This collection features six peer-reviewed reviews on irrigation management in horticultural production.The first chapter considers recent advances in irrigation techniques used in sustainable vegetable cultivation and reviews the performance and efficiency of these systems.The second chapter details the need to optimise precision in orchard irrigation management, focussing on matching water supply to plant demand as a means of achieving this.The th...

Provides a detailed overview of the recent trends in farm information management systems, including their evolution and role in improving farmer decision makingConsiders the range of data mining techniques used in decision support systems, such as artificial neural networks and support vector machinesIncludes a selection of case studies which explore the use of decision support systems in optimising farm management and productivity

Assesses latest research on how grasslands functionSurveys best practice in sustainable grassland managementConsiders wider aspects of sustainability such as ecosystem services and biodiversity

Discusses advances in research on vegetable physiology and geneticsComprehensive review of research on best practice in cultivation, including soil health, pest management as well as organic and protected vegetable cultivationWide-ranging coverage of key vegetables such as carrot, lettuce and cabbage

Sustainable agriculture is a rapidly growing field aiming at producing food and energy in a sustainable way for humans and their children. Sustainable agriculture is a discipline that addresses current issues such as climate change, increasing food and fuel prices, poor-nation starvation, rich-nation obesity, water pollution, soil erosion, fertility loss, pest control, and biodiversity depletion. Novel, environmentally-friendly solutions are proposed based on integrated knowledge from scie...

Detailed coverage of the latest research on plant physiology, including flowering and pollination in trees, apple fruit development and ripening;Reviews current best practice in tree training, pruning and thinning operations, including the use of growth regulators and new areas such as mechanisation and automation;Discusses the range of fungal and viral diseases affecting apples

Reviews advantages and disadvantages of different protected cultivation systems, from greenhouses and net houses to aquaponic and vertical farming systems.Detailed assessment of current research on optimising the two main variables in protected cultivation: the aerial environment and root development.Particular focus on systems control to optimise product quality and environmental impact.

Assesses the viability of management strategies implemented to improve soil health, e.g. intercropping and zero tillageProvides a comprehensive coverage of the dimensions of soil healthReviews the role of organic and other amendments in improving soil health

Integrated Pest Management: Current Concepts and Ecological Perspective presents an overview of alternative measures to traditional pest management practices using biological control and biotechnology. The removal of some highly effective broad-spectrum chemicals, caused by concerns over environmental health and public safety, has resulted in the development of alternative, reduced risk crop protection products. These products, less toxic to the environment and easily integrated into biolo...

This open-access edited book is a collection of 17 chapters, synthesized primarily from the lectures delivered by eminent Indian and international experts during a series of capacity-building programmes organised in India during 2020 and 2021 under the aegis of 'Indo-German Cooperation on Seed Sector Development', a component of the Bilateral Cooperation between the Governments of India and Germany.Seed Science and Technology, a multi-disciplinary subject, is advancing rapidly keep...

Reviews advances in cultivation practice such as seed establishment and more efficient irrigation techniques;Summarises developments in ‘climate smart’ agriculture such as conservation tillage and organic wheat cultivation;Discusses ways of supporting smallholders improve wheat cultivation in North Africa and other regions in the developing world

The white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus is one of the most widely cultivated mushroom species in the world. It is favored for its high nutritional value and multiple health benefits, especially by consumers interested in vegan and clean eating. This book presents fundamental guidelines for mushroom production as well as major scientific findings in this field. It covers mushroom production and trade, substrates properties, compost quality, breeding, pests and diseases, harvesting, and...