Neem is a versatile tree of Indian origin. Since ancient times, its various plant parts have been used to control domestic insects, stored grain pests, crop pests and for human and livestock medicine. Recently, these properties have been attributed to hundreds of chemicals present in this Golden tree. Being a storehouse of chemicals, with multiple uses and adaptability to diverse habitats and climatic conditions, the developed countries have been shown keen interest in this tree. Besides, the present day pesticides and nitrogen fertilizers pose several problems viz., environmental pollution and related health hazards in human and livestock insects. While neem chemicals have shown potential as pesticides and as nitrification inhibitors and do not pose these problems, moreover, neemcake is used as manure. This book will be most useful to neem scientists working in agriculture and forestry and to environmental conscious farmers of developed countries and to the educated farmers of Third World countries intending to practice Sustainable Agriculture.

Ecofriendly Pest Management for Food Security explores the broad range of opportunity and challenges afforded by Integrated Pest Management systems. The book focuses on the insect resistance that has developed as a result of pest control chemicals, and how new methods of environmentally complementary pest control can be used to suppress harmful organisms while protecting the soil, plants, and air around them. As the world's population continues its rapid increase, this book addresses the production of cereals, vegetables, fruits, and other foods and their subsequent demand increase. Traditional means of food crop production face proven limitations and increasing research is turning to alternative means of crop growth and protection. - Addresses environmentally focused pest control with specific attention to its role in food security and sustainability. - Includes a range of pest management methods, from natural enemies to biomolecules. - Written by experts with extensive real-world experience.

This book covers some of the crucial issues of sustainability in agriculture, which are presented in five sections viz., Concepts and Status, Sustainable Technologies in Crop Production & Management, Sustainability of Crops in Agro-ecosystems, Agro-forestry, and Spatial Informatics in Sustainable Agriculture. The sub-themes covered in the papers are: land use planning, sustainable livelihood, shifting cultivation, wetlands, weed management, technologies in crop production, traditional knowledge and management of agriculture, sustainability of crops in different agro-ecosystems, methods and policies, digital opportunities; use of remote sensing and GIS in agro-ecological zoning and agricultural resources information technology. The Contributions by scientists, planners, technocrats, researchers and practitioners, address both the conceptual and policy related issues with important empirical research findings.

Traditional and modern perspectives of neem; Using neem to controle pests; Effects of neem on montarget organisms; Socioeconomics of neem; Neem use in integrated pes management; Botanical pesticides other than neem; Lessons leamed and the next steps.

During the Green Revolution, achieving high crop yields at any cost was the ultimate goal. The emphasis now is on sustainable agriculture-increasing yields without harming the environment. Biopesticides are a vital component of sustainable agriculture. But are biopesticides as effective as chemical pesticides? Will farmers be able to use them and achieve high yields? What are the types of biopesticides available? What are the constraints faced by farmers and people in the market in procuring and selling them? This book answers these and similar questions. This volume is a collection of papers by eminent scientists working in the field of biopesticides. It gives examples of the successful use of biopesticides and problems associated with their widespread use. Some of the issues discussed include the relatively inadequate use of available biopesticides, most often due to the farmers' ignorance; poor quality of biopesticides; regulatory norms; the inability to implement large-scale initiatives; and the introduction of natural enemies to control pests. Targeting agriculturists, policy-makers, researchers, and representatives of the pesticide industry, Biopesticides for sustainable agriculture: prospects and constraints while focusing on India provides a global perspective on relevant research and methodologies in this field.

The most comprehensive and best illustrated treatment of the fascinating tropical neem tree (Azadirachta indica) and its unique substances. The extracts from the neem tree have an enormously broad range of applications. The main substance azadirachtin, a tetranortriterpenoid, influences the hormone system of insects, exerting thereby a pesticidal effect. Feeding activity, reproduction and flying ability of insects are also affected. It is biologically degradable and can be easily extracted from the seeds of the tree. Other important uses of neem tree products are: - antifertility and population control - cure of human diseases - manure and nitrification inhibitors - feeds for domestic animals - soap production With its exhaustive treatment of the neem tree and closely related plants, this book provides us with an impressive example of the varied uses of renewable resources.

Over the past decade, interest in plant biostimulants has been on the rise, compelled by the growing interest of researchers, extension specialists, private industries, and farmers in integrating these products in the array of environmentally friendly tools to secure improved crop performance, nutrient efficiency, product quality, and yield stability. Plant biostimulants include diverse organic and inorganic substances, natural compounds, and/or beneficial microorganisms such as humic acids, protein hydrolysates, seaweed and plant extracts, silicon, endophytic fungi like mycorrhizal fungi, and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria belonging to the genera Azospirillum, Azotobacter, and Rhizobium. Other substances (e.g., chitosan and other biopolymers and inorganic compounds) can have biostimulant properties, but their classification within the group of biostimulants is still under consideration. Plant biostimulants are usually applied to high-value crops, mainly greenhouse crops, fruit trees and vines, open-field crops, flowers, and ornamentals to sustainably increase yield and product quality. The global biostimulant market is currently estimated at about $2.0 billion and is expected to reach $3.0 billion by 2021 at an annual growth rate of 13%. A growing interest in plant biostimulants from industries and scientists was demonstrated by the high number of published peer-reviewed articles, conferences, workshops, and symposia in the past ten years. This book compiles several original research articles, technology reports, methods, opinions, perspectives, and invited reviews and mini reviews dissecting the biostimulatory action of these natural compounds and substances and beneficial microorganisms on crops grown under optimal and suboptimal growing conditions (e.g., salinity, drought, nutrient deficiency and toxicity, heavy metal contaminations, waterlogging, and adverse soil pH conditions). Also included are contributions dealing with the effect as well as the molecular and physiological mechanisms of plant biostimulants on nutrient efficiency, product quality, and modulation of the microbial population both quantitatively and qualitatively. In addition, identification and understanding of the optimal method, time, rate of application and phenological stage for improving plant performance and resilience to stress as well as the best combinations of plant species/cultivar × environment × management practices are also reported. We strongly believe that high standard reflected in this compilation on the principles and practices of plant biostimulants will foster knowledge transfer among scientific communities, industries, and agronomists, and will enable a better understanding of the mode of action and application procedures of biostimulants in different cropping systems.