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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.

  • Sexual Selection

    Perspectives and Models from the Neotropics
    • 1st Edition
    • Regina H. Macedo + 1 more
    • English
    Sexual Selection: Perspectives and Models from the Neotropics presents new sexual selection research based upon neotropical species. As neotropical regions are destroyed at an alarming rate, with an estimated 140 species of rainforest plants and animals going extinct every day, it is important to bring neotropical research to the fore now. Sexual selection occurs when the male or female of a species is attracted by certain characteristics such as form, color or behavior. When those features lead to a greater probability of successful mating, they become more prominent in the species. Although most theoretical concepts concerning sexual selection and reproductive strategies are based upon North American and European fauna, the Neotropical region encompasses much more biodiversity, with as many as 15,000 plant and animal species in a single acre of rain forest. This book illustrates concepts in sexual selection through themes ranging from female cryptic choice in insects, sexual conflict in fish, interaction between sexual selection and the immune system, nuptial gifts, visual and acoustic sexual signaling, parental investment, to alternative mating strategies, among others. These approaches distinguish Sexual Selection from current publications in sexual selection, mainly because of the latitudinal and taxonomic focus, so that readers will be introduced to systems mostly unknown outside the tropics, several of which bring into question some well-established patterns for temperate regions.

  • Physiology of the Cladocera

    • 1st Edition
    • Nikolai N. Smirnov
    • English
    The Physiology of Cladocera is a much-needed summary of foundational information on these increasingly important model organisms. This unique and valuable summary is based on the world's literature, including Russian research not widely available until now. It offers systematically arranged data on the physiology of Cladocera, assisting with explanation of their life and distribution, as well as discussion on directions of future research. Special expert contributions in genetics, immunology, and cytology round out the physiological chapters and provide comprehensive insight into the state of knowledge of Cladocera and its underlying mechanisms. Cladocera crustaceans make up a significant part of the natural communities and biological productivity of fresh waters. In recent decades, they have become globally studied for many purposes, including systematics, genetic, molecular, ecological and evolutionary biology studies. They are also used as "sentinel" organisms for assessing water quality and the environment. In addition, the genome of Daphnia (a genus within Cladocera) was recently sequenced and published, giving this system a much wider exposure. It has also led to a rapidly growing awareness of the importance of understanding physiological processes as they relate to evolutionary and ecological genomics and ecogenomic toxicology. Despite the increasing use of Cladocera in research and study, physiological background information on these creatures is fragmentary. Hundreds of unconnected publications have been accumulated on their physiology, and a synthesis and general representation of the literature has been much needed for the many researchers working with this organism. The Physiology of Cladocera stands alone as a valuable and comprehensive offering in this area for many researchers and students.

  • The Growing of Sugar Cane

    • 1st Edition
    • Roger P. Humbert
    • English
    The Growing of Sugar Cane develops the fundamental principles of the growing of cane in the hope that cane culture throughout the world will benefit by it. The tremendous strides made in recent years in the knowledge of how to improve the growing of sugar cane, form the subject of this treatise. Cane growing is not a science. As the results of research replace tradition and guesswork, yields are expected to continue to rise. The book opens with a chapter on the factors that affect sugar cane growth. This is followed by separate chapters on seedbed preparation, sugar cane planting, the nutrition and irrigation of sugar cane, drainage, weed control, flowering control, ripening and maturity, harvesting and transportation, and pest and disease control.

  • Avian Genetics

    A Population and Ecological Approach
    • 1st Edition
    • F. Cooke + 1 more
    • English
    Avian Genetics: A Population and Ecological Approach is a collection of papers that deals with the study of birds in relation to the synthetic theory of evolution. This book studies the ecology, demography, behavior, and geographical distribution of birds; the text also discusses quantitative, chromosomal, biochemical, and population genetics. Part I reviews the various genetic interactions, including an analysis of DNA sequence variation. The different and newer techniques are compared such as the works of Sibley, Quinn, and White. Part II describes the molding genetic variation and covers topics such as inbreeding; gene flow and the genetic structure of populations; non-random mating; and the process of selection in natural populations of birds. Part III covers actual genetic case histories, including quantitative ecological genetics of great tits; genetic evolution of house sparrows; and presentation of evidence for sexual selection by female choice in the Arctic Skua. This book also presents future research in subjects such as the neutrality-selection controversy or genetics and conservation. This text can be beneficial for ecologists, ornithologists, animal conservationists, and population biologists studying birds.

  • Principles of Cloning

    • 2nd Edition
    • Jose Cibelli + 6 more
    • English
    Principles of Cloning, Second Edition is the fully revised edition of the authoritative book on the science of cloning. The book presents the basic biological mechanisms of how cloning works and progresses to discuss current and potential applications in basic biology, agriculture, biotechnology, and medicine. Beginning with the history and theory behind cloning, the book goes on to examine methods of micromanipulation, nuclear transfer, genetic modification, and pregnancy and neonatal care of cloned animals. The cloning of various species—including mice, sheep, cattle, and non-mammals—is considered as well. The Editors have been involved in a number of breakthroughs using cloning technique, including the first demonstration that cloning works in differentiated cells done by the Recipient of the 2012 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine – Dr John Gurdon; the cloning of the first mammal from a somatic cell – Drs Keith Campbell and Ian Wilmut; the demonstration that cloning can reset the biological clock - Drs Michael West and Robert Lanza; the demonstration that a terminally differentiated cell can give rise to a whole new individual – Dr Rudolf Jaenisch and the cloning of the first transgenic bovine from a differentiated cell – Dr Jose Cibelli. The majority of the contributing authors are the principal investigators on each of the animal species cloned to date and are expertly qualified to present the state-of-the-art information in their respective areas.

  • Laboratory Animals

    Regulations and Recommendations for Global Collaborative Research
    • 1st Edition
    • Javier Guillen
    • English
    Laboratory Animals: Regulations and Recommendations for Global Collaborative Research is the only publication to offer a compilation of standards across the world in the care, welfare and use of animals in research. Timely in the new legislation in numerous regions of the world, this book provides the information in easily accessible, readable language. For professionals across laboratory animal science and biomedical research, Laboratory Animals: Regulations and Recommendations for Global Collaborative Research provides a broad picture of the regulations required in other areas of the world and is essential to appropriately manage animal care and use programs.

  • Dictionary of Trees, Volume 2: South America

    Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Ecology
    • 1st Edition
    • M.M. Grandtner + 1 more
    • English
    Dictionary of South American Trees provides a single-source reference for botanists, biologists, ecologists, and climatologists on the many native trees in South America. The index lets readers find a tree in four languages, by its common name, or abbreviation, followed by taxonomy that includes common uses for each part of the tree. Using this information, scientists and students can identify and classify plants, their growth structure and environment, the uses of their products, and alternative options with similar characteristics.

  • Plant Breeding for Pest and Disease Resistance

    Studies in the Agricultural and Food Sciences
    • 1st Edition
    • G.E. Russell
    • English
    Studies in the Agricultural and Food Sciences: Plant Breeding for Pest and Disease Resistance presents a critical review of the development of resistant varieties of plant to pests and diseases. It discusses the economic impact of pests and diseases; the methods of controlling these pests and diseases; and the challenges being faced by a plant breeder. Some of the topics covered in the book are the general principles and methods of breeding for resistance; importance of parasite variability to the plant breeder; methods of testing for resistance; requirements for successful inoculation; production of resistant varieties; and economic importance of fungal diseases; and variability in fungal pathogen. Pathogenic fungi and fungal diseases are also covered. The control of fungal diseases by resistant varieties is discussed. An in-depth analysis of diseases in plants is provided. The characteristics of bacteria and bacterial diseases are also presented. A chapter is devoted to epidemiology of diseases associated with mycoplasma-like organisms and rickettsia-like organisms. The book can provide useful information to farmers, botanists, students, and researchers.

  • A Synopsis of Biology

    • 2nd Edition
    • W. B. Crow
    • English
    A Synopsis of Biology, Second Edition presents a critical review of general topics in the field of biology. This book is organized into eight sections encompassing 164 chapters that discuss the form and structure of living and non-living, as well as the physiology of organism and the environment. Considerable sections are devoted to the anatomy and physiology of the reptile, bird, mammal, and humans; study of the inorganic environment; evolution and heredity of the species; systematic classification of plants; production and cultivation of plant products; preservation, breeding, and cultures of organisms; and definition of epiphytes and climbers. Other sections deal with the dynamics and structure of inorganic compounds and the molecular structure and mode of action of drugs. The analysis of the natural system and the theory of evolution are presented. The remaining sections discuss the distribution of floras and faunas in space. These chapters also focus on the dermal excretion and thermo-regulation. The book can provide useful information to biologists, students, and researchers.

  • Manipulation of Flowering

    Proceedings of Previous Easter Schools in Agricultural Science
    • 1st Edition
    • J. G. Atherton
    • English
    Manipulation of Flowering presents the edited proceedings of the 45th University of Nottingham Easter School in Agricultural Science held at Sutton Bonington in England on April 7-10, 1986. This book is organized into eight sections. The first main section examines the measurement and prediction of flowering and analyzes how best to measure flowering when the aim is either to assist physiological interpretations or construct predictive models. The following sections explore juvenility, the nature of determination in meristems, vernalization, photoperiodic induction and flower evocation, and initiation and development to anthesis. Each of the main sections provides an analysis of the flowering problems and a critical view of how to achieve a better understanding and use of the physiology of flowering. This book will be of interest to crop researchers, plant physiologists, geneticists, and others interested in understanding flowering manipulation.

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