This book owes its origins to a collation of some of my publications for which a higher doctorate (Doctor of Agricultural Science) was awarded by the University of Melbourne in 2004. In that guise it was titled: Integrating Reductionist Research into International Agricultural Development: Re-conceiving Agricultural Research for Development; Technical Support for Development; Thai Agriculture; International Agriculture; Agricultural Education. It was thus an attempt to seek continuity across my research and development activities around various countries up until that time and to distill from it some conclusions that might inform future directions for international agricultural research and development. The citation from the higher doctorate read: ‘to John Lindsay Falvey who, from 30 years’ research combining technical, social, environmental, policy and historical research in the developing world, challenged the simple importing of agricultural technology. He demonstrated that indigenous knowledge and culture is critical to sustainability, food security and human development, thereby potentially benefitting millions of persons participating in international development projects.’ The citation is both an exaggeration and an understatement. It may or may not have assisted millions of persons – how can anyone know. But in another sense, the work revealed the lost element of wholeness that once characterized good science, good lives and wisdom. The information presented here is snippets from papers and books that strive to make that revelation explicit. Its partial prototype benefitted in presentation and explication from my colleagues who formed the panel for the higher doctorate deliberations, Professors David Chapman, Adrian Egan and Robert White.

Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) devastate many crop plants, causing billions of dollars in agricultural losses each year. Effective management methods to combat PPNs are synthetic nematicides, but most are non-specific and notoriously toxic and threaten the soil ecosystem, groundwater and human health. The plant by-products, such as oilseed cakes, are sources of bioactive compounds with nematicidal potential. Oilseed cakes are an excellent organic fertilizer, and their bioactive compounds are now gaining importance as they are safe for the environment. This book provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date review of research on the use of oilseed cakes against PPNs. The complete knowledge of better uses of oilseed cakes for nematode management is necessary for developing effective nematode control options to reduce yield loss. Key features: • Describes plant by-products such as oilseed cakes and their potential applications • Explores bioactive compounds from oilseed cakes for agricultural biofertilization and nematicidal activity • Discusses nematode management in vegetable, fruit and legume crops • Covers the use of oilseed cakes and management of the associated challenges This volume is designed and edited to serve as an invaluable resource text for readers associated with plant nematology, plant pathology, plant protection and agricultural science, including researchers, teachers, advanced undergraduates and graduate students and even agricultural extension agents and farmers.

The book by M. Imran Kozgar aims to cover the problems of mutation breeding in pulse crops in the light of issues related to food insecurity and malnutrition, which according to FAO are the major threats at the present time. So far the research on induction of mutation in pulse crops is negligible compared to cereal crops, though the pulse crops and especially the chickpea are the largest grown crops in India. The main objective of the book is to reveal and explore the possibility of inducing genetic variability in early generations of mutated chickpea, describe the positive aspects of mutagenic treatments, evaluate the content of mineral elements (iron, manganese, zinc and copper) and physiological parameters of isolated high yielding mutant lines. The author hopes that his book will help to advance studies on pulse crops, and that in the long term it will help to reduce the food insecurity and malnutrition problems presently persisting in various developing countries, including India.