Sustainable Horticulture Development and Nutrition Security (Vol. 3)


Book Description

We all are indebted to nature for providing us food and its resources for our subsistence and survival. In the food domain, cereal and legume grains occupy the front line, whereas, horticultural crops have occupied the second line of defense. For healthy diet cereals and legumes provide us with carbohydrates and protein, whereas, fruits and vegetables provide us minerals and vitamins. Both macro- and micro- nutrients are essential for human growth and development. The fruits and vegetables are the major source of micro-nutrients. It is estimated that up to 2.7 million lives could potentially be saved each year if fruit and vegetable production was sufficiently increased. Both at national and international levels, food and agriculture/horticulture development plans and estimates are basically developed, framed and implemented, and narrowed down to cereal production. In the present context of attaining nutrition security, this mode of thinking on ‘food’ needs to be changed to ‘nutrients’, which will include necessarily all those crops including fruit and vegetables which provide all macro- and micro-nutrients to ensure balanced nutrition needed for good human health. The present publication has attempted to reflect and discuss the above views and ideas on the subject of sustainable horticulture development and nutrition security in nine chapters with 32 articles by 32 authors.




Neglected and Underutilized Crops - Towards Nutritional Security and Sustainability


Book Description

This book covers important topics on various neglected and underutilised crops (vegetables, cereals, fruit crops). It gives an overview of the potential, availability of genetic and genomic resources, and the future prospects of these food crops. The book presents different chapters on the importance of underutilised crops with respect to sustainable agriculture and describes the approaches that must be followed for improving the yield and production of these crops. It covers a wide range of food crops such as millet, buckwheat, underutilised spices, underutilised vegetables and underutilised fruit crops. It also provides insights on what smart foods are? And, whether these neglected crops qualify as smart foods? This up-to-date and informative book is meant for food scientists, geneticists, breeders and biotechnologists. It is of interest to students, researchers and course instructors in these fields.




Hydroponics and Protected Cultivation


Book Description

A comprehensive, practical text which covers a diverse range of hydroponic and protected cropping techniques, systems, greenhouse types and environments. It also details the use of indoor plant factories, vertical systems, organic hydroponics and aquaponics. Worldwide hydroponic cropping operations can vary from large, corporate producers running many hectares of greenhouse systems particularly for crops such as tomato, cucumber, capsicum and lettuce, to smaller-scale growers growing fresh produce for local markets.




Agro-ecological Approaches to Pest Management for Sustainable Agriculture


Book Description

This book outlines a new paradigm, “Agro-ecological Intensification of Crop Protection”, which reduces negative impacts on the environment and enhances the provision of ecosystem services. It discusses the use of ecologically based management strategies to increase the sustainability of agricultural production while reducing off-site consequences, highlighting the underlying principles and outlining some of the key management practices and technologies required to implement agro-ecological pest management. It also comprehensively explores important topics like stimulo-deterrent diversion strategy, precision agriculture, plant breeding, nutrient management, habitat management, cultural approaches, cultivar mixtures/multiline cultivars, crop rotation, crop residue management, crop diversity, cover crops, conservation tillage, biofumigation, agro-forestry, and addition of organic matter. This timely book promotes the rapid implementation of this technology in farming community around the globe. It is a valuable resource for the scientific community involved in teaching, research and extension activities related to agro-ecological pest management as well as policymakers and practicing farmers. It can also be used for teaching post-graduate courses.




Nutritional Value of Amaranth


Book Description

Pseudocereals, belonging to the genus Amaranthus, have been cultivated for their grains for 8,000 years or more. The grain was a staple food of the Aztecs and was also considered an integral part of Aztec religious ceremonies. The book primarily focuses on the nutrient properties of amaranth and expresses its viewpoint in considering this crop as a remedy for many nutrient deficiencies and curbing food insecurity. The functional properties of the grain are immense and it is clear that the crop would be a valuable agricultural product around the world.




Hydroponics


Book Description




Minimally Processed Refrigerated Fruits and Vegetables


Book Description

The first edition of Minimally Processed and Refrigerated Fruits and Vegetables, edited by Robert C. Wiley and Fatih Yildiz, was published in 1994. At the time of publication, this was a new concept and was well-received by the scientific community. Minimally processed foods are whole plant tissues (the identity of the plant tissue is recognized by consumers), which may contain active enzymes, live tissues, and plant cells. These are some of the basics for the healthy food design. The overall function of these foods is to provide convenient (ready-to-serve, ready-to cook, free of any pesticides and contaminants),like-fresh products for food service and retail consumers. Minimally Processed and Refrigerated Foods (MPR) have been popular in many countries. The following are some of the advantages offered by MPR produce foods: 1. Ease of portion control in the food service industry 2. Lower transportation cost (all inedible portions of the produce are removed prior to transportation) 3. No waste is generated at the point of consumption 4. Utilization and recycling of the waste is much easier 5. Value-added new fruit and vegetable products and meal development is possible and easy 6. No requirement is needed for phytosanitary control during trade 7-No glycation end products formation during processing, 8.Degree of food processing is minimized for optimal health of human, the processing plant for MPR produce, which is not addressed in any other books on this topic, will be described in this second edition. Also, comparison of minimal processing technologies with other technologies was explained in the first publication and will be updated in this second edition. During the last 200 years the purpose of food processing was a-safety(sterilization, Pasteurization,1804 Nicholas Apert,Pasteur 1867), and b-prevention of deficiency diseases(Enrichments),but MPR foods provides a two new dimensions to food processing ; a-Prevention of chronic diseases(bioactive compounds) and b-Optimum health (functional foods,Superfoods,Neutraceuticals, and Medical foods) for human.




Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Bioresources


Book Description

This book brings together chapters related to sustainable utilization of biological resources, including in situ and ex situ conservation of rare, endangered, and threatened plants. The title also gives a special emphasis on marine sponges and mangrove ecosystems, which are two important untapped potential resources of the marine ecosystem and play a key role in maintaining the marine ecosystem. There is an urgent need for the conservation, exploration and utilization of bioresources for the growth and survival of human beings. Due to the significant reduction in biological resources, many countries are developing strategic action plans for the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources. That is where this book fills the gap by discussing the significant development of new products and methodologies for sustainable utilization of these resources. This book also unveils a world of novel bioactive molecules from medicinal plants and the marine ecosystem and explains how drug design pipelines can advance modern drug development. The target audiences for this book include biodiversity researchers who are working on technology and bioresource management issues and faculty and students in the environment research areas and Biodiversity conservation.




Ongoing Research on Microgreens


Book Description

Microgreens garner immense potential for improving the nutrition of the human diet, considering their high content of healthy compounds. On the other hand, they are becoming known not only for their nutritional value but also for their interesting organoleptic traits and commercial potential. In this Special Issue we aim to publish high-quality research papers covering the state-of-the-art, recent progress and perspectives related to production, post-harvest, characterization, and the potential of microgreens. A broad range of aspects such as cultivation, post-harvest techniques and packaging, analytical methods, nutritional value, bioaccessibility and prospects are covered. All contributions are of great significance and could stimulate further research in this area.