Book Description

An ideal, state-of-the-art guide for anyone interested in the fundamentals of vegetables and crop production, this practical provides a broad overview of the history, principles and practices of growing vegetable crops. Although focusing on commercial production, much of the material is applicable for home use, with many facts, tips and guidelines ideal for backyard and weekend gardeners. Divides material into three sections: I - Overview of Vegetable Crops explains the history of vegetable crops and America's vegetable industry in easy-to-understand terms, and looks at classifying vegetables and how environmental factors affect crop growth. II - Common Practices Used to Grow Vegetables considers general practices used in vegetable crop production, with discussions on preparing the field, choosing cultivars, planting, watering, extending the growing season, handling pests, harvesting, and marketing, and more, plus highlights the uses and nutritional benefits of eating vegetables. III - Crop Specific Characteristics and Growing Practices examines the botanical and production aspects of specific vegetable crops, pragmatically organizing discussions according to characteristics of family grouping and crop use. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Comprehensive Book on Storing and Preserving food
Emphasizing the enhancement of nutrition, this is one of the most comprehensive books available today on the subject of storing and preserving foods. Recipes and processing methods have been collected from indigenous people worldwide. These practical and traditional techniques , many of which were nearly lost forever, have been collated and set out in a well-defined and easy to follow manual which is of value to anyone interested in processing and storing food. Chapters are set out under the following headings:

Storing - Preserving - Cooking Foods

The Fungi - Yeasts - Mushrooms, Lichens

The Grains

The Legumes

Roots - Bulbs - Rhizomes

Fruits - Flowers - Nuts - Oils - Olives

Leaf and Stem - Aguamiels

Marine and Freshwater Products

Fish - Molluscs - Algae Meats - Birds - Insects

Dairy Products

Beers - Wines - Beverages

Condiments - Spices - Sauces

Agricultural Composts - Silages - Liquid Manures

Nutrition and Environmental Health

"A truly fabulous book, a quirky gem, a classic. Mollison has written a comprehensive monograph on the international use of microbial fermentation in food and beverage production, from a cross-cultural, anthropological, and biological perspective." Dr. Marion Nestle, Dept, of Nutrition and Food Studies, New York University

Learn what your ancestors knew all along
This book is a tome. A holy bible.

I ahve made my own Koji, Tempeh, Tofu, Kim Chee, and Saur Kraut with this book. Admitedly the Saur Kraut was wierd but my German relatives confirmed what I had done and were overjoyed that I had done it the old way.

My long experience in microbiology and fermentation (beer, beer, beer, beer) mean

I KNOW THIS IS GOOD BOOK.

But the most ignorant (but literate) mudsquating yokel can pull of alost any ferment cuz the techniques are thousand years old.

Get this book and get on it. ... Read more

Book Description

In her latest book, "the South'sbest known environmentalist" (New Internationalist) and1993 Right Livelihood Award winner, Vandana Shiva,continues her path-breaking work on uncovering thedevastating human and environmental impacts of corporate-engineered international trade agreements. InStolen Harvest, she charts the impacts of industrial agriculture and what theymean for small farmers, the environment, and the quality and healthfulness of thefoods we eat. A short, impassioned, and inspiring book that will shape the debateabout genetic engineering and commercial agriculture for years to come. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Informative and compelling
In this remarkable book, Vandana Shiva effectively contrasts corporate command-and-control methods of food production with the small farmer economy that predominates in the third world (especially in her native India). In contast to what many here in the U.S. might perceive as the conventional wisdom, Shiva makes a strong argument that local, small scale agriculture is superior to the agribusiness model for a number of reasons.

First, Shiva points out that many of the productivity gains attributable to the Green Revolution were achieved by dramatically increased inputs of fertilizer, seed and water. When one compares units of input with units of output, however, native practices produce higher yields -- especially when one takes into account the multiple uses derived from a single product.

For example, mustard oil is a vital product used by many of India's poor for cooking, seasoning, medicine and other uses. But it has been banned by the Indian government (under highly suspicious circumstances) in order to allow imports of soybean oil products. While giant corporations benefit from expanded sales, native industries have been destroyed, contibuting to poverty and malnourishment.

Shiva discusses the commercial fishing and aquaculture (shrimp farming) practices that inevitably result in environmental destruction and reduced catches. She compares this short-sighted approach with traditional Indian fishing techniques that have successfully sustained themselves for generations while protecting important ecosystems such as mangrove forests.

Shiva discusses corporate patenting of seeds, which insidiously transforms the cooperative ethic of seed sharing into a criminal offense. The author supports a non-cooperation movement in India that is resisting corporate attempts to claim ownership of seeds that have been cultivated by countless generations of farmers.

Shiva's sacred cow / mad cow metaphor effectively and appropriately contrasts agribusiness with small farming. India's sacred cows live in harmony with the environment, performing multiple services and producing multiple products for the community; whereas mad cows are a grotesque manifestation of an industrial system obsessed with uniformity, technology and profit.

Shiva also touches on the topic of genetic engineering (GE) and discusses the threat it poses to biodiversity, food safety and human health.

The Afterword to the book alludes to the WTO protests in Seattle. Shiva believes this watershed event proves that people are becoming more aware of the dangers of unaccountable corporate power, yet she believes that positive change is possible. This opening of consciousness to new possibilities may be attributable to the extraordinary work of people like Vandana Shiva, whose intelligence and compassion is abundantly evident in this book. Highly recommended!

great book, scared me to death !
this is a great book, i highly recomend it. i must warn you its not for the weak stomached, this book will CHANGE your view on the food you eat. i didnt eat for a week after reading this.

Critically important for environmentalists & students.
In Stolen Harvest: The Hijacking Of The Global Food Supply, renowned environmental activist Vandana Shiva charts the impacts of globalized, corporate agriculture on small farmers, the environment, and the quality of the food we eat. Shiva writes about genetically engineered seeds, patents on life, mad cows (and sacred cows), shrimp farming, and more. Stolen Harvest is a passionate, articulate, highly recommended "wake up" call to the public regarding the role of genetic engineering in commercial agriculture, the growing domination of agribusiness with respect to world food supplies, and the need for sound environmental thinking with respect to feeding the burgeoning populations of the world.

Brilliance
If you deplore the WTO and MN corporate control over the world's food supply through intellectual property rights and patents on genetically engineered seed - then reading Stolen Harvest is a must. Vandana Shiva brilliantly reveals the current crisis that Indian farmers are facing as Monsanto and other mega corps are jeopardizing the livelihoods of impoverished persons (worldwide) through seed monopoly and a centralized system of agriculture commerce. Shiva discusses the impact of industrial farming and aquaculture on the environment and how it stresses local populations and threatens the diversity of species. A MUST READ!

Enter review title in this space.
Well, it started out a bit dry, but the plot moved along nicely. The characters lack developement, and the denoument could have been better. I'd give it two stars, which I've indicated above by giving it two stars. ... Read more

Book Description

Covering wetlands soils from Florida to Alaska, Wetland Soils: Genesis, Hydrology, Landscapes, and Classification provides information on all types of hydric soils. With contributions from soil scientists who have extensive field experience, the book focuses on the soil morphology of the wet soils that cover most wetlands from the subtropics northward. No previous book has been devoted solely to the subject of hydric soils and their landscapes.The book is well organized and divided into three parts. Part I examines the basic concepts, processes, and properties of aspects of hydric soils that pertain to virtually any hydric soil. It provides a general overview and important terms and concepts. Part II covers the soils in specific kinds of wetlands and the different functions they perform. Part III emphasizes special wetlands conditions such as soils composed of sand, organic soils in northern North America, prairie wetlands, wetlands in saline situations, dry climates, and wetlands with modified hydrology.Whether you are an expert in soil science, or just need a crash course, this reference prepares you to work with real wetlands-outdoors. Written for scientists without a background in soil science and comprehensive in scope, Wetlands Soils: Genesis, Hydrology, Landscapes, and Classification provides basic and advanced coverage, explaining the fundamentals of hydric soils in terms even a non-soil scientist can understand. ... Read more

Book Description

Environmental-friendliness, issues of public health, and the pros and cons of genetically-modified crops all receive regular coverage in the world's media. This, in turn, has led to increased questioning and investigation of chemical pesticides.Stenersen's concise introduction to chemical pesticides describes these compounds according to their biochemical mode of action, such as whether they are enzyme inhibitors, receptor ligands, or free radical generators. Chemical Pesticides provides answers to why pesticides are toxic to the target organism, how resistance develops, why pesticides are toxic to some organisms and not others. The book also discusses legal matters and concerns as well as potential environmental problems. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

We're not a colony anymore
The information would be really good if it were directed at an American audience. Breed, food sources are problems since this is an English publication!

Ray Feltwell's Free-Range poultry Guide
This guide to small-scale' free-range poultry is a must for those interested in keeping poultry the natural way. The information provided is suitable for both the beginner and novice, covering a broad range of must-know information. From do-it-yourself poultry housing through to feeding, health, and breeding, Ray Feltwell has presented a thorough, educational, and enjoyable read. For a novice poultry keeper like myself, it has become a handbook. Of special mention is the indepth listing of English regulations, clubs, and organizations dealing with poultry production. ... Read more

Book Description

This book deals with the agronomy of the eight major grain, fiber and oilseed row crops produced in the United States: Corn, Wheat, Grain Sorghum, Barley, Rice, Cotton, Soybeans, and Peanuts.For each crop, Dr. Smith presents a structured discussion of: the types of cultivars, the history of the crop, its uses and processing, a detailed discussion of how to plant and grow the crop, the pests and problems involved, and the harvesting, grading and marketing practices. ... Read more

Book Description

Loaded with helpful hints and easy-to-understand examples, this book covers the type of mathematical problems that face golf course superintendents every day. How to handle budgeting estimates, apply fertilizers and pesticides accurately, the ordering of topdressing, irrigation volume and coverage, area and volume calculations, and many other parts of golf course operation require a thorough understanding of basic mathematical principles. This book has the solution you need! Example problems, and the answers, along with additional practice material is guaranteed to help you get the job done right. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This book is Misnamed....
It should be named something like the "Essential Math Reference Book for Farmers, Landscapers, Golf Course Superintendants, Nursery Managers etc." What a wonderful and easy to use reference book for anyone dealing with the frustrating world of area measurements, volume/fertilizer/pesticide/irrigation/seeding rate calculations, and spreader and spayer calibration. I've worn out one copy and am on my second. I use it on my farm, at work as a pesticides applicator, and in my landscaping business. This is a must-have book for folks like me that hate math but have to use it almost everyday....believe me your money won't be wasted on this one and it won't just collect dust on your shelf. ... Read more

Book Description

Agricultural ecology, or agroecology, deals in general with the structure and function of agroecosystems at different levels of resolution. In this text/reference, the authors describe in terms of agroecology the tropical environments of sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin and Central America, focusing on production and management systems unique to each region. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Best book on the subject
The book by Juo and Franzluebbers is the best book ever written on the subject of tropical soils and their management for sustainable agriculture. Authors discused systematically the properties of the major tropical soils, their linkage with agroecosystems and management options based on current knowledge. The book is very informative, easy to read, well illustrated and contains useful tables. It is highly recommended as introductory textbook for students in tropical soils and also for agricultural and environmental workers interested in natural resource management for agricultural production in the tropics. ... Read more

Book Description

This is the first volume to provide a comprehensive review of this increasingly important crop. It covers research and production practices from around the world, including all of the major avocado growing regions. Topics include history and distribution; botany and taxonomy; climate and soil requirements; genetics, breeding, and biotechnology; cultivars and rootstocks; flowering, pollination, fruit set and development; pests and diseases; and harvest and postharvest technology. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

An excellent guide to the basic principles of soil science
Now in a newly updated and expanded fourth edition with additional topical material and the results of current research and trends, Soil Science Simplified is an excellent guide to the basic principles of soil science. From soil physical properties, chemical equations, water, and fertility to soil conservation, surveys, and engineering, Soil Science Simplified is densely packed with so much information that it is eminently suitable as a high school or undergraduate soil science textbook. Black-and-white sketches and diagrams illustrate the scholarly, methodical, highly instructional text. Soil Science Simplified is strongly recommended for students and professionals in seeking to understand soil science principles -- especially engineers, environmentalists, landscape architects, as well as anyone with an interest or career in agriculture.

cool
I think it will be good for me. however, there is others which is the best.. ... Read more

Book Description

This practical single-source reference discusses the proper sampling, handling, and preparation of soils for analysis and details the simplest and most frequently used procedures for analyzing soils and plant material. ... Read more

Book Description

This book opens readers' eyes to the fascinating and important world of soils, and the principles that can be used to minimize the degradation and destruction of one of our most important natural resources. KEY TOPICS Concentrating on essentials, this edition is a more concise version of its parent book, The Nature and Properties of Soils, maintaining its high standards of rigor and readability, and its priority of explaining this science in a manner relevant to many fields of study. It provides a fundamental knowledge that is a prerequisite to meeting the many natural-resource challenges awaiting humanity in the 21st century.For individuals who study the science of soil, and those who make a profession of it. ... Read more

Book Description

Comprehensive, up-to-date coverage of the basics of soil chemistry
Although only a meter in depth over the earth's surface, soil is key to sustaining life-affecting air and water quality, the growth of plants and crops, and the health of the entire planet. The complex interplay among organic and inorganic solids, air, water, microorganisms, and plant roots in soil is the subject of Soil Chemistry, a reference pivotal to understanding soil processes and problems.
Thoroughly reorganized for ease of use, this updated Third Edition of Soil Chemistry summarizes the important research and fundamental knowledge in the field in a single, readily usable text, including:
* Soil-ion interactions
* Biogeological cycles and pollution
* Water and soil solutions
* Oxidation and reduction
* Inorganic solid phase and organic matter in soil
* Weathering and soil development
* Cation retention (exchange)
* Anion and molecular retention
* Acid and salt-affected soils
New to the Third Edition is an enhanced emphasis on soil solution chemistry and expanded coverage of phosphate chemistry and the chemical principles of the aqueous phase. At the same time, the book has retained the clear examination of the fundamentals of the science of soil that has distinguished earlier editions. Complete with SI units and end-of-chapter study questions, Soil Chemistry is an excellent introductory resource for students studying this crucial topic. ... Read more

Book Description

An understanding of the mineral nutrition of plants is of fundamental importance in both basic and applied plant sciences. The Second Edition of this book retains the aim of the first in presenting the principles of mineral nutrition in the light of current advances.
This volume retains the structure of the first edition, being divided into two parts: Nutritional Physiology and Soil-Plant Relationships. In Part I, more emphasis has been placed on root-shoot interactions, stress physiology, water relations, and functions of micronutrients. In view of the worldwide increasing interest in plant-soil interactions, Part II has been considerably altered and extended, particularly on the effects of external and interal factors on root growth and chapter 15 on the root-soil interface.
The second edition will be invaluable to both advanced students and researchers.

Key Features
* Second Edition of this established text
* Structure of the book remains the same
* 50% of the reference and 50% of the figures and tables have been replaced
* Whole of the text has been revised
* Coverage of plant (soil interactions has been increased considerably) ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Not Just for Plant Science
Excellent text for nutritionists, as well. I was looking for a text to help me better understand the nutrient mechanisms of plants. I wanted to better help my clients understand where nutrients lie within plants and what their role is in the growth and development of plant structure. Not the usual course, but the book greatly helped in this goal.

The text enabled me to bridge the gap between holistic nutrition and plant science. It provided me with another way to explain nutrient affinity in the human body by explaining plant development.

Essential for all plant scientists
This book was the text for a course I took in plant mineral nutrition. It is extremely comprehensive. Our professor indicated that, despite its age, it is one of the very best books on the subject.

A "must have" reference text for the serious student.
This text is essential for the upcoming plant scientist and should be in the book case of every graduate student involved in the study of plant nutrition. Marshner provides the in-depth look into the mineral nutrition of plants that serious students have been looking for. Topics are supported by an endless array of citations and the book is an excellent source of information for those writing literature reviews and journal articles. Marshners depth of understanding on the subject will amaze you! Recommended for graduate level students, or serious undergraduates. The depth may prove to be frustrating for the beginner.

great book. how can we get the publisher to reprint?
This is, by far, the best textbook on plant nutrition written in the past 15 years. I use it as the textbook in my graduate level course in Plant Nutrition at Utah State University. I hope we can convince the publisher to reprint it. ... Read more

Book Description

A rigorous, comprehensive introduction to soil chemistry, this text is aimed at students and researchers who are not soil chemists.The author describes soil minerals and organic matter in soils and the soil solution, and provides in-depth coverage of important chemical processes, including solubility reactions, oxidation-reduction phenomena, adsorption, and ion exchange.The three final chapters present detailed applications to soil-plant relationships, fertilizer reactions in soils, acidity, salinity, mineral weathering, and soil management.Over 200 problems at varying levels of difficulty are coordinated with the text, and an appendix on SI units summarizes their use in soil chemistry. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Best introduction to surface chemistry
Professor Sposito's book on soil chemisty is easy to read for anyone with a background understanding of inorganic chemistry. Great reference for environmental engineers. ... Read more