Handy for commercial producers as well as backyard gardeners, this classic guide for growers and sellers of niche market produce provides detailed information about growing specialty crops that are growing in popularity among consumers. Includes 63 crop sheets-from arugula to radicchio, basil to thyme, prickly pear to tomatillos, variety and heirloom tomatoes. Includes market information, resources, and a glossary of Asian vegetable names.

From climate change to farming systems to genetic modification of organisms, Crop Physiology, Second Edition provides a practical tool for understanding the relationships and challenges of successful cropping. With a focus on genetic improvement and agronomy, this book addresses the challenges of environmentally sound production of bulk and quality food, fodder, fiber, and energy which are of ongoing international concern. The second edition of Crop Physiology continues to provide a unique analysis of these topics while reflecting important changes and advances in the relevant science and implementation systems. Contemporary agriculture confronts the challenge of increasing demand in terms of quantitative and qualitative production targets. These targets have to be achieved against the background of soil and water scarcity, worldwide and regional shifts in the patterns of land use driven by both climate change and the need to develop crop-based sources of energy, and the environmental and social aspects of agricultural sustainability. - Provides a view of crop physiology as an active source of methods, theories, ideas, and tools for application in genetic improvement and agronomy - Written by leading scientists from around the world - Combines environment-specific cropping systems and general principles of crop science to appeal to advanced students, and scientists in agriculture-related disciplines, from molecular sciences to natural resources management

The book covers basic but very comprehensive information on history of agriculture and relationship of Agronomy with other disciplines, tillage practices, nutrient elements for plant growth, weed and their management, irrigation management, crop physiology, crop ecology, integrated farming system and organic farming. A detailed information on history and origin, improved varieties, agronomic practices and plant protection techniques for important field crops viz. cereals, oilseeds, pulses, sugar crops and fiber crops has been given. Also information on cultivation practices for important medicinal, aromatic and spice crops as well as plantation crops along with their uses/medicinal values has been provided. Apart from this, information on dry land agriculture, crop production under special situations and hints for achieving higher yield of field crops are also given in details. This book will be very helpful for B.Sc. Agriculture as well as M.Sc. Agronomy students throughout the country as it covers nerly the entire syllabus for Agronomy courses framed by ICAR.

The first edition of Potato Health Management is the best-selling title in the APS PRESS Plant Health Management Series, with more than 7,000 copies sold. Pest and pathogen populations have changed since the first edition was printed and a significant amount of new research knowledge has been gained. This second edition addresses those changes and contains up-to-date information recently acquired to help you economically manage potato health. This highly-anticipated manual tackles the hundreds of problems that affect this important crop including weeds, insects, nematodes, fungi, bacteria, phytoplasmas, and viruses. The new edition is 30% larger than the first and contains more color photographs, which are now interspersed throughout the text. It includes timely new chapters on economics, home gardening, and organic production. More than 40 experts from the fields of soil science, weed science, nematology, plant pathology, and entomology explain how to manage potato health from seed to storage by a holistic approach. The book provides the most current information on potato production practices, with an emphasis on pest and disease management. The knowledge base provided in this text can be integrated into a comprehensive management scheme in the context of today's agriculture. Using this manual's integrated strategy for potato health management will help you produce a quality product at a reasonable profit, using an environmentally friendly approach. Potato Health Management, Second Edition is easy to read and understand. Call-outs of important concepts give quick information to supplement the more-in-depth level of peer-reviewed information. Nearly every chapter includes a boxed briefing on an important concept, helpful test, diagnostic tip, or checklist, adding to your practical understanding of potato health management strategies. The information in each of the book's 23 chapters is essential to a successful, holistically managed potato health management program. Cutting edge discussions and details on soil health, managing tubers during harvest and in storage, organic potato production, pesticide resistance management, pesticide application, management of diseases, insects and weeds affecting potato will enlighten commercial potato growers, field consultants and farm advisors, extension specialists, agriculture students, researchers and agribusiness professionals in all aspects of the potato industry. The 42 contributing experts are from the leading potato research facilities in the United States and Canada, but the information in the handbook will provide valuable practical assistance to potato professionals outside of North America as well. - Publisher.

Since its publication in 1994, the Small Farm Handbook has been an essential resource for California’s small farmers and the agricultural professionals advising them – selling over 4300 copies. Now this invaluable reference has been updated and expanded for today’s small-scale producers. The handbook covers three essential areas: Background skills and knowledge, the business side, and the farming side Within these broad areas you’ll find specific chapters on: Requirements for Successful Farming Growing Crops Raising Animals Farm and Financial Management Marketing and Product Sales Labor Management Also included are profiles of six small farm operators representing a sample of California’s diverse agriculture. Throughout you’ll get a look at emerging trends and issues for California agriculture and innovative methods for better production and management, all of which can lead to better farm performance. Drawing upon the knowledge of 32 experts from the University of California, No other publication covers the topics, issues, and facets of California’s small-scale agriculture with this depth or level of expertise. From the basics to risk management, specialty crops to marketing and product sales, this guide covers the gamut.

Food security and environmental conservation are two of the greatest challenges facing the world today. It is predicted that food production must increase by at least 70% before 2050 to support continued population growth, though the size of the world's agricultural area will remain essentially unchanged. This updated and thoroughly revised second edition provides in-depth coverage of the impact of environmental conditions and management on crops, resource requirements for productivity and effects on soil resources. The approach is explanatory and integrative, with a firm basis in environmental physics, soils, physiology and morphology. System concepts are explored in detail throughout the book, giving emphasis to quantitative approaches, management strategies and tactics employed by farmers, and associated environmental issues. Drawing on key examples and highlighting the role of science, technology and economic conditions in determining management strategies, this book is suitable for agriculturalists, ecologists and environmental scientists.

This textbook explains the various aspects of sustainable agricultures to undergraduate and graduate students. The book first quantifies the components of the crop energy balance, i.e. the partitioning of net radiation, and their effect on the thermal environment of the canopy. The soil water balance and the quantification of its main component (evapotranspiration) are studied to determine the availability of water to rain fed crops and to calculate crop water requirements. Then it sets the limitations of crop production in relation to crop phenology, radiation interception and resource availability (e.g. nutrients). With that in mind the different agricultural techniques (sowing, tillage, irrigation, fertilization, harvest, application of pesticides, etc.) are analyzed with special emphasis in quantifying the inputs (sowing rates, fertilizer amounts, irrigation schedules, tillage plans) required for a given target yield under specific environmental conditions (soil & climate). For all techniques strategies are provided for improving the ratio productivity/resource use while ensuring sustainability. The book comes with online practical focusing on the key aspects of management in a crop rotation (collecting weather data, calculating productivity, sowing rates, irrigation programs, fertilizers rates etc).

Cover crops slow erosion, improve soil, smother weeds, enhance nutrient and moisture availability, help control many pests and bring a host of other benefits to your farm. At the same time, they can reduce costs, increase profits and even create new sources of income. You¿ll reap dividends on your cover crop investments for years, since their benefits accumulate over the long term. This book will help you find which ones are right for you. Captures farmer and other research results from the past ten years. The authors verified the info. from the 2nd ed., added new results and updated farmer profiles and research data, and added 2 chap. Includes maps and charts, detailed narratives about individual cover crop species, and chap. about aspects of cover cropping.

Agricultural Systems, Second Edition, is a comprehensive text for developing sustainable farming systems. It presents a synthetic overview of the emerging area of agroecology applications to transforming farming systems and supporting rural innovation, with particular emphasis on how research can be harnessed for sustainable agriculture. The inclusion of research theory and examples using the principles of cropping system design allows students to gain a unique understanding of the technical, biological, ecological, economic and sociological aspects of farming systems science for rural livelihoods. This book explores topics such as: re-inventing farming systems; principles and practice of agroecology; agricultural change and low-input technology; ecologically-based nutrient management; participatory breeding for developing improved and relevant crops; participatory livestock research for development; gender and agrarian inequality at the local scale; the nature of agricultural innovation; and outreach to support rural innovation. The extensive coverage of subjects is complemented with integrated references and a companion website, making this book essential reading for courses in international agricultural systems and management, sustainable agricultural management, and cropping systems. This book will be a valuable resource for students of agricultural science, environmental engineering, and rural planning; researchers and scientists in agricultural development agencies; and practitioners of agricultural development in government extension programs, development agencies, and NGOs. - Provides students with an enhanced understanding of how research can be harnessed for sustainable agriculture - Incorporates social, biological, chemical, and geographical aspects important to agroecology - Addresses social and development issues related to farming systems

Blueberry cultivation has increased dramatically as production has shifted into new regions. Blueberries are now widely available as food and also processed to be used in medicine and pharmaceuticals for their antioxidant properties. This new and updated edition covers the major topics of interest to blueberry breeders and researchers including botany, physiology, nutrition, growth regulation, photosynthesis, environment, weeds, pests, diseases and postharvest management. The main focus is on the most important cultivated species, the highbush blueberry, although information on other blueberries and related species is also provided. It is an essential resource for soft fruit researchers, extension workers, academics, breeders, growers, and students.