particularly focussing on newly-emerging molecular and cellular techniques. Finally, recent activities of some international organisations are reviewed in a lengthy appendix.

The editors of "Coffee: Recent Developments "have drawn together a comprehensive and extremely important book that should be on the shelves of all those involved in coffee. The book is a vital tool for food scientists, food technologists and agricultural scientists and the commercially important information included in the book makes it a 'must have reference' to all food companies involved with coffee. All libraries in universities, and research stations where any aspect of the coffee crop is studied or taught should have copies of the book available.

R. J. Clarke, also co-editor of the widely-acclaimed six-volume work Coffee published between 1985 and 1988, is a consultant based in Chichester U. K.

O. G. Vitzthum, formerly Director of Coffee Chemistry Research worldwide at Kraft, Jacobs, Suchard in Bremen, Germany is Honorary Professor at the Technical University of Braunsweig, Germany and Scientific Secretary of the Association Scientifique Internationale du Cafe (ASIC), in Paris France.

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.

Barley: Properties, Functionality and Applications provides a systematic introduction and a comprehensive examination of barley science. Recent research has raised the importance of barley finding that barley is a rich source of phenolic compounds, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Studying the properties of barley provides a basis for better utilizing it, in addition to further development of barley as a sustainable crop. This book will explore knowledge about barley production, grain structure, chemistry and nutritional aspects, primary processing technologies, product formulations and the future prospects of barley. The book also discusses how the limitations of using barley in food products may be overcome by processing of barley grains. Thermal and food preparation methods applied to cereals improves their texture, palatability and nutritive value by gelatinization of starch, denaturation of proteins, increased nutrient availability, inactivation of heat labile toxic compounds and other enzyme inhibitors Key Features: Contains information on the physical, functional and antioxidant properties in barley flour Deals with the latest development in physical, chemical and enzymatic modification of native barley starch Explores the utilization of malt and malt products in brewing and additionally in distilling, vinegar production and commercially as a food ingredients Provides information in enhancing shelf life and its utilization in phytochemical rich product development. With comprehensive knowledge on nutritional and non-nutritional aspects of barley, this book provides the latest information for grain science professionals and food technologists alike. It will be a useful supplementary text for classes teaching cereal technology, cereal science, cereal chemistry, food science, food chemistry, and nutritional properties of cereals.

Barley: Properties, Functionality and Applications provides a systematic introduction and a comprehensive examination of barley science. Recent research has raised the importance of barley finding that barley is a rich source of phenolic compounds, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Studying the properties of barley provides a basis for better utilizing it, in addition to further development of barley as a sustainable crop. This book will explore knowledge about barley production, grain structure, chemistry and nutritional aspects, primary processing technologies, product formulations and the future prospects of barley. The book also discusses how the limitations of using barley in food products may be overcome by processing of barley grains. Thermal and food preparation methods applied to cereals improves their texture, palatability and nutritive value by gelatinization of starch, denaturation of proteins, increased nutrient availability, inactivation of heat labile toxic compounds and other enzyme inhibitors Key Features: Contains information on the physical, functional and antioxidant properties in barley flour Deals with the latest development in physical, chemical and enzymatic modification of native barley starch Explores the utilization of malt and malt products in brewing and additionally in distilling, vinegar production and commercially as a food ingredients Provides information in enhancing shelf life and its utilization in phytochemical rich product development. With comprehensive knowledge on nutritional and non-nutritional aspects of barley, this book provides the latest information for grain science professionals and food technologists alike. It will be a useful supplementary text for classes teaching cereal technology, cereal science, cereal chemistry, food science, food chemistry, and nutritional properties of cereals.

During the past twentieth century, plant pathology has witnessed a dramatic advancement in management of plant diseases through in-depth investigations of host parasite interactions, integration of new concepts, principles and approaches. Our effort in brining out this book is to compile the achievements of modern times with regards to disease management of fruits which otherwise is widely dispersed in various scientific journals, books and government reports and to develop future strategies for the millennium. The chapters on individual crops are contributed by leading plant pathologists having authority in the respective field at international level. Each chapter includes the diseases of economic importance describing their history, distribution, symptoms, epidemiology, and integrated management approaches being adopted worldwide. Each chapter is vividly illustrated to make it more understandable to students, research and extension workers, planners, administrators and other end users citing pertinent references.

From the 4th - 8th of September 2011, the Eucarpia Fodder Crops and Amenity Grasses Section, held its 29th Meeting in the surroundings of Dublin Castle in Ireland. The theme of the meeting was 'Breeding strategies for sustainable forage and turf grass improvement'. Grasslands cover a significant proportion of the land mass of the world, and play a pivotal role in global food production. At the same time we are faced with several challenges that affect the way in which we think about this valuable set of resources. The population of the world is expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, and increase of about one third relative to today's levels. This population increase will be focused in urban areas, and in what are currently viewed as "developing" countries, meaning that the buying power of this increased population will be greater - shifting the balance of demand from staple crops to high value items such as meat and dairy products. Overall that the world will have to approximately double agricultural output across all categories of food to meet the demands of this larger, urbanised population. This is occurring against a backdrop of equally large challenges in terms of global climate change. Agriculture is already a significant contributor to e.g. greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation and soil erosion. The situation is made more complex by an increased emphasis on biofuels as a solution for our imminent oil shortage, resulting in increased competition between land utilised for food and fuel. In short, agriculture must continue to feed the world, whilst not contributing to damaging it further. It must be sustainable. Plant breeding plays a significant but frequently understated role in meeting the challenges presented by this complex and changing scenario. However, plant breeding and improvement is itself undergoing radical change driven by technology. This book explores how forage and turf breeding is changing and adapting to meet these challenges using the technological advances being experienced in plant breeding as a whole.

This book offers a comprehensive collection of papers on CRISPR/Cas genome editing in connection with agriculture, climate-smart crops, food security, translational research applications, bioinformatics analysis, practical applications in cereals, floriculture crops, engineering plants for abiotic stress resistance, the intellectual landscape, regulatory framework, and policy decisions. Gathering contributions by internationally respected experts in the field of CRISPR/Cas genome editing, the book offers an essential guide for researchers, students, teachers and scientists in academia; policymakers; and public companies, private companies and cooperatives interested in understanding and/or applying CRISPR/Cas genome editing to develop new agricultural products.