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This contributed volume deals with problems associated with huge biomass generated by crop plants and the processing of fruits and food materials. The main focus is to address problems associated with organic residues from agro-industrial processes. This book aims to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date account of various processes involved in the valorization of this huge biomass available from agro-industrial processes and obtaining valuable primary and secondary metabolites which will have an impact on the rural economy. Decrease in forest cover associated with the production of agriculture-based waste resulting in pollutants like smoke by burning of residual crops, waste from breweries, food processing, pruning of bushes and trees, and from industries producing proteins, vegetable oils and fruit juices etc.This book is of interest to teachers, researchers, climate change scientists, agriculture scientists and policymakers. The book brings out the latest reading material for botanists, biotechnologists, environmentalists, biologists, policymakers and NGOs working for environmental protection.

Insects, pests and weeds are responsible for substantial loss of crops and reduced food supplies, poorer quality of agricultural products, economic hardship for growers and processor. Generally, chemical control methods are neither always economical nor are they effective and may have associated unwanted health, safety and environmental risks. Biological control involves use of beneficial biological agents to control pests and offers an environmental friendly approach to the effective management of plant diseases and weeds. The chapters are written by well recognized group leaders in the field. This book provides a comprehensive account of interaction of host and pests, and development of biological control agents for practical applications in crops management utilizing inherent defence mechanism, induced stimulation and biological control agents. The contents are divided into the following sections: General biology of plant defence, Use of natural compounds for biological control, Use of biological agents, Mechanism of action and Commercial aspects. The book will be useful for academicians, researcher and industries involved in study and manufacturing these products.

Reproductive biology is the basis of species improvement and a thorough understanding of this is needed for plant improvement, whether by conventional or biotechnological methods. This book presents an up to date and comprehensive description of reproduction in lower plants, gymnosperms and higher plants. It covers general plant biology, pollinatio

Bulbous plants are those with organs for nutrient storage and these include tubers, corms, and bulbs. They can be ornamental or edible, herbaceous or perennial. Important examples of such plants are potato, sweet potato, yam, arrowroot, and dahlias. This book focuses mainly on economically important food crops, their propagation strategies, plant g

To meet the challenge of feeding ever increasing human population, efficient, economical and environment friendly disease control methods are required. Pests are responsible for heavy crop losses and reduced food supplies, poorer quality of agricultural products, economic hardship for growers and processor. Generally, chemical control methods are neither always economical nor are they effective and may have associated unwanted health, safety and environmental risks. Biological control involves use of beneficial microorganism to control plant pathogens and diseases they cause and offers an environmental friendly approach to the effective management of plant diseases. This book provides a comprehensive account of interaction of host and its pathogens, induced host resistance, development of biological control agents for practical applications, the underlying mechanism and signal transduction. The book is useful to all those working in academia or industry related to crop protection.