There is increasing competition for water resources in the face of declining aquifer reserves and increasing risk in many areas of drought related to climate change. At the same time poor water manage
Organic animal farming is growing rapidly but faces a range of challenges in areas such as nutrition, health and welfare. This volume surveys the wealth of research addressing these challenges. The bo
Global sales of organic products have grown significantly, yet organic farming remains a small percentage of overall agricultural production with lower yields than conventional methods. Organic crop c
There has been growing concern that both intensive agriculture in the developed world and rapid expansion of crop cultivation in developing countries is damaging the health of soils which are the foun
Precision agriculture is based on the ability to identify inter and intra-field variability and to use this information for more targeted crop management. By using resources more efficiently, precisio
Oil palm is widely cultivated in tropical countries for use in food processing, personal care products and other applications such as biodiesel. Cultivation faces a range of challenges such as its env
Oil palm is widely cultivated in tropical countries for use in food processing, personal care products and other applications such as biodiesel. Cultivation faces a range of challenges such as its env
Soybeans are one of the most widely-grown crops in the world. As the world’s main source of vegetable protein, they have a wide range of food and non-food uses. Current yields need to increase signifi
Soybeans are one of the most widely-grown crops in the world. As the world’s main source of vegetable protein, they have a wide range of food and non-food uses. Current yields need to increase signifi
Sorghum is one of the world’s major cereals, cultivated in the semi-arid tropics for a growing range of uses. Like other crops it faces the need to meet rising demand whilst reducing its environmental
Sugarcane is the source of over three quarters of the world’s sugar, and is grown widely in the tropics and sub-tropics. Despite rising demand, average yields have not increased significantly, partly
Bananas are the world’s most popular fruit and, according to the FAO, the fourth most important crop in the developing world after rice, wheat and maize. This volume discusses ways of improving cultiv
Weeds remain a major obstacle to increased yields. Past reliance on herbicides is no longer sufficient with increasing concerns about environmental effects, regulation and resistance. This has led to
There is a growing demand for cocoa. However, cultivation is dependent on ageing trees with low yields and increasing vulnerability to disease. There is growing concern about the environmental impact
There has been growing concern that both intensive agriculture in the developed world and rapid expansion of crop cultivation in developing countries is damaging the health of soils which are the foun
The rice plant is an ideal host for many insect species. All of the plant parts are vulnerable to insect-feeding from the time of sowing till harvest. There are over 800 insect species damaging rice i
Grasslands have long been used to raise livestock. Recently there has been a shift to more intensive livestock system with more pressure on grasslands. At the same time, there is a greater understandi
Pig meat is the most widely-consumed meat in the world. Previous growth in production has relied, in part, on more intensive systems. In meeting rising demand, these systems face challenges such as th
