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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.

    • Trichoderma Biological Control Agent

      Phylogeny to Formulation
      • 1st Edition
      • Sudisha Jogaiah + 2 more
      • English
      Trichoderma Biological Control Agent discusses the biology and physiology of Trichoderma, beginning with its discovery in nature and continuing through its application in industrial organic agriculture production. It highlights the features of Trichoderma, enabling the reader to identify strains with the best parameters for a given scenario and guide their preparation for commercialization as protective agents against fungal phytopathogens and biostimulators, in particular, for plant crops.Trichoderma spp. are filamentous rhizosphere fungi known for their ability to colonize plant roots and promote resistance. They are a dominant component of numerous soil ecosystem mycobiomes, and knowledge of their features, such as secondary metabolite production and interactions with plants and other microbes, is crucial for identifying effective applications in agriculture.The coverage of both direct and indirect biocontrol capabilities against a vast array of soil phytopathogens makes this book a valuable resource for researchers and academics seeking to improve their effective application in sustainable plant health and agriculture.
    • Decoding Plant-Environment-Microbiome Interactions in Stress-Resilient Agriculture

      • 1st Edition
      • Asfa Rizvi + 4 more
      • English
      Decoding Plant-Environment-Mi... Interactions in Stress-Resilient Agriculture delivers both foundational understanding and forward-looking perspectives on the rapidly advancing field of phyto-microbiome research. Showcasing the unique advantages of microbial partnerships in stressed soils, the book explores how optimizing plant–microbiome interactions can transform crop productivity and sustainability.Focus... on the phyto-microbiome’s diverse components—including root-associated microbiota, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, endophytes, phosphate-solubilizi... microorganisms, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and actinomycetes—the volume reveals how these microbial networks enhance plant stress tolerance, rehabilitate degraded or contaminated soils, and sustain yields under adverse conditions.Harnessin... these natural bioresources effectively requires an integrated understanding of the complex crosstalk between plants and their associated microbes, from molecular signaling to ecological mechanisms. Drawing on insights from internationally recognized scientists and leading academicians, this book consolidates cutting-edge research and emerging innovations, providing readers with the knowledge needed to advance stress-resilient and environmentally sustainable agriculture.
    • Synergistic Plant Metabolomics and Plant Growth-Promoting Microorganisms in Addressing Abiotic Stress

      • 1st Edition
      • Naeem Khan + 1 more
      • English
      Synergistic Plant Metabolomics and Plant Growth-Promoting Microorganisms in Addressing Abiotic Stress unveils the latest advancements in understanding how plants respond to environmental pressures. By unraveling the complexities of metabolic pathways affected by abiotic stresses and highlighting the pivotal role of PGPMs in enhancing plant resilience, this book provides a comprehensive exploration of these intricate relationships. Recent advancements in plant sciences, metabolomics, and microbiology have deepened our understanding of the interconnected functions of metabolites and growth-promoting microorganisms in plant resilience and the role of microorganism in altering plant metabolome under environmental stresses. The book consolidates this emerging knowledge into an accessible volume, offering a holistic view of how plant metabolomics and microbial interactions contribute to plant adaptation under abiotic stresses. Aimed at researchers and practitioners, the book translates scientific findings into both research inspiration and practical applications for professionals and advanced students in plant science, agriculture, biotechnology, and related fields, addressing tangible strategies for improving plant and crop resilience and productivity.
    • Biochar

      Science, Applications, and Future Prospects for Sustainable Solutions
      • 1st Edition
      • Sivaperumal Sivaramakrishnan + 1 more
      • English
      Biochar: Science, Applications, and Future Prospects for Sustainable Solutions provides a thorough and practical understanding of biochar, a carbon-rich material produced from biomass pyrolysis. This book explores biochar's scientific principles, diverse applications, and its role in sustainability. It addresses its use in agriculture, environmental management, and renewable energy, and delves into emerging technologies and future prospects. The aim is to equip readers with the knowledge needed to harness biochar's potential for enhancing soil fertility, mitigating climate change, and promoting sustainable development. With a strong focus on practical implementation, the book covers the methods of biochar synthesis, its physical and chemical properties, and factors influencing nutrient retention. It also discusses the ecological benefits of biochar in various environmental contexts. Detailed case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of biochar in agriculture, waste management, urban settings, and community projects, showcasing its environmental benefits and economic viability. The book is divided into sections that cover the science behind biochar, its role in carbon sequestration, diverse applications, practical guidelines for implementation, techno-economic assessments, and regulatory considerations. It also explores emerging applications and challenges in biochar research, including innovations in odor control, pest management, and potential advancements in technology and medical applications. This book is an essential resource for research scholars and scientists in environmental science, ecology, agriculture, biotechnology, and industrial engineering. It also serves as a valuable reference for academic faculties, students, and policymakers interested in promoting sustainable practices and advancing the field of biochar.
    • Plant Receptors in Cellular Signaling

      Key Regulators of Development and Stress Adaptation
      • 1st Edition
      • Aryadeep Roychoudhury
      • English
      Plant Receptors in Cellular Signaling provides a comprehensive account of how plants perceive and respond to internal and external cues through receptor-mediated pathways. The volume integrates structural, functional, and mechanistic perspectives to examine the diverse spectrum of plant receptors—including phytohormone receptors, growth regulator receptors, receptor-like kinases, and multiprotein complexes—that orchestrate growth, development, and survival under changing conditions.The book explains receptor functions in auxin, gibberellin, cytokinin, abscisic acid, ethylene, jasmonate, salicylic acid, brassinosteroid, strigolactone, and karrikin signaling, while also addressing membranebound and cytoplasmic kinases, glutamate-like receptors, and other critical signaling components. By linking structural biology with functional outcomes, it shows how protein conformation and ligand recognition determine specificity and regulatory control.Emphasizing the interplay and crosstalk among receptor-mediated pathways, the text demonstrates how plants translate complex signals into precise cellular responses that regulate gene expression, coordinate development, and enable adaptation to biotic and abiotic stresses.Rich in mechanistic detail and conceptual breadth, Plant Receptors in Cellular Signaling is an essential reference for researchers and academics in plant biology, molecular signaling, stress physiology, and related fields seeking to understand how plants transform signals into adaptive strategies.
    • Engineered Nanomaterials for Agricultural Sustainability

      Current Status, Methods, and Future Strategies
      • 1st Edition
      • Sanghamitra Majumdar + 1 more
      • English
      Engineered Nanomaterials for Agricultural Sustainability: Current Status, Methods, and Future Strategies offers an in-depth exploration of how nanotechnology is transforming agriculture by enhancing crop productivity and environmental sustainability. The book addresses the bottleneck between the development and the implementation of nanotechnology in agriculture, focusing on the knowledge gaps related to environmental fate, standardization of characterization methods, mechanism of biological interaction, safety concerns, and the lack of consensus in regulatory guidelines.A volume in the Nanomaterial-Plant Interactions series, Engineered Nanomaterials for Agricultural Sustainability covers the design and application of nanomaterials for critical agricultural applications, such as nano-fertilizers, nano-pesticides, soil remediation, and nutrient management. It discusses key considerations regarding the fate and transport of the nano-enabled agrochemicals for their safe and effective commercialization. Subject matter experts provide comprehensive insights into the characterization techniques for studying nanomaterials in an agricultural context and advancements in understanding their mechanism of action and toxicity using multi-omics tools. The chapters present the latest research alongside regulatory challenges, offering a structured approach that enables readers to design nanomaterials for specific agricultural applications while avoiding undesirable impacts.With a strong focus on sustainability, this volume provides a roadmap for responsible and effective implementation of nanotechnology in agriculture. It will be a go-to reference for those looking to harness nanomaterials to enhance agricultural productivity and ensure food security.
    • Behavior of Insect Natural Enemies

      Ecology and Applications in Biological Control
      • 1st Edition
      • Omkar + 1 more
      • English
      Natural enemies of insects, consisting of predators, parasitoids, and pathogens, have attracted the attention of scientists and industry experts across the globe. Their unusual behaviors, from parasitism to cannibalism, exemplify a variety of biological behaviors and processes occurring within a balanced, yet complex ecosystem. They are ecofriendly and safe alternatives to pesticides yet still act as effective checks to pest populations. Behavior of Insect Natural Enemies: Ecology and Applications in Biological Control provides a comprehensive guide to the mating, oviposition, predation, parasitism, competition, and foraging behavior of insect and mite natural enemies. A thorough understanding of these behaviors is essential for the development of novel and effective biological control and integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.With contributions from leading experts in the field, Behavior of Insect Natural Enemies is an essential resource for anyone with an interest in the fascinating world of insect behavior. Researchers in academia and industry can build upon the knowledge in this resource to investigate and develop novel biocontrol methods. Students, particularly graduate and postgraduate students, as well as lecturers in the fields of entomology, parasitology, zoology and plant protection will also benefit from this fascinating reference.
    • Fundamentals of Plant-Parasitic Nematode Diagnostics, Systematics, and Classification

      • 1st Edition
      • Victor Phani + 1 more
      • English
      Fundamentals of Plant-Parasitic Nematode Diagnostics, Systematics and Classification offers a comprehensive and authoritative resource for researchers, students, and professionals engaged in nematode biosystematics. The microscopic size, morphological plasticity, and broad ecological diversity have long complicated the efforts to accurately identify nematode species and reconstruct their evolutionary relationships. Unlike many other animal groups, the full extent of nematode species richness remains largely unknown, and aside from rare fossilized specimens preserved in amber, paleontological evidence is minimal.This book confronts these challenges by integrating recent advances in molecular systematics with traditional taxonomic frameworks to build a unified reference dataset. It critically surveys the historical classification models and establishes a solid foundation for advancing research on nematode evolution and phylogeny. Rather than concentrating on isolated taxa, it presents a broad conceptual toolkit—encompassing diagnostic techniques, hierarchical organizations, and evolutionary analyses—that directly supports the management of character data and robust taxonomic publications. With its interdisciplinary scope and emphasis on both theoretical and practical diagnostics, this book is poised to become an essential reference for those working in agriculture, plant protection, and nematology.
    • Plant-Based Proteins Processing

      Emerging Trends and Applications
      • 1st Edition
      • C.K. Sunil + 2 more
      • English
      Plant-Based Proteins Processing: Emerging Trends and Applications covers sources, extraction, properties, bioavailability, modification, applications, and marketing opportunities, in addition to the conventional and emerging technologies applied for obtaining plant-based proteins. This book consists of five sections, starting with Section A which includes chapters on overview, sources, digestibility and bioavailability, nutritional properties, and food byproducts as a source of protein. Section B covers the extraction of plant-based proteins, which has chapters on the chemical, enzyme, and novel techniques for extraction of plant proteins. Section C chapters focus on the modification of the plant protein, including all the modification methods (Thermal, Non-thermal, Biological, and Chemical methods) and their effects on the protein. Section D includes the applications of the proteins, and the last Section, E, covers the market, challenges, and future opportunities for plant-based proteins. Plant-Based Proteins Processing is a complete guide for students, researchers, professionals, consumers, food manufacturers, and others who are engaged in plant-based protein production.
    • Therapeutic Potential of Medicinal Plants

      The Science Behind Natural Remedies
      • 1st Edition
      • Vera Popović + 1 more
      • English
      When synthetic drugs produce adverse side effects, practitioners may look to natural alternatives to alleviate symptoms or complement existing treatment. Therapeutic Potential of Medicinal Plants: The Science Behind Natural Remedies, investigates the bioactive compounds and functionality of medicinal plants and herbs which are recommended to help certain health conditions and overall well-being while highlighting cultivation that can be done sustainably to promote biodiversity conservation. Written by over 50 experts in the fields of nutrition, organic food, fertility, phytopharmacology, biotechnology, nanotechnology, plant botanicals, and herbal medicine, “Therapeutic Potential of Medicinal Plants: The Science Behind Natural Remedies,” introduces readers to the the chemical composition of over 75 plants, herbs, grains and seeds while highlighting their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects to improve overall well being and manage certain conditions such as diabetes, osteoarthritis, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Bioactive compounds, essential oils and phytochemicals in certain plants and marine compounds are reviewed for their efficacy to help improve gynecological health, alleviate menopausal symptoms and lower blood pressure. The book also discusses the toxicity and safety implications associated with the use of medicinal herbs during pregnancy and other life stages.