"Plant Breeding Reviews" presents state-of-the-art reviews on plant genetics and the breeding of all types of crops by both traditional means and molecular methods. Many of the crops widely grown today stem from a very narrow genetic base; understanding and preserving crop genetic resources is vital to the security of food systems worldwide. The emphasis of the series is on methodology, a fundamental understanding of crop genetics, and applications to major crops. It is a serial title that appears in the form of one volume per year. Articles perform the function of collecting, comparing, and contrasting the primary journal literature in order to form an overview of the topic. This detailed analysis aims to bridge the gap between the specialized researcher and the broader community of plant scientists. The series is particularly important at this time when the methods of molecular biology are leading to genetically-engineered crops, and when the supply of wild varieties of many crops are threatened.

In recent decades, the governance of the environment in agri-food systems has emerged as a crucial challenge. A multiplicity of actors have been enrolled in this process, with the private sector and civil society progressively becoming key components in a global context often described as neoliberalization. Agri-environmental governance (AEG) thus gathers a highly complex assemblage of actors and instruments, with multiple interrelations. This book addresses this complexity, challenging traditional modes of research and explanation in social science and agri-food studies. To do so, it draws on multiple theoretical and methodological insights, applied to case studies from Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. It elaborates an emergent approach to AEG practices as assemblages, looking at the coming-together of multiple actors with diverse trajectories and objectives. The book lays the foundations for an encompassing theoretical framework that transcends pre-existing categories, as well as promoting innovative methodologies, which integrate the role of social actors - including scientists - in the construction of new assemblages. The chapters define, first, the multiplicities and agencies inherent to AEG assemblages. A second set tackles the question of the politics in AEG assemblages, where political hierarchies interweave with economic power and the search for more democratic and participative approaches. Finally, these insights are developed in the form of assemblage practice and methodology. The book challenges social scientists to confront the shortcomings of existing approaches and consider alternative answers to questions about environmental governance of agri-food systems.

This new volume addresses the global water crisis by presenting new ways to use irrigation water judiciously through innovative fertigation management. It looks at the research and review work done throughout the world on micro irrigation and the techno-economic feasibility of various fertigation irrigation water management systems. Taking a multidisciplinary perspective, the chapters look at using fertigation to increase the effectiveness of irrigation systems crop performance evaluation of various crops under fertigation and irrigation methods estimating levels of crop requirements scheduling of fertigation and irrigation new fertigation equipment and technology cost components of the various irrigation and fertigation systems

Plants are frequently exposed to unfavorable and adverse environmental conditions known as abiotic stressors. These factors can include salinity, drought, heat, cold, flooding, heavy metals, and UV radiation which pose serious threats to the sustainability of crop yields. Since abiotic stresses are major constraints for crop production, finding the approaches to enhance stress tolerance is crucial to increase crop production and increase food security. This book discusses approaches to enhance abiotic stress tolerance in crop plants on a global scale. Plants scientists and breeders will learn how to further mitigate plant responses and develop new crop varieties for the changing climate.

Global climate change affects crop production through altered weather patterns and increased environmental stresses. Such stresses include soil salinity, drought, flooding, metal/metalloid toxicity, pollution, and extreme temperatures. The variability of these environmental conditions pared with the sessile lifestyle of plants contribute to high exposure to these stress factors. Increasing tolerance of crop plants to abiotic stresses is needed to fulfill increased food needs of the population. This book focuses on methods of improving plants tolerance to abiotic stresses. It provides information on how protective agents, including exogenous phytoprotectants, can mitigate abiotic stressors affecting plants. The application of various phytoprotectants has become one of the most effective approaches in enhancing the tolerance of plants to these stresses. Phytoprotectants are discussed in detail including information on osmoprotectants, antioxidants, phytohormones, nitric oxide, polyamines, amino acids, and nutrient elements of plants. Providing a valuable resource of information on phytoprotectants, this book is useful in diverse areas of life sciences including agronomy, plant physiology, cell biology, environmental sciences, and biotechnology.

Volatile (essential) oil crops yield a wide range of products - fresh and dried herbs, oils and oil components and various oleoresins. Changing lifestyles in developed countries have led to dramatic increases in demand for these products, particularly over the last decade. More varied use has been made of oils and herbs in cooking, and oil components are now being regarded as safe alternatives to synthetic food additives and crop protection substances.

The surge in demand for these produces has encouraged a number of temperate and mediterranean countries to evaluate a range of volatile oil-bearing species as alternative crops. This has resulted in a rapid expansion in the scientific and technical literature on culinary and medicinal herbs.

"Volatile Oil Crops" draws much of this literature together for the first time. It reviews the basic botany, physiology and biochemistry of the major species and then analyses the genetics of oil composition. The effects of oils on a wide range of organisms are discussed and the book surveys the biotechnological methods which can be employed in the laboratory production of oils. It concludes with a full analysis of the world trade in the products of volatile oils.

An analysis of the historical and scientific effects of technology transfer from an imperial to colonial setting. Science and Power in Colonial Mauritius examines, within the context of the history of sugarcane production in Mauritius, the cross-cultural debates about the production and dissemination of science and technology from "developed" to "less-developed" countries and from elites to peasants within these countries. The book also shows in great detail that the history of science, technology, and colonialism can shed light on contemporary problems in natural resource management and global policy making.

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.

As soil and crop management procedures have become more complex, County Agricultural Agents, farm advisors, consultants, and fertilizer and chemical dealers have had to specialize in some aspect of soil fertility and crop nutrition management procedures, limiting their ability to provide a range of advice and services. Most farmers and growers can no longer turn to just one source for the information and instruction needed to achieve their production goals.

With over 70 percent new material, the second edition of the Plant Nutrition and Soil Fertility Manual discusses the principles determining how plants grow and the elements essential for successful crop production, with a focus on the principles of soil fertility and plant nutrition. The book covers physical and chemical properties of soil, chemical and organic fertilizers, soil acidity and alkalinity, liming and liming materials, and micronutrients essential to plant growth. It also describes elements toxic to plants, soil testing, and plant analysis.

The topics and discussion in this self-contained book are practical and user-friendly, yet comprehensive enough to cover material presented in upper-level soil and plant science courses. It allows practitioners with general background knowledge to feel confident applying the principles presented to soil/crop production systems.

Table of Contents

Section I

Introduction

Management Requirements

Productivity Factors

Climatic Factors

Moving Up the Yield Scale

Product Quality

Soil Fertility Principles

Fertile Soil Defined

Making and Keeping a Soil "Fertile"

Biological Factors

An "Ideal Soil"

Soil Fertility Management Concepts

Multiple Factor Yield Influence

Soil Condition Related to Deficiency in a Major Element and Micronutrient

Elemental Content of the Soil and Soil Solution

Plant Nutrition Principles

Photosynthesis

The Function of Plants

Determination of Essentiality

Essential Element Content in Plants

Classification of the Thirteen Essential Mineral Elements

Role of the Essential Plant Nutrient Elements

Plant Nutrient Element Sources

Element Absorption and Translocation

Elemental Accumulation

Element Absorption and Plant Genetics

Diagnostic Plant Symptoms of Essential Plant Nutrient Element Insufficiencies

The Plant Root

Introduction

Root Function

Root Hairs

Lateral Roots

The Rhizosphere

Root Ion Absorption

Root Crops

How to be a Diagnostician

The Diagnostic Approach

Being a Diagnostician

Diagnostic Factors

Evaluating Diagnostic Procedures

Scouting

Weather Conditions

Factors Affecting Essential Nutrient Element Concentrations in Plants

Plant (Crop) Wilting

Summary

Certified Crop Advisor Programs

Section II: Physical and Physiochemical Characteristics of Soil

Soil Taxonomy, Horizontal Characteristics, and Clay Minerals

Soil Orders (U.S. System of Soil Taxonomy)

Designations for Soil Horizons and Layers

Physical Properties of Soils

Textural Classification

Soil Separates or Primary Soil Separates

Soil Separate Properties

Soil Texture Characterization Definitions

Soil Structure

Tillage Practices

Water-Holding Capacity

Physiochemical Properties of Soil

Soil Separate Properties

Major Phyllosilicate Minerals in Soils

Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) of a Soil Based on Texture

Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) Determination of a Soil

Anion Exchange Capacity

Soil pH: Its Determination and Interpretation

Definitions

Causes of Soil Acidity

Water pH Determination of Mineral Soil, Organic Soil, and Organic Soilless Rooting Media

pH Determination using a Calibrated pH Meter

Other Soil pH Determination Procedure

Salt pH Determination for a Mineral Soil

pH Interpretation: Mineral Soil

pH Interpretation: Organic Soils

pH Interpretation: Organic Soilless Medium

Soil pH Constancy

Plant Root Function

Soil Acidity and NPK Fertilizer Efficiency

Soil pH Effect on Elemental Availability and/or Soil Solution Composition

Soil Buffer pH

pH Determination of Water

Soil Organic Matter

Definitions of Soil Organic Matter and Its Components

Humus

Soil Organic Matter Characteristics

Methods of Soil Organic Matter Determination

Management Requirements for High Organic Matter Content Soils

Adverse Affects of Organic Matter Additions

Section III: Plant Elemental Requirements and Associated Elements

Major Essential Plant Elements

Terminology

Methods of Expression

Established Date for Essentiality/Researchers

Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen

Major Essential Element Properties

Micronutrients Considered Essential to Plants

Terminology

Established Date for Essentiality/Researchers

Content and Function

Soil and Plant Species Associations

Micronutrient Characteristics

Micronutrient Properties

Possible Additional Essential Micronutrients

Elements Considered Beneficial to Plants

The A to Z Nutrient Solution

Elements Essential for Animals

Basis for Essentiality for Beneficial Elements

Potential Essential Elements

"New" Beneficial Elements

Element Substitution

Form of Response

Summary

Elements Considered Toxic to Plants

Introduction

The Nature of Elemental Toxicity

Aluminum and Copper Toxicity

Other Elements

Plant Species Factor

The Heavy Metals

Trace Elements Found in Plants

Definition

Elements Categorized as Trace Elements

High Soil Content Elements

Availability Factors

Accumulator Plants and Elements

Symbiotic Element

Section IV: Methods of Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition Assessment

Soil Testing

Purposes

Field Sampling

Soil Laboratory Selection

Laboratory Soil Testing Procedures

Interpretation of a Soil Test Result

Soil Test Result Tracking (Monitoring)

Liming and Fertilizer Use Strategies

Plant Analysis and Tissue Testing

Plant Analysis Objectives

Sequence of Procedures

Sampling Techniques

Plant Tissue Handling, Preparation, and Analysis

Methods of Interpretation

Word Classification of Elemental Concentrations

As a Diagnostic Technique

Experience Required

Data Logging/Tracking of Plant Analyses

Utilization of Plant Analyses for Nutrient Element Management

Tissue Testing

Indirect Evaluation Procedures

Section V: Amendments for Soil Fertility Maintenance

Lime and Liming Materials

Liming Terms

Liming Materials

Liming Materials and Their Calcium Carbonate Equivalent (CCE)

Mesh Size

Quality Factor Designation

Lime Requirement (LR)

Soil Test Ratio of Ca to Mg Determines Form of Limestone to Apply

Liming Rate Determined by Acidifying Effect of Fertilizer

"Lime Shock"

Lime Incorporation

Depth of Incorporation

Subsoil pH

Inorganic Chemical Fertilizers and Their Properties

Definitions

Fertilizer Terminology

Characteristics of the Major Elements as Fertilizer

Conversion Factors for the Major Essential Fertilizer Elements

Characteristics of the Micronutrients as Fertilizer

The Physical and Chemical Properties of Fertilizers

Naturally Occurring Inorganic Fertilizers

Organic Fertilizers and Their Properties

Value

Composted Animal Manures

Animal Manure Major Element Composition

Other Organic Materials

Soil and Plant Factors

Fertilizer Placement

Objectives

Methods of Fertilizer Placement

Soil Water, Irrigation, and Water Quality

Soil Water Terminology

Soil Factors Affecting Soil Water-Holding Capacity and Movement

Drainage

Irrigation Methods

Irrigation Water Quality

Water Treatment Procedures

What is Water?

Section VI: Methods of Soilless Plant Production

Hydroponics

Hydroponics Defined

Historical Events

Hydroponic Techniques

Hydroponic Growing Systems

Rooting Media

Water Quality

The Nutrient Solution

Reagents and Nutrient Solution Formulations

Concentration Range and Ratios

pH Interpretation-Hydroponic Nutrient Solution

Reconstitution of the Nutrient Solution

Accumulation of Nutrient Elements and Precipitates

Soilless Rooting and/or Growing Media

Soilless Media Ingredients

Soilless Media Formulations

Physical Properties

Physiochemical Properties

Control of pH

Use Formulations

Bag Culture Systems

"Fertility" Determination Procedure for an Organic Soilless Mix

Section VII: Miscellaneous

Organic Farming/Gardening

Chemicalization of Crop Production

"Organically Grown" Defined

Suitable Inorganic Fertilizer Materials

Suitable Organic Fertilizers

Organic Soil Fertility Management

Soil Physical Properties

Food Safety and Quality Issues

Weather and Climatic Conditions

Definitions

Climatic Factors

Weather as a Diagnostic Factor

Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Origin

Best Management Practice Application Broadened

Best Practice

Important Protocol Considerations

Precision Farming

Section Appendices

Glossary

Formulation and Use of Soil Extraction Reagents

Preparation Procedures and Elemental Content Determination for Plant Tissue

Weights and Measures

Reference Books and Texts

References

Index

Sustainable Agriculture: Advances in Plant Metabolome and Microbiome focuses on the advancement of basic and applied research related to plant-microbe interaction and their implementation in progressive agricultural sustainability. The book also highlights the developing area of bioinformatics tools for the interpretation of metabolome, the integration of statistical and bioinformatics tools to manage huge generating data, metabolite profiling, and key signaling-driven substances, along with a section on the role of key biosynthetic pathways. Focused on selecting positive and effective interactive core-microbiome which will be adaptive and sustainable, this book will help researchers further improve the quality and productivity of crops through sustainable agriculture.

A biodynamic farm is an integrated, holistic organism which balances animal husbandry with growing a range of plants, crops and trees. Balance is of the utmost importance, and will result in a sustainable farm. This book focuses in depth on one aspect of biodynamic farming: growing crops. It addresses all aspects of crop husbandry, from the nature of plants and issues of land use to cultivating grassland, weed control, crop rotation, seeds and sowing, and growing cereals, row crops, legumes, fodder crops and herbs. This is a comprehensive overview of crops and cropping for biodynamic farmers, written by experts in their field.

Band II der 7. Auflage von Forages: The Science of Grassland Agriculture vermittelt detailliert den derzeitigen Erkenntnisstand zu Anbau und Gewinnung von Grunfutter. Die nach Sachgebieten geordneten Kapitel stammen von renommierten Forschern und Experten des Fachgebiets. Jedes Kapitel behandelt einen wichtigen Themenbereich aus Forschung und Agrarwirtschaft. Die 7. Auflage enthalt zwei neue Kapitel zur Physiologie von Grunfutter. Alle Inhalte des Referenzwerks wurden aktualisiert und um neue Erkenntnisse erweitert. Die neue Auflage dieses umfassenden Standardwerks ist eine Erganzung zu Band I von An Introduction to Grassland Agriculture.

This handbook covers a range of issues relating to local seed supply systems, including participatory plant breeding, and both technical and practical information on seed production and variety maintenance. It suggests approaches and methods to support on-farm seed production by small-scale farmers in developing countries.;The first part of the book describes the functioning of local seed systems and discusses their strengths, limitations and possibilities for improvement. The editors discuss issues of genetic diversity and "in situ" conservation, farmers' rights and legislation. The cases presented illustrate the functioning of local seed systems and experiences with improving them.;The second part contains technical information on seed production, selection, storage and distribution, and varietal maintenance and improvement of different groups of important food crops, which can be applied and implemented at the level of small-scale farming.; The third part contains practical guidelines about how researchers and agriculturalists might carry out surveys to investigate local seed systems and their limitations, and how they can involve interested farmers in practical experimentation t

Cotton is one of the most important fiber and cash crops throughout the world, and it plays a dominant role in the industrial and agricultural economies of many countries. Here is a rich resource of information on the cultivation and production of cotton. This volume provides an overview of the origin and evolution of cotton and its physiological basis and characterization, and goes on to discuss methods of cultivation, biotic stresses, and harvesting and postharvest technology. The volume addresses new advances in research for best cultivation methods, effective utilization of resources, and operations for achieving higher yields, thus achieving higher productivity. The authors take an interdisciplinary approach, providing valuable information necessary to increase cotton productivity to meet the world's growing demands.

Induced mutagenesis is a common and promising method for screening for new crops with improved properties. This title introduces the different methods and then focuses on the screening, detection and analysis of the novel mutations. Written by a global team of authors the book is an indispensable tool for all scientists working on crop breeding in industry and academia.

Cadmium Toxicity and Tolerance in Plants: From Physiology to Remediation presents a single research resource on the latest in cadmium toxicity and tolerance in plants. The book covers many important areas, including means of Cd reduction, from plant adaptation, including antioxidant defense, active excretion and chelation, to phytoextraction, rhizo filtration, phytodegradation, and much more. In addition, it explores important insights into the physiological and molecular mechanisms of Cd uptake and transport and presents options for improving resistance to Cd stresses. It will be ideal for both researchers and students working on cadmium pollution, plant responses and related fields of environmental contamination and toxicology.

Cardamom otherwise known as Malabar cardamom, true cardamom or small cardamom second only to pepper in its importance during the Renaissance period, is often qualified as the Queen of Spices because of its very pleasant aroma and taste. The Western Ghat forest of the Malabar coast, India, is the center of origin and diversity for cardamom and it might have been nature's design that the King and Queen of spices (black pepper and cardamom) originated in the same forest. This volume contains sixteen chapters, fourteen on cardamom and one each on large cardamom and false cardamoms. All aspects of the cardamom crop have been covered in this volume, and each chapter is written by experts in their respective fields. This volume is visualized as both a textbook and reference work for scientists and students of horticulture, plantation crops, botany and related fields, and will go on to serve as the main reference volume on cardamom for many years to come.

This book offers an up-to-date account of important crops grown worldwide. It provides detailed discussion on the history of plant exploration, migration, domestication and distribution, and crop improvement. The text starts with the origin and diversification of cultivated plants, followed by discussion on tropical, subtropical and temperate crops that are sources of food, beverages, spices and medicines, as well as plant insecticides, timber plants and essential oil-yielding plants. The genetic and evolutionary aspects of different plants and their health benefits are highlighted. The book covers topics dealing with biodiversity conservation, petro-crops, ethnobotanical studies, and important sub-tropical and temperate plants that have commercial importance. The significance of major plant species under each category is described in detail. Illustrated with numerous well-labelled line diagrams and pictures, this book will be useful for students of botany, food and nutrition, forestry, agriculture, horticulture, plant breeding and environmental science.

The book synthesizes knowledge on the arthropod taxon Oribatida, a suborder of Acari (the mites and ticks), that are a key group in soil ecology and biodiversity studies for Canada and Alaska but also worldwide. This book is unparalleled in the comprehensive nature of the information provided on this key biotic group. It is presented by two leading global experts for this group. There is no competing text in English. Reviewers were unanimous in their view that there is an "unquestionable" need for this book. The book provides highly reliable set of data, well prepared from a content and methodological point of view, bringing much interesting information on the subject and a valuable contribution to the knowledge of ecology of the group of invertebrates.

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, coupled with 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 became one of the hottest debates of the age and, in Europe at least, has been mired in controversy and over-regulation. Nevertheless, recent years have seen further technological innovation in the development of a range of techniques that enable scientists to make specific changes to target genes.Through a detailed history and development of the science and techniques that underpin crop biotechnology, this title is concise, comprehensive and readable. As well as new sections on genome editing, this edition includes expanded sections on current GM crops and future developments in plant biotechnology, and updated sections on techniques, legislation and the GM crop debate.The previous edition of this book, titled Genetically Modified Crops, 2nd Edition, was published in November 2011.

Originally published in 1913, this book provides a comprehensive discussion of rubber cultivation and the rubber industry. The text was written to appeal to as wide a readership as possible, combining an accurate account of the scientific side of rubber planting with practical information for the prospective planter. Illustrative figures and a bibliography are included. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the rubber industry, botany and the history of science.

Summarizing landmark research, Volume 2 of this essential series furnishes information on the availability of germplasm resources that breeders can exploit for producing high-yielding cereal crop varieties. Written by leading international experts, this volume offers the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on employing genetic resources to increase the yield of those cereal crops that provide the main source of nutrition for two-thirds of the world. In thirteen succinct chapters, Genetic Resources, Chromosome Engineering, and Crop Improvement: Cereals, Volume 2 focuses on wheat, rice, maize, oats, barley, millet, sorghum, and rye, as well as triticale: a wheat and rye hybrid with great potential. An introductory chapter outlines the cytogenetic architecture of cereal crops, describes the principles and strategies of cytogenetics and breeding, and summarizes landmarks in current research. This sets the stage for the ensuing crop-specific chapters. Each chapter generally provides a comprehensive account of the crop, its origin, wild relatives, exploitation of genetic resources in the primary, secondary, and tertiary gene pools through breeding and cytogenetic manipulation, and genetic enrichment using the tools of molecular genetics and biotechnology. Certain to become the standard reference for improving the yields of these critical grains, this book is the definitive source of information for plant breeders, agronomists, cytogeneticists, taxonomists, molecular biologists, biotechnologists, and graduate students and researchers in these fields.