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The agriculture of plants primarily for food, materials and beauty is termed as horticulture. It involves the cultivation and processing of flowers, fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants. It also includes plant propagation and cultivation to improve plant growth, yields, quality and nutrition value. Plants in horticulture can be grown for a variety of purposes such as food, non-food and social needs. Horticulture encompasses numerous fields such as plant conservation, soil management, landscape restoration, landscape design and arboriculture. Other major areas of horticulture are olericulture, pomology, viticulture, oenology and postharvest physiology. Olericulture deals with the production and marketing of vegetables. Pomology refers to the growing and selling of fruits. This textbook provides significant information of this discipline to help develop a good understanding of horticulture and its sub-fields. It is appropriate for students seeking detailed information in this area as well as for experts. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by this book.

Dairy refers to the business enterprise which deals with the harvesting and processing of animal milk from animals such as cows, goats, buffaloes and sheep. The branch of science which focuses on the production and manufacturing of various dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt and butter is termed as dairy science. It is also involved in the study of animal nutrition, animal reproduction and lactation. Dairy technology is a branch of engineering which explores the processing of milk and milk products. It also deals with the packaging, transportation and distribution of dairy products through applying principles from the fields of nutrition, bacteriology and biochemistry. This book provides significant information of this discipline to help develop a good understanding of dairy science and technology. While understanding the long-term perspectives of the topics, it makes an effort in highlighting their impact as a modern tool for the growth of the discipline. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by this book.

Bioinorganic chemistry is the field concerned with the examination of the role of metals in biology. It is an integrated study of inorganic chemistry and biochemistry that uses inorganic models for representing the behavior of metalloproteins. It facilitates the understanding of electron-transfer proteins, atom and group transfer chemistry, substrate bindings and activation, and metal properties in biological chemistry. Inorganic elements, most importantly sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphate, bicarbonate, etc. act as ionic electrolytes. Transition metals are present as trace elements in organisms. These metals are used as cofactors in proteins that enable the activity of enzymes. This book elucidates the concepts and innovative models around prospective developments with respect to bioinorganic chemistry. It explores all the important aspects of this field in the present day scenario. A number of latest researches have been included to keep the readers up-to-date with the global concepts in this area of study.

The farming of fish, molluscs, crustaceans, aquatic plants and algae is referred to as aquaculture. It involves the cultivation of both freshwater and saltwater populations under controlled conditions. Some of the various branches of aquaculture are mariculture, fish farming, shrimp farming, algaculture and oyster farming. Mariculture refers to the aquaculture which takes place in underwater habitats and marine environments. There are diverse methods within aquaculture where farming of aquatic plants is integrated with fish farming. These methods include integrated multi-trophic aquaculture and aquaponics. The practice of integrated multi-trophic aquaculture involves the recycling of wastes from one species as the inputs for another species. This book attempts to understand the multiple branches that fall under the discipline of aquaculture and how such concepts have practical applications. Some of the diverse topics covered herein address the varied branches that fall under this category. This book will serve as a valuable source of reference for those interested in this field.

The availability of food and the ability of individuals to access it is measured by food security. The food is required to be safe and nutritious in order to be considered under this category. The four factors which determine food security are availability of food, access to food, use of food and the stability of the first three factors. There are numerous challenges which threaten food security such as global water crisis, climate change and land degradation. Several countries around the world are facing a water crisis, which in turn leads to a grain deficit. This drives up the price of grain, making it inaccessible for economically weaker sections of the society. The book studies, analyzes and upholds the pillars of food and energy security, and its utmost significance in modern times. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by this book. It will serve as a valuable source of reference for graduate and post graduate students.

Weed control aims to stop noxious weeds from competing with the desired flora and fauna. It plays a vital role in agriculture. They also contaminate harvests and interfere with the management of desirable plants. The diverse methods of weed control are broadly divided into physical methods, cultural methods and chemical methods. The physical methods include covering the weed, manual removal, thermal methods, tillage and seed targeting. Some of the cultural methods of weed control are stale seed beds and crop rotation. The management of pests which have adverse effects upon human activities is termed as pest control. Biological pest control and pesticides are a few methods of controlling pests. Biological pest control relies on predation and usage of other organisms to control pests. This book brings forth some of the most innovative concepts and elucidates the unexplored aspects of weed and pest control. Some of the diverse topics covered in this book address the varied methods used within these fields. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by this book.

Plant classification is the practice of placing known plants into categories or groups in order to establish a relationship. It follows a system of rules that standardizes the results and the group's successive categories into a hierarchy. The classification of plants provides an organized system for the cataloging and naming of the future specimen. It ideally reflects scientific ideas about inter-relationships between plants. Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of life on earth. It acts as a measure of variation at the ecosystem, genetics and species level. The distribution of biodiversity of plants varies greatly across the globe, as well as within the region. Taxonomic diversity of plants is measured at the level of species diversity. This book includes some of the vital pieces of work being conducted across the world, on various topics related to plant classification and biodiversity. Its aim is to present researches that have transformed this field of study and aided its advancement. It is an essential guide for both academicians and those who wish to pursue this discipline further.

Rice is the seed of primarily two species of grass, namely, Oryza sativa and Oryza glaberrima. Oryza sativa is popularly known as Asian rice while the common name for Oryza glaberrima is African rice. The study of rice genomics deals with the entirety of genes present in it. Rice genetics focuses on the transfer of DNA from one generation to the other. Rice breeding is involved in a number of objectives such as increasing the quality, yield and resistance to biotic and abiotic stress. This book unfolds the innovative aspects of genomics, genetics and breeding of rice which will be crucial for the progress of this field in the future. It consists of contributions made by international experts. The book is appropriate for students seeking detailed information in this area as well as for experts.

The study of ecological processes which are used in agricultural production systems is referred to as agroecology. It applies the principles of ecology to the management of agroecosystems. It also focuses on the basic properties of agroecosystems such as sustainability, stability, productivity and equitability. Some of the major varieties of agroecology are ecosystem agroecology and agro-population ecology. Agroecology is an interdisciplinary subject which uses various sciences to examine the elements of agroecosystems such as soil properties and the interactions between plants and insects. It also utilizes social sciences to study how rural communities get affected by farming practices. This book is a compilation of chapters that discuss the most vital concepts in the discipline of agroecology. Most of the topics introduced in this book cover new techniques and applications of this field. It aims to serve as a resource guide for students and experts alike and contribute to the growth of agroecology.

Agronomy is a domain of science and technology that is concerned with the production and usage of plants for food, fiber, fuel and land reclamation. It encompasses studies from various areas including plant genetics, plant physiology, meteorology and soil science. It uses a combination of sciences like biology, economics, ecology, chemistry and genetics. It primarily deals with issues such as food production, management of the environmental impact of agriculture and extraction of energy from plants. Some focus areas related to agronomy are crop rotation, soil classification, irrigation and drainage, plant physiology, and pest control. It also makes use of biotechnology for achieving the development of required characteristics in plants. This textbook provides comprehensive insights into the field of agronomy. Some of the diverse topics covered herein address the varied branches that fall under this category. This book will provide comprehensive knowledge to the readers.

The farming practice which primarily focuses on the use of natural organic substances and prohibits the use of synthetic substances is known as organic farming. It advocates the usage of organic products due to reasons related to sustainability, self-sufficiency, food security and safety. Organic farming is an alternative agricultural system that uses organic fertilizers such as compost manure, green manure and bone meal. It involves the use of techniques such as crop rotation and companion planting. It also incorporates biological pest control and mixed cropping as well as fostering of insect predators for the management of pests. Methods of organic farming are studied within the field of agroecology. This textbook contains some path-breaking studies in the field of organic farming. It strives to provide a fair idea about this discipline and to help develop a better understanding of its varied principles and practices. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by this book.

The biological discipline that focuses on the study of vertebrate animals is known as vertebrate zoology. The animals with a backbone such as amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals collectively called as tetrapods, are known as vertebrate animals. Vertebrates include various groups such as jawless fishes, jawed vertebrates that include the cartilaginous fishes, and bony fishes. Vertebrate zoology can be further divided into various sub-fields including ichthyology, mammalogy, ornithology, herpetology and batrachology. These sub-divisions respectively study the fishes, mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Different approaches, evaluations and studies on vertebrate zoology have been included in this book. It attempts to understand the multiple branches that fall under the discipline of vertebrate zoology. Coherent flow of topics, student-friendly language and extensive use of examples make this book an invaluable source of knowledge.

Immunology is a discipline of biology that deals with the study of immune system in organisms. Veterinary immunology is the domain of biomedical sciences that focuses on the study of all aspects of immune system in animals. It is involved in measuring, contextualizing and charting the physiological functions, malfunctions, and the physical, chemical and physiological characteristics of the components of the immune system. The key aspects of veterinary immunology focus on how the immune system functions, how diseases are prevented and why vaccines sometimes do not work and lead to adverse reactions. This book provides comprehensive insights into the field of veterinary immunology. It also presents researches and studies performed by experts across the globe. The extensive content of this book provides the readers with a thorough understanding of the subject.

The usage of air flow to rotate wind turbines and thereby turn electric generators is known as wind energy. It is a variable source of energy since there is considerable fluctuation in the amount of power generated over short time scales. Thus, it is used in conjunction with other electric power sources in order to provide steady electrical supply. It can also be connected to batteries. Wind energy is a renewable source of power, which has an extremely low global warming potential per unit of electrical energy generated. Wind energy converter, or wind turbine is a device which converts wind's kinetic energy into mechanical energy. This book is a valuable compilation of topics, ranging from the basic to the most complex advancements in the field of wind energy. It is appropriate for students seeking detailed information in this area as well as for experts.

Hydrometeorology is an interdisciplinary branch of meteorology and hydrology. It studies the transfer of water and energy between the land surface and the lower atmosphere. An important aspect of hydrometeorology is the prediction and mitigation of the effects of high precipitation events. Nowcasting, numerical weather prediction and statistical techniques are the three primary ways to model meteorological phenomena in weather forecasting. Nowcasting predicts events a few hours out. It utilizes observations and live radar data to combine them with numerical weather prediction models. Numerical weather prediction is the primary technique used to forecast weather. It uses mathematical models to account for the atmosphere, ocean, and many other variables for producing forecasts. Statistical techniques use regressions and other statistical methods to create long-term projections. This book provides comprehensive insights into the field of hydrometeorology. The various studies that are constantly contributing towards advancing technologies and evolution of this field are examined in detail. This book is appropriate for students seeking detailed information in this area as well as for experts.

Microbiology is the study of microbial life. This discipline encompasses the study of acellular, unicellular and multicellular organisms, such as viruses, bacteria, archaea, fungi, algae, etc. The study of microbiology is significant due to the extensive use of microorganisms in industrial fermentation processes, bioremediation of wastes and for the production of a variety of biopolymers, such as polyesters, polysaccharides and polyamides. There is immense scope of microbial use in medical science, notable among which are antibiotic production, production of beneficial vitamins and amino acids, suppression of pathogenic microbes and development of biopolymers with applications in tissue engineering and drug delivery. Research that explores microbes as therapeutic agents against cancer is also being pursued. This book brings forth some of the most innovative concepts and elucidates the unexplored aspects of microbiology. The various advancements in this area of study are glanced at and their applications as well as ramifications are looked at in detail. With state-of-the-art inputs by acclaimed experts of this field, this book targets students and professionals.

The large-scale study of proteins is known as proteomics. A set of proteins that is produced and modified by an organism or system is named as proteome. Proteomics has led to the identification of a large number of proteins. It is involved in the discovery of proteomes from various levels of protein composition, structure and activities. Proteomics plays an important role in functional genomics as well. Some of the common methods used in this field are protein detection with antibodies and antibody-free protein detection. It is applied in numerous fields such as identifying potential drugs and for revealing complex plant-insect interactions. This textbook presents the complex subject of proteomics in the most comprehensible and easy to understand language. Some of the diverse topics covered herein address the varied branches that fall under this category. Through this book, we attempt to further enlighten the readers about the new concepts in this field.

Tissue engineering is a field that uses the principles of engineering, material methods and suitable biochemical and physiochemical factors in combination of cells to improve or replace biological tissues. It is related to applications that repair or replace whole tissues or a portion of tissues such as bone, cartilage, blood vessels, bladder and skin. It involves the use of a tissue scaffold for a medical purpose which helps in the formation of new viable tissue. It also uses living cells as engineering materials, for example in skin repair or replacement, it utilizes living fibroblasts, cartilage repaired with living chondrocytes, etc. It also aims to perform some biochemical functions using cells within an artificially-created support system such as the artificial pancreas or bio artificial liver. This book contains some path-breaking studies in the field of tissue engineering. It strives to provide a fair idea about this discipline and to help develop a better understanding of the latest advances within this field. This book is a resource guide for experts as well as students.

The macromolecular biological catalysts that accelerate the chemical reactions are known as enzymes. The molecules upon which enzymes react are known as substrates. These are converted into different molecules known as products. Enzymes are produced using recombinant expression in selected host microorganisms, recovery, fermentation and formulation. Enzymes are used in a variety of industries and fields such as biofuel industry, brewing industry and chemical industry. The largest user of enzymes is the detergent industry. They are utilized to remove soiling, protect garments and increase softness. Enzymes are also used in the textile, pulp and paper, leather, and animal feed industries. This book provides significant information of this discipline to help develop a good understanding of enzyme biotechnology and related fields. It aims to shed light on some of the unexplored aspects of this field. This book will serve as a valuable source of reference for graduate and post graduate students.

The application of limited amounts of water to plants at required intervals is known as irrigation. It helps in the growth of crops and in maintaining landscapes. It also plays a vital role in re-vegetating the disturbed soils in dry areas. The branch of engineering which deals with harnessing and controlling the water which is obtained from natural sources and distributing it for agricultural purposes is known as irrigation engineering. There are various types of irrigation methods such as micro-irrigation, drip irrigation, and sprinkler or overhead irrigation. Micro-irrigation uses a piped network to distribute water under low pressure. Drip irrigation is a system that drops water directly at the plant's roots. Sprinkler or overhead irrigation is a system where water is piped to the central locations within the field and distributed by high-pressure overhead sprinklers. This book provides comprehensive insights into the field of irrigation engineering. It will serve as a reference to a broad spectrum of readers. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by this textbook.

Pharmacology is a branch of pharmaceutical sciences that focuses on the study of drug action and medication action. It studies the interactions between a living organism and chemicals that affect the biochemical function. Pharmacology includes drug design and synthesis, drug composition and properties, molecular and cellular mechanisms, molecular diagnostics, chemical biology, organ mechanisms, therapy, medical applications and antipathogenic capabilities. Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics are two main branches of pharmacology. Pharmacodynamics studies how a drug influences the biological systems. Pharmacokinetics studies the effects of biological systems on a drug. The absorption, metabolism, distribution and excretion of chemicals from the biological systems are also studied under this field. This book unfolds the innovative aspects of pharmacology which will be crucial for the progress of this field in the future. Some of the diverse topics covered herein address the varied branches that fall under this category. Through this book, we attempt to further enlighten the readers about the new concepts in this field.

Insecticides and pesticides are substances that are used to kill insects and control pests respectively. Insecticides involve the usage of ovicides against the eggs of the insects and larvicides against insect larvae. They are used in various sectors such as agriculture, medicine, industries, etc. They play an important role in increasing agricultural productivity. Insecticides are classified into two major groups, namely, systemic and contact insecticides. Systemic insecticides have residual and long term activity and contact insecticides are lethal or harmful to the insects when they come in direct contact with it. Pesticides are chemical and biological agents that block and kill pests. Some of the common types of pesticides are herbicides, insecticides, nematicides, molluscicides, piscicides and insect repellents. They also include rodenticides, bactericides and animal repellents. The topics included in this book on insecticides and pesticides are of utmost significance and bound to provide incredible insights to readers. It is compiled in such a manner, that it will provide in-depth knowledge in this area. This book is an essential guide for both academicians and those who wish to pursue this discipline further.

The discipline which is concerned with the cultivation of ornamental as well as flowering plants for the floral industry is termed as floriculture. There are numerous types of crops which are dealt with under this field such as bedding plants, pot plants, houseplants and cut flowers. Some of the major flowering plants are orchids, poinsettias, florist chrysanthemums and florist azaleas. Numerous aspects of floriculture are applied in the farming of flowers such as spacing, training and pruning plants for optimal flower harvest. The diverse post-harvest treatments such as preservation, chemical treatment and packaging also fall within this field. This book covers in detail some existent theories and innovative practices revolving around floriculture. It presents this complex subject in the most comprehensible and easy to understand language. This book is appropriate for students seeking detailed information in this area as well as for experts.

Crops are plants that are grown and harvested for food or fodder. Non-food crops are also cultivated in floriculture or horticulture or for industrial purposes. Crop production systems vary from farm to farm, and from region to region, depending on the available resources and limiting constraints of the climate and geography, government policies, and socioeconomic factors. Common crop production methods include monoculture, multiple cropping and intercropping. A particular cropping system may not be suitable to a particular climate, such as multiple cropping would require extensive irrigation in arid and subtropical regions, while annual farming can be productive in areas rich in grasslands or prairies. Crop yields can be increased using various practices such as tillage, nutrient management and water management. This book is a compilation of chapters that discuss the most vital concepts and emerging trends in crop production. The various advancements in crop production methods and technologies are glanced at and their applications as well as ramifications are looked at in detail. This book is meant for students who are looking for an elaborate reference text on modern crop production.

The scientific knowledge, learning, practice and understanding related to the management, cultivation and production of crops is known as crop science. There are various types of crops which are dealt with in this field such as food crops, cash crops and horticulture crops. Crop science makes use of principles from a diverse range of disciplines such as breeding, genetics, management and production. The application of scientific and organized knowledge for solving practical problems is known as crop technology. Some of the technological interventions which fall within this discipline are seed technologies, agronomic technologies and hybrid technologies. This book unfolds the innovative aspects of crop science which will be crucial for the progress of this field in the future. The topics included herein on this field are of utmost significance and bound to provide incredible insights to readers. Coherent flow of topics, student-friendly language and extensive use of examples make this book an invaluable source of knowledge.

Botany is a biological field which focuses on the study of plant life. It makes use of diverse techniques and methods such as optical microscopy, live-cell imaging, analysis of chromosome number, electron microscopy, plant chemistry, and function of enzymes and other proteins. Some of the areas of research within this discipline are plant structure, differentiation and growth, reproduction, primary metabolism, and biochemistry. It is also concerned with the study of chemical products, plant development, plant evolutionary relationships, plant diseases and plant taxonomy. The classification of plants within this field is done using various techniques of molecular genetic analysis such as proteomics, genomics and DNA sequences. This textbook is a compilation of chapters that discuss the most vital concepts in the field of botany. It is compiled in such a manner, that it will provide in-depth knowledge about the theory and concepts of this field. For someone with an interest and eye for detail, this book covers the most significant topics related to this field.

Plant genes determine the qualitative or quantitative traits a plant exhibits. Plant genetics is a field of botany which studies plant genes, variation and heredity. The DNA sequence in plants is studied to understand the role of specific plant genes. Desired traits, such as disease and pest resistance, increased yields and improved nutritional value can be produced in plants by altering the genes and loci encoded by the DNA sequence. Advances in biotechnology have led to a greater understanding of plant genes and genetics, and improved plant breeding and hybridization. Modern plant genetics delves into the sequencing of plant genomes to further the techniques of genetic modification. Agrobacterium method and gene gun method are modern ways of modifying plants. This book is compiled in such a manner, that it will provide in-depth knowledge about plant genes and genetics. The topics covered in this extensive book deal with the core aspects of genetic engineering of plants. For someone with an interest and eye for detail, this book covers the most significant topics in plant genetics.

Farming in sustainable ways is referred to as sustainable agriculture. Its key feature is that it seeks to meet the current textile and food needs of the society without compromising the ability of the coming generations to meet their needs. It is based on the understanding of various benefits which can be obtained from well-functioning eco-systems. It can be used to produce adequate amount of food to feed a growing population without affecting the environment in a negative manner. There are a number of practices which are associated with sustainable agriculture such as minimizing the use of water as well as the level of pollution on the farm. This textbook elucidates new techniques and their applications in a multidisciplinary approach. It aims to shed light on some of the unexplored aspects of sustainable agriculture. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by this book.

The science that interprets the interaction of nutrients and other substances found in food and their role in the health of an organism is known as nutrition. It also deals with the maintenance, growth, reproduction and disease in organisms with respect to nutrients. Some of the processes which are studied under nutrition are food intake, assimilation, biosynthesis, catabolism and excretion. Proper nutrition is essential to avoid deficiency-related diseases like anemia, blindness, scurvy, stillbirth, preterm birth and cretinism. Metabolism is a group of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms. It helps in the conversion of food to energy for running cellular processes. It also converts the food to building blocks for proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and carbohydrates. Proper nutrition is essential for metabolism since metabolic pathways depend upon nutrients which they breakdown to produce energy. This book is a compilation of chapters that discuss the most vital concepts in the fields of nutrition and metabolism. The topics covered herein deal with the core aspects of these areas. This book will provide comprehensive knowledge to the readers.

The gill bearing aquatic craniate animals which lack limbs with digits are known as fish. Some of the different categories of fish are lampreys, hagfish, bony fish and cartilaginous fish. Generally fish are ectothermic, which allows their body temperature to fluctuate depending upon the change in ambient temperature. The structure of a typical fish usually contains two sets of paired fins, one or two dorsal fins, an anal fin and a tail fin. Its body is streamlined and covered in scales, and it lays eggs. The various species of fish are divided into two broad groups on the basis of the ecosystems which they inhabit. These are marine, also called saltwater fishes, and freshwater fishes. This book provides significant information to help develop a good understanding of fish biology and related fields. It will also provide interesting topics for research which interested readers can take up. The book is appropriate for students seeking detailed information in this area as well as for experts.