Advances in Cowpea Research

Advances in Cowpea Research
Author: B. B. Singh
Publisher: IITA
Total Pages: 400
Release: 1997
Genre: Cowpea
ISBN: 9789781311109

Cowpea: taxonomy, genetics, and breeding, physiology and agronomy, diseases and parasitic weeds, insect pests, postharvest technology and utilization. Biotechnological applications.

The Ecology of Tropical Food Crops

The Ecology of Tropical Food Crops
Author: M. J. T. Norman
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 444
Release: 1995-05-18
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9780521410625

In tropical developing countries farmers tend to grow a wide range of crops in a small area for subsistence or sale. To make full use of often limited resources, a good understanding of how environmental conditions affect the characteristics and performance of these crops is essential. This book considers the response of tropical food crops to environmental factors such as climate, soil and farming system. Three types of crop are considered: cereals, legumes and non-cereal energy crops, with individual chapters on the four most important crops in each group. This material is set in context by introductory chapters on tropical farming systems, tropical climates and tropical soils. This new, updated edition retains the successful formula of the first edition while placing additional emphasis on tropical environmental conservation. It will serve the needs of advanced students of tropical agriculture, as well as professionals engaged in research and extension work in tropical crop production.

Genetics, Physiology and Cultivation of Moth Bean, Cowpea and Horse Gram

Genetics, Physiology and Cultivation of Moth Bean, Cowpea and Horse Gram
Author: Rakesh Pathak
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 403
Release: 2023-05-26
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9811999562

This authored book gives insight into the morphology, physiology, genetics, plant protection and biotechnology of three important arid legumes, viz., moth bean, cowpea and horse gram. There are seven chapters for each crop that provide in-depth information on cultivation, genetic improvement, plant protection measures, management of physiological and abiotic stresses along with related genetic markers and biotechnological advances pertaining to these legumes. The chapters present research findings and brief reviews concerning the advances made in the improvement of these legumes.Legumes are utilized as pulses or grains aiding as an important source of protein for both human and animal consumption and also provide raw materials to the food and feed industries. They are also valuable for soil building, improving soil quality and biological nitrogen fixation. Physiology and genetics provide an inimitable source of information on the distinct aspects of basic and applied legume research for general readers, students, academicians and researchers. Arid legumes are crops characterized by inherent features and capabilities to withstand adverse and harsh climatic conditions, significantly replenish the soil, as well as provide protein and micronutrients. Adaptability to several stresses including drought makes them key to agriculture in areas receiving scanty rainfall. This comprehensive book disseminates significant information on the genetic diversity, cultivation, manipulation through mutagenic techniques, molecular biology and other breeding techniques. The book, therefore, is of importance to teachers, researchers and policymakers who are interested to acquire knowledge about moth bean, cowpea and horse gram. It also serves as an additional reading material for MSc and PhD students of agriculture and environmental sciences. The book is also useful to national and international agricultural scientists and policymakers.

Food Security and Safety

Food Security and Safety
Author: Olubukola Oluranti Babalola
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 926
Release: 2021-09-01
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 303050672X

This book focuses on food security and safety issues in Africa, a continent presently challenged with malnutrition and food insecurity. The continuous increase in the human population of Africa will lead to higher food demands, and climate change has already affected food production in most parts of Africa, resulting in drought, reduced crop yields, and loss of livestock and income. For Africa to be food-secure, safe and nutritious food has to be available, well-distributed, and sufficient to meet people’s food requirements. Contributors to Food Security and Safety: African Perspectives offer solutions to the lack of adequate safe and nutritious food in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as highlight the positive efforts being made to address this lack through a holistic approach. The book discusses the various methods used to enhance food security, such as food fortification, fermentation, genetic modification, and plant breeding for improved yield and resistance to diseases. Authors emphasize the importance of hygiene and food safety in food preparation and preservation, and address how the constraints of climate change could be overcome using smart crops. As a comprehensive reference text, Food Security and Safety: African Perspectives seeks to address challenges specific to the African continent while enhancing the global knowledge base around food security, food safety, and food production in an era of rapid climate change.

Soil Management

Soil Management
Author: Bobby A. Stewart
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 578
Release: 1995-03-09
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9781566700764

The experiments and experiences discussed in Soil Management carefully document crop production systems with well-defined boundaries. These long-term agronomic trials provide a valuable data resource that has, until now, been largely ignored by both the research community and the sustainability experts. With a rigorous definition of sustainability and this data, the sustainability of various cropping systems will be more clearly illustrated than any previous effort. Particular emphasis is given to research involving the tropics and sub-tropics. This book is unique in providing an experimental basis for sustainable management of soil resources. It describes technological options for sustainable management of soil resources and identifies priorities for additional long-term experimentation needed in key ecoregions. Topics discussed include changes in soil processes and properties, environmental quality, soil management, soil dynamics, soil organic matter, and nutrient cycling. Soil Management is for those who ask whether agriculture is sustainable, want to analyze or review sustainability experiments and experiences, or wish to initiate new long-term trials. It is a valuable reference on soil processes and an excellent text for courses in soil management.

Weed-Crop Competition

Weed-Crop Competition
Author: Robert L. Zimdahl
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 235
Release: 2007-11-19
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0470290102

For the past 20 years, the first edition of this text has been widely cited as authoritative academic reference. The latest edition continues the tradition set by the original book, and covers weed science research that has been published since 1980. This book aims to reduce the instance of research duplication—saving scientists and supporting institutions time and money. Not only does the second edition of Weed Crop Competition review, summarize, and combine current research; it critiques the research as well. This text has the potential to accelerate advancements in weed crop competition, which remains an important factor that affects crop yields. Scientists in foreign countries where access to literature is often limited or nonexistent, will find the information in this text invaluable. Weed scientists, crop scientists, plant ecologists, sustainable agriculturists, and organic agriculturists will be well-pleased with this long overdue and much needed new editionWeed Crop Competition provides a unique reference that reviews, summarises and synthesizes the literature published concerning research on this topic. The first edition has been one of the most frequently cited sources in weed science for the past 20 years. The second edition covers the significant body of literature that has been published since 1980. Originally intended to survey existing research, the intent of the book is to reduce the instance of research duplication, thus saving scientists and their institutions time and money, and expediting advancements in weed crop competition, an important factor affecting crop yields. Scientists in foreign countries where access to the literature is often limited or non-existent, find the information an invaluable resource. This long overdue and much needed new edition rejuvenates the tradition set by the original book.

Advances in Integrated Soil Fertility Management in sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges and Opportunities

Advances in Integrated Soil Fertility Management in sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges and Opportunities
Author: Andre Bationo
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 1091
Release: 2016-08-23
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9789402404715

Food insecurity is a fundamental challenge to human welfare and economic growth in Africa. Low agricultural production leads to low incomes, poor nutrition, vulnerability to risk and threat and lack of empowerment. This book offers a comprehensive synthesis of agricultural research and development experiences from sub-Saharan Africa. The text highlights practical lessons from the sub-Saharan Africa region.

Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation in Plants

Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation in Plants
Author: P. S. Nutman
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 648
Release: 1976-02-26
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9780521206457

Genetical aspects and taxonomy; Quality of legume inoculants; Field experiments on nitrogen fixation by nodulated legumes; Legume nitrogen fixation and the environment; Nitrogen fixing symbioses in non-leguminous plants.