Provides a comprehensive overview of the wealth of research on analysing, understanding and optimising the nutraceutical properties of fruit and vegetables, focussing primarily on phytochemicals/phytochemical compoundsReviews the current research on mechanisms of action and the potential role of key phytochemical compounds, such as antioxidants and flavonoids, in preventing the onset of chronic diseasesExplores current advances in understanding and improving the n...

The bioprotectants market was estimated to be worth $5.5 billion in 2022, with this figure set to rise to over $11 billion by 2027. With more than 1000 products on the market, a greater understanding of how individual species/strains function as bioprotection agents is required.Advances in bioprotection of plants against diseases considers recent advances in techniques used to identify and develop fungal and bacterial bioprotection agents, including Cl...

The common fig Ficus carica L. is an ancient fruit native to the Mediterranean. Dried figs have been successfully produced and processed in arid regions with little sophisticated infrastructure for centuries. Figs are rich in fibre, trace minerals, polyphenols and vitamins, with higher nutrient levels than most fruits. Advances in agricultural production and postharvest technologies have not only improved the efficiency of dried fig production but have facilitated the development of high v...

This book explores how genomic data are revolutionising basic and applied invasion science. It shows how genomic technologies can reveal key drivers of biological invasions, such as hybridisation and rapid adaptation, and illustrates major breakthroughs achieved through the study of model systems. Multiple layers of variation are considered, including epigenetic variation and genetic variation, from chromosomal rearrangements to single nucleotide polymorphisms. Applied topics emphasise sta...

This collection features four peer-reviewed reviews on the nutritional and health benefits of beverage crops.The first chapter introduces the importance of coffee leaves, highlighting their high antioxidant potential and impact on fruit quality. The chapter provides an inventory of molecules identified in the leaves of cultivated coffee trees, as well as the beneficial effects of these molecules on human health.The second chapter considers the nutritional a...

Reviews latest research on crop physiology and genetic diversityDetailed coverage of key advances in breeding and their application to produce more resilient drought, salt and cold-tolerant varieties of soybeanSummarises good agricultural practices to optimise crop cultivation and make it more sustainable

One of the most important topics in soil science is understanding the relationship between soil biodiversity and soil ecosystem function. This relies on techniques able to accurately identify different soil organisms and how they interact in the soil microbiome.Measuring and assessing the biological health of soils provides a comprehensive overview of the range of techniques used to assess microbial/faunal diversity and activity in soils and its impact on key ecological pr...

Ecostacking is a new concept and approach which aims to maximize the benefits of ecosystem service providers in cropping systems to help achieve the goal of long-term sustainable agriculture and food production. The term "ecostacking" means combining synergistically the beneficial services of functional biodiversity from all levels and types. It is a comprehensive approach, where the various ecosystem service providers are fully integrated with the rest of the cropping system including agr...

The energy demands of contemporary society mandate the urgent development and commercialisation of a ‘post-Li-ion battery’. Metal anodes are an important piece of this puzzle. This research and reference text discusses the role of metal electrodes in batteries in detail. Introducing the fundamental theoretical properties of metal anodes, the book surveys the history and prospects of the field, covering a wide range of metals, including Li, Na, K, Mg, Al, Zn, Ge, Sn, Sb and Bi. The first bo...

The years 2021 to 2030 have been designated as "The United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration". Ecological restoration and biodiversity conservation efforts face unprecedented challenges, especially in developing countries and areas, such as the Hindu Kush-Himalayan (HKH) region. This huge HKH region, which includes areas in eight separate countries (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, India, China, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Bhutan), is a biodiversity hotspot with a vast array of ecosystems, ...

Provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges facing agri-food supply chains, including the need to be more sustainable in light of the high environmental costs of global distributionAddresses the external factors that can impact the logistics and performance of supply chains, including political developments, international conflicts and pandemics such as COVID-19Reviews the main agri-food supply chains used in different regions around the world, focussing o...

Comprehensive review of key topics in root science, including root architecture, root growth regulators, root anatomy and nutrient acquisitionCoverage of root response to both biotic and abiotic variablesDiscusses the range of techniques to optimize root function, from phenotyping to identify desirable root traits and exploiting the genetics of root traits to the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AM)