Book Description

This report examines Leucaena leucocephala, a versatile legume whose full potential is untapped.A "new" crop plant for tropical and sub-tropical countries, its possibilities are particularly important to marginal lands and low-income farmers.Leucaena was used 2,000 years ago by Mayans and Zapotecs of Central America, but only in recent decades has a suggestion of its promise become apparent.

Researchers in Hawaii and tropical Australia have found that cattle feeding on leucaena may show weight gains comparable to those of cattle feeding on the best pastures anywhere; private firms in the Philippines have developed a sizable trade in processed animal feeds containing leucaena; researchers in the Philippines demonstrated leucaena's potential for reforesting eroded hillslopes, for use as firewood, for fueling industrial boilers, and for producing paper pulp; while in Mexico (leucaena's native habitat) researchers have located over 100 varieties for future testing. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Bill Adler Jr. has put together a great book filled with useful information on how to deal with troublesome critters in your life, from ants to alligators, ducks to deer, mice to moose! Written with wit and the voice of a true storyteller, the book is not only factual and helpful, but a lot of fun to read. Adler's preference for not using poisons and pesticides is more environmentally friendly, and in the long run, outwitting the bothersome creatures in your life simply works better. --Mark A. Hetts ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Critter problems? Buy this book.
This is a very well-written and thorough book. Almost every possible creature is covered. Alligators sunbathing in your yard? Termites eating you out of house and home? Bats in your attic? Slugs in your garden? Raccoons getting into your garbage? Coyotes roaming your property.? No matter what critter is causing you a problem, this book offers possible solutions.

Each of these topics is covered in detail. It is apparent that the author has done extensive research to ensure that the information is complete and factual. The book explains what attracts various creatures and what damage they may cause. He also explains how to repel them and/or remove them if they have invaded your house or property. The recommendations provided are non-lethal, environmental-friendly solutions. The book's appendix also lists a wide variety of resources that you can contact to obtain more information or purchase some of the critter control products recommended in the text.

If you have a problem with some kind of critter then this is the book for you. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Hardbound. Tropical Island Herpetofauna presents fifteen individual contributions. Part I contains four papers describing and analysing taxonomic and phyletic diversities of yet poorly reported herpetofaunas in some tropical Pacific and Indian Ocean archipelagos. Part II is devoted to our understanding of the ecological and behavioral plasticity of island reptiles, and their natural and anthropogenic dispersal abilities. Some of the papers also discuss impacts on native island reptiles by artificially introduced exotic predators and competitors. The final five papers in Part III discuss the temporary dynamics of land configurations and islands acting as landbridges which is reflected by the current distribution and variation of herpetofauna in subtropical East Asia.

These contributions, while updating knowledge on the origin and current diversity of herpetofauna in the tropical Pacific and Indian Ocean archipelagos, will enhance the appreciat ... Read more

Book Description

Smallholders and Stockbreeders provides a rare survey of the history of foodcrop farming and a unique look at the history of animal husbandry in the Southeast Asian region. Thirteen contributions by an international selection of expert authors cover topics ranging from the agricultural economy of precolonial Java to the growth of rice production in the Mekong Delta since 1950, and from the breeding of horses on the northern borderlands of mainland Southeast Asia to the production and consumption of beef in the Philippines. New light is shed on old questions regarding the directions in which Southeast Asian agriculture has evolved over the centuries, and new questions raised regarding the cultural, demographic, economioc, and political determinants of farming practices. While the geographical and chronological scales of analysis vary, most chapters deal with realtively large areas and with developments over periods of 100 years or more. Besides production for subsistence, commercial aspects of livestock and foodcrop farming are also given due attention and prove to have been important in many parts of the region from very early periods. Smallholders and Stockbreeders is essential reading for anyone interested in the agricultural history of Southeast Asia, wheter for its own sake, or in connection with other aspects of regional history, or for purposes of comparison with other parts of the world. ... Read more

Book Description

The abundant weed growth in the humid and sub-humid tropics is one of the most serious constraints in producing crops, establishing pastures and maintaining water resources. This book presents historic and recent data on the biology of weeds and their control,within the general context of the husbandry of crops and the management of pastures and aquatic situations.

The first seven chapters cover the nature of negative values of weeds, principles of weed ecology, weed control and establishment of farming and cropping systems in tropical regions, performance of crops in the tropical ecosystems, main weeds in the forest regions, and main weeds in the savannah regions. Chapter 8 deals with weed control methods in general and chapters 9 to 14 with weed control in various crops. Chapter 15 covers weeds and their control in pastures, and chapter 16 aquatic weed management. ... Read more

Book Description

The first edition of this title was published in 1990. This fully updated second edition covers all aspects of plant nematology in subtropical and tropical agriculture. It covers nematode pests of all the major food and cash crops including; rice, cereals, root and tubers, potato, food legumes, vegetables, peanut, citrus, tree and fruit crops, coconut and other palms, cocoa, tea, bananas, sugarcane, tobacco, pineapple, cotton, other tropical fibers, spices, condiments and medicinal plants. It also provides practical guidance on methods of extraction, processing and diagnosing of different plant and soil nematodes. The information in this book is supported by abundant illustrations, including 24 color plates, making this an invaluable combination of theory and practice for those studying and working in the area of plant nematology and crop protection. ... Read more

Book Description

Among the plant species of the Great Basin rangeland, the Purshia--ancient members of the rose family evolved to survive the aridity and temperature extremes of this harsh region--are one of the most important.In this first book-length study of this key plant species, range scientists James A. Young and Charlie D. Clements offer a comprehensive examination of the biology of the Purshias and their significant role in the ecology of the Great Basin. ... Read more