Book Description

This third edition of the successful and widely-used textbook provides an updated introduction to the science and technology of seeds. It presents a succinct exploration of the seed as a biological system and examines the fundamentals of how seeds are produced, conditioned, evaluated, and distributed in modern agriculture. This edition has been thoroughly revised and contains a fascinating new chapter on seed enhancement which reflects the advances made in new physiological and molecular biology techniques.The discussion includes pelletization, embryo encapsulation or 'artificial seeds', and hormone-treated seeds. Principles of Seed Science and Technology, Third Edition gives advanced undergraduate students the current state of the art and future trends in seed technology. Newcomers to the field will also benefit from the volume's straightforward treatment of the subject. ... Read more

Book Description

Historical Geography of Crop Plants is devoted to a variety of staple and food crops, as well as fodder, fiber, timber, rubber, and other crops. The origins and histories of many of these crops have been clarified only recently by new research. The book has been arranged alphabetically by family and higher taxa for easy reference. Within families, species and cultivars are listed chronologically and geographically. The taxonomy and geography of probable wild progenitors have been outlined, and archeological evidence (when available) and historical evidence on region and domestication are traced. The subsequent evolution and spread of many domesticated species are examined, and the reasons behind the diversity in crop histories are explored. Historical Geography of Crop Plants will be a useful reference for botanists, economic botanists, ethnobiologists, agronomists, geographers, and others interested in the subject. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A select book
This is a scholarly summary of what is known about the origins of our prominent crop plants; botanically and geographically. This book is very carefully written and avoids any unnecessary ramifications. However it does contain a wealth of detail: why is one of the American cottons traded under the name of 'Egyptian cotton'? What is the crop with most sets of chromosomes? Etc, etc. Highly recommend for those interested in the backgrounds of the worlds crops.

16,3x24x2,4cm; v + 309 pp; not illustrated; very brief glossary; carefully selected list of references ... Read more

Book Description

This unique CD-ROM provides an interactive learning system for anyone who needs to master dosage calculations in a veterinary environment.The three most common methods of calculation - formula, ratio-proportion, and dimensional analysis - are presented.More than 150 full-color actual drug labels are included to make the review exercises, practice problems and post-tests as realistic as possible.This interactive tool can be used in a course environment, or as a self-paced study and review to master the most commonly prescribed drugs for a wide range of domesticated animals.System Requirements: Recommended 486 with 8 MB of RAM, Windows(TM) 3.1 orWindows(TM) 95, Sound Card, VGA Monitor with 256 Color Display, Double-spin CD-ROM Drive, 4 MB Free Disk Space. ... Read more

Book Description

The use of crop-soil modelling has so far been mainly confined to the research community. Practical applications have occured in the areas of decision tools for irrigation studies and pest management. However, there is potential to increase its applied use. This book reviews progress in crop-soil simulation modelling and assesses its application to agriculture in developing countries. It is based on work sponsored by the Natural Resources Systems Programme of the UK Department for International Development. ... Read more

Book Description

The accumulation of mycotoxins in plants and plant products is one of the most important consequences of plant diseases, especially those caused by species of Fusarium, Aspergillus and Penicillium. It has been estimated that 25% of world food crops, including many basic food crops, are affected by mycotoxins. The toxins are responsible for various toxicities in animals and humans, including carcinogenic and teratogenic effects, and digestive, blood and nerve disorders. There is thus an urgent need to understand the nature of the toxigenic fungi that are widespread on economically important plant products and the role of these toxic secondary metabolites in the development of disease, i.e. as virulence or pathogenicity factors, in order to minimise the accumulation of these products in a range of food products.This volume has gathered together specialist reports compiled through EU-COST Action 835: Agriculturally Important Toxigenic Fungi. The contents should be of particular value to scientists interested in the occurrence and nature of mycotoxins, their importance in the development of disease and the molecular nature of plant-pathogen interactions. The information will also be invaluable to those responsible for determining the levels of mycotoxins in human and animal food and deciding upon regulatory limitations on the levels of mycotoxins in agricultural products. ... Read more

Book Description

This benchmark text integrates the recent revolution in the molecular-developmental genetics of plants with mainstream evolutionary thought. There is increasing co-operation between strongly genomics-influenced researchers, with their strong grasp of technology, and evolutionary morphogenetists and systematics who are more deeply rooted in comparative biology and patterns of plant evolution. This book discusses our increasing understanding of gene function and expression, along with modern phylogenies integrating morphological and molecular data to highlight specific key transitions in plant evolution most worthy of intensive study. Furthermore, it explores increasing knowledge of the physical expression of plant development from disciplines such as anatomy and palaeobotany. Rather than focus on the technical aspects of plant genomics, this book provides genuinely integrated explanations of plant evolution.
This leading panel of contributors have succeeded in turning a demanding subject into an accessible volume for a wide range of professional botanists and postgraduate and senior undergraduates in developmental biology, applied molecular biology, molecular evolution, morphogenesis, organismal botany and theoretical systematics. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Scientific proceedings
These are the proceedings of a 1999 meeting at Heriot Watt University, focussing on the cambium. In the nature of things this is a somewhat heterogeneous gathering of papers on contemporary cutting edge research. As indicated by the price it is meant for institutional libraries only. ... Read more

Book Description

Plant Breeding Reviews presents state-of-the-art reviews on plant genetics and the breeding of all types of crops by both traditional means and molecular methods. Many of the crops widely grown today stem from a very narrow genetic base; understanding and preserving crop genetic resources is vital to the security of food systems worldwide. The emphasis of the series is on methodology, a fundamental understanding of crop genetics, and applications to major crops. ... Read more

Book Description

Confusion about the genera Geranium and Pelargonium existed even before Linnaeus' binomial system of classification bundled both into the former category in 1753. Despite later evaluations that separated the two, many practitioners of alternative medicine and aromatherapists, among others, remain unaware of the distinction. Laymen and plant sales personnel are often equally in the dark - the majority of garden center 'geraniums' are Pelargonium species and cultivars. This work aims to dispel myths and peel away layers of incorrect and muddled information which contribute to the unclear image of the genera.
Geranium and Pelargonium: History of Nomenclature, Usage and Cultivation features discussion and new information on some of the following areas:
* taxonomy and history of usage and nomenclature
* cultivation for essential oil production and retail purposes in different countries
* phytochemistry of the genera
* chemistry of Geranium and Pelargonium oils
* theory and practice of distillation of Geranium and Pelargonium oils
* pharmacology an therapeutic properties of Geranium and Pelargonium oils and extracts
* use of Geranium and Pelargonium products in aromatherapy, perfumery, cosmetics, food processing and medicine
* new research into Geranium and Pelargonium
This book will be of interest to graduate students, scientists and professionals in the Geranium and Pelargonium growing and retail industry, the perfumery, food and cosmetics industries, and to those interested in Geranium and Pelargonium for alternative and conventional medical use. ... Read more

Book Description

Horticultural Reviews presents state-of-the-art reviews on topics in the horticultural sciences. The emphasis is on applied topics including the production of fruits, vegetables, nut crops, and ornamental plants of commercial importance. These articles perform the valuable function of collecting, comparing, and contrasting the primary journal literature in order to form an overview of the topic. ... Read more

Book Description

The second edition of this invaluable reference work represents a substantial update encompassing the full range of information on nomenclature, synonymy, characteristics, type cultures, host ranges, symptoms and geographical distribution for known plant pathogenic bacteria. The recent expensive revision of the taxonomy of these bacteria, largely as a result of the increasing use of molecular and chemosystematic techniques is also included. ... Read more

Book Description

This well-organized, introductory level text expertly lays the foundation for the comprehension of agricultural statistics. The easy-to-follow presentation of theory in each chapter is followed by a wide range of examples and exercises that will help readers apply the theory to their field of study. Appendices to relevant chapters instruct readers on how to use the personal computer program, Excel, to take the drudgery out of performing basic statistical problems. Emphasis is placed on interpretation of the results once the calculations have been completed. Easy to read, this comprehensive text includes robust coverage of analysis of variance and regression analysis which those in the agricultural field will need to apply. It also includes a glossary that contains all the specialized terms that must be learned along with the concepts and methods.ALSO AVAILABLE: Instructor's Guide ISBN: 0-7668-1156-5.Call Customer Support to Order. ... Read more