We acknowledge the initiation and support of this Research Topic by the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS). We hereby state publicly that the IUIS has had no editorial input in articles included in this Research Topic, thus ensuring that all aspects of this Research Topic are evaluated objectively, unbiased by any specific policy or opinion of the IUIS.

For nearly a century, scientific advances have fueled progress in U.S. agriculture to enable American producers to deliver safe and abundant food domestically and provide a trade surplus in bulk and high-value agricultural commodities and foods. Today, the U.S. food and agricultural enterprise faces formidable challenges that will test its long-term sustainability, competitiveness, and resilience. On its current path, future productivity in the U.S. agricultural system is likely to come with trade-offs. The success of agriculture is tied to natural systems, and these systems are showing signs of stress, even more so with the change in climate. More than a third of the food produced is unconsumed, an unacceptable loss of food and nutrients at a time of heightened global food demand. Increased food animal production to meet greater demand will generate more greenhouse gas emissions and excess animal waste. The U.S. food supply is generally secure, but is not immune to the costly and deadly shocks of continuing outbreaks of food-borne illness or to the constant threat of pests and pathogens to crops, livestock, and poultry. U.S. farmers and producers are at the front lines and will need more tools to manage the pressures they face. Science Breakthroughs to Advance Food and Agricultural Research by 2030 identifies innovative, emerging scientific advances for making the U.S. food and agricultural system more efficient, resilient, and sustainable. This report explores the availability of relatively new scientific developments across all disciplines that could accelerate progress toward these goals. It identifies the most promising scientific breakthroughs that could have the greatest positive impact on food and agriculture, and that are possible to achieve in the next decade (by 2030).

Nanotechnology has the potential to drastically transform the agri-food sector with its significant applications to improve agricultural productivity and the efficiency of agrochemicals. The food sector has benefitted from the inclusion of nanoparticles in food matrixes and the nanoencapsulation of nutraceuticals. Smart packaging materials designed with the help of nanotechnology have been used for increasing the shelf life of stored food products. Nanomaterials have been extensively used for the delivery of important agrochemicals to enhance their bioefficacy, prevent their degradation, and control their release. Various nanomaterials have been explored for remediation of arising environmental issues. Nanotechnology has also made a useful contribution to the utilization of huge agricultural and food wastes for production of valuable products. The existing and emerging applications of nanotechnology will contribute to environmental sustainability. Nanotechnology for Sustainable Agriculture, Food and Environment has been structured to provide a widespread coverage and up-to-date progress of nanotechnology and its applications in the agri-food sector and environmental remediation. Synthesis of value-added nanomaterials from agri-food wastes and their potential applications in environmental remediation have been explored. In addition, toxicity issues with nanomaterials have also been discussed. Features: 1) Elaborated information on the use of nanotechnology for sustainable agriculture 2) In-depth study about valorization of agri-food waste 3) An overview of applications of nanotechnology in environmental remediation 4) Toxicity analysis of nanotechnology-based products We aim to satisfy the need for a reference book for scientists, researchers, academicians and students in nanotechnology, agricultural, food, nutraceuticals, environmental and material sectors.

Authored by an integrated committee of plant and animal scientists, this review of newer molecular genetic techniques and traditional research methods is presented as a compilation of high-reward opportunities for agricultural research. Directed to the Agricultural Research Service and the agricultural research community at large, the volume discusses biosciences research in genetic engineering, animal science, plant science, and plant diseases and insect pests. An optimal climate for productive research is discussed.

Drawing on indigenous and scientific knowledge of medicinal plants, Traditional Herbal Therapy for the Human Immune System presents the protective and therapeutic potential of plant-based drinks, supplements, nutraceuticals, synergy food, superfoods, and other products. Medicinal plants and their products can affect the immune system and act as immunomodulators. Medicinal plants are popularly used in folk medicine to accelerate the human immune defence and improve body reactions against infectious or exogenous injuries, as well as to suppress the abnormal immune response occurring in immune disorders. This book explains how medicinal plants can act as a source of vitamins and improve body functions such as enhanced oxygen circulation, maintained blood pressure and improved mood. It also outlines how specific properties of certain plants can help boost the immune system of humans with cancer, HIV, and COVID-19. Key features: Provides specific information on how to accelerate and or fortify the human immune system by using medicinal plants. Presents scientific understanding of herbs, shrubs, climbers and trees and their potential uses in conventional and herbal medicine systems. Discusses the specific role of herbal plants that act as antiviral and antibacterial agents and offer boosted immunity for cancer, H1N1 virus, relieving swine flu, HIV and COVID-19 patients. Part of the Exploring Medicinal Plants series, this book is useful for researchers and students, as well as policy makers and people working in industry, who have an interest in plant-derived medications.

CRISPRized Horticultural Crops: Genome Modified Plants and Microbes in Food and Agriculture summarizes applications of CRISPR/Cas systems and its advanced variants e.g., CRISPR/Cpf1, base editing and prime editing, for precise editing of horticultural crops. The book discusses vector transformations methods, epi-genome, deep learning, synthetic biology, and precision breeding for improving yield and quality related attributes in horticultural crops. With coverage of the relevant technologies and their applications, the book also includes bioinformatics and large-scale databases and their potential application in fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants and sections on regulatory concerns related to CRISPR edited crops. Horticultural crops, including fruit, vegetable and ornamental plants are an important component of agriculture production systems and play an important role in sustaining human life. - Reviews CRISPR for editing horticultural crops - Discusses vector transformation methods, epigenome, deep learning, synthetic biology and precision breeding - Includes bioinformatics and large-scale databases - Contributes engineering approaches for crop improvement programs

Animal Agriculture: Sustainability, Challenges and Innovations discusses the land-based production of high-quality protein by livestock and poultry and how it plays an important role in improving human nutrition, growth and health. With exponential growth of the global population and marked rises in meat consumption per capita, demands for animal-source protein are expected to increase 72% between 2013 and 2050. This raises concerns about the sustainability and environmental impacts of animal agriculture. An attractive solution to meeting increasing needs for animal products and mitigating undesirable effects of agricultural practices is to enhance the efficiency of animal growth, reproduction, and lactation. Currently, there is no resource that offers specific knowledge of both animal science and technology, including biotechnology for the sustainability of animal agriculture for the expanding global demand of food in the face of diminishing resources. This book fills that gap, giving readers all the necessary information on important issues facing modern animal agriculture, namely its sustainability, challenges and innovative solutions. - Integrates new knowledge in animal breeding, biotechnology, nutrition, reproduction and management - Addresses the urgent issue of sustainability in modern animal agriculture - Provides practical solutions on how to solve the current and future problems that face animal agriculture worldwide

Unless action is taken now to make agriculture more sustainable, productive and resilient, climate change impacts will seriously compromise food production in countries and regions that are already highly food-insecure. The Paris Agreement, adopted in December 2015, represents a new beginning in the global effort to stabilize the climate before it is too late. It recognizes the importance of food security in the international response to climate change, as reflected by many countries prominent focus on the agriculture sector in their planned contributions to adaptation and mitigation. To help put those plans into action, this report identifies strategies, financing opportunities, and data and information needs. It also describes transformative policies and institutions that can overcome barriers to implementation. The State of Food and Agriculture is produced annually. Each edition contains an overview of the current global agricultural situation, as well as more in-depth coverage of a topical theme."