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Books > Professional & Technical > Agriculture & farming > Horticulture > General
Selenium plays a significant role in preventing certain types of
cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The level of Selenium in the
human body depends on its concentration in food. In turn, the
content in vegetable crops is a function of the soil-plant system.
There are many countries in the world with low Selenium content in
the soil. The average daily human intake is thus limited through
food chain. Analysis of Selenium status suggests that fortification
of the soil substrate with Sodium Selenate, and foliar application
to agricultural crops are both effective means of Selenium
enrichment. Our intention for this publication is to present the
possibilities of augmenting Selenium content by biofortification of
soils and plants through differentiated nutrition. In the first
part of the monograph, the results of Selenium supplementation in
model vegetation experiments are presented. The next part of the
monograph presents the results of foliar supplementation of
Selenium in field conditions. This book is an outstanding reference
source for plant breeders and researchers engaged in
biofortification of horticulture crops. It is also beneficial to
agricultural companies and other stakeholders.
Biopesticide: Volume Two, the latest release in the Advances in
Bioinoculant series, provides an updated overview on the active
substances utilized in current bioinsecticides, along with
information on which of them can be used for integrated pest
management programs in agro-ecosystems. The book presents a
comprehensive look at the development of novel solutions against
new targets, also introducing new technologies that enhance the
efficacy of already available active substances. Finally, readers
will find insights into the advanced molecular studies on insect
microbial community diversity that are opening new frontiers in the
development of innovative pest management strategies. This book
will be valuable to those prioritizing agro biodiversity management
to address optimal productizing and enhanced food security.
This edited book is focusing on the novel and innovative procedures
in tissue culture for large scale production of plantation and
horticulture crops. It is bringing out a comprehensive collection
of information on commercial scale tissue culture with the
objective of producing high quality, disease-free and uniform
planting material. Developing low cost commercial tissue culture
can be one of the best possible way to attain the goal of
sustainable agriculture. Tissue culture provides a means for rapid
clonal propagation of desired cultivars, and a mechanism for
somatic hybridization and in vitro selection of novel genotypes.
Application of plant tissue culture technology in horticulture and
plantation crops provides an efficient method to improve the
quality and nutrition of the crops. This book includes a
description of highly efficient, low cost in vitro regeneration
protocols of important plantation and horticulture crops with a
detailed guideline to establish a commercial plant tissue culture
facility including certification, packaging and transportation of
plantlets. The book discusses somatic embryogenesis, virus
elimination, genetic transformation, protoplast fusion, haploid
production, coculture of endophytic fungi, effects of light and
ionizing radiation as well as the application of bioreactors. This
book is useful for a wide range of readers such as, academicians,
students, research scientists, horticulturists, agriculturists,
industrial entrepreneurs, and agro-industry employees.
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. 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. The emphasis on this landmark series is on
methodology, a fundamental understanding of crop genetics, and
applications to major crops. Coverage includes a wide range of
crops: row crops, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and trees grown for
timber and pulp. Numerous references provide easy, time-saving, and
cost-effective access to the primary literature.
This breakthrough handbook for botanical garden and arboretum
curators (and curators in training) has now been expanded and
updated fifteen years after the last edition was published. The new
edition includes up-to-date information and methods for the
preservation and conservation of plants and their use in both
ex-situ and in-situ conservation programs, habitat restorations,
and conservation research. There are expanded and updated sections
on plant acquisitions and field collecting that conform to the
Convention on Biological Diversity protocols. New technologies for
documenting plant collections are described including reviews of
the most common software programs to streamline this process.
Recommendations for plant preservation-caring for collections-have
been updated with expanded information on basic horticulture
practice, sustainable techniques, special applications for
conservation collections, and examples of preservation plans. There
is an entirely new section on collections research and applications
with several chapters on the latest conservation practices,
technologies, and programs involving collections. All of the basic
and essential information for collections management contained
within the first edition, including specific recommendations and
examples, has been expanded and updated with recommendations on new
technologies and procedures to assist and guide curators in their
critical role as plant collection developers, managers, and
programmers. What is an important resource for public garden
professionals and students has now become even more essential.
A little plant science grows a long way Plant Science for Gardeners
empowers growers to analyze common problems, find solutions, and
make better decisions in the garden for optimal plant health and
productivity. Most gardeners learn by accumulating rules - water
once a week, never dry out snowdrop bulbs, prune lilacs after
flowering, plant garlic in October-the list is endless. Rules take
years to learn and yet leave you floundering when the unexpected
strikes and plants look unhealthy, produce poorly, or die. There is
a better way. By understanding the basic biology of how plants
grow, you can become a thinking gardener with the confidence to
problem solve for optimized plant health and productivity. Learn
the science and ditch the rules! Coverage includes: The biology of
roots, stems, leaves, and flowers Understanding how plants function
as whole organisms The role of nutrients and inputs Vegetables,
flowers, grasses, and trees and shrubs Propagation and genetics
Sidebars that explode common gardening myths Tips for evaluating
plant problems and finding solutions. Whether you're a home
gardener, micro-farmer, market gardener, or homesteader, this
entertaining and accessible guide shortens the learning curve and
gives you the knowledge to succeed no matter where you live.
This collection features four peer-reviewed reviews on improving
the shelf life of horticultural produce. The first chapter
introduces the concept of smart distribution and highlights how
optimising the management of produce distribution systems can
reduce loss and waste in the horticultural sector and extend shelf
life by minimising quality deterioration. The chapter also
discusses the use of remote sensing technology to determine food
quality. The second chapter reviews a selection of pre- and
postharvest strategies used to optimise fruit quality. The chapter
considers ways of measuring harvest maturity, as well as the role
of temperature controlled environments in extending the shelf life
of tree fruit. The third chapter summarises the wealth of recent
research on the preservation of fruit quality in mango production,
as well as how postharvest operations can be optimised to reduce
loss and waste and maximise shelf life, including the use of
controlled environments, waxes and edible coatings. The final
chapter explores the advantages and disadvantages of cultivating
ripening-impaired tomato mutants and genetically engineered
genotypes characterized by inhibition of the ripening process. The
chapter considers the use of ethylene inhibitors and controlled
environments as a means of mitigating devastating yield losses.
This collection features five peer-reviewed reviews on optimising
rootstock health. The first chapter explores optimising rootstock
health to improve root function, resource-use efficiency,
sustainability and agricultural productivity. The chapter also
presents a case study on tomato rootstocks as a viable strategy to
overcome abiotic stresses in Ghana. The second chapter reviews the
important aspects of tree growth and development in apple
production which are integral to ensure product quality. The
chapter discusses the importance of rootstocks and emphasises the
mechanisms and morphological effects of dwarfing on rootstocks. The
third chapter considers recent advances in the development and
utilisation of fruit tree rootstocks, focussing primarily on
apples. The chapter also reviews rootstock tolerance to both
abiotic and biotic stresses. The fourth chapter discusses advances
in avocado tissue culture for clonal propagation and highlights the
potential of this technology for improving the sustainable supply
of high-quality avocado plants to support future avocado industry
growth. The final chapter addresses the challenges and
opportunities in pear breeding, focussing on pear cultivars, pear
rootstocks and germplasm resources. The chapter also considers the
use of dwarfing as a means of improving particular traits.
This collection features six peer-reviewed reviews on optimising
rootstock health. The first chapter considers recent advances in
irrigation techniques used in sustainable vegetable cultivation and
reviews the performance and efficiency of these systems. The second
chapter details the need to optimise precision in orchard
irrigation management, focussing on matching water supply to plant
demand as a means of achieving this. The third chapter assesses
irrigation management systems for tomato production and how these
can be optimised alongside nutrient management to ensure the
production of safe and nutritious tomatoes. The fourth chapter
summarises the common types of irrigation systems found in soilless
culture production, as well as the emergence of new systems,
including plant-based sensing and monitoring systems. The fifth
chapter highlights the need for more sustainable water use in
ornamental production systems and the methods which can be used to
achieve this, such as reducing runoff volume. The final chapter
considers recent advances in irrigation management in greenhouse
cultivation, focussing on water balance, crop evapotranspiration
techniques and irrigation scheduling.
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.
This collection features six peer-reviewed reviews on advances and
in detecting and forecasting crop pests and diseases. The first
chapter introduces the concept of machine learning to identify and
diagnose crop diseases, focussing on the deep learning concept. The
second chapter discusses recent advances in crop disease
forecasting models, focussing on the application of precision
agriculture technologies and Earth observation satellites to
identify areas at risk of possible disease outbreaks. The third
chapter explores the contribution of remote sensing in improving
the ways in which plant health is monitored in response to exposure
to biotic stresses, such as disease. The fourth chapter reviews how
sensor technologies in combination with informatics and modern
application technologies can contribute to more effective pest
control. The fifth chapter assesses the role of decision support
systems for pest monitoring and management through information
technology, such as spectral indices and image-based diagnostics.
The final chapter addresses key issues and challenges in pest
monitoring and forecasting models, such as the limitation of some
traps in attracting insects through the use of sex pheromones.
Climate change is recognised as agriculture’s biggest challenge
to date.* With increasing temperatures and an escalation in the
frequency and severity of extreme weather events, agricultural
productivity remains at risk of being compromised. With the food
security of millions threatened, there remains a need to develop
alternative, sustainable production models which can thrive in the
face of climate change. Advances in plant factories: New
technologies in indoor vertical farming reviews the wealth of
research on optimising plant factories with artificial lighting
(PFALs) as one potential solution to achieving a more sustainable
agriculture. The book addresses developments in process monitoring,
optimizing energy use, as well as adjusting lighting conditions to
improve the sensory and nutritional quality of a range of
horticultural crops. It also includes case studies of successful
plant factory operations. Through its exploration of the
development and application of PFALs in agriculture, the book
highlights the growing importance of controlled environment
agriculture technologies as a solution to maintaining global crop
production in a time where our climate remains as unpredictable as
ever.
Plant Breeding Reviews, Volume 24, Part 2 presents state-of-the-art
reviews on plant genetics and the breeding of all types of crops by
both traditional means and molecular methods. The emphasis of the
series is on methodology, a practical understanding of crop
genetics, and applications to major crops.
This book is devoted to grain legumes and include eight chapters
devoted to the breeding of specific grain legume crops and five
general chapters dealing with important topics which are common to
most of the species in focus. Soybean is not included in the book
as it is commonly considered an oil crop more than a grain legume
and is included in the Oil Crops Volume of the Handbook of Plant
Breeding. Legume species belong to the Fabaceae family and are
characterized by their fruit, usually called pod. Several species
of this family were domesticated by humans, such as soybean, common
bean, faba bean, pea, chickpea, lentil, peanut, or cowpea. Some of
these species are of great relevance as human and animal food. Food
legumes are consumed either by their immature pod or their dry
seeds, which have a high protein content. Globally, grain legumes
are the most relevant source of plant protein, especially in many
countries of Africa and Latin America, but there are some
constraints in their production, such as a poor adaptation, pest
and diseases and unstable yield. Current research trends in Legumes
are focused on new methodologies involving genetic and omic
studies, as well as new approaches to the genetic improvement of
these species, including the relationships with their symbiotic
rhizobia.
The orchid family is one of the largest families of flowering
plants known for their beauty and economic importance. This work
provides information in key areas of research that are important to
both scientists and commercial growers alike. The main purposes of
this book are to provide key practical areas of research, such as,
germination, micropropagation, traditional and current techniques
related to plant improvement; document methods that ensure survival
of plants from laboratories to greenhouses; promote communication
between scientists and growers, so that their combined expertise on
these areas will lead to the successful growth of orchids in their
natural habitats or commercial greenhouses. This book can serve as
reference for laymen with an interest in orchid growing.This book
is divided into 5 parts. The first part emphasizes propagation
methods using seeds and related techniques that are important to
plant conservation and improvement. Successes in asymbiotic and
symbiotic seed germination are keys to orchid conservation and
their propagation. The second part summarizes micropropagation
methods, common media, and newer methods of micropropagation such
as the bioreactor culture procedures. The third part focuses on
techniques related to the manipulation of explants in an in vitro
environment. The fourth part covers cell biological methods and
transformation techniques. Since the successes in a laboratory
setting do not guarantee plant survival and propagation in
greenhouses and in the natural environment, it discusses greenhouse
propagation techniques that are essential to the survival of plants
generated from a laboratory setting. The fifth part showcases
recent successes on orchid propagation by documenting sample
publications and how to present orchids in an artistic fashion for
one's enjoyment.
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