Advances in abiotic stress-resistant varieties of ornamentals

Ornamental plants face a range of abiotic stresses which are likely to increase with the effects of climate. This chapter reviews ways of improving resistance to a wide range of stresses: low and high temperatures, drought, waterlogging and saline conditions as well as poor soil quality.

Advances in turfgrass insect pest management

This chapter addresses the advances in turfgrass insect pest management. It starts by first reviewing the recent studies of major turfgrass insect pests, such as annual bluegrass weevil, bill bugs, white grubs and fall armyworm. The chapter then moves on to discuss recent studies on emerging turf...

Plum pox virus: detection and management

Sharka disease, caused by Plum pox virus (PPV), is the most important virus inducing extended yield losses in plums, on account of reduced fruit quality, premature fruit drop and rapid natural virus spread by aphid vectors. This chapter provides general information on the status of this disease a...

Exploiting the genetic diversity of ornamentals

Germplasm is important in maintaining genetic resources for plants because it encompasses living genetic resources that new plants can be grown from. Nursery (field) storage, pollen storage, seed collections, and in vitro storage are ways plant germplasm can be stored, and constitute what is call...

Advances in the use of biological control agents in the disinfection of horticultural produce

This chapter reviews advances in the use of biological control agents in the disinfection of horticultural produce. It discusses plant extracts and animal-based materials as postharvest treatments, the discovery of microbial antagonists and their mode of action. It also reviews the integration of...

Breeding for fruit quality improvement in apple

Breeding for fruit quality improvement is critical for sustaining consumer interest and providing long-term profitability for the apple industry. Priority breeding targets consist of eating quality, appearance, and storability traits (to ensure year-round availability of fruit). Apple breeding is...

The "liber aristotilis" of hugo of santalla

Frameworks for scientific and technological research oriented by transdisciplinary co-production

This book presents the Framework Knowledge Acquisition Design, indicated for the development of scientific and technological research that demand the dialogue of academic and non-academic researchers for the configuration of the unit of knowledge, established in a transdisciplinary methodology of...

Engineering nature

This is the third book in a series drawing on papers presented at annual Consciousness Reframed conferences. In addition to focusing on the 2003 conference, it also includes papers published in the journal Technoetic Arts. With some 45 contributors, each chapter presents current issues arising ...

Triangular orthogonal functions for the analysis of continuous time systems

This book deals with a new set of triangular orthogonal functions, which evolved from the set of well-known block pulse functions (BPF), a major member of the piecewise constant orthogonal function (PCOF) family.

Post-truth

‘Post-truth’, Oxford Dictionary’s 2016 word of the year, appears to cover only the turn away from reason in contemporary politics. In fact the truth behind ‘post-truth’ is historically and philosophically more complex. As Fuller shows in this book, it reaches into the nature of knowledge itself.

Common sense and science from aristotle to reid

Common Sense and Science from Aristotle to Reid brings to light the dynamic and evolving relationship between common sense and scientific thinking that stretches from Aristotle to the present day.

A player's guide to the post-truth condition

This book is a shorter, more accessible and updated follow-up to Post-Truth: Knowledge as a Power Game, which remains the only book that sheds a largely hopeful light on our post-truth condition across a wide range of intellectual fields and public affairs, including Brexit, Trump and the COVID-1...

Sarah bowdich lee (1791-1856) and pioneering perspectives on natural history

This first book-length appraisal of the pioneering perspectives of Sarah Bowdich Lee (1791–1856) on natural history in the first half of the nineteenth century pivotally highlights the intercultural, interdisciplinary and multi-genre reach of her work. The fact that she undertook it independently...

Nanobiotechnology

‘Nanobiotechnology, basic and applied aspects’ is expected to be of tremendous value to the group of scientists, involved in both basic and applied biology and engineering. The proposed book is a comprehensive compendium of basics of nanoscience and its application in biophysical and biomedical p...

Rice insect pests and their management

This book uses the unique expertise of leading rice entomologists from Africa, Asia and the Americas to provide the first global coverage of rice insect pests. The groups of insects discussed are : Root and stem feeders, Stem borers, Rice gall midges, Leafhoppers and planthoppers, Foliage feeders...

Ancestors for the pigs

This book brings together several new ways of thinking about pigs in the past, creating a dialogue by drawing on several kinds of approaches-from geography, ethnography, zoology, history, and archaeology-to enrich the way we all understand the evidence found in archaeological sites.

Instant insights: climate change, insect pests and invasive species

This specially curated collection features three reviews of current and key research on climate change, insect pests and invasive species.

Instant insights: understanding and conserving pollinators

This book provides a comprehensive overview on the current status of pollinator populations, the key ecosystem services they provide and the ways in which they can be better understood and consequently protected.

Best management practices for pollinator protection in us apple production

This chapter describes a set of pollinator best management practices (BMPs) for US apple production. The primary goal is to provide guidance for growers, crop consultants and regulators on pollinator protection in apple orchards. This guidance considers practical production needs. In the long ter...

Assessing the impact of disease on pollinators

Pests and pathogens are a major factor in the health and wellbeing of pollinators. We provide a brief review of the major pests and pathogens of three important insect pollinator taxa of crop plants: honey bees (Apis spp.), bumble bees (Bombus spp.) and other wild bees. For honey bees, the varroa...

The role of wind pollination in crop plants

This chapter reflects on the early transition from wind-pollinated species (especially Poaceae) into crop species and the current state of wind-pollination in agricultural pollination networks. It then provides a short review of the evolution and biomechanics of wind pollination to establish why ...

The role of habitat conservation and restoration in protecting pollinators in agricultural landscapes

This chapter focuses on challenges and options in habitat restoration for solitary bees which account for 90% of bee species. As well as being important parts of local ecosystems, these species are pollinators of a wide range of crops such as alfalfa, tomato, eggplant and blueberries, cucurbit cr...

Assessing the impact of alien bees on native ones

Because of their importance as pollinators of wild and cultivated plants, little concern has been paid to alien bees when entering a new ecosystem. Hence, approximately 80 alien bee species worldwide have spread outside their native ranges. Here, we explored the main impacts of alien bees on nati...

What is pollination and what are pollinators in agriculture?

This chapter provides an overview of the history of pollination biology, it begins by discussing the basics of pollination and goes on to discuss pollinators and their diversity. Sections also cover the ecology and evolution of floral traits, domestication and its impact on plant-pollinator relat...

The role and application of olfaction in crop plant–pollinator interactions

This chapter introduces the background and theory underpinning use of odours by insects in pollination, discusses how flowers produce odours and highlights issues specific to crops such as selective breeding. It then explores current technologies and case studies in which natural or synthetic odo...

Entomovectoring: using pollinators to spread biocontrol agents

In this chapter, we review the most important factors for successful entomovectoring. Several previous applications of the entomovectoring technology using two commercially used bumblebee species, Bombus terrestris and Bombus impatiens, will be discussed. Finally, we will present a case study foc...

Promoting pollination and pollinators in farming

This collection reviews the wealth of research on understanding pollination processes, the role of pollinators and how best to protect them and the ecosystem services they deliver in crop production.

Assessing climate change impacts on pollinators

Anthropogenic climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing biodiversity presently and into the future. Climate change, through increasing temperatures, and extreme events including droughts and fires, can be predicted to impact pollinators through a number of mechanisms, including alte...

Understanding the nutraceutical properties of flavonoids in fruits and vegetables: mechanisms of action

The chapter first looks at the antioxidant properties of flavonoids and their role in preventing auto-immune diseases. It then looks at the anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-viral activity of flavonoids and their role in treatment of diabetes. The chapter goes on to discuss the anti-cancer pro...

Nutraceutical potential of glucosinolates

Glucosinolates (GLs) are secondary metabolites of plants that are primarily synthesized in the Brassica genus. They are classified into three categories: aliphatics, aromatics or indoles. Isothiocyanates are organosulfur compounds which are typically formed by the enzymatic conversion of indole G...

Advances in pre-harvest management of apple quality

Fruit quality attributes such as colour, firmness, crispness, juiciness and flavour are the primary factors that drive consumers choice when purchasing apples. Many of these characteristics are inherent with the genetics of the cultivar. However, several pre-harvest factors can be managed horticu...

Postharvest management of apple quality

This chapter briefly focuses on various aspects of postharvest management of apple fruit quality, including harvest maturity, pre-cooling, storage (conventional cold storage, control atmosphere and dynamic control atmosphere), packaging, ethylene and respiration management by using pre-storage ri...

Improving the quality of apples

This collection reviews the wealth of recent research undertaken on the factors which can determine the quality of apples, focussing on attributes such as texture and nutritional content. The book also considers how these attributes can be optimised at both the pre- and postharvest stages in the ...

Advances in understanding pre-harvest apple fruit development

Fruit growth is a complex mechanism linking biochemical and biophysical processes promoting water and dry matter uptake in fruit tissues. This chapter describes growth mechanisms in apple fruit at different phenological stages and relates phases to key physiological parameters for fruit growth, i...

Advances in understanding the nutritional and nutraceutical properties of apples

This chapter reviews the latest scientific studies on the health benefits of apples, including fresh, canned, frozen, dried and/or juice (clear and cloudy) and their phytochemicals. Due to their popularity, accessibility and high nutritional content, apples have been the subject of many scientifi...

Consumer perception of apple quality

Apples are a global commodity worth $7.78 billion USD in international trade. Apple quality is a complex interdisciplinary topic. In studying consumer perception of apple quality, it is important to consider not only fruit characteristics, but other consumer-related and social environment-related...

Advances in ensuring the microbiological safety of fresh produce

This collection reviews the wide range of research on preventing microbial contamination of fresh fruit and vegetables, from understanding key pathogens to ways of detecting and preventing contamination across the supply chain.

Advances in understanding and presenting contamination of fresh produce by listeria monocytogenes

Due to changes in lifestyle and the increasing awareness of a healthy diet, consumers’ demand for fresh produce during the last few decades has increased rapidly, bringing along new challenges to the produce industry, including food safety issues. The foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes is ...

Developments in packaging techniques and their assessment for assuring the safety of fresh produce

The packaging of fruits and vegetables serves several critical functions, including protecting them from damage during transportation and storage, extending their shelf life, preventing contamination from plant disease and foodborne pathogens, and reducing food waste. To safeguard produce from ph...

Advances in understanding contamination of fresh produce by salmonella

Salmonella is a frequent etiologic agent for foodborne illnesses acquired via consumption of plant-based foods. This may be attributed to the adaptability of this pathogen to various environments and hosts, including plants. Salmonella has a broad capacity to associate with fresh produce crops fr...

Developments in rapid detection/high throughput screening techniques for identifying pathogens in food

For reasons of food safety and quality assurance, rapid identification of pathogens causing spoilage and infections in food matrices is essential. Conventional approaches include enrichment of microbial pathogens in a range of non-selective and pathogen-specific selective media, followed by bioch...

Advances in understanding sources of pathogenic contamination of fresh produce: soil and soil amendments

Biological soil amendments of animal origin (BSAAO) are essential in contemporary agricultural production to increase crop yield and enrich soil health. BSAAOs may introduce or extend the survival of microbial pathogens that may be transferred to crops. Climate and weather along with amendment ty...

Advances in sanitising techniques and their assessment for assuring the safety of fresh produce

Fresh produce accounts for the majority of foodborne illness outbreaks and >30% of food waste attributed to premature spoilage. To date, pathogen control has been focused on the pre-harvest stage, in the form of testing and Good Agricultural Practice, given the limited efficacy of post-harvest...

Advances in quantitative microbiological risk assessment for pathogens in fresh produce

Managing the microbiological safety of fresh produce is a complicated task. Quantitative microbial risk assessments are being used increasingly as an aid to risk management by federal agencies, food industry professionals and academic researchers. This chapter takes a microorganism and historical...

Improving safe consumer handling of fresh produce

This chapter focuses on improving safe confumser handling of fresh produce. It begins by first discussing consumer produce consumption, drawing specific attention to the consumption of high risk produce items. The chapter then moves on to review pathogens isolated from produce samples, which is f...

Advances in modelling pathogen behaviour in fresh produce

This chapter examines advances in modelling pathogen behaviour in fresh produce. It begins by first reviewing modelling spoilage of fresh produce, then goes on to discuss modelling pathogen behaviour in fresh produce, focusing specifically on growth modelling and pathogen inactivation. A section ...

The role of good agricultural practices (gaps) in preventing pathogenic microbial contamination of fresh produce

The microbial safety of fresh fruits and vegetables impacts the health of consumers and the economic viability of farms, packinghouses, and the produce industry. The implementation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) on farms and in packinghouses over the past 24 years has resulted in an increa...

The role of good manufacturing practice and hazard analysis and critical control point systems in maintaining the safety of minimally processed fresh produce

Minimally-processed fresh produce items have been implicated in multiple foodborne disease outbreaks. This reiterates the important role of Good Manufacturing Practices and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) to ensure the safety of minimally processed fresh produce. The main eleme...

Achieving sustainable cultivation of bananas volume 2

Volume 2 begins with a discussion of progress in identifying and broadening the genetic base for Musa species. This provides the foundation for Parts 3 and 4 which review advances in both conventional and recent molecular breeding techniques and their application in producing improved varieties.

Advances in breeding of mangoes

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) and closely related genera (Mangifera spp.) belong to the family Anacardiaceae that consists of dicotyledonous trees and shrubs. The mango is distributed widely in the world’s tropical and subtropical regions as well as in a wide range of areas with a marginal climate ...

Achieving sustainable cultivation of tropical fruits

This collection reviews current advances in the breeding and cultivation of key tropical and subtropical fruits. Part 1 discusses citrus fruits whilst Parts 2 and 3 cover soft, stone and other fruits.

Achieving sustainable cultivation of litchi

In this chapter, the effort and achievements in litchi research and development are summarized, and key challenges and practices in litchi production will be addressed with a focus on cases in China.

Advances in mandarin breeding

Citrus is a leading fruit crop worldwide, with more than 130 million tons and mandarins representing 25% of total production. Mandarins are destined mainly to the fresh market, with China and the Mediterranean region being the main areas of production. Mandarins are a diverse group showing high g...

Advances in breeding of papaya

This chapter discusses the origins and distribution of papaya. It reviews the origins and distribution of the fruit as well as breeding methods such as back crossing, mutation breeding and marker-assisted selection. It also reviews how breeding programmes can be used for particular traits and res...

Lime breeding: a way forward

Limes are a genetically diversified group of citrus including acid limes, sweet limes, Australian limes, other limes, lime hybrids and Rangpur lime, however, only Mexican lime and Tahiti lime are currently being widely cultivated. This chapter describes the origin and domestication of important l...

Advances in cultivation of avocado

Avocado has become a very popular fruit in the diet, causing avocado consumption to grow worldwide. This chapter discusses what is being done to improve the cultivation of avocado. It reviews methods in preserving and increasing the soil nutrition of avocado such as adding organic matter into the...

Crop improvement in jackfruit

This chapter focuses on advances in breeding of jackfruit. It reviews the origin, distribution and varieties of the fruit. It then looks at uses and nutritional composition, before discussing breeding and providing examples of improved varieties of jackfruit.

Advances in cultivation of coconut

The coconut palm, source of staple human nourishment in the coastal tropics, produced the first vegetable oil traded in a significant volume between the tropical and temperate worlds, beginning in the mid 19th century. New processing methods have led to coconut oil and water becoming much more va...

Advances in breeding of coconut

The coconut, Cocos nucifera L. was once the most important palm crop in the humid tropics. After an introduction to the current extent of coconut cultivation and uses, this chapter discusses the origins and botany of coconut. It then reviews available genetic resources. The chapter goes on to rev...

Advances in understanding the ecology of citrus insect pests

Citrus is one of the oldest and most important perennial fruit crops of the world and has been a crucial cultivar in the development of technology to manage insect pests. Some of the leading breakthroughs include classical biological control, early fumigation practices, establishment of plant qua...

Advances in guava breeding

This chapter discusses advances in breeding of guava. It reviews the floral biology of the fruit and highlights the major problems facing the guava industry worldwide. It goes on to discuss the various methods for improving guava production such as heritability, the introduction of new cultivars,...

Advances in mango cultivation

The mango is an important crop and is commercially cultivated in all continents, both in the tropics and subtropics. According to FAO statistics, mangoes are produced in 100 countries and on a global scale, mango production has increased considerably. This chapter explains the genetic aspects tha...

Advances in breeding and cultivation of pomegranate

The pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is among the first cultivated crops in the world. However, consumers’ preference for this fruit was not high for many centuries due to the difficulty of extracting the arils for eating. Recent studies noting the superior pharmacological and therapeutic propert...

Advances in guava cultivation

Guava (Psidium guajava) belongs to the Myrtaceae family and is also commonly known as guyava, kuawa or guayba. It is one of the most common and major fruits globally and is considered the fifth most important fruit (in terms of production area and volume) after mango, citrus, banana and apple. Du...

Advances in avocado propagation for the sustainable supply of planting materials

Avocado is a high-value horticultural crop desired for its premium nutritional qualities. Commercial trees are propagated by grafting wood from a fruiting cultivar onto a rootstock variety. Rootstocks are commonly seedlings derived from any available seed in the growing region. This often results...

Mapping and exploiting the citrus genome

The citrus gene pool displays a huge diversity for useful traits such as fruit quality, resistance to diseases and abiotic stress adaptation. Efficient exploitation of this germplasm by conventional citrus breeding requires the developments of early selection methods, particularly the one based o...

Ecological intensification of banana production systems

Bananas have a bright cropping future – a high diversity of cultivars in taste, aroma and texture, all with recognized health properties and cropping methods offering soil protection, minimal tillage and adaptation to a wide range of climates, even with climate change. However, growers face deman...

Harvesting citrus: challenges and perspectives in an automated world

Harvesting oranges has been a challenge for all countries that grow and export juice or fresh fruit. Despite the many advances in agriculture and technology, the majority of harvesting is still performed manually. This crop is formed on trees of high canopy, subjecting pickers to risks and physic...

Sustainable production and postharvest handling of avocado

Avocado is one of the world’s most economically important subtropical/tropical fruit crops. This collection considers how global avocado production can be improved to meet the growing demand for the fruit, focussing primarily on how the different components of the avocado supply chain can be opti...

Instant insights: viruses affecting horticultural crops

This book offers a detailed overview of some of the key viruses affecting major horticultural crops, including apples, bananas, tomatoes and plums, as well as best practices for their management and control.

Advances in irrigation/fertigation techniques in greenhouse soilless culture systems (scs)

The objective of this chapter is to describe the most common soilless culture system (SCS) irrigation and fertigation methods. The chapter summarizes common types of irrigation/fertigation system and types of management system. It then discusses the shift to real-time plant-based sensing and mon...

Considerations with using unmanned aircraft systems in turfgrass

In recent years, small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) and advancements in remote sensing technology have provided alternative and more affordable means for monitoring crop health and stress than ground-based (hand-held or vehicle-mounted) or other aerial-based platforms (manned aircraft or sate...

Instant insights: improving the shelf life of horticultural produce

This collection provides a detailed insight into the methods used to improve the shelf life of horticultural products, focussing on how the implementation of these methods can contribute to reducing the amount of global food loss and waste in the horticultural sector. Chapters explore the role of...

Advances in biostimulants in turfgrass

This chapter reviews the use of biostimulants in turfgrass management. It first identifies the different types of biostimulants that can be used for turfgrass, focusing on phytohormones, biopolymers, protein hydrolysates and other nitrogen-containing compounds, botanical and synthetic bioactive c...

Considerations with turfgrasses and pollinators

The global rise of the human population, increase in urbanization, and reliance on pesticide use has led to a decline in ecosystem services, pollinator habitat and forage sites, and pollinator abundance. Converting unused turfgrass ecosystems to pollinator-supporting plantings or incorporating fl...

Advances in irrigation and water management of turfgrass

Turfgrass is the single largest irrigated crop in the continental United States, however urban growth potential, potable water scarcity, limited annual precipitation, prolonged droughts, and food crops prioritization sets limits to the availability of water that can be allocated to turfgrass area...

Instant insights: irrigation management in horticultural production

This collection provides a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in irrigation management in horticultural production, focussing on more conventional growing systems, as well as emerging systems, such as soilless culture production.

Advances in phosphite utilization for turfgrass

This chapter will assess the sustainable use of phosphite in amenity turfgrass management, by exploring the often-contentious use of phosphite as a nutrient source, its use as a biostimulant, and its properties and efficacy as a plant protectant within many plants including turfgrasses.

Advances in soil management for successful establishment and maintenance of turfgrass

Soil properties influence how turfgrass will look, function and perform. In this chapter, we explore our current understanding of soil physical, chemical, and biological properties relevant to turfgrass management and identify areas for future study. Recent advances in our understanding of physic...

Understanding and optimising the nutraceutical properties of fruit and vegetables

This collection reviews research on phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables, their health benefits and ways these benefits can be optimised to improve human health.

Advances in understanding the role of plant phytochemicals in preventing cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of illness and death globally. Its incidence has been closely linked to diet. This chapter reviews the complex nature of CVD and its comorbidities. It then assesses the current state of research on the protective and therapeutic effects of a range of ...

Understanding the nutraceutical properties of flavonoids in fruits and vegetables: chemical structure and groups

This chapter reviews the nutraceutical properties of flavonoids in fruits and vegetables, focusing specifically on chemical structure and the different groups flavonoids can be catagorised into. The chapter draws attention to flavones, flavonols, flavanones, flavanonols, isoflavones, neoflavonoid...

Advances in understanding and improving the nutraceutical properties of broccoli and other brassicas

The increasing consumption and popularity of Brassica vegetables can be linked to its nutrient composition and consequent health benefits. This review discusses the available evidence demonstrating the benefits of the Brassica family, particularly broccoli, and offers information to help ensure t...

Agronomic factors affecting phytochemical compounds in fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables significantly benefit human health as they contain a large number of phytochemical compounds. Several strategies can be applied to effectively improve these health-promoting compounds by manipulating various agronomic factors. This chapter aims to provide a comprehensive und...

Health-promoting effects of glucosinolates and their breakdown products

Glucosinolates (GLs) are a large group of secondary metabolites which are found in cruciferous plants such as broccoli, cabbage, and kale and contain nutritional and physiological active properties. Several factors affect composition levels of glucosinolates such as storage conditions, methods of...