Integrating New Technologies for Striga Control
Integrating New Technologies for Striga Control

Author: Gebisa Ejeta

Publisher: World Scientific

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 356

ISBN-13: 9812707085

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Witchweeds (Striga species) decimate agriculture in much of Africa and parts of Asia, attacking the major cereal grains and legumes, and halving the already very low yields of subsistence farmers. Several years of research have provided promising technologies, based on the fundamental biology of the parasite?host associations, for dealing with this scourge. However, there is an apparent realization that these technologies will fail because highly successful weeds such as Striga evolve resistance to all types of controls unless proven methods are integrated with each other for a more sustainable solution.Integration is often an anathema to basic scientists who typically deal with single variables and solutions. However, key leaders in the development of the new knowledge-based control strategies, already in the field and under development, recently joined forces to develop strategies and projects in order to integrate the technologies in a symposium in Ethiopia in November 2006. The encouraging results are described in this peer-reviewed book, authored by leaders in the field who have been supplying the basic biology, genetics, biochemistry, and molecular information that have offered insights and generated technologies in how to deal with Striga.

Weed Biology and Management
Weed Biology and Management

Author: Inderjit

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-11-11

Total Pages: 550

ISBN-13: 9401705526

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Weeds hold an enigmatic and sometimes-controversial place in agriculture, where they are generally reviled, grudgingly tolerated, and occasionally admired. In most cases, growers make considerable effort to reduce the negative economic impact of weeds because they compete with crops for resources and hinder field operations, thereby affecting crop productivity and quality, and ultimately the sustainability of agriculture. Weed control in production agriculture is commonly achieved through the integration of chemical, biological, and mechanical management methods. Chemicals (herbicides) usually inhibit the growth and establishment of weed plants by interfering with various physiological and biochemical pathways. Biological methods include crop competition, smother crops, rotation crops, and allelopathy, as well as specific insect predators and plant pathogens. Mechanical methods encompass an array of tools from short handled hoes to sophisticated video-guided robotic machines. Integrating these technologies, in order to relieve the negative impacts of weeds on crop production in a way that allows growers to optimize profits and preserve human health and the environment, is the science of weed management.

Parasitic Orobanchaceae
Parasitic Orobanchaceae

Author: Daniel M. Joel

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-07-01

Total Pages: 519

ISBN-13: 3642381464

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This book was written in response to significant recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of parasitism in the Orobanchaceae, and breakthroughs in the control of the parasitic weeds Striga and Orobanche. It consists of 26 contributions by internationally recognized leading scientists. The main book chapters are grouped into two parts: · Part I – The Orobanchaceae and Their Parasitic Mechanisms · Part II – The Weedy Orobanchaceae and Their Control The first part provides cutting-edge information on all key aspects of plant parasitism, such as the structure, development and function of the haustorium; nutrient transfer and the physiology of the parasite-host association; host reaction to parasitic plants; seed production and germination; the strigolactones and host-parasite signaling mechanisms; the parasite genome, phylogenetics, evolution and epigenetics; and ecology. Topics of the second part include: the problem posed by the weedy parasites; population diversity and dynamics; molecular diagnosis of seed banks; and detailed discussion of the various management strategies, including agronomic, chemical and biotechnological approaches, as well as host breeding for resistance, allelopathy and biological control. This book is intended for plant scientists, university lecturers and students, agronomists and weed specialists, breeders and farmers, extension personnel and experts in tropical and subtropical agriculture.

Strigolactones - Biology and Applications
Strigolactones - Biology and Applications

Author: Hinanit Koltai

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2019-04-02

Total Pages: 207

ISBN-13: 3030121534

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This book describes the exciting biology and chemistry of strigolactones. Outgrowth of shoot branches? Development of lateral roots? Interactions with beneficial microorganisms? Avoiding parasitic plants? Responding to drought conditions? These important “decisions” that plants make are all regulated by a group of hormones called strigolactones. The latest research has yielded a number of new biological concepts, such as a redefinition of plant hormones and their crosstalk, new functional diversity of receptors, hormonal “smoke and mirrors,” core signaling pathways, and even phloem transport of receptor proteins. Another important aspect of strigolactones is the related synthetic chemistry, which could pave the way for a variety of potential applications in agriculture and medicine. The book explains in detail the role that strigolactones play in plant development, and addresses the interaction of plants with soil biota and abiotic stress conditions, prospects of strigolactone biochemistry and evolution, and chemical synthesis of natural strigolactones and analogs, together with their potential applications. Including a glossary and end-of-chapter synopses to aid in comprehension, it offers a valuable asset for teachers, lecturers and (post-) graduate students in biology, agronomy and related areas..

Biological Control of Tropical Weeds Using Arthropods
Biological Control of Tropical Weeds Using Arthropods

Author: Rangaswamy Muniappan

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2009-03-05

Total Pages: 509

ISBN-13: 0521877911

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This book discusses the biological control of weeds using arthropods, providing ecological management models for use across the tropical world.

Food Crop Production by Smallholder Farmers in Southern Africa
Food Crop Production by Smallholder Farmers in Southern Africa

Author: Ambayeba Muimba-Kankolongo

Publisher: Academic Press

Published: 2018-02-07

Total Pages: 384

ISBN-13: 0128143843

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Food Crop Production by Smallholder Farmers in Southern Africa: Challenges and Opportunities for Improvement evaluates traditional cultivation practices used by smallholder farmers, providing a synthesis of the latest information on increasing crop yield through adoption of research innovations. The book catalogs smallholder cultivation practices and recommends innovative strategies for improving the agriculture sector including: management practices that reduce net carbon emissions; technologies that improve soil structures and conserve the natural resources base; means of empowering female resources along value chains; and government commitment to adopt policies that enhance agriculture productivity by encouraging farmers to use environmentally sound cultivation technologies. Traditional farming techniques often produce negative impacts on the environment and ecosystem resulting in outbreaks of diseases and pests. In addition to the region's recurrent droughts, these outbreaks of numerous diseases and pests, weeds and other invasive plants put thousands at risk of poverty and hunger, as well as malnutrition. This book presents enhanced agricultural production technologies for ensuring adequate food production, safety and nutritional quality for the population of Southern Africa and forms the basis for an increased SADC regional effort in food production through which financial and trade institutions can improve stakeholder capacities, encourage micro-enterprise development and enhance employment and regional trade. - Provides a critical synthesis of data and information for increasing crop yield through adoption of research innovations - Evaluates traditional and scientific interventions that address food security issues of the poor farmers in the region - Presents agro-ecologies of countries in the region and how they relate to various cultivation practices - Catalogs smallholder cultivation practices and recommends innovative strategies for improving the agriculture sector

Biotic Stress Resistance in Millets
Biotic Stress Resistance in Millets

Author: I. K. Das

Publisher: Academic Press

Published: 2016-08-03

Total Pages: 247

ISBN-13: 0128045809

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Biotic Stress Resistance in Millets presents an important guide to the disease and pest-related challenges of this vital food crop. Biotic stresses are one of the major constraints for millet production, but newly emerging and forward-thinking problems with disease and insect pests are likely to increase as a result of changing weather, making this an imperative book on best practices. Current strategies are mainly through the development of resistant cultivars, as the use of chemicals is cost-prohibitive to many of those producing millet in developing countries where it is of most value as a food source. This book explores non-chemical focused options for improving plant resistance and protecting crop yield. This single-volume reference will be important for researchers, teachers and students in the disciplines of Agricultural Entomology, Plant protection, Resistance Plant Breeding and Biotechnological pest management. Establishes basic concepts of host resistance providing foundational insight Synthesizes past biotic stress resistance research with the latest findings to orient research for future strategies for plant protection Focuses exclusively on host plant resistance on all major diseases and pests of millets Presents data and strategies that are globally applicable as millets gain importance as a health food

Parasitic flowering plants
Parasitic flowering plants

Author: Henning Heide-Jørgensen

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2008-07-31

Total Pages: 453

ISBN-13: 9047433599

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Parasitic flowering plants are strikingly impressive and beautiful and hold many surprises of both general and scientific interest. Parasites also have great influence on the quality of human life when attacking crop plants. Some parasites have since early times appealed to our imagination and have been part of religious or folkloristic events and used as gifts to royalties. This beautifully illustrated book covers all parasitic families and most of the genera. It also discusses the establishment of the parasite, the structure and function of the nutrient absorption organ (haustorium), and how the parasites are pollinated and dispersed as well as their ecology, hosts, and evolution. The book is written in a mostly non-technical language and is provided with a glossary and explanatory boxes. For additional information about this book, including some sample photographs, as well as a list of corrections that have been incorporated in the 2011 reprint, please visit the author's web site. Parasitic Flowering Plants was nominated by The Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries for the 2010 Annual Award for a Significant Work in Botanical or Horticular Literature, in the category ‘Technical Interest’. More information.

Natural Enemies
Natural Enemies

Author: Ann E. Hajek

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2004-02-12

Total Pages: 396

ISBN-13: 9780521653855

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