This book covers the uses of tropical farming systems in tropics of mixed, strip, relay, sequential and multistorey cropping. It discusses the aspects of the tropical farming systems including their history and agronomy and the plant inter-relationship within them.

Fifteen papers discuss the various aspects of multiple cropping. Plant interactions, weed and pest management, the role of cereals and legumes, economics, research methods for multiple cropping and finally the future of multiple cropping

No-tillage cropping systems and concepts have evolved rapidly since the early 1960s and are attracting attention worldwide. The rapid growth and interest is associated with increasing pressures for food production from a fixed land resource base with degrading effects of erosion, soil compaction and other factors becoming more noticeable. Research programs have provided many answers and identified new technology needed for success of the no-tillage crop production system in the past two decades and this has resulted in a rapid rate of adoption. Farmers played an important role in the early stages· of development of the system and continue to play an important role in its improvement and rapid rate of adoption. This book provides an inventory and assessment of the principles involved in no-tillage concepts and addresses the application of the technology to practical production schemes. Selected authors and contributors have long been associated either in no-tillage research or application. They represent many disciplines interfacing with the complex interactions of soil, plant and environment. Personal obser vations by the authors in many geographic sectors of the world indicate the principles to be valid but application of the principles to be less uniform. The application of no-tillage principles requires considerable modification as variations in soil and/or climatic condi tions are encountered in different regions of the world.

North American Agroforestry Explore the many benefits of alternative land-use systems with this incisive resource Humanity has become a victim of its own success. While we’ve managed to meet the needs—to one extent or another—of a large portion of the human population, we’ve often done so by ignoring the health of the natural environment we rely on to sustain our planet. And by deteriorating the quality of our air, water, and land, we’ve put into motion consequences we’ll be dealing with for generations. In the newly revised Third Edition of North American Agroforestry, an expert team of researchers delivers an authoritative and insightful exploration of an alternative land-use system that exploits the positive interactions between trees and crops when they are grown together and bridges the gap between production agriculture and natural resource management. This latest edition includes new material on urban food forests, as well as the air and soil quality benefits of agroforestry, agroforestry’s relevance in the Mexican context, and agroforestry training and education. The book also offers: A thorough introduction to the development of agroforestry as an integrated land use management strategy Comprehensive explorations of agroforestry nomenclature, concepts, and practices, as well as an agroecological foundation for temperate agroforestry Practical discussions of tree-crop interactions in temperate agroforestry, including in systems such as windbreak practices, silvopasture practices, and alley cropping practices In-depth examinations of vegetative environmental buffers for air and water quality benefits, agroforestry for wildlife habitat, agroforestry at the landscape level, and the impact of agroforestry on soil health Perfect for environmental scientists, natural resource professionals and ecologists, North American Agroforestry will also earn a place in the libraries of students and scholars of agricultural sciences interested in the potential benefits of agroforestry.

This book has been developed from a workshop on Technological change in agriculture and tropical deforestation organised by the Center for International Forestry Research and held in Costa Rica in March, 1999. It explores how intensification of agriculture affects tropical deforestation using case studies from different geographical regions, using different agricultural products and technologies and in differing demographic situations and market conditions. Guidance is also given on future agricultural research and extension efforts.

Horticultural Reviews presents state-of-the-art reviews on topics in horticultural science and technology covering both basic and applied research. Topics covered include the horticulture of fruits, vegetables, nut crops, and ornamentals. These review articles, written by world authorities, bridge the gap between the specialized researcher and the broader community of horticultural scientists and teachers.