Advanced Microbial Techniques in Agriculture, Environment, and Health Management provides current perspectives on the fields of agriculture, the environment and health. This important reference presents recent advancements in applied microbial technology, compiling it in a comprehensive manner and transferring applied microbial technology from laboratory conditions to field level. In 20 chapters, the book focuses on microbial interventions for all-inclusive, cost-effective environmental management tactics while also linking the cumulative microbial services involved in the up-gradation of agriculture, environment and health. In addition, the book offers detailed information on emerging environmental issues and proposes ways of controlling their consequences using different approaches to treatment.

Epigenetics and Breeding, Volume 88, the latest release in the Advances in Botanical Research series, brings together the experiences and critical information teachers, researchers and managers must consider from both scientific and legal points-of-view as they relate to biotechnology. New chapters in this updated volume include sections on Epigenetic Mechanisms in Plants, Epigenomic Diversity and Applications to Breeding, Epigenetics in Breeding, EpiRILs: Lessons from Arabidopsis, Transposable Elements as a Tool for Plant Improvement, Epigenome Editing, Epigenetics and Grafting, Sexual and Non-sexual reproduction, Epigenetics in Cereals, and more.

Pulping and Papermaking of Non-wood Plant Fibres presents the latest technologies associated with the papermaking process. With chapters specific to each non-wood species, the book provides step-by-step guidance on processes such as pulping, bleaching, blending and beating. Non-wood fibers are practical for pulp and paper production due to their chemical content of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin percentages. Beginning with a general overview of non-wood fibers in the papermaking process, chapters then take a deep dive into different raw materials and their processes, including bamboo, corn stalk, pineapple leaves and sugarcane. This book is an essential resource for researchers, scientists and industry specialists.

Phytohormones and Stress Responsive Secondary Metabolites provides a deep dive into the signaling pathways associated with phytohormones and phytometabolites. With a strong focus on plant stress responses and DNA technology, the book highlights plant biotechnology and metabolic engineering principles. Biotechnology, by using DNA editing technologies, allows the expression of plant genes into other plant species with desirable modulation on plant behavior. Beginning with an overview of phytohormone signaling, growth and abiotic and biotic stresses, subsequent chapters explore DNA modification strategies, epigenetic and epigenomic regulation, and miRNA regulation. This book will be an essential resource for students, researchers and agriculturalists interested in plant physiology, plant genetics and plant biotechnology.

Botanists and seed collectors Rod and Rachel Saunders set out on what seemed to some to be an impossible mission – to find and photograph, in full bloom, all gladioli species found in South Africa and to collect and share their observations in a field guide. They had found all but one species before their untimely deaths at the hands of kidnappers in a forest in KwaZulu-Natal.

In the wake of this tragic event, friends and colleagues collaborated to keep the Saunders’ dream alive. This book is the result their collective efforts.

Gladioli are showy bulbous plants that fall within the Iris family, and the bulk of species are endemic to South Africa. Comprehensive and lavishly illustrated with more than 1,300 photographs, this guide covers the 166 Gladiolus species known to occur in the region.

The book is divided into seven taxonomic sections, according to the species’ distinguishing features. Each species is presented on a double-page spread, with a full plate of color photographs, including close-ups of diagnostic features, different color forms and habitats. Botanical descriptions cover identification (corm, cataphyll, spike, bracts, anthers, pollen, capsules, seeds, and scent), distribution, pollination, conservation status, and notes on ecology and the authors’ personal observations in the field. Distribution maps and flowering periods are given for each species, and tables highlight differences between similar-looking gladioli.

There are almost 300 recognized species, widely distributed across Africa, Europe and the Middle East, with more than half of the species found in southern Africa, making this book useful to botanists world-wide, as well as to horticulturist, propagators, students, gardeners and anyone with an interest in natural history.