Plant molecular biology came to the fore in the early 1980s and there has been tremendous growth in the subject since then. The study of plant genes and genomes and the development of techniques for the incorporation of novel or modified genes into plants eventually led to the commercialisation of genetically modified (GM) crops in the mid-1990s. This was seen as the start of a biotechnological revolution in plant breeding. However, plant biotechnology has become one of the hottest debates of the age and, in Europe at least, one of the greatest challenges that plant scientists have ever faced.This book covers the history and development of the science and techniques that underpin plant biotechnology. It describes the GM crops that are or have been grown commercially around the world, including failures as well as successes, and the new varieties that are being developed. The safety record of GM crops is reviewed together with the legislation that has been adopted to cover their use. The book also deals with the concerns of consumers, the GM crop debate and the prospects for the technology. In the second edition, sections on current GM crops and future developments in plant biotechnology have been greatly expanded, while those on techniques, legislation and the GM crop debate have also been updated.The book is a concise, comprehensive and readable study that is accessible to a general readership with a scientific background but also provides useful information for the specialist.

Management Strategies for Water Use Efficiency and Micro Irrigated Crops presents new research and technologies for making better use of water resources for agricultural purposes. The chapters focus on better management to improve allocation and irrigation water efficiency and look at performance factors as well. Chapters look at irrigation technology, environmental conditions, and scheduling of water application. One section of the book focuses on water management in the cultivation of sugarcane, a very important industrial crop used in many fields. Other sections are devoted to principles and challenging technologies, water use efficiency for drip-irrigated crops, performance of fertigated rice under micro irrigation, and evaluation of performance of drip-irrigated crops. This valuable book is a must for those struggling to find ways to address the need to maintain efficient crop production in the midst of water shortages. With chapters from hands-on experts in the field, the book will be an invaluable reference and guide to effective micro irrigation methods.

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. ) is the most important pulse crop in the world. It is an important source of calories, proteins, dietary fibers, minerals, and vitamins for millions of people in both developing and developed countries worldwide. It complements cereals and other carbohydrate-rich foods in providing near-perfect nutrition to people of all ages. Moreover, a regular intake ofbeans helps lower cholesterol and cancer risks. Despite the fact that per capita consumption of common bean in some developed countries (e. g. , the U. S. A. ) has been increasing over the last several years, in general, the average global per capita consumption is declining because production is unable to keep up with the population growth. Moreover, increasing demand for pesticide-free food products, concern for natural resources conservation, and the need to reduce production costs offer daunting challenges to the twenty-first century policy makers, bean growers, and researchers alike. High yielding, high quality bean cultivars that require less water, fertilizers, pesticides, and manual labor combined with integrated management of abiotic and biotic stresses will have to be developed. Eminent bean researchers were invited to contemplate these issues, prepare a state-of-the-art account on most relevant topics, and offer their insight into research directions into the twenty-first century. Four excellent books have been published covering various aspects ofthe common bean since 1980. These books are: I) Bean Production Problems nd in the Tropics (l SI ed. 1980, 2 ed. 1989), H. F. Schwartz & M. A.

Current and projected worldwide shortages of energy, fertilizer, and irrigation water, coupled with a rapidly expanding population, are prompting agricultural scientists to seek, identify, and develop new crop species. Such crops should be energy- and water-efficient, well adapted to marginal lands, suited to intensive culture, and productive of ma

This book, the second of two volumes, discusses the importance of fodder production of the minor fodder crops for animals. It focuses on 25 minor forage crops, including non-leguminous perennial forages, leguminous forages, and non-graminaceous forages. It discusses crop production methodology and agronomic management in a systemic way, providing an abundance of information on each type of forage crop discussed, including preferred soil type, land capability, cropping patterns, climate, and socioeconomic conditions. It goes on to address pests, disease management, agroforestry in fodder and forage crops, preservation, and production and climate change. This volume provides valuable information needed for effective forage crop production and management. The book, with chapters from highly qualified scientists, will be a rich resource for researchers, academicians, students, and those in the industry. Forage Crops of the World, Volume I: Major Forage Crops focuses on major forage crops. Key features: * Discusses 25 different types of minor forage crops, including many types of grasses and other plants * Provides information on agronomic production practices * Covers pest and disease management practices for forage crops

In the developing world, day to day crop management is often women's work. Yet women's interest and knowledge are often ignored. In addition to empowerment, involving women can provide significant support to crop protection programmes. This book addresses many aspects of plant protection. Most chapters, however, relate to integrated pest management (IPM). Practical lessons on women's roles in crop protection and ways to increase access to information and training are evident. Contributions come from Bhutan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Russia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Tanzania, and Ghana.

"Plant Production on the Threshold of a New Century" describes and compares problems and frontier developments in the different sectors of plant production, integrating developments in basic plant sciences, crop science and socio-economic science, leading to sustainable plant production. Hence the book formulates goals and constraints in policy, economy, production, environment and land use; indicates how these goals and constraints may be translated into farming styles and cropping systems; and describes how the fundamental plant sciences can contribute to the implementation of such farming styles and cropping systems.

Written by leading global experts, including pioneers in the field, the four-volume set on Hyperspectral Remote Sensing of Vegetation, Second Edition, reviews existing stateof- the-art knowledge, highlights advances made in different areas, and provides guidance for the appropriate use of hyperspectral data in the study and management of agricultural crops and natural vegetation. Hyperspectral remote sensing or imaging spectroscopy data has been increasingly used in studying and assessing the biophysical and biochemical properties of agricultural crops and natural vegetation. Volume III, Biophysical and Biochemical Characterization and Plant Species Studies demonstrates the methods that are developed and used to study terrestrial vegetation using hyperspectral data. This volume includes extensive discussions on hyperspectral data processing and how to implement data processing mechanisms for specific biophysical and biochemical applications such as crop yield modeling, crop biophysical and biochemical property characterization, and crop moisture assessments. The concluding chapter provides readers with useful guidance on the highlights and essence of Volume III through the editors' perspective. Key Features of Volume III: Covers recent abilities to better quantify, model, and map plant biophysical, biochemical water, and structural properties. Demonstrates characteristic hyperspectral properties through plant diagnostics or throughput phenotyping of plant biophysical, biochemical, water, and structural properties. Establishes plant traits through hyperspectral imaging spectroscopy data as well as its integration with other data, such as LiDAR, using data from various platforms (ground-based, UAVs, and earth-observing satellites). Studies photosynthetic efficiency and plant health and stress through hyperspectral narrowband vegetation indices. Uses hyperspectral data to discriminate plant species and\or their types as well as their characteristics, such as growth stages. Compares studies of plant species of agriculture, forests, and other land use\land cover as established by hyperspectral narrowband data versus multispectral broadband data. Discusses complete solutions from methods to applications, inventory, and modeling considering various platform (e.g., earth-observing satellites, UAVs, handheld spectroradiometers) from where the data is gathered. Dwells on specific applications to detect and map invasive species by using hyperspectral data.

Advances in Agronomy, Volume 146 is the latest in a series that continues to be recognized as a leading reference for the latest research in agronomy. Updated chapters in this new release include the Significance and Role of Si in Crop Production, National Comparison of the Total and Sequestered Organic Matter Contents of Conventional and Organic Farm Soils, Purine - N Metabolism in Drought or Salinity Challenged Food Security Crops, Plant Rooting and Cropping Systems Management to Improve N Use Efficiency, and The Important Role of Layered Double Hydroxides in Soil Chemical Processes and Remediation: What We Have Learned Over the Past 20 Years. Each volume in the evolving series 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.

Incorporating Cultures' Role in the Food and Agricultural Sciences addresses the practical needs of the professors, administrators and students who often face challenges of working together with Indigenous peoples with whom they have no prior experience. Missed communication, failed projects and unrealistic goals are daily realities. Academia and industry often encounter frustration in recruiting and retaining Native American students and other ethnicities. This text is a guide for anyone working in the food or agriculture disciplines or industries, particularly for those working with people of a culture different from one's own. Comprehensive, full awareness of one's own culture is a prerequisite for effective teaching and learning within another culture. This book is replete with stories, examples and peer-refereed journal articles to help build awareness. These stories, examples and articles from multiple voices are placed over a basic underlying framework that is summed up in the title of the book itself.

This volume, Temperate Fruits: Production, Processing, and Marketing, presents the latest pomological research on the production, postharvest handling, processing and storage, and information on marketing for a selection of temperate fruits. These include apple, pear, quince, peach, plum, sweet cherry, kiwifruit, strawberry, mulberry, and chestnut. With chapters from fruit experts from different countries of the world, the book provides the latest information on the effect of climate change on fruit production, organic fruit growing and advanced fruit breeding, the nutraceutical value and bioactive compounds in fruits and their role in human health, and new and advanced methods of fruit production. Topics include microirrigation, sustainable nutrient management, crop protection and plant health management, and farm mechanization.

Plant Macronutrient Use Efficiency presents an up-to-date overview of the latest research on the molecular and genetic basis of macro-nutrient use efficiency (NUE) in plants, and strategies that can be used to improve NUE and nutrient-associated stress tolerance in crop plants. Plant NUE is a measure of how efficiently plants use available nutrients and an understanding of plant NUE has the potential to help improve the use of limited natural resources and to help achieve global food security. This book presents information important for the development of crop plants with improved macro-NUE, a prerequisite to reducing production costs, expanding crop production into noncompetitive marginal lands with low nutrient resources, and for helping to prevent environmental contamination. Plant Macronutrient Use Efficiency provides a comprehensive overview of the complex mechanisms regulating macro-NUE in crop plants, which is required if plant breeders are to develop modern crop varieties that are more resilient to nutrient-associated stress. Identification of genes responsible for macro-NUE and nutrient-related stress tolerance in crop plants will help us to understand the molecular mechanisms associated with the responses of crop plants to nutrient stress. This volume contains both fundamental and advanced information, and critical commentaries useful for those in all fields of plant science research.

Preharvest Modulation of Postharvest Fruit and Vegetable Quality is the first book to focus on the potential yield quality, quantity and safety benefits of intervention during growth. Of the many factors responsible for overall quality of produce, about 70 percent comes from pre-harvest conditions. Written by an international team of experts, this book presents the key opportunities and challenges of pre-harvest interventions. From selecting the most appropriate growing scenario, to treating plants during the maturation process, to evaluating for quality factors to determine appropriate interventions, this book provides an integrated look at maximizing crop yield through preventative means. In fact, with the very best of postharvest knowledge and technologies available, the best that can be achieved is a reduction in the rate at which products deteriorate as they progress through their normal developmental pattern of maturation, ripening and senescence. Therefore, it is very important to understand what pre-harvest factors influence the many important harvest quality attributes that affect the rate of postharvest deterioration and, subsequently, the consumers' decision to purchase the product in the marketplace.

In this second edition of The Spirit of the Soil: Agriculture and Environmental Ethics, Paul B. Thompson reviews four worldviews that shape competing visions for agriculture. Productionists have sought increasing yields-to make two seeds grow where only one grew before-while traditional visions of good farming have stressed stewardship. These traditional visions have been challenged by two more worldviews: a call for a total cost accounting for farming and an advocacy for a holistic perspective. Thompson argues that an environmentally defensible systems approach must draw upon all four worldviews, recognizing their flaws and synthesizing their strengths in a new vision of sustainable agriculture. This classic 1995 study has been thoroughly revised and significantly expanded in its second edition with up-to-date examples of agriculture's impact on the environment. These include extensive discussions of new pesticides and the effects of animal agriculture on climate and other areas of the environment. In addition, a new final chapter discusses sustainability, which has become a dominant idea within environmental studies and agrarian political philosophy.

The Future Rice Strategy for India presents forward-looking insights toward achieving sustainable development of the rice sector, ensuring future food and nutritional security. As a staple food for many in India, including the economically disadvantaged, there are many concerns that affect the development of rice sector. Facing issues from environmental demands to economic stagnation, access to food, food inflation, and the Food Security Act (demand - supply - distribution of rice) achieving sustainability in production and exports is an important and urgent challenge. Using case studies to illustrate existing and potential issues, challenges and solutions, The Future Rice Strategy for India presents key strategic options while considering the implicit consequences. In addition, the findings enrich the strategy and policy formulation considerations for the role of rice in the country. This multidisciplinary approach features the expertise of rice scientists covering different aspects of rice sector; from breeding to consumer preferences and markets and trade.

The Future Rice Strategy for India presents forward-looking insights toward achieving sustainable development of the rice sector, ensuring future food and nutritional security. As a staple food for many in India, including the economically disadvantaged, there are many concerns that affect the development of rice sector. Facing issues from environmental demands to economic stagnation, access to food, food inflation, and the Food Security Act (demand - supply - distribution of rice) achieving sustainability in production and exports is an important and urgent challenge. Using case studies to illustrate existing and potential issues, challenges and solutions, The Future Rice Strategy for India presents key strategic options while considering the implicit consequences. In addition, the findings enrich the strategy and policy formulation considerations for the role of rice in the country. This multidisciplinary approach features the expertise of rice scientists covering different aspects of rice sector; from breeding to consumer preferences and markets and trade.

Modern Coconut Management is aimed at guiding those who work with small-scale farmers and farmer groups through the complex area of coconut management. It will also be of value to the many processors and others, whose livelihoods depend on coconuts. The emphasis is on the need for training and education of coconut smallholders in how to become good managers, using appropriate techniques and materials. The book combines a wealth of information that exists in this area with new research on diseases and pests and breeding techniques to improve crop performance. The book also deals with coconut based farming systems in which many aspects of the combination of coconuts with other crops and/or animals are discussed. Equally important are processing techniques which are vital to the survival of the coconut industry. There is a section of the book devoted to post-harvest treatment, processing and research where the many new developments in the processing of coconut products are discussed. This book will serve as a valuable reference tool to trainers and agencies working with coconut smallholders, as well as those involved with the processing of coconuts and products.

This book tackles the main feature of water-smart, soil-smart and crop-smart practices and their integration to sustainably enhance food production. The book includes some insights on the implications of using climate-smart practices in irrigated and rain-fed agriculture, and suggests approaches to eradicate the negative effects of water scarcity, climate variability and climate change. The book reviews the most important crops resilient to climate variability and their resistance to other biotic and abiotic stresses, and contains the existing practices in Egypt that achieved the three pillars of climate-smart agriculture

Part of a series which presents papers of topical interest relating to the breeding of plants important to agriculture and horticulture.

This open access book shares the experiences of Tropical Legumes III (TLIII) project in facilitating access to seed of improved legume varieties to smallholder farmers through innovation platforms. It highlights practices and guiding principles implemented in eight developing countries of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. This book details key processes that respective teams employed to create an innovation space that delivers seed, other inputs, knowledge and financial services to agricultural communities and most importantly, the underserved farmers in remote areas of the drylands. It offers valuable insights into the pathway to establishing, promoting and operating innovation platforms to enhance the performance and competitiveness of legume crops' value chains, and addresses critical issues that must be considered to make innovation platforms more sustainable and attractive to beneficiaries. The book offers a wealth of practical insights for development workers, technical staff, and project managers. This publication is all about TLIII community of practice. It will definitely inspire other development workers and scientists to share their own experiences for others to learn from.

This book covers all aspects of hybrid breeding technologies applied for crop improvement in major field crops. The different male sterility systems such as genetic male sterility (GMS), cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS), cytoplasmic and genetic male sterility (CGMS), and male sterility induced by the photoperiod (PGMS), temperature (TGMS), and chemicals are discussed in detail. The different chapters in this book provide a timeline of the key breakthroughs witnessed in the field of plant male sterility technologies, their application in hybrid breeding, and the relevance to the current need for food security. In-depth insights into the genetic and regulatory mechanisms of plant male sterility have been presented. This includes discussion on a variety of molecular players that induce male sterility and rescue male fertility in the hybrid plants. To enhance this book's appeal, more emphasis has been given on the modern emerging approaches such as construction of heterotic pools that could boost hybrid breeding for enhanced crop performance amid climate change and growing population worldwide. This book is a guide for growers and industries related to field and horticultural crops. Further, it is a useful reference for plant breeders, researchers and extension workers, and students. The material can also be used for teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Understanding and measuring the different dimensions of soil health is key to achieving regenerative agriculture. There has been a wealth of research on developing better analytical techniques to measure the biological, physical and chemical properties of soils. Advances in measuring soil health reviews these developments and their implications for better management of farm soils. The volume begins by reviewing advances in measuring soil biological activity such as earthworms and fungi as indicators of soil health. The collection also surveys developments in measuring soil physical properties through advances in visual, imaging and geophysical techniques, as well as the methods used to measure chemical properties such as soil organic carbon. It concludes by looking at how measurement can be translated into farming practice through soil health indicators and decision support systems. With its distinguished editor and expert authors, Advances in measuring soil health will be a standard reference for university and other researchers in soil and crop science, government and other agencies responsible for the health of agricultural soils, companies providing soil monitoring services, and farmers wishing to know more about the latest developments in soil monitoring.