Anyone who observes fruit trees may wonder how or why they behave in specific ways. Some trees grow upright while others have a spreading habit. Some produce many flowers and small immature fruit only to drop most of the fruit later on; others grow more strongly on their sunny side than their shady side. It is common to ascribe such behavior to the tree as a whole and state that trees preferentially "allocate" resources to specific organs. However, this is the wrong approach to understanding tree functioning and behavior. Trees are not in control of what they do. What trees do and how they function is shaped by the individual organs that make up the tree, not by the tree as a whole. The genetic code only indirectly determines the habit, structure and behavior of a tree by defining the behavioral and functional limits of the component organs, tissues and cells. Unlike animals that have a mechanism for collective control of the whole organism - a central nervous system - trees (and plants in general) are more appropriately considered as collections of semi-autonomous organs. These organs are dependent on one another for resources, such as water, energy and nutrients, but control their own destiny.This book presents a clear set of integrative concepts for understanding the overall physiology and growth of temperate deciduous fruit trees. The emphasis is on overarching principles rather than detailed descriptions of tree physiology or differences among the numerous species of fruit trees. Although the focus is on deciduous fruit trees, many aspects apply to evergreen fruit trees and trees that grow naturally in unmanaged situations.Highly relevant for students and researchers in pomology, horticulture and plant sciences, the book is also suitable for practitioners, extension staff, and novice fruit tree growers.

Peach is a highly valuable temperate fruit crop with significant consumer demand and nutraceutical benefits. This book provides comprehensive and up-to-date coverage on sustainable production processes for peach and nectarine. The latter is a natural mutation of peach that lacks fuzzy skin. It includes fundamental information to help reduce production risks for growers, improve fruit quality, and increase potential market returns, whilst addressing current emerging issues such as climate change and shifting global and regional production practices.Written by an international team of expert authors and highly illustrated in full colour throughout, Peach presents information in an organized and easy-to-follow manner, with content including:Peach tree architecture.Rootstocks.Cultivars.In-field operations (irrigation, fertilization, thinning, harvest)Fruit quality, composition and nutritional benefits.Peach fruit growth, development and ripening physiology.Postharvest technology, including supply chain management protocols.Preharvest and postharvest diseases.Biology and management of insect pests.The peach canning industry.This is an essential resource for students and researchers in horticulture, as well as professionals in pomology including fruit growers, consultants and extension specialists, and cold storage and transportation managers.

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are biocontrol agents that are used to control a wide variety of insect pests within agriculture and forestry. In addition to their use as bio-pesticides, EPNs have a fascinating biology and are thus considered model organisms in ecology, symbiosis and pathogenesis.This book presents basic knowledge and diverse applications to illustrate how EPNs play an important role as potent biocontrol solutions. It describes:Fundamental concepts such as biology, taxonomy, symbiosis genomics and behavioural ecology.Aspects of commercialization, including mass production, formulation, safety and regulation, and marketing.Diverse cropping systems e.g. maize, wheat and grains, citrus, orchard systems, berries, vine crops, vegetables and turf.Other applications including urban, nursery, forestry, greenhouse, veterinary and medical.Ecological considerations and applications in conservation biocontrol.This book is a must have for all pest management professionals including those practicing integrated pest management strategies.

There is increasing understanding that climate change will have profound, mostly harmful effects on human health. In this authoritative book, international experts examine long-recognized areas of health concern for populations vulnerable to climate change, describing effects that are both direct, such as heat waves, and indirect, such as via vector-borne diseases. Set in a broad international, economic, political and environmental context, this unique book expands these issues by reviving and championing a third ('tertiary') category of longer term impacts on global health: famine, population dislocation, conflict and collapse. This edition has an expanded foundation, with new chapters discussing nuclear war, population and limits to growth, among others. This lively yet scholarly resource explores all these issues, finishing with a practicaldiscussion of avenues to reform. As Mary Robinson, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, states in the foreword: 'Climate change interacts with many undesirable aspects of human behaviour, including inequality, racism and other manifestations of injustice. Climate change policies, as practised by most countries in the global North, not only interact with these long-standing forms of injustice, but exemplify a new form, of startling magnitude.'The book is dedicated to Tony McMichael, Will Steffen and Maurice King.This book will be invaluable for students, post-graduates, researchers and policy-makers in public health, climate change and medicine.

Since the publication of the first edition of this book, professional and public concern for the well-being of animals has continued to increase throughout the world. Advances in research and technologies have yielded an enormous amount of new knowledge about animal mental health and well-being.Thoroughly updated and revised, the third edition includes: · Expanded chapters covering fear, boredom and suffering in animals, the what and why of animal fun, and the treatment of mental health disorders in animals.· New chapters covering the new classification systems concerning mental and behavioral disorders of cats and dogs, the importance of resilience and mental states, nutritional factors and recognizing emotional and psychological suffering.· New internationally renowned expert contributors joining the existing list of prestige authors.· A focus on practical information, with clinical behavioral medicine advice, hints and tips.With additional illustrations and photographs throughout, this book remains invaluable to veterinary professionals, animal welfare researchers and advocates, ethologists and other animal caregivers.