Potato is a crop grown on all inhabited continents of the globe. It is included in the top five crops of the world, used as staple food in several countries, and the number of people daily consuming the potato may surpass one billion. Despite the high quantities of seed potato produced worldwide, there are yield gaps due to challenges such as abiotic stresses, pests, climate change and poor production practices. A region-wide critical analysis of yield declining factors can help formulate management strategies that can improve potato yields. Bridging yield gaps in potato will ultimately ensure the role of this crop in securing current and future food security. Potato Production Worldwide presents information on this global crop from its history, morphology, and taxonomy to the growth and development of the potato crop, including the latest strategies in addressing today's biotic and abiotic challenges. This book identifies the reasons for yield gaps in various potato production regions of the world, as well as presenting the best production practices, pest management strategies and approaches to deal with climate change from the perspective of potato production. Chapters provide important insights into potato production cultures and approaches in the major potato production countries. Potato Production Worldwide will be a valuable resource for researchers, scientists and students seeking a comprehensive view of successful potato production. - Provides comprehensive information on the origin, history, taxonomy, morphology, ecophysiology, growth and development of the potato - Addresses production practices, including irrigation, nutrient management, harvesting and post-harvest techniques - Explores the impact of Abiotic stresses (drought, chilling, salinity etc.) and their management

Agronomic crops have been a source of foods, beverages, fodders, fuels, medicines and industrial raw materials since the dawn of human civilization. Over time, these crops have come to be cultivated using scientific methods instead of traditional methods. However, in the era of climate change, agronomic crops are increasingly subjected to various environmental stresses, which results in substantial yield loss. To meet the food demands of the ever-increasing global population, new technologies and management practices are being adopted to boost yield and maintain productivity under both normal and adverse conditions. To promote the sustainable production of agronomic crops, scientists are currently exploring a range of approaches, which include varietal development, soil management, nutrient and water management, pest management etc. Researchers have also made remarkable progress in developing stress tolerance in crops through various approaches. However, finding solutions to meet the growing food demands remains a challenge. Although there are several research publications on the above-mentioned problems, there are virtually no comprehensive books addressing all of the recent topics. Accordingly, this book, which covers all aspects of production technologies, management practices, and stress tolerance of agronomic crops in a single source, offers a highly topical guide.

Successful vegetable production in a modern competitive market requires an understanding of many more factors than the biology of crops and the production techniques involved. This major new textbook brings the science and practice of vegetable production right up to date by addressing modern culture techniques and the recent challenges of consumer demand facing producers today. It introduces vegetable production from the perspective of producing high quality produce that satisfies the needs of the modern consumer. Beginning with the basics of how vegetables are grown using high and low input methods, including organic and sustainable production techniques, the book goes on to introduce and discuss many topics covered less comprehensively in older texts, including Good Agricultural Practices to improve quality, reduce biological contamination and secure food safety; water management; cropping systems; plasticulture; protected culture and mineral nutrition. Vegetable Production and Practices also introduces the use of molecular biology for genetic improvement of crops. Issues specific to individual vegetable crops are addressed by family, including their diseases, harvesting, quality attributes and other issues of increasing importance to consumers, including the role of vegetables in human health. Professor Gregory E. Welbaum has a long history of teaching successful courses in horticulture at Virginia Tech and other universities in the US and worldwide. Vegetable Production Practices has been specifically designed to accompany courses in vegetable crop production, so is ideally suited to inspire students in crop and horticultural sciences, as well as provide a useful reference for experienced practitioners.

Biotechnology offers great potential to contribute to sustainable agricultural growth, food security and poverty alleviation in developing countries. Yet there are economic and institutional constraints at national and international levels that inhibit the poor people's access to appropriate biotechnological innovations. Agricultural Biotechnology in Developing Countries: Towards Optimizing the Benefits for the Poor addresses the major constraints. Twenty-three chapters, written by a wide range of scholars and stake-holders, provide an up-to-date analysis of agricultural biotechnology developments in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Besides the expected economic and social impacts, the challenges for an adjustment of the international research structure are discussed, with a special focus on intellectual property rights and the roles of the main research organizations. Harnessing the comparative advantages of the public and private sectors through innovative partnerships is the only way forward to optimize the benefits of biotechnology for the poor. The book will be an invaluable resource for both academics and policy-makers concerned with agricultural biotechnology in context of developing-countries.

Make the right decisions when it comes to pest control in agriculture! Bacillus thuringiensis: A Cornerstone of Modern Agriculture explores the impact that one of the most prominent biologically based pesticides has had on pest control technologyand the issues that surround its use. The book examines the development, use, and management of technologies derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), addressing the health, economic, environmental, and social concerns generated by the deployment of genetically engineered crops. Authors representing a diverse cross section of the international scientific community contribute review articles and research findings that address the use of Bt in microbial formulations and transgenic crops, technological advances in the genetic engineering of plants, advances in methodologies, and improved agricultural practices and productivity through the use of Bt cotton. Bacillus thuringiensis: A Cornerstone of Modern Agriculture examines the vital issues surrounding this Gram-positive bacterium. Contributors from academia, government, and industry address the safety of Bt for human consumption, its effects on non-target organisms, the role of microbial Bt products in crop production in the United States, and the utility and management of transgenic plants. The book also explores: engineering Bt transgenic rice for insect pest protection the Bt potato in developing countries Bt expression in sugarcane and cauliflower a comparative analysis of Bt cotton in Argentina the ecological impact, gene expression, and current resistance management requirements of Bt cotton in the United States and much more! Bacillus thuringiensis: A Cornerstone of Modern Agriculture is an essential resource for advanced students and technical specialists working in agriculture, biotechnology, entomology, pest management, and crop sciences. Stakeholders will also find it invaluable in regulatory decision making about genetically engineered crops, pesticide use, and crop protection.