The classic reference on weeds and invasive plants, revised and updated

The Third Edition of the authoritative reference gives readers an in-depthunderstanding of how weeds and invasive plants develop and interact in the environment so they can manage and control them more effectively. The guide includes an introduction to weeds and invasive plants in various environments and an overview of their ecology and evolution. With extensive examples, it:

Focuses on the biological features of weeds and invasive plants, especially as they exist in agriculture, forests, rangelands, and natural ecosystems

Includes coverage of exotic invasive plants

Discusses a variety of methods and tools for managing weeds and invasive plants, including physical, cultural, biological, and chemical approaches

Examines systems approaches for management, including modern Integrated Pest Management

Addresses future challenges for scientists, farmers, and land managers

This is the definitive, hands-on reference for land managers and professionals in plant sciences, agronomy, weed science, and horticulture. It is also an excellent textbook for senior undergraduate or graduate students studying agriculture, ecology, natural resources management, environmental management, or related fields.

For many years the use of chemical agents such as pesticides and herbicides has been effective in controlling the many varieties of pests that infest both agricultural crops and backyard gardens. However, these pests are gradually becoming resistant to these agents, because the agents themselves are acting as selective factors making the pests better and better able to resist and persist. As a result, the use of biological controlling agents is increasing.
This book is a comprehensive and authoritative handbook of biological control.
Key Features
* Introduction (preface plus 2 chapters)
* Principles and processes (12 chapters)
* Agents, biology, and methods (6 chapters)
* Applications (10 chapters)
* Research (2 chapters)

Non-Chemical Weed Control is the first book to present an overview of plant crop protection against non-food plants using non-chemical means. Plants growing wild-particularly unwanted plants found in cultivated ground to the exclusion of the desired crop-have been treated with herbicides and chemical treatments in the past. As concern over environmental, food and consumer safety increases, research has turned to alternatives, including the use of cover crops, thermal treatments and biotechnology to reduce and eliminate unwanted plants. This book provides insight into existing and emerging alternative crop protection methods and includes lessons learned from past methodologies. As crop production resources decline while consumer concerns over safety increase, the effective control of weeds is imperative to insure the maximum possible levels of soil, sunlight and nutrients reach the crop plants.

This volume, with contributions from leading international experts, reports on the need to produce high quality food while satisfying environmental concerns. Including new material on natural products, modes of action and metabolism, it updates all the key areas in pesticide chemistry and related activities. The contents outline the tremendous developments that have taken place in approaches to crop protection and our ability to develop complex, environmentally acceptable strategies for weed, pest and disease control.

This text presents an up-to-date account of the soft-scale insects, "Coccidae", and covers almost the entire spectrum of the knowledge of this insect family. It is divided into three sections, covering: soft scale insects; their natural enemies; and damage and control.

This book covers advanced concepts and creative ideas with regard to insect biorational control and insecticide resistance management. Some chapters present and summarize general strategies or tactics for managing insect pests such as the principles of IPM in various crop systems and biorational control of insect pests, advances in organic farming, alternative strategies for controlling orchard and field-crop pests. Other chapters cover alternative methods for controlling pests such as disruption of insect reproductive systems and utilization of semiochemicals and diatomaceous earth formulations, and developing bioacoustic methods for mating disruption. Another part is devoted to insecticide resistance: mechanisms and novel approaches for managing insect resistance in agriculture and in public health.

Insect Pests of Millets: Systematics, Bionomics, and Management focuses on protecting the cultivated cereals that many worldwide populations depend on for food across the semi-arid tropics of the world. Providing coverage of all the major cultivated millets, including sorghum, pearlmillet, finger millet, barnyard millet, prosomillet, little millet, kodomillet, and foxtail millet, this comprehensive book on insect pests is the first of its kind that explores systematics, bionomics, distribution, damage, host range, biology, monitoring techniques, and management options, all accompanied by useful illustrations and color plates. By exploring the novel aspects of Insect-plant relationships, including host signaling orientation, host specialization, pest - host evolutionary relationship, and biogeography of insects and host plants, the book presents the latest ecologically sound and innovative techniques in insect pest management from a general overview of pest management to new biotechnological interventions.

Evolution gave rise to a prominent insect diversity at every level of ecological niche. Since then, hordes of insects have threatened human and cattle health as well as most of all green lands and agricultural crops. Now, the insect problem expands from many mutant forms of yellow dengue fever mosquitoes to highly-resistant larvae of most all various phytophageous species. The tremendous expansion of insects is due not only to an increasing resistance capacity to insecticides, but also to a strong capacity for adapting to different climate and environmental changes, including global warming. Obviously insects display a number of rudimentary systems to build an extremely efficient organism to survive in a changing world. In many species, one pheromone molecule is enough to trigger mating behavior. Therefore, insects have become crucial models not only for evolutionary studies, but also for understanding specific mechanisms underlying sensory-based behaviors. Most of insect species such as ants, beetles, cockroaches, locusts, moths and mosquitoes largely rely on olfactory cues to explore the environment and find con-specifics or food sources. A conglomerate of renowned international scientific experts is gathered to expose the insect problem on the various continents of the planet and propose an alternative to the use of toxic insecticides. Sex pheromones, specific chemical signals necessary for reproduction, and pheromone detection in insects are described with full details of the olfactory mechanisms in the antennae and higher centers in the brain. Thus, new synthetic pheromones and/or plant odors with specific molecular target sites in the insect olfactory system are proposed for sustainable development in agricultural and entomological industries. Disrupting insect pheromone channels and plant odor detection mechanisms is solemnly envisioned as a unique way to control invasive insect pest species while preserving human and environment safety.

With the recent shift of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to organic agriculture, the employment of microbes that perform significant beneficial functions for plants has been highlighted. This book presents timely discussion and coverage on the use of microbial formulations, which range from powdered or charcoal-based to solution and secondary metabolite-based bioformulations. Bioformulation development of biofertilizers and biopesticides coupled with the advantages of nanobiotechnology propose significant applications in the agricultural section including nanobiosensors, nanoherbicides, and smart transport systems for the regulated release of agrochemical. Moreover, the formulation of secondary metabolites against individual phytopathogens could be used irrespective of geographical positions with higher disease incidences. The prospective advantages and uses of nanobiotechnology generate tremendous interest, as it could augment production of agricultural produce while being cost-effective both energetically and economically. This bioformulation approach is incomparable to existing technology, as the bioformulation would explicitly target the particular pathogen without harming the natural microbiome of the ecosystem. Nanobiotechnology in Bioformulations covers the constraints associated with large-scale development and commercialization of bioinoculant formations. Furthermore, exclusive emphasis is be placed on next-generation efficient bioinoculants having secondary metabolite formulations with longer shelf life and advanced competence against several phytopathogens. Valuable chapters deal with bioformulation strategies that use divergent groups of the microbiome and include detailed diagrammatic and pictorial representation. This book will be highly beneficial for both experts and novices in the fields of microbial bioformulation, nanotechnology, and nano-microbiotechnology. It discusses the prevailing status and applications available for microbial researchers and scientists, agronomists, students, environmentalists, agriculturists, and agribusiness professionals, as well as to anyone devoted to sustaining the ecosystem.

Insect parasitoids are a fascinating group of animals in many respects. Perhaps the most fascinating point is that these insects, in the course of the evolutionary time, have developed an impressive way to use chemical compounds to dialogue with the different protagonists of their environment (i.e., conspecifics, their hosts and the plants on which their hosts are living). Unravelling the evolutionary meaning of such chemical communication networks can give new insights into the ecology of these insects and especially on how to improve their use for the control of noxious pests in biological control programmes. Chemical Ecology of Insect Parasitoids is a timely publication, with organised chapters to present the most important knowledge and discoveries that have taken place over the last decade, and their potential use in pest control strategy. Specific relevant case studies are presented to enhance the reader's experience. Suited to graduate students and professional researchers and practitioners in pest management, entomology, evolutionary biology, behavioural ecology, and chemical ecology, this book is essential for anyone needing information on this important group of insects.

This volume describes the various applications of entomopathogenic soil microorganisms in the management and control of the devastating lepidopteran pest. An introduction describes the insecticidal properties of viruses, bacteria, fungi, nematodes and their metabolites, as well as their applications in the context of crop improvement. Subsequent chapters focus on topics such as insecticidal proteins; the role of nucleopolyhedroviruses; Bt toxins and their receptors; control of lepidopterans using entomopathogenic fungi; management of cotton defoliators; and sustainable use of entomopathogenic nematodes and their bacterial symbionts. An overview of culture collections of entomopathogenic microorganisms rounds out the volume.

This book is a compilation of information on insect/mite/vertebrate pests and fungal/bacterial/viral/mycoplasma/nematode diseases of tropical root and tuber crops such as cassava, sweet potato, yams, taro, Amorphophallus, yam bean and tannia. The book highlights the distribution, symptoms and damage, biology, survival and spread of each pest and describes management methods. It also sheds light on different eco-friendly pest management strategies including physical, cultural, chemical, biological, host resistance and integrated methods. The book is written in a lucid style using easy-to-understand language and offers adoptable recommendations involving eco-friendly control measures. It serves as a useful reference source for policy makers, research and extension workers, practicing farmers and students. The material can also be used for teaching post graduate courses in state agricultural universities.

This is an essential guidebook, providing a comprehensive overview of insect viruses and pest management. Part One of this volume explores the rationale behind the employment of insect pathogenic viruses in pest control and documents the assessment of biological activity, the ecology of baculoviruses, control strategies, virus production and formulation, and the conduct and recording of field control trials. Part Two comprises an authoritative global survey of current practice, R&D, and up--to--date technical studies of insect viruses and their application in pest management. This survey was compiled with the assistance of a panel of world--wide experts and will prove an invaluable and unique data source. Building on the key topics discussed in Part One, easy--to--follow, practical protocols are presented in Part Three, including detailed accounts of standard operating procedures for working with insects, isolation, propagation (in vivo and in vitro), purification, characterization and enumeration of viruses, suggestions for good laboratory layout and design, mass production methods, formulation and quality control. The importance of external environmental factors concerning virus survival and efficacy is also not forgotten, and in the final part the effects of solar radiation and the relationships between viruses and plant surfaces are discussed. Indispensable reading for all professionals and students interested in insect virology and pest control, this book is a comprehensive reference manual.

Now in its tenth edition, this famous compilation of synonyms for drugs, pesticides and other substances of pharmacological or biochemical interest has become even more international and comprehensive in its scope. Electronic storage of the data has ensured that the book is fully up to date, while the highest degree of cross referencing between entries is guaranteed. The types of names presented are: chemical names, abbreviated chemical names, source names, pharmacological names, pesticide names, names derived from places, plants or persons, research code numbers, and proprietary names (trademarks).

For people working in the fields of biochemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, and toxicology, as well as for medical editors and drug regulatory officers, this work will prove to be an indispensable source of information.

Baculovirus Expression Systems and Biopesticides Edited by Michael L. Shuler, H. Alan Wood, Robert R. Granados, and Daniel A. Hammer Baculovirus Expression Systems and Biopesticides provides an integrated perspective on the use of the continually evolving baculovirus-insect cell system in the production of recombinant proteins and genetically engineered pesticides. Divided into three main sections--Developing Effective Virus-Insect Culture Systems, Bioreactor Design and Scale-Up Issues, and Commercial Application of Insect Cell Culture--the book, written by highly regarded editors in the field, describes:
* The molecular biology and genetics of baculoviruses
* The use of baculoviruses as expression systems
* Principles and methods for small- and large-scale insect cultures
* The use of wild type and genetically engineered baculoviruses as viral pesticides
The breadth of coverage in Baculovirus Expression Systems and Biopesticides will meet the needs of molecular biologists, chemical engineers, biotechnologists, virologists, and entomologists.

Insect science is fast changing as insects are evolving to a plethora of newer chemical molecules, climate change, management tactics and transformation of the landscapes. Through the International Conference, the editors have attempted to gather together newer aspects of Insect Sciences like Insect Taxonomy, DNA Barcoding, Physiology, Toxicology, Vectors and their Management, Molecular Biology, RNA interference in Pest Management, Semiochemicals and Pest Management using Host Plant Resistance and Biological Control appropriated especially for the developing world. Both basic and applied aspects of insect science have been included to stimulate comprehensive studies on insect science. The book not only deals with insect science but also environmental and ecological aspects in the hope that the book will be of immense use to students, researchers, extension workers, planners, administrators, farmers and other end users. The Chapters on diversified aspects of Insect Science are contributed by leading scientists for the coming 21st century in which entomology is witnessing a dramatic advancement in management of pests through in-depth investigations. The dimensions of Insect Science covered in the book are pest management approaches that can be adopted worldwide with ascent on sustainability.

This volume of "Advances in Insect Physiology" contains comprehensive interdisciplinary reviews on basic and practical aspects relevant to major target receptors for crucial physiological functions and mechanisms in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, particularly insects. Chapters emphasize advanced genomic, molecular biology, chemical, and proteomic research on the receptors and their corresponding agonist and antagonist ligands. The book encompasses target systems such as sodium channels, octopamine/tyramine receptors, ABC transporters, acetylcholinesterase as a target enzyme, juvenile hormone receptors, and receptors targeted by neuropeptides.
Contains important, comprehensive and in-depth reviewsAn essential reference source for invertebrate physiologists and neurobiologists, entomologists, zoologists, and insect biochemistsFirst published in 1963, this serial is ranked second in the highly competitive ISI category of Entomology

Neither pest management nor resistance management can occur with only an understanding of pest biology. For years, entomologists have understood, with their use of economic thresholds, that at least a minimal use of economics was necessary for proper integrated pest management. IRM is even more complicated and dependent on understanding and using socioeconomic factors. The new edition of "Insect Resistance Management" addresses these issues and much more.

Many new ideas, facts and case studies have been developed since the previous edition of "Insect Resistance Management" published. With a new chapter focusing on Resistance Mechanisms Related to Plant-incorporated Toxins and heavily expanded revisions of several existing chapters, this new volume will be an invaluable resource for IRM researchers, practitioners, professors and advanced students. Authors in this edition include professors at major universities, leaders in the chemical and seed industry, evolutionary biologists and active IRM practitioners. This revision also contains more information about IRM outside North America, and a modeling chapter contains a large new section on uncertainty analysis, a subject recently emphasized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The final chapter contains a section on insecticidal seed treatments.

No other book has the breadth of coverage of "Insect Resistance Management, 2e." It not only covers molecular to economic issues, but also transgenic crops, seed treatments and other pest management tactics such as crop rotation. Major themes continuing from the first edition include the importance of using IRM in the integrated pestmanagement paradigm, the need to study and account for pest behavior, and the influence of human behavior and decision making in IRM.
Provides insights from the history of insect resistance management (IRM) to the latest scienceIncludes contributions from experts on ecological aspects of IRM, molecular and population genetics, economics, and IRM social issuesOffers biochemistry and molecular genetics of insecticides presented with an emphasis on recent researchEncourages scientists and stakeholders to implement and coordinate strategies based on local social conditions"

This book provides a timely review of concepts in plant disease management involving microbial soil suppressiveness and organic amendments. Topics discussed include the impact of suppressive soils on plant pathogens and agricultural productivity, the enhancement of soil suppressiveness through the application of compost and the development of disease suppressive soils through agronomic management. Further chapters describe diseases caused by phytopathogens, such as Pythium, Fusarium and Rhizoctonia, interaction of rhizobia with soil suppressiveness factors, biocontrol of plant parasitic nematodes by fungi and soil suppressive microorganisms.

This title presents Southern yeomanry's challenges to Progressivism. This first full-length study of the cattle tick eradication program in the United States offers a new perspective on the fate of the yeomanry in the twentieth-century South during a period when state and federal governments were both increasing and centralizing their authority. As Claire Strom relates the power struggles that complicated efforts to wipe out the Boophilus tick, she explains the motivations and concerns of each group involved, including large- and small-scale cattle farmers, scientists, and officials at all levels of government. In the remote rural South - such as the piney woods of south Georgia and north Florida - resistance to mandatory treatment of cattle was unusually strong and sometimes violent. Cattle often ranged free, and their owners raised them mostly for local use rather than faraway markets. Cattle farmers in such areas, shows Strom, perceived a double threat in tick eradication mandates. In addition to their added costs, eradication schemes, with their top-down imposition of government expertise, were anathema to the yeomanry's notions of liberty. Strom contextualizes her southern focus within the national scale of the cattle industry, discussing, for instance, the contentious place of cattle drives in American agricultural history. Because Mexico was the primary source of potential tick reinfestation, Strom examines the political and environmental history of the Rio Grande, giving the book a transnational perspective. Debates about the political and economic culture of small farmers have tended to focus on earlier periods in American history. Here Strom shows that pockets of yeoman culture survived into the twentieth century and that these communities had the power to block (if only temporarily) the expansion of the American state.

This is a multi-authored book concerning the perceived threat and recorded increase of emerging pests and vector-borne diseases affecting man and animals in Europe. Historically, Europe suffered from numerous pests and vector-borne diseases, including yellow fever, malaria, plague and typhus. Introduction of hygienic measures, drugs and vector control caused the disappearance of many of these diseases from Europe. In the (sub)tropics, however, many of these diseases still thrive, causing serious health problems for humans and animals.Increased trade, leading to animal and human movement and climate change cause reason to assume that several of these diseases might become reestablished or allow 'new' diseases and pests to be introduced in Europe. The recent outbreaks of bluetongue virus in North-western Europe highlights this concern, requiring an effective surveillance systems for the early detection of pests and vector-borne diseases. In 24 chapters this book provides examples of the most likely pests and diseases affecting man and animals in Europe, with emphasis on ecological factors favouring these diseases and methods for prevention and intervention.The authors are recognized experts in specific fields. All chapters are peer reviewed.

Weeds, insects, rodents, and pathogens are major problems in agricultural and urban environments; there is a clear need to augment chemical methods of control with biological methods. Until now these efforts have had limited success because of insufficient virulence of the host-specific organisms used. Naturally occurring biological agents are in evolutionary balance with their hosts, and attaining the level of control typically desired would lead to extinction of both the control agent and its host.In this book, the main researchers involved in enhancing fungal, bacterial, virus and insect biological control agents on different targets review progress in overcoming the barrier of insufficient virulence. This multi-disciplinary group, with backgrounds in many facets of biotechnology and crop protection, reviews their work and that of others, and describes the approaches, the successes and the remaining barriers in an integrated manner.