Potato is very sensitive to water and nitrogen applied during growth, affecting its profitability and impact on the environment. Recent scientific and technical breakthroughs enable us to make best use of water and nitrogen. This book shows how scientific knowledge works in practice, now and well into the new millennium. This systematic and comprehensive book on crop, soil and water technologies will assist producers to achieve optimal production with maximum benefit to themselves and to the environment. Crucial questions, such as: - Which sampling techniques of plants and soil are available and which should I use? - What do the data gathered mean and how do they assist me in water and nitrogen application? - Which decision support systems exist for rain-fed, irrigated, precision or organic farming? are answered. The book updates and interprets knowledge in a simple, easily understandable way. It is intended for farmers, farmers' consultants, researchers and decision makers and is also recommended for students in soil science and agronomy.
Potatoes are a crucial food crop around the world, grown in nearly 150 countries. The Handbook of Potato Production, Improvement, and Postharvest Management compiles everything you need to know about potato crop production in one well-organized reference. Leading international authorities clearly discuss the biology, genetics, breeding, diseases, and effective approaches for improvement of crop and handling after harvest. This one-of-a-kind text explores, from interdisciplinary perspectives, every aspect of potato crop management from seed germination to end use while presenting the most current research available.
In the past 15-20 years major discoveries have been concluded on potato biology and biotechnology. Important new tools have been developed in the area of molecular genetics, and our understanding of potato physiology has been revolutionized due to amenability of the potato to genetic transformation. This technology has impacted our understanding of the molecular basis of plant-pathogen interaction and has also opened new opportunities for the use of the potato in a variety of non-food biotechnological purposes. This book covers the potato world market as it expands further into the new millennium. Authors stress the overriding need for stable yields to eliminate human hunger and poverty, while considering solutions to enhance global production and distribution. It comprehensively describes genetics and genetic resources, plant growth and development, response to the environment, tuber quality, pests and diseases, biotechnology and crop management. Potato Biology is the most valuable reference available for all professionals involved in the potato industry, plant biologists and agronomists. - Offers an understanding of the social, economic and market factors that influence production and distribution - Discusses developments and useful traits in transgenic biology and genetic engineering - The first reference entirely devoted to understanding new advances in potato biology and biotechnology
Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is grown in over 100 countries throughout the world. As a staple food, potato is the fourth most important crop after rice, wheat, and maize, and has historically contributed to food and nutrition security in the world. Global interest in potato increased recently as world food prices soared, threatening the global food security and stability. Unlike major cereals, potato is not a globally traded commodity, and prices are usually determined by local production costs. Thus, potato is increasingly regarded as a vital food-security crop and as a substitute for costly cereal imports. With such importance, the 29 chapters in the edited book address the issues of sustainable potato production. This book begins with an introduction on sustainable potato production and global food security, and then presents eight case studies selected globally and covering different issues relevant to sustainable potato production in both developed and developing countries.
Models of crop growth and development were conceived originally for scientific purposes. Typically, they describe the mechanisms of crop production, development from emergence through tuber initiation to senescence determined by temperature and day-length. Growth is driven by solar radiation intercepted by the foliage. Yields are enhanced by the availability of water and nutrients and may be reduced by pests, diseases and weeds. The scientific models describing the processes involved are leaving the research institutes and increasingly are becoming a means of knowledge transfer for students, and most importantly, to growers and their intermediaries such as extensionists and consultants. Many decision support systems (DSS) have a mechanistic model core that assures their robustness and reliability. This book gives an overview of model-based DSS in potato production. Decision support systems are used by the processing industry to guide them to promising production areas and by breeders to identify the ideal genotype for such environments. Consultants and soil laboratories use them as well as farmers to optimize the use of nitrogen, water and chemicals to control insects, nematodes, late blight and weeds. The systems, making use of models and sensing techniques, improve yield and quality while allowing their users to improve the efficiency of use of resources, thus generating positive effects for profits and for the environment. The book also gives examples of new introductions of DSS and farmers responses. The book is intended for researchers wanting to bring their models to practice, students to learn bout DSS, intermediaries and growers to improve the performance of the potato industry or of other commodities for which potato serves as an example.
This comprehensive guide to potato production systems management contains 20 chapters and more than 350 color photographs. Beginning with the history of potato culture, it spans all aspects of potato production, pest and planting management, storage, and marketing. Written by a team of over 35 scientists from North America, this book offers updated research-based information and serves as a unique, valuable tool for researchers, extension specialists, students, and farm managers. More than a description of principles, it contains practical analytical tools, charts, and methods to create guidelines for best production practices and cost estimates. Some key areas include: Potato Growth and Development, Potato Variety Selection and Management, Seed and Planting Management, Seed Production and Certification, Field Selection, Crop Rotation, and Soil Management, Integrated Pest Management for Potatoes, Potato Nutrient Management, Irrigation Management, Tuber Quality, Economics and Marketing, Production Costs, among others. Potato Production Systems should be a valuable reference for successful culture of the "noble tuber."
The first edition of Potato Health Management is the best-selling title in the APS PRESS Plant Health Management Series, with more than 7,000 copies sold. Pest and pathogen populations have changed since the first edition was printed and a significant amount of new research knowledge has been gained. This second edition addresses those changes and contains up-to-date information recently acquired to help you economically manage potato health. This highly-anticipated manual tackles the hundreds of problems that affect this important crop including weeds, insects, nematodes, fungi, bacteria, phytoplasmas, and viruses. The new edition is 30% larger than the first and contains more color photographs, which are now interspersed throughout the text. It includes timely new chapters on economics, home gardening, and organic production. More than 40 experts from the fields of soil science, weed science, nematology, plant pathology, and entomology explain how to manage potato health from seed to storage by a holistic approach. The book provides the most current information on potato production practices, with an emphasis on pest and disease management. The knowledge base provided in this text can be integrated into a comprehensive management scheme in the context of today's agriculture. Using this manual's integrated strategy for potato health management will help you produce a quality product at a reasonable profit, using an environmentally friendly approach. Potato Health Management, Second Edition is easy to read and understand. Call-outs of important concepts give quick information to supplement the more-in-depth level of peer-reviewed information. Nearly every chapter includes a boxed briefing on an important concept, helpful test, diagnostic tip, or checklist, adding to your practical understanding of potato health management strategies. The information in each of the book's 23 chapters is essential to a successful, holistically managed potato health management program. Cutting edge discussions and details on soil health, managing tubers during harvest and in storage, organic potato production, pesticide resistance management, pesticide application, management of diseases, insects and weeds affecting potato will enlighten commercial potato growers, field consultants and farm advisors, extension specialists, agriculture students, researchers and agribusiness professionals in all aspects of the potato industry. The 42 contributing experts are from the leading potato research facilities in the United States and Canada, but the information in the handbook will provide valuable practical assistance to potato professionals outside of North America as well. - Publisher.
Potato is very sensitive to water and nitrogen applied during growth, affecting its profitability and impact on the environment. Recent scientific and technical breakthroughs enable us to make best use of water and nitrogen. This book shows how scientific knowledge works in practice, now and well into the new millennium. This systematic and comprehensive book on crop, soil and water technologies will assist producers to achieve optimal production with maximum benefit to themselves and to the environment. Crucial questions, such as: - Which sampling techniques of plants and soil are available and which should I use? - What do the data gathered mean and how do they assist me in water and nitrogen application? - Which decision support systems exist for rain-fed, irrigated, precision or organic farming? are answered. The book updates and interprets knowledge in a simple, easily understandable way. It is intended for farmers, farmers' consultants, researchers and decision makers and is also recommended for students in soil science and agronomy.
Potato Physiology provides perspective and knowledge on the biological behavior and potentials of the potato plant. Organized into 15 chapters, this book focuses on tuber development physiology, biochemistry, and anatomy. This text also covers topics on physiological and biochemical aspects of photosynthesis, photoassimilate partitioning, respiration, tuberization, as well as carbohydrate and protein metabolisms. It elucidates potato's rest period, the stage when growth is inhibited as a result of endogenous causes, and the tubers' disorders, environmental responses, frost hardiness, and tissue culture. This text provides a worldwide perspective and is organized and presented to be useful to graduate students, teachers, and potato investigators.
Potatoes are a staple crop around the world. Covering all aspects of botany, production and uses, this book presents a comprehensive discussion of the most important topics for potato researchers and professionals. It assesses the latest research on plant growth such as tuber development, water use and seed production, covers all aspects of pest management and reviews postharvest issues such as storage, global markets, and of course, nutritional value and flavour.
