This book is the third in a series of volumes on major tropical and sub-tropical crops. These books aim to review the current state of the art in management of the total spectrum of pests and diseases which affect these crops in each major growing area using a multi-disciplinary approach. Soybean is economically the most important legume in the world. It is nutritious and easily digested, and is one of the richest and cheapest sources of protein. It is currently vital for the sustenance of many people and it will play an integral role in any future attempts to relieve world hunger. Soybean seed contains about 17% of oil and about 63% of meal, half of which is protein. Modern research has developed a variety of uses for soybean oil. It is processed into margarine, shortening, mayonnaise, salad creams and vegetarian cheeses. Industrially it is used in resins, plastics, paints, adhesives, fertilisers, sizing for cloth, linoleum backing, fire extinguishing materials, printing inks and a variety of other products. Soybean meal is a high-protein meat substitute and is used in the developed countries in many processed foods, including baby foods, but mainly as a feed for livestock. Soybean (Glycine max), which evolved from Glycine ussuriensis, a wild legume native to northern China, has been known and used in China since the eleventh century Be. It was introduced into Europe in the eighteenth century and into the United States in 1804 as an ornamental garden plant in Philadelphia.

The four-day international Conference on Pest Management in Rice, which is the subject of this volume, was the third in an ongoing series of meetings on tropical crops organised by the Pesticides Group of the Society of Chemical Industry, London. The participants came from both the public and private sectors and from many different countries. All the major groups of pests-weeds, microorganisms, arthropods and rodents-were considered, as the organisers believe that it is necessary to address the total pest management problems in each particular growing area, and the variety of the papers indicates the importance of a multi disciplinary approach to their solution. Rice is one of the most important world crops and is the major source of food for around 60% of the world's population, with a world production of 500 million tonnes from 150 million hectares of land. Since world stocks amount to only two months supply, many people are at risk from famine. Moreover, it has been esti mated that the world requirement in 2020 will be about 760 million tonnes, an increase of 50%. This pressure of population on food makes efficient pest management vital and is the reason for bringing together experts from all over the world to this major conference."