Nematodes continue to threaten horticultural crops throughout the world, particularly in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Estimated overall average annual yield loss of the world's major horticultural crops due to damage by plant parasitic nematodes is 13.54%. Monetary losses due to nematodes on 10 horticultural crops, six of which are life sustaining were estimated at US$ 19.37 billion annually based on 1984 production figures and prices. These deleterious effects on plant growth result in reduced yields and poor quality of horticultural crops. Nematode management is therefore, important for high yields and quality that are required by the high cost of modern crop production. The information on nematode diseases and their management, especially crop wise, is very much scattered and there is no book which deals entirely with the above aspects on horticultural crops. This book deals with nematode diseases and their management in horticultural crops such as fruit, vegetable, orname-ntal, medicinal, aromatic, plantation, spice and tuber crops. Each nematode disease is described in adequate detail under the following heads: economic importance, crop losses, distribution, symptoms, hosts range, life cycle, races/ biotypes, host-parasite relationship, histopathology, ecology, spread, survival, interaction with other pathogens and management. The management methods presented includes regulatory, physical cultural, chemical, biological, host resistance and integrated approach. An entire chapter is devoted for sources of availability of critical inputs used for nematode management which would be very useful to the farmers. Very useful information on certain aspects of nematode management is presented in Appendix. The book is adequately illustrated with about 50 figures. This book is a practical guide to practicing farmers of horticultural crops. Further, it is a useful reference to policy makers, research and extension workers and students. The material can also be used for teaching under-graduate and post-graduate courses.

Investing in farmers – or agriculture human capital – is crucial to addressing challenges in our agri-food systems. A global study carried out by the FAO Investment Centre and the International Food Policy Research Institute, with support from the CGIAR Research Programme on Policies, Institutions and Markets and the FAO Research and Extension Unit, looks at agriculture human capital investments, from trends to promising initiatives. One of the nine featured case studies is Kenya’s Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion Approach, which provides technical and soft skills based on the theory of self-determination. The training has influenced farmers to change their mindsets and behaviour towards market-oriented horticulture. In addition, most farmers gained confidence in applying the skills acquired, which resulted in improved production and marketing and increased incomes. The approach was found to be effective in developing human capital and is therefore recommended for use in smallholder horticulture production systems or enterprises. This publication is part of the Country Investment Highlights series under the FAO Investment Centre's Knowledge for Investment (K4I) programme.

Agricultural and Horticultural Engineering: Principles, Models, Systems, and Techniques focuses on the developments in agriculture and horticulture, including the role of engineers in employing measures in the management of plants, animals, and machinery. The book first offers information on the process of surveying, including tape, compass, and aerial surveying, leveling, barometric leveling with the aneroid, plane tabling, and electronic distance measurement and electronic total. The text then takes a look at models of the environment, material properties, and the relationship between stress and strain. The publication examines workshop methods and hydraulics. Topics include soldering, electric arc welding, low temperature brazing, welding using oxygen-acetylene apparatus, hydrodynamics, and water supply requirements. The text also reviews electricity and electronics and power and thermal systems, as well as alternating voltage supplies, electrical motors, electrical safety, power and energy consumption, and the fundamental principles of electronics. The manuscript is a dependable reference for engineers and readers interested in agricultural and horticultural engineering.

The use of synthetic pesticides has undoubtedly resulted in the achievement of increased crop production. However, in recent times, there has been a considerable pressure on consumers and farmers to reduce or eliminate the use of synthetic pesticides in horticulture, since fruits and vegetables are consumed afresh. This concern has encouraged looking for better alternatives which are cheaper and eco-friendly than synthetic pesticides. It is well known that plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) play an important role in maintaining crop and soil health through versatile mechanisms. There are two main outcomes or effects from beneficial microorganisms: enhanced plant growth and crop protection, both of which represent the two main constraints to agriculture. The information on biomanagement of pests (insect and nematode pests, fungal, bacterial and viral/phytoplasma diseases) of horticultural crops (fruits, vegetables, plantation, spice, tuber, ornamental, medicinal and aromatic crops) using PGPR is very much scattered. There is no book at present which comprehensively and exclusively deals with the above aspects on horticultural crops. The present book deals with biomanagement of pests in horticultural crops in detail using PGPR. The present book deals with biomanagement of pests in horticultural crops in detail using PGPR. The present book is divided into six sections. The first section deals with the importance of PGPR including introduction, potential role of PGPR in agriculture, genera of PGPR, disease management, nematode management, insect pest management, integrated pest management, mechanism of biocontrol, mass production, formulation, delivery and commercialization. Pest management in tropical, sub-tropical and temperate fruit crops is dealt in Section II. The third section deals with pest management in Solanaceous, bulbous, Malvaceous, Cruciferous, Leguminous, Cucurbitaceous, leafy and root and tuber vegetable crops. Pest management in plantation and spice crops is in Section IV. Section V deals with pest management in ornamental, medicinal and aromatic crops. The last section deals with a road map ahead including challenges, future prospective and conclusions. The book is extensively illustrated with excellent quality photographs enhancing the quality of publication. The book is written in lucid style, easy to understand language along with adoptable recommendations involving eco-friendly components of IPM.