Cassava is a major tropical tuber crop found throughout the tropics (India, Oceania, Africa and Latin America). Hitherto, there has been no single text covering all aspects of cassava biology, production and utilization. This book fills that gap, representing the first comprehensive research level overview of this main staple crop. Chapters are written by leading experts in this field from all continents. The book is suitable for those working and researching in cassava, in both developed and developing countries, as well as advanced students.

Intended as both an instructional and a reference tool, the volume covers the production and postharvest treatment of cassava. The first part describes production constraints including pests , diseases, weeds, soils agronomic factors, and socioeconomic considerations. In part two, plant morphology, plant physiology and plant breeding are related to yields and diseases resistance. Part three covers postharvest treatment and part four describes cassava research. A bibliography of recommended reading is included.

The urgent need for sustainability within the food producing industries and agriculture has turned the interest of research to investigate new non-thermal technologies, nanotechnologies and other practices in postharvest treatment of crops and fruits. Subsequently, there is a need for a new guide covering the latest developments in this particular direction. Food Losses, Sustainable Postharvest and Food Technology provides solutions to postharvest treatment technologies. It explores modern non-thermal technologies, focusing on postharvest losses and quality of fresh-cut products. In addition, it discusses the implications for postharvest technology research, policies and practices. It also focuses on the most recent advances in the field, while it explores the potentiality and sustainability of already commercialized processes and products. Aimed at professionals working in the food industry and agriculture, it could also be utilized as a handbook for anyone dealing with sustainability issues of food production in spite of postharvest treatment. - Thoroughly explores modern non-thermal technologies in postharvest treatment - Discusses the implications for postharvest technology research, policies and practices - Analyzes the potentiality and sustainability of already commercialized processes and products

The world population has been increasing day by day, and demand for food is rising. Despite that, the natural resources are decreasing, and production of food is getting difficult. At the same time, about one-quarter of what is produced never reaches the consumers due to the postharvest losses. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to efficiently handle, store, and utilize produce to be able to feed the world, reduce the use of natural resources, and help to ensure sustainability. At this point, postharvest handling is becoming more important, which is the main determinant of the postharvest losses. Hence, the present book is intended to provide useful and scientific information about postharvest handling of different produce.

International trade in high value perishables has grown enormously in the past few decades. In the developed world consumers now expect to be able to eat perishable produce from all parts of the world, and in most cases throughout the year. Perishable plant products are, however, susceptible to physical damage and often have a potential storage life of only a few days. Given their key importance in the world economy, Crop Post-Harvest Science and Technology: Perishables devotes itself to perishable produce, providing current and comprehensive knowledge on all the key factors affecting post-harvest quality of fruits and vegetables. This volume focuses explicitly on the effects and causes of deterioration, as well as the many techniques and practices implemented to maintain quality though correct handling and storage. As highlighted throughout, regular losses caused by post-harvest spoilage of perishable products can be as much as 50%. A complete understanding, as provided by this excellent volume, is therefore vital in helping to reduce these losses by a significant percentage. Compiled by members of the world-renowned Natural Resources Institute at the United Kingdom's University of Greenwich, with contributions from experts around the world, this volume is an essential reference for all those working in the area. Researchers and upper-level students in food science, food technology, post-harvest science and technology, crop protection, applied biology and plant and agricultural sciences will benefit from this landmark publication. Libraries in all research establishments and universities where these subjects are studied and taught should ensure that they have several copies for their shelves.