With the increased interest in and demands for compost from commercial horticultural industries, composting is on the verge of becoming an economically feasible option for waste management. While horticultural producers can create some of the compost to meet their own needs, demand has grown beyond what they can supply for themselves and others. Compost Utilization in Horticultural Cropping Systems gives you the tools to meet the needs of this growing industry. Consider these statistics: Americans generate about 200 million megagrams of municipal solid waste per year The agricultural market for compost could reach over 680 million m3 per year Two horticultural areas together account for over 50% of compost use: landscaping (31%) and food crop production (25%) Now consider this: Proven benefits of compost use, including plant disease suppression, better moisture retention, supplying plant nutrients, and building soil organic matter Increased pressure on peat supplies and wider availability of compost products Creation of composting enterprises by the horticultural industry in response to its own needs, rising disposal fees for organic waste, and consumer demand for compost at retail centers The first book to establish a composite of the existing scientific knowledge on the use of compost in commercial horticultural enterprises, Compost Utilization in Horticultural Cropping Systems gives you a comprehensive review of the production, use, and economics of compost. It covers production methods, compost quality and the parameters associated with its measurement, and the biological, chemical, and physical processes that occur during composting. Rather than searching for information in various places, now you can find all the information you need in one convenient source.

Focusing exclusively on postharvest vegetable studies, this book covers advances in biochemistry, plant physiology, and molecular physiology to maximize vegetable quality. The book reviews the principles of harvest and storage; factors affecting postharvest physiology, calcium nutrition and irrigation control; product quality changes during handling and storage; technologies to improve quality; spoilage factors and biocontrol methods; and storage characteristics of produce by category. It covers changes in sensory quality such as color, texture, and flavor after harvest and how biotechnology is being used to improve postharvest quality.

Ornamental trees, shrubs and flowers have always been extremely popular and there is large demand-whether in gardens or parks-for alpines, bedding plants, cacti, cut flowers, house plants and pot plants, as well as herbaceous plants, ornamental grasses, shrubs and trees. The first edition of this comprehensive and beautifully illustrated book was extremely successful and it has now been fully revised and updated. The second edition contains over 60 new pests and almost 90 new color photographs. The book opens with a review of the main features of insects, mites and other major pest groups. The principles of pest control of ornamental plants are discussed, followed by sections on the various pests. Each major order and family is considered in turn, with details of their status, host range, world distribution, diagnostic features and biology. Descriptions of the characteristic damage caused are also given. Pests of Ornamental Trees, Shrubs and Flowers provides a unique source of permanent reference for all involved in the recognition, biology and control of the pests of ornamental crops, including professionals, scientists and students in agriculture, horticulture and entomology, and amateur gardeners.

Although urban allotment gardening dates back to the nineteenth century, it has recently undergone a renaissance of interest and popularity. This is the result of greater concern over urban greenspace, food security and quality of life. This book presents a comprehensive, research-based overview of the various features, benefits and values associated with urban allotment gardening in Europe. The book is based on a European COST Action project, which brings together researchers and practitioners from all over Europe for the first detailed exploration of the subject on a continent-wide scale. It assesses the policy, planning and design aspects, as well as the social and ecological benefits of urban allotment gardening. Through an examination of the wide range of different traditions and practices across Europe, it brings together the most recent research to discuss the latest evolutions of urban allotment gardening and to help raise awareness and fill knowledge gaps. The book provides a multidisciplinary perspective, including insights from horticulture and soil science, ecology, sociology, urban geography, landscape, planning and design. The themes are underpinned by case studies from a number of European countries which supply a wide range of examples to illustrate different key issues.

"The book provides an excellent overview of mango cultivation across the world... a comprehensive foundation of knowledge on which future research strategies can be built." Chronica Horticulturae Mangoes are one of the most important and widely-cultivated fruits in tropical as well as sub-tropical regions. There have been a number of recent developments with the potential to improve crop yields and quality. There has been new research in understanding the physiology of tree and fruit development with implications for both breeding and cultivation. Analysis of the mango genome promises new, faster breeding techniques to develop improved cultivars. These and other advances are helping to tackle diseases and pests which still cause significant losses. Drawing on an international range of expertise, this collection focuses on ways of improving the cultivation of mango as a food crop at each step in the value chain, from breeding through to post-harvest storage. Part 1 discusses advances in understanding tree growth, flowering, pollination and fruit development as well as developments in marker-assisted breeding. Part 2 reviews improvements in cultivation practice, including organic and greenhouse cultivation. Part 3 covers post-harvest management and quality, whilst the final part of the book assesses disease and pest management. As the need for more interdisciplinary and collaborative research increases, this collection will be a standard reference for the mango research community by summarising key research trends in each topic and putting them in the context of mango cultivation as a whole.

This beautifully illustrated glossary constitutes an extraordinary collection of the specialist terms used in many botanical works. The book is arranged in two sections: the glossary, which provides clear definitions for over 2400 of the most commonly used botanical and horticultural terms, and illustrations, which can be cross-referenced to the glossary. The illustrations section comprises over 120 large format pages packed with accurate, well labelled line drawings that complement the definitions. The illustrations are grouped according to specific features, allowing quick comparisons of different forms. This outstanding reference will be welcomed by all readers grappling with botanical terms, whether student, professional, or hobbyist.

This title includes a number of Open Access chapters. Urban horticulture, referring to the study and cultivation of the relationship between plants and the urban environment, is gaining more attention as the world rapidly urbanizes and cities expand. While plants have been grown in urban areas for millennia, it is now recognized that they not only provide food, ornament, and recreation, but also supply invaluable ecological services that help mitigate potentially negative impacts of urban ecosystems, and thus increase the livability of cities. This book provides background on key issues in this growing field.

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is an exquisite, nutritionally and economically valuable crop of tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It outshines other tropical fruits in productivity, hardiness, adaptability, nutritional value, and ensures higher economic returns to growers. Guava is commercially grown in over 70 countries, and is gaining in popularity as a 'super fruit' due to its nutritional and health benefits. Notable recent developments include the potential to improve crop yields and quality. New research has also contributed to better understanding of the crop environment, plant growth and physiology of tree and fruit development, with implications for both breeding and cultivation. Guava is one of the few tree fruits where round-the-year harvest is possible by crop regulation. Interspecific hybridization with wild Psidium species has yielded hybrids which are resistant to wilt (a major guava disease in many countries) and are graft compatible. This book: * is the only publication available in English covering sustainable guava cultivation; * presents the current state of knowledge on the origin, history, physiology, culture and trade of guava throughout the world; and * addresses the major production and post-harvest problems. With contributions from international experts, this is a valuable resource for researchers and students in horticulture, and guava-industry support personnel.

There are many current threats to the citrus industry, this is a timely effort to publish a book covering recent challenges and progress to their approaches to improve conditions. This book is useful to researchers, academicians, scientists to enhance and boost their knowledge for further research on citrus. There are few reviews and books dealing with various aspects of citrus industry. Existing publications are over 10 years old and do not have recent updated knowledge of citrus industry. Global appeal - Citrus is mainly produced commercially in 140 countries, primary producers are Brazil, China, United States, and Mexico.

This new and updated edition of a highly successful practical book covers major topics of interest to blueberry breeders and researchers including: breeding, varieties, botany, physiology, nutrition, growth regulation, cultivation methods and practices, photosynthesis, plant interaction with the environment, weeds, pests, diseases and postharvest management. The focus is on the highbush blueberry, though information on other blueberries and related species is also provided. Blueberries are cultivated worldwide and this book explores plantings in a great diversity of environments, reflecting on the development of innovative cultural practices and conditions. It examines the increased scope and depth of research activities related to this crop and brings together the current status of knowledge on blueberry science and management. Explaining in an understandable manner the basic science behind the growth and development of blueberries, their botanical characteristics, as well as the implications and effects of various management practices and environmental conditions, Blueberries 2nd Edition also: - Highlights emerging genetic information on the blueberry. - Includes new information on pruning, grafting and irrigation. - Covers current and potential uses of plant growth regulators. - Gathers new information on fruit quality and consumer acceptance. This definitive guide to blueberry cultivation is an essential resource for soft fruit researchers, extension workers, academics, breeders, growers and students.

In the past few decades, sustainability of natural resources and the social and environmental issues that surround them have become increasingly topical. This multidisciplinary book discusses the complex relationships between society, natural resources and the environment. Major resources including water, agriculture, energy, minerals and forests are considered, as well as different facets of the environment including climate, landforms and biodiversity. Each resource is discussed in the context of both environmental and socio-economic factors affecting their present and future distribution and demand. Presenting a balanced, comprehensive overview of the issues surrounding natural resources and sustainability, this accessible volume will be of interest to policy makers, resource managers, graduate students and researchers in the natural and social sciences.

Orchids, the epitome of floral beauty, have long inspired poetry, adventure, art and scientific discovery. In Orchid Muse, historian and home orchid grower Erica Hannickel brings together fascinating tales of the orchid-smitten throughout history, along with tips on growing the exotic blooms at the centre of each account. Consider, for instance, Empress Eugenie and Queen Victoria, the two most powerful women in nineteenth-century Europe, who shared a passion for Coelogyne cristata. John Roebling, builder of the Brooklyn Bridge, and Raymond Burr, the actor famed for playing Perry Mason, cultivated thousands of orchids, introducing captivating new and unusual species. Transporting the reader from hazardous Amazonian journeys to a seedy dime museum in Gilded Age New York's Tenderloin, from the glories of the palace gardens of Chinese Empress Cixi to the island of Bourbon, where the vanilla orchid thrives, Orchid Muse spans the world, exploring our enduring fascination with these exquisite flowers.

In the wake of urbanization and technological advances, public green spaces within cities are disappearing and people are spending more time with electronic devices than with nature. Urban Horticulture explores the importance of horticulture to the lives, health, and well-being of urban populations. It includes contributions from experts in research and practice from across the United States, discussing the history, importance, and benefits of selected topics in urban horticulture. This book examines types of public and private communities as well as state and federal programs to promote urban horticulture, including their history, management and administration, programming, evaluation, funding, and the benefits they provide to individuals and communities. It also reviews past and current research on school, community, public, and prison gardens. While not a straightforward textbook, it is adaptable to classroom learning, as each chapter features: Objectives Key terms A summary Review questions Enrichment activities Suggestions for further reading The book also includes case studies and online access to examples of PowerPoint presentations that can be used in the classroom or web-based courses. Useful for researchers, practitioners, teachers, and students, Urban Horticulture is a flexible resource that details how passive and active interaction with plants enriches people's lives. It presents several cases that illustrate how such interactions improve physical and mental health, quality of life, social well-being, and community growth.

Sustainable landscaping involves a set of practices implemented by landscape practitioners to help solve environmental concerns. Continuing in the tradition of its predecessor, the second edition of Sustainable Landscaping: Principles and Practices examines underlying landscaping issues that adversely affect the environment and illustrates alternative methods that result in positive outcomes. This textbook examines all phases of landscaping in both residential and commercial environments, from design to construction and implementation to maintenance. Firmly anchoring landscaping practices in the context of sustainability, this book explores topics including choosing appropriate plants and using plants for specific effects, such as shading, water quality and quantity, soil health and optimal preservation techniques, pesticide usage and its inherent dangers, energy consumption, and resource management and waste reduction. Sustainable Landscaping also provides a thorough grounding in pertinent issues and terminology for each topic, followed by practical solutions applied by landscape professionals. Each chapter includes learning objectives and case studies of actual sustainable landscape activities. Contains updated government statistics and data, graphs, tables, and color photographs throughout. Provides background information and sustainable solutions for students, homeowners, and landscaping professionals to effectively design and manage landscapes. Author Dr. Marietta Loehrlein is a Professor Emeritus of Horticulture and Landscaping at Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL, USA. While there, she developed a new course, "Sustainable Landscaping," and wrote the first edition of this textbook, which was also the first of its kind to address the subject.

Among the Horticultural Crops, Fruits and Vegetables (FV) are of primary - portance as the key source of essential components in an adequate and balanced human diet. FV have supported largely the daily food requirement of mankind since ages and even before man learned to grow cereal crops systematically. Over the years, growing FV has been the mainstay of rural economy and has emerged as an indispensable part of agriculture world over, offering farmers a wide range of crops in varied topography and climate. In certain parts of the world, FV are the major dietary staple. Apart from being a rich source of vitamins and minerals, this sector also contributes significantly in economy of the region or the nation. The increased income from per unit area of FV is far ahead and can not be compared with that of cereal crops. A recent survey by the Economist revealed that the world population has - creased by 90 % in the past 40 years while food production has increased only by 25 % per head. With an additional 1. 5 billion mouth to feed by 2020, farmers worldwide have to produce 39 % more. Looking at the load of the future food requirement, the global increased production of FV during last few years has absorbed the additional food requirement and accordingly the eating habits are also changing and shifting - wards more consumption of these commodities worldwide.

Papaya (Carica papaya) is an important and widely-cultivated tropical fruit, grown in more than 60 countries of the world. Global papaya production has grown significantly over the last few years, mainly as a result of increased production in India. Papaya has become an important agricultural export for developing countries where export revenues of the fruit provide a livelihood for thousands of people, especially in Asia and Latin America. This book includes coverage of recent research developments with the potential to improve crop yields and quality. New research has contributed to our understanding of the crop environment, plant growth and physiology of tree and fruit development with implications for both breeding and cultivation. It looks at how analysis of the papaya genome promises new, faster breeding techniques to improved cultivars and how these and other advances are helping to tackle disease like papaya ring spot viruses and major pests which cause significant losses. Key features include: updated information for sustainable papaya cultivation research developments in tackling the major production and post-harvest problems interdisciplinary and collaborative research With contributions from international experts, the book presents the current state of knowledge concerning the history, physiology, culture and marketing of papaya throughout the world. It is an essential resource for researchers, growers and all those involved in the papaya industry.

Did you know that plants and plant products can be used to improve people's cognitive, physical, psychological, and social functioning? Well, they can, and Horticulture as Therapy is the book to show you how If you are already familiar with the healing potential of horticultural therapy, or even practice horticultural therapy, this book will help you enrich your knowledge and skills and revitalize your practice. You will learn how horticultural therapy can be used with different populations in a variety of settings, what resources are available, effective treatment strategies, and the concepts behind horticultural treatment. The first comprehensive text on the practice of horticulture as therapy, this one-of-a-kind book will enable the profession to educate future horticultural therapists with fundamental knowledge and skills as they embark on careers as practitioners, researchers, and educators. You come to understand the relationship between people and plants more deeply as you learn about: vocational, social, and therapeutic programs in horticulture special populations including children, older adults, those who exhibit criminal behavior, and those with developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health disorders, or traumatic brain injury use of horticultural therapy in botanical gardening and community settings adaptive gardening techniques applied research documentation and assessment in horticultural practice Horticulture as Therapy establishes, integrates, and communicates a foundation of knowledge for horticultural therapists, other therapists, horticulturists, students, research scientists, gardeners, and others interested in this special and unique kind of therapy. By reading Horticulture as Therapy, you will see how you can make a difference in the health and well-being of so many people, today and tomorrow. Translated into Greek

With the increased interest in and demands for compost from commercial horticultural industries, composting is on the verge of becoming an economically feasible option for waste management. While horticultural producers can create some of the compost to meet their own needs, demand has grown beyond what they can supply for themselves and others. Compost Utilization in Horticultural Cropping Systems gives you the tools to meet the needs of this growing industry.
Consider these statistics:
o Americans generate about 200 million megagrams of municipal solid waste per year
o The agricultural market for compost could reach over 680 million m3 per year
o Two horticultural areas together account for over 50% of compost use: landscaping (31%) and food crop production (25%)
Now consider this:
o Proven benefits of compost use, including plant disease suppression, better moisture retention, supplying plant nutrients, and building soil organic matter
o Increased pressure on peat supplies and wider availability of compost products
o Creation of composting enterprises by the horticultural industry in response to its own needs, rising disposal fees for organic waste, and consumer demand for compost at retail centers
The first book to establish a composite of the existing scientific knowledge on the use of compost in commercial horticultural enterprises, Compost Utilization in Horticultural Cropping Systems gives you a comprehensive review of the production, use, and economics of compost. It covers production methods, compost quality and the parameters associated with its measurement, and the biological, chemical, and physical processes that occur during composting. Rather than searching for information in various places, now you can find all the information you need in one convenient source.

John Lindley (1799-1865) was an English horticulturalist who worked for Sir Joseph Banks and was later instrumental in saving the Royal Horticultural Society from financial disaster. His earlier books on British plants were well received and he was influential in the realm of botanical nomenclature, especially in orchidology. He was a prolific author and many of his books were aimed at a non-specialist readership. His aim in this work, published in 1840, was to provide 'the intelligent gardener, and the scientific amateur ... with the rationalia of the more important operations of horticulture'. Beginning with a chapter on seeds, the first part of the book describes the life and structure of a plant - the root, the stem, the leaves, the flowers and the fruit. The second part moves on to practical topics, such as ventilation and seed-saving, as well as pruning and potting, explaining many basic concepts of plant cultivation.

This full-colour photographic guide describes and illustrates over 350 different species of widely used cut flowers and foliage plants. Cut Flowers of the World is a user-friendly but scientifically accurate, quick reference guide to the most important commercial cut flowers, foliage greens and potted flowers that are sold in florist shops all over the world. This second edition has been expanded to include updated cultivar photos, and a new section on the practical aspects of cut flower production. For each flower, the following information is given: description of the plant; geographical origin; historical overview; cultivation; properties such as colours, scent and vase life; quality criteria (how to select for quality); and the proper care and handling of the flowers. Also included are introductory chapters on basic aspects such as cultivation methods, harvesting and shipping techniques, cultivar development, and modern trends in marketing.

Perhaps the least appreciated dramatis personae in human history are plants. Humans, like all other animals, cannot produce their own food as plants do through photosynthesis, and must therefore acquire organic material for survival and growth by eating plants or by eating other animals that eat plants. Humans depend on plants not only as a food source, but also as building and clothing materials and as sources of medicines, psychoactive substances, spices, pigments, and more. With plants being such valuable resources, it is therefore not surprising that plants have been involved in practically all violent conflicts among different human societies. Ironically, plants have also been the source of materials to construct weapons or weapon parts. Wars have always constituted a large part of human history, and the overall theme of this book is that to understand the history of violent human conflict, we need to understand what specific materials plants make that people find so useful and worth fighting over, and what roles such plant products have played in specific conflicts. To do so, Plants and Human Conflict begins with a chapter explaining the basic biological facts of the interdependence between plants and humans, and the subsequent seven chapters describe the physical and chemical properties of specific plant products demonstrating how the human need for these products has led to wars as well as contributed to the prosecution of wars. These chapters recount some well-known (and some lesser known) historical events in which plants have played a central role. This book uniquely combines the modern scientific knowledge of plants with the human history of war, introducing readers to a new paradigm that will make them reconsider their understanding of human history, as well as to bring about a greater appreciation of plant biology.

Biology of Citrus provides a concise and comprehensive discussion of all major developmental, genetic and horticultural aspects of citriculture in an easily readable text. The book deals with the history, distribution and climatic adaptation of the crop, followed by taxonomy and systematics, including a horticultural classification of edible citrus species. Subsequent chapters cover tree structure and function, reproductive physiology, including flowering, fruiting, productivity, ripening, post-harvest and fruit constituents. The main aspects of cultivated citrus, such as rootstocks, irrigation, pests, viruses and diseases are dealt with, leading to a concluding chapter that considers genetic improvement, including the use of tissue culture and plant biotechnology. The book includes many specially produced original illustrations and the extensive reading lists will make it invaluable for students and citrus specialists.

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.