Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing

• Considers the effects of applying organic amendments to soil and the environment
• Reviews the main technologies used to convert livestock manure into biofertiliser or bioenergy sources
• Includes case studies which detail the benefit and risks of using compost in two different agricultural settings

• Provides an overview of the key challenges facing successful development of circular, closed-loop agricultural systems
• Details recent advances in waste management and its application in urban agricultural settings
• Reviews sustainable alternatives to plastics in food packaging and their role in mitigating the environmental impact of the food-packaging industry

• Considers the impact of nitrogen overuse on crop yield, grain quality and profit
• Discusses recent advances in understanding nitrogen cycling in soil
• Highlights the need to develop more efficient varieties of wheat with improved traits related to nitrogen uptake, assimilation and remobilisation

• Reviews the use of machine vision technologies to measure soil texture, structure and topography
• Provides an overview of recent advances in the use of machine learning in agri-food robotics
• Considers the application of machine vision in indoor farming, focussing on its use in plant factories with artificial lighting

• Provides a comprehensive overview of the latest research in grassland science and management
• Includes a selection of case studies which highlight current challenges facing alpine/mountain grasslands, as well as grasslands in Europe and New Zealand
• Discusses recent developments in botanical composition of grasslands, including the design of multi-species swards and herbal leys

• Reviews the latest trends in the rapidly evolving bioprotectants sector
• Highlights the importance of developing an effective regulatory regime for bioprotectants
• Considers the range of techniques for identifying bioprotectants

• Provides a comprehensive overview of the main crop models developed in North America, Europe, Asia and the Pacific
• Considers how current crop models can be improved with future enhancements, such as the incorporation of genetics
• Details examples of current applications of crop models, focussing on genotype-environment-management (G x E x M) interactions

• Reviews the implementation of best practices to reduce the risk of virus spread in apple orchards
• Provides a detailed overview of key viruses affecting banana production, such as banana bunchy top virus and banana bract mosaic virus
• Addresses the modes of transmission and spread of Apple mosaic virus

• Provides an overview of the factors affecting the reproductive efficiency of sows, including gilt development and litter size
• Discusses the main factors affecting the reproductive efficiency of boards, including low sperm count and semen quality
• Reviews the advantages and disadvantages of utilising genetic selection for improved reproductive performance in sows

• Summarises the latest developments in ecological principles underpinning agroecology which provide the foundation for approaches such as regenerative agriculture
• Reviews how to balance trade-offs in agroecosystems to balance yields with resilience and protection of biodiversity
• Assesses how to optimise practical agroecosystems by involving farmers and using open-source technology and indigenous knowledge

• Provides a comprehensive overview of the major technologies used in precision agriculture, from proximal/remote sensing and use of unmanned aerial vehicles to the wide range of variable rate delivery systems
• Discusses the breadth of precision agriculture applications both in crop and livestock farming, from precision tillage and variable-rate seeding to precision pasture management
• Includes new developments such as multi-sensor fusion, robotics, artificial intelligence and big data

• Reviews the main types of contaminants in agricultural soils, such as heavy metals, pesticide residues and petroleum hydrocarbon waste products, per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contaminants
• Explores bioremediation techniques such as the use of soil amendments and additives
• Covers techniques such as phyto-stabilisation and phyto-extraction

• Provides a detailed overview of the range of techniques and treatments used to optimise safety at the pre-harvest and postharvest stages of egg production
• Outlines key shell egg quality standards and ways of meeting quality requirements
• Considers the environmental impact of egg production systems and how these can be better optimised to improve sustainability

• Provides a comprehensive overview of the ways agroforestry can support key ecosystem services
• Reviews the range of silvopastoral and silvoarable systems and their application in agriculture to optimise crop and livestock production
• Considers the benefits of temperate agroforestry in mitigating/adapting to climate change

• Explores the interactions between tropical forests and the immediate climate, as well as the role of tropical forests in the global carbon cycle
• Highlights the development and submission of Action Plans for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) by a range of countries
• Considers the debate surrounding whether forests should be classified as sources or sinks of carbon

• Utilises case studies to highlight the processes involved in receiving regulatory approval for new agricultural products
• Highlights the need for consistent regulation of genome-edited crops/products from country to country
• Reviews recent advances in plant protection regulations in the EU, focussing on those applicable to biopesticides and bioprotectants

• Addresses some of the common issues associated with the use of bio-based fertilisers
• Reviews the use and benefits of service crops in intensive cropping systems and low input systems
• Considers the use of compost as a means of improving soil health and biodiversity

• Considers the importance of agroforestry systems in achieving a more sustainable agriculture
• Reviews the environmental, ecological and economic benefits of agroforestry systems
• Explores the ways in which agroforestry practices can be implemented to enhance biodiversity

• Reviews the effects of no-till practices on soil health, focussing on its impact on the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils
• Considers the key concepts of no-tillage agriculture and how soil disturbance can be minimised during particular farming activities
• Assesses the role of no-till agricultural practices on reducing the risk of soil erosion

• Considers recent advances in agri-food traceability systems and technologies
• Reviews the role of food governance and technology in product recalls in food supply chains
• Addresses the main causes of food losses and waste in agri-food supply chains and how they can be prevented/reduced

• Considers the need to replace the application of synthetic fertilisers with more eco-friendly alternatives that have a reduced impact on the environment
• Reviews recent advances in the use of treated wastes to optimise crop health and nutrition
• Addresses key issues that can arise as a result of the use of bio-based fertilisers

• Considers the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) as a means of measuring key plant traits, including canopy cover
• Discusses the advantages and limitations of using unmanned aerial vehicle remote sensing platforms in precision agriculture
• Reviews key elements of UASs, including platforms, sensors, flight planning and imagery acquisition

• Discusses the role of poor herd health management in the development of disorders and outbreaks of disease
• Highlights the impact of intensive pig production systems on animal behaviour
• Addresses the use of environmental enrichment as a means of mitigating aggressive behaviour in pigs, such as tail biting

• Provides a comprehensive overview of the key challenges encountered by women smallholder farmers, such as restricted access to markets and technical training programmes
• Addresses the critical role of women smallholder farmers to the success of global agricultural production
• Includes a selection of case studies which highlight the development of programmes to aid women smallholder farmers in crop and livestock production

• Reviews the range of methods available to evaluate the environmental impact of dairy production
• Considers the role of the ruminant microbiome on energy harvest and methane emission
• Addresses how dairy farms can function more sustainably, focussing on how energy consumption and water use can be optimised to reduce environmental impact

• Reviews recent advances in the use of quantitative trait loci to identify and improve key sensory attributes of tomatoes and strawberries
• Identifies the key health benefits associated with the consumption of cranberries, as well as future approaches for maximising the bioefficacy of cranberry-related food and products
• Highlights the use of plant bioregulators in the tree fruit production industry as a means of controlling vegetative growth and the maintenance and development of tree structure

With significant concerns about the environmental impact of conventional crop and livestock production, there is a growing interest in utilising novel alternative sources of protein in both human and animal diets. Insects have long been consumed by an array of species, such as birds, fish and mammals, including humans.

Insects as alternative sources of protein for food and feed provides a comprehensive overview of the recent research undertaken in this rapidly-expanding area. The book reviews the production and application of black soldier flies, yellow mealworms and other insects as alternative protein sources in poultry, pig and fish feed, as well as their nutritional benefits and challenges that can arise as a result of their use.

Through its considered approach, the book explores how the safety of insect-derived protein can be ensured across the supply chain, as well as how we can optimise its use as a sustainable feed and food source which contributes to a more resilient food system.

• Highlights the major zoonotic disease threats to poultry production, detailing their characterisation, identification and routes of transmission

• Addresses both on-farm safety and postharvest management techniques in preventing the risk and spread of zoonotic and other diseases

• Considers how elements of poultry production can be better managed to improve safety and sustainability, such as improving feed formulation and litter management to reduce environmental impact

• Provides a detailed overview of the recent advances in the biocontrol sector, focussing on the development of products to control crop insect pests
• Considers the key issues and challenges that can arise as a result of the development of novel biocontrol agents, such as the challenge of commercialising a new product to a rapidly changing market
• Addresses how breeding techniques can be optimised to improve plant defences against insect pest attacks

• Considers the contribution of sustainable forest management(SFM) to achieving several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Addresses the environmental factors which determine types of tropical forests
• Reviews the ways in which tropical forests can influence the water cycle

• Explores the challenges facing future fungicide development and the longevity of the global fungicide market
• Considers how plant pathogens develop resistance to fungicides, as well as how to detect and measure resistance
• Reviews the development of anti-resistance management strategies

• Addresses the detrimental impact of intensive poultry production systems on broiler health and welfare
• Reviews the application of technologies as a means of monitoring and automating welfare assessments of broilers
• Details the development of key health conditions in intensively-reared broilers as a result of poor housing conditions and feed and water restrictions

• Highlights the role of livestock manure in maintaining and improving soil health
• Addresses how greenhouse gas emissions can be mitigated during the storage, treatment and processing of livestock manure
• Reviews the range of technologies developed to convert livestock manure into bioenergy and biofertiliser products

• Discusses recent advances in the use of phenotyping techniques to enhance current cereal crop breeding programmes
• Considers the application of phenotyping techniques in controlled environments
• Includes a selection of useful case studies which illustrate the application of phenotyping techniques in an array of agricultural settings

• Considers the role of future fertiliser development in achieving a more sustainable agriculture
• Explores the range of techniques required to optimise fertiliser application in modern agriculture, such as rate, placement and timing
• Includes case studies which demonstrate the successful application of fertigation techniques in conventional and soilless cultivation systems

• Provides a detailed overview of the current challenges facing sheep production, including changing consumer and societal attitudes to sheep products
• Considers how sheep production can improve its sustainability through the implementation of key practices, such as the use of genetic improvements to reduce GHG emissions
• Reviews the recent advances in sheep breeding and genetic selection, as well as how it can be optimised to improve fertility and reproductive performance in sheep

• Considers how weed management can be optimised in Conservation Agriculture (CA) and other low-input production systems

• Provides a comprehensive overview of the recent research on the use of cultural and physical weed management techniques in CA systems, such as the use of allelopathy and thermal weed control

• Reviews the range of chemical and biological weed management techniques available to CA farmers, including the use of bioherbicides and other emerging methods of biological control

Pig nutrition faces many challenges, including the need to meet the changing requirements of animals as they grow whilst minimising environmentally-damaging nutrient losses. Additionally, with growing crops for feed seen as a significant contributor to climate change, there is an emerging consensus that the sector must seek alternative, more sustainable feed sources which have a reduced impact on the environment.

Advances in pig nutrition provides a comprehensive overview of the range of research addressing these challenges. The book addresses recent advances in understanding feed intake and feed formulation, focussing on advances in understanding pig nutritional requirements and ensuring feed safety. This collection also reviews the role of feed additives in optimising pig nutrition, including amino acids, prebiotics and exogenous enzymes.

“The depth of the analysis and the wealth of references in Dave Watson’s book provide a solid foundation for understanding the implications of the pressing environmental challenges we face, particularly the global food crisis. His engaging style makes this book not only informative but also inspiring. It encourages us to rethink our relationship with food, to value our culinary traditions, and to promote systems that nourish not only individuals but also our planet.” (Book Review Published in International Journal of Environmental Studies – Professor Nadia Boutaleb, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Morocco)

"Written from a supply side perspective, this is an excellent, well-written and comprehensive synthesis of a huge volume of literature on ways to improve the sustainability of food systems. I enjoyed reading it." (Professor Tim Benton, Distinguished Fellow - Environment and Society Centre, Chatham House - Royal Institute of International Affairs, UK)

There is an almost universal recognition that modern agri-food supply chains are unsustainable. They are seen as both contributing to and vulnerable to climate change, too reliant on environmentally-damaging synthetic inputs, as undermining biodiversity, generating significant losses and waste and failing to deliver the nutritious food required for a healthy, balanced diet.

Transforming food systems: The quest for sustainability addresses one of the greatest global challenges of our time: how to reform food systems so they are more sustainable but still able to produce the food we need. The book traces the evolution of the current global food production system and reviews competing approaches to achieving more sustainable production, starting with ‘reformist’ approaches which promote new technologies as a way forward, such as genetic modification and synthetic foods.

This collection also considers the pros and cons of ‘progressive’ approaches, such as regenerative and organic agriculture, as well as the more radical solutions which seek to achieve a more fundamental reform of the food system.

As the world tackles the central question of how food should be produced in the future, this book provides readers with an authoritative guide to the various solutions on offer and how to assess which road we should take.

Despite recent efforts, agricultural production continues to threaten biodiversity, disrupt delivery of key ecosystem services and contribute to climate change. A more regenerative approach is required to enable farmers to restore and work with the ecosystem services that underpin sustainable farming and food production. Biodiversity lies at the heart of this process.

Managing biodiversity in agricultural landscapes: Conservation, restoration and rewilding considers the range of techniques that can be implemented to improve biodiversity in farmland. It synthesises current research on the best ways to plan, implement and monitor ecological restoration projects as well as the role of government agri-environment schemes. The book also assesses what we know about the use and impact of individual conservation practices, such as field margins and hedgerows, and ways of successfully rewilding farmland.

The dairy sector continues to face increasing scrutiny for its environmental impact and contribution to climate change. It must also address consumer concerns surrounding issues such as animal welfare, antibiotic usage/resistance and the ethics of intensive production systems.

Advances in organic dairy cattle farming considers how organic dairy farming has the potential to address these challenges whilst also meeting the key organic principles of health, ecology, fairness and care. The book reviews advances in areas such as breeding, optimising pasture-based production and organic milk quality, improving the health and welfare of calves and adult cows, as well as promoting biodiversity and the move to a more circular, sustainable bioeconomy.

Poultry nutrition faces many challenges, including the need to meet the changing requirements of growing birds whilst also avoiding over-nutrition and nutrient losses which can be both environmentally and economically damaging. With the sector also facing increasing pressure to reduce its reliance on antibiotics, a greater understanding of the poultry gut, its function and its role in optimising overall bird health is required.

Advances in poultry nutrition provides a detailed overview of the physiology of feed intake in broiler production, focussing on recent advances in nutrient requirements, poultry digestive physiology and the genetic factors which can affect feed conversion efficiency in broilers. The collection also reviews the nutritional value of poultry feed and the range of in vivo and in vitro techniques used to measure factors which can influence its value, such as feed digestibility and metabolizable energy.

In recent years, there have been significant developments in the way that pigs are bred. This is primarily as a result of a shift in focus from production traits, such as meat quality, to other traits such as improved feed efficiency, reproductive performance and disease resistance. In light of this shift, a greater understanding of reproduction efficiency in pigs is required.

Advances in pig breeding and reproduction provides a comprehensive overview of the key research undertaken in these important areas and considers how reproduction efficiency can be optimised to achieve the desired breeding outcomes. The book also addresses recent advances in understanding how genetics can be engineered to breed pigs with an improved resistance to major diseases affecting pigs, such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus.

There is increasing scrutiny of the safety, environmental and social impact of food production. However, the complexity of modern agri-food supply chains has significantly complicated the process of setting and enforcing appropriate standards. The thematic scope of standards has also expanded from its original focus on safety and quality to cover social responsibility and ethical trading, animal welfare, environmental sustainability, biodiversity loss and nature-related risks.

Finally, the range of stakeholders involved in setting and monitoring standards governing agri-food supply chains has proliferated, from official national, regional and international bodies to non-government organisations (NGOs), the food industry itself and now the investment sector concerned to ensure their clients meet environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards.

Improving standards and certification in agri-food supply chains: Ensuring safety, sustainability and social responsibility comprehensively addresses the challenges raised by this complex picture and features contributions from leading international experts from the Codex Alimentarius Commission and the Rainforest Alliance. The book discusses how to reconcile the roles of different stakeholders in standard setting, how changes in governance and technology can improve accountability, as well as the different ways of enhancing good agricultural practices (GAP) to meet new ways of producing food.

The book also discusses the challenges and solutions in achieving effective standards promoting more socially responsible production and how best to address emerging practices to improve environmental sustainability such as regenerative agriculture.

Microbiomes are communities of microorganisms living in soil and other habitats. In recent years, a new wave of research into understanding soil microbiomes has emerged, with stakeholders across the supply chain recognising the fundamental importance of these communities in optimising both crop and soil health. Despite these advancements, many soil microorganisms and their ecological functions remain only partially understood.

Understanding and utilising soil microbiomes for a more sustainable agriculture summarises the wealth of recent research in this important area. It reviews advances in techniques for analysing soil microorganisms, the composition and dynamics of soil microbial communities, the ecosystem services they support and how they can be enhanced.

The agricultural sector remains under increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact and consequent contribution to climate change, whilst also producing enough food to feed a rapidly growing population. With the variety and volume of data, coupled with the advanced methods for data processing, a new era of digital agriculture is emerging as a possible solution to this monumental challenge.

Smart farms: improving data-driven decision making in agriculture provides a comprehensive review of the recent advances in gathering and analysing data as a means of improving farm sustainability, productivity and profitability. The book discusses the evolution of farm information management systems, highlighting current trends and challenges, as well as methods of data acquisition and analysis, including the use of artificial intelligence.

“This book is a jewel, its many facets revealing the full range of advanced technical and technological data and innovative strategies in nitrogen management aimed at improving agricultural productivity and supporting sustainable and resilient agriculture, while also minimizing negative environmental impacts in line with sustainable development goals.” (Book Review Published in International Journal of Environmental Studies – Professor Nadia Boutaleb, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Morocco)

In the last 60 years fertiliser use in agriculture has increased by 900%. However, it’s been reported that up to 80% of these fertilisers are not utilised by crops but are lost to the environment as nitrous oxide, ammonia and nitrate. Improving nitrogen use efficiency is recognised as one possible solution to reducing the sector’s environmental impact and optimising its productivity and sustainability in the face of increasing pressure to feed a growing population.

Improving nitrogen use efficiency in crop production reviews recent advances in understanding nitrogen cycling in soil as well as advances in monitoring nitrogen status and synchronising fertiliser application. The book also considers developments in inorganic fertilisers to improve nitrogen use efficiency, as well as how more organic sources of nitrogen, such as livestock manure, can be optimised to achieve the same goal.

This collection features four peer-reviewed reviews on intercropping.

The first chapter summarises data from over 50 field experiments undertaken since 2001 on cereal–grain legume intercropping using spring and winter cereal–grain legume intercrops. The chapter addresses the effects of intercropping on yields and quality, the agronomical performance of intercropping and cultivation practices in intercropping.

The second chapter reviews the existing evidence on systems productivity, resource capture and use efficiency, between intercrops and sole crops for maize–legume-dominated cropping systems. The chapter also considers intercropping under different conditions, including those with heightened or reduced levels of moisture and nitrogen.

The third chapter considers the effects of crop rotation and intercropping management practices on soil health, focussing on their impact on crop productivity, soil health enhancement and stability. The chapter also highlights the importance of leguminous crops and soil organic matter in maintaining healthy soils, sustaining crop productivity and enhancing biodiversity.

The final chapter provides an overview of the economic and ecological benefits, challenges and major considerations of implementing alley cropping systems within North America. A case study detailing the performance evaluation of a pecan-cotton alley cropping system is also included.

This collection features three peer-reviewed literature reviews on pesticide residues in agriculture.

The first chapter outlines the ways in which pesticide use can lead to increased pest problems, such as pest resurgence and replacement, and the development of pesticide resistance. The chapter examines current strategies for mitigating the impacts of pesticides and refers to a detailed case study on the diamondback moth (DBM) to demonstrate the practical application of these strategies.

The second chapter explores the threat of pesticide poisoning to human health, either via deliberate self-poisoning or via occupational exposure. It discusses how best to monitor exposure to pesticides, as well as how to minimize the human health risks that may arise as a result of their use/exposure. The authors refer to a case study on smallholder cotton farmers in the Republic of Benin to emphasise the global pesticide poisoning crisis.

The final chapter reviews the environmental impacts of pesticide use in agriculture, focussing on their contribution to global human and ecological health issues. It provides an overview of how pesticides are currently addressed in emission inventory and impact assessment, and discusses the relevance of spatiotemporal variability in modelling emissions and the toxicity and ecotoxicity impacts of pesticides.

The first chapter reviews evidence of the human health impact of wheat flour fortification and how it is measured and studied.

The chapter explores the benefits to wheat flour fortification, citing the process’s ability to address widespread health problems caused by nutrient deficiencies, such as iron deficiency and anaemia.

The second chapter examines the biofortification of maize with Provitamin A carotenoids and its potential in improving micronutrient intake for the population of food insecure people. The chapter refers to the Zambia maize biofortification programme as a case study to demonstrate this.

The third chapter similarly considers the rising threat of micronutrient malnutrition, but highlights the integral role biofortified legume crops have in offsetting this. The chapter reviews the genetic variability of iron and zinc content in many legume crops, and shows how this is being used to guide breeding efforts through both transgenic approaches and agronomic management.

The final chapter assesses the problem of vitamin A deficiency in countries where cassava is considered a key crop and consumed as a main food source. The chapter reviews the HarvestPlus breeding programme for increasing the nutrient density of cassava, as well as strategies that can be implemented to promote the use of pro-vitamin A varieties by farmers and consumers.

This collection features four peer-reviewed literature reviews on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in agriculture.

The first chapter reviews the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) as biostimulants for sustainable crop production and explores the benefits of its use, such as bidirectional nutrient exchange and soil quality. The chapter discusses the requirements needed for successful implementation of AMF in sustainable crop production, and also maps the current market for mycorrhizal products.

The second chapter explores our understanding of how AMF can modify nutrient availability in soil, specifically concerning the roles that fungal ecology and physiology may play during the processes of nutrient acquisition and transformation. The chapter also refers to future opportunities in research to exploit AMF to improve nutrient-use efficiency.

The third chapter highlights further advances in our understanding of how AMF can improve root function in agricultural systems. The chapter also discusses the functional diversity apparent in plant responses to AMF colonisation.

The final chapter reviews the use of AMF-based bio-inoculants in tea cultivation. The chapter also discusses the range of AMF associated with tea and their effects on the tea rhizosphere, plant growth and quality.

This collection features five peer-reviewed literature reviews on mycotoxin control in agriculture.

The first chapter reviews advances in post-harvest detection and control of fungal contaminants in cereals. It examines abiotic factors affecting spoilage, methods for early detection of contamination and the range control measures for preventing toxin growth.

The second chapter focuses on post-harvest storage and handling practices of barley grain and how these methods can be used to mitigate mycotoxin issues. The chapter also reviews the various mycotoxins and fungi that are associated with barley.

The third chapter considers the current strategies available to prevent mycotoxin contamination in groundnut cultivation, focussing on peanuts. It also covers models that predict contamination, as well as the challenges associated with research and quantification of aflatoxin.

The fourth chapter presents an overview of the current understanding of mycotoxin contamination of cocoa. The chapter summarises the various methods available to aid detection of mycotoxins and control further contamination.

The final chapter addresses the critical safety issue of mycotoxin contamination of food waste planned for re-use. It reviews factors affecting mycotoxin growth and the particular problem of masked mycotoxins.

This collection features four peer-reviewed literature reviews on mite pests in agriculture.

The first chapter offers a holistic approach to integrated mite management by reviewing the basics of mite taxonomy and morphology. It studies the key plant mite families, focussing on major plant feeding mites (Tetranychidae, Tarsonemidae, Eriophyoidea), as well as the natural predators that regulate these mite populations.

The second chapter explores the cultural, biological and chemical control tactics available for controlling major plant feeding mites. These tactics include: choosing tolerant varieties and weed management. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the debate surrounding the best form of control for mite pests in agriculture.

The third chapter highlights the importance of understanding the bio-ecology of Tetranychidae species affecting tomato crops, including the two-spotted spider mite, carmine spider mite and red spider mite. The chapter considers the effects of each pest on tomato plants, as well as how best to control them.

The final chapter details the ecology of mite pests affecting wheat that belong to the Eriophyoidea family, such as gall mites and wheat curl mites. The chapter discusses the various forms of control for managing Eriophyid mites, as well as the development of new resistant varieties of wheat.

This collection features four peer-reviewed literature reviews on drought-resistant crops.

The first chapter assesses the genes involved in drought and heat tolerance, as well as the physiological traits related to increased tolerance to abiotic stress in wheat. It reviews advances in our understanding of the molecular markers associated with these physiological traits, and the roles of key genes in determining a wheat plant’s response to heat and drought stress.

The second chapter discusses mechanisms of drought resistance in rice. It reviews ways of assessing drought tolerance performance, identifying genes promoting drought tolerance through quantitative trait loci (QLT) analysis, as well as breeding for drought tolerance.

The third chapter highlights the genetic diversity and quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with the traits contributing to drought and heat tolerance in soybean. It also reviews genomic resources that can facilitate a better understanding of phenotype-genotype associations and formulate genomic-assisted breeding strategies.

The final chapter addresses the polygenic nature of tolerance to drought and to heat in grain legumes. It reviews advances in understanding plant adaptation to stress, the assembly of molecular and phenotyping tools to support breeding and the development of tolerance through traditional and molecular breeding techniques.

This collection features five peer-reviewed literature reviews on the environmental impact of livestock production.

The first chapter discusses life cycle assessment (LCA) and its role in evaluating the environmental footprint of farming systems. The chapter also explores how the practical trade-off between feasibility and scientific rigour should be addressed in the field of ruminant production systems.

The second chapter explores some of the many facets of livestock’s contributions to climate change and the difficulties involved in quantifying them, with a closer look into the contribution of livestock methane emissions to changing atmospheric methane concentrations over the last few decades.

The third chapter presents a review of the environmental sustainability impacts of swine production, focused at the farm level because the majority of environmental impacts occur by this stage of the supply chain.

The fourth chapter considers the potential strategies that can be implemented to improve the environmental performance of intensive poultry systems.

The final chapter examines how LCA can be used as a tool to quantify multiple resource use and environmental impacts. The chapter details how potentially harmful emissions can be assessed and measured at each stage in the life cycle of sheep products.

This collection features three peer-reviewed literature reviews on feather-pecking in poultry.

The first chapter describes the three main forms of injurious pecking (IP) in poultry: tissue pecking (TP), aggressive pecking (AP) and feather-pecking (FP). It discusses the origin of severe FP, the most severe form of IP. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the risk factors and current management strategies used to reduce IP in poultry production.

The second chapter assesses the use of beak trimming of laying hens as an effective preventative strategy for injurious pecking (IP). It considers the welfare costs and benefits of the two different methods: hot blade (HB) and infrared (IR). The chapter concludes with a section on alternative strategies that could reduce the need for beak trimming.

The final chapter reviews the different types of featherpecking and considers the origins of this behaviour. The chapter offers a detailed discussion on the management techniques available for the prevention of feather-pecking, during both rearing and the laying period.

This collection features four peer-reviewed literature reviews on bone health in poultry.

The first chapter reviews the literature on genetic mapping of skeletal traits in both broilers and layers, including both the genetics of skeletal defects and bone quality. As the chapter shows, linkage mapping and genome-wide association studies have identified promising candidate genes with potential for breeding more robust birds.

The second chapter focuses on bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO), one of the most common causes of lameness in broilers. The chapter summarizes the pathogenesis of BCO and reviews the efficacy of probiotics as a prophylactic treatment.

The third chapter discusses bone health in laying hens. It reviews bone development, keel and other bone health problems and factors contributing to poor bone health. It also summarises key strategies for improving bone health, including breeding, nutrition, rearing practices and housing.

The final chapter assesses the problem of lameness in intensively-reared broiler flocks. The chapter also discusses skin health in broilers. It summarises key risk factors as well as ways of monitoring and reducing the problem, from breeding programmes and enrichment to sequential feeding regimes.

This collection features four peer-reviewed literature reviews on cover crops in agriculture.

The first chapter describes the contribution of cover crops to improving soil health. The chapter reviews their key role e.g. supplying a food source for soil organisms, providing a source of carbon to help build soil organic matter, enhancing nutrient dynamics in the soil and improving soil structure.

The second chapter considers recent research on the benefits of cover crops in organic cultivation in areas such as soil structure and erosion control as well as nutrient cycling. It also looks at the wider role of cover crops in control of weeds, diseases and pests, promoting biodiversity and reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs).

The third chapter highlights the use of different cover crops species to promote live or dead soil mulch cover in Conservation Agriculture systems. It also reviews how cover crops effect aspects such as soil acidity and nutrient availability, soil physical and biological properties, soil nematode control, weed control and grain yield.

The final chapter reviews the role of cover crops in weed control. Cover crops are important additions to crop rotations because they suppress weeds during rotational periods when crops are absent and provide ecosystem services that enhance soil quality and fertility.

This collection features four peer-reviewed literature reviews on antibiotics in poultry production.

The first chapter places the use of antibiotics in poultry production in its historical context to understand the benefits that antibiotics have conferred on animal production to date. It considers past, present and future use of antibiotics, focusing on the use of bacteriocins and phytochemicals.

The second chapter considers the benefits and repercussions of the use of antibiotics in poultry production. It details the emergence of antibiotic resistance, as well as the potential risks to public health and sustainable farming associated with antibiotic use.

The third chapter reviews the identification and use of prebiotics as a control measure against contamination of poultry products. The chapter covers both traditional prebiotic compounds such as fructooligosaccharides, and less conventional sources such as guar gum.

The final chapter presents the background and current use of Competitive Exclusion (CE) as a preventative measure against Salmonella infections in poultry, by administration ofcultures of intestinal origin to day-old chickens.

This collection features six peer-reviewed reviews on optimising key quality attributes in poultry products.

The first chapter considers recent research on enhancing the nutritional quality of poultry meat, focussing primarily on increasing the meat’s polyunsaturated fat content.

The second chapter describes different mechanisms and chemical compounds responsible for poultry meat flavour and off-flavour development. The chapter also reviews how these compounds can be manipulated to enhance flavour.

The third chapter provides a comprehensive overview of 20 years’ worth of research on understanding the genetics and genomics of meat quality traits in poultry species.

The fourth chapter reviews the main factors affecting poultry meat colour and includes a case study to demonstrate how packaging can influence poultry meat colour and lipid oxidation.

The fifth chapter addresses the role and influence of egg appearance and colour on consumer preferences and purchasing decisions, focussing on the shell, albumen and yolk.

The final chapter reviews the use of molecular breeding techniques to improve internal and external egg quality, including whole-genome methods, such as genome-wide association studies and genomic selection.

Avocado is one of the world’s most economically important subtropical/tropical fruit crops, ranking fourth in export value behind bananas, grapes and apples. In the past 20 years, global avocado production has increased dramatically, with production now occurring in over 70 countries as a result of increased consumer demand.

This growth in production and consumer demand has been attributed to the fruit’s remarkable sensory, nutritional and nutraceutical properties. However, continued growth of the sector depends on optimising these properties, as well as improving the sustainability of pre-harvest cultivation and post-processing operations in the face of several challenges, including climate change.

Built on a lifetime’s experience from one of the world’s leading experts in the field, Sustainable production and postharvest handling of avocado considers how the avocado value chain can be optimised to achieve this growth. The book includes seven chapters which each offer a detailed insight into different elements of avocado production, covering topics such as nutritional compounds and health benefits, cultivars, growing techniques, pest and disease management, as well as post-harvest physiology and treatment and handling.

Written by a world-renowned expert, Sustainable production and postharvest handling of avocado will be a standard reference for commercial avocado growers, producers, processors and retailers, university and other researchers in tropical fruit science, as well as government and other private sector agencies supporting the sustainable production of avocados.

This collection features five peer-reviewed reviews on optimising photosynthesis in crops.

The first chapter reviews current understanding of the biochemistry, regulation and limitation of the C3 photosynthesis cycle in crops. It provides detailed discussions on CO2 assimilation in C3 photosynthesis, as well as the carboxylation, reduction and regeneration phases of the C3 cycle.

The second chapter considers the recent emergence of using phenotyping techniques to analyse crop functionality and photosynthesis. It reviews the relationship between photosynthesis, crop growth and stress response and explores phenotyping photosynthesis in varying environments.

The third chapter discusses the process of modifying mesophyll conductance to optimise photosynthesis in crops. The chapter considers recent research efforts to manipulate the structure and composition of cells walls, membranes and liquid phases to achieve this.

The fourth chapter explores improving photosynthesis in rice and details the need to optimise photosynthetic efficiency as a means of boosting yield ceilings in rice production.

The final chapter reviews some of the key factors determining photosynthetic performance and explores the options for improving the photosynthetic capacity and efficiency of wheat by selecting for a range of important traits.

This collection features four peer-reviewed reviews on improving the welfare of gilts and sows.

The first chapter reviews current knowledge on the factors affecting the health and welfare of gilts and sows during pregnancy and parturition. The chapter considers the influence of group housing, stress and social interaction on the development of production diseases, such as post-partum dysgalactia syndrome and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome.

The second chapter provides a detailed overview of the factors affecting the welfare of pigs during breeding and gestation. The chapter considers the influence of modern pig production on animal behaviour and welfare and reviews to what extent the inability to form matriarchal groupings contributes to demonstrations of aggressive behaviour.

The third chapter concentrates on the managerial and environmental interventions that attempt to reconcile the behavioural and physiological needs of both the sow and piglets to optimise their welfare during farrowing and lactation.

The final chapter describes the welfare issues associated with individual confinement systems and examines the nature and significance of stereotyped behaviour in gestating sows. The chapter also addresses the issue of hunger in the pregnant sow and drivers to adopt group housing systems for pregnant sows.

It’s been suggested that around 12 million hectares of agricultural land are affected by soil erosion each year. If the degradation of the world’s soil reservoir continues, many have estimated that this could lead to a 30% reduction in global food production by 2040.

Understanding and preventing soil erosion provides a comprehensive overview of recent research on understanding the mechanisms of soil erosion, as well as the best practices for measuring and modelling soil erosion risk in agricultural soils. The book also considers the range of agronomic practices and techniques available to mitigate future soil erosion, including the use of buffer strips, zero/no-tillage and soil stabilisers.

In its detailed assessment of soil erosion, the book succeeds in highlighting the potential future impact of degraded soils on the quality, security and longevity of our global food system if the problem of soil erosion isn’t effectively managed.

Whilst there are many types of agri-food supply chain, all face growing pressures to improve safety, efficiency, equity, environmental and health impacts for chain actors and consumers.

Frontiers in agri-food supply chains: Frameworks and case studies takes a considered approach to detailing the recent developments across the sector which support the changing demands placed upon agri-food supply chains, including the emergence of digital technologies to ensure a sufficient supply of safe, high-quality food. The collection highlights the need to assess the performance, infrastructure and governance of agri-food supply chains and provides detailed case studies from several regions around the world to demonstrate examples of improved performance.

In its comprehensive exploration of agri-food supply chains, the book succeeds in highlighting the fragility of our global food system and ways to improve the resilience and efficiency of agri-food supply chains.

With the global population estimated to reach 9 billion by 2050, agricultural production must align with this growth to alleviate any further burden on our current food systems. More sustainable and alternative modes of production are required to ensure that this overburden doesn’t occur and that the food security of millions isn’t compromised in the process.

Advances in cultured meat technology reviews the growing interest and emergence in the field of cellular agriculture as one possible solution to achieving this. The book reviews the major technologies used in cultured meat product development, including cell line sourcing, cell growth media, bioreactors for cell multiplication and tissue engineering using scaffolds. The need to establish regulatory frameworks to permit the creation and trade of this new type of product is also highlighted, as is the key issue of consumer acceptance of this new technology.

In its comprehensive exploration of the recent advances in cultured meat, the book showcases the potential of cultured meat production in alleviating the burden on our food systems, as well as some of the welfare and sustainability issues that arise during traditional livestock production.

Natural capital accounting provides techniques to value natural resources and the ecosystem services they deliver. These techniques are being increasingly used by governments, banks and other financial institutions to set conservation priorities, make ecologically-based investment decisions, and to improve the impact of agri-food businesses on the natural world.

Protecting natural capital and biodiversity in the agri-food sector provides a comprehensive overview of how key actors in the agri-food supply chain account for their impacts on natural capital. The book explores recent advances in the accounting and reporting frameworks to measure these impacts, as well as how natural capital and biodiversity can be identified and protected in a variety of agri-food sectors such as dairy production, palm oil production and winemaking.

The book showcases how the agri-food sector can better value and protect ecosystem services and reverse the depletion of natural capital and biodiversity.

In recent years, consumers have become increasingly interested not just in price and quality but in where and how food is produced. However, these changes to consumer attitudes have highlighted a considerable gap between intention and actual purchasing behaviour, particularly where ethical and environmental issues are concerned.

Consumers and food: Understanding and shaping consumer behaviour reviews what we know about changing food purchasing behaviours so that farmers, food manufacturers, retailers and policymakers can better meet and influence customer needs and expectations. The book reviews existing models of customer behaviour such as dual process and neuroscience approaches.

The book also considers contemporary issues such as regional and cultural influences on consumer purchasing behaviour, as well as how consumers assess attributes such as food origins and sustainability.

This collection features three peer-reviewed reviews on improving the welfare of heifers and calves.

The first chapter considers optimising reproductive management as a means of maximising dairy herd health and production. The chapter outlines the steps required to identify reproductive problems and limitations, as well as the emergence of monitoring technologies to detect changes to animal behaviour and patterns which can indicate the presence of disease.

The second chapter summarises recent research addressing behavioural needs of pre-weaned calves and post-weaned heifers, encompassing aspects of social interactions and feeding, rest and comfort, as well as opportunities for other behavioural expression. The chapter also discusses the consequences of restricting these behaviours, such as the development of abnormal oral behaviours.

The final chapter highlights the crucial role youngstock/calf management can play in optimising dairy herd health and welfare in the short-term and long-term. The chapter considers the impacts of calfhood nutritional management and calfhood diseases on subsequent dairy herd health, as well as the role of veterinarians in communicating best practice in youngstock management.

“The book is a ‘must have’, for it considers many complex and intertwined aspects from the consumer to genetics, to pre- and postharvest management, that impact and determine eating quality. This positions the book well for those young researchers starting a career on these topics.” (Book Review Published in Chronica Horticulturae – Professor Luca Corelli Grappadelli, University of Bologna, Italy and Chair ISHS Division Temperate Tree Fruits)

Apples are one of the most highly consumed fruits globally, with estimations that almost 88 million tonnes of apples are produced worldwide each year. As a result of this popularity, consumers have extremely high expectations of the sensory quality of the apples they consume.

Improving the quality of apples provides a comprehensive review of the wealth of research on the processes which determine the key quality attributes of apples, including texture and nutritional content. The book addresses how these properties can be enhanced during the pre- and postharvest stages to ensure product quality and customer satisfaction, as well as the role of breeding programmes in identifying genes directly related to sensory quality characteristics.

In its detailed exploration of the key quality attributes of apples, the book provides its readers with an insight into the science behind producing the ‘perfect’ product and how influential quality attributes are on consumer purchasing behaviours.

This collection features three peer-reviewed reviews on managing arthropod pests in cereals.

The first chapter discusses key arthropod pests of cereals, including Hessian fly, orange wheat blossom midge, bird cherry oat aphid, greenbug, Russian wheat aphid, sunn pest, wheat stem sawfly and wheat curl mite. The chapter provides a detailed case study for each arthropod pest, exploring the pest’s life cycle, its host plants and status as a wheat pest, best practices for managing populations, as well as our current understanding of plant susceptibility and plant resistance.

The second chapter highlights the economic importance of corn/maize to the United States economy, citing that around 37.7 million hectares of land was used to grow the crop in 2021. As a result of its economic contribution, farmers are required to have an informed understanding of important pest species affecting the crop. The chapter considers recent advances in monitoring of native and invasive pests of corn and includes case studies on the European corn borer, corn earworm, western bean cutworm and corn rootworm to demonstrate the effective implementation of insect pest monitoring systems.

The final chapter reviews the recent emergence of the Fescue aphid/grass aphid as an invasive pest of small grains outside of its native range of western Europe and the British Isles. The chapter considers the biology and management of the pest, its appearance and identification, its pest status and damage, as well as its potential for host plant resistance.

This collection features five peer-reviewed reviews on rust diseases of cereals.

The first chapter provides an overview of the wheat rust pathogen lifecycle and discusses recent integration of basic biological knowledge and genomic-led tools within an epidemiological framework.

The second chapter introduces stripe rust and provides an overview of its decimation of crop yields worldwide. The chapter summarises recent advances in identifying stripe rust resistance genes in wheat as a means of controlling disease spread and limiting its economic damage.

The third chapter addresses the need for more effective and sustainable control of rust pathogens affecting wheat and barley in the face of increasing regulatory measures against the use of conventional fungicides, as well as the spread of fungicide resistance.

The fourth chapter provides an overview of the recent advances in controlling wheat rust, focussing on the role of pathogen and host genetics, host-pathogen interactions, epidemiology and management strategies.

The final chapter considers the main rust pathogens affecting sorghum and details the different conditions in which they proliferate, their symptoms and impact on crop yields.

This collection features five peer-reviewed reviews on optimising rootstock health.

The first chapter explores optimising rootstock health to improve root function, resource-use efficiency, sustainability and agricultural productivity. The chapter also presents a case study on tomato rootstocks as a viable strategy to overcome abiotic stresses in Ghana.

The second chapter reviews the important aspects of tree growth and development in apple production which are integral to ensure product quality. The chapter discusses the importance of rootstocks and emphasises the mechanisms and morphological effects of dwarfing on rootstocks.

The third chapter considers recent advances in the development and utilisation of fruit tree rootstocks, focussing primarily on apples. The chapter also reviews rootstock tolerance to both abiotic and biotic stresses.

The fourth chapter discusses advances in avocado tissue culture for clonal propagation and highlights the potential of this technology for improving the sustainable supply of high-quality avocado plants to support future avocado industry growth.

The final chapter addresses the challenges and opportunities in pear breeding, focussing on pear cultivars, pear rootstocks and germplasm resources. The chapter also considers the use of dwarfing as a means of improving particular traits.

This collection features four peer-reviewed reviews on improving the shelf life of horticultural produce.

The first chapter introduces the concept of smart distribution and highlights how optimising the management of produce distribution systems can reduce loss and waste in the horticultural sector and extend shelf life by minimising quality deterioration. The chapter also discusses the use of remote sensing technology to determine food quality.

The second chapter reviews a selection of pre- and postharvest strategies used to optimise fruit quality. The chapter considers ways of measuring harvest maturity, as well as the role of temperature controlled environments in extending the shelf life of tree fruit.

The third chapter summarises the wealth of recent research on the preservation of fruit quality in mango production, as well as how postharvest operations can be optimised to reduce loss and waste and maximise shelf life, including the use of controlled environments, waxes and edible coatings.

The final chapter explores the advantages and disadvantages of cultivating ripening-impaired tomato mutants and genetically engineered genotypes characterized by inhibition of the ripening process. The chapter considers the use of ethylene inhibitors and controlled environments as a means of mitigating devastating yield losses.

This collection features five peer-reviewed reviews on improving biosecurity in livestock production.

The first chapter highlights the importance of implementing biosecurity measures along the pig production chain as a means of minimising disease introduction (external biosecurity) and spread (internal biosecurity) throughout the farm.

The second chapter reviews the diagnosis and monitoring of common pig diseases, as well as the control measures that can be implemented on the farm, focussing on the importance of establishing effective biosecurity measures.

The third chapter provides a brief overview of the emergence and re-emergence of several infectious pathogens of poultry. The chapter highlights the integral role of improving biosecurity in poultry flocks as a means of mitigating future disease risk, including proper cleaning and disinfection techniques.

The fourth chapter provides an overview of good farming practices for beef cattle farms, with particular discussion of biosecurity, animal welfare and the importance of clean cattle policies.

The final chapter summarises key issues of biosecurity which arise in organic animal farming and discusses their significance to human health. Two case studies are presented to demonstrate the successful implementation of biosecurity plans as a means of reducing disease risk.

This collection features six peer-reviewed reviews on irrigation management in horticultural production.

The first chapter considers recent advances in irrigation techniques used in sustainable vegetable cultivation and reviews the performance and efficiency of these systems.

The second chapter details the need to optimise precision in orchard irrigation management, focussing on matching water supply to plant demand as a means of achieving this.

The third chapter assesses irrigation management systems for tomato production and how these can be optimised alongside nutrient management to ensure the production of safe and nutritious tomatoes.

The fourth chapter summarises the common types of irrigation systems found in soilless culture production, as well as the emergence of new systems, including plant-based sensing and monitoring systems.

The fifth chapter highlights the need for more sustainable water use in ornamental production systems and the methods which can be used to achieve this, such as reducing runoff volume.

The final chapter considers recent advances in irrigation management in greenhouse cultivation, focussing on water balance, crop evapotranspiration techniques and irrigation scheduling.

This collection features four peer-reviewed reviews on the nutritional benefits of milk.

The first chapter highlights the important role of milk and dairy products in human diets due to the amount of energy (calories) they provide and their ability to compensate for foods in the diet with lesser nutritional value. The chapter also reviews the dairy matrix concept and how this matrix can influence human physiology.

The second chapter provides an overview of major and minor milk proteins, including caseins, whey proteins and indigenous milk enzymes. The chapter discusses a selection of milk protein products which are produced on an industrial scale to support human health and growth, such as the use of whey protein in infant formula and dietary supplements.

The third chapter reviews current knowledge on bioactive components existing in cow’s milk and colostrum, their biological and nutritional functionalities, as well as how these components can be exploited for the benefit of human health and physiological metabolism function.

The final chapter provides an overview of the nutritional properties of dairy carbohydrates and major glycoproteins in cow’s milk. The chapter considers the contribution of lactose as a substrate for beneficial colonic fermentation to short-chain fatty acids, as well as the importance of glycoproteins in infant diets.

This collection features four peer-reviewed reviews on phosphorus uptake and use in crops.

The first chapter summarises the progress in research on root traits associated with phosphorus acquisition, including root morphology, architecture, biochemistry, colonisation by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and fine root endophytes. The chapter also reviews the recent advances in breeding programmes to improve phosphorus acquisition efficiency.

The second chapter discusses interactions between phosphorus management (phosphorus rate, source timing, and placement) and diverse cropping systems and climate and how these interactions are essential to efficient utilization of phosphorus resources.

The third chapter assesses the key soil, root and microbial processes that influence phosphorus acquisition with a focus on factors that can be managed to ensure optimal use of fertiliser and development of root systems for improved phosphorus acquisition. A case study from Australia is used to demonstrate how phosphorus efficiency of grasslands can be improved.

The final chapter reviews the environmental effects of phosphorus fertilisation in agriculture, primarily its impact on water quality. The chapter considers how future water quality issues can be mitigated and also examines the cycling, fate and transport of phosphorus in agriculture.

This collection features five peer-reviewed reviews on optimising pig nutrition.

The first chapter considers advances in nutritional requirements and metabolism and how these contribute to the sustainable production of pig meat, including the need to maintain sow body condition throughout gestation and lactation and ways of reducing variation in pork production systems.

The second chapter discusses the essential contribution of balanced energy and protein levels in achieving optimal health in pigs. It includes a case study which illustrates how characteristics of feed form and structure may have contradictory impacts on the gastric health and performance of pigs.

The third chapter summarises current knowledge on the effects of prebiotic oligosaccharides on porcine gut function and health, focussing on the effects on gut functions in the early postnatal phase.

The fourth chapter addresses recent advances in understanding the role of vitamins in porcine diets. It outlines their importance for some aspects of oxidative mechanisms, including the development and competence of the immune system.

The final chapter summarises the nutritional attributes of macroalgae in terms of macro and micronutrients as a source of protein and other compounds in pig nutrition.

This collection features four peer-reviewed reviews on managing arthropod pests in tree fruit.

The first chapter provides a brief overview of the major aphid pests affecting tree fruit production, focussing on those causing economic damage in citrus, apple, pear and stone fruit production. The chapter considers the techniques available for their control and looks ahead to future research in this area.

The second chapter addresses the complex issue of managing and controlling arthropod pests in tree fruit production in the face of increasing pesticide regulatory restrictions, as well as public concerns about food safety and environmental impact. The chapter considers the need for a more basic understanding of pest biology and development which can then be used in predictive models to support the effective use of more selective and sustainable crop protection methods.

The third chapter introduces key arthropod pests of apples and highlights the importance of integrated pest management (IPM) programmes in controlling infestations. The chapter reviews the tools and tactics available as part of a sustainable IPM programme, as well as current and future challenges facing IPM.

The final chapter outlines key cultural tactics for managing arthropod pests in temperate tree fruit, including the modification of trees, tree architecture, orchard floor management, cultivation practices, mowing and the cultivation of orchard cover crops.

This collection features four peer-reviewed reviews on the nutritional and health benefits of beverage crops.

The first chapter introduces the importance of coffee leaves, highlighting their high antioxidant potential and impact on fruit quality. The chapter provides an inventory of molecules identified in the leaves of cultivated coffee trees, as well as the beneficial effects of these molecules on human health.

The second chapter considers the nutritional and health-related aspects of regular coffee consumption, focussing on its ability to prevent the onset of chronic diseases. The chapter also highlights that above-average consumption of coffee can lead to the development of side effects, including caffeine tolerance, dependence and withdrawal.

The third chapter discusses the main phytochemicals contained in tea, including polyphenols, amino acids, vitamins, carbohydrates and purine alkaloids. The chapter reviews the current analytical techniques available for tea characterisation, such as chromatic and spectroscopic techniques.

The final chapter explores the beneficial health effects of consuming tea on a regular basis. The chapter considers the potential role for tea in combatting chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as the possible mechanisms of actions of tea constituents.

This collection features six peer-reviewed reviews on the economics of key agricultural practices.

The first chapter assesses the economic impact of horticultural crops and integrated pest management programmes. The chapter highlights the importance of considering agricultural system design and the utilisation of novel control tactics.

The second chapter considers the economic consequences of novel integrated weed management (IWM) strategies, as well as the different approaches used to assess the economics of IWM strategies.

The third chapter reviews developments in methods to assess the economic value of agricultural biodiversity. The chapter also outlines the limitations of these methods and proposes a possible, novel way forward.

The fourth chapter provides an overview of the economic barriers faced by smallholder farmers, including land, labour, capital and inputs, and their impact on farm profitability.

The fifth chapter reviews the economics of soil health, focussing on the adoption of soil health management practices by farmers and the effectiveness of incentives.

The final chapter examines the use of economic research as a tool to determine the profitability and adoption potential for a number of precision agriculture technologies.

This collection features four peer-reviewed reviews on integrated pest management (IPM) in cereal cultivation.

The first chapter describes a holistic approach to IPM using knowledge of the natural regulation of herbivore and weed populations and of natural succession in agricultural wetlands. It also highlights the need for an improved understanding of rice ecosystems in a holistic manner to ensure the economic and environmental sustainability of rice production.

The second chapter provides a brief overview of IPM and reviews the range of control methods available to growers, including biological, cultural and chemical. The chapter considers the implementation of IPM programmes in wheat production and utilises a case study from New Zealand to demonstrate a successful example of it.

The third chapter discusses key insect pests of sorghum, their life cycles and their impact on crop productivity and performance. The chapter reviews the use of IPM programmes as a sustainable alternative to controlling pest infestations without the need for insecticides.

The final chapter examines host plant resistance as an ecological approach to managing crop pests and considers the process of evaluating resistance on the basis of insect behavior. The chapter also looks at breeding rice for resistance to insect pests and considers the constraints on the development and deployment of insect-resistant plant technology.

This collection features five peer-reviewed reviews on ensuring the welfare of laying hens.

The first chapter highlights the key welfare issues in poultry housing and management, focussing on the use of conventional cages to house laying hens. The chapter then explores the emergence of enriched cages and cage-free housing, as well as the benefits and risks of each system on bird health and welfare.

The second chapter reviews the range of welfare issues affecting free range laying hens. The chapter also highlights the need to improve current understanding of how laying hens behave in free range systems to be able to adequately meet their health and welfare needs.

The third chapter discusses the use of beak trimming methods, as well as the welfare concerns that arise as a result of their use. The chapter highlights alternative strategies to reduce the need for these practices which are known to incur acute pain.

The fourth chapter reviews the impact of housing and management systems on the skeletal and cognitive development of laying hens. It discusses how nutrition and housing can be optimised to reduce the occurrence of bone health issues.

The final chapter reviews current research on the genetics of behavioural traits in poultry, focussing on how breeding can be optimised to reduce aggressive behaviour in laying hens.

This collection features four peer-reviewed reviews on Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications in agriculture.

The first chapter reviews developments in the use of AI techniques to improve the functionality of decision support systems in agriculture. It reviews the use of techniques such as data mining, artificial neural networks, Bayesian networks, support vector machines and association rule mining.

The second chapter examines how robotic and AI can be used to improve precision irrigation in vineyards. The chapter pays particular attention to robot-assisted precision irrigation delivery (RAPID), a novel system currently being developed and tested at the University of California in the United States.

The third chapter reviews the current state of mechanized collection technology, such as the development of harvest-assist platforms, as well as the possibilities of these machines to incorporate artificial vision systems to perform an in-field pre-grading of the product.

The final chapter explores the emergence of the automated assessment of plant diseases and traits through new sensor systems, AI and robotics. The chapter then considers the application of these digital technologies in plant breeding, focussing on smart farming and plant phenotyping.

This collection features five peer-reviewed reviews on biostimulant applications in agriculture.

The first chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the optimal design and formulation of microbial and non-microbial biostimulants. The chapter presents two case studies to demonstrate the successful commercialisation of microbial and non-microbial biostimulant products.

The second chapter considers the utilisation of humic substances (HS) as plant biostimulants in agriculture and their impact on the physical and chemical properties of soil. The chapter also discusses the production of HS.

The third chapter reviews the wealth of research on the mechanism of action, applications and efficacy of key biostimulants such as Bacillus species, Pseudomonas species, Trichoderma species and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

The fourth chapter assesses recent advances in the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as a means of enhancing crop root function and nutrient use. The chapter also considers the challenge of practical adoption and use of PGPR in commercial agricultural settings.

The final chapter reviews the utilisation of biostimulants as an integrated pest management tool in horticulture. The chapter considers their role in promoting plant growth, building soil structure, as well as pest and disease suppression.

This collection features six peer-reviewed reviews on advances and in detecting and forecasting crop pests and diseases.

The first chapter introduces the concept of machine learning to identify and diagnose crop diseases, focussing on the deep learning concept.

The second chapter discusses recent advances in crop disease forecasting models, focussing on the application of precision agriculture technologies and Earth observation satellites to identify areas at risk of possible disease outbreaks.

The third chapter explores the contribution of remote sensing in improving the ways in which plant health is monitored in response to exposure to biotic stresses, such as disease.

The fourth chapter reviews how sensor technologies in combination with informatics and modern application technologies can contribute to more effective pest control.

The fifth chapter assesses the role of decision support systems for pest monitoring and management through information technology, such as spectral indices and image-based diagnostics.

The final chapter addresses key issues and challenges in pest monitoring and forecasting models, such as the limitation of some traps in attracting insects through the use of sex pheromones.

The global population is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050. Feeding this growing population more sustainably is a huge challenge facing agriculture. Developing agricultural robotics is seen as one potential solution to tackling this challenge.

Advances in agri-food robotics reviews the utilisation of agricultural robots to deal with increasing labour shortages in agriculture whilst bringing greater precision and efficiency into farming operations. The book addresses recent advances in agricultural robotic technologies and how these can be optimised to monitor and manage crop production more effectively, from phenotyping for improved varieties to harvesting the finished product.

In its comprehensive exploration of the technologies available, the book provides farmers with the means necessary to invest – and trust – in agricultural robotics to improve the productivity and profitability of their farm.

This collection features five peer-reviewed reviews on weed management in regenerative agriculture.

The first chapter provides an analytical review of the adoption of Conservation Agriculture (CA) in Sub-Saharan Africa by smallholder farmers, focusing on the challenges posed by weed management. The chapter assesses chemical and non-chemical weed control methods and their benefits in CA systems.

The second chapter considers the adoption of integrated weed management (IWM) in organic cropping systems, focussing on the key challenges that can arise as a result of this adoption. It also presents examples of successful integration between preventive, cultural and direct tactics in an IWM strategy.

The third chapter highlights an increasing need for IWM strategies in the face of herbicide-resistant weeds, soil degradation and environmental contamination by herbicides. The chapter reviews the cultural techniques available to manage weeds in a sustainable manner.

The fourth chapter introduces the concept of using crop rotations and cover crops as an effective and sustainable strategy for controlling weeds and looks ahead to future research in this area.

The final chapter utilises four detailed case studies from across Europe to illustrate the effectiveness of combined methods to control weeds and preserve/improve farmers’ income.

This collection features five peer-reviewed reviews on ecosystem services delivered by forests.

The first chapter summarises the current state of knowledge on the interactions between forest ecosystems and the climate system and the way in which forests influence the water cycle.

The second chapter reviews the wealth of research on the range of species, functional groups and ecological processes which can develop as a result of the biodiversity in tropical forests. The chapter also considers the main threats to tropical forest biodiversity.

The third chapter examines the importance of forest carbon content and the methods currently used to monitor it. The chapter also explores the mechanisms driving forest carbon storage and offers a considered discussion on whether forests should be considered sources or sinks of carbon.

The fourth chapter highlights how sustainable forest management (SFM) can be used to maintain or enhance biodiversity in temperate and boreal forests. The chapter utilises two case studies to demonstrate successful implementation of SFM in Ireland and Canada.

The final chapter considers the benefits of introducing agroforestry into agroecosystems, focussing on its influence on soil health. The chapter discusses the benefits of agroforestry systems on key soil physical, chemical and biological properties.

“The book contains valuable chapters that provide a useful introduction to how circular economy concepts apply to agricultural systems, supplemented with more in-depth descriptions and analyses of important technologies which may help moving towards improved circularity.” (Book Review Published in the Journal of Circular Economy – Dr A. G. T. Schut and Dr W. J. Vonk, Wageningen University, The Netherlands)

With the agricultural sector pledging to improve its sustainability, there is an urgent need to move away from linear food production models which rely on significant raw material inputs and generate large amounts of residual waste.

Developing circular agricultural production systems reviews the emergence of circular agriculture as an approach to improving the sustainability of the agricultural sector. The book addresses recent advances in understanding and developing closed-loop systems to optimise crop nutrient cycles and resource use, as well as ways agricultural wastes can be recycled back into agricultural production or used as feedstock to produce a range of bio-based materials.

With its comprehensive coverage, the book showcases how to develop circular agricultural production systems, from using crop residues as livestock feed, to producing biogas from livestock manure and manufacturing bio-plastics from agricultural waste.

Climate change is a key threat to agriculture. Modelling is fundamental to assessing its potential impacts. This collection summarises the wealth of research on improving climate impact models and their use in assessing impacts on different regions.

Modelling climate change impacts on agricultural systems reviews research on developing models in areas such as improving data flows, incorporating genetic information and dealing with uncertainty. This collection also reviews what we know about potential climate change impacts on regional agricultural systems such as, Europe, North America, Latin America, Australia and Oceania, as well as different regions in Asia and Africa.

Irrigated agriculture accounts for around 70% of global water use. However, an estimated 60% of irrigated cropland remains highly water-stressed, a problem intensified by the effects of climate change.

Improving water management in agriculture: Irrigation and food production considers ways of addressing this challenge. It reviews advances in monitoring and optimising irrigation efficiency, ways of retaining and re-using water resources as well as how farmers can work collaboratively with other stakeholders to manage watersheds more sustainably.

The book highlights key areas where innovation is required to ensure that water use is optimised at farm and watershed scales. The book also encourages farmers to reassess their current irrigation models and implement alternative practices which improve efficiency with a reduced environmental impact.

With increasing temperatures and an escalation in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, agricultural productivity remains at risk of being compromised. With the food security of millions threatened, there remains a need to develop alternative, sustainable production models which can thrive in the face of climate change.

Advances in plant factories: New technologies in indoor vertical farming reviews the wealth of research on optimising plant factories with artificial lighting (PFALs) as one potential solution to achieving a more sustainable agriculture. The book addresses developments in process monitoring, optimising energy use, as well as adjusting lighting conditions to improve the sensory and nutritional quality of a range of horticultural crops.

Agriculture is facing unprecedented scrutiny for its social and environmental impacts. Many of the key choices it must make are fundamentally about ethics.

Key issues in agricultural ethics explores key ethical debates surrounding agriculture and agri-food supply chains. These include issues such as animal welfare, use of labour, the effects of new technologies and the overall impact of agriculture on the environment. It considers the ways these ethical dilemmas may be better understood and potentially resolved.

Edited by a leading researcher in the field, Key issues in agricultural ethics will be a standard reference for researchers in agriculture and environmental science, government and other private sector agencies responsible for monitoring good agricultural practice, as well as researchers involved in the social sciences with a focus on ethics.

Increasing consumer demand for low-input cultivation and minimal processing has significantly increased the risk of microbiological contamination of fresh produce. This both presents a health risk to consumers and undermines trust in the food supply chain from farm to fork.

Advances in ensuring the microbiological safety of fresh produce reviews our current understanding of key pathogenic risks to fresh produce such as Salmonella, Listeria and E.coli. The book addresses recent advances in improving safety along the value chain, from advances in detection to improving consumer handling of fresh produce.

By providing a comprehensive insight into the pathogenic risks facing the fresh produce sector, the book details how key stakeholders across the agri-food supply chain can reduce the risk of pathogen contamination and outbreaks of foodborne illnesses.

Edited by an internationally-renowned expert in the field and featuring contributions from a team of expert authors, Advances in ensuring the microbiological safety of fresh produce will be a standard reference for researchers in food safety, agricultural engineers specialising in fresh produce storage, retail and other companies involved in the fresh produce supply chain, as well as government and commercial agencies responsible for safety and quality monitoring of agri-food supply chains.

• Provides a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in tackling the global ASF pandemic
• Considers current disease management practices for managing outbreaks of ASF and highlights the increasing need for a vaccine
• Reviews the use of clinical, serological and virological surveillance methods to identify the presence of ASF

“The one thing that really struck me about this book was the calibre of the editorial team and the international range and expertise of the contributing editors and authors. With over 550 pages this book is well worth its place on the bookshelf of anyone who is interested in poultry breeding and genomics.” (International Hatchery Practice)

“The editor of the book is Nick French, an internationally highly recognised scientist and practitioner in the field of poultry breeding, which in turn guarantees a close link between research and practice. Embryo development and hatchery practice in poultry production will fill a gap in this field and provide practitioners, researchers and students with an up-to-date reference work.” (Book Review Published in European Poultry Science – Dr Barbara Tzschentke, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany)

It is widely recognised that developments in the chick embryo have a profound effect on hatchability and the subsequent health and productive capacity of poultry. With a stronger focus on welfare, prevention of disease and more sustainable poultry production, understanding these early stages has never been more crucial.

Embryo development and hatchery practice in poultry production addresses the key stages and factors in embryo development in poultry to optimise hatchability and chick health. The book reviews the role of parental and environmental factors on embryo development and skeletal growth.

The book also reviews the effects of incubation on chick health and development, including factors such as temperature, light exposure and humidity, as well as best practice in managing the hatching stage.

Through focussed and authoritative discussions, the book details best practices for managing a hatchery environment to ensure that chick welfare, health and productive capacity are optimized.

Drought remains the biggest single threat from climate change to the production of key cereal crops, such as wheat and barley. Cereals also respond in complex ways to drought stress, making improved drought tolerance a challenging trait to achieve. With many cereals recognised as staple food crops due to their nutritional value, more research is required into improving drought tolerance as a means of ensuring the future food security of millions.

Developing drought-resistant cereals reviews the wealth of research which addresses how to overcome this challenge in order to mitigate climate change effects in cereal production. This collection details our understanding of the mechanisms of drought tolerance, as well as developments in techniques for improving resistance, including phenotyping, identifying genes relating to root and photosynthetic function and the use of genomic selection and genome editing.

This collection features four peer-reviewed literature reviews on bacterial diseases affecting pigs.

The first chapter summarises recent research on the causes and epidemiology of major bacteria, viruses and parasites found in pig production, focussing on those with a particular impact on safety and global production, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella typhimurium and African swine fever virus.

The second chapter discusses classical phenotypic characteristics and more advanced molecular techniques to identify and classify bacterial pathogens affecting swine health and performance. The chapter explores the different modes of transmission, as well as the commonly used measures for prevention and control, including vaccinations.

The third chapter reviews the development of dysbiosis and post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD) in piglets and the consequent economic losses these diseases cause for the global pig industry. The chapter considers the role of animal nutrition and dietary strategies to optimise gut function as a means of preventing dysbiosis and PWD.

The final chapter assesses methods of improving gut function in pigs to optimise health and prevent pathogen colonization. The chapter discusses research on genes associated with pathogen resistance and porcine immune response and reviews the role of dietary and nutritional strategies in preventing intestinal pathogen colonisation.