The European or Mediterranean cultivated olive (Olea europaea L., subsp. europaea, var. europaea) is an ancient crop notable for its early domestication. Today, hundreds of olive varieties are grown to produce high-quality fruit for oil and table olives for human consumption. Over the last 30 years, the olive industry has undergone profound innovation due to scientific and technical advances, particularly in genomics, breeding, orchard management, mechanization and agro-ecology. Not all th...

Reviews the latest research on the advances in IPM strategies for insect and disease control in horticultural cropsHighlights the challenges of using alternative methods of control successfully in IPM programmes (e.g. biopesticides, bioprotectants, biostimulants)Provides examples of the practical implementation of IPM strategies to an array of horticultural crops (cucurbits, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower) in differing environments (greenhouses, protecte...

Comprehensive review of each step in the value chain for mango cultivation, from breeding new varieties to post-harvest storageCoverage of advances in mango genetics and understanding genetic diversityStrong focus on understanding and preventing post-harvest losses

Brings together some of the world’s leading experts on the breeding and cultivation of particular fruitsComprehensive coverage of key stone, pome and berry fruitsReviews key advances across the value chain for particular crops that collectively optimise sustainable production

Comprehensive review of the effectiveness of particular agroforestry practices, from riparian forest buffers and filter strips, windbreaks and contour buffers to alley cropping, silvopasture and forest farmingSummarises current research on ecosystem services delivered by agroforestry, from promoting biodiversity and soil health to water quality and managementAssesses research on best practice in tree planting and management as well as optimising agroforestry produ...

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

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

This book provides an up-to-date coverage of green (vegetated) roof research, design, and management from an ecosystem perspective. It reviews, explains, and poses questions about monitoring, substrate, living components and the abiotic, biotic and cultural aspects connecting green roofs to the fields of community, landscape and urban ecology. The work contains examples of green roof venues that demonstrate the focus, level of detail, and techniques needed to understand the structure, func...

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.

This specially curated collection features three reviews of current and key research on climate change, insect pests and invasive species.The first chapter reviews the impact of climate change on insect pests and how it has affected insect pest development and population dynamics, activity and abundance, diversity and geographical distribution. It also assesses insect-host plant interactions and the effectiveness of crop pest management techniques.The secon...

This multi-contributor, international volume synthesizes contributions from the world's leading soil scientists and ecologists, describing cutting-edge research that provides a basis for the maintenance of soil health and sustainability. The book covers these advances from a unique perspective of examining the ecosystem services produced by soil biota across different scales - from biotic interactions at microscales to communities functioning at regional and global scales. The book leads t...

Organic Crop Breeding provides readers with a thorough review of the latest efforts by crop breeders and geneticists to develop improved varieties for organic production. The book opens with chapters looking at breeding efforts that focus on specific valuable traits such as quality, pest and disease resistance as well as the impacts improved breeding efforts can have on organic production. The second part of the book is a series of crop specific case studies that look at breeding ...