Advances In Sustainable Agriculture

This new volume looks at the evolution and challenges of sustainable agriculture, a field that is growing in use and popularity, discussing some of the important ideas, practices, and policies that are essential to an effective sustainable agriculture strategy. The book features 25 chapters written by experts in crop improvement, natural resource management, crop protection, social sciences, and product development. The volume provides a good understanding of the use of sustainable agriculture and the sustainable management of agri-horticultural crops, focusing on eco-friendly approaches, such as the utilization of waste materials. Topics include ecofriendly plant protection measures, climate change and natural resource management, tools to mitigate the effect of extreme weather events, agrochemical research and regulation, soil carbon sequestration, water and nutrient management in agricultural systems, and more. Key features: Discusses sustainable agriculture within the framework of recent challenges in agriculture Looks at the development and diversification of crops and cultural practices to enhance biological and economic stability Discusses innovative nanotechnologies in research and production technologies Highlights the development of new varieties in agri-horticultural crops Discusses use of recent technologies for soil–plant–microbe–environment interactions.

This volume is a ready reference on sustainable agriculture and reinforce the understanding for its utilization to develop environmentally sustainable and profitable food production systems. It describes ecological sustainability of farming systems, present innovations for improving efficiency in the use of resources for sustainable agriculture and propose technological options and new areas of research in this very important area of agriculture.

Sustainable Agriculture: Advances in Plant Metabolome and Microbiome focuses on the advancement of basic and applied research related to plant-microbe interaction and their implementation to progressive agricultural sustainability. Simultaneous metabolome-signaling, or two-way communication study, is a challenging and emerging area that will provide new opportunities for providing an understanding of plant-microbe interaction. Comparing the metabolome or microbiome among some key groups of the same phylas could reveal host-driven differences in plant microbe symbiosis-however, nowadays these interactions can be engineered using advanced techniques and tools to increase heritability as well as to target breeding approaches to boost agricultural industry. The book also highlights the developing area of bioinformatics tools for the interpretation of metabolome. The assimilation of metabolome data with metagenomics through a systemic approach will provide a holistic overview of the total microbiome and metabolome assembly. The integration of statistical and bioinformatics tools to manage huge generating data, metabolite profiling, and key signalling-driven substances, will be vital in developing a sustainable consortium and determining the role of key biosynthetic pathways. Focused on selecting positive and effective interactive core-microbiome which will be adaptive and sustainable both phenotypically and genotypically, Sustainable Agriculture: Advances in Plant Metabolome and Microbiome will help researchers further improve the quality and productivity of crops through sustainable agriculture. Details the two-way interactive approach to both plants and microbes Describes setting up core and functional microbiomes Presents the relationship of metabolomics and biocontrol

Recognition of the importance of soil organic matter (SOM) in soil health and quality is a major part of fostering a holistic, preventive approach to agricultural management. Students in agronomy, horticulture, and soil science need a textbook that emphasizes strategies for using SOM management in the prevention of chemical, biological, and physical problems. Soil Organic Matter in Sustainable Agriculture gathers key scientific reviews concerning issues that are critical for successful SOM management. This textbook contains evaluations of the types of organic soil constituents—organisms, fresh residues, and well-decomposed substances. It explores the beneficial effects of organic matter on soil and the various practices that enhance SOM. Chapters include an examination of the results of crop management practices on soil organisms, organic matter gains and losses, the significance of various SOM fractions, and the contributions of fungi and earthworms to soil quality and crop growth. Emphasizing the prevention of imbalances that lead to soil and crop problems, the text also explores the development of soils suppressive to plant diseases and pests, and relates SOM management to the supply of nutrients to crops. This book provides the essential scientific background and poses the challenging questions that students need to better understand SOM and develop improved soil and crop management systems.

Crop modelling has huge potential to improve decision making in farming. This collection reviews advances in next-generation models focused on user needs at the whole farm system and landscape scale.

The emergence of nanotechnology and the development of new nano-devices and nanomaterials open up opportunities for novel applications in agriculture and biotechnology. Nanotechnology has the potential to modernize the agricultural research and practice. Nanotechnology has gained momentum in agriculture sector during last decade, but still there are knowledge gap between scientific communities. This book comprise of holistic coverage about current developments in nanotechnology based sustainable agriculture. It contains sections focusing on each aspect of the implications of nanotechnology in different sectors of agriculture from crop production, soil fertility management, crop improvement etc. It also provides insight into the current trends and future prospects of nanotechnology along with the benefits and risks and their impact on agricultural ecosystems. This book emphasize on use of nanotechnology to reduce agrochemical usage via smart delivery system, increase nutrient use efficiency, improved water and nutrient management, nano-biosensors for management of plant diseases etc. The book provides thorough knowledge for dealing with current challenges of agricultural sector using nanotechnology based agricultural interventions. It will serve as reference literature for scientists, policymakers, students and researchers who are engaged in development of strategies to cope up with challenges of current agricultural systems and society.

For nearly a century, scientific advances have fueled progress in U.S. agriculture to enable American producers to deliver safe and abundant food domestically and provide a trade surplus in bulk and high-value agricultural commodities and foods. Today, the U.S. food and agricultural enterprise faces formidable challenges that will test its long-term sustainability, competitiveness, and resilience. On its current path, future productivity in the U.S. agricultural system is likely to come with trade-offs. The success of agriculture is tied to natural systems, and these systems are showing signs of stress, even more so with the change in climate. More than a third of the food produced is unconsumed, an unacceptable loss of food and nutrients at a time of heightened global food demand. Increased food animal production to meet greater demand will generate more greenhouse gas emissions and excess animal waste. The U.S. food supply is generally secure, but is not immune to the costly and deadly shocks of continuing outbreaks of food-borne illness or to the constant threat of pests and pathogens to crops, livestock, and poultry. U.S. farmers and producers are at the front lines and will need more tools to manage the pressures they face. Science Breakthroughs to Advance Food and Agricultural Research by 2030 identifies innovative, emerging scientific advances for making the U.S. food and agricultural system more efficient, resilient, and sustainable. This report explores the availability of relatively new scientific developments across all disciplines that could accelerate progress toward these goals. It identifies the most promising scientific breakthroughs that could have the greatest positive impact on food and agriculture, and that are possible to achieve in the next decade (by 2030).