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This book offers a comprehensive guide to discovering, assessing, and utilizing consortia of beneficial microbes for crop protection and enhanced crop production in the context of climate change. It provides deep insights into the functional roles of the rhizomicrobiome, including AMF, endophytes, PGPRs, and the phyllomicrobiome, as well as the microbiomes of different plant parts such as seeds, fruits, and stems, in promoting plant growth, development, and the biocontrol of pests and pathogens in a sustainable manner. The book also presents the latest updates on molecular biology techniques, genetic engineering, biotechnological tools, and metagenomics, which are widely used for analyzing plant-pathogen interactions and microbial identification. It will be especially valuable for students and faculty involved in the study and teaching of plant–microbe interactions, as well as researchers working on sustainable methods for plant disease management. With cutting-edge research from leading experts, this book aims to contribute to the development of an eco-friendly, sustainable agricultural system.

This book provides new insight and a better understanding of nanotechnology in mitigating crop biotic stresses.It covers crop diseases and different nano-based management strategies used to manage pathogens and plant-parasitic nematodes damaging crops. Nanoparticles have the potential to revolutionize crop yield and can control plant biotic stress. Nanotechnology in plant pathology is a new frontier among various nanotechnological applications. Nanotechnology applications include the development of nano-based pesticides and nanoformulations of chemicals for crop improvement by reducing biotic stress. Different nanomaterials like ZnONPs, SiO2NPs, CuONPs, AgNPs, and TiO2NPs have been examined for their impacts on plant growth and biotic stress management. This book deals with the advanced use of nanotechnology in managing the biotic stress of crops and improving crop production. It covers these issues and many more. Each chapter focus on one particular topic. Incorporate chapters provide detailed information on nanotechnology and may help in future research. This book will be useful for researchers, professors, and postgraduate and undergraduate students, especially concerning agriculture and plant pathology.

Rice is a widely consumed crop around the world that has tremendous importance and is cultivated almost everywhere except Antarctica. However, various biotic and abiotic stresses have a negative effect on rice cultivation, seriously reducing its yield. This volume examines the bacterial and fungal pathogens that cause rice diseases and explores how to manage these diseases. It covers the economic and environmental impact of rice fungal diseases on global food security and proceeds to delve into diagnostic methods for rice fungal pathogen detection and discusses current strategic and applied biotechnological methods for the effective management of rice fungal diseases.

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 insights - Provides accessible, informative illustrations of current trends in microbial biotechnology - Presents data through tables and figures for effective communication - Suggests future research avenues in the field of microbial biotechnology for sustainable development

This book focuses on the applications of plant growth promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) in the form of bioinoculants to enhance the crop productivity and resilience against pathogens. Chapters explain the latest findings on development of the bioinoculants utilizing the modern technologies and agri-wastes. It also provides the latest information on methods of improving quality and efficiency of bioformulations and utilization of advanced biotechnological tools for developing precision products. PGPMs play important roles in survival and health of the plant. These useful microorganisms provide plants with nutrients, protect them from pathogens and help in combating abiotic stresses. It is important that these mutualistic interactions between plant and soil microbes are well understood so as to develop reliable products in the form of biostimulants, biopesticides and manage biotic and abiotic stresses in crops. Apart from enhancing crop productivity, plant-microbe interactions can also perform activities such as reclamation of degraded lands, degradation of pollutants and remediation of saline or marginal lands. This book is of interest to teachers, researchers, plant scientists and microbiologists. Also, the book serves as an additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of agriculture, microbiology, ecology, soil science, and environmental sciences.

This book discusses the role of microbes in agriculture for plant attributes, soil fertility, and bio-remediation, which aid in sustainable agriculture. Nowadays, due to increase in human population, it is essential to increase food productivity in the near future, but exhaustive non-sustainable agricultural practices such as the usage of agrochemicals threaten food security, the economy, and the environment globally. Soil deterioration is the most serious environmental threat to food production, resulting in poverty and hunger in developing countries. As a result, the global community has faced challenges regarding the development of ecologically sound, efficient, and long-term alternative options to meet rising food requirements. Therefore, to contribute to food security, the advancement of sustainable and innovative modern agriculture aimed at addressing environmental, economic, and social challenges connected with present intense non-sustainable agriculture practices is required. As a result, beneficial microbial inoculants will be widely used in the development of new strategies to increase sustainable food production. Bioinoculant application helps to provide nutrients that directly support soil health and sustainable food production. Hence, this book offers the role of microbial inoculants for better agronomical performance for sustainable advancement in agriculture and also pays attention to soil health improvement for extensive period benefits. The book will be highly recommended for agriculture microbiologists, agronomists, plant pathologists, and related areas.

This edited volume provides a comprehensive view of the recent developments on Bacillus and their application in agriculture and allied sectors in a global scenario. Research articles sharing a consolidated state-of-the-art development in this area are solicited for this book. This book is a complete package covering all spheres of diversity and taxonomy, nutrient supplementation, biotic and abiotic stress management, biofilm and endophytic colonization, commercialization and regulatory mechanisms, etc. Descriptions of cutting-edge techniques and novel approaches on Bacillus research is also covered. A part of the book concentrates on the biotic and abiotic stress management in several important crops. It contains 11 contributory chapters from eminent experts in the field of life sciences specially microbiology, plant pathology and biotechnology working on different aspects of Bacilli and their application in agriculture and allied sectors. This book is useful for Graduate, Post-graduate students, research scholars, and post doctorate scholars of plant science, plant microbiology, soil microbiology and plant pathology discipline researchers, academicians, industrialists, policy makers.

Drylands, a home for nearly 2.5 billion people, are highly vulnerable to anthropogenic climate change, and dryland area may expand to 50% of the Earth's surface by 2100. Climate change may aggravate the prevalence of undernutrition and malnutrition because of adverse effects on quantity and quality of food production in these regions. This book takes a holistic approach to sustainable management of drylands to make agriculture drought-resilient. Eminent scientists from around the world share their knowledge and experiences for adaptation and mitigation of the anthropogenic climate change through innovation in sustainable management of water, soil, crops, livestock, and fisheries. They anticipate that climate change will have major impacts on agro- ecosystems which requires continuous dynamic assessments, globally, regionally, and at the local level where the major action of adaptation would have to occur. The assessment will require international cooperation and national capacity-building. This book emphasizes approaches such as smart and precision agriculture, conservation agriculture, and new innovation and technology as tools for adaptation and mitigation. Several chapters are devoted to the human dimensions and policy considerations with emphasis on enhancing coping and adaptive capacity. This book addresses the picture after COP27, including loss and damage, governance and finance. This book: Examines sustainable management for drylands as a solution to environmental and food security issues. Uses a holistic approach to evaluate sustainable management of drylands. Explains how researchers are translating science into action for greening global drylands. This work will be valuable to students and researchers in agroecology, climate change science and dryland agriculture.

Microbial Technology for Agro-Ecosystems: Crop Productivity, Sustainability, and Biofortification describes the application of competent microbes in plant growth promotion, nutrient management and recycling from molecular perspectives. Understanding of molecular mechanism of Microbial diversity in association with plant roots is very imperative for plant health and ecosystem equilibrium. - Covers fundamental mechanisms, molecular approaches and function aspects of microbial technology - Describes innovative approaches to the management, development and advancement of agro-ecosystem green technologies - Highlights improving soil biological health, microbial biomass, soil fertility and plant productivity

This new book, Advances in Plant Microbiome Research for Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Toward Sustainable Farming, covers important aspects of plant microbiome research through contributions from scientists with the latest information available in this area of research.The book provides an introduction to the concept of plant microbiome and its importance for climate-resistant crop plants and discusses the tools and techniques to analyze plant microbiome for sustainable agriculture productivity. It covers microbial endophytes as warriors for plant defense against abiotic and biotic stress. The book also highlights the importance of phyto-microbiomes and presents an overview of the role of metabolomics in bioremediation for sustainable crop production, introducing various metabolomics tools such as GC-MS, LC-MS, and NMR for the sustainable remediation of toxic pollutants from the environment. Web sources and software for metabolomics data interpretation are included as well.The book discusses abiotic and biotic stresses and their effects on crops, the concept and strategies of the rhizosphere microbiome manipulation in crop improvement, the microbial traits in plant stress tolerance and their importance for agriculture, exogenous applications of several compounds and phyto-microbiomes that mitigate the negative effects of salt stress on maize, and the beneficial plant microbial association for sustainable agriculture.With its coverage of the recent research on the current methods and technological advancements for increasing plant resilience to adverse climate scenarios, this volume will be a rich resource for botanists, plant specialists, and researchers concerned with crop science, plant physiology, and plant protection.

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 pathogens - Covers production and commercialization of biocontrol products - Includes accessible, informative illustrations of current trends in microbial biotechnology

This book addresses sustainable solutions to problems in various environments using microorganisms dwelling in the soil and sustainable approaches applicable now and in the future. It focuses on the role of the soil microbiome—a rich community of beneficial bacteria and fungi—in green technology for a safe environment. This volume delves into the dynamics between the soil ecosystem and microorganisms; their interrelationships; and man's role in maintaining soil health and quality. The chapters cover topics such as pollution control, enhancing soil fertility, climate change mitigation, biocontrol of pathogens, and nanotechnology applications. The authors provide an expert analysis of how these microbial communities contribute to green technological sustainability. Readers will find contributions by renowned scholars who explore these themes through empirical research and practical case studies. The book highlights how these microorganisms can be major players in nature-based solutions while shifting perceptions from harmful to beneficial roles. Soil Microbiome in Green Technology Sustainability is essential reading for researchers, scholars, practitioners, students at all levels, and anyone interested in environmental science or biotechnology. It offers valuable insights into using microbial capabilities for sustainable development across various industrial sectors. This volume is particularly relevant for those involved in renewable energy, recycling, carbon capturing, storage technologies, or any field seeking eco-friendly solutions to global challenges.

This compendium presents comprehensive information on more than 25 important spice crops commercially grown in India and traded globally, apart from over 40 spices that have the potential to be popularized. In 70 chapters the book covers the achievements in research and development made in India for the past 75 years in various organizations including research institutes, agricultural universities and private sector laboratories. Spices are natural products of plant origin, used primarily for flavouring and seasoning or for adding pungency and flavour to foods and beverages. The flavour and fragrance of Indian spices had a magic spell on human culture since very ancient days. The importance of spices in Indian life and its contribution to the economy are substantial. India, as the world's leading producer of spices is also a significant stakeholder in spices export trade globally. Indian spices being sources of many high value compounds, are also gaining muchimportance for other diversified uses especially for their pharmaceutical and nutraceutical properties. A wide variety of 52 spices are grown in India including black pepper, chillies, cardamom, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, garlic, onion, cumin, coriander, saffron and vanilla. This book complies a comprehensive, holistic review on the subject, written by the best experts in the field in India representing diverse agencies. This book is a single point reference book for all those involved in the research, study, teaching and use of spices in India and abroad.

This book presents an update on the state of the art in nanobiology and various nanoparticle synthesis and characterization methods. Further, the application of nanomaterials in agriculture (nanobiofertilizers and nanobiopesticides), environmental remediation (bio-nanoaugmentation), and public health (diagnosis, treatment, and drug delivery) is also a key area of this book. This book serves as a roadmap for researchers to fill various gaps by designing and organizing future research. It offers a crucial reference for academic researchers in nanotechnology, medicine, material science, toxicology, agriculture, environmental science, and biomedical science.

In the industry of agriculture, farmers are facing a challenge worldwide: the need to simultaneously achieve substantial crop yields and mitigate the adverse environmental effects caused by persistent threats from agricultural parasites. The escalating demand for food in tandem with population expansion exacerbates this intricate dilemma, highlighting the shortcomings of conventional approaches to insect management. As climate change, the development of pest resistance, and the call for reduced chemical inputs intensify, a fundamental change in our approach to pest management becomes imperative. Revolutionizing Pest Management for Sustainable Agriculture, is an exploration into the convergence of technology and tradition, revealing how data-driven methodologies and state-of-the-art technologies are transforming the field of agricultural pest management. The exploration commences with a comprehensive analysis of precision agriculture, leveraging technological advancements such as satellite imagery and drones to provide farmers unparalleled visibility into their fields. The book further explores the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) in insect management, creating digitally orchestrated ecosystems with automated pest-control devices activated by real-time data. An exhaustive examination of biological control, biopesticides, climate-responsive pest management, and blockchain technology for farm-to-fork traceability completes the comprehensive guide. Revolutionizing Pest Management for Sustainable Agriculture serves as more than a compilation of developments; it is a strategic guide for policymakers, researchers, and farmers navigating the complexities of contemporary agriculture responsibly. With an objective to bridge the gap between traditional pest management and innovative technology, the book provides practical strategies, case studies, and valuable insights, inviting readers to explore the symbiotic relationship between technology and soil cultivation, paving the way for a paradigm shift in the agricultural industry. This carefully crafted resource is designed for a diverse audience, including agricultural researchers, Agri-tech professionals, policymakers, and educators, empowering them with the knowledge and resources needed to embrace smart solutions, contributing to increased productivity, reduced environmental impact, and the sustainability of agricultural systems.

This new volume explores the important and cutting-edge roles that nanotechnology can play in facilitating sustainable agriculture. It provides recent updates on nanobiotechnology in soil science, plant breeding, food science, agricultural tool design and utilization, as well as the impacts of such approaches on properties of soils and plants. The book looks at the use of nanotechnology for crop production and protection, in the creation and application of pesticides, to enhance soil fertility and soil health, as a mitigating factor of plant abiotic stress, and more. The volume explores emerging nanotechnological tools and techniques for crop improvement that include space-inspired speed breeding for crop improvement, nanoparticles as sensing materials, plant nanobionics, nanopore DNA sequencing, and more.

This book provides the latest developments in agricultural research.

This book is a comprehensive guide for agricultural and meteorological predictions. It presents advanced models for predicting target variables. The different details and conceptions in the modelling process are explained in this book. The models of the current book help better agriculture and irrigation management. The models of the current book are valuable for meteorological organizations. Meteorological and agricultural variables can be accurately estimated with this book's advanced models. Modelers, researchers, farmers, students, and scholars can use the new optimization algorithms and evolutionary machine learning to better plan and manage agriculture fields. Water companies and universities can use this book to develop agricultural and meteorological sciences. The details of the modeling process are explained in this book for modelers. Also this book introduces new and advanced models for predicting hydrological variables. Predicting hydrological variables help water resource planning and management. These models can monitor droughts to avoid water shortage. And this contents can be related to SDG6, clean water and sanitation. The book explains how modelers use evolutionary algorithms to develop machine learning models. The book presents the uncertainty concept in the modeling process. New methods are presented for comparing machine learning models in this book. Models presented in this book can be applied in different fields. Effective strategies are presented for agricultural and water management. The models presented in the book can be applied worldwide and used in any region of the world. The models of the current books are new and advanced. Also, the new optimization algorithms of the current book can be used for solving different and complex problems. This book can be used as a comprehensive handbook in the agricultural and meteorological sciences. This book explains the different levels of the modeling process for scholars.

Fungal Secondary Metabolites: Synthesis and Applications in Agroecosystem presents the properties and biotechnological applications of microbial metabolites and their industrial, pharmaceutical, antimicrobial, and anticancer applications. Chapters cover topics such as the role of fungal metabolites in the management of abiotic stress, microbial alkaloids and their pharmaceutical and agricultural applications, and fungal metabolites as novel plant pathogen antagonists. Plant and agri-food environmental scientists, researchers, graduate, and post-graduate students in related fields will find value in this reference which is published as part of the series Nanobiotechnology for Plant Protection. - Addresses the link between fungal secondary metabolites and health - Covers cryptic genes and their link to the production of bioactive compounds - Explores possibilities for producing bio-based business solutions

This volume gathers the latest advances, innovations, and applications in the field of sustainable and smart agriculture, as presented by leading researchers at the XI Farm Machinery and Processes Management in Sustainable Agriculture (FMPMSA), held in Bari, Italy on June 13-15, 2022. The volume covers highly diverse topics, including: management of field and livestock production machinery; management of biomass and agroenergy production; plant protection, soil management and agrochemicals application; smart farming and sustainability; ergonomic, labour organization, pandemic impact; sustainable agriculture in the European Union and other countries. The papers, which are published after a rigorous international peer-review process, highlight numerous exciting ideas that will spur novel research directions and foster multidisciplinary collaboration among different specialists.

The edited book covers all major and minor diseases in grain legumes (chickpea, pigeon pea, lentil, mung bean, common bean, groundnut, and soybean) and forages legumes (including Medicago, rice bean, and faba bean) and their control measures by using various breeding approaches.Grain legumes are versatile nutritionally rich crops, and are one of the important components of global food security. However, grain legumes are severely challenged by various major and emerging minor diseases causing serious limitations in grain yield and production. Thus, to minimize the negative impact of the growing yield loss caused by these diseases, several approaches have been developed and embraced. This book covers all the latest development in genetics, breeding, genomics, and molecular biology tools for combating various major and minor emerging diseases in all the grain legumes from expert authors. Chapters in this title contain all the relevant illustrations and statistical data detailing the present scenario and identifying the gap for meeting the future demand for sustaining global protein security by developing disease-resistant cultivars. This book is of interest to graduate and postgraduate students, researchers, and policymakers to understand the impacts of various diseases on yield loss in legume crops.

This book provides a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationship between microbial symbionts and plants in the era of climate change. It focuses on the plant microbiome associated with different plant organs like roots, leaves, stems, fruit, and seeds, and showcases their significant role in the enhancement of crop yield and protection in a sustainable manner. Concomitantly, acumens to the most emerging trends in plant microbial research that includes rhizosphere engineering and metagenomics are also covered in this title. The association of microbial symbionts with the host offers a wide advantage in terms of acclimatization to varied environmental conditions. A large number of microbes such as cyanobacteria, PGPR, endophytes, and AMF have been shown to improve plant growth and production under the effect of various abiotic and biotic stresses. These microbial symbionts secrete several secondary metabolites, signaling molecules, and hydrolytic enzymes that play a multifarious role in improving plant growth and yield. Moreover, the symbionts have been known to regulate the host responses at the molecular level. Bioprospecting these microbial symbionts will provide an alternative to the chemical-based fertilizers and pave the path for the development of biofertilizers. The book is a suitable reading material for undergraduate and postgraduate students, researchers, and scientists working in the field of agricultural biotechnology, microbiology, mycology and plant pathology, and allied fields of plant and microbial sciences. The book in this context attempts to provide an integrative and exhaustive study as well as research material that would help the scientific community in wide respect.

The book will be of interest to researchers and practitioners in the field of hydrology, environmental engineering, agricultural engineering, earth sciences, and watershed and range sciences, as well as to those engaged in water resources planning, development and management in arid and semi-arid areas. Given the lack of literature on arid regions, this book not only provides an assessment of water resource management in arid regions but also addresses solutions, and it can also be an outstanding textbook on water resources management and sustainability for arid regions.This volume in the Water Science and Technology Library includes selected papers that have been presented and discussed during the International Water Resources Management and Sustainability: Solutions for Arid Regions, 22–-24 March 2022, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The conference was organized by the National Water and Energy Center, UAE University, in collaboration with the South Australian Goyder Institute for Water Research, and the Department for Environment and Water, Government of South Australia. The conference attracted a large number of nationally and internationally well-known experts who have been at the forefront of water resources management and sustainability in arid and semi-arid regions. More than 55 countries, covering the five continents, were represented. The conference was designed to facilitate and encourage new perspectives on how science and innovative technologies can transform water management and sustainability in arid and semi-arid regions around the world. It addressed current challenges and priorities in water management and provided a forum to share knowledge, experiences, research, and discoveries.

The book entitled ‘Nanophytopathology'discusses the need for alternative technologies particularly smart nanotechnological tools including nanobiosensor in the detection of plant diseases, delivery of fungicides/pesticides, and therapy for the diseases caused by plant pathogens and pests. The use of nanomaterials will minimize the huge amount of application of pesticides and fungicides thereby reducing environmental pollution. This technology is eco-friendly, economically viable, and useful for sustainable crop production. The book encompasses chapters written by experienced experts in respective fields, which provide up-to-date knowledge about pathogen/pest control using nanotechnology. It will be essential reading for post-graduate students and researchers, agriculture scientists, nanotechnologists, microbiologists, green chemistry experts, and biotechnologists.

This book provides examples applications of nanotechnology in addressing problems and challenges in agriculture as well as environmental sciences and provides an overview of innovations in nanopesticides, nanofertilizers, bionanosensors and nano-based delivery system for improving different aspects of plant productivity including pre-harvest and post-harvest strategies as well detection of contaminants that could be useful for enhancing soil health. Recycling of agricultural waste to beneficial products using nanotechnologies; bionanosensors; fate of nanomaterials and the ecological consequences of their delivery into the environment; safety and nanotoxicity issues are other topics being dealt with in this book. Chapters have been written by internationally recognized researchers and experts with special reference to the innovations and latest developments in the mentioned areas of nanobiotechnology that have applications and commercial importance, especially for crop fields and post-harvest management. Despite the research and development used to promote the use of nanotechnology in agriculture and the environmental, knowledge gaps and uncertainties about how to fill the gaps are more prevalent than scientific certainties about the public health and environmental effects of nanomaterials. The book thus addresses the issue of toxicity of nanomaterials in agricultural nanotechnology products. The book will be useful for active researchers and scientists in the agricultural sector, academia as well as industry, including nanotechnologists, plant pathologists, agronomists, agrochemists, environmental technologists and all scientists working for sustainability in agriculture. The book will encourage future and active researchers and scientists in the agriculture sector, academia as well as industry.

This edited book is a comprehensive collection of scientific research on different plants under drought and salt stress conditions. The main focus of this book is to elaborate on the mechanisms being operative in plants under stress and how various biological factors mitigate the adverse effects for better plant productivity. This book covers all physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms operating under drought and saline stresses. The current status and impact of drought and salinity on various crop plants have been elaborated on in different chapters. Agricultural lands are either turning barren or becoming more saline and drought-prone with increasing temperatures, decreasing water tables, untimely rainfall, and other environmental factors. In India, salt-affected soils occupy an area of about 6.73 million ha of which saline and sodic soils constitute roughly 40 and 60%, respectively. All these factors individually or cumulatively, affect the plant growth and development and hence, the crop productivity with the monetary loss. The inbuilt plant's ability with modified/acclimatized mechanisms has been described in various chapters with step-wise descriptions. The role of various plant growth-promoting agents including nano-particles, micro-organisms, metabolites or phytohormones, etc in mitigating adverse effects of drought and salinity has been explained precisely. Updated information on the use of speed breeding, proteomics, epigenetics, and transcriptomics in different crops along with high throughput technologies is included for the cross-talk of various network mechanisms. This book is helpful for the readers in knowing salinity and drought through the physiological, biochemical and genetic, and molecular levels to understand plant behaviour under stress conditions. Also, the book serves as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of agriculture, plant physiology, biochemistry, forestry, and environmental sciences. National and international agricultural scientists and policymakers will also find this to be a useful read.

The yield of major agricultural crops can be severely decreased due to the inappropriate application of commonly used harmful chemicals. Excessive agrochemicals in field application can negatively affect microbial populations and their diversity, which in turn ultimately affects plant growth. Thus, it is necessary to turn toward more eco-friendly approaches which equally protect crops as well as the desirable microbial populations of complex soil systems. Nanoparticles are considered as potential agents for the production and development of sustainable agriculture. Green synthesis of nanoparticles has gained attention as a useful measure to diminish the harmful effects associated with the old methods of nanoparticle synthesis. Advances in Nanotechnology for Smart Agriculture: Techniques and Applications illustrates the science and practical applications of nanoparticles for sustainable agriculture.Features: Examines the role of nanotechnology in agricultural best practices, including sustainable development, precision farming, and long-term soil health

Under ongoing climate change, natural and cultivated habitats of major food crops are being continuously disturbed. Such condition accelerates to impose stress effects like abiotic and biotic stressors. Drought, salinity, flood, cold, heat, heavy metals, metalloids, oxidants, irradiation etc. are important abiotic stresses; and diseases and infections caused by plant pathogens viz. fungal agents, bacteria and viruses are major biotic stresses. As a result, these harsh environments affect crop productivity and its biology in multiple complex paradigms. As stresses become the limiting factors for agricultural productivity and exert detrimental role on growth and yield of the crops, scientists and researchers are challenged to maintain global food security for a rising world population.This two-volume work highlights the fast-moving agricultural research on crop improvement through the stress mitigation strategies, with specific focuses on crop biology and their response to climatic instabilities. Together with'Climate Resilient Agriculture, Vol 2: Agro-Biotechnological Advancement for Crop Production', it covers a wide range of topics under environmental challenges, agronomy and agriculture processes, and biotechnological approaches, uniquely suitable for scientists, researchers and students working in the fields of agriculture, plant science, environmental biology and biotechnology.

This volume discusses innovative advancements in soil and crop microbiome technology and methods to support agricultural sustainability and reduce soil degradation. As climate change impacts agricultural productivity and soil health in impacted regions throughout the world, potential alternatives to find balance between soil health and crop yield are increasingly needed. Therefore, this book provides a timely, global perspective with a collection of expert authors to address how microbiomes can be used to achieve agricultural sustainability in threatened and degraded areas, while also covering related matters including soil health, pest management, waste disposal, environmental contamination, biofertilizer production, composting, and microbial engineering. The book is meant to serve as a reference for agriculturalists, environmentalists, graduate and post-graduate students, researchers, and professors of sustainability and agricultural management.

This book aims to describe the role of silicon in the environment from the biogeochemical cycle of terrestrial ecosystems, uptake to cellular and tissue bioaccumulation and its effects in mitigating abiotic and biotic stresses. From an agronomic point of view, this knowledge is essential to boost agricultural production and improve its quality and the sustainability of crops in the face of the growing pressure of different stresses on crop systems of different natures. Si is the only multi-stress mitigator in plant nutrition. It plays an important role in mitigating nutritional deficiency by increasing nutrient use efficiency, something that will be very important in the future: producing more with less nutrient accumulated in the plant. The book focuses on the effects of Si on plant mineral nutrition, exploring nutritional deficiencies and toxicity of Al and potentially toxic heavy metals such as Cd, as well as important stresses such as salinity, water deficit and high temperature. The book will also discuss the Si extractors in the soil and criteria for recommending Si in crops and the sources of the element for its application in soil and leaves, as well as the role of Si in the activity of microorganisms and in plant diseases and pests. São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)(2022/10092-9).

This book provides insights into recent developments in the use of mulching in agroecosystems with emphasis on the major pros and cons. Increase in human population, climatic changes and agricultural intensification have put enormous pressure on soil and water resources. As a result, we are confronted with challenges to enhance nutrient and water use efficiencies and conserve soil organic matter without compromising crop yields and food security. Increasing the soil organic matter (SOM) via residue return increased nutrient availability and soil physical and biological properties. Management practices, such as straw mulching or incorporation, have significant effects on soil health. Straw addition also increases functionality related to carbon and N metabolism via increasing the microbes and thus greatly contributes to CO2 and N2O emissions. However, the co-use of organic and inorganic fertilizer reduces the N2O emission without compromising crop yield. Mulching has long been advocated to conserve soil moisture and increase the efficiency of macro- and micro-nutrients by improving soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. These effects of mulch are translated into better crop yields while improving soil health and quality in the long run. Therefore, the use of mulching techniques is on the rise in organic as well as conventional agriculture. The book is of great interest for researchers, academics, agriculture extensionists, soil and plant scientist, fertilizer industry, farmers, agro-industrial workers, farm managers, NGOs, and climate and civil society activists.

This book discusses the research progress on pathology, entomology, nematology, and resource management of wheat and barley crops. The volume summarizes the research progress and discusses the future perspectives based on current understanding of the existing issues and advancing cutting-edge technologies in the field. The book aims to help in deciding future research and development agenda by devising better strategies and techniques to cultivate these crops under clean and sustainable environment. Through this book an international group of leading wheat and barley researchers unveil the emerging concepts and issues related to biotic stresses and resource management and offers latest glimpses of technological needs and resource optimization in wheat and barley production system. Also, key topics such as frontier mechanization technologies, improved precision farming techniques, pluralistic extension and policy interventions for enhancing the resource efficiency and livelihood security of the farmers are explored here. This book is of interest to teachers, researchers, molecular breeders, cereal biochemists and biotechnologists, policymakers and professionals working in the area of wheat and barley research, food and cereal industry. Also, the book serves as an additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of agriculture and food sciences. National and international agricultural scientists, policy makers will also find this book to be a useful read.Volume 1 of New Horizons in Wheat and Barley Research covers global trends, breeding and quality enhancement.

Advances in Trichoderma Biology for Agricultural Applications covers the beneficial properties of Trichoderma in enhancing global agricultural productivity. Trichoderma are biotechnologically significant fungi, being widely used both agriculturally and industrially. In many cases Trichoderma are also a potential drug source of clinical importance. In recent years, driven by advances in genetics and genomics, research on these fungi has opened new avenues for its various applications. This book covers i) Current state of Trichoderma taxonomy, and species identification, ii) Trichoderma and plant-pathogenic fungi interactions, iii) Trichoderma interactions with plants, including rhizosphere competence of Trichoderma, antagonistic potentials, plant growth promotion, and management of various abiotic stresses in plants, iv) Practical aspects of Trichoderma commercialization in agriculture, v) Biosynthesis of metal-based nanoparticles and its application, and vi) Negative impact of Trichoderma strains in the environments.Reading this book should kindle further discussions among researchers working in fungal biotechnology, microbiology, agriculture, environmental science, forestry, and other allied subjects and thus lead to a broader scope of Trichoderma-based products and technologies. The knowledge shared in this book should also provide a warning on the potential risks associated with Trichoderma.

This book collects all the latest technologies with their implications on the global rice cultivation. It discusses all aspects of rice production and puts together the latest trends and best practices in the rice production. Rice is produced and consumed worldwide and especially an important crop for Asia. It is a staple food in majority of population living is this continent which distinguishes this from rest of the world. Climatic fluctuations, elevated concentrations of carbon dioxide, enhanced temperature have created extreme weather conditions for rice cultivation. Also, increasing pest attacks make situation complicated for the farmers. Therefore, rice production technology also has to be adjusted accordingly. This book is of interest to teachers, researchers, plant biotechnologists, pathologists, agronomists, soil scientists, food technologists from different part of the globe. Also, the book serves as additional reading material for students of agriculture, soil science, and environmental sciences. National and international agricultural scientists, policy makers will also find this to be a useful read

Silicon and Nano-silicon in Environmental Stress Management and Crop Quality Improvement: Progress and Prospects provides a comprehensive overview of the latest understanding of the physiological, biochemical and molecular basis of silicon- and nano-silicon-mediated environmental stress tolerance and crop quality improvements in plants. The book not only covers silicon-induced biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in crops but is also the first to include nano-silicon-mediated approaches to environmental stress tolerance in crops. As nanotechnology has emerged as a prominent tool for enhancing agricultural productivity, and with the production and applications of nanoparticles (NPs) greatly increasing in many industries, this book is a welcomed resource. - Enables the development of strategies to enhance crop productivity and better utilize natural resources to ensure future food security - Focuses on silicon- and nano-silicon-mediated environmental stress tolerance - Addresses the challenges of both biotic and abiotic stresses

This book discusses the cross-talk between plants and microbes in the rhizosphere. The rhizosphere is the hotspot of microbial activities that influence plant growth and crop yield. The rhizosphere-residing microbes include the nitrogen-fixing rhizobia, mycorrhizal fungi, antibiotic-producing bacteria, antagonistic, plant-beneficial fungi, and entomopathogens. The three-way cross-talk among the plants, the pathogens and other microbes involves signaling molecules, metabolites, and physical interactions. The book also describes deleterious and beneficial aspects of this communication between plants and microbes. Plants program the local microbiome near their roots, and the microbial community has a profound influence on the functioning of the plant. This complex communication makes the collection of chapters a timely one, because the diverse subjects are linked by their focus on the molecular language of plant-microbe cross-talk.This timely and informative book is useful for students and researchers in the fields of microbiology, soil biology, and plant pathology.

This book presents recent developments involving the role of nanoparticles on stress tolerance. In particular, nanoparticles have the potential to provide effective solutions to the multiple agriculture-related problems. Nanoparticles present enhanced reactivity and thus better effectiveness when compared to their bulkier counterparts due to their higher surface-to-volume ratio.

Nano-Enabled Agrochemicals in Agriculture presents a targeted overview of the safe implementation of nanotechnologies within agricultural and horticultural settings, with the purpose of achieving enhanced production while maintaining ecological integrity. The growing global request for agricultural crops and products requires high standards of quality and safety, which has stimulated the search for new technologies that preserve their quality and delay their decomposition. Nanotechnology may boost plant production by improving nutrient uptake/use efficiency with nanoformulations of fertilizers and agrochemicals for plant enhancement, detection and treatment of diseases, and host-parasite interactions at the molecular level using nanosensors. It also may improve plant disease diagnostics, removal of contaminants from soil and water, postharvest management of vegetables and flowers, and reclamation of salt-affected soils. Although the markets for nanoproducts and nanoformulations continue to increase, there are also growing concerns regarding the fate and behavior of nanomaterials in environmental systems. Exploring important topics related to nanotechnology and nanomaterials, the book includes the use of nanochemicals in insect pest management, as nanofungicides, nanoherbicides, micronutrient supply, and nanosensors to monitor crop and soil health conditions, from detection of agrochemicals to their slow release of agrochemicals, and their impact on related environs. This book will serve as an excellent resource for a wide range of plant scientists who have concerns about nanomaterial interactions with terrestrial and aquatic plants. - Focuses on emerging important topics related to nanotechnology and nanomaterials on agricultural systems - Emphasizes new applications of nanomaterials in the agricultural sciences, from fertilizers to irrigation systems - Addresses concerns about nanomaterial interactions with terrestrial and aquatic plants

This book explores the interactions between nanomaterials/nanoparticles and plants and unveils potential applications. The chapters emphasize the implications of nanoparticles in cross-discipline approaches, including agricultural science, plant physiology, plant biotechnology, material science, environmental science, food chemistry, biomedical science, etc. It presents recent advances in experimental and theoretical studies and gives in-depth insights into the interaction between nanoparticles and plant cells. In addition, it discusses the potential applications and concerns of nanoparticles comprehensively. The research field of plant nanotechnology has great potential within plant sciences and agriculture and the related research is getting increased at present. The study of plant nanotechnology receives an advantage from the great progress of nanotechnology in biomedical sciences particularly the well-development of a variety of biocompatible nanoparticles (NPs) and advanced analytical techniques. Nowadays, although some NPs have been applied in the studies of plant and agronomic sciences, the knowledge regarding physiology and underlying mechanisms within the plant cell remains limited. This book offers a critical reference for students, teachers, professionals, and a wide array of researchers in plant science, plant physiology, plant biotechnology, material science, environmental science, food chemistry, nanotechnology, and biomedical science. It could also benefit the related field of plant nanotechnology for designing and organizing future research.

This book discusses genetic engineering of both plants and microbes for making agricultural practices more productive and sustainable. It chapters explore the understanding of the interaction between plants and microbes, and genomic information to modify the metabolism of plants or microbes to further enhance the beneficial interaction. The book covers the development of commercial inoculants including selection of appropriate plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria/ phosphate solubilize bacteria based on target host plant, soil type, indigenous microbial communities, environmental conditions, inoculant density, suitability of carriers and compatibility with integrated crop management. This is a relevant content for scientists and researchers working on soil biology, sustainable agricultural and plant physiology. Also, this book is a useful read for graduate and post graduate students of agriculture, botany and microbiology.

This book discusses inorganic/metallic nanopesticides and fertilizers. Rather than providing a general review of the topic, it offers a critical assessment of what has been achieved and highlights future measures to allow agriculture to profit from the properties of inorganic nanoparticles. It covers a variety of topics, including strategies for preparing cost-effective nanoparticles, their chemistry both within and outside the plant, the effects of nanoparticles in the field and whether the current strategies were successful in increasing crop yields. This book will appeal to readers in academia and industry, as well as stakeholders and anyone who has an interest in the applications of inorganic nanopesticides and nanofertilizers as well as the potential use of these technologies in agriculture.

This second volume of a two-volume work reviews beneficial bioactive compounds from various microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, cyanobacteria in plant diseases management and the postharvest management of fruits using microbial antagonists. Furthermore, it reviews the impact of climate change on food security and addressed the legal aspects of microbial biocontrol applications. The two-volume work “Microbial Biocontrol” introduces to mechanisms of plant-microbe interactions and explores latest strategies of how microbes can be applied in biocontrol and management of plant pathogens, replacing chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The book covers different groups of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, but also the interplay of entire microbiomes, and reviews their specific benefits in crop growth promotion, in enhancing the plants'tolerance against biotic and abiotic stress as well as in post-harvest management of various plant diseases. Novel tools such as CRISPR/Cas9 and microbe derived nanoparticles are also addressed besides the legal aspects of biocontrol applications. Today, rising global population and changing climatic conditions emerge as a major challenge for agronomist farmers and researchers in fulfilling the requirements of global food production. The conventional agricultural practices utilize undistributed use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to enhance growth and yield of agricultural products and fresh foods, but their extensive and continuous use have led to a range of negative consequences on the food quality and safety, to environment as well as to human and animal health. Microbial biocontrol applications are presented as a solution, paving the way to a sustainable agriculture in compliance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The book addresses researchers in academia and agriculture.

Hazardous and Trace Materials in Soil and Plants: Sources, Effects and Management explores the latest advancements in reducing, avoiding and eliminating soil contaminants that challenge the health and safety of agricultural plants. With a focus on minimizing the production of those hazardous substances, controlling their distribution and ensuring safe utilization, the book explores each contributing area and provides insights toward improved, sustainable and secure production. This is an excellent reference resource on both current research and future directions from laboratory research to field applications. The combined impacts of climate change and industrialization have led to increased and diversified threats to the health of the soil in which our food crops are grown, as well as in the plants themselves. This dual-hazard scenario is increasingly recognized as a threat to not just the environment, but to global food security as agricultural soils contaminated with pollutants alter plant metabolism, thus resulting in reduced crop quality and production quantity. - Addresses the challenges of mitigating toxic substances in plants, including agricultural crops - Presents current status and future prospects for managing biotic and abiotic environmental stress factors through plant stress tolerance mechanisms - Includes chapters that address both biotic and abiotic stresses, agricultural and environmental science, toxicology, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and molecular studies - Integrates insights and developments between environmental and plant science

This book focuses on the role of hydrogen sulfide in the protection of plants against abiotic stresses and abiotic stress-induced complications by the way of converging advanced key methods of proteomics, genomics, and metabolomics. It provides an update on the biosynthesis, signaling, and mechanism of action of hydrogen sulfide in combating abiotic stresses in plants. Also, special emphasis is given to the interaction of hydrogen sulfide with other signaling molecules (such as nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen peroxide etc.), phytohormones, mineral nutrients, ions, and ion channels in plants. This work, uniquely, covers key aspects of hydrogen sulfide signaling in relation to abiotic stresses in plants, including programmed cell death, stomatal movement, and fruit ripening.

This book highlights the latest discoveries about the nitrogen cycle in the soil. It introduces the concept of nitrogen fixation and covers important aspects of nitrogen in soil and ecology such as its distribution and occurrence, soil microflora and fauna and their role in N-fixation. The importance of plant growth-promoting microbes for a sustainable agriculture, e.g. arbuscular mycorrhizae in N-fixation, is discussed as well as perspectives of metagenomics, microbe-plant signal transduction in N-ecology and related aspects. This book enables the reader to bridge the main gaps in knowledge and carefully presents perspectives on the ecology of biotransformations of nitrogen in soil.

Abiotic Stress and Legumes: Tolerance and Management is the first book to focus on the ability of legume plants to adapt effectively to environmental challenges. Using the -omic approach, this book takes a targeted approach to understanding the methods and means of ensuring survival and maximizing the productivity of the legume plant by improving tolerance to environmental /abiotic stress factors including drought, temperature change, and other challenges.The book presents a comprehensive overview of the progress that has been made in identifying means of managing abiotic stress effects, specifically in legumes, including the development of several varieties which exhibit tolerance through high yield using transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic and ionomic approaches. Further, exogenous application of various stimulants such as plant hormones, nutrients, sugars, and polyamines has emerged as an alternative strategy to improve productivity under these environmental challenges.Abiotic Stress and Legumes: Tolerance and Management examines these emerging strategies and serves as an important resource for researchers, academicians and scientists, enhancing their knowledge and aiding further research. - Explores the progress made in managing abiotic stress, specifically with high yield legumes - Highlights the molecular mechanisms related to acclimation - Presents proven strategies and emerging approaches to guide additional research

Pollution is one of the most serious issues facing mankind and other life forms on earth. Environmental pollution leads to the degradation of ecosystems, loss of services, economic losses, and various other problems. The eco-friendliest approach to rejuvenating polluted ecosystems is with the help of microorganism-based bioremediation. Microorganisms are characterized by great biodiversity, genetic and metabolic machinery, and by their ability to survive, even in extremely polluted environments. As such, they are and will remain the most important tools for restoring polluted ecosystems / habitats. This three-volume book sheds light on the utilization of microorganisms and the latest technologies for cleaning up polluted sites. It also discusses the remediation or degradation of various important pollutants such as pesticides, wastewater, plastics, PAHs, oil spills etc. The book also explains the latest technologies used for the degradation of pollutants in several niche ecosystems. Given its scope, the book will be of interest to teachers, researchers, bioremediation scientists, capacity builders and policymakers. It also offers valuable additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of microbiology, ecology, soil science, and the environmental sciences.

Biocontrol and Secondary Metabolites: Applications and Immunization for Plant Growth and Protection covers established and updated research on emerging trends in plant defense signaling in, and during, stress phases. Other topics cover growth at interface as a sustainable way of life and the context of human welfare and conservation of fungi as a group of organisms. Further, the book explores induced systemic resistance using biocontrol agents and/or secondary metabolites as a milestone for sustainable agricultural production, thus providing opportunities for the minimization or elimination of the use of fungicides. - Presents an overview on mechanisms by which plants protect themselves against herbivory and pathogenic microbes - Identifies the use of immunization as a popular and effective alternative to chemical pesticides - Explores how these fungi help crop plants in better uptake of soil nutrients, increase soil fertility, produce growth promoting substances, and secrete metabolites that act as bio-pesticides

Abiotic and biotic stress factors, including drought, salinity, waterlog, temperature extremes, mineral nutrients, heavy metals, plant diseases, nematodes, viruses, and diseases, adversely affect growth as well as yield of crop plants worldwide. Plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPM) are receiving increasing attention from agronomists and environmentalists as candidates to develop an effective, eco-friendly, and sustainable alternative to conventional agricultural (e.g., chemical fertilizers and pesticide) and remediation (e.g., chelators-enhanced phytoremediation) methods employed to deal with climate change-induced stresses. Recent studies have shown that plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), rhizobia, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), cyanobacteria have great potentials in the management of various agricultural and environmental problems.This book provides current research of biofertilizers and the role of microorganisms in plant health, with specific emphasis on the mitigating strategies to combat plant stresses.