Vegetable Production and Practices

Vegetable Production and Practices

Author: Gregory E Welbaum

Publisher: CABI

Published: 2015-01-30

Total Pages: 488

ISBN-13: 1780645341

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Successful vegetable production in a modern competitive market requires an understanding of many more factors than the biology of crops and the production techniques involved. This major new textbook brings the science and practice of vegetable production right up to date by addressing modern culture techniques and the recent challenges of consumer demand facing producers today. It introduces vegetable production from the perspective of producing high quality produce that satisfies the needs of the modern consumer. Beginning with the basics of how vegetables are grown using high and low input methods, including organic and sustainable production techniques, the book goes on to introduce and discuss many topics covered less comprehensively in older texts, including Good Agricultural Practices to improve quality, reduce biological contamination and secure food safety; water management; cropping systems; plasticulture; protected culture and mineral nutrition. Vegetable Production and Practices also introduces the use of molecular biology for genetic improvement of crops. Issues specific to individual vegetable crops are addressed by family, including their diseases, harvesting, quality attributes and other issues of increasing importance to consumers, including the role of vegetables in human health. Professor Gregory E. Welbaum has a long history of teaching successful courses in horticulture at Virginia Tech and other universities in the US and worldwide. Vegetable Production Practices has been specifically designed to accompany courses in vegetable crop production, so is ideally suited to inspire students in crop and horticultural sciences, as well as provide a useful reference for experienced practitioners.


Plasticulture Engineering and Technology

Plasticulture Engineering and Technology

Author: Rohitashw Kumar

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2022-05-05

Total Pages: 459

ISBN-13: 1000559424

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The utilization of successful plasticulture engineering technology can ideally optimize crop yields and provide both economic and environmental benefits, such as reducing the need for water and fertilizer. This book discusses the myriad important aspects of crop production that utilize plastic, such as micro-irrigation, water management, plastic mulch films, protected cultivation and low tunnels, crop covers, canal linings, silage bags, and more. It also examines the latest methods for vertical farming and technological aspects, such as smart agriculture using the internet of things (IoT).The current state of the art, as well as potential future uses,ofplastics isdiscussed in addition to the benefits and limitations of plastics applications in agriculture generally. Features Illustrates application of plastic in protected cultivation, water management, aquaculture, and hi-tech horticulture using innovative technologies to enhance water use efficiency and crop productivity Presents precision farming for climate-resilient technologies Includes real-world examples to present practical insights of plastic engineering for climate change mitigation strategies. Plasticulture Engineering and Technology will serve as a useful resource for students, professionals, and researchers in agriculture and agricultural engineering, hydrology, hydraulics, water resources engineering, irrigation engineering, and environmental science.


Knott's Handbook for Vegetable Growers

Knott's Handbook for Vegetable Growers

Author: George J. Hochmuth

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2022-09-19

Total Pages: 644

ISBN-13: 1119811171

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Knott’s Handbook for Vegetable Growers Authoritative and comprehensive go-to reference work for commercial vegetable growers around the world For more than 65 years, Knott’s Handbook for Vegetable Growers has provided generations of commercial growers with the most timely, accessible, and useful information available on the subject, containing key guidance on transplant production, planting rates and spacing, irrigation, fertilization, methods for controlling diseases, and insect pest identification, plus important information on topics such as composting, post-harvest storage and processing, genetically-engineered crops, organic growing, federal regulations and best management practices, environmentally friendly pest management, and food safety. To allow for convenient and efficient access to the enormous amount of data contained within, most of the information is presented in the form of tables and charts. The work goes above and beyond to provide everything a reader needs to know on the subject, even including a multilanguage vegetable dictionary. Now in its 6th edition, the work has been significantly expanded and modernized to cover key modern advancements in the industry, such as: Computer-based crop monitoring technologies, robotic disease control and harvesting systems, and new protected-ag production systems (including vertical systems and indoor production) New production systems pertaining to protected organic agriculture, soil moisture sensing, environmental monitoring, soil health, and soil conservation New technologies, including satellite-based decision-making, robotics, and UAVs for increasing production efficiency The various advances that have been made in food safety regulations, plus coverage of new invasive pests Part Farmer’s Almanac, part encyclopedia, and part dictionary, Knott’s Handbook for Vegetable Growers serves as an invaluable asset for growers, students, and other industry professionals seeking an all-in-one reference for all of the questions they have on both holistic and specific facets of the commercial vegetable industry.


Soil Degradable Bioplastics for a Sustainable Modern Agriculture

Soil Degradable Bioplastics for a Sustainable Modern Agriculture

Author: Mario Malinconico

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2017-02-14

Total Pages: 192

ISBN-13: 3662541300

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This book shows how the use of biodegradable plastics in agriculture can have a profound positive impact on plasticulture. Starting with an organic chemistry approach to biodegradable and compostable plastics, both natural and synthetic, it then analyzes the technological and agronomic aspects of existing bioplastics for protected cultivation (mulching, direct cover, low tunnels). It describes the new sprayable biodegradable mulching method, which is based on the use of waterborne polysaccharides and cellulosic fibers. A further chapter describes the research and technology of biodegradable plastics for different agricultural practices. It also includes chapters on life cycle assessment (LCA) of biodegradable plastics for agriculture, and existing and developing standards in the field. It is a valuable resource for agronomists, chemical and materials engineers, polymer technologists and scientists, as well as for a more general readership interested in the application of green chemistry principles to the vast world of crop production. Mario Malinconico is Research Director at the Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council, Italy. /p


Sustainable Crop Protection under Protected Cultivation

Sustainable Crop Protection under Protected Cultivation

Author: P. Parvatha Reddy

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2016-01-07

Total Pages: 451

ISBN-13: 9812879528

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This book focuses on pests (insect and mite) and diseases (fungal, bacterial, viral and nematode) in protected horticulture (fruits, vegetables and ornamentals) using physical, cultural, chemical, biological, host resistance, and integrated methods. It opens with chapters describing the setting in which integrated pest and disease control operates, i.e., the greenhouse and its environment. Subsequent chapters present the basic strategies and tactics of different control methods including integrated control, with special reference to greenhouse crops. Further chapters include the different facets of biological pest and disease control – its scientific bases, its development in practice, its commercialization and quality control. The concluding chapters of the book highlight the present status of integrated pest and disease control for the most important greenhouse crops (fruits, vegetables and flower crops) worldwide. The book’s final chapter explores future challenges for researchers assigned to identify non-pesticide methods and integrate sustainable pest management technologies that can contribute to increased productivity, such as breeding for durable resistance, biological control and devising integrated methods that will have minimal adverse environmental and social impacts. Among productivity-enhancing technologies, protected cultivation has a tremendous potential to increase the yield of vegetables and flower cro ps by several fold. Pests and diseases are one of the major challenges to protected cultivation. Year-round warm temperatures and relatively high humidity together with abundant food make the protected environment of greenhouses highly attractive to pests and diseases. Nevertheless, very little attention has been paid to the manipulation of greenhouse environments expressly to avoid disease epidemics and insect infestations, which together can easily account for 30% of crop losses. This book will be of immense value to all members of the scientific community involved in teaching, research and extension activities on protected horticulture. It also offers a useful reference guide for policymakers and practicing farmers, and can be used as a textbook for postgraduate courses.


Encyclopedia of Polymer Applications, 3 Volume Set

Encyclopedia of Polymer Applications, 3 Volume Set

Author: Munmaya Mishra

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2018-12-17

Total Pages: 6778

ISBN-13: 1351019406

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Undoubtedly the applications of polymers are rapidly evolving. Technology is continually changing and quickly advancing as polymers are needed to solve a variety of day-to-day challenges leading to improvements in quality of life. The Encyclopedia of Polymer Applications presents state-of-the-art research and development on the applications of polymers. This groundbreaking work provides important overviews to help stimulate further advancements in all areas of polymers. This comprehensive multi-volume reference includes articles contributed from a diverse and global team of renowned researchers. It offers a broad-based perspective on a multitude of topics in a variety of applications, as well as detailed research information, figures, tables, illustrations, and references. The encyclopedia provides introductions, classifications, properties, selection, types, technologies, shelf-life, recycling, testing and applications for each of the entries where applicable. It features critical content for both novices and experts including, engineers, scientists (polymer scientists, materials scientists, biomedical engineers, macromolecular chemists), researchers, and students, as well as interested readers in academia, industry, and research institutions.


Raspberries

Raspberries

Author: Richard C. Funt

Publisher: CABI

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 328

ISBN-13: 1845937910

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Much of the research data gleaned from hundreds of bulletins, conference proceedings, newsletters and reports during the 20th century is presented in this book. The growth and development, climatic requirements, site selection, cultivar development and selection, nursery production of plants, propagation, site preparation, soil management and planting, soil and water management, pruning and training, pest and disease management, crop production, postharvest physiology and storage, marketing, farm management and economics, world production and marketing of raspberry are discussed.


Blackberries and their Hybrids. Crop Production Science in Horticulture

Blackberries and their Hybrids. Crop Production Science in Horticulture

Author: Harvey K Hall

Publisher: CABI

Published: 2017-10-31

Total Pages: 378

ISBN-13: 1780646682

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This practical book provides a comprehensive and accessible overview of all aspects of the commercial production of blackberries and their hybrids, covering plant growth and development, cultivar description and selection, propagation, pruning, soil and water management, postharvest management, economics and marketing, and pest identification and management. Cultivated blackberries are a relatively new crop, but with new cultivars and cultural practices they are now grown and available worldwide. Production regions have expanded internationally due to innovative methods showing much promise and evidence of human health benefits.