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Abiotic Stresses in Wheat: Unfolding the Challenges presents the current challenges, possibilities, and advancements in research-based management strategies for the adaptation of wheat crops under abiotic-stressed growth conditions. This book comprehensively discusses different abiotic stress conditions in wheat, and also covers current trends in their mitigation using advanced tools to develop resilience in wheat crops. Chapters provide insight into the genetic, biochemical, physiological, molecular, and transgenic advances and emerging frontiers for mitigating the effects of wheat abiotic stresses. This text is the first resource to include all abiotic stresses in one volume, providing important translational insights and efficient comparison. Describes advances in conventional and modern breeding approaches in countering the effect of wheat abiotic stresses Highlights the role of physiological, biochemical and OMICS strategies Includes coverage of biotechnological tools such as whole genome sequencing, nanotechnology, and genome editing

Climate Change and Food Security with Emphasis on Wheat is the first book to present the full scope of research in wheat improvement, revealing the correlations to global issues including climate change and global warming which contribute to food security issues. Wheat plays a key role in the health of the global economy. As the world population continuously increases, economies modernize, and incomes rise, wheat production will have to increase dramatically to secure it as a reliable and sustainable food source. Since covering more land area with wheat crops is not a sustainable option, future wheat crops must have consistently higher yields and be able to resist and/or tolerate biotic and abiotic stresses that result from climate change. Addressing the biophysical and socioeconomic constraints of producing high-yielding, disease-resistant, and good quality wheat, this book will aid in research efforts to increase and stabilize wheat production worldwide. Written by an international team of experts, Climate Change and Food Security with Emphasis on Wheat is an excellent resource for academics, researchers, and students interested in wheat and grain research, especially as it is relevant to food security. Covers a wide range of disciplines, including plant breeding, genetics, agronomy, physiology, pathology, quantitative genetics and genomics, biotechnology and gene editing Explores the effect of climate change on biotic stresses (stripe rust, stem rust, leaf rust, Karnal bunt, spot blotch) on wheat production and utilization of biotechnology Focuses on whole genome sequencing and next-generation sequencing technologies to improve wheat quality and address the issue of malnutrition in developing world

This book presents recent advances in global wheat crop research, including the effects of abiotic stresses like high and low temperatures, drought, hypoxia, salinity, heavy metals, nutrient deficiency, and toxicity on wheat production. It also highlights various approaches to alleviate the damaging effects of abiotic stress on wheat as well as advanced approaches to develop abiotic-stress-tolerant wheat crops. Wheat is probably one of the world's most important cereals; it is a staple food in more than 40 countries, and because of its adaptability is cultivated in almost every region. Global wheat production has more than doubled in the last 50 years due to higher yields. However, despite their high yield potential, modern wheat cultivars are often subject to crop loss due to the abiotic stresses. As such, plant breeders have long aimed to improvetolerance in order to maintain yield. Written by 85 experts, and offering the latest insights into wheat responses and tolerance to various abiotic stresses, it is a valuable tool for agronomists, plant breeders, plant physiologists and students in the field of plant science and agriculture. It is the first book to comprehensively cover past and current abiotic stress problems and tolerance mechanisms.

This book analyzes the sustainability of community seed production under a rice–wheat farming system from microeconomic perspectives, considering how seed producers benefit from community seed production and how those benefits continue into the future. Seed producers'performance in resource management, governance and marketing strategies indicates current benefits, whereas soil conservation and risk-management practices provide the basis for future benefits. Community seed production is a local-level seed management system owned by farmers. This system provides the institutional mechanism to supply diversified seed demands of open-pollinated varieties of food crops in a cost-effective way in rural regions. Being able to address the concerns of food insecurity, poverty, climate stress and biodiversity loss in programs and policies of development agencies, community seed production is gaining popularity among the farmers and the policy makers in developing countries.This book discusses the issues of organizational governance of the community seed producers'groups and links them with household-level benefits to understand the organizational dynamism and the probable development paths of such organizations in the future. It also highlights the necessity to institutionalize lessons learned in community seed production in the stakeholders'programs and policies. These understandings provide a basis for formulating policies for strengthening the system in developing countries. Students, researchers, policy makers and donor agencies working with CSP in the developing world will find this book useful in broadening their understanding of CSP in general and its sustainability in particular.

'This book meets the need for a comprehensive, up-to-date review of wheat chemistry, processing and uses. It provides the reader with extensive new information on wheat components that will be useful in better commercial utilization of wheat and the formulation of new and upgraded wheat-based food products. The book serves as a one-volume information resource for all those involved in the research, development, formulation, and evaluation of wheat-based food products. From the Authors'PrefaceWheat continues to be one of the world's most important grains, especially as a food, where the unique properties of its products can be utilized to advantage. It provides an excellent example of a natural product from which a wide range of useful by-products can be made. This book discusses the components of the wheat kernel, which provide interesting examples of study of carbohydrate and protein chemistry, as well as lipids, minerals and vitamins. This book should serve as a useful reference for the cereal chemist, as well as chemists and food technologists in those industries in which by-products of flour are used, e.g., the confectionery industry in which modified starches and starch syrups are used. In addition, nutritionists, dieticians, and many kinds of researchers will find chapters of interest. Particular attention is given to particle-size determinations, an important area in food processing, and to the role of wheat proteins in gluten intolerance and wheat allergy.... Both the milling of wheat and flour quality are discussed in order to give the reader an idea of the distribution of the major components and the importance of proper size reduction. The book also has a chapter on wet milling of wheat flour... and chapters on the properties and uses of wheat starch, starch syrups, and chemically modified wheat starch.

The world population is steadily increases with high rate in the past decade from 7,126 billion inhibitors in 2012 to 8,095 billion inhibitors in 2024, with 14% increase. In the meantime, the number of severely food insecure people were 604.5 million in 2014, which increased by 53% in 2020 to reach 927.6 million people. These numbers raise large concerns about the future of food production to feed these continually growing population. Lately, many developing countries rely on importing large quantities of crops, such as wheat, maize, and rice to meet their food and feed needs. The negative impact of climate change and its consequences, namely high temperature causing low crops productivity and water scarcity, which causing great disruptions in food production systems. Therefore, increasing the production of cereal crops worldwide can be achieved through increasing average yield per unit area or expanding the area devoted to cereals into more marginal lands. Moreover, breeding for more resilient cultivars, which can release its potential yield could play an important role in increasing total production under the adverse growth conditions. Inclusion of legume crops, such as soybean, peanut, and cowpea in cereal-based cropping systems is a viable strategy to increase production of cereal crops. It also helps in reducing the use of chemical fertilizer. It has been reported that intercropping legume crops with cereal crops can increase the productivity of both crops. Additionally, an increase in soil nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium has been also reported when legume crops were included in cereal-based cropping system. It has been also reported that inclusion of legume crops increases the soil water-holding capacity and water used efficiency. Thus, inclusion of legume crops in cereal-based cropping systems can increase its productivity, as well as attains the sustainable use of soil and water resources. In this book, we will thoroughly tackle the benefits of the integration of legume crops within cereal-based cropping system, namely wheat, maize and rice (paddy and upland) under the changing climate (current and future). We also reviewed the innovations and interventions that could sustainably intensify the production of cereals to reduce hunger and poverty. We will use both modeling and simulation approaches to assess the impact of climate change using CMIP6 mean projection of two future scenarios, namely SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5 in two time-intervals (2060-2079 and 2080-2099) on the yield and water requirements of wheat, maize and rice (paddy and upland).

Improving Cereal Productivity through Climate Smart Practices is based on the presentations of the 4th International Group Meeting on'Wheat productivity enhancement through climate smart practices,'and moves beyond the presentations to provide additional depth and breadth on this important topic. Focused specifically on wheat, and with chapters contributed by globally renowned pioneers in the field of cereal science, the book helps readers understand climate change and its effects on different aspects of wheat production in different parts of the world. This book will be important for those in research and industry seeking to contribute to the effective feeding of the world's population. Encompasses the possible impact of climate change and future strategies to enhance wheat production on a sustainable basis Explores the genetic manipulation of wheat to mitigate the effects of climate change Includes both biotic and abiotic stresses and their management under changing climate

Advances in Agronomy, Volume 159, the latest release in this leading reference on agronomy, contains a variety of updates, including specific chapters on the Environmental Behavior of Glyphosate in Soil, Agriculture Contingency Plans for Managing Weather Aberrations and Extreme Climate Events: Development, Implementation and Impacts in India, Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Precision Weed Management Applications: Prospects and Challenges, Ratoon Rice Technology: A Green and Resource-Efficient Way for Rice Production, Growth Characteristics of Winter Wheat in China Based on GDD Comprehensive and Quantitative Analysis of Growth Characteristics of Winter Wheat in China Based on Growing Degree Days, and more. Includes numerous, timely, state-of-the-art reviews on the latest advancements in agronomy Features distinguished, well recognized authors from around the world Builds upon this venerable and iconic review series Covers the extensive variety and breadth of subject matter in the crop and soil sciences

Advances in Agronomy, Volume 154 continues the legacy of this leading series and first-rate source for the latest research in agronomy. Each volume contains an eclectic group of reviews by leading scientists throughout the world. As always, the subjects covered are rich, varied and exemplary of the abundant subject matter addressed by this long-running serial. Chapters in this updated volume include Experiments, Uptake Mechanisms and Functioning of Si foliar fertilization – A Review Focusing on Maize, Rice and Wheat, Pre-drought Priming: A Key Drought Tolerance Engine in Support of Grain Development in Wheat, Bio-Waste Management in Sub-Tropical Soils of India, and more. Includes numerous, timely, state-of-the-art reviews on the latest advancements in agronomy Features distinguished, well recognized authors from around the world Builds upon this venerable and iconic review series Covers the extensive variety and breadth of subject matter in the crop and soil sciences

Gluten-Free Ancient Grains: Cereals, Pseudocereals and Legumes covers grains that are not related to wheat. This includes sorghum, the major millets - pearl, foxtail, proso and finger millet, as well as teff, the major pseudocereals - quinoa, amaranth and buckwheat, and emerging legume grains - lupin, cowpea, Bambara groundnut and marama beans. These are all characterized as gluten-free grains. The book provides key information on the sustainable production of these grains. Ancient grains are characterized by their ability to produce a crop under harsh environmental conditions where the major cereals are not-sustainable or even fail. In order to meet growing food demand, and with water resources becoming scarce, this is a highly valuable quality. Chapters review the major grains, analyzing their production and manufacture processes and detailing their impact on long-term good health. Of interest to many people and organizations in the food production chain, this book will be of significant value to agricultural scientists, food company innovation and R&D managers, academic and food company nutritionists and dietitians and governmental and non-governmental health ministries and research institutes. Provides a comprehensive overview of non-wheat grains Reviews the manufacture and sustainable production of these grains, detailing their abilities to grow in harsh conditions Analyzes the nutritional value of ancient grains and their health-promoting qualities

The farming system in the Central Himalayan Region is distinctive and unique, mainly focusing on the cultivation of traditional subsistence cereal crops. The agrobiodiversity in this region is rich, with the Central Himalaya growing numerous cultivars and crop races. The practice of cultivating many crops or cultivars in a single field is known as the'Barahnaja System.'Another peculiar system is the Sar/Sari system, where different crops grow in the two Sars during the same seasons, with one Sar left fallow for six months while the other grows crops. This century-old farming method involves plowing fields with oxen and using organic manure to enhance crop production and productivity. However, recent changes have been observed in the farming systems. The area under traditionally growing millets is declining. In river valleys and middle altitudes, there is a recent trend towards cultivating paddy and wheat. Unfortunately, the cultivation of temperate fruits – apple and citrus has seen a decline in terms of area, production, and productivity. Various factors are influ encing farming systems in the Central Himalaya, such as high climate variability and change, decreasing crop production and productivity, evolving food habits, and out-migration. The book contains 12 chapters illustrating introduction, land use and land cover change, cropping patterns, crop diversity and agro-ecological zones, farming systems and sustainable agriculture, climate change and its impact on agriculture, infrastructural facilities for sustainable agriculture, declining agriculture: a case study, crop productivity and suitability analyzes, agribusiness, policies and planning for sustainable agriculture, and conclusions. It serves as a valuable resource for students, academicians, researchers, policymakers, and farmers.

This book consists of 10 Chapters in 4 Parts. The first Part is an introduction and contains Chapter 1 to introduce the book chapters to the audiences. The second Part consists of two chapters under the name, Impact of Climate Change on Crop Production and the Physiological and Biochemical Basis for Crops Tolerance. The Chapter 2 focus on critical periods of crop plants to stress conditions and the expected impacts of climate changes mainly on the productivity and quality of field crops. While, Chapter 3 highlights the foundations of crop tolerance to environmental stress and plant traits relevant to stress tolerance. It is devoted to explain and discuss mechanisms of adaptation to environmental stress conditions and addresses various plant traits related to stress environmental tolerance i.e. phenological, morpho-physiological and biochemical traits which could be used as selection criteria for crops improvement. The third Part consists of 5 Chapters under the theme “Improve Crop Adaptability and Stability to Climate Change and Modern Technology'. Chapter 4 highlights the most important strategic food grain crop (wheat), Chapter 5 focuses the important staple food crop (rice), while Chapter 6 deals with one of the most important food legume crops (faba bean). Chapter 7 and 8 discuss two important oil crops (sesame and sunflower). However, Chapter 9 focuses on cotton as one of the most important fiber crops. The author addresses these crops under the following headings: genotype x environment interaction and its relation to climatic change on yield production, performance of genotypes in response to environmental changes, adaptability and yield stability to environmental conditions, additive main effects and multiplicative interaction model, gene action, genetic behavior and heritability for traits related to environmental stress tolerance, role of recent approaches, biotechnology and nanotechnology. This is besides how can measure sensitivity of genotypes to environmental stress, and finally the appropriate agricultural practices to mitigate environmental stress on crops under attention. The book ends with Chapter No. 10 where the author presents an update of the book topics, present the most important conclusions and recommendations from all chapters.This book has been prepared and supported by recent references and statistics with coloured tables and illustrations for audiences interested in crop science,environment, plant breeding, genetics and biotechnology, as well as postgraduate students and researchers in universities and research centres.

Of the global population of more than 7 billion people, some 800 million do not have enough to eat today. By 2050, the population is expected to exceed 9 billion. It has been estimated that some 15% of food production is lost to plant diseases; in developing countries losses may be much higher. Historically, plant diseases have had catastrophic impact on food production. For example: potato blight caused the Irish famine in 1845; brown spot of rice caused the Great Bengal Famine of 1943; southern corn leaf blight caused a devastating epidemic on the US corn crop in 1970. Food security is threatened by an ongoing sequence of plant diseases, some persistent for decades or centuries, others more opportunistic. Wheat blast and banana xanthomonas wilt are two contrasting examples of many that currently threaten food production. Other emerging diseases will follow. The proposed title aims to provide a synthesis of expert knowledge to address this central challenge to food security for the 21st century. Chapters [5] and [11] are available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

Sorghum is the most important cereal crop grown in the semi-arid tropics (SAT) of Africa, Asia, Australia and Americas for food, feed, fodder and fuel. It is the fifth most important cereal crop globally after rice, wheat, maize and barley, and plays a major role in global food security. Sorghum is consumed in different forms for various end-uses. Its grain is mostly used directly for food purposes. After the release of the proceedings of two international symposia in the form of books “Sorghum in Seventies” and “Sorghum in Eighties”, global sorghum research and development have not been documented at one place. Of course, few books on sorghum have been released that focus on specific issues/research areas, but comprehensive review of all aspects of recent development in different areas of sorghum science has not been compiled in the form a single book. This book is intended to fill in a void to bridge the gap by documenting all aspects of recent research and development in sorghum encompassing all the progress made, milestones achieved across globe in genetic diversity assessment, crop improvement and production, strategies for high yield, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, grain and stover quality aspects, storage, nutrition, health and industrial applications, biotechnological applications to increase production, including regional and global policy perspectives and developmental needs. This book will be an institutional effort to compile all the latest information generated in research and development in sorghum across the globe at one place.

This book conceptualizes a revolutionary idea based on a mechanistic-mathematical model in which the “Buffer Power” of the principal and problematic nutrients like phosphorus, potassium and zinc is quantified. This is achieved by using either a very sophisticated technique, electro-ultra-filtration, or a simple adsorption-desorption equilibrium technique, and by integrating the “Buffer Power” of the nutrient in question into the computations, accurate fertilizer recommendations are made. This technique was field tested across Europe, (Germany and Belgium), Africa (The Republic of Cameroon), and Asia (both Central Asia- Turkey and South Asia-India), during a period of three decades in test crops, such as, summer rye (Secale cereale), maize (Zea mays), wheat (Triticum aestivum), white clover (Trifolium repens), a highly nutritious and palatable fodder crop for Africa, black pepper (Piper nigrum) and cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum). Remarkable precision in predictability of plant uptake of phosphorus, potassium and zinc was obtained employing the technique.“The Nutrient Buffer Power Concept” project was shortlisted for the very prestigious U.S. $1 Million Rolex Awards For Enterprise of The Rolex Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland, for its outstanding originality and quality from more than 3500 nominations worldwide and is the only project chosen for this very coveted distinction from the Asian continent.

Advances in Agronomy, Volume 145, the latest in a series that is recognized as a leading reference and first-rate source for the latest research in agronomy presents new chapters that focus on A Chinese Model for the Planet, Allelopathic Potential of Sorghum Sorghum Bicolor (L.) Moench in Weed Control: A Comprehensive Review, Weed Dynamics and Management in Wheat, Improving Soil Health and Human Protein Nutrition by Pulses-Based Cropping Systems, and Potential Hotspot Areas of Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Grazed Pastoral Dairy Farm Systems. Each volume in this regularly updated series contains an eclectic group of reviews by leading scientists. Includes numerous, timely, state-of-the-art reviews on the latest advancements in agronomy Features distinguished, well recognized authors from around the world Builds upon this venerable and iconic review series Covers the extensive variety and breadth of subject matter in the crop and soil sciences

This book focuses on best management practices for drip irrigated crops. It cover irrigation methods, scheduling of micro irrigation, and mulching and crop performance. Micro irrigation techniques with diverse crops are discussed, including sweet pepper, chili, tomatoes, cauliflower, wheat, sweet peas, sugarcane, and potatoes. The performance of th

This book includes multi-disciplinary quantifications of the effect of climate change on water requirements of wheat, maize, rice and sugarcane. Furthermore, it provides on-farm management that faces water scarcity under current situation and under climate change. Changing cultivation method (raised beds instead of furrows or basins) or increasing irrigation application efficiency (sprinkler or drip systems instead of surface irrigation) can reduce the applied water. Irrigated agriculture, although profitable, it endures wasteful use of valuable water resources. Taking into account the risk of climate change, developing countries like Egypt will highly suffer. Furthermore, the effect of intercropping (two crops use the applied water to one of them), and/or using crop rotations (arrange crops to reduce the applied water, increase water productivity and sustain soil fertility) on production and consumed irrigation water by crops were comprehensively analyzed.

Maize is a globally important crop mainly utilized as feed, food and raw material for diverse industrial applications. Among cereals, it occupies third place after rice and wheat and is a staple food for a large segment of population worldwide particularly in the Asian as well as African countries. This monogram discusses various aspects of nutritional quality of maize such as quality protein maize which has been considered as most significant discovery in enhancing nutritional quality of cereals in terms of increasing the concentration of essential amino acids. The biochemistry of starch which is an important industrial product of maize has been discussed in detail. Further, the role of maize oil which is highly regarded for human consumption as it reduces the blood cholesterol concentration has also been elaborated. Naturally, maize is a rich source of carotenoids such as beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, lutein, cryptoxanthin which have highly diverse health benefits ranging from maintaining normal vision to lowering of oxidative stress. The need for biofortification of maize for provitamin A carotenoids and their role in alleviating vision impairments have also been discussed. The effect of various biotic and abiotic stresses particularly carbon dioxide and temperature on quality has been discussed thoroughly. Many value-added products as well as fermented foods that have been produced from maize which is consumed in different forms worldwide are also discussed. The aspects related to the maize application as fodder and as a source of malting have also been covered concisely. Overall, the book provides complete information about various quality aspects of maize. The various stakeholders such as maize researchers, extension specialists, students, teachers as well as farmers will be immensely benefitted from this monogram.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is grown in over 100 countries throughout the world. As a staple food, potato is the fourth most important crop after rice, wheat, and maize, and has historically contributed to food and nutrition security in the world. Global interest in potato increased recently as world food prices soared, threatening the global food security and stability. Unlike major cereals, potato is not a globally traded commodity, and prices are usually determined by local production costs. Thus, potato is increasingly regarded as a vital food-security crop and as a substitute for costly cereal imports. With such importance, the 29 chapters in the edited book address the issues of sustainable potato production. This book begins with an introduction on sustainable potato production and global food security, and then presents eight case studies selected globally and covering different issues relevant to sustainable potato production in both developed and developing countries.

Over 100 authors present 25 contributions on the impacts of global change on terrestrial ecosystems including: key processes of the earth system such as the CO2 fertilization effect, shifts in disturbances and biome distribution, the saturation of the terrestrial carbon sink, and changes in functional biodiversity, ecosystem services such the production of wheat, pest control, and carbon storage in croplands, and sensitive regions in the world threaten by rapid changes in climate and land use such as high latitudes ecosystems, tropical forest in Southeast Asia, and ecosystems dominated by Monsoon climate. The book also explores new research developments on spatial thresholds and nonlinearities, the key role of urban development in global biogeochemical processes, and the integration of natural and social sciences to address complex problems of the human-environment system.

This book focuses on recent advances in biosensors and nanosensors to monitor, manage and improve horticultural crops in terms of plant growth, nutrient deficiency, toxicity, diseases, abiotic stress, soil amendments and agrochemicals entry into surrounding environment. Besides contributing to sustainable agriculture, these innovative tools facilitate promoting plant health and horticultural products quality and safety. The book consists of 11 chapters grouped in 4 parts. Part I Growth, Development and Productivity, Part II Trends in Abiotic and Biotic Stress Management, Part III Harvest Quality, Part IV Precision Agriculture and Environment Sustainability. Increased productivity, stimulation of plant growth, precise farming, monitoring food quality and freshness during production, processing, distribution and storage, reduced costs and waste, and sustainable agriculture are some of the concepts discussed. The book presents the mechanisms of biosensors and nanosensors for monitoring the various changes during pre- and post-harvest stages of horticultural crops. These are considered as efficient tools to achieve goals of plant breeders in horticultural crops improvement programs. Chapters are written by globally recognized scientists and subjected to a rigorous review process to ensure quality presentation and scientific precision. Each chapter begins with an introduction that covers similar contexts and includes a detailed discussion of the topic accompanied by high-quality color images, diagrams and relevant details and concludes with recommendations for future study directions in addition to a comprehensive bibliography.

Agroecology of Edible Weeds and Non-Crops: Ecological and Socio-Economic Potential of the Associated Biodiversity is the first book to move beyond the ethnobotanical aspect of under-utilized non crops to explore how to optimize their potential. Those interested in increasing the diversity of the farming landscape and food systems by means of edible non-crop plants have access to a plethora of information on the ethnobotany of these species. Yet little to no information exists on the agroecological requirements and potential benefits of underutilized edible non-crop plants in the context of sustainable farming systems. This book fills that knowledge gap from identifying edible weeds and non-crop plants, to exploring the ways these plants can be used to economically improve nutrition. With case studies of edible weeds and non-crop plants from around the world, including Europe and North America, in urban as well as rural settings, the book highlights the global opportunities provided by these plants. Agroecology of Edible Weeds and Non-Crops includes much needed information for identifying, maintaining and benefitting from these plant species. It is ideal for agricultural professionals, educators, researchers, and students Evaluates ecological processes underpinning the abundance and diversity of edible non-crop plantsAssesses ecological benefits of these species within agroecosystemsIdentifies socioeconomic barriers and incentives in exploiting consumable agricultural biodiversityHighlights real-world insights through case studies

Latin American viticulture faces a wide range of difficulties that include social, political, economic, and productive aspects. Soil diversity, together with the climates in which the viticulture activity takes place, favours the production of grapes, juices, raisins, musts, wines, and distillates with unique and distinctive characters for the world. In addition, the great genetic diversity that covers autochthonous and minor grapevine varieties, including unknown genotypes, opens a wide range of research opportunities for the adaptation of the viticulture to the negative effects of global warming, favouring sustainability and social equity. This book compiles the research about the new viticultural trends performed in diverse regions from Latin America such as Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Dominican Republic, Haiti and Uruguay, covering different topics in viticulture of global importance. This book addresses the impacts of soil and climatic conditions and viticultural practices on vine physiology, berry quality and wine typicity, including topics related to social sciences and agricultural economics. This will allow to provide a relevant discussion for future guidelines in viticulture under a territorial development perspective.

This open access book is based on a multi-country collaborative research project focussing on Canada, China, India, and Indonesia.It responds directly and concretely to concerns about the generational sustainability of smallholder farming worldwide– reflected in the current UN Decade of Family Farming. Drawing on research that asks how (some) young people continue to pursue a (future) livelihood in farming, the book uses the life-course perspective and privileges voices of young farmers to show that movement away from farming such as time spent in education, migration and non-farm work does not exclude eventual farming futures.The book will be of interest to scholars and students of agrarian studies, anthropology, development studies, gender studies, human geography, rural sociology, and youth studies.

The book provides a cross sectoral assessment of the most relevant environmental challenges in the Mediterranean region, including land and water degradation, water and food security, and solution opportunities for these. It also discusses main change drivers, such as changes in climate, land use, population, demographics and technology. Additionally, the book explores improved management, participatory planning, and nature-based strategies and measures for meeting the key environmental challenges, e.g. restoring degraded areas and improving land management in different land uses (e.g. forest, coastal and urban areas). Finally, the book addresses needs and opportunities to improve governance and partnerships for assuring sustainable development in the Mediterranean region.

Agricultural residues are a significant waste product of modern agriculture. These residues mainly include crop residues, industrial processing wastes, livestock wastes, and fruit and vegetable wastes and are usually left to decompose, leading to environmental degradation and health hazards. However, with the growing demand for sustainable agriculture practices, there is a need to find innovative ways to utilize these residues. Transforming Agriculture Residues for Sustainable Development: From Waste to Wealth comprehensively explores the potential of agriculture waste valorization, showcasing innovative technologies and applications that meet the challenges of converting waste materials into valuable resources. By addressing various aspects of the agricultural waste-to-wealth paradigm, this invaluable guide will be helpful for researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals seeking sustainable solutions for agricultural residue management and the transition to a more circular economy.

Biofertilizer refers to the live or latent microbial inoculants capable of enhancing plant growth through direct and indirect mechanisms. This book covers strategies for harnessing the integrated technologies, omics, proteomics, and metabolomics for the development of potential novel biofertilizers. Modern techniques for enhancing the efficacy and quality of biofertilizers has been discussed in detail. Increasing crop productivity poses a great challenge due to increasing global population and researchers are looking for solutions to this using sustainable approaches. Biofertilizers play an imperative role in enhancing yield production in crops and this book covers detailed account of biofertilizers on a single platform. It also provides guidance on sustainable ways of increasing crop production and helps in generating ideas to formulate collaboration between public and private sectors for future innovation in the field of biofertilizers.This book is especially designed for the research graduates, young researchers and scholars who are directly involved in the research-related activities of the biofertilizers. It can also be useful to professors, lecturers, biotechnologists, biofertilizer production specialists and other stakeholders associated with strain improvement for biofertilizer development.

This book comprehensively assesses the management of micro and nano-plastics in contaminated soil and biosolids, highlighting recent techniques and technologies that facilitate their environmental remediation. It provides up-to-date information on the fate, occurrence, monitoring, and transport of micro and nano-plastics in the environment, aiming to determine their detrimental impact on environmental health. The book also explores how risk factors associated with these particles can be identified and mitigated through sustainable means. Micro and nano-plastic contamination is analyzed in various contexts, including agricultural soil systems, urban areas, and wastewater. Special attention is given to the mechanisms of recent decontamination strategies, such as microbial and enzyme-assisted degradation and biochar. The intended audience for this book includes students, researchers, professionals in the urban municipal wastewater treatment sector, waste management and industrial practitioners, as well as policymakers.

Quantitative assessments of the effects of global change on soil development are mostly focused on soil carbon, some nutrients, pollutants and soil water. Soil however is a complex entity with interacting biological, physical and chemical processes that are rarely modelled in its entirety. Additionally, for the sake of simplicity various soil properties are considered constants whereas in reality they are not. Soil as we observe it is the resultant of many processes driven by varying boundary conditions such as climate and organisms including men. This is not different when we study global change, thus modelling soil development under global change overlaps with modelling soil formation. This book gives an overview of what such model should entail, with ample descriptions to use SoilGen, a simulattion model to study pedogenesis.

This edited book is a compilation of information on existing frontier technologies in agriculture, such as driving modernized crop improvement programs via digitalization, mechanization and automation, artificial intelligence, speed breeding. The major focus of the book is on the technologies related to genetic gain, nutrition and food safety. Agriculture is core to industry as well as human civilization and sustainability of the society. Therefore, advancement and investment of technology is essential for enhancing the quality and quantity of the produce for ensuring food and nutritional security. The frontier technologies bring drastic change in the way of functioning leading to multi-fold increase in efficiency and outcome. Chapters in this book addresses a particular enabling technology and forward-looking strategy. Compiled information with successful deployment examples of these technologies is not been made available from a single platform, therefore, this volume is a unified compilation of information from international experts. The book is a relevant reading material for students, researchers, academicians and industry players in agriculture.

This volume reviews achievements in bioprocess and biosystems engineering, biosynthesis, food, agriculture, and biotechnology-related issues. Considering the fact that biological alternatives can replace harmful chemical products in order to maintain ecosystems for a sustainable future, the book covers the role of biotechnology in industrial products, environmental remediation, and agriculture biotechnology, with updated research and case studies.

Anuran amphibians are among the animal groups with the highest rate of population decline on the planet. Among the factors driving this decline are environmental pollutants, whose negative effects on larvae and tadpoles are still relatively little studied. This is the first book devoted entirely to studying the effects of environmental pollutants on amphibian tadpoles. Throughout its 14 chapters, various aspects of the toxic effects of different classes of environmental contaminants are explored, such as the toxicokinetics of toxic compounds in tadpoles and their health effects, which may result in negative consequences at populations level.

The need for sustainable advancement in agriculture practices continues to press. Achieving optimum yields of crops has traditionally meant farmers continuously using large amounts of chemical fertilizers or pesticides but the indiscriminate use of these pesticides has adversely affected the environment, non- target microorganisms, soil textures and human health. Sustainable Agricultural Practices, a volume in the Plant and Soil Microbiome series, presents foundational information into the successful utilization of different biocontrol agents (especially bacteria and fungi actinomycetes) under field conditions which can help relieve the pressure of overexploitation of synthetic pesticides in agriculture. As many of the microorganisms including nitrogen fixing bacteria and cyanobacteria can be used as bio inoculants, they offer opportunities to not only to enhance the crop productivity but also for maintaining the natural properties of agricultural soils. The volume explores the multifaceted benefits derived from varieties of microorganisms existing in different components of ecosystem, many of which could potentially be employed as probiotics for improved human and livestock health. Researchers seeking to expand their understanding of related fields, and students seeking foundational concept coverage will find this volume valuable.Includes summaries, case studies, and applications to provide real-world insightsProvides accessible, informative illustrations of current trends in microbial biotechnologyPresents data through tables and figures for effective communicationSuggests future research avenues in the field of microbial biotechnology for sustainable development

Microbiome Drivers of Ecosystem Function focuses on the advancements in microbial technologies towards harnessing the microbiome for improved crop productivity and health that are at the frontier of agricultural sciences. It provides insights into the diversity of endophytic microbiomes and their potential utility in agricultural production.Increased crop yield through chemical interventions have limit thresholds and alternative, natural and/or integrated approaches are increasingly needed. Microbial inoculants among the ways in which food production efficiency can be improved. Plant growth-promoting soil organisms increase net crop uptake of soil nutrients, resulting in larger crops and higher yields of harvested food. These and other symbiotic associations between plants and microbes can ultimately be exploited for the increased food production necessary to feed the world, in addition to creating safer farming techniques that minimize ecological disruption.As a volume in the Microbiome Research in Plants and Soil series, Microbiome Drivers of Ecosystem Function serves as an ideal reference for researchers and students in the fields of agricultural biotechnology, biochemistry, environmental science, plant biology, agricultural sciences, and agricultural engineering.Provides insights on engineered microbes in sustainable agriculture, recent biotechnological developments, and future prospectsIntroduces microbes as chief ecological engineers in reinstating equilibrium in degraded ecosystemsPresents the current state and development, as well as future challenges in studying plant-microbe interactionsDiscusses endophytic microbiomes and other microbial consortium with multifunctional plant growth-promoting attributes

This book delves into the specific subject area of life sciences, focusing on the remarkable world of millets and their multifaceted contributions. This book serves as a comprehensive guide to the diverse aspects of millets, addressing their biology, significance, functional potential, and applications. The content in this book is divided into two distinct sections, Section I contains the detailed introduction to the Millets, their biology, classification, applications, and various types (major, minor, and pseudo millets) and Section II contains their safety, extraction, industrial applications, and SDG goals. This book is not only an asset for professionals and experts but also a readable guide for Academicians and advanced students looking to engage with this ever-expanding subject area. The book is a boon for entrepreneurs in the area millets, as they will get the complete comprehensive information about all the different types of millets with their biology, functional potential and processing.

This open access book analyzes the regulation and governance of gene editing in the global agrifood system as applications of gene editing, regulations and the intellectual property landscape continue to evolve. The primary focus of the manuscript is the dynamic interactions between regulatory frameworks and agricultural applications of gene editing in plant breeding. The goal is to give readers a holistic perspective on why the status of gene editing in agricultural applications is in a state of flux in some jurisdictions (e.g., the European Union) while more settled in others (e.g., Canada). Readers are provided with a clearer picture of what the future might hold for the use of gene editing in agriculture as a means to address food insecurity as the climate crisis grows and amid global geopolitical and economic turbulence.

The book discusses nano-phytoremediation: the use of nanotechnology in combination with phytoremediation to restore polluted environs. The potentiality of plants in association with nanomaterials to effectively remediate polluted areas is elaborated meritoriously in this book. New strategies are necessary because anthropogenic actions represent a serious threat to life on Earth. This book has given enough space for a discussion of innovative and efficient technologies to restore damaged environs primarily focused on nano-phytoremediation. The first part of the book is dedicated to exploring organic and inorganic pollution and the threats they pose to living forms. The second part explores the joint use of plants and nanomaterials and the nano-phytoremediation of water and soil ecosystems. The book offers readers extensive knowledge on nano-phytoremediation as a feasible strategy to clean environmental pollution. The key features of the book are as follows: Nano-phytoremediation strategies to remediate soil and water ecosystems. Special chapters dedicated to different kinds of pollutants and methods of phytoremediation. Strategies to evaluate the success of nano-phytoremediation strategies, cost-effectiveness, and nano informatics to safe nanotechnology. The book can be used as a primary or supplementary text in undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate courses such as biotechnology, biochemistry, and environmental engineering. It is an interesting edition for instructors, researchers, and scientists working on environmental management and pollution control.

This book provides a multidisciplinary synthesis of the sustainable management of natural resources. The book presents applicable knowledge of land, water, and forest resources along with in-depth investigations of multiple management pathways. This book also demonstrated the contemporary applications of geospatial technology in data mining techniques, data analysis, modeling, assessment, and visualization, and appropriate management strategies in different aspects of natural resources. The book explores the latest state-of-the-art techniques using open-source software, statistical programming, and modeling platforms, including artificial intelligence techniques in natural resource management. It is a valuable resource for students, researchers, and practitioners in geography, geospatial sciences, and environmental sciences, especially those interested in land, water, and forest resources.

This book is a comprehensive compilation of groundbreaking insights stemming from the esteemed International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Systems for Sustainable Development (AI2SD'2023), hosted at Cadi Ayyad University Morocco. Focused on the crucial themes of energy, environment, agriculture, and industry, this book captures the essence of transformative discussions and cutting-edge research that unfolded during the conference. Within these pages, readers are invited to explore the intricate world of intelligent systems, where innovation converges to tackle the key challenges of sustainability. The book immerses its audience in a wealth of knowledge that deeply represents the latest advancements shaping the future landscape. Diverse topics are intricately woven into the fabric of this discourse, covering AI-driven solutions designed for energy optimization, environmental sustainability, precision agriculture, and intelligent industry applications. Each contribution serves as a testament to the collaborative efforts of researchers, practitioners, and experts who gathered to drive innovation at the intersection of intelligent systems and sustainable development. Crafted as an invaluable resource,'Advancements in Intelligent Systems: AI2SD'2023 Proceedings‘ caters to a diverse readership eager to delve into the forefront of trends and developments emerging from the crossroads of advanced intelligent systems in energy, environment, agriculture, and industry. Whether you're a researcher, practitioner, or enthusiast, unlock the transformative potential inherent in these innovative domains.

Biochar Production for Green Economy: Agricultural and Environmental Perspectives addresses the advancements and developments for the efficient diversification of biochar toward achieving improved agricultural and environmental benefits. This comprehensive and cohesive volume is the first to address the potential multi-and transdisciplinary opportunities of effective biochar production and use. Including the potential applicability of not only crop waste biochar but weeds, agroforestry, agroindustry, municipal waste, as well chapters explore surface modified, enriched or tailored biochar for soil amendment, GHGs mitigation, bioremediation of organic, inorganic, metals and other emerging pollutants, as well as soil remediation. It also covers the trending multidisciplinary approaches of nanotechnology, surface chemistry and thermal decomposition advancements being adopted for capacity enhancement and versatile applicability in the field of agriculture, environment science and green energy synthesis. Composition and characteristics of tailored biochar, their interactions, and transformation into the soil and water ecosystem are illustrated. This book is a valuable resource for those pursuing biochar related areas as well as those seeking environmentally sustainable solutions to crop, soil or water issues.Includes aspects of advancement in pyrolysis techniques to produce cost-effective, high quality pyrolysis products and their multipurpose applicationsHighlights biochar's role in boosting the circular bioeconomy, carbon footprint, GHGs mitigation, and environmental sustainability high-quality visual representationCompiles the trending multidisciplinary approach of nanotechnology, magnetic field, surface tailoring, and engineering for efficient and sustainable development goals

Beneficial Microbes for Sustainable Agriculture under Abiotic Stress: Funtional Traits and Regulation highlights the potential for microbe-mediated stress phytolerance to be improved by presenting multiple scenarios of application and results. In most research and studies, abiotic stress is applied singularly to specific plants inoculated with a bioinoculum or a bacterial consortium to isolate specific plant-microbe responses. However, in reality, plants are continually exposed to a multitude of different stresses simultaneously occurring. This book presents bacteria functional traits and bacteria-mediated plant responses under both specific or combined stress conditions. Collectively, it provides insights into bacterial functional traits and bacteria-mediated plant responses in a wide range of conditions, providing foundational understanding of their potential benefits, and inspiring further research. The book centers on specific bacterial strains and groups which have been shown to effectively promote stress tolerance, and which could be utilized to boost agricultural production under stress conditions. Their potential utilization in stress affected lands not just improves crop production but could also be in line with sustainable agriculture. With the advancement of tools such as Omics related technologies, emerging information on bacterial functional traits and regulations on bacteria mediated phytotolerance will also allow us to develop relevant biotechnologies harnessing potentials of plant-bacteria interactions under stress conditions. The information in this volume will be of interest to those working toward these next steps. Includes microbial functional traits and responses common to all stresses, unique to specific stress and shared by multiple stressesFocuses on microbial strains and groups proven to be most effective in promoting stress toleranceExplores opportunities toward improvement of sustainable agriculture and resulting food security

Microbiome-Assisted Bioremediation: Rehabilitating Agricultural Soils provides a complete reference to the opportunities, technologies and challenges of remediating contaminated soils through use of microbial means. Environmental pollution and human exposure associated with heavy metals are attributed to anthropogenic activities such as mining, industrial wastes, and metal containing compounds in domestic and agricultural systems. Microbial remediation has appeared as a promising approach to lessen the heavy metal concentration in the environment due to their sequestration and transforming ability of xenobiotic compounds. Microbial bioremediation is an efficient, economical, and environmentally friendly procedure that reduces the cost of the cleanup process associated with heavy and toxic metal contamination. Addressing the foundational aspects of microbe-based approaches, this book provides a valuable gateway resource for those entering the field, as well as providing in-depth insights into the various tools and techniques for real-world application.Emphasizes microbiome-assisted biodegradation of toxic substances in soilIncludes complete descriptions of the most recent and advanced techniquesAddresses the use of GMOs, nanotechnologies and in silico studiesOutlines developments in the microbial degradation of synthetic plastics in soil and the biodegradation enzymes

Biocontrol Agents for Improved Agriculture, a volume in the Plant and Soil Microbiome series, presents both an advanced and current description of the important role of plant and soil microbiome in plant disease management. Including the latest biotechnological interventions for harnessing plant and soil microbiome and their potential in controlling plant pathogen/ disease, as well as the commercialization of biocontrol products and exploration of microbial derived bioactive compounds, this book provides an important reference on the challenges of biocontrol products. Sections explore the bacterial and fungal species successfully applied as plant and soil inoculant for the effective management of plant diseases. As these microbial biocontrol agents not only suppress the plant disease, but also enhance the growth or agricultural production in sustainable ways, the book focuses on the molecular aspect of plant- pathogen interactions and their biocontrol strategies via the use of plant and soil microbiome. This book is an important reference for those seeking sustainable, safe options for protecting against microbial agricultural loss and environmental damage.Presents emerging microbial biocontrol strategies for addressing plant pathogensCovers production and commercialization of biocontrol productsIncludes accessible, informative illustrations of current trends in microbial biotechnology

This book covers smart agricultural space and its further development with an emphasis on ultra-saving labor shortages using AI-based technologies. A transboundary approach, as well as artificial intelligence (AI) and big data for bioinformatics, are required to increase timeliness and supplement the labor shortages, ensure the safety of intangible labor migration system to achieve one of the sustainable development goals (SDG) to secure food security (Society 5.0, SDG 1 and 2). With this in mind, the book focuses on the solution through smart Internet of Things (IoT) and AI-based agriculture, such as automation navigation, insect infestation, and decreasing agricultural inputs such as water and fertilizer, to maintain food security while ensuring environmental sustainability. Readers will gain a solid foundation for developing new knowledge through the in-depth research and education orientation of the book on how the deployment of outdoor and indoor sensors, AI/machine learning (ML), and IoT setups for sensing, tracking, collection, processing, and storing information over cloud platforms is nurturing and driving the pace of smart agriculture outdoor and indoors at this current time. Furthermore, the book introduces the smart system for automation challenges that are important for an unmanned system for considering safety and security points. The book is designed for researchers, graduates, and undergraduate students working in any area of machine learning, deep learning in agricultural engineering, smart agriculture, and environmental science. The greatest care has been made to deliver a diverse range of resource areas, as well as enormous insights into the significance and scope of IoT, AI, and ML in the development of intelligent digital farming and smart agriculture, providing comprehensive information to the intended readers.

Sustainable agricultural production is vital for food security and agricultural productivity. It is greatly influenced by weather and climate conditions. This book focuses on understanding weather and climate systems and crop yield productions, including integrated weather-crop prediction systems for climate risk management in agriculture. It examines the impact of climate change and its variability on different crops, and possible ways to minimize the loss for farmers. This book also describes different weather and climate hazards, including the fundamentals of weather/climate prediction systems and numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. It presents the need for seamless weather/climate predictions and their impact on agriculture. The status and availability of different monthly and seasonal scale forecasts worldwide is explored and how the forecasting models or products can be evaluated using statistical methods. The book concisely elucidates systematic model bias removal techniques and a reliable approach based on multi-statistics in producing a single forecast from the multi-model grand ensemble. Since crop models need daily weather sequence, several standard disaggregation methods for generating daily weather sequences from monthly/seasonal products are presented. This book describes several aspects that are needed for agricultural practices and crop modelling. It encapsulates different components of crop models and their application, preparation methods of Crop Weather Calendar, application of disaggregated weather sequence in crop models, and generation of Climate Risk Matrices (CRM). A detailed methodology is presented for hands-on practice, including downloading and processing data, model evaluation and bias corrections, generating a single forecast, disaggregation, and preparing CRM based on crop model products. This book contains a total 11 chapters and appeals to students, researchers, scientists, and operational agencies.

This book provides simultaneously, a cross-sectoral, multi-scale assessment of climate change issues in Morocco and proposes levers of action and innovative practices to be used to strengthen the resilience and adaptation strategies. The book offers the opportunity to debate contemporary mutations, the paradigms of change as a complex process, the dynamics of values, the complexity of the issues and the opportunities for transformation, starting from a reflective approach on the historical, scientific, theoretical and strategic dimensions of action, creativity and environmental innovation in a perspective of sustainability.

This book reviews the latest advances in soil remediation and is an authoritative account of the environmental chemistry, microbiology, ecotoxicology, and regulation policies of soil pollution. The book also discusses possible pathways for innovation, by incorporating state-of-the-art knowledge on sustainability, nature-based solutions, and socio-economical aspects. Divided into four parts, the book opens with an overview of the legal context and policy economy of soil pollution and remediation. The management of contaminated soils has a high cost and, although much of this cost is borne by companies, there is also high public spending. The strategic value of soil, the extensive costs associated with the remediation of many polluted sites throughout the World, and the current crisis demand for new solutions to soil remediation that are addressed in the following parts of the book. In this book, readers will find a comprehensive description of several remediation strategies by different pollution sources, nature-based solutions, and physicochemical methods for the remediation of contaminated soils. Particular attention is given to contaminated soils from industrial activities, urban settings, mining, and military activities. In the final chapter of the book, the editors present a perspective of the field, research trends and needs. Given its breadth, this book appeals to regulators, industrial scientists, and scholars alike.

This book provides guidelines for using a new approach of resampling the Cs-137 radionuclide tracer which is used to estimate soil erosion rates. The Cs-137 resampling approach will improve significantly the use of the Cs-137 method for assessment of soil erosion, because resampling the radionuclide repeatedly (at least two times, but more sampling campaigns are possible) allows to avoid several methodological difficulties associated with Cs-137 method, namely the problems with small-scale spatial heterogeneity, the question of representativeness of reference site, reference samples, and inappropriate time extent of evaluated period. All these methodological problems are very important for reliability and accuracy of erosion rates estimated by Cs-137 method. If using single sampling approach, the small-scale spatial heterogeneity can be overcome by high number of sampling points, but this is time and labour demanding solution increasing the expenses of the erosion research. The representativeness of reference site is evaluated usually on the basis of expert judgement and knowledge of land use history of studied area, but this approach is often uncertain because the expert judgement can be subjective and the data on land use history is often not sufficient. Further, in many areas an appropriate reference site is not available, what limits the territorial extent of using Cs-137 method. The resampling approach offers its second sampling to be done in a proximate vicinity of the same points sampled during the first sampling campaign. A great advantage is the possibility to decide how long time windows should be investigated. Choosing the time schedule of first and second sampling allows to shorten the time window and adjust it to the study objectives. This is a great improvement of the Cs-137 method, because the time period since the Cs-137 fallout is still growing and thus if using the single sampling approach the results refer to still longer and longer time window(since the Cs-137 fallout until the sampling time), and this period (recently ca 60 years assuming the maximum Cs-137 fallout in 1963) is too long to represent stable land use, because land uses are changing over the time and having the same land use over six decades is rather rare. The improvement of Cs-137 method achieved by resampling approach is significantly contributing to understanding the erosion dynamics and estimating its rates under changing environmental conditions (such as land uses, weather), and it will bring a significant benefit to soil conservation programmes, because Cs-137 method is indispensable for assessing the medium and long term soil erosion rates, and this information is among the basic inputs needed for planning and designing soil conservation measures.

The objective of this open access book is to present protocols, methodologies, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) used for the identification of sources, transport, and fate of agro-contaminants and illustrate them with several case studies of successful applications. The Soil and Water Management & Crop Nutrition (SWMCN) Subprogramme of the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)/International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, through a Coordinated Research Project (CRP) in partnership with national and international research institutes, developed and evaluated a set of analytical techniques (the toolbox). The toolbox integrates multiple isotope tracers that provide information on the origins and pathways of multiple pollutants through agro-ecosystems, thereby providing more accurate guidance on mitigations. However, land management strategies to address and control the transport of pollutants from soil to water bodies remain the shared responsibility of farm and aquaculture operators, agro-chemical manufacturers, and policymakers in food and agriculture as well as the mining sectors. This book is structured into eight chapters covering (i) an overview of the book's content, (ii) guidelines for designing water sampling programmes, (iii) the use of mixing models applicable to tracers for water pollution studies, (iv) compound-specific isotope analyses to investigate pesticide degradation in agricultural catchments, (v) the use of stable oxygen isotope composition of phosphate to investigate phosphorous in soil-plant continuum, (vi) the use of stable sulphur isotopes to disentangle agro-pollutants from other contaminants, (vii) nuclear tools used in sediment source apportionment, and (viii) the conclusions and perspectives forward. The book offers up-to-date information, and we hope it is a great source of information for students, researchers, and policymakers. The SWMCN subprogramme thanks all the contributors involved in the preparation of this publication.