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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.

  • Biochemistry of Insects

    • 1st Edition
    • Morris Rockstein
    • English
    Biochemistry of Insects reviews the state of knowledge in insect biochemistry. The book begins by examining the function of carbohydrates in regulating and maintaining the life processes of insects. This is followed by separate chapters on the functional roles of lipids and proteins in insects; and protein synthesis in insects. Subsequent chapters cover the chemistry of insect cuticle; the structure, distribution, and chemistry of insect biochromes; and chemical control of insect behavior. Also discussed are the biochemical aspects of the natural products used by insects in defensive contexts; the reaction of insecticides and related compounds with their targets; detoxification mechanisms in insects; and genetic variation in natural populations. Designed to serve as a basic textbook in field, this volume should be equally useful as an auxiliary text for most relevant courses in insect biology, particularly insect physiology, insect ecology, insect control, and economic entomology. The book should also serve as an important reference source for the advanced student, the research scientist, and the professional entomologist seeking authoritative details of relevant areas of subject matter.
  • The Role of Insectivorous Birds in Forest Ecosystems

    • 1st Edition
    • James G. Dickson
    • English
    The Role of Insectivorous Birds in Forest Ecosystems is a publication of the proceedings of The Role of Insectivorous Birds in Forest Ecosystems symposium, held on July 13 and 14, 1978 at Nacogdoches, Texas. The proceedings discuss the ecology of insectivorous birds and acknowledge their roles in forest ecosystems. The book begins with an introduction to and history of insectivorous birds and their roles in forest ecosystems. It then discusses the sampling methods for bird and insect populations, bird foraging strategies, and ecology of insectivorous bird species and communities. This book will be helpful to forest managers in managing insectivorous birds. It is also especially valuable in formulating biological control strategies for use in forests.
  • Nutrition of Grazing Ruminants in Warm Climates

    • 1st Edition
    • English
    @from:From the PrefaceThe objective of this book is to review the basic knowledge and methodology of feeding grazing ruminants in tropical and semitropical countries. It is hoped this information will be of use to farmers, research specialists, teachers, students, extension specialists, feed manufacturers, and others throughout the world concerned with the nutrition of grazing ruminants. A unique feature is the identification of nutritional limitations of grazing ruminants in the tropics, which will be beneficial for increasing animal production efficiency through the application of improved nutrition. A large number of photographs illustrate nutritional deficiencies and conditions in tropical countries.This book contains 18 chapters concerned with the nutrition of grazing ruminants. The first chapter deals with the contributions, locations, and various types of ruminants and their importance to human welfare in the tropics and subtropics. Chapters 2 - 4 progress through nutrient requirements of grazing ruminants in warm climates, the effects of tropical heat on these requirements, and water requirements for ruminant species. Chapters 5 - 7 discuss grass and legume forage species suitable for tropical regions, pasture management procedures, and energy-protein supplementation programs needed during the extensive dry periods. The importance of tropical forages and soils toward meeting mineral requirements is discussed in Chapter 8. Chapters 9 -14 contain concise, up-to-date summaries of minerals emphasizing mineral status, incidence of mineral deficiencies and excesses in tropical regions, and benefits and methods of mineral supplementation for grazing ruminants are discussed in Chapters 15 - 17. Chapter 18 reviews vitamin nutrition considerations for ruminants consuming tropical forages.
  • The Molecular Biology of Ciliated Protozoa

    • 1st Edition
    • Joseph Gall
    • English
    The Molecular Biology of Ciliated Protozoa covers topics that are unique to ciliates, including major molecular progress, genetics, life history, and development of ciliates. Organized into 11 chapters, it focuses on the importance of ciliated protozoa as experimental organisms. The introductory chapter traces the ups and downs of ciliate biology, emphasizing the prominent role of the ciliates in early studies of cell structure, reproduction, and heredity. The book goes on to discuss ciliate genetics and conjugation, providing the basic biological framework for molecular studies of ciliate. Chapters 4 and 5 cover the nuclear DNA content, sequence, and arrangement of holotrichous and hypotrich ciliates. Chapters 6 to 9 examine the characterization of chromosomal telomeres, ribosomal gene amplification, and chromatin and histone structure using ciliated protozoa as experimental organisms. The final two chapters describe the mating mechanism of two ciliates, Blepharisma japonicum and Euplotes raikovi, and the function of surface antigens of Paramecium ciliate. The book is intended for students and investigators who want to learn more about the ciliated protozoa, particularly, in areas that cover fundamental features of eukaryotic biology.
  • Determinants of Spatial Organization

    • 1st Edition
    • Stephen Subtelny
    • English
    Determinants of Spatial Organization documents the proceedings of the 35th symposium of the Society for Developmental Biology in 1978. The symposium brings together a diverse group of investigators who are engaged in the analysis of mechanisms involved in spatial organization. The contributions made by researchers at the symposium are organized into three parts. Part I on the cytoplasmic localization of determinants includes studies on fine structure of cytoplasmic specializations of the polar lobe of molluscan embryos; the fine structure of the polar granules of Drosophila eggs; and the polarity of rhizoid formation in Fucus. Part II deals with maternal-effect mutants of developmental processes. It includes studies on temperature sensitive maternal effect mutants in the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans; the nature of the control of gene action during development; and deviations from normal development observed in mutant embryos of Drosophila melanogaster. Part III examines pattern formation in developing systems. It includes studies on intracellular patterning in Tetrahymena; developmental properties of nerve-free hydra; and intercellular interactions and pattern formation in filamentous cyanobacteria.
  • Biochemistry and Genetics of Yeast

    Pure and Applied Aspect
    • 1st Edition
    • Metry Bacila
    • English
    Biochemistry and Genetics of Yeasts: Pure and Applied Aspects consists of papers presented at a symposium organized by the Academia Brasileira de Ciencias held at the Universidade de Sao Paulo, on December 4-10, 1977. Organized into seven parts, this book reveals relevant and exciting developments in the areas of yeast genetics, respiration and fermentation, metabolic regulation, cell wall structure, synthesis of macromolecules, and transport. It demonstrates the presence of great progress in the knowledge of structure and functions of the yeast mitochondrial DNA. This book will be useful to scientific institutes and university laboratories interested in the biochemistry, genetics, and technology of yeasts.
  • Plant Pathology

    • 2nd Edition
    • George Agrios
    • English
    Plant Pathology, Second Edition incorporates developments in identifying pathogens and disease diagnosis. This book is organized into two major parts encompassing 16 chapters that discuss general aspects of plant diseases and specific plant diseases caused by various microorganisms. This edition includes chapters or sections on diseases caused by mycoplasma-like organisms, rickettsia-like bacteria, viroids, and protozoa. Information on the genetics of plant diseases, the development of resistant varieties, and their vulnerability to new pathogen races is added in this release. It also includes information on the development of epidemics. The presentation of these topics is followed by a discussion on systemic fungicides and biological control of diseases, as well as postharvest diseases of plant products. Furthermore, this edition also explains mycotoxins and mycotoxicoses, as well as techniques of isolation, culturing, indexing, and identification of pathogens. It also studies mycorrhiza and root-nodule bacteria. Considerable chapters describe diseases caused by fungi and those caused by bacteria, which have been organized in logical, cohesive groups according to their most important symptoms. Diagrams of disease cycles, groups of pathogens and symptoms, and techniques and concepts of plant pathology are incorporated in each chapter. Moreover, this edition provides numerous photographs (macroscopic, microscopic, electron micrographs, and scanning electron micrographs) that illustrate concepts, pathogens, and symptoms. Teachers and students who are interested in plant pathology and plant diseases and control will find this book very helpful.
  • Taigu Genic Male-Sterile Wheat

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 9
    • Deng Deng Jingyang
    • English
    This book deals with the theoretical background and breeding methods of the single dominant male sterile gene, a spontaneous mutant discovered for the first time in wheat.The book is divided into three sections: the discovery of Taigu genic male-sterile wheat and its determination, such as genetic analysis, cytological observation, location of the gene, etc.; theory and method of the new way of breeding, such as recurrent selection, creating and developing the gene-pool; mechanism of male-sterility, for example morphological anatomy, cytochemistry and bio-chemical analysis.The book will prove valuable to plant breeders, agronomists, bio-technicians, botonists, geneticists and cytologists.
  • Introduction to Crop Husbandry

    Including Grassland
    • 6th Edition
    • J. A. R. Lockhart + 1 more
    • English
    Since 1983, when the last edition was published, there have been important new developments in crop husbandry methods as well as an increasing awareness of political and ecological pressures. These pressures have resulted in considerable changes in crop husbandry and the new edition reflects these changes by updating all chapters and by including new sections on combinable crops, organic farming and nitrogen leaching. As in previous editions this book presents all the modern crop production methods in a comprehensive and easily understood manner. As such it should continue to be the standard textbook for all crop husbandry syllabi at all levels of agricultural teaching.
  • Rabbit Feeding and Nutrition

    • 1st Edition
    • English
    During the past few years, considerable reseach has been undertaken on rabbit nutrition. Rabbit producers, feed manufacturers, animal nutritionists, and others interested in rabbit production will find this book to be the new authority. Comprehensive and up-to-date, the book evaluates new information on such topics as protein digestion and requirements, nutrition/disease interrelationships, feeding behavior, and nutrional factors involved in enteritis.