Book Description

Lacewings are predatory insects that attack and kill large numbers of insect pests. Lacewings in the Crop Environment addresses both the theoretical and practical aspects of lacewing biology and their use in crop protection. After beginning with a section on lacewing systematics and ecology, the book reviews lacewings as predators in a wide variety of commercially important crops and examines the principles of using lacewings in pest control. The possible impact of genetically modified crops on lacewing populations is also discussed. Finally, a fascinating array of case studies of lacewing use in many crops from around the world is presented, and future uses of lacewings speculated upon. This essential and practical handbook will appeal to students, researchers of biological control, integrated pest management and agricultural science, and field workers using lacewings in pest management programs worldwide. ... Read more

Book Description

For the first time a book finally combines field experience with the fundamentals of turf science to help you understand the concepts involved in proper grown-in management, and to troubleshoot problems on-site throughout the management process. A major goal os this unique handbook is to outline and detail the numerous quality control issues that face golf course superintendents and managers—to serve as a guideline for the multitude of questions that need to be addressed before, during and after construction. It stresses the magnitude and importance of finish construction and grow-in as it relates to turf maintenance, turf performance and the playability of the course—from its opening into the future. A great resource to help educate owners and developers about the details of the grow-in sequence and its budgetary requirements. ... Read more

Book Description

Introduction to Biotechnology: An Agricultural Revolution provides students with a basic understanding of the concepts that contribute to agriculture?s biotechnology revolution. Each chapter of this comprehensive text includes topics such as cell functions, genetics and genetic engineering, the uses of biotechnology and biotech careers. Also included is a thorough examination of the controversy and concerns over the use of genetic engineering, genetically modified organisms, cloning and their potential dangers to humans and the environments. This information enables students to engage and utilize the text?s science-based content in classroom discussions and research activities. ... Read more

Book Description

This textbook provides a thorough introduction to the sustainable, productive use of land resources vital in maintaining healthy rivers and good groundwater qualities. Calvin Rose develops a quantitative approach to studying these growing environmental concerns and makes the textbook suitable for introductory university courses, as well as a useful primer for research and management staff in environmental organizations. Each chapter ends with a set of student exercises for which solutions are available from solutions@cambridge.org. ... Read more

Book Description

Techniques for those who want to discover the satisfaction of propagating. 103,000 copies in print. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Home Gardener
I really like this book. I love to grow plants from seeds and this book helps me understand how that works and how I can grow even more things from seeds. As well as grafting and other techniques I've never tried. It is a bit technical, but I am only a home gardener so it's pretty easy to work out. ... Read more

Book Description

What will it mean to have a steady stream of animal and microbial genes entering the gene pools of plants in wild ecosystems?

Private companies and the federal government are pouring significant resources into biotechnology, and the major application of genetic engineering to agriculture is transgenic crops. This carefully reasoned science and policy assessment shows that the commercialization and release of transgenic crops on millions of acres of farmland can pose serious -- and costly -- environmental risks. The authors propose a practical, feasible method of conducting precommercialization evaluations that will balance the needs of ecological safety with those of agriculture and business, and that will assist governments seeking to identify and protect against two of the most significant risks.

Rissler and Mellon first define transgenic plants and review research currently under way in the field of crop biotechnology. They then identify and categorize the environmental risks presented by commercial uses of transgenic crops. These include the potential of transgenic crops to become weeds or to produce weeds with transgene properties such as herbicide resistance that may require costly control programs. Plants engineered to contain virus particles may facilitate the creation of new viruses that can affect economically important crops.

Looking at global seed trade, the authors discuss the relationship between commercial approval in the United States and environmental risks abroad. Of particular concern is the flow of novel genes into the centers of crop biodiversity, primarily in the developing world, that could threaten the genetic base of the world's future food supply.

The authors conclude by reviewing the current status of U.S. regulations governing transgenic crops. They discuss the difficulties that this new terrain presents to regulators, and offer recommendations concerning the commercial development, risk assessment, and regulation of these crops.

Copublished with the Union of Concerned Scientists ... Read more

Reviews (1)

marceo
it's a boo ... Read more

Book Description

Recognition of the importance of soil organic matter (SOM) in soil health and quality is a major part of fostering a holistic, preventive approach to agricultural management. Students in agronomy, horticulture, and soil science need a textbook that emphasizes strategies for using SOM managementin the prevention of chemical, biological, and physical problems.Soil Organic Matter in Sustainable Agriculture gathers key scientific reviews concerning issues that are critical for successful SOM management. This textbook contains evaluations of the types of organic soil constituents-organisms, fresh residues, and well-decomposed substances. It explores the beneficial effects of organic matter on soil and the various practices that enhance SOM. Chapters include an examination of the results of crop management practices on soil organisms, organic matter gains and losses, the significance of various SOM fractions, and the contributions of fungi and earthworms to soil quality and crop growth.Emphasizing the prevention of imbalances that lead to soil and crop problems, the text also explores the development of soils suppressive to plant diseases and pests, and relates SOM management tothe supply of nutrients to crops. This book provides the essential scientific background and poses the challenging questions that students need to better understand SOM and develop improved soil and crop management systems. ... Read more

Book Description

Marijuana growers are developing high-tech methods forgetting high yield crops.Marijuana Hydroponics: High-Tech Water Culture is an excellent guide to growing without soil.This book had all theinformation needed to set up a system using nutrient solutions incontrolled environments.

Detailed guide to methods of growing without soil. Marijuana Hydroponics contains equipment lists, diagrams, and a step-by-step account ofassembly of a system of nutrient solutions in controlled environments fora high-yield water-culture growing system.This book give information onlighting for growth and budding, mineral nutrients, nutrient flowtechnique, water culture, atmosphere control, temperature factors,vegetative and reproductive growth, harvesting, using rockwool as amedium, and curing of hydroponics crops. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Old but okay as long as you have another book too.
Ed Rosenthal had a hand in this one and it looks more like Closet Cultivator than a good grow book. This book is not the best hydroponics book you can find by a long shot. It is also incomplete and there is much better information in some of the other grow books that are out there. I highly recommend The Cannabis Grow Bible by Greg Green for coverage of hydroponics systems and growing mediums. "Marijuana Hydroponics" is a little lite* on both of these areas. It will get you there but I have strong reserves about issuing this book a fully positive review without suggesting that you also get another book with a hydroponics section to help you along. I did like the sections on photosynthesis though.

Don't buy this out of date book!!!
I was looking forward to gaining some real insights with this book. However, it is one of the most disapointing books on the subject I have read. The infomation is dated, the size of the book is pitifull. Trying to remain objective, there are a few handy formulas for detailed calculations, the rest of the information here is old news, and all available for free on the net. Ed has, in the past written some of the best and most well known material on this subject. But this book is just not worth buying. Ed Rosenthal where has your integrity gone?

Don't buy this book...its rubbish!!
I was looking forward to gaining some real insights with this book. However, it is one of the most disapointing books on the subject I have read. The infomation is dated, the size of the book is pitifull. Trying to remain objective, there are a few handy formulas for detailed calculations, the rest of the information here is old news, and all available for free on the net. Ed has, in the past written some of the best and most well known material on this subject. But this book is just not worth buying. Ed Rosenthal where has your integrity gone?

Incomplete Guide to Hydroponics
I ordered this book after seeing all these reviews praising the information on growing with hydroponics and was pretty disapointed to see that there were only 8 pages dedicated to that system. Still I guess it was better than the 4 pages dedicated to growing in soil.

Poor Guy Uses Water
I don't have very good soil so I used this book to teach me new ways to grow my weed. Thanks Man ... Read more

Book Description

Salt-Affected Turfgrass Sites: Assessment and Management will help you identify and pinpoint salinity problems, and give you tools to implement effective management strategies. ... Read more

Book Description

This richly illustrated edition of an established classic deals with the chemistry and biology of soil nutrient availability. Provides information regarding the elements present in soils and the extent to which these elements can be used by plants in order to grow. Nutrient uptake by plant roots, rhizosphere microorganisms and application of the mechanistic uptake model as well as such elements as phosphorus, potassium and water are among the topics discussed. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent Scientific Piece
It is refreshing to read work with content and information that is useful for those interested in going beyond the surface. Anyone who has taken the time to study this in depth should be complimented. Since nutrition has a major impact on our health and economy I think we all need to pay more attention to what is happening in the food chain. Thank you. ... Read more

Book Description

A Guide to Golf Course Irrigation System Design and Drainage details every phase of an irrigation program - from the system design to construction, from scheduling to operation, and much more.  It also covers the fundamentals of drainage design and installation.  Turfgrass managers and golf course superintendents will refer to this handy book often to plan and implement effective irrigation systems, ensure appropriate capacity, easy installation, and practical operation and maintenance. ... Read more

Book Description

Now in paperback for the first time, The Story of Corn is Betty Fussell's mesmerizing account of the extraordinary grain that built the New World. In a form as uniquely hybrid as its subject, it blends history and myth, science and art, anecdote and image, personal narrative and epic to tell the story of this amazing crop and the people who for centuries have planted, eaten, worshipped, processed, and profited from it. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A persuasive treatise on a pervasive food...
A fun, crammed compendium on how this food became ubiquitous--like the apple in our diet. It's forms and functions are seemingly unending. You'll be surprised how much and in what ways you've consumed it. Stock photos, quotes, recipes, postcards: a loving scrapbook and historical tale of corn. If you're a cook, you'll love it. It's like a year of Gourmet magazine with every issue on a different facet of corn. A fun gift to give. ... Read more

Book Description

Written from an agronomic rather than an engineering perspective, this introduction to soil and water conservation explores a full range of topics and environmental issues, including some ignored or overlooked in other books on the subject. Comprehensive, up-to-date, and accessible, it considers the hazards posed by erosion, sedimentation, and pollution, and describes the techniques needed to conserve soil and maintain environmental quality. Situations and examples are drawn from many places to represent a cross-section of the soils, climates and cultures of the world, as well as the full scope of agricultural, engineering, mining, and other uses of the land.The volume covers conserving soil and water, soil erosion and civilization, geologic erosion and sedimentation, water erosion and sedimentation, wind erosion and deposition, predicting soil loss, soil surveys as a basis for land use planning, cropping systems, tillage practices for conservation, conservation structures, vegetating drastically disturbed areas, pastureland, rangeland, and forestland management, water conservation, soil drainage, irrigation and reclamation, soil pollution, water quality and pollution, economics of soil and water conservation, soil and water conservation agencies in the United States, and soil and water conservation around the world.For professionals that deal with soil and water conservation. ... Read more

Book Description

Agroecologists from around the world share their experiences in the analysis and development of indicators of agricultural sustainability in Agroecosystem Sustainability: Developing Practical Strategies. The authors build on the resource-conserving aspects of traditional, local, and small-scale agriculture while at the same time drawing on modern ecological knowledge and methods. They define the relationship between agroecology and sustainable development.Leading researchers present case studies that attempt to determine 1) if a particular agricultural practice, input, or management decision is sustainable, and 2) what is the ecological basis for the functioning of the chosen management strategy over the long term. They discuss common findings, define the future role of agroecology, and explore strategies for helping farmers make the transition to sustainable farming systems. Preserving the productivity of agricultural land over the long term requires sustainable food production. Agroecosystem Sustainability: Developing Practical Strategies covers topics that range from management practices specific to a particular region to more global efforts to develop sets of indicators of sustainability. It links social and ecological indicators of sustainability. From this foundation we can move towards the social and economic changes that promote sustainability in all sectors of the food system. ... Read more

Book Description

This second volume in the Long-Term Ecological Research Network Series provides a standardized set of protocols for measuring soil properties. Its goal is to facilitate cross-site synthesis and evaluation of ecosystem processes. It is the first broadly based compendium of methods and will be an invaluable resource for ecologists, agronomists, and soil scientists. ... Read more

Book Description

Today more than three quarters of a billion people go hungry in a world where food is plentiful. A distinguished scientist here sets out an agenda for addressing this situation. Initially published in 1997 in the United Kingdom, the book is now available in the first edition produced for the Western hemisphere. In it, the author has updated information to reflect current economic indicators. This volume includes a foreword written for the previous edition by Ismail Serageldin of the World Bank. The original Green Revolution produced new technologies for farmers, creating food abundance. A second transformation of agriculture is now required--specifically, Gordon Conway argues, a "doubly green" revolution that stresses conservation as well as productivity. He calls for researchers and farmers to forge genuine partnerships in an effort to design better plants and animals. He also urges them to develop (or rediscover) alternatives to inorganic fertilizers and pesticides, improve soil and water management, and enhance earning opportunities for the poor, especially women. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Incomplete analysis of an important problem
Gordon Conway presents to us a problem: an unacceptably large number in absolute terms suffers from staggering levels of poverty, malnutrition, and hunger. He acknowledges that there is enough food in the world to meet aggregate demand, and he indicates that he is not Malthusian or even Neo-Malthusian. The main problem, and theme of his book, is that certain high-population, low-income areas lack the purchasing power and access to technology and capital necessary to support a "doubly green revolution" to bring the successes of agricultural technology to all peoples. His normative analysis is that the costs of this are acceptable given humanitarian concerns and practicality for industrialized countries that would benefit from trade liberalization and some level or agricultural/economic convergence. He also believes that market forces alone are insufficient to fixing the problems he has outlined, and encourages nation-states and inter-government organizations to pursue policies that include stabilization of legal rights, subsidies for research in technologies to provide food and capital for the poor (especially women and ethnic minorities), and even redistribution of property.

I consider it a possibility that not enough time has gone by since the Green Revolution started showing diminishing returns to make judgments on the immense inequality of distribution. I would like to point out that most of the world lived in poverty for thousands of years, and only within the past century have we been able to make any significant progress at this level and perhaps the inequalities may smooth out over time if trade is liberalized.

Ultimately, Conway presents a well-researched book and some interesting ideas and alternatives to reach these ideas. I think that he could have explored market solutions more deeply and that this significantly weakens his book. His devotion to the poor and willingness to use governments to interefere significantly with trade and agriculture is disheartening. However, the topic is very interesting and the ultimate goal of increasing food production to meet aggregate demand and basic human needs is noble and important to all of us and generations to come.

Shows what can be done, how to do it, and why.
Participation in agricultural production, it has been repeatedly demonstrated, is the only clear guarantee of participation in food consumption.

The author's central theme is that it is possible to raise yields three-fold on most smallholder farms worldwide by practicing sustainable agriculture. As an architect of the original Green Revolution he can acknowledge its failings (and its successes) better than most. The book's title refers to a need to move beyond the original Green Revolution to a new and more environmentally friendly agenda.

The basic goals outlined in the book are:

-Increase crop yields of small-scale farmers threefold per farm.

-Do so at very low cost by making maximum use of indigenous resources: physical, biological, and human -thereby allowing even the very poor to benefit from improved methods.

-Improve the health of families living on small farms by raising nutrition levels.

-Expand access to food, energy, and water.

-Expand access to economic resources.

Disregard the neo-communist rhetoric of the first reviewer and buy this book - easily earns 8 stars on a scale of 1 to 5.

Now it includes the ecology, but where is the justice?
The original "Green Revolution" was presented by the Ford and Rockefeller foundations as a way to put off imminent starvation worldwide, buying time while humanity tackled the problem of population increase. While crop yields surely increased in the 1960s-1980s (though much less since then), efforts to limit population growth (outside China) mostly faltered. Worse, many of the chemical-intensive practices of the GR proved to be ecologically unsound. Worse still, the focus on yields and population effectively erased the question of food ACCESS from mainstream debates. While we have had food stocks adequate to feed every human on the planet for many decades, we have lacked the will and mechanisms to insure the poor access to that food. Indeed, millions of formerly self-sufficient smallholder farmers have "become" poor in the GR era because they no longer have access to land, nor access to sufficient cash.

This book rightfully states that future green-revolutionaries will need to pay far more attention to the environment, to ensure ecologically sustainable production in the future; and that agricultural scientists will need to work in genuine partnership with farmers (though previous efforts at so-called "partnerships" by such organizations as the World Bank or International Rice Research Institute have been laughably one-sided and dominated by elites). This is (nowadays, at least) relatively uncontroversial. But until and unless we make large political changes regarding food distribution -- food justice, if you will -- we're just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic, as far as the poor are concerned.

More production, more ecologically done -- you bet. Population control -- crucial. Greater participation of farmers in agricultural decision-making -- essential. Food justice -- politically difficult, but indispensible. This book tackles elements of the food problem, but leaves a few things out as well. ... Read more