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      • Trusted Partner
        Agricultural science
        December 2005

        Valuing Crop Biodiversity

        On-Farm Genetic Resources and Economic Change

        by Edited by Melinda Smale

        This book examines the challenges faced by farmers trying to maintain crop biodiversity in developing and transitional economies. Using a collection of empirical case studies of farmers and crop scientists across a range of agricultural economies and income levels, it presents economic tools and methods for valuing and managing crop biodiversity. It discusses the economic benefits of crop biodiversity for farmers and suggests ways in which crop biodiversity can be supported by national policies. The book provides an indispensable 'tool kit' for all those concerned with the development of strategies to facilitate sustainable management and conservation of crop genetic diversity for future generations.

      • Trusted Partner
        Agricultural science
        December 2004

        Flower Seeds

        Biology and Technology

        by Edited by Miller B McDonald, Francis Y Kwong, Frans Bongers, Marc P E Parren, Dossahua Traoré

        The floral industry represents a significant proportion of agricultural income in several developed countries, particularly the USA, the Netherlands and Japan. Hitherto the sheer diversity of flower seeds, in their form, function and biology, has hindered the production of a comprehensive treatment of the topic. This book provides a unique and much-needed resource of information on the biology and technology of flower seeds. It presents in-depth information on the history and evolution of the ornamental and wild flower seed industries followed by recommendations for successful breed and production programs. A comprehensive coverage of the biology of flower seeds is considered as well as appropriate technologies associated with germination, vigor and viability testing. In this volume, the first of its kind, international authorities from academia and industry have been brought together to provide a comprehensive reference resource for both practitioners and students of seed science and technology and of ornamental horticulture.

      • Trusted Partner
        Agricultural science
        November 2003

        Poisonous Plants and Related Toxins

        by Edited by Thomas Acamovic, Colin S Stewart, Tom W Pennycott

        This book presents refereed and edited papers from the 6th International Symposium on Poisonous Plants, held in Scotland in August 2001. It covers a range of topics from plant biochemistry to toxic effects in animals (particularly grazing farmed animals) and humans. The contents include the evolution of antinutrients and toxins in plants, biomedical applications of toxins in plants, isolation, identification and effects of plant and fungal toxins and the effect of plant toxins on aversion to plants in animal diets.

      • Trusted Partner
        Agricultural science
        October 2003

        Biology of Seeds

        Recent Research Advances

        by Edited by Gregorio Nicolas, Kent J Bradford, Daniel Come, Hugh W Pritchard

        This book presents edited and revised papers from the seventh International Workshop on Seeds, held in Salamanca, Spain, in May 2002. The key topics addressed include seed development, germination and dormancy, as well as desiccation, seed ecology and seed biotechnology.

      • Trusted Partner
        Agricultural science
        January 2003

        Seeds of Concern

        The Genetic Manipulation of Plants

        by David R Murray

        This book makes a significant contribution to the debate about the applications and implications of gene technology from the perspective of a plant biologist. It is written in an accessible way and therefore will be appropriate for non-specialists and the more general reader, as well as students and others in plant breeding and biotechnology. The author is a well-known Australian botanist, who has written or edited several previous books on both academic and popular topics in plant science. In this book he addresses questions such as:How are genetically modified plants producedWhich breeding goals are worthwhile?Can the escape of transferred genes be controlled?Who is monitoring the unexpected effects of gene transfer?Will GM plants ever be acceptable to organic growers?

      • Trusted Partner
        Agricultural science
        May 2010

        Climate Change and Crop Production

        by E Barrett-Lennard, H Braun, Jose Crossa, Peter Hobbs, David Hodson, Andy Jarvis, Peter Langridge, Anne Legrève, David Lobell, Mark Mazzola, Ivan Ortiz-Monasterio, Martin A J Parry, Daniel Mullan. Edited by Matthew P Reynolds.

        Current trends in population growth suggest that global food production is unlikely to satisfy future demand under predicted climate change scenarios unless rates of crop improvement are accelerated. In order to maintain food security in the face of these challenges, a holistic approach that includes stress-tolerant germplasm, sustainable crop and natural resource management, and sound policy interventions will be needed. The first volume in the CABI Climate Change Series, this book provides an overview of the essential disciplines required for sustainable crop production in unpredictable environments. Chapters include discussions of adapting to biotic and abiotic stresses, sustainable and resource-conserving technologies and new tools for enhancing crop adaptation. Examples of successful applications as well as future prospects of how each discipline can be expected to evolve over the next 30 years are also presented. Laying out the basic concepts needed to adapt to and mitigate changes in crop environments, this is an essential resource for researchers and students in crop and environmental science as well as policy makers.

      • Trusted Partner
        Agricultural science
        August 2002

        Rice Almanac

        by G P Hettel, Jay L Maclean, D C Dawe, Bill Hardy

        As a result of editions published in 1993 and 1997, the Rice Almanac has become a standard handbook that brings together general information about rice and data about rice production worldwide. The third edition has been fully updated and expanded to include more countries, and is the result of collaboration between the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), West Africa Rice Development Association (WARDA), Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United States.

      • Trusted Partner
        Agricultural science
        July 2002

        Global Rangelands

        Progress and Prospects

        by Anthony C Grice, Ken C Hodgkinson

        Although traditionally defined as areas where natural vegetation is exploited for grazing by domestic and native herbivores, rangelands are used by many different people, for a host of purposes. As well as livestock products, rangelands provide fuels, minerals and water and are used for ecotourism, recreation, nature conservation and as carbon sinks. More than half of the earth's land surface is rangeland and millions of people, both within and outside the rangelands, depend on them. This book addresses the important issues confronting the rangelands and presents new concepts and approaches for the management of rangeland resources. It is relevant to the people who live in or depend on the rangelands, and to the institutions and organisations that support them.

      • Trusted Partner
        Agricultural science
        May 2002

        Desiccation and Survival in Plants

        Drying without Dying

        by Michael J Black, Hugh W Pritchard

        In the past twenty years there has been a revolution in plant sciences, as new methods of molecular biology and biophysics have been applied to investigate environmental stress, particularly desiccation tolerance. Today, there is a good level of understanding of how plant cells cope with extreme water stress. This book is divided into four sections, dealing with 1) the technical background to desiccation tolerance studies; 2) the frequency and levels of dehydration stress tolerance in biological systems; 3) mechanisms of damage and tolerance, and 4) a brief prospect and retrospect. It covers orthodox and recalcitrant seeds, pollen and spores, vegetative parts, and other plant tissues.

      • Trusted Partner
        Agricultural science
        April 2002

        Nitrogen Fixation

        Global Perspectives

        by Edited by Turlough M Finan, Mark R O'Brian, David B Layzell, J K Vessey, William Newton

        Whilst the actual reduction of nitrogen gas (dinitrogen) to ammonia would appear to be a well defined process, many research questions concerning nitrogen fixation remain and continue to be addressed by diverse groups of scientists. This book presents the proceedings of the 13th International Congress on Nitrogen Fixation, held in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, in July 2001. With very broad participation and a wide range of topics, it covers the most recent findings. In fifteen sections the main topics discussed include; bacterial genomics, plant genomics, development biology, signals in the soil, nodule metabolism and applied aspects of nitrogen fixation.

      • Trusted Partner
        Agricultural science
        July 2001

        Nitrogen Fixation in Tropical Cropping Systems

        by Ken E Giller

        Nitrogen fixation by leguminous plants is especially important when farmers are trying to minimise fertilizer use for cost or environmental reasons. This second edition of the highly successful book, first published in 1991, contains thoroughly updated and revised material on the theory and practice of nitrogen fixation in tropical cropping systems.

      • Trusted Partner
        Agricultural science
        January 2001

        Broadening the Genetic Base of Crop Production

        by Edited by H D Cooper, Toby Hodgkin, Charlie Spillane

        This book focuses on the previously neglected interface between the conservation of plant genetic resources and their utilization. Only through utilization can the potential value of conserved genetic resources be realised. However, as this book shows, much conserved germplasm has to be subjected to long-term pre-breeding and genetic enhancement before it can be used in plant breeding programmes.The authors explore the rationale and approaches for such pre-breeding efforts as the basis for broadening the genetic bases of crop production. Examples from a range of major food crops are presented and issues analysed by leading authorities from around the world.

      • Trusted Partner
        Agricultural science
        October 2000

        Nutrient Elements in Grassland

        Soil–Plant–Animal Relationships

        by David C Whitehead

        This book is an essential reference source covering the chemical elements that are nutrients for plants or grazing animals. It deals with the concentrations and transformations of these elements in soils, grassland plants, and ruminant animals, particularly cattle and sheep. For each element, the following data are given: forms occurring in soil, factors that affect availability and concentration, uptake and distribution in grassland plants, role in animal nutrition, amounts and forms excreted by grazing animals, and concentrations needed by ruminant animals.

      • Trusted Partner
        Agricultural science
        July 2000

        Dormancy in Plants

        by Edited by Jean D Viemont, Jacques Crabbé

        Developed from papers presented at the 2nd International Symposium on Plant Dormancy held in Angers in July 1999, this books contains up to date research on this fascinating but little written about subject. It covers topics including whole plant and organ physiology, water relations and stress, abscisic acid and hormonal control, biochemical and cellular aspects and genetics and molecular biology.

      • Trusted Partner
        Agricultural science
        November 1999

        Livestock, Ethics and Quality of Life

        by Edited by John Hodges, In K Han

        The science of animal production has recently become headline news. The cloning of sheep, the use of pig xenotransplants and bovine somatotrophin, as well as mad-cow disease, are all examples of how livestock production is related to food safety, human health, ethics and quality of life. The relationship between intensive developed-world animal production and third world development also raises ethical issues. These are just some of the topics addressed in this book, which has its origin in a special symposium held at the VIII World Congress on Animal Production held in June 1998 in Korea. Additional chapters have been specially commissioned for inclusion in the book.

      • Trusted Partner
        Agricultural science
        July 2012

        Farm Incomes, Wealth and Agricultural Policy

        Filling the CAP's Core Information Gap

        by Berkeley Hill

        The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has been supporting the incomes of the European Union's agricultural community for half a century. Despite this, there is still no official system in place to track the economic wellbeing of farmers and their families. This book examines the evidence on the overall wealth of farming households, and concludes that in nearly all member states, they are not generally a poor sector of society, with disposable incomes that are similar to, or exceed, the national average. In this updated edition, the author discusses the latest evidence, makes recommendations for gathering better information, and considers the implications for the CAP as we enter the second decade of the 21st century.

      • Trusted Partner
        Agricultural science
        March 2011

        Farm Animal Behaviour

        Characteristics for Assessment of Health and Welfare

        by Ingvar Ekesbo

        Animal behaviour is the basis for ascertaining their welfare and is a topic of ever growing importance. This textbook is organised into three sections covering all major farm animals of the world, both mainstream and specialist: large farm animal species (horses, cattle, swine, sheep and goats), poultry and farmed birds and non-domesticated animals such as deer. Each chapter describes the elements of behaviour of a particular species in a clear and uniform format. Background to domestication, innate and learnt behaviour, social behaviour, mating behaviour, activity patterns, senses, behaviour in the young animal, vision and hearing are all covered for each species. Understanding of ethological knowledge is both a necessary aid for getting correct diagnoses, but also for the assessment of health and welfare in the single animal or a group of animals, making the book valuable for veterinary practitioners as well as students at university and tertiary level.

      • Trusted Partner
        Agricultural science
        October 2010

        Experimental Statistics for Agriculture and Horticulture

        by Clive Ireland

        Providing practical training supported by a sound theoretical basis, this textbook introduces students to the principles of investigation by experiment and the role of statistics in analysis. It draws on the author’s extensive teaching experience and is illustrated with fully worked contextualized examples throughout, helping the reader to correctly design their own experiments and identify the most appropriate technique for analysis. Subjects covered include sampling and determining sample reliability, hypothesis testing, relationships between variables, the role and use of computer packages such as Genstat, and more complex experimental designs such as randomized blocks and split plots.

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