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Books in Agricultural and biological sciences

The Agricultural and Biological Sciences collection advances science-based knowledge for the improvement of animal and plant life and for secure food systems that produce nutritious, novel, sustainable foods with minimal environmental impact. Food Science titles include not only those products from agriculture but all other aspects from food production to nutrition, health and safety, chemistry to security, policy, law and regulation. Biological Sciences address animal behaviour and biodiversity, organismal and evolutionary biology, entomology, marine biology and aquaculture, plant science and forestry.

  • Comprehensive Insect Physiology, Volume 8

    Endocrinology II
    • 1st Edition
    • October 22, 2013
    • G. A. Kerkut
    • English
    Endocrinology II concerns the actions of hormones in insects, complementing Volume 7 which is concerned with the production and chemistry of insect hormones. While the preceding volume is directed mainly towards the insect endocrinologist, this volume has much of intrinsic interest to the general physiologist. It deals with the regulation of metabolism, reproduction, cuticle properties, and certain aspects of behaviour from a systems point of view and amply documents how hormones have provided basic insights into the functioning of such systems. Interference in endocrine regulation could provide future systems for insect control and this volume will provide the foundation on which the future formulation of these strategies is based. More information on diverse aspects of insect hormone action is brought together here than in any previous single work and this volume will therefore be a valuable reference source for many years to come.
  • Infant Nutrition

    Its Physiological Basis
    • 1st Edition
    • October 22, 2013
    • F. W. Clements
    • English
    Infant Nutrition: Its Physiological Basis covers the physiological aspects of the nutrition of the fetus and young infant. This book is composed of 12 chapters that evaluate the data on the physical and chemical properties of the human and cow’s milk. It effectively addresses the aspects of tissue metabolism and the composition of a new born infant. The first chapters deal with the factors affecting placenta permeability; features of placenta; maternal supply and placental transmission of individual nutrients; secretion and components of human milk; and the constitution, chemical, and biological properties of milk. A comparison of the amino acid content of human and cow’s milk is also covered. Other chapters consider the analysis of the sucking and swallowing motion of the infant, as well as the physiological weight loss of the neo-natal period. The calorie and nutritional requirement of infants and children are presented. The last chapter is devoted to the protein requirements of young infants. The book can provide useful information to doctors, pediatricians, students, and researchers.
  • Applied Mutation Breeding for Vegetatively Propagated Crops

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 12
    • October 22, 2013
    • C. Broertjes + 1 more
    • English
    When the first edition of this book appeared in 1978, it was warmly received. Most readers and reviewers especially valued the extensive coverage of the literature in the chapters dealing with the different crops. ``... a valuable and timely addition to plant breeders and of outstanding value to breeders of ornamental plants. The book's special strength resides in the extensive review of literature ...'' (International Journal for Breeding Research). This is also reflected by the many times that the work has been referred to in other publications.This new edition provides plant breeders as well as scientists with an up-to-date overview of methods and results of the application of mutation breeding in order to genetically improve vegetatively propagated crops. General principles and background information about mutation breeding in general, methods of treatment, material to be treated and results are discussed in the introductory chapters, followed by a description of the specific situation in each of the vegetatively propagated crops ever used in a mutation breeding project.This volume brings together all the important and relevant literature in the field. It provides a complete account of mutation breeding of vegetatively produced crops, presenting conclusions about the value of the method, its possibilities, limitations and shortcomings and the possible difficulties of further application in various crops. The initial chapters deal with the interactions between mutagenic treatment and plant material, such as aspects of mutagenic treatment, post-irradiation behaviour of shoot apices and adventitious bud techniques. All available literature is then discussed crop by crop and critically evaluated. Almost 1700 references are covered and whenever possible suggestions for more efficient application of mutation breeding methods are given.
  • Diversity of Environmental Biogeochemistry

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 6
    • October 22, 2013
    • J. Berthelin
    • W.S. Fyfe
    • English
    Biogeochemistry, still in its formative stage twenty years ago, is now a young, interdisciplinary subfield of earth sciences, life sciences and chemistry. An international scientific association (International Symposia on Environmental Biogeochemistry incorporated - ISEB) was founded to organize international symposia to bring together microbiologists, biologists, chemists, geochemists, soil scientists, oceanographers, ecologists and environmental engineers interested in the biogeochemistry of terrestrial, aquatic and atmospheric environments.After the 8th ISEB held in Nancy, France, this volume was compiled. These fifty selected contributions from specialists of varying backgrounds and interests show the diversity and the common framework of the direct or indirect interactions of living organisms and their abiotic environments.
  • Crop Photosynthesis

    Spatial and Temporal Determinants
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 12
    • October 22, 2013
    • N.R. Baker + 1 more
    • English
    Since photosynthetic performance is a fundamental determinant of yield in the vast majority of crops, an understanding of the factors limiting photosynthetic productivity has a crucial role to play in crop improvement programmes.Photosynt... unlike the majority of physiological processes in plants, has been the subject of extensive studies at the molecular level for many years. This reductionist approach has resulted in the development of an impressive and detailed understanding of the mechanisms of light capture, energy transduction and carbohydrate biosynthesis, processes that are clearly central to the success of the plant and the productivity of crops.This volume examines in the widest context the factors determining the photosynthetic performance of crops. The emphasis throughout the book is on the setting for photosynthesis rather than the fundamental process itself.The book will prove useful to a wide range of plant scientists, and will encourage a more rapid integration of disciplines in the quest to understand and improve the productivity of crops by the procedures of classical breeding and genetic manipulation.
  • Genetics in Aquaculture

    Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Genetics in Aquaculture
    • 1st Edition
    • October 22, 2013
    • Graham A.E. Gall + 1 more
    • English
    This volume, the proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Genetics in Aquaculture, builds on the foundations laid down at the first symposium, held in Galway, Ireland in 1982 (Aquaculture, Volume 33), as well as those laid down at the second, held in Davis, California, USA in 1985 (Genetics in Aquaculture II), and the third, held in Trondheim, Norway in 1988 (Genetics in Aquaculture III). It addresses specific problems and developments in this field, demonstrating the tremendous breadth of research activity as well as the complexity of issues in aquaculture genetics. This book will be of great value to aquaculturists, fisheries scientists and marine biologists.(The above-mentioned proceedings of the first three conferences are still available).
  • Controlled Breeding in Farm Animals

    • 1st Edition
    • October 22, 2013
    • I. Gordon
    • English
    This textbook provides a detailed view of the different ways in which reproduction in cattle, sheep, pigs and horses can be controlled and manipulated. It is primarily of interest to students of animal science and veterinary medicine, but will also be of use to those who are concerned with the practical aspects of reproduction control, whether in an advisory capacity or in applying techniques on the farm itself. A major objective of the book is to draw attention to information which may be used directly to increase the efficiency of the livestock industry.
  • Insect Resistance Management

    Biology, Economics, and Prediction
    • 2nd Edition
    • October 8, 2013
    • David W. Onstad
    • English
    Neither pest management nor resistance management can occur with only an understanding of pest biology. For years, entomologists have understood, with their use of economic thresholds, that at least a minimal use of economics was necessary for proper integrated pest management. IRM is even more complicated and dependent on understanding and using socioeconomic factors. The new edition of Insect Resistance Management addresses these issues and much more. Many new ideas, facts and case studies have been developed since the previous edition of Insect Resistance Management published. With a new chapter focusing on Resistance Mechanisms Related to Plant-incorporated Toxins and heavily expanded revisions of several existing chapters, this new volume will be an invaluable resource for IRM researchers, practitioners, professors and advanced students. Authors in this edition include professors at major universities, leaders in the chemical and seed industry, evolutionary biologists and active IRM practitioners. This revision also contains more information about IRM outside North America, and a modeling chapter contains a large new section on uncertainty analysis, a subject recently emphasized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The final chapter contains a section on insecticidal seed treatments. No other book has the breadth of coverage of Insect Resistance Management, 2e. It not only covers molecular to economic issues, but also transgenic crops, seed treatments and other pest management tactics such as crop rotation. Major themes continuing from the first edition include the importance of using IRM in the integrated pest management paradigm, the need to study and account for pest behavior, and the influence of human behavior and decision making in IRM.
  • Stock Identification Methods

    Applications in Fishery Science
    • 2nd Edition
    • October 4, 2013
    • Steven X. Cadrin + 2 more
    • English
    Stock Identification Methods, 2e, continues to provide a comprehensive review of the various disciplines used to study the population structure of fishery resources. It represents the worldwide experience and perspectives of experts on each method, assembled through a working group of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. The book is organized to foster interdisciplinary analyses and conclusions about stock structure, a crucial topic for fishery science and management. Technological advances have promoted the development of stock identification methods in many directions, resulting in a confusing variety of approaches. Based on central tenets of population biology and management needs, this valuable resource offers a unified framework for understanding stock structure by promoting an understanding of the relative merits and sensitivities of each approach.
  • Innovations in Food Packaging

    • 2nd Edition
    • October 3, 2013
    • Jung H. Han
    • English
    This new edition of Innovations in Food Packaging ensures that readers have the most current information on food packaging options, including active packaging, intelligent packaging, edible/biodegradable packaging, nanocomposites and other options for package design. Today's packaging not only contains and protects food, but where possible and appropriate, it can assist in inventory control, consumer education, increased market availability and shelf life, and even in ensuring the safety of the food product. As nanotechnology and other technologies have developed, new and important options for maximizing the role of packaging have emerged. This book specifically examines the whole range of modern packaging options. It covers edible packaging based on carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids, antioxidative and antimicrobial packaging, and chemistry issues of food and food packaging, such as plasticization and polymer morphology. Professionals involved in food safety and shelf life, as well as researchers and students of food science, will find great value in this complete and updated overview.