The demand for plant foods in all global markets has been increasing along with awareness of greenhouse gases generated from animal farming, expanded sentiments against animal slaughtering and common perception of the health benefits of plant food products. Accordingly, more attention has been placed on green processing of plant foods for the optimization of their nutritional and health benefits. Sprouted vegetable products have been studied and reported in many scientific investigations to qualitatively improve the phytochemistry, enhance the nutritional profile and improve the biological functionality potentials of such vegetables beyond their initial natural states. Vegetable sprouts have been reported to possess aspects that make them serviceable for the management of metabolic syndrome disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer and other health issues related to cellular oxidation of body cells, and antimicrobial bioactive components have been isolated from vegetable sprouts. Advances in Plant Sprouts: Phytochemistry and Biofunctionalities provides a singular source on recent advances in studies about the dietetic and nutraceutical potencies of vegetable sprouts and increases awareness on the possibility of processing plant foods to make them more nutritionally beneficial. Green production is another important aspect of this text since plant foods processed by sprouting are free of agrochemicals, consume less energy and utilize less manpower, making them easy to produce and environmentally friendly as well. Consumption and production of sprouted vegetables has been increasing in recent years, and this text covers the production and nutritional aspects of all the major sprout groups.

The demand for plant foods in all global markets has been increasing along with awareness of greenhouse gases generated from animal farming, expanded sentiments against animal slaughtering and common perception of the health benefits of plant food products. Accordingly, more attention has been placed on green processing of plant foods for the optimization of their nutritional and health benefits. Sprouted vegetable products have been studied and reported in many scientific investigations to qualitatively improve the phytochemistry, enhance the nutritional profile and improve the biological functionality potentials of such vegetables beyond their initial natural states. Vegetable sprouts have been reported to possess aspects that make them serviceable for the management of metabolic syndrome disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer and other health issues related to cellular oxidation of body cells, and antimicrobial bioactive components have been isolated from vegetable sprouts. Advances in Plant Sprouts: Phytochemistry and Biofunctionalities provides a singular source on recent advances in studies about the dietetic and nutraceutical potencies of vegetable sprouts and increases awareness on the possibility of processing plant foods to make them more nutritionally beneficial. Green production is another important aspect of this text since plant foods processed by sprouting are free of agrochemicals, consume less energy and utilize less manpower, making them easy to produce and environmentally friendly as well. Consumption and production of sprouted vegetables has been increasing in recent years, and this text covers the production and nutritional aspects of all the major sprout groups.

The book provides general principles and new insights of some plant physiology aspects covering abiotic stress, plant water relations, mineral nutrition and reproduction. Plant response to reduced water availability and other abiotic stress (e.g. metals) have been analysed through changes in water absorption and transport mechanisms, as well as by molecular and genetic approach. A relatively new aspects of fruit nutrition are presented in order to provide the basis for the improvement of some fruit quality traits. The involvement of hormones, nutritional and proteomic plant profiles together with some structure/function of sexual components have also been addressed. Written by leading scientists from around the world it may serve as source of methods, theories, ideas and tools for students, researchers and experts in that areas of plant physiology.

Agriculture is currently facing multi-faceted threats in the form of unpredictable weather variability, frequent droughts and scarcity of irrigation water, together with the degradation of soil resources and declining environmental health. These stresses result in the modification of plant physiology to impart greater resilience to changing abiotic and biotic environments, but only at the cost of declining plant productivity. In light of these facts, assessing the status of natural resource bases, and understanding the mechanisms of soil-plant-environment interactions so as to devise adaptation and mitigation approaches, represent great and imminent challenges for all of us. In this context, it is essential to understand the potential applications of modern tools, existing coping mechanisms and their integration, as this will allow us to develop suitable advanced mitigation strategies. From a broader perspective, the book deals with crop-environment interaction in the context of changing climatic conditions. To do so, it addresses four major aspects: Understanding the mechanism of carbon dynamics in the soil-plant-environment continuum; greenhouse gas fluxes in agricultural systems; and soil properties influenced by climate change and carbon sequestration processes. Mitigation and management of the photo-thermal environment to improve crop productivity; soil health under variable climate; reducing agro-ecosystem evapotranspiration losses through biophysical controls; and heat stress in field crops and its management. Studying the impact of climate change on biotic environments; insect-pest interactions; manifestations of disease; and adaptation strategies for island agro-ecosystems. Innovative approaches to assess stress impacts in crops, such as crop modeling, remote sensing, spectral stress indices etc. The book presents a collection of contributions from authoritative experts in their respective fields. Offering young researchers new perspectives and future research directions, it represents a valuable guide for graduate students and academics alike.

Plant Factory Basics, Applications, and Advances takes the reader from an overview of the need for and potential of plant factories with artificial lighting (PFALs) in enhancing food production and security to the latest advances and benefits of this agriculture environment. Edited by leading experts Toyoki Kozai, Genhua Niu, and Joseph Masabni, this book aims to provide a platform of PFAL technology and science, including ideas on its extensive business and social applications towards the next-generation PFALs. The book is presented in four parts: Introduction, Basics, Applications, and Advanced Research. Part 1 covers why PFALs are necessary for urban areas, how they can contribute to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, and a definition of PFAL in relation to the term "indoor vertical farm." Part 2 presents SI units and radiometric, photometric, and photonmetric quantities, types, components, and performance of LED luminaires, hydroponics and aquaponics, and plant responses to the growing environment in PFALs. Part 3 describes the indexes and definition of various productivity aspects of PFAL, provides comparisons of the productivity of the past and the present operation of any given PFALs, and compares PFALs with one another from the productivity standpoint by applying the common indexes. Part 4 describes the advances in lighting and their effects on plant growth, breeding of indoor and outdoor crops, production of fruiting vegetables and head vegetables, and concluding with a focus on a human-centered perspective of urban agriculture. Providing real-world insights and experience, Plant Factory Basics, Applications, and Advances is the ideal resource for those seeking to take the next step in understanding and applying PFAL concepts. - Provides the most in-depth assessment of PFAL available - Compares PFAL to "indoor vertical farming and provides important insights into selecting optimal choice - Presents insights to inspire design and management of the next generation of PFALs

Genetic diversity is the key to crop improvement and food security. There are more than 1500 gene banks around the world, and genetic resources are maintained in nature reserves and on farms. Genetic diversity serves as the starting point for breeding crops with improved nutritional quality, higher yields, and better tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses. However, genetic diversity also provides opportunities for diversifying farm and food systems. Utilization depends on access to material and information. However, many gene banks experience backlogs in characterization, evaluation, regeneration, viability tests, plant health monitoring, and information sharing. This research topic focuses on advances in plant genetic resource conservation and utilization.

This book describes the potential contributions of emerging technologies in different fields as well as the opportunities and challenges related to the integration of these technologies in the socio-economic sector. In this book, many latest technologies are addressed, particularly in the fields of computer science and engineering. The expected scientific papers covered state-of-the-art technologies, theoretical concepts, standards, product implementation, ongoing research projects, and innovative applications of Sustainable Development. This new technology highlights, the guiding principle of innovation for harnessing frontier technologies and taking full profit from the current technological revolution to reduce gaps that hold back truly inclusive and sustainable development. The fundamental and specific topics are Big Data Analytics, Wireless sensors, IoT, Geospatial technology, Engineering and Mechanization, Modeling Tools, Risk analytics, and preventive systems.