Proceedings of the Workshop in Ascochyta Blight and Winter Sowing of Chickpeas, held in Aleppo, Syria, May 4-7, 1981

Pulses have played a major role in human diet and are considered a rich source of proteins. But, the major constraints in achieving the yield of pulses are the occurrences of various diseases and pests. Hence, there is a need to understand major fungal pathogens and their management strategies for sustainable agriculture. The major pulse crops in India and other Asian countries are bengal gram, pigeon pea, black gram, green gram, lentil and peas, which are attacked by several pathogens that cause considerable crop damage. Bengal gram is affected mainly by wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri), blight (Mycosphaerella pinodes) and rust (Uromyces ciceris-arietini). The main diseases of pigeon pea are wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) and Phytophtora stem blight (Phytophthora drechsleri f. sp. cajani). Powdery mildew (Erysiphe polygoni) and rust (Uromyces vicia-fabae) are the most important diseases affecting the production of pea. This volume offers details like symptoms, distribution, pathogens associated, predisposing factors and epidemiology, sources of resistance and holistic management of diseases with particular reference to those of economic importance. Several minor diseases of lentil, green gram and of black gram are discussed with their detailed and updated information. This volume provides pooled information regarding the management of major fungal phytopathogens affecting pulses.

India has achieved self sufficiency in food grain production in recent years with record production of 250 mt during 2011-12. However, the pulses production remained low and considered to be the major concern for researchers and development planners. Considering the much more importance in near future and to avoid pulses crisis situation, the present attempt was made to compile the available scientific information, so as to highlight the issues, technologies and strategies in the title of "Solving Pulses Crisis" in India. The publication is divided into two parts. The first part deals national issues, technologies and strategies while the second part deals with crop based issue and technologies. The first part consists of 13 s. The first three s deals with pulses related national issues, technologies and strategies including NEH region too. The IV deals with crop diversification involving pulses while V focused on pulses production under organic system. The issues related to legumes as a nutrient supplement in VI, tillage and crop establishment in VII water management in pulses in VIII and Integrated nutrient management in IX are discussed in detail. The aspects of weed and pest management are presented in X to XI, respectively. The specific issues related to post harvest, value addition are discussed in XII, while trade related policy issues are focused in XIII. In part second, the crop issues, strategies and technologies are presented. Accordingly, XIV deals with pigeonpea while in XV issues related to greengram and black gram are discussed. The XVI to XIX deals with chickpea, lentil, field pea and lathyrus while in XX the issues technologies and prospects of Guar are discussed. In last XXI the issues and technologies related to arid legumes (mothbean, cowpea and horsegram) with special reference to arid areas are discussed. Hopefully, the publication will prove to be a reference and a way forward for solving pulses crisis in India and achieving the targets matching with food production strategies in years to come.

Genomic Applications for Crop Breeding: Biotic Stress is the first of two volumes looking at the latest advances in genomic applications to crop breeding. This volume focuses on genomic-assisted advances for improving economically important crops against biotic stressors, such as viruses, fungi, nematodes, and bacteria. Looking at key advances in crops such as rice, barley, wheat, and potato amongst others, Genomic Applications for Crop Breeding: Biotic Stress will be an essential reference for crop scientists, geneticists, breeders, industry personnel and advanced students in the field.

Proceedings of a conference on innovative systems for preserving the quality of soil used in agriculture.

The chickpea is an ancient crop that is still important in both developed and developing nations. This authoritative account by international experts covers all aspects of chickpea breeding and management, and the integrated pest management and biotechnology applications that are important to its improvement. With topics covered including origin and taxonomy, ecology, distribution and genetics, this book combines the many and varied research issues impacting on production and utilization of the chickpea crop on its journey from paddock to plate.

Legumes are an important source of protein for humans and animals. They provide nutritionally rich crop residues for animal feed, and playa key role in maintaining the productivity of soils particularly through biological nitro gen fixation. They are, therefore, of immense value in rainfed farming systems. The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) has a responsibility for research on food, pasture, and forage legumes. The Center also has the broad objective of improving livestock production in rainfed farming systems. Although food legumes have be~n known and grown by farmers in the WANA region for a long time, their productivity has remained low and variable. Forage legumes, on the other hand, are not so well known by farmers of the region, and their role in the farming systems is not so well understood. Thus, we need to develop the concept of using forage legumes as crops and to fit them into cropping systems. In its efforts to increase the productivity of food legumes and develop the legume-based crop/livestock systems, ICARDA has established a network of scientists in the different National Agricultural Research Systems in the region. To further strengthen this network, ICARDA convened a workshop on 'The Role of Legumes in the Farming Systems of Mediterranean Areas' in Tunis, Tunisia, 20-24 June 1988. This workshop was co-sponsored by UNDP, who also contributed funds for this publication.