Crop Physiology: Case Histories of Major Crops updates the physiology of broad-acre crops with a focus on the genetic, environmental and management drivers of development, capture and efficiency in the use of radiation, water and nutrients, the formation of yield and aspects of quality. These physiological process are presented in a double context of challenges and solutions. The challenges to increase plant-based food, fodder, fiber and energy against the backdrop of population increase, climate change, dietary choices and declining public funding for research and development in agriculture are unprecedented and urgent. The proximal technological solutions to these challenges are genetic improvement and agronomy. Hence, the premise of the book is that crop physiology is most valuable when it engages meaningfully with breeding and agronomy. With contributions from 92 leading scientists from around the world, each chapter deals with a crop: maize, rice, wheat, barley, sorghum and oat; quinoa; soybean, field pea, chickpea, peanut, common bean, lentil, lupin and faba bean; sunflower and canola; potato, cassava, sugar beet and sugarcane; and cotton. - A crop-based approach to crop physiology in a G x E x M context - Captures the perspectives of global experts on 22 crops

From climate change to farming systems to genetic modification of organisms, Crop Physiology, Second Edition provides a practical tool for understanding the relationships and challenges of successful cropping. With a focus on genetic improvement and agronomy, this book addresses the challenges of environmentally sound production of bulk and quality food, fodder, fiber, and energy which are of ongoing international concern. The second edition of Crop Physiology continues to provide a unique analysis of these topics while reflecting important changes and advances in the relevant science and implementation systems. Contemporary agriculture confronts the challenge of increasing demand in terms of quantitative and qualitative production targets. These targets have to be achieved against the background of soil and water scarcity, worldwide and regional shifts in the patterns of land use driven by both climate change and the need to develop crop-based sources of energy, and the environmental and social aspects of agricultural sustainability. - Provides a view of crop physiology as an active source of methods, theories, ideas, and tools for application in genetic improvement and agronomy - Written by leading scientists from around the world - Combines environment-specific cropping systems and general principles of crop science to appeal to advanced students, and scientists in agriculture-related disciplines, from molecular sciences to natural resources management

Providing comprehensive coverage on biofuel crop production and the technological, environmental and resource issues associated with a sustainable biofuel industry, this book is ideal for researchers and industry personnel. Beginning with an introduction to biofuels and the challenges they face, the book then includes detailed coverage on crops of current importance or with high future prospects, including sections on algae, sugar crops and grass, oil and forestry species. The chapters focus on the genetics, breeding, cultivation, harvesting and handling of each crop.

Plant Biomass Derived Materials Comprehensive overview of materials derived from biomass, including extraction techniques, important building blocks, and a wide range of applications Plant Biomass Derived Materials provides insights into the different sources and kinds of biomass and covers a variety of techniques to derive important building blocks from raw resources; after foundational knowledge is covered, the text continues to discuss a comprehensive list of materials and applications, ranging from nanomaterials, polymers, enzymes, dyes, and composites, to applications in energy, biomedical, water purification, aeronautics, automotive and food applications, and more. Written by four highly qualified authors with significant experience in both industry and academia, Plant Biomass Derived Materials includes information on: Biomass and its relationship to the environment, chemistry of biomass, lignin and starch, and recent trends of cashew nutshell liquid in the field Plant biomass mucilage, plant based colorants, revival of sustainable fungal based natural pigments, and algal-based natural pigments for textiles Biorefinery from plant biomass (including a case study in sugarcane straw), forest and agricultural biomass, and manufacture of monomers and precursors Chemical routes for the transformation of bio-monomers into polymers and manufacture of polymer composites from plant fibers Providing foundational knowledge on the subject and a wide array of specific applications of biomass, Plant Biomass Derived Materials is an essential resource for chemists, materials scientists, and all academics and professionals in fields that intersect with biomass: an abundant renewable resource used for many diverse purposes.

Divided into four sections covering anatomy in relation to crop management, anatomical descriptions of the major crop plants, anatomical changes in adaptation to environments and the link between anatomy and productivity, this book provides a comprehensive source of crop plant anatomy information. The crop areas covered include cereals, pulses and beans, oil crops and fibre crops. Suitable for students, researchers and professionals in the field, this book brings together economic plant anatomy and crop productivity for the first time. It is suitable for students and researchers of crop scienc.

Crops and world food supply, crop evolution, and the origins of crop physiology; Maize; Sugar cane; Rice; Wheat; Soybean; Pea; Potato; Sugar beet; Cotton; The physiological basis of crop yield.