Nanomaterials is an encouraging field for scientists and researchers due to its numerous applications in different fields such as medicine, energy, pharmaceutical, environmental science, agricultural food science and technology. Researchers are shifting towards the synthesis of nanoparticles using various plant systems.

Identifying, interpreting, and managing soil constraints are major challenges, especially when multiple constraints occur in the same soil at various depth zones. Although amelioration tools and strategies are available to manage some of these constraints, field adoption of these technologies is a major challenge to the farming community. Soil Constraints and Productivity helps in identifying and understanding soil constraints, focusing on management practices to alleviate problems associated with these restrictions, and their impacts on crop productivity. Soil Constraints and Productivity aims to: * Describe various amendments suitable for mitigating soil constraints * Provide data on cost-benefit analysis of managing soil constraints * Provide case studies of managing soil constraints to increase productivity Soil is essential for the doubling of major grain production proposed to be necessary to avoid major food security collapses in the future. This book will be a key resource for soil and environmental scientists, farmers, students majoring in agricultural and environmental sciences, and crop consultants.

Anyone who observes fruit trees may wonder how or why they behave in specific ways. Some trees grow upright while others have a spreading habit. Some produce many flowers and small immature fruit only to drop most of the fruit later on; others grow more strongly on their sunny side than their shady side. It is common to ascribe such behavior to the tree as a whole and state that trees preferentially "allocate" resources to specific organs. However, this is the wrong approach to understanding tree functioning and behavior. Trees are not in control of what they do. What trees do and how they function is shaped by the individual organs that make up the tree, not by the tree as a whole. The genetic code only indirectly determines the habit, structure and behavior of a tree by defining the behavioral and functional limits of the component organs, tissues and cells. Unlike animals that have a mechanism for collective control of the whole organism - a central nervous system - trees (and plants in general) are more appropriately considered as collections of semi-autonomous organs. These organs are dependent on one another for resources, such as water, energy and nutrients, but control their own destiny. This book presents a clear set of integrative concepts for understanding the overall physiology and growth of temperate deciduous fruit trees. The emphasis is on overarching principles rather than detailed descriptions of tree physiology or differences among the numerous species of fruit trees. Although the focus is on deciduous fruit trees, many aspects apply to evergreen fruit trees and trees that grow naturally in unmanaged situations. Highly relevant for students and researchers in pomology, horticulture and plant sciences, the book is also suitable for practitioners, extension staff, and novice fruit tree growers.

Pressure Safety Design Practices for Refinery and Chemical Operations is an introductory reference guide for pressure relieving operations in petroleum refineries and chemical plants. Petroleum refineries and their related chemical manufacturing facilities often operate at high pressures and/or at conditions that can result in excessive pressure conditions. Start-up and emergency shut-down operations, transient upset conditions, or catastrophic equipment failures, as well as plant process fires and plant wide utility failures, all require fail safe systems that will alleviate high process operating conditions in a safe and expedient manner.

Cereal Crops: Genetic Resources and Breeding Techniques provides the reader practical tools for understanding relationships and challenges of successful farming; improvements to genetic modifications; and environmentally sound methods of production of bulk and quality cereals including wheat, maize, rice, barley, and millets. It explores the trait mapping, cropping systems, genome engineering, and identification of specific germplasms needed for the more effective development of biotic and abiotic stress resistant cereals within the framework of ensuring future food supplies around the world. Features: Focuses on cropping systems, genetics and genome engineering for higher crop production at a global level. Features information on specific prebiotic formulas to ward off adverse effects of antibiotics. Covers mechanistic as well as practical approaches for enhancing crop production in a sustainable way. Includes further in depth analysis of various topics following each chapter. This is a vital resource for researchers, crop biologists, and students working with crop production and climate changes that have a significant impact on crop production, spanning basic to advanced level discussions of plant breeding, molecular genetics, and agronomy. Covering mechanistic and practical approaches for enhancing crop production in a sustainable way, this text is beneficial to intensive farmers and stakeholders in the field of crop production.

Provides a contemporary view of the impact of climate change on cultivation of various fruit species. Offers modern approaches for mitigating the adverse impact of climate change on fruits cultivation. Describes case studies, empirical experiments and observations emphasizing the research progress of understanding and combating the impact of climate change on fruits production. Illustrates presented concepts with relevant figures and tabulated data.

explores how the innovative approach of commons-based organic apple breeding can contribute to sustainability in agricultural and food systems more widely. advances the innovative solution of commons-based apple breeding as a model for developing resilience in fruit breeding and cultivation will be of great interest for students and scholars from the fields of sustainable food systems, sustainable agriculture, crop science, resource management and in particular those that seek inspiration for innovative approaches rooted in sustainability research, social-ecological resilience, and the commons.

This collection features five peer-reviewed reviews on biostimulant applications in agriculture. The first chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the optimal design and formulation of microbial and non-microbial biostimulants. The chapter presents two case studies to demonstrate the successful commercialisation of microbial and non-microbial biostimulant products. The second chapter considers the utilisation of humic substances (HS) as plant biostimulants in agriculture and their impact on the physical and chemical properties of soil. The chapter also discusses the production of HS. The third chapter reviews the wealth of research on the mechanism of action, applications and efficacy of key biostimulants such as Bacillus species, Pseudomonas species, Trichoderma species and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The fourth chapter assesses recent advances in the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as a means of enhancing crop root function and nutrient use. The chapter also considers the challenge of practical adoption and use of PGPR in commercial agricultural settings. The final chapter reviews the utilisation of biostimulants as an integrated pest management tool in horticulture. The chapter considers their role in promoting plant growth, building soil structure, as well as pest and disease suppression.

Provides a contemporary view of the impact of climate change on cultivation of various fruit species. Offers modern approaches for mitigating the adverse impact of climate change on fruits cultivation. Describes case studies, empirical experiments and observations emphasizing the research progress of understanding and combating the impact of climate change on fruits production. Illustrates concepts with relevant figures and tabulated data.

Plant-based medicines and aromatics are increasingly in demand throughout the health sector globally, which involves their use not only for the treatment of diseases, but also as potential therapeutics standards for maintaining good health. Unlike modern medicine, herbal medicines derived from plants have several major advantages, including general absence of serious adverse side effects, long-lasting curative impact, and overall cost-effectiveness. Medicinal plants have become threatened due to their minuscule population size, narrow distribution area, habitat specificity, and destructive way of harvesting, only a few studies have been undertaken on their conservation, ecology and pharmacognosy.

Herbal drugs play a pivotal role in modern medicine and pharmaceutical care however only limited biotechnology application has been seen in medicinal plants. Revolutions in high-throughput approaches emphasize omics approaches, such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. A volume in the Exploring Medicinal Plants series, this book provides a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of breakthroughs in high-throughput approaches for the research of medicinal plants. Exploring the principles and applications of omics technologies, this book is essential for those working on or are involved in the modern research of medicinal and aromatic plants. There is also a strong focus on practical implications of these technologies through exploring the safety aspects and conservation strategies of various plants. From informative discussions on the latest research to a holistic evaluation of their potential applications, this book appeals to students, researchers and professionals working with medicinal and aromatic plants, as well as healthcare professionals interested in the area.

This collection features four peer-reviewed reviews on managing arthropod pests in tree fruit. The first chapter provides a brief overview of the major aphid pests affecting tree fruit production, focussing on those causing economic damage in citrus, apple, pear and stone fruit production. The chapter considers the techniques available for their control and looks ahead to future research in this area. The second chapter addresses the complex issue of managing and controlling arthropod pests in tree fruit production in the face of increasing pesticide regulatory restrictions, as well as public concerns about food safety and environmental impact. The chapter considers the need for a more basic understanding of pest biology and development which can then be used in predictive models to support the effective use of more selective and sustainable crop protection methods. The third chapter introduces key arthropod pests of apples and highlights the importance of integrated pest management (IPM) programmes in controlling infestations. The chapter reviews the tools and tactics available as part of a sustainable IPM programme, as well as current and future challenges facing IPM. The final chapter outlines key cultural tactics for managing arthropod pests in temperate tree fruit, including the modification of trees, tree architecture, orchard floor management, cultivation practices, mowing and the cultivation of orchard cover crops.

This collection features six peer-reviewed reviews on the economics of key agricultural practices. The first chapter assesses the economic impact of horticultural crops and integrated pest management programmes. The chapter highlights the importance of considering agricultural system design and the utilisation of novel control tactics. The second chapter considers the economic consequences of novel integrated weed management (IWM) strategies, as well as the different approaches used to assess the economics of IWM strategies. The third chapter reviews developments in methods to assess the economic value of agricultural biodiversity. The chapter also outlines the limitations of these methods and proposes a possible, novel way forward. The fourth chapter provides an overview of the economic barriers faced by smallholder farmers, including land, labour, capital and inputs, and their impact on farm profitability. The fifth chapter reviews the economics of soil health, focussing on the adoption of soil health management practices by farmers and the effectiveness of incentives. The final chapter examines the use of economic research as a tool to determine the profitability and adoption potential for a number of precision agriculture technologies.

Tamsin Westhorpe's delightfully funny memoir of making a living with mud permanently under her fingernails will delight any reader. A cast of colourful characters pepper the pages of her hapless horticultural exploits, which range from dispensing gnome-placement advice on live TV to how to deal with nudist neighbours or the inside scoop on why the roses surrounding the beautifully manicured English lawn bowling greens grow quite so vigorously...

The conservation of crop genetic resources is one of the important elements in efforts to sustainably increase agricultural production in low-income countries, and to guarantee long-term food security, especially for the low-income population groups in these countries. Horticultural crops, as high-value crops, have an important role to play in revitalizing rural economies and can add significantly to national economies. Moreover, horticulture provides more than twice the number of jobs compared to traditional cereal crop production, and the shifting of conventional agriculture towards high-value horticulture has increased employment opportunities in developing countries. To exploit this potential, researchers need a vast array of horticultural genetic resources and information on new traits. Horticultural crops, which are only a part of PGRFA (Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture), are characterized by a wide and varied range of species. In fact, there are five major horticultural crop groups: fruit and nut crops, vegetables, food legumes, roots and tubers, and lastly the ornamental and medicinal group. In this context, the present book provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of conservation and utilization of horticultural genetic resources, addressing contemporary approaches to conservation in connection with different technologies, including biotechnological approaches as practised in India and in some cases, globally. It includes a brief chapter on the unique nature of horticultural genetic resources, providing a rationale for viewing them as being distinct from field crop genetic resources. Subsequent chapters share insights on protocols for the conservation of selected horticultural crops ex situ, and focus on the increased need to complement these efforts with in situ conservation approaches. Geospatial tools are also briefly described, emphasizing their utility with regard to mapping and managing resources. The book also explores the wild gene pool in horticulture crops; discusses legal aspects related to horticultural genetic resources and biotechnological aspects; and describes the key aspects of sustainable management and replenishment. Given its scope, the book offers a valuable resource for all horticulturists, graduate students, researchers, policymakers, conservationists, and NGOs engaged in horticulture in particular and biodiversity in general.

The grove, a grouping of trees, intentionally cultivated or found growing wild, has a long diverse history entwined with human settlement, rural practices and the culture and politics of cities. A grove can be a memorial, a place of learning, a site of poetic retreat and philosophy or political encampment, a public park or theatre, a place of hidden pleasures, a symbol of a vanished forest ecology, or a place of gods or other spirits. Yet groves are largely absent from our contemporary vocabulary and rarely included in today's landscape practice, whether urban or rural. Groves are both literal and metaphorical manifestations, ways of defining spaces and ecologies in our cultural life. Since they can add meaning to urban forms and ecologies and contribute meaningfully to the significance of place, critical examination is long overdue. The editors have taken care to ensure that the text is accessible to the general reader as well as specialists.