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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.

  • Working with Dynamic Crop Models

    Evaluation, Analysis, Parameterization, and Applications
    • 1st Edition
    • Daniel Wallach + 3 more
    • Daniel Wallach + 2 more
    • English
    Mathematical models are being used more and more widely to study complex dynamic systems (global weather, ecological systems, hydrological systems, nuclear reactors etc. including the specific subject of this book, crop-soil systems). The models are important aids in understanding, predicting and managing these systems. Such models are complex and imperfect. One fundamental research direction is to seek a better understanding of how these systems function, and to propose mathematical expressions embodying that understanding. However, this is not sufficient. It is also essential to have tools (often mathematical and statistical methods) to aid in developing, improving and using the models built from those equations. The book is specifically concerned with the application of methods to crop models, but much of the material is also applicable to dynamic system models in other fields. The goal of this book is to fill that gap.
  • Flavour Science

    Recent Advances and Trends
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 43
    • Wender L.P. Bredie + 1 more
    • English
    The flavor of a food is often the most desirable quality characteristic for the consumer, yet the understanding of flavour is a fascinatingly complicated subject, which calls for interdisciplinary research efforts. This latest volume presents the proceedings of the 11th Weurman Flavour Research Symposium and describes the most recent and original research advances related to the flavour of foods and beverages with contributions of experts from 25 countries world-wide.
  • Olive Oil

    Chemistry and Technology
    • 2nd Edition
    • Dimitrios Boskou
    • English
    A staple food for thousands of years for the inhabitants of the Mediterranean region, olive oil is now becoming popular among consumers all over the world. Olive oil differs from other vegetable oils because it is used in its natural form and has unique flavor and other characteristics. More and more research suggests its healthful benefits including reduced risk of coronary heart disease. Olive Oil is a compact and readable text on the most important aspects of chemistry, technology, quality, analysis and biological importance of olive oil. The topics selected have been developing rapidly in recent years, and will provide the reader with a background to address more specific problems that may arise in the future. Readers can expect more contributors and chapters in the 2nd edition, as well as a glossary.
  • A Color Atlas of Diseases of Lettuce and Related Salad Crops

    • 1st Edition
    • Dominique Blancard + 2 more
    • English
    Following the worldwide success of Dr. Blancard's volumes on Tomato Diseases and Cuncurbit Diseases, the author and his colleagues have produced a further indispensable tool for the diagnosis, understanding, and control of parasitic and non-parasitic diseases of lettuce, chicory, and endive. Two sections comprise this essential handbook. The first contains practical analytical text, over 500 color photos and diagrams and includes systematic cross-referencing between similar-looking conditions to help lead the reader to the correct diagnosis. The second section consists of Factfiles describing the pathogenic organisms that affect the crops, their biological charcteristics, and appropriate methods of protection and control. A Color Atlas of Diseases of Lettuce and Related Salad Crops is vital for every scientist, instructor, and student in agriculture, agronomy, biology, horticulture, mycology, and plant pathology, as well as serious gardeners and crop consultants.
  • Advances in Agronomy

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 89
    • English
    Advances in Agronomy continues to be recognized as a leading reference and a first-rate source for the latest research in agronomy. As always, the subjects covered are varied and exemplary of the myraid of subject matter dealt with by this long-running serial. Volume 89 contains six comprehensive and timely reviews. Chapter 1 presents a thorough coverage of wet chemistry and state-of-the art molecular scale techniques, such as x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies, that can be used to characterize phosphorus in organic wastes. Chapter 2 discusses the Wheat Genetics Resource Center that has served the scientific community for 25 years. These resources have been useful to scientists in 45 countries and 39 of the states in the U.S. Chapter 3 covers various aspects of the biology and management of Stevia, a sweet herb of Paraguay. Chapter 4 is a timely review of aspects of soil fertility decline in the tropics as assessed by soil chemical measurements. Chapter 5 covers nematode interactions and assessment of models for their control on crop plants. Chapter 6 presents data and algorithms on ammonia emission form animal operations, a current area of much interest in the area of environmental quality.
  • Footprints in the Soil

    People and Ideas in Soil History
    • 1st Edition
    • Benno P Warkentin
    • English
    The history of science discipline is contributing valuable knowledge of the culture of soil understanding, of the conditions in society that fostered the ideas, and of why they developed in certain ways. This book is about the progressive “footprints” made by scientists in the soil. It contains chapters chosen from important topics in the development of soil science, and tells the story of the people and the exciting ideas that contributed to our present understanding of soils. Initiated by discussions within the Soil Science Society of America and the International Union of Soil Sciences, this book uniquely illustrates the significance of soils to our society. It is planned for soils students, for various scientific disciplines, and for members of the public who show an increasing interest in soil. This book allows us to answer the questions: “How do we know what we know about soils?” and “How did one step or idea lead to the next one?”The chapters are written by an international group of authors, each with special interests, bound together by the central theme of soils and how we came to our present understanding of soils. Each concentrate on soil knowledge in the western world and draw primarily on written accounts available in English and European languages. Academics, graduate students, researchers and practitioners will gain new insights from these studies of how ideas in soil science and understanding of uses of soils developed.
  • Insect Ecology

    An Ecosystem Approach
    • 3rd Edition
    • Timothy D. Schowalter
    • English
    The third edition of Insect Ecology: An Ecosystem Approach provides a modern perspective of insect ecology that integrates two approaches traditionally used to study insect ecology: evolutionary and ecosystem. This integration substantially broadens the scope of insect ecology and contributes to prediction and resolution of the effects of current environmental changes, as these affect and are affected by insects. The third edition includes an updated and expanded synthesis of feedback and interactions between insects and their environment. This updated material and a new chapter on applications of insect ecology to social and environmental issues effectively demonstrates how evolutionary and ecosystem approaches complement each other, with the intent of stimulating further integration of these approaches in experiments that address insect roles in ecosystems. Effective management of ecosystem resources depends on evaluation of the complex, often complementary, effects of insects on ecosystem conditions, as well as insect responses to changing conditions.
  • The Chorleywood Bread Process

    • 1st Edition
    • Stanley P. Cauvain + 1 more
    • English
    The introduction of the Chorleywood Bread Process was a watershed in baking. It sparked changes in improver and ingredient technology, process and equipment design which have had a profound impact on baking processes and the structure of the industry. Written by two of the world’s leading experts on the process, this important book explains its underlying principles and ways of maximising its potential in producing a wide range of baked products.After a brief review of the basic principles of bread making, the book outlines the development and fundamental characteristics of the Chorleywood Bread Process. The following group of chapters review the key steps in the process, beginning with ingredient quality and quantities. Other chapters consider dough mixing and processing. Building on this foundation, the authors then review common quality defects and how they can be prevented or resolved. The book then considers how knowledge-based software systems can help to manage the process. The concluding chapters review the range of bakery products that can be produced using the process, how it can best be applied in different kinds of bakery and likely future developments.The Chorleywood Bread Process is a standard work for all bakers around the world wishing to maximise the potential of the process, and for scientists, technologists and students wanting a better understanding of the process and its place in commercial bread making.
  • Food Spoilage Microorganisms

    • 1st Edition
    • Clive de W Blackburn
    • English
    The control of microbiological spoilage requires an understanding of a number of factors including the knowledge of possible hazards, their likely occurrence in different products, their physiological properties and the availability and effectiveness of different preventative measures. Food spoilage microorganisms focuses on the control of microbial spoilage and provides an understanding necessary to do this.The first part of this essential new book looks at tools, techniques and methods for the detection and analysis of microbial food spoilage with chapters focussing on analytical methods, predictive modelling and stability and shelf life assessment. The second part tackles the management of microbial food spoilage with particular reference to some of the major food groups where the types of spoilage, the causative microorganisms and methods for control are considered by product type. The following three parts are then dedicated to yeasts, moulds and bacteria in turn, and look in more detail at the major organisms of significance for food spoilage. In each chapter the taxonomy, spoilage characteristics, growth, survival and death characteristics, methods for detection and control options are discussed.Food spoilage microorganisms takes an applied approach to the subject and is an indispensable guide both for the microbiologist and the non-specialist, particularly those whose role involves microbial quality in food processing operations.
  • Improving Traceability in Food Processing and Distribution

    • 1st Edition
    • I Smith + 1 more
    • English
    In the light of recent legislation and a number of food safety incidents, traceability of food products back from the consumer to the very beginning of the supply chain has never been so important. This important book describes key components of traceability systems and how food manufacturers can manage them effectively.After an introductory chapter on the nature of traceability systems, the first part of the book reviews the role of traceability systems not only in ensuring food safety but in optimising business performance. Part two looks at ways of building traceability systems, with chapters on modelling, identifying and resolving bottlenecks in traceability systems, including process information and tracing analytical measurements. Part three reviews key traceability technologies such as DNA markers, electronic tagging of farm animals, ways of storing and transmitting traceability data and the range of data carrier technologies.Improvi... traceability in food processing and distribution is an important reference for QA staff in the food industry in meeting regulatory requirements and improving the safety and quality of food products.