Plant Breeding Reviews presents state-of-the-art reviews on plant breeding and genetics covering horticultural, agronomic and forestry crops, incorporating both traditional and molecular methods. The contributions are authored by world authorities, anonymously reviewed, and edited by Professor Jules Janick of Perdue University, USA. The series is an indispensible resource for crop breeders, plant scientists, and teachers involved in crop improvement and genetic resources. Initiated in 1983, Plant Breeding Reviews is published in the form of one or two volumes per year. Recently published articles include: Epigenetics and Plant Breeding (v30) Enhancing Crop Gene Pools with Beneficial Traits Using Wild Relatives (v30) Coffee Germplasm Resources, Genomics and Breeding (v30) Molecular Genetics and Breeding for Fatty Acid Manipulation in Soybean (v30) Breeding Southern Highbush Blueberries (v30) Development of Fire Blight Resistance by Recombinant DNA Technology (v29)
The global changes warranted fastness in food production system and fast foods. In tune with demand, crop production also oriented accordingly. However, the proverb 'Health is a Wealth' is reminded us to keep vigil on system and method of food production and food safety. The ill-effect of conventional chemical based farming well documented and public realized the importance organically produced food and efforts are being made to popularize the organic production. India is a "Land of Spices", each state or union territory in India cultivates one or other spice. Since spices form a part of many medicines the demand for organically produced spices is increasing considerably. Assuming a market growth of 10% in Europe, USA and Japan for organic spice products the world demand for organic spices may grow to 57000 tonnes in the next 10 yeaLarge scale use of high analysis fertilizers and pesticides result environmental hazards and imbalances in soil nutrients. Since spices are high valued and export oriented in nature it is imperative to keep the levels of pesticide residues below tolerance limits in view of the standards set by the importing countries. Hence the book on "Organic Spices" is timely and covers all aspects of organic spice production. The topic includes historical spice trade and importance of spices in food chain. Brief account on organic agriculture movement in the world and its present status and opportunity for organic spices in the world market are given. The chemistry and different methods of composting are included in the organic manures chapter will be informative. Microbes play a greater role in agriculture, a separate chapter devoted on microbes and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria would definitely enrich the readeNot only that, the topics on biological control of insect pests, nematodes, fungus and bacteria of spices highlighted in separate chapters would be of interest in organic production system. The importance, composition, uses, botany and varieties, organic way of production of spices like black pepper, cardamom, ginger, turmeric, chillies and paprika, nutmeg, vanilla, seed spices like cumin, fennel, fenugreek, coriander and their harvest and post harvest processing are enumerated. The chapters on good agricultural practices (GAP) and organic certification procedures outlined for adoption. This would serve as a reference book for researchers, teachers and students besides farmers, traders and consumers.
Plant growth regulators or plant bio-regulators have emerged as a powerful tool for improving the performance of horticultural crops in general and fruit crops in particular. This book provided recent information on role of plant hormones, how their concentrations are regulated, and how they modulate the various plant processes. ‘Plant Growth Regulators in Tropical, Sub-tropical Fruit Crops’ is a comprehensive book covering function of plant growth regulators in propagation including micro-propagation, growth, flowering and fruiting behaviour, yield, quality, shelf life and stress management etc. This book has 26 chapters covering most of the tropical and sub-tropical fruit crops like aonla, avocado, banana, ber, citrus, custard apple, date palm, fig, grape, guava, jamun, kokam, litchi, mango, mulberry, papaya, passion fruit, sapota, phalsa, pomegranate and strawberry. Note: T&F does not sell or distribute the Hardback in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
This work comprehensively covers the production, processing and post harvest technology of Indian spices with an added focus on the history and uniqueness of this legendary regional product. Individual chapters describe the unique aspects of these spices and their production, post harvest technology and value addition, molecular breeding, organic farming aspects, climate change effects and bioactive compounds. Seasonal, preparatory, and storage conditions resulting in composition variations are explored. Indian Spices: The Legacy, Production and Processing of India’s Treasured Export begins by outlining the historical legacy of Indian spices and describing the many aspects that make this product so unique and highly valued. The abundance and variety of these spices are also delineated. Further chapters focus on current research involving the production technology involved in production, management, harvesting and processing of Indian spices along with post harvest processes, storage and transportation. Important and effective trends such as molecular breeding for spice crop improvement, tissue culture, climate change impacts, organic spices, extension strategies and secondary metabolites receive dedicated chapters. A valuable aspect of this work is the presentation of value chains for these spices, with extensive research presented on the marketing and export of the product. With the shift from localized distribution networks to a fully globalized industry, this book comes at an important time of growth for Indian spices and will be of major value to any researcher with interest in the past, present and future of this product.
Continued population growth, rapidly changing consumption patterns and the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation are driving limited resources of food, energy, water and materials towards critical thresholds worldwide. These pressures are likely to be substantial across Africa, where countries will have to find innovative ways to boost crop and livestock production to avoid becoming more reliant on imports and food aid. Sustainable agricultural intensification - producing more output from the same area of land while reducing the negative environmental impacts - represents a solution for millions of African farmers. This volume presents the lessons learned from 40 sustainable agricultural intensification programmes in 20 countries across Africa, commissioned as part of the UK Government's Foresight project. Through detailed case studies, the authors of each chapter examine how to develop productive and sustainable agricultural systems and how to scale up these systems to reach many more millions of people in the future. Themes covered include crop improvements, agroforestry and soil conservation, conservation agriculture, integrated pest management, horticulture, livestock and fodder crops, aquaculture, and novel policies and partnerships.
