The grass family is one of the largest and most diverse families in the plant kingdom and is of great economic value. Grasses provide human beings and domestic animals with the main necessities of life, add diversity to the landscape and stability to the ground surface, and also provide ornamental and amenity value. The present handbook is a pictorial resource guide to the identification of different common grasses in their early growth stage. In this book, 100 of the most common grasses (palatable and unpalatable) growing in the grasslands have been characterized on the basis of the vegetative characters of the seedling. A key to the identification of the grasses at their seedling stages is provided to help easily identify the grasses at their early stage of development. Many of the grasses described in the book are cosmopolitan, and many grow worldwide. Terms used to describe a grass seedling are used with help of photographs. Different diagnostic features of the seedling-such as growth habits, types of vernation, nodes, internodes, leaf laminas, leaf tips, leaf sheaths, ligules, auricles, and collars-have been used for their identification. The descriptions and photographs enable users to successfully and easily identify these species in a field environment. The book has been divided into two main sections. The first section covers the characteristic features of the caryopses. It includes light and scanning electron microscopic features and a diagnostic key to the identification of the species. The second section deals with grass seedling morphology and provides a key to the identification of the species on the basis of early vegetative features. Each of the sections includes an introduction, materials and methods, and results, supplemented with microphotographs representing the features of identification. This handbook is the first of its kind to include so many grass species that can be authentically identified with the help of pictorial diagnostic features of the seedlings and caryopses. The identifying features are solely on the basis of morphological, micromorphological, and morphometric characters. This handbook will be an important reference book of value to students in basic grass taxonomy or ecology classes as well as to academicians, researchers, pasture management practitioners, as well as professionals working in grassland restoration.

This new book, Sustainable Micro Irrigation Design Systems for Agricultural Crops, brings together the best research for efficient micro irrigation methods for field crops, focusing on design methods and best practices. Covering a multitude of topics, the book presents research and studies on: Indigenous alternatives for use of saline and alkali waters Hydraulic performance Distribution of moisture Fertigation technology Buried micro irrigation laterals Drip irrigation scheduling Rainwater harvesting Adoption and economic impact of a micro irrigation model This book is a must for those interested in irrigation planning and management, namely, researchers, scientists, educators, and students.

Micro irrigation, also known as trickle, drip, localized, high frequency, or pressurized irrigation, is an irrigation method that saves water and fertilizer by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants, either onto the soil surface or directly onto the root zone, through a network of valves, pipes, tubing, and emitters. It is done through narrow tubes that deliver water directly to the base of the plant. Clogging is a menace in the success of drip irrigation systems, and the situation is more complex under subsurface drip irrigation. Irrigation planners and engineers have found a variety of innovative methods to help to minimize clogging. This book emphasizes the implications of micro irrigation clogging, especially under the subsurface placement of laterals. The book offers remedies to decrease clogging and methodologies to improve the performance of micro sprinklers. This valuable resource addresses this critical problem, covering: Challenges in clogging under subsurface drip irrigation Principles, practices, and management of emitter clogging Efficiency of acidification for unclogging of emitters Performance characteristics of micro sprinklers The book will serve as a reference manual for professionals in biological and civil engineering, horticulture, soil and crop science, and agronomy, as well as for graduate and undergraduate students in related fields. It will be a valuable reference for professionals who work with micro irrigation/wastewater and water management and for technical agricultural centers, irrigation centers, agricultural extension services, and other agencies that work with micro irrigation programs.

This important new volume presents a plethora of research on the distribution of heavy metals in soils and rocks of natural habitats, farmlands, and urbanized areas along with the factors influencing their bioavailability. The authors evaluate the content of organic matter, soil acidity, mineral fertilizers, and more. Developed for ecologists and specialists in the field of environmental protection and the conservation of biological diversity, the book presents the problems of reducing the anthropogenic load on the surrounding countryside and focuses on sustainable agricultural development.

Improving agricultural water use efficiency (WUE) is vitally important in many parts of the world due to the decreasing availability of water resources and the increasing competition for water between different users. Micro irrigation is an effective tool for conserving water resources. Studies have revealed a significant water savings, ranging from 40% to 70% under drip irrigation compared with surface irrigation. This new volume, Engineering Interventions in Sustainable Trickle Irrigation: Irrigation Requirements and Uniformity, Fertigation, and Crop Performance, presents valuable research that evaluates crop water and fertigation requirements, examines optimum irrigation and fertigation scheduling, and analyzes the performance of agricultural crops under micro irrigation. With an interdisciplinary perspective, this volume addresses the urgent need to explore and investigates the current shortcomings and challenges of water resources engineering, especially in micro irrigation engineering. The volume discusses crop water requirements, fertigation technology, and performance of agricultural crops under best management practices. The chapter authors present research studies on drip irrigated tomato, chilies, cucumber, eggplant, cabbage, garlic, sugarcane maize, cashew nut, sapota, banana, mango, and blueberries. Removing the research gap, this volume provides new information that will be valuable to those involved in micro irrigation engineering.

With contributions from a broad range of leading professors and scientists, this volume focuses on new areas of processing technologies in foods and plants to help meet the increasing food demand of the rapidly growing populations of the world. The first section of the book is devoted to emerging entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for rural peoples in food and agricultural processing, specifically beekeeping technology and honey processing; herbal formulations for treatment of dental diseases; and engineering interventions for the extraction of essential oils from plants. Part 2 contains three chapters that discuss technological interventions in foods and plants for human health benefits, looking particularly at coffee, tea, and green leaf vegetable processing technology. The volume goes to look at several management strategies in agricultural engineering, with a chapter on production technology of ethanol from various sources and its potential applications in various industries, including chemical, food, pharmaceutical as well as biofuel. Food grain storage structures are addressed as well, focusing on minimizing losses from microbial pests as well as insect pests during grain storage by utilizing different efficient storage structures The volume provides a valuable resource for students, instructors, and researchers of foods and plants processing technology. In addition, food and plant science professionals who are seeking recent advanced and innovative knowledge in processing will find this book helpful.

Sustainable Biological Systems for Agriculture: Emerging Issues in Nanotechnology, Biofertilizers, Wastewater, and Farm Machines explores and introduces the use of nanotechnology, biofertilizers, and design of farm machines in agriculture. The contributions are from India, Africa and the USA; the chapters emphasize sustainable solutions for the enhancement of agriculture processes. The volume provides a wealth of information on new and emerging issues in this interdisciplinary field. The book is divided into several sections: Potential Applications of Nanotechnology in Biological Systems Emerging Issues, Challenges and Specific Examples of Nanotechnology for Sustainable Biological Systems Potential of Nano- and Bio- fertilizers in Sustainable Agriculture Emerging Focus Areas in Biological Systems Performance of Farm Machines for Sustainable Agriculture The information provided here will be valuable to government agricultural professionals, scientists, researchers, farmers, and faculty and students all over the world.

Ecological and genetic control of plant resistance to unfavorable environmental influences is being carried out all over the world, and new varieties and hybrids of plants are being created, resulting in rich, new information and innovative new methods of cultivation. This new volume, Temperate Horticulture for Sustainable Development and Environment: Ecological Aspects, explores the vast biotic diversity in horticulture, with a focus on sustainable development in today's deteriorating environment. The book offers new technologies for a wide range of horticultural crops, including vegetables, fruit, berries, and flowers. The information presented here is the result of original experiments and study of leading specialists in horticulture, plant breeding, and related areas. Part 1, Innovation in the Field of Vegetable Growing, looks at several completely new methods for increasing the yield of potatoes and cucumbers. The second part. The Arctic Berries: Ecology and Biochemistry presents an abundance of data on the phytocenotic properties of wild-growing and cultivated berry plants and of arctic raspberry and blueberry in natural populations of taiga zones. The authors studied berry crops, cranberry, Arctic bramble, blueberry, Arctic raspberry, cowberry, growing on the boggy soil and peatlands in taiga zones. Part 3, Decorative Plants: Breeding and Biochemistry, provides an overview of winter garden plants and their successful cultivation, looks at the range of resistance to salinization and other stresses of ornamental plants growing, and presents a biochemical analysis of biological active compounds and antioxidants among various species of the genus Aloe. Part 4, on Fruit Growing and Breeding, reviews various technologies for the cultivation of various fruits and presents an overview of data on breeding rare fruit crop. This volume will be useful for the scientific community, ecologists, geneticists, breeders, and industry professionals interested in using science to implement practical applications in production of fruits, vegetables, and flowers.

This title includes a number of Open Access chapters. This volume includes the latest research into the diseases that affect non-vascular plants. The chapters bring to light the most recent studies of pathogen identification, disease etiology, disease cycles, economic impact, plant disease epidemiology, plant disease resistance, how plant diseases affect humans and animals, pathosystem genetics, and management of plant diseases. The information provided here helps readers to stay current with this field's ongoing research and ever-developing knowledge base.

Comprised of three sections, this covers the nutrient dynamics and productivity of global agroecosystems. It focuses on the major aspects that make up agroecosystems, such as soils, climate, crops, nutrient dynamics, and productivity. It introduces agroeocsystems and describes global soil types that support vast crop belts, then deals with the principles that drive crop growth, nutrient dynamics and ecosystematic functions within any agroecosystem. It also details the influence of agronomic practices and factors such as soil microbes, organic matter, crop genetic nature, irrigation, weeds, and cropping systems that affect productivity of agroecosystems.

This important volume provides new research on the design and application of ecologically safe formulations for protecting cultivated crops against pathogen-causing diseases and weeds-that also provide nitrogen fertilizers at the same time. The authors make a significant contribution to the development and agricultural use of environmentally safe and biodegradable new-generation pesticides with targeted and controlled release of active ingredients. They discuss the problems associated with the use and accumulation of xenobiotics in the biosphere and present highlights of modern trends in the design of new-generation formulations. The authors present their original research results on the properties of herbicides, fungicides, and nitrogen fertilizers deposited in a degradable polymer base and the effectiveness of the use of these formulations in laboratory ecosystems with higher plants infected with fusariosis and weeds. The research provided here provides a new direction for the use of degradable polymers, essential for the creation of ecologically safe agricultural technologies and reducing uncontrolled accumulation and spread of xenobiotics in the biosphere.

The tenth and final volume in the series Research Advances in Sustainable Micro Irrigation, this valuable book focuses on new and recent innovations in technology, methods, and applications for micro irrigation. The book covers a wide variety of topics, including successes in micro irrigation in India, how new methods have helped the local economies in several areas, ways to enhance crop yield through new building programs, and new technology and systems. It looks at different aspects of these new innovations in micro irrigation, including economic impact, evaluation methods, bubbler systems, success with particular crops, scheduling, and more.

This new volume in the Innovations and Challenges in Micro Irrigation series covers an array of technologies to estimate evapotranspiration and to evaluate parameters that are needed in the management of micro irrigation, with worldwide applicability to irrigation management in agriculture. Topics include recent evapotranspiration research, performance evaluation of filters and emitters, evaluation of fertigation and ground water with treated wastewater effluent, performance of pulse drip irrigated potato under organic agriculture practices in sandy soils, impact of polyethylene mulch on micro irrigated cabbage, and tree injection irrigation.

This title includes a number of Open Access chapters. Climate change will severely impact the world's food supply unless steps are taken to increase crop resilience. Otherwise, the negative effects on both the yield and the quality of crop plants are predicted to be immense. Plant genomics is a potentially powerful defense against this looming threat. This compendium volume offers a global perspective on the topic, with contributions from 42 eminent researchers from 12 nations around the world. The editor is a respected and published scientist in the bioinformatics field, who has chosen articles in the following topics: An overview of the genetic challenges presented by climate change A genomic toolkit for crop-related research Specific methods of improvement for specific crop by means of genomic applications The hand-picked up-to-date research makes this volume an excellent reference not only for university-level academics, but also for policymakers and stakeholders who must tackle the challenge of the world's food security.

"Algae are mysterious and fascinating organisms that hold great potential for discovery and biotechnology." -Dr. Thierry Tonon, Department of Biology, University of York "Science is a beautiful gift to humanity; we should not distort it." -A.P.J. Abdul Kalam In this book, we emphasize the importance of algal biotechnology as a sustainable platform to replace the conventional fossil-based economy. With this focus, Volume 2 summarizes the up-to-date literature and knowledge and discusses the advances in algal cultivation, genetic improvement, wastewater treatment, resource recovery, commercial operation, and technoeconomic analysis of algal biotechnology. FEATURES Discusses in detail recent developments in algae cultivation and biomass harvesting Provides an overview of genetic engineering and algal-bacteria consortia to improve productivity Presents applications of algae in the area of wastewater treatment and resource recovery Provides case studies and technoeconomic analysis to understand the algal biorefinery Shashi Kant Bhatia, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea. Sanjeet Mehariya, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Department of Chemistry, Umea University, Umea, Sweden. Obulisamy Parthiba Karthikeyan, PhD, is a Research Scientist and Lecturer (Adjunct) in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, South Dakota, USA.

Climate change has emerged as the most pressing global challenge of the 21st century and it has a dramatic effect on natural ecosystems and environment. Intelligent mitigation strategies to minimise climate change impacts can result in advanced, novel technologies; healthier aquatic ecosystems and higher food security and well-being for humans. The book includes 45 Chapters by expert authors, covering (i) Hydrometeorology and hydrology, (ii) Natural hazards and disaster risk management, (iii) Aquaculture, (iv) Changing biodiversity scenarios, (v) Capture fisheries, (vi) Food and nutritional insecurity, (vii) Climate change and socio-economic scenarios, and allied areas. It is hoped that this volume will further our understanding and research achievements in the field of climate change and its consequences and facilitate the synthesis of information on how climate-related changes will influence oceans, marine and inland ecosystems, hydrological cycles, fisheries and aquaculture and coastal communities and will be immensely useful to planners, scientists, conservationists, environmentalists, academicians, students and all those who are directly or indirectly involved in the study of impact of climate change and mitigation measures Note: T& F does not sell or distribute the Hardback in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Freshwater Aquaculture - the study of breeding, rearing and commercialization of organisms, fish in particular, which inhabit in fresh water. Even though there remains some fragmentary information regarding the history of development of aquaculture in India but those seem to be far from being complete. In the present communication, the same has been given elaborately. The book concentrates on the culture technology of commercially important fresh water fishes. Various types of culture techniques including Aquaponics, Bioflocs, Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS) apart from the conventional Cage culture, Pen culture, Integration of fish culture with other crops viz. paddy, vegetables, dairy, piggery, poultry etc. have been dispensed in detail. Note: T&F does not sell or distribute the Hardback in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Life Cycle Assessment of Wastewater Treatment addresses in detail the required in-depth life cycle assessment of wastewater treatment. This is to meet the special demands placed upon wastewater treatment processes, due to both the limited quantity and often low quality of water supplies. Wastewater management clearly plays a central role in achieving future water security in a world where water stress is expected to increase. Life cycle assessment (LCA) can be used as a tool to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with wastewater treatment and potential improvement options. This unique volume will focus on the analysis of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), using a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. Key Features: Focuses on the analysis of wastewater treatment plants using a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach Discusses unconventional water sources such as recycled wastewater, brackish groundwater and desalinated seawater Explains life cycle assessment in detail, which has become one of the reference methods used to assess the environmental performance of processes over their complete life cycle, from raw material extraction, infrastructure construction and operation to final dismantling Explores a technique (LCA) that is becoming increasingly popular amongst researchers in the water treatment field nowadays because of its holistic approach Based on the real life experiences, the subject of wastewater is presented in simple terms and made accessible to anyone willing to learn and experiment

Here is an abundance of valuable information on different sensing techniques for fruits and vegetables. The volume covers emerging technologies, such as NMR, MRI, wireless sensor networks (WSN), and radio-frequency identification (RFID) and their potential for industrial applications. Key features of the volume: * Provides an inclusive review of the developments of sensors for quality analysis and inspection of fresh fruits and vegetables * Fosters an understanding of the basic sensing techniques for quality assessment of fresh fruits and vegetables * Covers advanced sensing technologies, including computer vision, spectroscopy, X-rays, magnetic resonance, mechanical contact, wireless sensor networks, and radio-frequency identification sensors * Reviews the significant progress in sensor development of noninvasive techniques for quality assessment of fruits and vegetables

"Advances in Cephalopod Science: Biology, Ecology, Cultivation and Fisheries"-volume 67 in the "Advances in Marine Biology "series-addresses major themes of growing research interest in the field of cephalopod research. The book is composed of four chapters incorporating the latest advances in biology, ecology, life cycles, cultivation, and fisheries of cephalopods. Each chapter is written by a team of internationally recognized authorities to reflect recent findings and understanding. The book represents a breakthrough contribution to the field of cephalopod science.

"Advances in Marine Biology" was first published in 1963 under the founding editorship of Sir Frederick S. Russell, FRS. Now edited by Michael P. Lesser, with an internationally renowned editorial board, the serial publishes in-depth and up-to-date reviews on a wide range of topics that appeal to postgraduates and researchers in marine biology, fisheries science, ecology, zoology, and biological oceanography. Eclectic volumes in the series are supplemented by thematic volumes on such topics as the biology of calanoid copepods.
Covers cephalopod cultureCovers environmental effects on cephalopod population dynamicsCovers biology, ecology and biodiversity of deep-sea cephalopodsCovers life stage transitions in successful cephalopod life strategies

This book identifies the impact of internal and external stakeholders on the implementation of sustainable development policies in the coal mining sector in Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States. The book assesses what activities and conditions need to be improved so that sustainable development policies can be more effectively and efficiently implemented. With a specific focus on the hard coal and lignite mining sectors, it examines a broad range of case studies from Eastern European countries and the Commonwealth of Independent States, including Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Kazakhstan, Germany, Spain, France and the United Kingdom, among many more. Beginning with an introduction to sustainable development and stakeholder theory, Part II then examines internal stakeholders, including owners, managers, employees and trade unions. Part III examines external stakeholders, touching upon those directly related to the mining industry, such as customers and mining enterprises, and those not directly associated such as local and regional communities and environmental organisations. The book concludes by proposing a model approach to the management of stakeholders involved in mining enterprises, focusing on improving the process of implementing sustainable development in the mining sector and strengthening the effects of this process. This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of the extractive industries, natural resource management and policy and sustainable development.

Gives a systematic comprehensive examination of all aspects of the shotcrete process (only book to do so) Provides an authoritative authorship from both industry and research Combines concrete technology with practical aspects of the shotcrete placement method Illustrates subject matter with case studies

Covering all major arthropods of medical importance worldwide, this award-winning resource has established itself as a standard reference for almost 25 years. With the globilization of commerce and the world becoming more intimately connected through the everyday ease of travel, unknown arthropod species are being increasingly encountered. This means access to up-to-date, authoritative information in medical entomology has never been more important. Now in its seventh edition, this book maintains its well-acclaimed status as the ultimate easy-to-use guide to identify disease-carrying arthropods, the common signs and symptoms of vector-borne diseases, and the current recommended procedures for treatment. Includes an in-depth chapter with diagnostic aids to help physicians to recognize and accurately diagnose arthropod-related diseases and conditions more easily Updates all chapters with the latest medical and scientific findings, including Zika virus, red meat allergy, new viruses found in ticks, and vaccine development for malaria and dengue fever Presents a greater medical parasitology emphasis throughout Offers electronic downloads containing additional photographs of arthropod-caused diseases and lesions, as well as instructional videos with pest identification aids, basic entomology, and insect and pest ecology. Illustrated throughout with detailed color images to aid identification, The Goddard Guide to Arthropods of Medical Importance, Seventh Edition will remain an essential guide for physicians, public health officials, and pest control professionals.

1.Provides detailed information about two healthy substitutes for cereal crops 2.Explains the importance of utilizing ancient crops as new era Superfoods 3.Promotes the concept of utilizing food crops as nutraceuticals by discussing physical, chemical and physiological characteristics of Chia and Quinoa 4.Describes the importance of using Chia and Quinoa to help as functional foods

This is the first book to place continuous improvement at the heart of construction cost management Covers theoretical background, before presenting real practical tools to improve construction costs Includes international case studies