Press

22nd September 2023

Supply chain safety key to keeping contaminated food off our plates

The European Food Safety Authority states that over 91,000 cases of Salmonellosis are reported across the European Union each year, with the estimated financial burden of the disease claimed to be as high as €3 billion. In the US, it’s suggested that Salmonellosis is the cause of more than 1.35 million infections, over 26,000 hospitalisations and more than 400 deaths each year. Although Salmonellosis can be contracted from an array of sources, including through direct animal contact, 94% of Salmonellosis cases are transmitted by food. Click to read more

Safe handling and management of food along the supply chain is considered key for reducing and/or preventing the risk of food contamination by harmful pathogens, such as Listeria and E.coli.

A new book published by Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing considers the importance of ensuring food safety along the fresh produce supply chain.

Advances in ensuring the microbiological safety of fresh produce features contributions from a pool of international experts in food safety and has been edited by Dr Karl R. Matthews – Professor of Food Microbiology at Rutgers University in the US.

“Increasing consumer demand for low-input cultivation and minimal processing has significantly increased the risk of microbiological contamination of fresh produce,” says Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“As well as presenting a major health risk to consumers, this also undermines the trust in the food supply chain from farm to fork,” he adds.

The deterioration of food as a result of microbial contamination is a major concern in terms of food waste, human health, financial burden and economic loss.

A significant amount of research is currently being undertaken to develop methods which measure both product safety and quality, such as high-throughput screening techniques and rapid detection.

“Rapid and accurate analytical procedures are critical to ensuring product quality, label compliance and safety,” says Dr Chunlei Shi, Professor of Food Science at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China.

“Rapid screening of spoilage microorganisms in food during manufacturing and processing would facilitate their detection in a timely manner, thus controlling the spread of microbes and ensuring safe food supply,” she concludes.

The risk of contracting a foodborne illness from fresh produce is significantly higher than many other food types as fresh produce is typically consumed in its raw form. Any pathogens which may be present can’t be ‘killed off’ during the cooking process.

With this in mind, the packaging of fresh produce, including fruits and vegetables, is crucial to reducing the risk of contamination via an external source.

One recent development in this area is the emergence of smart packaging – a process which utilises technology to enhance the functionality of packaging materials. For example, QR codes are now printed on packaging to allow consumers to track the journey of their food from farm to fork. Key developments, such as the use of QR codes are discussed in this new authoritative text.

31st August 2023

How will climate change affect agriculture in years to come?

Climate change remains as one of the biggest threats to agriculture, with increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events – such as drought, heatwaves and floods – impacting food production and the livelihoods of millions. The impact of climate change can be felt worldwide – from continent to continent. For example, UK growers have highlighted concerns about the 2022 heatwave in which the country experienced its highest ever temperature on record (40.3 degrees Celsius), threatening yields of crops such as cereals, brassicas and top fruit. Click to read more

And it’s not just the UK that’s heating up. According to research, the average surface temperature across the contiguous U.S. states has risen at an average rate of 0.1 degrees Celsius per decade since the start of the 20th century (Basso, Millar and Price, 2023).

Although for some the damage may already be done, many see great promise in the use of modelling techniques to predict the future impact of climate change on agriculture, as well as the efficacy of climate change mitigation measures.

A new book published by Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing promises to be the ‘go-to’ reference on this topic.

The book features contributions from an array of international experts in the field of climate change modelling and has been edited by Professor Claas Nendel who was the Principal Developer of the MONICA model which simulates biophysical processes in agroecosystems to allow assessment of regional impacts of climate change.

“This book examines issues from the small scale, via regional to global, and explores current approaches and the gaps that need to be filled to make projections more robust,” says Professor Tim Benton, Director of the Environment and Society Programme, Chatham House, UK.

“It allows readers to judge the extent to which we really understand how climate change will affect agriculture in years to come, and what we need to do better in order to do so,” he concludes.

Modelling climate change impacts on agricultural systems provides a global perspective on the impact of climate change on different agricultural systems, including both crop and livestock production, in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and the Americas.

One of many concerns surrounding climate change is its impact on delivering key ecosystem services that underpin agriculture and deliver wider benefits such as improved air, soil and water quality.

“Invertebrates and micro-organisms living in the soil maintain its fertility and structure, but are vulnerable to disruption or damage to the soil,” states Dr Charlotte Weil, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, Switzerland.

“However, rising temperatures increase the rate of soil organic matter decomposition, causing losses in soil fertility that may be further compounded by climate-induced changes to soil invertebrate and microbial composition – both of which could compromise soil ecosystem services,” she adds.

“Climate change continues to wreak havoc on agricultural production worldwide,” says Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“It was therefore essential that our new book review the latest research on how modelling can better capture the impact of climate change and assess how effective potential mitigation measures might be in both adapting to and reducing its effects,” he adds.

31st 25th July 2023

Can this 'landmark volume' incite positive change on our agri-food supply chains?

Agriculture continues to face unprecedented scrutiny for its social and environmental impacts. For many, most of the key choices that the sector must make are fundamentally about ethics. But what is agricultural ethics and why does it matter? A new book published by Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing promises to answer that question by the end of the first chapter. Click to read more

Key issues in agricultural ethics delves into the key ethical debates surrounding agriculture and agri-food supply chains and considers how these ethical dilemmas can be better understood and thus resolved.

“A highly-respected editor – Emeritus Professor Robert L. Zimdahl – has ventured to lead this compilation which is timely and relevant to modern-day food production,” says Dr Nimal Chandrasena, former Associate Professor of Weed Science at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

“Zimdahl’s collaboration with a group of distinguished scholars makes this a landmark volume, laying a firm foundation for ethical considerations in all forms of agriculture, as well as the associated technologies and their effects on the environment, plants, animals and human societies,” he adds.

One of the largest – if not the largest – ethical issues currently facing agriculture is its treatment of migrant labour forces. Despite playing a hugely significant role in contributing to global food production, most migrant workers are faced with an insurmountable amount of obstacles.

“Since they are not citizens of the countries in which they work, and lack the same legal status, migrant workers are particularly vulnerable to exploitation,” says Dr Francesca Giarè, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Italy.

The book considers the importance of migrant workers in the agricultural and agri-food sectors, as well as the role of European agricultural policies in protecting the migrant labour force.

“This book tackles many of the issues that people don’t want to encounter or talk about,” says Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“However for change to happen, and for resolutions to be found, these conversations must take place. I hope the publication of this new book can be the spark that gets these conversations underway,” he concludes.

Perhaps one of the most poignant chapters included in this book has been written by the editor – Emeritus Professor Robert L. Zimdahl. In this chapter he poses the question as to why agricultural ethics hasn’t been institutionalized in US Land Grant University Colleges of Agriculture.

“Most professional disciplines have published and institutionalized professional ethical standards. Universities routinely include study of ethics in the curriculum for medicine, law, business, engineering, and the environment,” he writes.

“The lack of thought about and consideration of agriculture’s ethical standards is of concern because agriculture, the essential industry, lacks a defined moral foundation,” he adds.

13th June 2023

How critical is embryonic development to future animal performance?

As reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, poultry meat is the second most widely consumed meat in the world (33%), coming in second to pork (36%). Optimising the productive capacity and other characteristics of both layers (eggs) and broilers (meat) is therefore of crucial importance. In recent years, there has been a greater research effort into exploring the relationship between early developments in the embryo with later performance levels, health and welfare of adult birds. Click to read more

A new book published by Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing considers the key stages and factors in embryonic development that can ultimately influence the quality of life of both poultry and the eggs and meat they produce.

Embryo development and hatchery practice in poultry production reviews the role of parental and environmental factors on embryo development, the effects of incubation conditions on chick growth and health (including factors such as temperature, light and humidity), together with best practice in managing the hatching stage.

“In poultry production, embryonic development is a critical period in a bird’s life cycle as it can set a decisive course for later animal performance levels,” says Dr Barbara Tzschentke, Chair of the Working Group ‘Physiology’ at the European Branch of the World Poultry Science Association.

“This new book will present the state of the art on this topic and features contributions from leading international experts in industry practice, applied and basic research. It will fill a gap in this field and provide practitioners, researchers and students with an up-to-date reference work,” she adds.

The book begins with a section on parental influences and embryo development, focussing on the role of genetic selection as a means of improving reproductive traits in chickens, as well as best practices to manage breeder flocks to optimise hatchability and chick health.

As well as highlighting the importance of good incubation design, the book considers how breeders can manage the poultry hatcher environment to optimise the chicken embryo’s survival and development.

“A strong theme running throughout our publications is the inclusion of an internationally-diverse team of authors and this latest book in our Series in Agricultural Science is no different,” says Rob Burleigh, Managing Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“We’re delighted to have had such an array of researchers working in academia and industry across the world contribute insightful chapters on this important topic,” he concludes.

Find out more about the book here: https://shop.bdspublishing.com/store/bds/detail/workgroup/3-190-125535

30th May 2023

Pest invasions threaten the food security of millions – what can we do?

Wheat continues to be one of the world’s most popular food crops, with around 35% of the global population relying on it as a staple in their daily diets. “Wheat provides about 20% of the calories consumed by humans,” says Frank B. Peairs, Emeritus Professor of Entomology at Colorado State University, USA. With the global population expected to exceed nine billion by 2050, this reliance on wheat as a food staple and source of nutrition is only set to grow. However, with climate change exacerbating the threat of both native and invasive insect pests, more research is required to comprehensively understand the pests responsible for significant yield losses of cereal crops around the world. Click to read more

A new book published by Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing promises to do just that.

Advances in understanding insect pests affecting wheat and other cereals considers the growing concerns surrounding the impact of climate change on pest invasions and the consequent impact on global food security.

“Wheat is arguably the world’s most important crop and climate change is a problem that will not just disappear,” says Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“We need to develop and establish more sustainable methods of control which can be used to improve existing integrated pest management programmes. However this can’t be achieved without truly understanding the pests responsible for the damage to wheat yields worldwide,” he concludes.

The book offers a comprehensive outlook on the range of pests affecting wheat and cereal production worldwide, focussing on foliar feeding pests, such as the cereal leaf beetle, gall midges and stem feeding pests, such as the Hessian fly, as well as phloem feeding pests, mites and root feeding pests, such as the Russian wheat aphid and the wheat curl mite.

“Achieving sustainable agriculture and making a positive impact on climate change and the UN Sustainability Goals requires a collaborative approach,” says Rob Burleigh, Managing Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“Bringing experts together in this publication creates an unrivalled resource, plus access to leading authorities in entomology provides a great platform to share the latest knowledge,” he adds.

An additional benefit to the book is its consideration of emerging trends and technologies in agriculture, such as biotechnology, remote sensing and artificial intelligence, and their use in the sustainable management of insect pests.

Find out more about the book here: https://shop.bdspublishing.com/store/bds/detail/workgroup/3-190-109538

9th May 2023

Sizing up the global pest problem

“Knowing your enemy – through monitoring – is important in planning control interventions and serves as a foundation for effective and appropriate pest management,” says Professor Toby Bruce of Keele University, UK. Insect pests remain a major threat to global crop production due to their ability to inflict severe damage on crop yields. For example, the FAO have reported that pests destroy up to 40% of crops worldwide each year, resulting in over $200 billion of losses. Because of this, early identification and monitoring of pests is absolutely critical to the success of integrated pest management (IPM) programmes and the prevention of invasive insect pests to new environments – a problem massively exacerbated by climate change. Click to read more

A new book published by Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing promises to be the ‘go-to’ reference for those studying the sampling, identification and modelling of native and invasive pest populations.

Advances in monitoring of native and invasive insect pests of crops reviews the wealth of research on implementable techniques to monitor – and thus prevent – potential threats from both native and invasive insect pests.

“Literature is rife with sampling procedures for sizing up pest problems. Few however focus on what each technique detects and measures, nor its genuine utility,” says Michael E. Irwin, Emeritus Professor at the University of Arizona, USA.

“This new book, edited by Dr Michelle Fountain and Dr Tom Pope, addresses these very concerns in a comprehensive manner. This book is a gem!” he concludes.

Much discussion has been had on the contribution of agriculture to climate change and the need to develop more sustainable production systems. However, in this new book, the editors have taken a different approach, choosing instead to highlight the impact of climate change on agriculture.

“As a result of climate change, we’re now seeing populations of non-native and invasive pests appear in environments where they previously haven’t before,” says Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“We can’t reverse the consequences of climate change, however, what we can do is develop systems and technologies equipped with the ability to identify and monitor these pests that significantly threaten global food production,” he adds.

As well as exploring the variety of phytosanitary measures available to prevent the introduction of invasive insect species, the book also details the importance of sampling and monitoring and risk assessment techniques, as well as the potential economic impact of invasive crop pests.

“We’re delighted to have Dr Michelle Fountain return to edit her second book with us and to have such a globally recognised expert in Dr Tom Pope editing it alongside her,” says Rob Burleigh, Managing Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“This book will be a great addition to the libraries and personal collections of all involved and interested in entomology,” he concludes.

Find out more about this new title here: https://shop.bdspublishing.com/store/bds/detail/workgroup/3-190-109534

19th April 2023

Tackling the burping cow with optimised nutrition

The livestock sector and its supply chains are recognised as significant contributors to climate change, with livestock production responsible for around 14.5% of the world’s total anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Dairy and beef production is said to amount for 62% of these emissions, with other livestock species such as poultry, pigs, buffalo and small ruminants accounting for the rest. Significant amounts of research effort has been allocated to developing mitigation strategies that can be implemented by livestock farmers across the world to improve the sector’s sustainability. Click to read more

One particular area of interest is the relationship between livestock nutrition and the production of GHG emissions.

A new book published by Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing – Advances in dairy cattle nutrition – extensively reviews how key stakeholders across the dairy supply chain can optimise nutrition as a means of reducing the dairy sector’s carbon footprint.

“Before dairy cattle nutrition can be optimised, it must be understood,” says Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“The first few chapters of this new book give an overview of the recent advances in understanding the role of nutritional requirements in optimising gut function and overall animal health, as well as its influence on milk yield and quality,” he adds.

The book then proceeds to explore an array of different dietary supplements available to optimise dairy cattle nutrition, including plant extracts such as condensed tannins, essential oils and saponins and other supplements such as probiotics, exogenous enzymes and amino acids.

“Professor Hristov has compiled an outstanding list of dairy scientists and educators,” says John P. McNamara, Emeritus Professor of Animal Science at Washington State University.

“The book summarizes the key knowledge in dairy nutrition and feeding required to develop effective new strategies to support a resilient and climate-friendly dairy food production system for the foreseeable future,” he concludes.

Soybean meal is the most common and widely used protein source in dairy cattle diets. However, as a result of climate change and increasing costs, farmers are seeking alternative protein sources to supplement the diets of their herds, such as that of seaweed and microalgae.

The final part of this new book assesses current alternative feed sources from agricultural co-products, focusing primarily on alternative fibre and protein sources.

“This book will be a comprehensive compilation of current knowledge on a topic that is highly relevant,” says Professor Pekka Huhtanen, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden.

“It will be an important reference source for dairy scientists, advisors and students,” she concludes.

Find out more about this title by visiting https://shop.bdspublishing.com/store/bds/detail/workgroup/3-190-109537

14th March 2023

Are Sensors Key to Achieving Regenerative Agriculture?

Remote sensing and satellite imagery are deployed in a variety of commercial, governmental and consumer settings. Most notably, sensors and satellites are utilised by military personnel to gather on-the-ground-intelligence, whereas meteorologists use similar technologies to create weather forecasts and monitor extreme weather events. As the agricultural sector continues to face increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint and consequent contribution to climate change, key stakeholders are now investing in sensor technology to optimise agricultural production and reduce its environmental impact. Click to read more

A new book published by award-winning publisher, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, considers the emergence of sensor technology and its use to measure crop and soil health at unparalleled scales and resolution.

“The versatility of sensor technology and its application to an array of industries is truly remarkable,” says Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“In this new book, we’ve brought together some of the world’s best researchers in the field of sensor technology to illustrate how the agricultural sector utilises these technologies to optimise both crop and livestock production,” he adds.

Advances in sensor technology for sustainable crop production is the latest addition to the publisher’s extensive Agricultural Science Series and provides a comprehensive review of the wealth of research on the key developments in sensor technology to improve the monitoring and management of crop and soil health, as well as agricultural weeds and diseases.

“Much of future innovation in crop production will revolve around digital agriculture – the collection, management, interpretation and application of data. Sensor technology is a key component of this future,” says Dr Richard B. Ferguson, Professor and International Soil Scientist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA.

“Thus it is exciting to see this collection about the application of sensors in sustainable crop production from these highly knowledgeable authors. This will be an important reference for students, researchers and practitioners applying sensors in crop production systems,” he concludes.

The book reviews recent advances in proximal and remote sensing techniques to monitor soil health, such as spectroscopy and radiometrics, as well as how sensor technology can be optimised to achieve more targeted irrigation and site-specific nutrient and weed management.

“It’s great to see our Agricultural Science series expanding into important new areas ,” says Rob Burleigh, Managing Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“With over 4000 international experts contributing over 1900 research reviews, our content database provides a trusted and authoritative resource to empower those working in business, industry and academia to make agriculture more sustainable.”

• For more information about this new title visit https://shop.bdspublishing.com/store/bds/detail/workgroup/3-190-109540

13th February 2023

Where Would the Sporting World be Without Turf?

Football, cricket, golf and the National Football League (NFL) are some of the world’s most watched sports. As of the 2021/22 season, the combined market value of these sports amassed over $105 billion[1]. However without one crucial element, none of this would have been possible. The crucial element we’re talking about is turfgrass – a surface that many of the world’s sporting heroes have once graced: Lionel Messi, Shane Warne, Tiger Woods, Tom Brady, the list goes on. Despite its worldwide use and lucrative nature, the turfgrass industry also has its challenges. For example, the industry is facing increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact and implement more sustainable maintenance practices that utilise and/or optimise fewer agronomic-related resources. Click to read more

A new book published by Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing promises to be the ‘go-to’ reference for those across the globe wishing to adopt more sustainable turfgrass management strategies.

Achieving sustainable turfgrass management has been edited by one of the world’s leading experts on turfgrass ecology, diseases and plant protection, Professor Michael Fidanza.

“As global populations grow, annual climate vagaries increase, and biotic and abiotic plant stresses become more uncertain it is now more important than ever to understand how factors like species selection, edaphic conditions and cultural management decisions influence the ecology and persistence of managed turf systems,” says Dr Cale Bigelow, Professor of Turf Science and Ecology at Purdue University, USA.

Turfgrass is used on more than 700,000 athletic fields in the US alone, however it isn’t just used for sporting purposes. In fact the turfgrass industry consists of such a diverse group of consumers, including general homeowners, lawn care managers, architects, parks and grounds superintendents and landowners.

With such a massive consumer base and tens of thousands of people relying on the industry for their livelihoods, there is now an even greater need to improve the industry’s sustainability credentials and reduce its contribution to climate change.

This new book considers the range of alternative, sustainable management practices that utilise fewer agricultural outputs, such as fertilisers, pesticides and fuel to power agricultural machinery.

A significant benefit of the book is its final part which contains five case studies on the establishment of good turfgrass management written by a combination of industry practitioners and academic researchers.

“The book’s inclusion of case studies on unmanned aircraft, variety selection, wildflowers, pollinators and irrigation scheduling provides a unique and interesting overview of the ways in which the industry can adopt more sustainable practices,” says Dr Peter Landschoot, Professor of Turfgrass Science at The Pennsylvania State University, USA.

The book also explores the challenge of treating diseased turf in the face of fungicide resistance and highlights recent advances in turfgrass disease, insect pest and weed management.

“This book contains the latest research-based information on turfgrass science and management and has been written by some of the world’s leading authorities in turfgrass science and ecology,” says Professor Michael Fidanza

“It should be a welcome addition to the bookshelf of every scientific researcher in the field of turfgrass science and management, industry practitioners and students as well and should be top of the list for those in charge of sporting pitches and playing surfaces as an invaluable knowledge resource,” he concludes.

Find out more about this new book here: https://shop.bdspublishing.com/store/bds/detail/workgroup/3-190-109531

[1] Global football market valued at $3.2 billion in 2022. Global cricket industry valued at $346.6 million in 2022. Global golf industry valued at $84 billion in 2022. National Football League valued at $17.19 billion in 2021.

23rd January 2023

New Book Shines Light on the Integral Work of Pollinators Worldwide

Up to 95% of the earth’s flowering plants require the services of other organisms to move pollen from male to female flower parts during the pollination process. However these organisms – better known as pollinators – are in serious decline. Although there are several contributing factors to this decline, the main issue that researchers continue to flag is the impact of modern farming practices on the loss and/or destruction of suitable habitats for pollinator species. Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing – an award-winning UK publisher – has assembled a group of some of the world’s leading experts to provide reviews of the latest research on the existing threats to pollinators, as well as best practices which can be implemented to promote pollinator species on an industrial and individual level. Click to read more

Promoting pollination and pollinators in farming offers its readers the opportunity to improve their current understanding of the pollination process and their contribution to our global ecosystems.

This new book has been edited by Professor Emeritus Peter Kevan and Dr Susan Willis Chan of the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of Guelph, Canada.

“Now more than ever we need to sustainably manage pollination services to bolster global food and nutritional security,” says Professor Simon Potts, University of Reading, UK.

“This book brings together an internationally excellent team to synthesise state of the art knowledge on the threats to and mitigation responses for pollinators and pollination in agro-ecosystems,” he concludes.

Pollinators provide pollination services to over 180,000 different plant species and more than 1200 crops around the world. However, if pollinators continue to decline, there is a huge risk that these plant species and crops that they pollinate could decline, become less viable to cultivate or even become extinct themselves.

This new book highlights the major threats to pollinators, focussing on the factors responsible for this decline including disease and climate change. An international team of researchers from industry heavyweights Bayer and Corteva have also collaborated to produce an insightful chapter on improving ways of assessing the impact of pesticides on pollinators.

“Pollinators and the pollination services they provide are a vital component of sustainable global agriculture,” says Professor Jeff Ollerton, author of Pollinators & Pollination: Nature and Society and Visiting Professor of Biodiversity at the University of Northampton, UK.

“The editors have assembled a wonderful set of researchers to present the latest findings about the importance of pollinators, why many populations are declining and what can be done about it. It will be a useful resource for years to come,” he adds.

Arguably the most important chapters in the book feature in part three. In these chapters, researchers explore practical measures farmers, governments and conservation groups can implement to promote – and protect – our global pollinators.

“Our first book of 2023 is very timely given this important topic is not only frequently in the farming news but attracts general press coverage as well which highlights its global interest.,” says Rob Burleigh, Managing Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“The world needs to start paying more attention to pollinators and, more importantly, the impact of their decline. I sincerely hope that with the publication of this new book, a brighter light is shone on the integral work of pollinator species around the world and, in turn, incites a response to better promote and protect these naturally impressive species,” he concludes.

For more information about this title visit https://shop.bdspublishing.com/store/bds/detail/workgroup/3-190-109532

6th January 2023

New Book Offers Unique Perspective on Defects Affecting Poultry Meat

In 2012, the European Commission published their ‘Special Eurobarometer 389 Report’, which stated that around 96% of EU citizens considered food quality to be the most influential factor when choosing to purchase food products. The way in which we purchase food is ever-changing, with technological and scientific advances spearheading these developments. For example, through developments in tracking and traceability systems, consumers can follow the journey their food takes from farm to fork. However, as a result of this newfound transparency in the agri-food supply chain, consumers’ expectations of the sensory and nutritional qualities of their food has also increased. This has put renewed pressure on the food industry to better understand what determines quality and how it can be optimised. Click to read more

A new book – Improving poultry meat quality – offers a detailed account of the science behind the development of quality traits in poultry meat and how genetic and environmental factors can be optimised to prevent and/or overcome quality defects.

“The poultry industry is facing tremendous economic losses due to the growing problem of breast muscle myopathies and consequent poor meat quality,” says Professor Orna Halevy, The Hebrew State University of Jerusalem, Israel.

This new book offers a unique perspective on the quality defects associated with poultry muscle development which can have a major impact on a consumer’s choice to purchase one brand’s product over another.

“In this modern age, consumers are so much more aware of what’s acceptable when it comes to food quality. If a product isn’t up to their expectations, they’ll spend their money elsewhere,” says Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“The challenge faced by poultry producers and processors is their need to balance these quality parameters with other requirements such as yield and animal welfare.”

A greater understanding of the individual quality attributes of poultry meat is provided in the book, with researchers collaborating to form a comprehensive section on the need for farmers and producers alike to understand what determines colour, texture and flavour development.

"Two of the world’s recognised experts in the field have edited an excellent book summarising recent research on the factors affecting the development of quality traits in poultry meat and their implications for breeding, husbandry and processing,” says Professor Peter Surai, Vitagene and Health Research Centre, UK.

“This book promises to be an important reference book both for poultry scientists and poultry producers, including geneticists, nutritionists and technologists working in major poultry companies worldwide,” he concludes.

For more information about this new title, visit: https://shop.bdspublishing.com/store/bds/detail/workgroup/3-190-109533

15th December 2022

Is This New Book a Milestone for the Swine Industry?

In 2019, a quarter of the world’s domestic pigs died either as a result of contracting African swine fever (ASF) directly, or exposure to the disease via another pig. Two years on from this initial devastation, ASF continues to wreak havoc on the global pig industry, with significant outbreaks of the disease still being recorded as we near the end of 2022. Despite the fact that ASF was first discovered in the early 20th century, no vaccine has yet to be developed to combat the disease which has up to 100% mortality rate. Click to read more

As a result of the severity of recent outbreaks, a greater research effort has been allocated to tackling the disease, with the most prominent action being the formulation of VACDIVA – an EU-funded global consortium who are developing three vaccine candidates for ASF.

However, with several vaccines still in the early stages of development and requiring regulatory approval, a greater research effort has been allocated to establishing alternative methods of disease control.

A new book, which has been earmarked as a “milestone for the swine industry going forwards*”, reviews the latest scientific research on developing preventative measures that reduce the risk of future disease outbreaks at the front and back end of production.

Optimising pig herd health and production highlights how farmers and producers across the globe can utilise elements such as feed management and housing to optimise pig health to increase protection against major production diseases, including ASF.

“You can’t ignore the devastation caused by ASF in recent years,” says Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“As a publisher, there’s not a great amount we can do to combat this. However, what we can do is bring together the minds of some of the world’s best researchers in porcine health management to create an authoritative reference on how we can prevent the onset of endemic and emerging diseases in pigs,” he adds.

This new book offers a comprehensive outlook on how the health of pigs can be optimised throughout the life cycle, with chapters dedicated to exploring best practices for optimising the health of gilts and sows during pregnancy and parturition, the health of piglets during the weaning period, as well as the health of pigs during the growing and finishing stage.

“The emphasis on health rather than disease in this book is so important. An understanding of the underlying causes of poor health and disease is needed since a failure to understand these linkages will affect herd health and production,” says Dr Roy Kirkwood, Associate Professor at the University of Adelaide, Australia.

A more informed understanding of the relationship between poor health and the development of disease is what Professor Dominiek Maes, co-editor of this new book, is confident readers will receive by reading this new book.

“Outbreaks of diseases don’t just affect the animals, they also impact farmers and the other stakeholders across the pig production chain,” says Professor Maes of Ghent University, Belgium.

“Farmers and producers must understand the mechanisms of transmission of diseases affecting swine production, as well the treatment options available to control and/or prevent future outbreaks,” he concludes.

For more information about this new title, visit: https://shop.bdspublishing.com/store/bds/detail/workgroup/3-190-109525

*Quote extracted from an endorsement provided by Professor Satoshi Otake, DVM PhD, Swine Extension & Consulting, Inc., Japan for Optimising pig herd health and production.

7th December 2022

Could This Be The Most Important Book You'll Read This Year?

As a result of human activities, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased by an estimated 50% in the last 200 years. Carbon dioxide is recognised as one of the major greenhouse gases and contributors to global warming. A potential solution lies in soils which have a huge capacity to store or sequester carbon. Conventional farming activities, such as tillage, disturb soil and release carbon, allowing it to escape into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. However, regenerative agricultural practices, such as the use of biochar and cover crops, allow carbon to be ‘locked’ in the soil. Better soil management therefore has the capacity both to improve soil health and to make a significant contribution to reducing global warming. Click to read more

A new book – published by Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing – has collated the key research on soil carbon sequestration, the role it can play in combatting climate change and how it can be optimised.

Understanding and fostering soil carbon sequestration explores our understanding of the mechanisms of carbon sequestration in soils, the factors that can affect the process, how it can be measured and enhanced, as well as the socioeconomic, legal and policy issues needed to support best practice.

“This is a timely and important summary of the ‘state-of-the-art’ understanding of soil carbon cycling,” says Jennifer Dungait, Professor at the University of Exeter in the UK and Editor-in-Chief of the European Journal of Soil Science.

“The book has been led by an eminent editor with contributions from globally-respected leaders in the scientific fields of soil carbon, chemistry, biology and physics, monitoring and mapping across natural and managed rural and urban global ecosystems,” she adds.

One aspect of the value of soil carbon sequestration can be seen in the rapidly growing market in trading carbon through mechanisms such as carbon credits.

Carbon credits allow those successfully storing carbon, such as farmers, to put a financial value on their activities, with credits being traded to offset carbon emissions in other sectors.

“Farming is perhaps the only industry with the potential to become truly become carbon negative,” says Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“Farming allows its stakeholders to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in the soil. In doing this, they can both offset their own carbon emissions generated during crop and livestock production and even offset emissions in other industries,” he adds.

This new book explores the potential for agriculture to become carbon negative and how this can be achieved.

Understanding and fostering soil carbon sequestration is the latest addition to Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing’s Agricultural Science Series which is home to over 120 titles in crop, livestock and forestry science.

“I’m confident that this book will support the development of additional sustainable management strategies which will in turn result in carbon-rich soils equipped with the means to help mitigate and adapt to climate change,” says Dr Cornelia Rumpel, editor of this new book.

For more information about this new title visit: https://shop.bdspublishing.com/store/bds/detail/workgroup/3-190-109528

7th November 2022

Is Climate-Smart Coffee Production Possible?

With over 2.25 billion cups of coffee consumed daily, it’s no surprise that coffee is one of the most widely traded commodities in the world and is estimated to contribute over £10 billion to the UK economy each year. As a result of increased demand, the compounded average yearly growth rate for coffee production has risen by 1.9% in the last 50 years and 2.2% in the last two decades. Despite its clear economic importance and popularity, coffee production faces a number of challenges, primarily the sector’s need to reduce its carbon footprint and contribution to climate change. Recent research by a team from University College London, UK suggested that a single cup of coffee has a carbon footprint of anywhere from 0.28kg to 0.55kg. With over 9.5 billion kilograms of coffee produced each year, the sector’s total carbon footprint is sure to be astronomical. Click to read more

A more ‘climate-smart’ approach to coffee production is required. UK-based publisher – Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing – has called upon a collection of international experts to collaborate on a new book Climate-smart production of coffee: Improving social and environmental sustainability.

The book explores the need for more sustainable coffee cultivation, as well as how it can be achieved.

“The global demand for coffee is set to skyrocket by 2050 and with more demand comes the need for more product which itself brings a whole host of issues,” says Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“The sector needs to develop and establish more sustainable methods of production that can meet this growing demand whilst also ensuring that its carbon footprint remains as minimal as possible,” he adds.

One large area of concern across global crop production is the sector’s use of pesticides, fungicides and insecticides to control and mitigate pest and disease outbreaks. Coffee is extremely susceptible to a number of pests and diseases, such as soil-borne insect pests, nematodes and diseases such as coffee wilt and coffee leaf rust.

Discussions on establishing more sustainable crop protection methods feature in this new book, with a particular focus on the implementation of integrated pest and disease management programmes on coffee farms and plantations around the world.

Another important theme explored in the book is initiatives to secure more equitable returns for smallholder farmers and just how ‘fair’ these ‘fair trade’ programmes are in practice.

It’s been estimated that there are around 525 million smallholder farmers around the globe, with almost a quarter of these farmers dependent on coffee for their livelihoods. With up to 73% of coffee produced globally sourced from smallholder farms, the book highlights the need to establish an approach grounded on ethics and fairness.

“Global agricultural production would falter without the contribution of smallholder farmers,” says Rob Burleigh, Managing Director at Burleigh Dodds.

“Greater measures need to be put in place to ensure we protect the communities of smallholder farmers around the world. In doing this enables them to invest in emerging technologies and secure their future as a producer,” he concludes.

Climate-smart production of coffee: Improving social and environmental sustainability is the latest addition to Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing’s Agricultural Science Series which is home to over 120 titles in crop, livestock and forestry science.

For more information about this new title visit: https://shop.bdspublishing.com/store/bds/detail/workgroup/3-190-106589

26th September 2022

'Go-to' manual reviews alternative approaches to tackling disease in poultry

Diseases remain a significant burden to poultry production, with outbreaks of disease resulting in catastrophic financial losses to the sector. For example, the combined annual global cost of Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. in poultry has been estimated at over $8.5 million. Whilst vaccines have a major role in inducing protection against such diseases, they can be only be viewed as part of the solution to this increasing problem. An alternative and more sustainable approach to tackling disease threat is through the optimisation of poultry flock health. A new book, published by award-winning publisher Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, has collated the key research into one place, creating a ‘go-to’ manual for anyone interested in poultry health. Click to read more

Optimising poultry flock health considers the establishment of preventative measures to reduce the risk of disease in flocks, as well as the mechanisms of transmission for major diseases affecting the global poultry sector, including Avian influenza.

“This impressive collection of chapters from leading international experts has been put together with care and consideration,” says Professor Fiona Tomley of the Royal Veterinary College, UK.

“It moves seamlessly from current knowledge of the major classes of poultry infectious diseases, through discussions on advances in methods for monitoring and prevention of disease, to bespoke considerations of best practice across different stages/parts of commercial production systems,” concludes Professor Tomley.

The burden of disease continues to grow, with farmers across the world resorting to culling millions of livestock in an attempt to eliminate further spread of disease. Recent evidence of this includes outbreaks of the H5N1 strain of Avian influenza in poultry species and outbreaks of African swine fever in pigs.

To reduce the need for culling to a minimum, there is a greater need to develop preventative measures that can control these disease outbreaks, including health monitoring, vaccinations and improved biosecurity protocols.

“The publication of this book comes at a really crucial time,” says Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“Avian influenza continues to spread throughout poultry species across the globe and I’m confident that poultry professionals from all corners of the world will find significant value in the book,” he adds.

The new publication builds on themes and research trends previously explored in Burleigh Dodds’ 2017 book, Achieving sustainable production of poultry meat – Volume 3: Health and welfare.

With a stronger focus on disease prevention, chapters in this new volume review how the health of different poultry breeds – including broilers, layers and breeders – can be optimised at the different stages of production.

“Achieving sustainable agriculture and making a positive impact on climate change and the UN Sustainability Goals requires a collaborative approach” says Rob Burleigh, Managing Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“Bringing experts together in this publication creates an unrivalled resource, plus access to leading authorities in poultry disease prevention and health, provides a great platform to share the latest knowledge.”

For more information about the book visit: https://shop.bdspublishing.com/store/bds/detail/workgroup/3-190-109526

23rd September 2022

New book highlights the human health benefits of key fruits and vegetables

It’s been estimated that almost 830 million people worldwide are undernourished, meaning that around 10% of the global population have a caloric intake below the minimum required to meet the energy demands of the human body. Poor nutrition is a consequence of an inadequate intake of food and can lead to the development of serious health problems, such as growth stunting in children. At the same time overnutrition from poorly balanced diets is a growing problem among more affluent consumers in both developed and developing societies. This is leading to increasing rates of obesity and chronic disease. Click to read more

A new book has collated the key research on the human health benefits of horticultural produce, such as broccoli and cranberries, into one place.

Understanding and optimising the nutraceutical properties of fruit and vegetables highlights the emergence of a more sustainable, alternative method to preventing the onset of disease with less reliance on overburdened healthcare systems.

The book is the latest addition to the wealth of existing research that supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – in particular Goals 1, 2 and 3 which are focused on ending hunger, improving nutrition and achieving food security.

“This book could not have been published at a more opportune time,” says Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“Millions of people around the globe are already severely undernourished and many more remain at risk as the population increases. Our new book showcases the benefits of consuming fruit and vegetables and the role of phytochemicals in the prevention of major diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease,” he adds.

Fruit and vegetables are a natural source of key vitamins and minerals required by the human body to function efficiently. Contributors to this new book take a considered approach to understanding the individual phytochemical compounds present in commonly consumed fruits and vegetables, their mechanisms of action, as well as their chemical structure.

The book has been edited by two world-renowned researchers: Dr Victor R. Preedy, Emeritus Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry at King’s College London, UK and Dr Vinood B. Patel, Reader in Clinical Biochemistry at the University of Westminster, UK.

Both Dr Preedy and Dr Patel are known worldwide for their contribution to topics related to human health, nutrition and disease.

The book is the latest addition to Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing’s Agricultural Science Series of over 110 publications.

“It’s great to see our Agricultural Science series expanding into important new areas,” says Rob Burleigh, Managing Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“With over 4000 international experts contributing over 1700 research reviews, our content database provides a trusted and authoritative resource to empower those working in business, industry and academia to make agriculture more sustainable.”

For more information about the book visit: https://shop.bdspublishing.com/store/bds/detail/workgroup/3-190-109523

22nd August 2022

Collaboration between seed scientists needed to mitigate the effects of climate change on seed quality

Climate change continues to be agriculture’s biggest challenge and threat. Our global food system that provides food and livelihoods to billions of people is severely at risk of collapsing. Mitigating the effects of climate change is at the top of the agenda and ensuring successful crop establishment as a means of optimising agricultural production is just one of the possible solutions to achieving this. Click to read more

A new book has collated the key research into one place and has incited collaboration between researchers across the continents.

Advances in seed science and technology for more sustainable crop production highlights how an informed understanding of seed biology can contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change on seed quality and agricultural production.

The book has been edited by two international figure heads: Dr Julia Buitink, who is the current Research Director of the Research Institute of Horticulture and Seeds (IRHS) at the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE) and Dr Olivier Leprince, Professor of Plant Physiology at L’Institut Agro Rennes Angers, France.

To achieve successful crop establishment, farmers and growers must have a considered understanding of seed biology and its consequent impact on seed quality, germination and seedling emergence. Without this knowledge, crop yields are at great risk of failing.

“This seed science book edited by two prominent scientists contains an excellent line up of proposed chapters by world experts,” says Dr Hiro Nonogaki, Associate Professor at Oregon State University, USA.

“Bridging fundamental biology and applied science is a particular strength of this book. It will be a great reference for both academic and industrial researchers, as well as many others involved in agriculture,” he concludes.

Key aspects of fundamental biology explored within the book include the use of population-based threshold models to quantify and improve seed quality, as well as how our understanding of the genetic and environmental factors can be optimised to influence seed longevity.

“This is a really exciting area to be working in at the moment,” says Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“We really believe we have two of the most influential researchers in seed science at the helm of this book. Their combined experience in seed vigour, longevity and seed desiccation tolerance makes them the perfect candidates to edit a book on how an informed understanding of seed biology can contribute to ensuring successful crop establishment,” he adds.

Seed quality control and treatment is also covered comprehensively, with the latter part of the book dedicating chapters to exploring recent advances in testing seed health, as well as the techniques available to enhance seed defence mechanisms against pathogens.

The book is the latest addition to Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing’s Agricultural Science Series of over 110 publications.

“Achieving sustainable agriculture and making a positive impact on climate change and the UN Sustainability Goals requires a collaborative approach” says Rob Burleigh, Managing Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“Bringing experts together in this publication creates an unrivalled resource, plus access to leading authorities in seed science, provides a great platform to share the latest knowledge.”

For more information about the book visit: https://shop.bdspublishing.com/store/bds/detail/workgroup/3-190-109527

11th July 2022

New book collates research on the recent advances in precision livestock farming

Diseases remain one of the biggest threats to livestock production worldwide – a point reinforced by the recent publication of statistics which detailed that in 2019, around one quarter of the world’s population of domestic pigs were culled as a result of contracting African swine fever or being exposed to the virus. Mitigating disease threat and preventing the onset of major diseases is a focal point for the livestock sector going forwards, coupled with the need to monitor the efficiency and environmental impact of livestock production. Click to read more

Utilising technology as a means of monitoring, managing and improving livestock health, welfare and behaviour is the latest emerging area of research which tackles the above challenges and one that is comprehensively explored in a new book.

Advances in precision livestock farming considers the recent developments in precision livestock technologies – spanning from wearable sensors to the use of thermal imaging techniques – and provides farmers, producers and advisers with the means necessary to optimise livestock production.

Precision farming technology and its adoption by farmers is growing rapidly across the globe, primarily because of its capabilities to continuously monitor livestock and identify the farmer of any changes in behaviour which may indicate the early onset of disease.

“The new technology offers exciting opportunities to help farmers remain competitive, whilst meeting the many requirements that society imposes on them,” says Professor Daniel Berckmans, editor of this new book.

Despite this, there remains a gap in communication between the key stakeholders across the agri-food supply chain, as referenced by Professor Berckmans.

“Development of suitable systems needs much more intensive collaboration between people from different scientific disciplines and technical fields,” he adds.

And this new book is an advocate of just that – international collaboration for the benefit of the planet. Over 30 researchers from around the globe, from industry to academia, from technicians to livestock health specialists, have joined forces to develop a standard reference in the field of precision farming technology.

A key element explored in the book is the use of automated systems for monitoring livestock fertility and pregnancy – an area of research which can sometimes be overlooked when mentioned alongside the capabilities of precision livestock technologies to monitor disease.

“I’m very pleased to see the expertise of the individuals who have been brought together for this project,” says Dr David Kelton, Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Guelph, Canada.

“I fully expect that this publication will be highly sought and cited by farmers, advisors, researchers and students around the world. I look forward to seeing this important contribution to the body of knowledge on precision farming,” he adds.

Rob Burleigh, Managing Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, reinforces the need for collaboration to ensure that precision livestock farming reaches its fullest potential and contributes to a more sustainable future.

“Achieving sustainable agriculture and making a positive impact on climate change and the UN Sustainable Development Goals requires a collaborative approach,” he says.

“Bringing experts together in this unique way creates an unrivalled resource and a platform where researchers around the world can share their knowledge on the latest developments in precision livestock farming.”

For more information about the book: https://shop.bdspublishing.com/store/bds/detail/workgroup/3-190-89137

5th July 2022

New book reviews recent advances in plant phenotyping

In recent years, we have been witness to several technological developments which have the potential to shape not only the future of agriculture, but the future of our planet. Plant phenotyping is the latest emerging area of research that carries with it so much excitement and promise for what it can achieve and a new book has collated the key research into one place. Click to read more

Plant phenotyping for more sustainable crop production will provide researchers, plant breeders and academics with the knowledge required to optimize global food production and ensure the food security of millions.

The book has been edited by internationally-renowned researcher Professor Achim Walter of ETH Zurich, Switzerland and features contributions from over 30 international researchers working in the field of plant phenotyping.

Phenotyping within plant breeding has gained great momentum as it enables researchers to identify both desirable and undesirable plant traits. This knowledge can then be applied to improve current breeding programmes or to develop new plant varieties with improved performance and resilience in the face of a warming climate.

“Phenotyping is fundamental to crop improvement and has been undergoing a revolution thanks to new capabilities in imaging, computing and data analysis,” says Professor Peter Langridge of the University of Adelaide, Australia.

As referenced to in the book, selection based on phenotypic traits has been the basis for crop breeding and improvement for thousands of years. However, it wasn’t until the 1990s that phenotyping was adapted into a more holistic approach.

This change encouraged the development of new methods for high-throughput phenotyping which utilized technologies, such as computers, optical sensors and automation.

“The capabilities of plant phenotyping are what I find to be the most exciting element,” says Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“We’ve demonstrated these capabilities in the book by including three case studies that detail the successful practical implementation of phenotyping techniques to analyse crop functionality, predict and model grain yield, as well as how to understand and improve crop responses to disease,” he adds.

Another crucial development explored in the book is the need for plant phenotyping to mirror similar advances in genetics and genomics if it isn’t to create a bottleneck in breeding.

The book is the latest addition to Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing’s Agricultural Science Series and takes a considered approach to the development of plant phenotyping as a research field, as well as the challenges which arise as a result.

“It’s great to see our Agricultural Science series expanding into important new areas ,” says Rob Burleigh, Managing Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“With over 4000 international experts contributing over 1700 research reviews, our content database provides a trusted and authoritative resource to empower those working in business, industry and academia to make agriculture more sustainable.”

For more information about the book visit: https://shop.bdspublishing.com/store/bds/detail/workgroup/3-190-109524

23rd May 2022

New book reviews ways of reducing on-farm costs and energy-use

The global food supply system accounts for around one third of global end-use energy demand and is responsible for a quarter of the total greenhouse gas emissions produced worldwide. Of this figure, an estimated 15% of these emissions are produced as a result of heat, electricity and fuel use to aid on-farm production activities. Click to read more

A new book published by award-winning publisher Burleigh Dodds Science, Energy-smart farming: Efficiency, renewable energy and sustainability, reviews how farmers can optimise their on-farm energy usage, whilst also reducing their individual environmental impact and on-farm costs.

“With heightened concerns around the sustainability of crop and livestock production, the agricultural sector must respond,” says Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“One form of response is to develop and invest in alternative methods of farming that recoup the same results as conventional farming methods, but have a reduced environmental impact,” he adds.

This new book contains authoritative discussions on the development of alternative, renewable energy systems that can contribute to a reduction in on-farm energy use. Readers can engage with research that details the successful application of agrivoltaics and on-farm biomass technologies, as well as how best to assess and monitor the associated costs of these systems.

With suggestions that around 15% of global agricultural production on-farm costs are energy-related, initial chapters in the book disclose best practices for measuring and auditing on-farm energy use, as well as how on-farm production activities – such as irrigation and farm machinery operation – can be managed and optimised.

“The publication of this book is very timely as it is highly relevant for the pathway towards the fulfilment of the Goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and the Paris Agreement,” says Olivier Dubois of the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment at the Food

and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

This is the latest addition to Burleigh Dodds Science’s Agricultural Science Series and one that contributes to the global knowledge on the important, yet often overlooked links between energy and food.

“Achieving sustainable agriculture and making a positive impact on climate change and the UN Sustainability Goals requires a collaborative approach,” says Rob Burleigh, Managing Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“Bringing experts together in this publication creates an unrivalled resource, plus access to leading authorities in energy-smart farming provides a great platform to share the latest knowledge.”

For more information about Energy-smart farming: Efficiency. renewable energy and sustainability Advances in integrated weed management visit: https://shop.bdspublishing.com/store/bds/detail/workgroup/3-190-109522

6th May 2022

New book reviews integrated approach to tackling weeds

By outcompeting crops for resources, weeds have been – and continue to be – a significant obstacle for farmers. For example, in the United States alone, weeds have been estimated to cause annual losses of $33 billion. Needing to protect their livelihoods, farmers have relied on the use of herbicides to control weed outbreaks. However, farmers' reliance on herbicides is threatened both by the growing problem of herbicide resistance and concerns about the impact of herbicide use on the environment. Click to read more

A new book published by award-winning publisher Burleigh Dodds Science, Advances in integrated weed management takes a deep dive into a more sustainable solution.

“Weed management is becoming increasingly problematic,” says Professor Stephen O. Duke of the National Center for Natural Products Research at the University of Mississippi, USA.

“New approaches to tackle the problems of herbicide-resistant weeds and the spread of invasive species is required and this new volume provides information and insights from a group of distinguished experts,” he adds.

An important aspect explored in the book is to better understand weed ecology. Weeds are important components of agroecosystems with both beneficial and negative effects. By optimising one and minimising the other, farmers can improve yields sustainably and also benefit both crops and the environment.

In addition, international experts have collaborated to explore the development and implementation of decision support systems, detection technologies, precision application technologies and mechanical weed control technologies.

“Farmers are the ones who can ultimately implement change from the ground up,” says Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“Through providing real-life examples of the practical applications of integrated weed management programmes through case studies, we hope to show farmers the way forward,” he concludes.

This is the latest addition to Burleigh Dodds Science’s Agricultural Science Series and complements existing research published in their book Integrated weed management for sustainable agriculture.

“In each book, chapter authors review 100 to 200 journal articles on the latest research in integrated weed management and synthesises that into 20 or 30 pages,” explains Rob Burleigh, managing director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“Scientists, researchers, farmers and academics don’t have the time to read and synthesise all the latest research – so we have done all the hard work. We can signpost straight to the most appropriate book chapter – it’s a really useful shortcut.”

For more information about Advances in integrated weed management visit: https://shop.bdspublishing.com/store/bds/detail/workgroup/3-190-106555

22nd March 2022

New book reviews integrated approach to offsetting crop losses

An estimated 20-40% of global crop yields are lost each year as a result of pest infestations and disease outbreaks. These losses affect both staple arable crops, such as wheat, rice and maize, as well as key horticultural crops such as potatoes which can suffer average losses from pests and diseases of over 17%. Click to read more

With growing concerns about the future of synthetic pesticides – due to problems of resistance, impact on the environment and biodiversity as well increasingly strict regulation– the agricultural sector must develop more sustainable, non-chemical methods of control.

A new book, featuring comprehensive insights from international experts in horticultural and pest science, collates current research on developing biological control methods as part of an integrated pest management (IPM) programme.

In recent years, biological control has rapidly emerged as a serious contender for reducing pest populations without harming the environment. Other methods to offset pesticide use include use of technologies such as decision support systems to monitor and forecast pest and disease outbreaks.

Improving integrated pest management in horticulture considers these alternative methods of control and how they can be incorporated into a successful IPM programme for use in a horticultural setting.

“Pests and diseases remain a significant threat to crop yields and quality worldwide. Establishing strong and effective IPM programmes could be key to solving the global food insecurity crisis,” says Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“If you spend time on developing effective alternatives, the financial and environmental costs of synthetic pesticides reduce significantly, as does the environmental impact of global crop production,” he adds.

The book concludes with a section of international case studies showing where IPM strategies have been successfully implemented in practice for an array of horticultural crops (cucurbits, tomatoes, cabbage, cauliflower) in differing environments, such as greenhouses and protected cultivation.

“The horticultural sector has demonstrated how integrated pest management (IPM) strategies can be successfully incorporated into commercial production systems,” says Professor Rosemary Collier of Warwick University, UK and editor of this new book.

“However, IPM strategies are generally crop-specific and at present, relatively few horticultural crops have dedicated IPM strategies which effectively address all pest, disease and weed threats,” adds Professor Collier.

Although great steps have been made, Professor Collier and the contributors to the book recognise that more must be done to encourage farmers to invest, adopt and trust in integrated pest management programmes.

“This is our third publication on IPM in three years. It complements our existing books on the current and future developments of IPM, as well as the implementation of IPM programmes in tree fruit production systems,” says Rob Burleigh, Managing Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

Emeritus Professor Nick Birch, formerly of The James Hutton Institute in the UK, says: “This new book is both timely and important. An internationally recognised team of experts provide not only the latest research, but also practical solutions for key pests affecting global vegetable production.

“I recommend this book to students and practitioners of integrated pest management in horticulture.”

For more information about the book visit: https://shop.bdspublishing.com/store/bds/detail/workgroup/3-190-106510

18th March 2022

Is milk worth it? New book reviews the nutritional value of milk

More than 80% of the world’s population regularly consumes milk and other dairy products. Despite this – and primarily in part due to the development of plant-based alternatives – the global dairy sector is under increasing scrutiny to reduce its environmental impact and overall contribution to climate change. A new book with collated research from around the globe demonstrates how the nutritional and functional properties of milk and dairy products can be optimised as part of a balanced diet. Click to read more

Recent years have seen the rapid emergence of plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy products. Whereas ten years ago, soya milk was the primary option, there’s now an influx of plant-based alternatives available to choose from, such as oat, almond, rice and coconut milk.

With reports suggesting that one in three Britons drink plant-based milk, less of the population are consuming cow’s milk. To offset this loss of custom, the dairy sector must emphasise the nutritional benefits of milk.

And this is exactly what Professor Thom Huppertz (Wageningen University & Research, The Netherlands) and Professor Todor Vasiljevic (Victoria University, Australia) have achieved in their newly edited book Understanding and improving the functional and nutritional properties of milk.

As emphasised in this new book, milk and dairy products have existed as primary components in human diets around the world since the domestication of cattle over 10,000 years ago. Its continued appearance in the diets of millions can be attributed to the richness of nutrients available that supply the human body with the micronutrients necessary to support good bodily function, including calcium, potassium, magnesium, selenium and vitamins B5 and B12.

“In the Netherlands, milk and dairy products provide close to 60% of total dietary calcium, close to 40% of dietary vitamin B2 and B12, >30% of dietary retinol and phosphorus and >20% of dietary iodide, protein and zinc, while providing only 15% of total energy intake,” says Professor Thom Huppertz, Professor of Dairy Science and Technology at Wageningen University & Research, The Netherlands, and co-editor of the book.

“In addition to its nutrient richness, the relative ease with which milk can be converted into a wide variety of safe and shelf-stable products with favoured sensory properties is an additional benefit. In recent years, milk and by-products of dairy production have been used as the basis for ingredient manufacture for application in a range of dairy and non-dairy food products, as well as non-food products in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries,” says Professor Todor Vasiljevic, Professor of Food Science at Victoria University, Australia and co-editor of the book.

Despite the nutritional benefits of milk, the editors and contributors to this new reference work recognise that the dairy sector faces monumental challenges, including the need to meet the increasing demand for food in the face of a rapidly growing population, whilst also reducing its own environmental impact and contribution of greenhouse gases.

“A sustainable food system should be equipped with the ability to provide healthy diets for the global population whilst not compromising the health of our planet,” says Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“It’s essential that we limit the environmental impact of the dairy sector, whilst ensuring that human nutrition and health is as optimised as it can be,” adds Francis Dodds.

The book features contributions from over 40 experts in dairy science and includes dedicated chapters on the functional and nutritional properties of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and salts.

• For more information about the book visit: https://shop.bdspublishing.com/store/bds/detail/workgroup/3-190-108542

10th March 2022

New book provides one stop shop for Conservation Agriculture

Farmers around the world are rapidly adopting Conservation Agriculture (CA) practices, and a new book has collated extensive scientific research, field experience and technical advice into one place. CA techniques - like cover crops and reduced tillage - have been gaining popularity as an alternative to conventional farming in recent years. But with so many options available it can be hard to know where to start, particularly given different agricultural landscapes and situations. Click to read more

The new book, Advances in Conservation Agriculture, Volume 3: Adoption and Spread, provides farmers, researchers and academics with key information on practices around the world, reflecting differing local knowledge and techniques.

The area of arable land under CA has grown from two million hectares in 1970 to more than 205 million hectares in 102 countries by 2019. This growth has been driven largely by innovative farmers and machinery manufacturers, who have shared new approaches as they evolve.

“The more farmers that find CA can sustainably boost their incomes, the faster the pace will change,” says Amir Kassam, visiting professor at the University of Reading and editor of the book.

Another important aspect explored in the book is that formal research has been important in developing new and more effective techniques and management approaches. This research has focussed on crop performance, soil health, ecosystem services, global warming and farm incomes. “These validation studies have helped to boost the case for policy and institutional support of CA,” says Professor Kassam.

This is particularly important as the popularity of CA has so far spread largely without explicit supportive government policies. “It seems certain that the rate of adoption could be accelerated by targeted incentives like finance for machinery and management practices to boost soil health and enhance water resources, for example,” he adds.

Although international bodies like the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), have only invested relatively small resources in CA, they have played an important catalytic role. “The FAO has placed ca at the core of its vision for sustainable food and agriculture, particularly for smallholder farmers,” says Professor Kassam.

The book is the third volume in the CA collection and deals with the challenges and opportunities of such practices. It complements the previous two volumes on Systems and Science and Practice and Benefits.

“In each book, chapter authors review 100 to 200 journal articles on the latest CA research and synthesises that into 20 or 30 pages,” explains Rob Burleigh, managing director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

“Scientists, researchers, farmers and academics don’t have the time to read and synthesise all the latest research – so we have done all the hard work. We can signpost straight to the most appropriate book chapter – it’s a really useful shortcut.”

Qu Dongyu, director general of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) says: “These volumes are a timely celebration of the most progressive change in farming practices over the past 60 years, which is gathering momentum around the world at an extraordinary pace.

“They will serve as an immensely valuable source of reference – and inspiration - for all those who are committed to putting the world’s food systems on a truly sustainable footing.”

• For more information about the book visit: https://shop.bdspublishing.com/store/bds/detail/workgroup/3-190-106341

26th January 2022

Optimising pig gut function for complete animal performance

An international team of over 30 swine researchers and scientists have collaborated on a new volume of work which explores the role of the gut in pig health and nutrition. Edited by world-renowned swine nutrition experts, Professor Mick Bailey and Emeritus Professor Chris Stokes, University of Bristol, UK, Understanding gut microbiomes as targets for improving pig gut health explores how pig welfare and product quality can be optimised as a result of a healthy gut. Of equal importance is the role optimising gut function plays in improving feed efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from swine production. Click to read more

Of equal importance is the role optimising gut function plays in improving feed efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from swine production.

The book dedicates several chapters to the pig gut microbiome and reviews our current understanding of its development, the metabolic and microbiological services it can deliver, as well as the relationship between itself and the function of the pig gastrointestinal tract.

Whilst the book's initial chapters explore the potential of the pig gut microbiome, later chapters review the techniques implemented by farmers and producers to optimise gut function through the manipulation of gut microbiomes, including the use of prebiotics and exogenous enzymes.

It is not an uncommon principle to utilise diet to manipulate the pig gut microbiome as a means of improving and promoting gut health. Whilst much of the research is dedicated to the weaning stage, more recent research has explored the benefits of making nutritional interventions at the prenatal and early postnatal stages of growth.

This is the focus of an insightful chapter - The use of prebiotics to optimize gut function in pigs - by Dr Barbara U. Metzler-Zebeli (University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria) which features in this new book. Dr Metzler-Zebeli reviews the modes of action of prebiotics, as well as the effects of prebiotics on key gut functions.

"There is not a more opportune time to publish a book that explores the alternative ways of improving pig health," says Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science. "The global pig industry is under immense pressure to improve feed efficiency as a means of reducing emissions, whilst also developing methods to prevent the onset of diseases. This new title highlights the importance of pig nutrition and the role the gut can play in tackling both of these challenges."

This new book will be a great addition to the existing knowledge base on optimising gut function to improve overall animal performance and productivity.

END

Copies of Understanding gut microbiomes as targets for improving pig gut health can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £150/$195/€180/C$255 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2021.0089

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

3rd December 2021

The emergence of biocontrol and its role in achieving sustainable crop production

With growing concerns about the environmental impact of synthetic fungicides, amongst other issues, the crop protection sector faces mounting pressure to replace synthetic fungicides with more environmentally-friendly alternatives. An emerging contender in this race is the use of biological control - or biocontrol - measures. These measures rely on the use of living organisms, such as insects and pathogens, to control pest outbreaks. Click to read more

Because of this reliance on natural control measures, our ecosystems are much safer, as is our health. Biocontrol agents have been proven to pose no threat to human health, in contrast to that of pesticides which are known to cause both acute and chronic adverse effects in humans.

Although biocontrol has been utilised for over 100 years, it is only in recent years that the global agricultural sector has truly recognised its potential as a sustainable alternative to more conventional, yet harmful, crop protection products.

Identifying the emergence of biocontrol, award winning publisher Burleigh Dodds Science has released its latest book in its series on sustainable agriculture, Microbial bioprotectants for plant disease management.

Edited by two of the leading figures in the sector, Dr Jürgen Köhl, Wageningen University & Research and Dr Willem J. Ravensberg, Koppert Biological Systems in the Netherlands, this book is an authoritative reference on:

The development of microbial bioprotectants and their efficacy against plant diseases

The use of biological control agents

The future of bioprotectants in agriculture

As well as offering a comprehensive review of the recent developments in microbial bioprotectants, the book provides a focussed discussion on the availability and use of bacterial, fungal and viral bioprotectants and the issues that can arise with their development and use.

There is not a more opportune time to publish a book on this subject, as reinforced by the two editors of the book.

Dr Willem J. Ravensberg, Corporate Senior Regulatory and Governmental Affairs Manager at Koppert Biological systems in The Netherlands says:

"Farmers across the globe are in need of new, innovative tools that maintain and/or improve crop health and yield, whilst also having a reduced impact on the surrounding ecosystems. This new book on microbial bioprotectants is a wonderful knowledge base and a valuable source of information for researchers, product developers, academics, as well as those working in the biocontrol industry wishing to contribute to achieving more sustainable crop protection."

Dr Jürgen Köhl, Senior Scientist in Plant Pathology at Wageningen University and Research in The Netherlands says:

“Microbial bioprotectants play an increasing role in plant disease management in resilient and sustainable crop production systems. This book provides broad views of strongly experienced authors on the current state of the art of development and use of biological control of plant pathogens. The scientific reviews on biological control agents and their use is complemented by the essential information on legal aspects, markets and future demands. I feel that this wealth of updated scientific information will support scientists and industries and will encourage decision makers to develop and implement the safe plant protection systems needed in our crops.”

END

Copies of Microbial bioprotectants for plant disease management can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £150/$195/€180/C$255 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2021.0093

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

3rd November 2021

Protecting global crop yields from disease

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) have estimated that around 20-40% of global crop production is lost through pest and disease outbreaks each year, costing the global economy over $220 billion annually. Coupled with increasing occurrences of fungicide/insecticide resistance, as well as the environmental impacts of these products, there is a greater emphasis on identifying more sustainable techniques that tackle these growing issues without sacrificing yield. As a result of this, many working within the crop health and protection sector are turning their attention to breeding and whether crop traits can be optimised to resist the onset of major crop diseases. Click to read more

Achieving durable disease resistance in cereals is an authoritative volume detailing the latest research on how to tackle these challenges and is the latest book from award-winning Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing as part of their Agricultural Science series which focuses on sustainable practices. It brings together over 65 experts in cereal diseases under one roof and from the four corners of the globe.

Edited by world-renowned plant pathologist, Professor Richard Oliver, formerly Curtin University, Australia, this new title:

Provides an authoritative review of the key developments in achieving durable disease resistance in cereal crops

Comprehensive coverage of the major diseases that affect cereal crops (Fusarium head blight, Septoria tritici blotch, tan spot)

Assesses the key challenges in breeding durable disease-resistant cereals faced globally, with dedicated chapters to the regional strategies established by North America, North-west Europe, North Africa and West Asia

"Diseases remain a significant threat to all crops grown worldwide. However, with many cereals recognised as staple food crops for millions (mainly in part due to their nutritional value) achieving durable disease resistance in cereals is a fundamental step towards ensuring global food security through the elimination of disease risk," says Francis Dodds of Burleigh Dodds Science.

The book offers an authoritative review of the key advances in achieving durable disease resistance, from better understanding of pathogen biology/epidemiology and plant-pathogen interactions, to identifying sources of resistance and advances in techniques for breeding new varieties.

END

Copies of Achieving durable disease resistance in cereals can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £180/$235/€215/C$305 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2021.0092

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

17th September 2021

Supporting sustainable livestock production

As the global demand for meat increases due to population and economic growth, more pressure has been placed on the animal feed sector to support sustainable livestock production, whilst also ensuring the nutritional value and palatability of feed. With growing concern about the environmental impact of traditional sources of protein such as soybean, there is a growing interest in finding alternative, more ‘climate-smart’ sources of protein such as seaweed and microalgae to supplement livestock diets. New research by scientists from Cornell University and other leading research centres has reviewed the use of macroalgae and microalgae as a suitable source of protein in animal nutrition. Click to read more

Published in award-winning Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing's latest title - Seaweed and microalgae as alternative sources of protein - research shows, for example, how microalgae can be effectively used as a supplement in broiler and laying hen diets.

"The livestock sector faces many challenges, including the need to meet rising demand whilst reducing its impact on the environment. A key component is more sustainable sources of feed that don’t compete with food production or contribute to deforestation," says Francis Dodds of Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

Chapters in Part 1 explore the different types of macroalgae and microalgae available for use as a supplement in livestock and human diets.

Chapters in Part 2 review the developments in microalgae and macroalgae cultivation and processing, the environmental impact of kelp farming and preservation, as well as the applications of microalgae and macroalgae in the cosmetic and food industries

Chapters in Part 3 detail the application of macroalgae and microalgae as a sustainable source of protein in the diets of ruminants, pigs, poultry and fish.

Seaweed and microalgae as alternative sources of protein has been edited by Professor Xin Gen Lei, Cornell University, USA and is the latest addition to Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing's Agricultural Science Series.

END

Copies of Seaweed and microalgae as alternative sources of protein can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £140/$180/€170/C$240 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2021.0091

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

19 July 2021

Milestone Achievement for Award-winning Publisher

Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing (BDS) are delighted to announce that with the publication of Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock production later this week, their world-renowned Agricultural Science Series will have reached its 100th title. Speaking on the achievement, Managing Director of Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Rob Burleigh says, “We couldn’t have chosen a better and more relevant title to celebrate this milestone as it channels so many of the reasons why we publish – and specialise – in sustainable agricultural science.” Click to read more

With the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimating that the global population will reach 9 billion by 2050 and bring with it a 70% increase in the demand for food, agriculture faces one of its biggest challenges. At the same time, agriculture is responsible for up to 24% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and must produce more with less.

Drawing in an international range of expert authors, Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock production summarises what we can do to make livestock production more sustainable and viable for the future. Key aspects in current efforts to mitigate GHG emissions are addressed, including the role of feed supplements in reducing emissions through modification of the rumen environment.

“From the publication of our very first title back in January 2017 on the sustainable production of poultry meat, we have worked tirelessly with over 4000 agricultural professionals in academia and industry from over 1500 different organisations to deliver one of the world’s best collections of new scientific research”, says Editorial Director, Francis Dodds.

The BDS agricultural science series features collections on crop, livestock and forestry science, covering key topics such as soil health, animal welfare, integrated pest management (IPM), vertical farming, as well as disease identification and management strategies and is also now available as an online database.

Rob Burleigh concludes, “We hope by providing access to this content through a variety of formats we will empower those working within the agricultural sector, from researchers and farmers, to agronomists and policy makers, to contribute to and tackle the challenge of making agriculture more sustainable.”

With an additional 30 titles already in the pipeline for 2022, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing's next milestone achievement shouldn't be too far away!

Visit the Burleigh Dodds website to find out more and browse the Agricultural Science Series.

END

Copies of Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock production can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £150/$195/€180/C$255 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2020.0077

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

06 July 2021

Ensuring safe development of new animal feed products

The animal feed sector faces increasingly complex challenges, such as the need to improve feed digestibility/efficiency whilst also promoting growth and enhancing both product quality and safety. With animal health and welfare a priority for those involved in the livestock value chain - from farmers and producers, to retailers and consumers - it's essential that the development of new animal feed products undergo the correct assessments to be deemed as viable and safe for consumption by animals. New research by a team of scientists at Walloon Agricultural Research Center (CRA-W), Belgium has explored the current analytical techniques available for testing animal feed ingredients. Click to read more

Published in Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing's latest title - Developing animal feed products - the research enhances our understanding of the techniques implemented to ensure feed safety and quality, as well as the key detection methods applied to identify hazardous materials in feed that may present a risk to both animals and humans.

"As with the development of any new product - especially consumable types - there are strict procedures that must be followed before entry into the market can be authorised. For animal feed products, product authentication can be achieved through a variety of different analytical techniques such as microscopy, vibrational spectroscopy, genomics and proteomics," says Francis Dodds of Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

"With feed requirements tightening as a result of greater knowledge on the impact of specific feed ingredients on livestock health, performance and welfare, more innovative techniques are required to ensure that any newly developed animal feed product fulfils all labelling obligations."

Chapters in Part 1 detail the development of animal feed products, primarily discussing the techniques used to identify new animal feed ingredients and additives, the techniques used to improve the nutritional value and digestibility of animal feed, as well as the analytical techniques relied upon to ensure feed quality and safety.

Chapters in Part 2 explore the efficacy of animal feed products, the contamination risks associated with animal feed development, the risk management systems and preventative measures that can be administered to reduce this risk, as well as the development of product dossiers for regulatory approval of new animal feed products.

Developing animal feed products has been edited by Dr Navaratnam Partheeban, formerly Royal Agricultural University, UK and is the latest addition to Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing's Agricultural Science Series.

END

Copies of Developing animal feed products can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £150/$195/€180/C$255 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2021.0083

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

05 July 2021

New book measures the importance of soil health

Understanding and measuring the different dimensions of soil health is key to sustaining agricultural productivity and protecting environmental sources. With the rise in the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices, such as Conservation Agriculture which focuses primarily on improving soil health, a greater understanding of the biological, physical and chemical properties of soils is required. New research by Dr Felicity Crotty from the Royal Agricultural University, UK has assessed the viability of assessing soil health by measuring fauna. Published in Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing's latest title - Advances in measuring soil health - the research explores the differing impacts of fauna on soil health in an array of ecosystems, focussing primarily on the use of mesofauna as a bioindicator of soil health for soils found in grasslands, agricultural fields and woodlands. Click to read more

"Soil health is absolutely critical to achieving successful, sustainable agriculture," says Francis Dodds of Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

"Our new title offers readers the ability to enhance their knowledge on not only the importance of maintaining and managing soil health, but also the current practices used by practitioners to measure the biological, physical and chemical properties of their soils, which allow them to pinpoint key areas where soil health improvement is required."

Chapters in Part 1 detail the measuring approaches used to measure soil biological activity, including the use of fauna, fungal and earthworm communities.

Chapters in Part 2 explore the array of techniques used to measure the physical and chemical properties of agricultural soils, detailing the advancements made towards assessing soil erodibility, soil function and specified soil characteristics, such as clay and organic matter content.

Chapters in Part 3 review the role and application of measurement techniques in the management of soil health, discussing the development of soil health indicators and decision support systems (DSS) for improved crop and soil management on farm.

Advances in measuring soil health has been edited by Professor Wilfred Otten, Cranfield University, UK and is the latest addition to Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing's Agricultural Science Series.

END

Copies of Advances in measuring soil health can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £180/$235/€215/C$305 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2020.0079

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

25 May 2021

Maximising the market potential of cereals

More consumers are removing traditional cereal-based foods from their diets due to concerns surrounding the potential development of health conditions, such as wheat intolerance, type 2 diabetes and cancer. The sector must adapt to the changing needs of today's society and develop next-generation nutritionally-enhanced products that increase the market potential and value of cereals and cereal-based products. New research by an international team of scientists explore existing nutritional values of key cereal crops, such as wheat, sorghum, millet and maize. Published in Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing's latest title - Improving the nutritional and nutraceutical properties of wheat and other cereals - the research advances our understanding of the nutritional value of key components, including starch, antioxidants and lipids. Click to read more

"With rising levels of consumer awareness surrounding the nutritional value of certain foods, concerns around the role of cereal-based products in the development of new health conditions, or the worsening of existing conditions has emerged. Primarily, these concerns lie within the interaction between nutritional components and the gut and whether the method in which they are processed inhibit the gut's function and overall human health," says Francis Dodds, of Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

With chapters in Part 1 dedicated to assessing the nutritional components of major cereal crops, chapters in Part 2 instead consider the development of nutritionally-enhanced cereal products as a means to improve market potential, as well as the methods used to achieve this.

Key research by Helena Pachón, of Food Fortification Initiative and Emory University, USA reviews current evidence of the impact of wheat flour fortification on human health. In addition to providing examples of health outcomes associated with wheat flour fortification, the chapter includes a comprehensive discussion on the countries that mandate wheat flour fortification and why they do so.

Improving the nutritional and nutraceutical properties of wheat and other cereals has been edited by Professor Trust Beta, University of Manitoba, Canada and is the latest addition to Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing's Agricultural Science Series.

Speaking on the new title's publication, Professor Trust Beta says,

"This book will be an excellent reference framework for academic researchers in cereal science, arable farmers, manufacturers/suppliers of cereal nutrition products, as well as government and private sector agencies supporting cereal production."

To discover more about the book, watch a short video where Professor Trust Beta discuss the book's contents, as well as a key chapter she believes to be of great importance.

END

Copies of Improving the nutritional and nutraceutical properties of wheat and other cereals can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £145/$190/€175/C$245 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2021.0087

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

23 April 2021

A Rapid Transformation for Plant Research

Genome editing is quickly establishing itself as the latest influential technology in agriculture, with CRISPR/Cas systems recognised as the leading techniques recouping the greatest results. The techniques offer unparalleled precision in breeding without the need to introduce foreign DNA into plants to improve yield, disease resistance, drought tolerance and nutrient use efficiency. However, despite the proven efficacy of CRISPR/Cas systems, new research by international scientists from Cornell University, ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology and Manisa Celal Bayar University, published in the opening chapter of a new publication on Genome editing for precision crop breeding by Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, suggests that transcription activator-like (TAL) effector nucleases (TALENs) shouldn't be disregarded by the sector and should be considered as beneficial and effective as CRISPR/Cas systems. Click to read more

"Prior to the development of CRISPR/Cas systems, TALENs were the most widely used genome editing tools. Despite the monumental rise of CRISPR, TALENs remain worthy of consideration due to their unique targeting properties and the current intellectual property landscape," says Francis Dodds, of Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

The book offers a comprehensive review of the topic, with contributors exploring the development and use of double strand break (DSB) repair in genome editing, as well as advances in the generation of insertion-based genome edits, guide RNAs and base editing.

Genome editing for precision crop breeding is the latest collaboration between one of the leading experts in plant science and gene editing - Dr Matthew R. Willmann, formerly of Cornell University, USA - and award-winning publisher Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

The new book includes systematic reviews of advances in the key genome editing technologies and explores their use and practical application to cereal crops, such as barley, maize and sorghum, as well as Brassicas, tomatoes, other Solanaceae and woody perennial trees.

50+ internationally renowned experts in the field of genome editing, from both industry and academia, have contributed to this new volume of research.

Speaking on the book's publication, Francis Dodds says: "This will be a standard reference for university and other researchers involved in crop breeding, government and other agencies involved in regulating advances in crop breeding, as well as crop breeding companies and farmers."

END

Copies of Genome editing for precision crop breeding can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £150/$195/€180/C$255 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2020.0082

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

20 January 2021

The root of agriculture's future?

Recent decades have seen a monumental shift in the amount of research in plant roots. A stronger understanding of the complex ways roots interact with soils is making it possible to 'design' roots to optimise water and nutrient uptake in low-input environments, as well as deliver other benefits such as improved soil health and reduced nutrient leaching. As an example, a team of scientists from the University of Nottingham, UK have uncovered the way ethylene controls plant root responses to compacted soils, showing how this signal can be 'switched off' to facilitate plant growth in unfavourable growing conditions. Understanding crop roots in their entirety can contribute to improving global food security, as well as the implementation of more sustainable farming practices across the sector. Click to read more

Building on such research, award-winning publisher Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing have collaborated with world-renowned soil and crop root scientist - Emeritus Professor Peter Gregory - alongside 50+ international experts to publish a new volume of research on plant roots.

Understanding and improving crop root function features authoritative reviews of current research in all aspects of root science, including root growth regulators, root anatomy, nutrient acquisition and root system architecture.

The volume discusses the responses of plant roots to abiotic and biotic stresses and how understanding nutrient uptake can be exploited to optimise root function.

The publication of this new volume of research emphasises the need for continued research in this important area of study so that it can continue to contribute to more sustainable, 'climate-smart' crop production.

"This book brings together the foremost scientists in plant root research and promises to be a unique one-stop reference for the latest in root research. The chapters and topics are timely and important in exploiting our understanding of plant roots to help solve the resource challenges facing agriculture." Professor Michelle Watt, University of Bonn, Germany; Director - Institute of Bio and Geosciences 2 (IBG-2), Germany; President of the International Society of Root Research

Dr Peter Gregory is Emeritus Professor of Global Food Security at the University of Reading, UK, where he was previously Professor of Soil Science.

Amongst many distinctions, Professor Gregory is a former President of the International Society of Root Research (ISRR) as well as former Chief Executive of the Scottish Crop Research Institute (now part of the James Hutton Institute) and East Malling Research (now NIAB-EMR).

END

Copies of Understanding and improving crop root function can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £180/$235/€215/C$305 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2020.0075

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

14 December 2020

Can genetics save the banana?

Despite being the world's most popular fruit, bananas face an uncertain future or, perhaps, none at all! A single variety of banana (Cavendish) dominates the export market. However, one disease (Tropical Race 4 - TR4) threatens to wipe it out completely as happened with previous varieties of banana. In addition, the sector faces increasing pressure to improve existing varieties, as well as to develop new varieties which retain key yield and quality characteristics and improved resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. Click to read more

A new volume of research published by award-winning Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing reviews the need to broaden the genetic base currently available for commercial cultivation to help address these challenges.

The publication also reviews developments in conventional and molecular breeding techniques for breeding new varieties of banana, as well as improving traits in Cavendish such as fertility and resistance.

This new volume will help those working in the banana industry make the sector more sustainable and complements Burleigh Dodds' previous book which focusses on cultivation techniques.

"The editors have assembled a team of leading researchers in banana germplasm and genetic improvement with many years of expertise. This comprehensive compilation takes into account the important and diverse factors affecting long-term banana production sustainability. It will be an important resource for the research community but will be of value to producers and consumers as well." Dr Brian Irish, USDA-ARS PGITRU, USA

Dr Gert H. J. Kema is Professor of Tropical Plant Pathology at the Laboratory for Phytopathology of Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands. He leads several international banana research programs, including interdisciplinary research projects and public-private-partnerships focusing on Panama disease and black Sigatoka.

Dr André Drenth is Professor in Tropical Plant Pathology and Theme Leader for crop protection in the Centre for Horticultural Science at the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), at the University of Queensland.

END

Copies of Achieving sustainable cultivation of bananas - Volume 2: Germplasm and genetic improvement can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £170/$220/€205/C$290 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2020.0070

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

02 November 2020

Fighting the climate crisis with sustainable forest management

With global rates of deforestation still alarmingly high in many tropical countries, there is a need for the sector to take action. Last week, the European Parliament voted on several reports calling for the European Commission to actively push for the implementation of sustainable forest management (SFM) practices, including removing products from the EU supply chains that contribute to deforestation. Sustainable forest management (SFM) needs to find a balance between competing ecological, economic and political priorities. This timely new volume on sustainable management of tropical forests from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing reviews the wealth of research on how sustainable management of tropical forests can be achieved in practice. Click to read more

The book features expert insights on the economic, political and environmental contexts needed for SFM to operate successfully, including coverage of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Achieving sustainable management of tropical forests summarises and reviews the rich body of research on tropical forests and how this research can be utilised to make the sustainable management of tropical forests a standard implementable strategy for the future.

The book has been edited by Professor Jürgen Blaser and Patrick Hardcastle and features contributions from over 50 leading forestry experts.

"The editors have made a valuable contribution to the literature by documenting the experience of field-based practitioners on a subject that suffers from too much abstraction and theory. The future of tropical forests requires that the knowledge of the authors of this book is widely shared and applied by future generations of foresters. This book should be required reading for professional forestry graduates.” Dr Jeff Sayer, Professor of Tropical Forest Conservation, University of British Columbia, Canada

Dr Jürgen Blaser is Professor of International Forestry and Climate Change at Bern University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland. Professor Blaser is a former Chair of the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) and former Senior Forestry Advisor at the World Bank.

Patrick Hardcastle is an internationally-respected Forestry Development Specialist with over 35 years’ experience of forestry development and management. Pat has worked with organisations such as the ITTO, World Bank and the FAO.

END

Copies of Achieving sustainable management of tropical forests can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £190/$245/€230/C$325 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2020.0074

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

07 October 2020

Caring for our chickens: The importance of welfare

Over one billion chickens are slaughtered for their meat in the UK each year. More than 90% of these chickens are housed in crowded sheds where their movement is limited and their growth is restricted. In recent years there has been an undoubtable rise in consumer and retailer interest in ensuring the welfare of farmed animals, from cattle and sheep, to pigs and chickens. Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing - an award-winning publisher in Agricultural Science - have published a timely book that assesses current welfare standards and chicken behaviour. Click to read more

Understanding the behaviour and improving the welfare of chickens offers a comprehensive summary on the wealth of recent research on understanding chicken behaviour and discusses how best to use this rich body of knowledge to optimise welfare management of broilers and layers.

The book features chapters dedicated to providing detailed coverage of the latest wearable, video and acoustic technologies used to monitor chicken welfare and behaviour, including radio frequency identification (RFID) and accelerators.

This exciting new volume of work is edited by world-renowned expert in chicken welfare, Professor Christine Nicol, Royal Veterinary College – University of London, UK.

"Christine Nicol is an international star in her own right and has assembled a highly impressive team. This book will be an excellent source of new knowledge and understanding for all those actively concerned with the principles, practicalities and ethics of food production from these sentient and fascinating animals.” Emeritus Professor John Webster, University of Bristol, UK

Dr Christine Nicol is Professor of Animal Welfare at the Royal Veterinary College - University of London, UK. She is internationally renowned for her research on poultry and equine welfare, for which she has received many awards, including from the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) and the International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE).

END

Copies of Understanding the behaviour and improving the welfare of chickens can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £170/$220/€205/C$290 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2020.0078

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

25 September 2020

The Critical Importance of Biodiversity

In recent weeks, it has come to light that the world hasn't full met any of the 20 biodiversity targets that were previously set by just under 200 global governments, ten years prior. Published in a United Nations Report, findings show that only 6 of the targets have been partially completed, whilst the remaining 14 targets - that include eliminating biodiversity - have been completely disregarded. The publication of the report has undoubtedly incited a reaction from conservationists who are urging for a greater commitment from global governments and the global population to improve current attitudes. Click to read more

"During the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020, countries have worked to address many of the causes of biodiversity loss. However, those efforts have not been sufficient to meet most of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets established in 2010. Much greater ambition is needed." António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations

Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing - an award-winning publisher in Agricultural Science - have taken their own approach to promoting the importance of biodiversity through publishing their latest title, Reconciling agricultural production with biodiversity conservation.

It's been suggested that more intensive, monocultural agriculture is directly associated with a decline in diversity of habitat and plant species, which can lead to corresponding declines in diversity of insect, bird and mammal species.

Reconciling agricultural production with biodiversity conservation provides an authoritative review of current biodiversity conservation practices, including field margins, agroforestry systems, hedgerows and improved pasture and grassland management.

The collection additionally summarises the theoretical framework that underpins biodiversity conservation in agriculture, dedicating chapters to key developments in areas such as landscape approaches, mapping and modelling diversity, as well as ways of assessing the economic value of biodiversity conservation practices.

The new title is edited by Professor Paolo Bàrberi and Dr Anna-Camilla Moonen, Institute of Life Science – Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Italy.

Dr Paolo Bàrberi is Professor of Agronomy and Field Crops and Head of the Agroecology Group at the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna (SSSA). Professor Bàrberi is a founding member and Vice-President of Agroecology Europe and has written over 330 publications on topics in sustainable agriculture, agrobiodiversity and agroecology.

Dr Anna-Camilla Moonen is an Assistant Professor in Agronomy and Field Crops at the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna (SSSA). She is a member of the editorial board of Weed Research and her research focuses on agroecological co-design of sustainable cropping systems with a special interest in field margin management, the use of cover crops to manage weed communities, and functional agrobiodiversity in arable and horticultural cropping systems for integrated weed and pest management.

END

Copies of Reconciling agricultural production with biodiversity conservation can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £150/$195/€180/C$255 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2020.0071

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

28 August 2020

Offsetting postharvest losses of key cereals and grains

The agricultural sector, as a whole, faces innumerable challenges. However, arguably a challenge that falls short of the attention it requires is the management of postharvest losses of crops, particularly cereals and grains. Usually occuring due to spoilage microorganisms or insect pests, postharvest losses of cereals and grains remains a significant issue in both developed and developing countries. In a 2011 FAO report, it was estimated that one third of global food production is lost or wasted. In sub-Saharan Africa, postharvest losses are thought to amount to over $4 billion each year. Click to read more

With growing interest in this worldwide challenge, Burleigh Dodds Science have published an authoritative review of the latest research on the causes of postharvest losses, as well as the development of storage technologies to offset this loss.

Advances in postharvest management of cereals and grains provides a comprehensive review of the key research on the detection and control of fungal contaminants.

This collection includes contributions by leading experts on the viability of different technologies implemented to control postharvest losses, such as fumigation, biopesticides, controlled atmospheres and control of fungal contamination.

This book will provide the foundations needed to tackle the challenge of postharvest losses of cereals and grains.

Emeritus Prof. Ronald T. Noyes, Oklahoma State University, USA says about the new title:

“Cutting world-wide food-grain spoilage by half can provide food stocks for over a billion malnourished people. This authoritative handbook, edited by leading international grain engineering scientist, Professor Dirk E. Maier, outlines and illustrates how to minimize/eliminate post-harvest spoilage losses. With contributions by leading international authorities, it highlights the causes and provides the needed science and technology to prevent postharvest spoilage losses. It will be a standard text for educating future post-harvest grain scientists and technicians and fills a critical information gap.”

Advances in postharvest management of cereals and grains is edited by Professor Dirk E. Maier.

Dr Dirk E. Maier is a Professor and Postharvest Engineer at Iowa State University, USA. Professor Maier is the Founding Director of the Consortium for Innovation in Post-Harvest Loss and Food Waste Reduction. He leads this global innovation partnership aimed at sustainably providing safe and nutritious food for a growing world population.

END

Copies of Advances in postharvest management of cereals and grains can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £150/$195/€180/C$255 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2020.0072

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

18 August 2020

The emergence of biostimulants

There can be no doubt that the biostimulants sector has seen an increase in both industry popularity and market value in recent years. With figures provided by DunhamTrimmer, the biostimulant market was valued at over $2 billion, with over $500 million of that value attributed to the European Market. The Asia/Pacific region ranked second with a respectable figure of $463 million, whilst Latin America sat at $412 million, US/Canada at $370 million, the Middle East/North Africa at $192 million and the rest of the world at $109 million. Click to read more

Despite experiencing increasing interest, the biostimulant sector still faces a number of challenges, including the lack of a universally recognised definition, as well as uncertainty around how they work.

In timely fashion, Burleigh Dodds Science have published the first comprehensive review of the key advances in biostimulant research.

Biostimulants for sustainable crop production covers the major groups of biostimulants, from humic substances and seaweed extracts to protein hydrolysates and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), as well as the practical application of biostimulants in areas such as enhancing nutrient use efficiency (NUE).

Professor Dimitrios Savvas, Agricultural University of Athens, Greece says about the new title:

“It is good news that a distinguished editor team led by Professor Youssef Rouphael is putting together Biostimulants for sustainable crop production. The interest in biostimulants is constantly increasing, making a book on this topic, written by a team of internationally-renowned scientists, timely and very welcome.”

Biostimulants for sustainable crop production is edited by Youssef Rouphael; Patrick du Jardin; Patrick Brown; Stefania De Pascale and Giuseppe Colla, with contributions from over 40 leading experts.

Youssef Rouphael is an Associate Professor at the University of Naples Federico II, Italy.

Patrick du Jardin is Professor of Plant Biology at Gembloux Agro-Biotech, University of Liège, Belgium and Director of the Botanic Garden of this institution.

Patrick Brown is Professor of Plant Nutrition at the University of California-Davis, USA.

Stefania De Pascale is Professor of Horticulture at the University of Naples Federico II, Italy.

Giuseppe Colla is Professor of Vegetable Production, Floriculture and Greenhouse Crop Management at the University of Tuscia, Italy.

END

Copies of Biostimulants for sustainable crop production can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £150/$195/€180/C$255 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2020.0068

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

12 August 2020

Striving for sustainability: Is breeding more important now than ever?

Balanced breeding approaches are integral to ensuring sustainability throughout the poultry industry sector. Strong investments in breeding programmes allow for improvements in overall bird performance, health and welfare. With balanced breeding approaches, an array of production characteristics are assessed, monitored and later optimised to ensure broiler production is both profitable, but sustainable Click to read more

The sector faces key challenges, such as the need to produce more resilient breeds in the face of disease and increasing consumer concerns about bird health and welfare. Written by an international team of experts, Advances in poultry genetics and genomics is dedicated to reviewing the key developments in poultry breeding that have the potential to tackle these challenges.

This timely publication will be a standard reference for poultry scientists, companies involved in poultry breeding and government agencies supporting the poultry sector.

Professor David Burt, Director of UQ Genomics, University of Queensland, Australia says:

“This book represents the state of the art in poultry genetics and genomics, written by world experts in the field. This is a rapidly changing field, so it is timely to have a reference work for the poultry industry, poultry scientists and students, and government and other research organisations. Congratulations to everyone for a timely review on such an important subject.”

Advances in poultry genetics and genomics has a particular focus on improving functional traits needed for more resilient poultry breeds. The book also covers the key advances in genomic selection and their practical application in breeding improved breeds of layers and broilers, and looks ahead to the emerging trends such as the use of epigenetics and genome editing.

END

Copies of Advances in poultry genetics and genomics can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £190/$245/€230/C$325 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2020.0065

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

21 July 2020

OPTIMISING THE RUMEN FOR SUSTAINABILITY

Understanding the rumen is of critical importance to livestock production as the function of the rumen impacts nutritional efficiency, emissions from ruminants, as well as the overall health of the animal. Major advances in analytical techniques and genomics have contributed to our current understanding of rumen microbiology. Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing's latest publicatiion, Improving rumen function reviews what we know about rumen microbiota and the role of nutritional strategies in optimising their function for more sustainable livestock production. Click to read more

What others are saying...

"An up-to-date reference text on the ruminal microbiota and its function is long overdue. The proposed volume will fill the gap admirably."

Emeritus Professor John Wallace, University of Aberdeen, UK

Key features

Reviews advances in understanding the role of different types of rumen microbiota such as archea, anaerobic fungi, viruses and the rumen wall microbial community

Covers both the way the rumen processes fibre and protein and factors affecting outputs such as energy, lipids and methane emissions

Comprehensive review of the range of nutritional strategies to optimise rumen function such as the role of pasture, silage, cereal feed, plant secondary compounds and probiotics

Dr Chris McSweeney - who has co-edited the new title - provides an introduction to the book and its contents in a short video.

The book is edited by Dr C. S. McSweeney and Professor R. I. Mackie.

Dr Chris McSweeney is Chief Research Scientist at CSIRO, Australia, and is internationally-renowned for his research in ruminant gut microbiology and its implications for nutrition and livestock emissions.

Dr Rod Mackie is Professor of Microbiology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA. Professor Mackie is a leading expert on microbial ecology in the ruminant gut and its impact on nutrition and health, as well as the use of bacteria in bioenergy applications.

END

Copies of Improving rumen function can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £190/$245/€230/C$325 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2020.0067

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

20 May 2020

TACKLING AGRICULTURE'S BIGGEST CHALLENGE

It has been estimated that the agricultural sector may account for up to 24% of the greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) that contribute to climate change globally. Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing have published a new title that reviews the key research available on addressing this major challenge. Climate change and agriculture highlights the advancements made in predicting the effects of agriculture and climate change on one another. Click to read more

Whilst the sector contributes to climate change, it's similarly known that agriculture is greatly affected by climate change. As explained by the European Environment Agency, all crops require a certain quality of soil, water, sunlight and heat to grow to their maximum potential. With the increase of air temperatures, the traditional growing seasons of key crops have been affected. For example, the flowering and harvesting of cereal crops is occurring earlier in the season than originally projected.

Professor Mark Howden, Director - Climate Change Institute, Australian National University; Vice Chair - IPCC Working Group II, discusses the scale of the problem and the importance of the new title below:

"The challenges ahead for agriculture globally are substantial and growing: feeding an increasingly populous and hungrier world whilst managing increased risks from climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and operating in ways that enhance ecosystem services. The highly experienced editor and authors of this book bring together a comprehensive coverage of these issues and their potential resolution."

The book is edited by Dr Delphine Deryng and is sectioned into three parts:

Part 1 The impacts of climate change on agriculture

Part 2 The contribution of agriculture to climate change

Part 3 Adaption and mitigation strategies in agriculture

Dr Deryng is a Climate Policy Analyst at the New Climate Institute based in Berlin, Germany since May 2020, focusing primarily on global climate actions in the agriculture and forestry sector. Dr. Deryng is also a Guest Researcher at the Integrative Research Institute on Transformations of Human-Environment Systems (IRI THESys) at Humboldt-University of Berlin.

END

Copies of Climate change and agriculture can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £150/$195/€180/C$255 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2020.0064

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

11 May 2020

BETTER DATA MANAGEMENT FOR AGRICULTURE

The major advancements that have been made in computing and technology, coupled with societies’ trust in machine learning, has provided a basis for vast amounts of data to be utilised to improve the rate of production and sustainability within the agricultural sector. A NEW book on optimising data for efficiency in agriculture has been published by award-winning publisher, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited and is book 78 in their Agricultural Science Series. Click to read more

Improving data management and decision support systems in agriculture reviews and summarises the wealth of research on key challenges in developing better data management and decision support systems (DSS) for farmers and examples of how those systems are being deployed to optimise efficiency in crop and livestock production.

The book is edited by Dr Leisa Armstrong, who is Senior Lecturer in Computer Science and leader of the eAgriculture Research Group at Edith Cowan University, Australia. Dr Armstrong is President of the Australian Society of ICT in Agriculture as well as past President of the Asian Federation of Information Technologies in Agriculture (AFITA).

The new title is sectioned into two parts:

Part 1 General issues

Part 2 Case studies

Chapters in Part 1 review the general issues that underpin effective decision support systems (DSS), such as data access, standards, tagging and security.

Chapters in Part 2 are dedicated to reporting on recent case studies that discuss the practical application of data management and DSS in areas such as crop planting, nutrition and use of rotations, livestock feed and pasture management, as well as optimising supply chains for fresh produce.

END

Copies of Improving data management and decision support systems in agriculture can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £160/$210/€190/C$270 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2020.0069

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

1 May 2020

A DECORATIVE ADDITION TO THE BOOKSHELF

Ornamental plants are plants grown for decorative purposes. They include cut flowers, bulbs, potted plants, shrubs and trees for gardening and landscape design. Achieving sustainable cultivation of ornamental plants reviews the rich range of research currently available that addresses challenges that the growers of ornamental plants must face, such as biotic and abiotic stresses, as well as the need to develop more sustainable, 'climate-smart' methods of cultivation. Click to read more

This important NEW book has been published by award winning Cambridge-based publisher, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited as part of their sustainable agriculture series.

The book is edited by Dr Michael Reid who is Emeritus Professor of Environmental Horticulture at the University of California-Davis, USA.

The book contains eleven chapters which cover recent research on how plants respond to abiotic stress, ways of exploiting genetic diversity to improve target traits, advances in conventional and marker-assisted breeding techniques, as well as their use to produce to produce abiotic stress-resistant varieties.

Professor Reid is also Leader for Technology and Innovation at the US Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture which seeks to support smallholder horticulture in the developing world. He has an international reputation for his work on understanding senescence in cut flowers and how this understanding can be used to maintain post-harvest quality.

Amongst his Awards are the Alex Laurie Award from the American Society for Horticultural Science and the Alan Armitage Award from the Speciality Cut Flower Growers Association.

Dr Lynn Hoffman, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, discusses the importance of the newly published title below.

"This long-awaited book is a must read for anyone interested in the science underpinning current and future practices in the cultivation and postharvest management of ornamentals… This informative book will certainly take its rightful place in the working collection of anyone interested in continuously expanding and deepening their existing knowledge on ornamentals."

END

Copies of Achieving sustainable cultivation of ornamental plants can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £150/$195/€180/C$255 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2020.0066

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

15 April 2020

PREVENTING A GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS

As stated by Dr Charles L. Wilson, Founder and CEO - World Food Preservation Center LLC, USA, "World hunger is on the rise for the first time in decades and crop yields are on the decline. With a rapidly exploding world population we are heading toward a disastrous food shortage crisis. Since one-third of the food that we already produce is lost between the time it is harvested and consumed substantially more of this lost food must be saved to avoid a major global food crisis." Click to read more

Never has there been a more important time to publish a comprehensive review of this topic and award winning publisher Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing tackles this task in this new book.

Preventing food losses and waste to achieve food security and sustainability provides a comprehensive review of the causes and prevention of food losses and waste at key steps in the supply chain, for different commodities and across particular regions.

Chapters review what is currently known about the causes and prevention of food losses and waste (FLW) at different stages in the supply chain, from cultivation, harvesting and storage, through processing and distribution to retail and consumer use. Chapters also discuss FLW for particular commodities, including, cereals and grains, fresh fruit and vegetables, roots and tubers, oilseeds and tubers, meat and dairy products, and fish and seafood products.

The book - consisting of 27 chapters - is divided into five sections:

Part 1: The problem of food losses and waste

Part 2: Causes of food losses and waste

Part 3: Food losses and waste in different commodities

Part 4: Reducing food losses and waste

Part 5: Regional case studies

Professor Elhadi M. Yahia, editor of the new title, discusses the importance of food security and waste on a global scale, taking into consideration the current climate. Read a snippet from his blog below, or alternatively, read the full blog here.

"Securing food for humanity has never been easy, and it is safe to say that it has never been accomplished. Mexico, one of the best countries for food production, reports that two people lose their lives every 24 hours from health conditions that have developed as a result of a lack of food."

Professor Elhadi M. Yahia is Professor and Senior Research Scientist at the Autonomous University of Querétaro, Mexico. He is also a Courtesy Professor at the University of Florida, USA. Prof. Yahia has published 20 books in 3 languages and more than 300 book chapters and articles on post-harvest handling of fresh produce.

He has worked at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) where he helped launch the Global Initiative on Food Loss and Waste Reduction.

END

Copies of Preventing food losses and waste to achieve food security and sustainability can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £210/$275/€250/C$360 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2019.0053

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

7 April 2020

DEVELOPING ALTERNATIVE BIOPESTICIDES TO CONTROL INSECT PESTS

With increasing concern about the environmental impact of synthetic pesticide use, including their impact on beneficial insects, the problem of insect resistance and the lack of new products, there has been an increasing interest in developing alternative biopesticides to control insect and other pests. Click to read more

An important NEW book on the topic of biopesticides has been published by award winning Cambridge-based publisher, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited.

Biopesticides for sustainable agriculture reviews the wealth of research on identifying, developing, assessing and improving the growing range of biopesticides that can be used to control insects and other pests.

Chapters in the book:

Review research on developing new biopesticides

Summarise advances in different types of entomopathogenic biopesticides

Assess the use of semiochemicals such as pheromones and allelochemicals, peptide-based and other natural substance-based biopesticides

Dr Willem Ravensberg, Corporate Senior Regulatory and Government Affairs Manager at Koppert Biological Systems highlights the importance of the book's publication below:

"There is a strong need to review the latest advances in the science and application of biopesticides. With its excellent lineup of authors, this book will inform and inspire researchers, product developers, registration specialists and IPM experts in institutes as well as industry to develop innovative crop protection tools for the new agriculture that society needs."

KEY FEATURES

Reviews key steps in biopesticide product development

Comprehensive coverage of the range of biopesticides, from microbial to natural substance-based biopesticides

Strong focus on pheromone and allelochemical semiochemicals as well as peptide-based biopesticides

Chapters written by internationally-renowned experts in the field

The book is edited by Professor Nick Birch and Professor Travis Glare.

Professor Nick Birch is a former Senior Research Entomologist at the internationally-renowned James Hutton Research Institute, UK. He has been involved in a range of EU and other international IPM research, is Visiting Professor at the University of Idaho (USA) and an Honorary Professor at the Natural Resources Institute – University of Greenwich (UK).

Professor Travis Glare is Professor of Applied Entomology and Director of the Bio-Protection Research Centre at Lincoln University, New Zealand. He has an international reputation and has published widely in the field of entomopathogenic microbes and use of biopesticides.

END

Copies of Biopesticides for sustainable agriculture can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £150/$195/€180/C$255 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2020.0073

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

10 March 2020

IMPROVING CROP NUTRITION FOR A MORE RESOURCE-EFFICIENT AGRICULTURE

An important NEW book has been published by award winning Cambridge-based publisher, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited. Achieving sustainable crop nutrition reviews current research on understanding nutrient cycles, the ways crops process nutrients, the environmental effects of fertilizer use and how this understanding can be used to improve nutrient use efficiency for a more resource-efficient and climate-smart agriculture. Click to read more

Chapters review the current knowledge of nutrient cycles, crop nutrient processing, potential environmental effects and ways of optimising nutrient use efficiency (NUE).

Parts 1-3 summarise research on the primary macronutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

Part 4 discusses secondary macronutrients and micronutrients including: calcium, iron, zinc, boron, manganese and molybdenum as well as soil organic matter.

Part 5 reviews research on optimising fertiliser use. Chapters cover topics such as assessing nutrient availability and advances in integrated plant nutrient management.

Dr Terry L. Roberts, President - International Plant Nutrition Institute, USA highlights the importance of the book's publication below:

"Prof. Zed Rengel has assembled an impressive list of authors for his upcoming book Achieving sustainable crop nutrition. The content is wide-ranging, covering agronomic and environmental aspects of crop nutrients highlighting recent advances and solutions to sustainable crop management. This volume will be a valued reference for all those interested in understanding and working in nutrient management."

KEY FEATURES

Focus on integrating research on nutrient cycling, crop nutrient processing and the environmental impact of fertiliser use to identify ways of improving nutrient use efficiency (NUE) in the use of particular fertilisers

Includes research on a range of secondary macronutrients and micronutrients including: calcium, magnesium, zinc, boron, manganese and molybdenum

Reviews a wide range of options for reducing/optimising current levels of fertiliser use

Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, who have published the new title, discusses how nutrient discrepancy in crops can be detrimental below:

"Zinc deficiency is one of the critical abiotic stress factors that often limits crop production, yield and quality worldwide. It is estimated that more than one third of the global arable lands is affected by zinc deficiency."

The book is edited by Professor Zed Rengel.

Dr Zed Rengel is Professor of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition at the University of Western Australia. An internationally-renowned expert on plant nutrition, Professor Rengel is co Editor-in-Chief of Crop and Pasture Science, Editor of the Journal of Plant Nutrition, Associate Editor of the Journal of Plant Physiology, as well as being on the editorial board of several other journals.

He has published 7 books and more than 400 articles, has held a number of Honorary and Visiting Professorships and been elected a Foreign Fellow of the Croatian Academy of Arts and Sciences.

END

Copies of Achieving sustainable crop nutrition can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £210/$275/€250/C$360 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2019.0062

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

4 March 2020

BUILDING TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

A major demographic milestone occurred on Wednesday 23 May 2007, when the world's population, at that time about 6.8 billion people, became more urban than rural. This symbolises that we are living in an era of rapid urbanisation. In 1950 approximately 30% of the world’s population was living in urban areas and this will be increased to almost 70% by 2050, when the world population is expected to have grown to 9.5 billion (UN, 2018). Click to read more

An important NEW book has been published by award winning Cambridge-based publisher, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited.

Achieving sustainable urban agriculture reviews recent research on building urban and peri-urban agricultural networks, the use of technologies such as rooftop and vertical farming systems, as well as providing case studies of particular products from urban farming.

Chapters discuss ways of building urban agriculture, from planning and business models to building social networks to support local supply chains. Chapters also assess the challenges and improvements in irrigation, waste management, composting and pest management.

The book is presented in the following sections:

Part 1: Building urban agriculture networks

Part 2: Technologies for urban agriculture

Part 3: Case studies

Professor Johannes S.C. Wiskerke, editor of Achieving sustainable urban agriculture discusses the importance of the book's publication below:

"Achieving sustainable urban agriculture implies that a large variety of topics have to be addressed, given the multiple ways in which urban agriculture can contribute to sustainable urban development and taking into account the diversity in practices, organisational models and business strategies in urban agriculture. The inter- and multi-disciplinary character of urban agriculture research is reflected in the titles and contents of the chapters in this book and in the disciplinary backgrounds of the authors of these chapters."

KEY FEATURES

Strong focus on infrastructural requirements for successful urban agriculture, such as public policy and planning frameworks, business models and social networks

Covers developments in key technologies such as rooftop and vertical farming, irrigation and waste management

Includes case studies of particular commodities, including horticultural produce, livestock and forestry

The book is edited by Professor Johannes S.C. Wiskerke.

Professor Wiskerke is a Professor of Rural Sociology at Wageningen University, The Netherlands. He was founding Editor of the journal Urban Agriculture and Regional Food Systems.

He has coordinated a series of major EU projects on urban and peri-urban agriculture and food provisioning such as ‘FOODLINKS’, ‘PUREFOOD’ and ‘SUPURBFOOD’. Since 2017 he has been coordinator of the EU-funded project ROBUST, which focuses on urban-rural relations and synergies. He has written widely on these topics and other aspects of food provisioning and rural development.

END

Copies of Achieving sustainable urban agriculture can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £150/$195/€180/C$255 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2019.0063

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

3 March 2020

TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE WITH CARBON-NEGATIVE BIOENERGY

An important NEW book has been published by award winning Cambridge-based publisher, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited. Achieving carbon-negative bioenergy systems from plant materials reviews advances in producing next-generation biofuels from plant materials. Click to read more

Chapters review advances in technology, applications and commercial development.

Part 1 discusses technologies such as biomass gasification, fast pyrolysis and torrefaction.

Part 2 assesses advances in production of biofuels from crops such as jatropha, oilseeds, Miscanthus, switchgrass and willow.

There is a need to develop next-generation bioenergy systems that exhibit net carbon capture - a mission that Dr Bruce E. Dale, University Distinguished Professor, Michigan State University, USA emphasises below:

"It is increasingly obvious that we must not only reduce the carbon footprint of existing systems. We must also introduce and rapidly scale up new systems that remove and safely sequester, in the aggregate, gigatons of carbon per year from the atmosphere. Without large-scale carbon-negative systems, the relatively stable and benign climate that we have enjoyed over the past several millennia will be increasingly unstable and prone to extreme behaviors. Thus this is an incredibly important collection of chapters. The editors and authors are to be commended for providing such guidance and insights at a critical time in our collective stewardship of this, our unique and beautiful planetary home.”

KEY FEATURES

Focus on net carbon capture bioenergy technologies which fully address the challenge of climate change

Focus on optimising use of co-products and non-food plant materials

Reviews of key technologies and products cover both principles and practical applications, including case studies

Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, who has published the new title discusses the importance of next-generation biofuels below:

"To achieve ambitious targets for global reductions in greenhouse has emissions, biomass crops should generate high yield from minimal input energy while minimising environmental impacts that could make crop production less sustainable."

The book is edited by Dr Chris Saffron.

Dr Chris Saffron is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at Michigan State University, USA. He has published widely in the areas of biofuels, bioproducts, and bioenergy system analysis.

He has a growing patent portfolio that includes biomass fractionation, cellulose hydrolysis, catalytic fast pyrolysis, and electrocatalysis. His research and teaching programs are focussed on carbon efficient approaches that benefit from 'energy upgrading', which uses non-fossil electricity to enhance the conversion of biomass into biofuels and bioproducts.

END

Copies of Achieving carbon-negative energy from plant materials can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £150/$195/€180/C$255 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2019.0027

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

26 February 2020

STEPS TAKEN TO IMPROVE POSTHARVEST HANDLING OF HORTICULTURAL PRODUCE

An important NEW book has been published by award winning Cambridge-based publisher, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited. Advances in postharvest management of horticultural produce reviews key advances in preservation techniques for fresh fruit and vegetables. Click to read more

Chapters summarise developments and improvements in preservation technologies such as cooling, controlled atmosphere storage, modified atmosphere and active packaging as well barrier coatings.

Chapters also cover current research on mechanisms of pathogen contamination of fresh produce, as well as improvements in sanitising regimes and disinfection techniques using heat, irradiation and plasma, ozone and natural antimicrobials.

Professor Leon A. Terry, Cranfield University, UK discusses the importance of the book's publication below:

"Much is talked about food loss and waste but little is being done given the scale of the problem. Through experts in the field, this book provides insights into the management practices and latest technologies available. A great effort and many congratulations."

KEY FEATURES

Focuses on advances in preservation technologies such as advanced modelling of cooling patterns, dynamic controlled atmosphere and improving use of 1-MCP as an ethylene inhibitor

Reviews strengths and weaknesses of different disinfection techniques, such as the use of sanitisers, hot water or air, irradiation, plasma, ozone and natural antimicrobials

Covers developments in smart supply chain and distribution monitoring and management

Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, who has published the new title, discusses the importance of proper postharvest management of produce below:

"Fruit and vegetables are living organisms that continue to respire after harvest, deteriorating over time, in a process known as senescence. Although it is impossible to halt senescence, removing the field-heat, and reducing the temperature of the product at the time of harvest, has substantial effects on maintaining product integrity."

The book is edited by Professor Chris Watkins.

Professor Chris Watkins is Herman H. Cohn Professor of Horticulture and Associate Dean at Cornell University and Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension. An internationally-renowned expert on postharvest physiology, and a Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science. He is the current Chair of the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) Division for Postharvest and Quality Assurance, and a member of the editorial board of the journal Postharvest Biology and Technology.

END

Copies of Advances in postharvest management of horticultural produce can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £150/$195/€180/C$255 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2019.0055

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

25 February 2020

IMPROVING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF BARLEY CULTIVATION

A significant NEW book has been published by award winning Cambridge-based publisher, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited. Achieving sustainable cultivation of barley reviews advances in research on improving barley cultivation across the value chain. Click to read more

Chapters review advances in understanding barley physiology in such areas as plant growth, grain development and plant response to abiotic stress. Chapters also review current developments in exploiting genetic diversity and mapping the barley genome.

Dr Andrea Visioni, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Morocco, emphasises the importance of exploiting the genetic diversity of the barley genome and its role in tackling the issue of feeding a growing population below:

"Crop plant improvement for food security in the face of population growth and climate change remains a key challenge for breeders. Future crops need to be more resource-efficient and also able to adapt to their environment in a better way. The barley genome is large and complex but, at the same time, it offers a large reservoir of genes that can be exploited by breeders to develop new varieties with increased grain yield."

KEY FEATURES

Strong focus on advances in understanding barley physiology which inform decisions about breeding and cultivation

Detailed coverage of molecular breeding techniques such as genome wide association studies (GWAS) and targeted induced lesions in genomes (TILLING)

Covers latest research on optimising barley for particular end uses such as malting, brewing and animal feed

Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, who has published the new title, discusses the associated health benefits of consuming barley as part of a balanced diet below:

"Whole grain barley has been widely recognised as a valuable source of a number of biologically active compounds with unique health benefits. The great number of bioactive nutrients make barley an ideal raw material for the development of functional foods."

The book is edited by Professor Glen Fox and Professor Chengdao Li.

Professor Glen Fox is the Anheuser-Busch Endowed Professor of Malting and Brewing Science at the University of California, USA. Previously, he was a Senior Fellow at the University of Queensland, Australia. He has many years experience working with barley breeding programmes, and malting and brewing industries in Australia and overseas.

Professor Chengdao Li is Director of the Western Barley Genetics Alliance, linking Murdoch University with the Department of Primary Industry and Regional Department. Professor Li is an internationally-renowned expert in barley breeding, having helped to develop new varieties such as Baudin which is widely seen as setting the benchmark in malting quality.

END

Copies of Achieving sustainable cultivation of barley can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £170/$220/€205/C$290 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2019.0060

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

18 February 2020

NEW TWO-VOLUME COLLECTION ON CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE

"This edifying book is a compendium of much of what we have learnt across the world about CA...It will serve as an immensely valuable source of reference - and inspiration - for all those who are committed to putting the world's food systems on a truly sustainable footing. It is with great pleasure, therefore, that I can recommend this book to you", says Qu Dongyu, Director General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Click to read more

Two important NEW books on Conservation Agriculture, edited by Professor Amir Kassam, University of Reading, UK, have been published by award winning Cambridge-based publisher, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited.

Conservation Agriculture (CA) is a farming system that promotes continuous minimum soil disturbance, maintenance of a permanent soil cover and diversification of plant species. (FAO, 2020).

Advances in Conservation Agriculture Volume 1: Systems and Science summarises research on key components for successful Conservation Agriculture (CA).

Chapters review the latest research on ways of optimising no-till techniques to minimise soil disturbance in relation to seeding, weeding and other operations. Chapters also review ways to improve soil health in CA, including mulch cover, cover crops, rotations and intercropping.

Advances in Conservation Agriculture Volume 2: Practice and Benefits reviews ways of optimising Conservation Agricultural (CA) practices and their benefits.

Chapters summarise research on optimising soil management, crop nutrition and irrigation, as well as weed, insect pest and disease management. The book also reviews ways of optimising the environmental and social benefits of adopting CA practices.

Jules Petty, Professor of Environment and Society, University of Essex, says about the book:

"This is an important, timely and authoritative collection on the values of Conservation Agriculture worldwide. Great advances have been made in recent years over a range of approaches and systems to improve both the productivity of agricultural systems and their positive contributions to ecosystem services and natural capital."

Professor Amir Kassam is Visiting Professor at the University of Reading (UK) and Moderator of the FAO-hosted Global Platform for Conservation Agriculture Community of Practice (Global CA-CoP). He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (UK) and has received an OBE from the British Government for services to tropical agriculture and to rural development.

Prof. Kassam is Chair of the International Conservation Agriculture Advisory Panel for Africa (ICAAP-Africa), Member of the European Conservation Agriculture Federation (ECAF) and Vice-Chair of the Conservation Agriculture Association for the UK (CA-UK).

END

Copies of Advances in Conservation Agriculture Volume 1: Systems and Science can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £150/$195/€180 from https://bdspublishing.com. DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2019.0048

Copies of Advances in Conservation Agriculture Volume 2: Practice and Benefits can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £150/$195/€180 from https://bdspublishing.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2019.0049

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

2 January 2020

SUSTAINABLY MANAGING THE WORLD'S FORESTS

A timely NEW book has been published by award winning Cambridge-based publisher, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited. Achieving sustainable management of boreal and temperate forests, reviews current research on balancing commercial use with the range of ecosystem services delivered by boreal and temperate forests. Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, who has published the new title says the following about the book: "The book focuses on outlining the advances in understanding forest ecophysiology, as well as exploring the key challenges in ensuring forest management is consistent forest ecosystem services. The collection will be a standard reference for forestry and agricultural scientists in universities, government and other research centres." Click to read more

Chapters review advances in sustainable forest management techniques, including improvements in breeding, monitoring forest health, innovations in planting, stand management and regeneration, as well as reviewing ways of managing natural hazards, insect and fungal pests.

Chad Oliver, Pinchot Professor of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University, USA, says about the book:

"This book will make a useful contribution to the world’s knowledge and future research directions for sustainable forest management. Dr Stanturf has once again assembled an excellent, international group of scientists to compile an in-depth volume. The subjects to be covered and the experts chosen mean the book will long be used to understand the many building blocks of the sciences behind sustainable forest management."

The book consists of five sections:

Part 1 - Tree physiology

Part 2 - Forest ecosystem services and climate change

Part 3 - Breeding and management

Part 4 - Pests, diseases and other hazards

Part 5 - Developing forest products and services

The book is edited by Professor John Stanturf.

Dr John Stanturf is a former Senior Scientist at the Center for Forest Disturbance Science at the US Forest Service. He is Visiting Professor of Forestry at the Estonian University of Life Sciences.

Dr Stanturf received the Distinguished Service Award from the International Union of Forest Research Organizations, an Honorary Doctorate from the Estonian University of Life Sciences, and the US Forest Service Chief's Honor Award for Distinguished Science for his contribution to forest restoration.

END

Copies of Achieving sustainable management of boreal and temperate forests can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £190/$245/€230 from www.bdspublishing.com.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2019.0057

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

16 December 2019

GUT MICROBIOTA BACTERIA CRUCIAL TO ELIMINATING PATHOGEN COLONISATION

An important NEW book has been published by award winning Cambridge-based publisher, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited. Improving gut health in poultry summarises current research on the composition and function of the gastrointestinal tract in poultry, the factors that affect its function, and nutritional strategies to optimise poultry nutrition, health and environmental impact. With recent research establishing that chicken gut microbiota bacteria can restrict the colonisation of the Salmonella and Campylobacter pathogens, this book could not have come at a more opportune time. Click to read more

Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, who has published the new title says the following about the book:

"A comprehensive understanding of how various factors shape the intestinal microbiota in poultry can help develop new dietary and managerial interventions to enhance bird growth, maximise feed utilisation efficiency, and lower enteric diseases caused by pathogens."

Chapters cover gastrointestinal diseases, the interaction between pathogens and the gut as well the impact of antibiotics. The final group of chapters discuss current research on the effectiveness of feed additives in optimising gut health, including probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, antimicrobials, essential oils and other botanicals as well as cereal grains.

Professor Richard Ducatelle, University of Ghent, Belgium, says about the book:

"The proposed content of this book is a timely and comprehensive compilation of current knowledge on a topic that is of considerable interest to poultry scientists worldwide. The internationally renowned contributors as well as the editor are a guarantee of the high standard of the content."

The book is presented in three sections:

Part 1 - Understanding the gastrointestinal tract

Part 2 - Factors that impact the gastrointestinal tract and different types of birds

Part 3 - Feed additives and gut health modulation

The book is edited by Professor Steven C. Ricke.

Dr. Steven C. Ricke is the Director of the Center for Food Safety at the University of Arkansas (UA) and is a faculty member of the Dept. of Food Science and Cellular and Molecular Graduate program.

He was honored as a Texas Agricultural Experiment Station Faculty Fellow in 2002 and the Division of Agriculture - UA John White Outstanding Research Award in 2012. He was named an AAFP Fellow in 2015, a PSA Fellow in 2017, an International for Food Protection Fellow and University of Wisconsin College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Distinguished Alumni in 2019.

END

Copies of Improving gut health in poultry can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £180/$235/€215 from www.bdspublishing.com.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2019.0059

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

16 December 2019

A MITEY PUBLICATION

An important NEW book has been published by award winning Cambridge-based publisher, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited. Integrated management of insect pests: Current and future developments reviews current developments in integrated pest management (IPM), focusing on insect pests and mites. Edited by two of the world's leading entomologists, this authoritative and comprehensive new book boasts over 1000 pages on the latest research knowledge. Click to read more

Chapters explore advances in understanding species and landscape ecology on which IPM is founded, as well as advances in cultural, physical and biological methods of control. Chapters also discuss the latest research on classical, conservation and augmentative biological control.

The book is divided into five parts:

Part 1 - Ecological foundations of IPM

Part 2 - Cultural and physical methods in IPM

Part 3 - Biological methods in IPM

Part 4 - Chemical methods in IPM

Part 5 - Implementation

Professor Timothy D. Schowalter, Louisiana State University, USA, celebrates the book's publication and says,

"This book promises to be an invaluable reference for the IPM research community. The editors and authors represent an international pool of experts, as well as many pioneers, in this field. Their reflections on current status and future directions of IPM represent the best perspectives in this area."

The book is edited by Dr Marcos Kogan and Dr E. A. "Short" Heinrichs.

Dr Marcos Kogan is Emeritus Professor of Entomology and Director Emeritus of the Integrated Plant Protection Center at Oregon State University, USA. He is also Emeritus Professor of Agricultural Entomology at the University of Illinois. His numerous awards include Fellow of the Entomological Society of America as well the ESA’s Founder Memorial Award.

Dr E. A. "Short" Heinrichs is Emeritus Associate Director, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Emeritus Adjunct Professor, Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA. He is also Chair, Asia Rice Foundation USA (ARFUSA) and Secretary General, International Association for the Plant Protection Sciences (IAPPS).

END

Copies of Integrated management of insect pests: Current and future developments can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £210/$275/€250 from www.bdspublishing.com.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2019.0047

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

14 October 2019

A FLYAWAY SUCCESS

An important NEW book has been published by award winning Cambridge-based publisher, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited. Integrated management of diseases and insect pests of tree fruit discusses integrated fruit disease management techniques such as surveillance, breeding disease-resistant varieties, improved fungicide application including the use of biocontrol agents. Chapters summarise current research on what causes major fungal diseases (e.g. apple scab and brown rot), and viral diseases (e.g. apple mosaic virus and plum pox). Other chapters review the ecology of major insect pests (e.g. aphids and mites) and ways of improving integrated pest management (IPM) techniques for tree fruit. Click to read more

The book is sectioned into four parts:

Part 1 - Fruit diseases

Part 2 - Integrated fruit disease management

Part 3 - Insect pests of fruit

Part 4 - Integrated management of fruit insect pests

Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing who have published the new title says,

"Regular inspection of fruit crops for diseases is a vital part of integrated disease management. Combining this information with disease forecast models can play a significant role in producing perfect fruit with minimal use of fungicides."

The book is edited by Professor Xiangming Xu and Dr Michelle Fountain.

Professor Xiangming Xu is Head of the Department of Pest and Pathogen Ecology at the world-famous NIAB EMR (East Malling Research). Founded over 100 years ago, East Malling has long been a global pioneer in horticultural research. Professor Xu has a global reputation in plant disease epidemiology and management, especially fruit fungal diseases.

Dr Michelle Fountain is Deputy Head of the Department of Pest and Pathogen Ecology at the world-famous NIAB EMR (East Malling Research). Founded over 100 years ago, East Malling has long been a global pioneer in horticultural research. Dr Fountain is an internationally-known expert on insect pests and beneficial arthropods, and their management.

END

Copies of Integrated management of diseases and insect pests of tree fruit can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £210/$275/€250 from www.bdspublishing.com.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2019.0046

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

3 October 2019

GOING GREEN WITH OUR NEW PUBLICATION

An important NEW book has been published by award winning Cambridge-based publisher, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited. Achieving sustainable greenhouse cultivation provides a comprehensive review of key advances in greenhouse and other forms of protected and controlled environment cultivation. Chapters discuss developments in types of production systems, ways of controlling the aerial environment, optimising root development and advances in systems monitoring and management. Click to read more

Professor Leo Marcelis, co-editor of the new title, says,

"Consumers are getting more interested in the quality of their food, whilst society is increasingly demanding that plants are produced sustainably. This whole context sets demanding goals on production systems to sustainably produce crops with very high yield and quality on a limited land area. Greenhouse systems, when properly managed, improve the growing conditions of plants, in turn increasing yield and extending the growing season."

The book is presented in three sections:

Part 1 - Production systems

Part 2 - Crop management

Part 3 - System management

Dr Graeme Smith, Chairman ISHS Working Group - Hydroponics & Aquaponics, says about the book,

"This much anticipated publication, will be highly valued by the international protected cropping industry. The subjects explored reflect the modern face of sustainable horticultural production and the book is a key example of the necessary collaboration between the knowledge makers and the knowledge users. It will prove to be a highly beneficial reference for industry and a great example of the publisher’s aim of ‘delivering knowledge for the global scientific community."

The book is edited by Professor Leo Marcelis and Dr Ep Heuvelink.

Professor Marcelis is Head of the Horticulture and Product Physiology Group at Wageningen University, The Netherlands. The Group is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading university centres of expertise on greenhouse cultivation and vertical farming.

Dr Heuvelink is Associate Professor in the Horticulture and Product Physiology Group at Wageningen University and is well known for his work on crop physiology and modelling. Both have published widely on greenhouse cultivation.

END

Copies of Achieving sustainable greenhouse cultivation can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £170/$220/€205 from www.bdspublishing.com.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2019.0052

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

26 September 2019

NEW TITLE ON VEGETABLE CULTIVATION

An important NEW book has been published by award winning Cambridge-based publisher, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited. Like other crops, vegetable cultivation faces a number of challenges in ensuring sustainability, such as the need to improve yields and quality to meet rising demand and higher consumer expectations. Click to read more

"Sustainability involves meeting current needs without compromising the ability to meet future requirements. This collection summarises the wealth of research addressing these challenges and emphasises the need to use resources more efficiently to minimise environmental impact."

The book is divided into four parts:

Physiology and breeding

Cultivation

Pests and pathogens

Case studies

Emeritus Professor Darryl Warncke, Michigan State University, USA says about the book,

"Achieving sustainable cultivation of vegetables brings together current research information and expertise of leading vegetable researchers in Europe and North America...This extensive publication will be an excellent resource for all interested in improving their understanding of sustainable vegetable production technology and practices."

The book is edited by Professor George Hochmuth.

Dr George Hochmuth is Emeritus Professor of Soil and Water Sciences at the University of Florida, USA. Professor Hochmuth is a Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science and has published widely on nutrition management and other aspects of fruit and vegetable cultivation. He is former Director of the North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) at the University of Florida.

END

Copies of Achieving sustainable cultivation of vegetables can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £180/$235/€215 from www.bdspublishing.com.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2019.0045

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

5 September 2019

A STEP TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

An important NEW book has been published by award winning Cambridge-based publisher, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited. It has been estimated that agriculture and land use are responsible globally for around 24% of the greenhouse gas emissions fuelling climate change. Assessing the environmental impact of agriculture provides a review of current research on the use of life cycle assessment (LCA) and other modelling techniques to measure and model the environmental impact and improve the sustainability of agriculture. Click to read more

Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, who have published the new title says,

"A prerequisite to improving the sustainability of agriculture are reliable methods to identify and quantify types of environmental impact that can be used to establish priorities, set targets for improvement and monitor progress."

"The unique importance of agriculture in sustainable development is highlighted in continuous discussions from the first chapter, through to the last, making this title an essential read for all those concerned with understanding and mitigating the environmental impact of agriculture."

The book is divided into three sections. Chapters that feature in Part 1 review key issues in using LCA and modelling applied to farming systems. Chapters in Part 2 provide more details on the modelling of three particular impacts, namely freshwater, pesticides and social impacts. Part 3 is dedicated to detailing the options available for reducing the environmental impact and improving the performance of both crop and livestock farming.

The book is edited by Dr Bo P. Weidema who has over 25 years of experience in life cycle assessment (LCA) research.

He is a Professor at Aalborg University in Denmark, President of the International Life Cycle Academy, founder of 2.-0 LCA consultants and former Chief Scientist for the Ecoinvent database.

END

Copies of Assessing the environmental impact of agriculture can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £160/$210/€190 from www.bdspublishing.com.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2018.0044

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

26 July 2019

NUTS ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY

A NEW book has been published by award winning Cambridge-based publisher, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited. It is estimated that 4 million metric tons of tree nuts are produced each year in over 40 countries. With demand rising, in part because of the amount of research on nutraceutical benefits, tree nuts face particular safety challenges from allergens and mycotoxin contamination. There is a need to increase production but in a more sustainable way in the face of climate change. Achieving sustainable cultivation of tree nuts addresses these challenges. It reviews the growing number of studies on the health benefits of tree nuts and addresses safety issues, with a particular emphasis on detecting and identifying nut allergens. Click to read more

Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, who have published the new title says,

"Walnut fruit is rich in vitamins, carbohydrates, minerals, protein and unsaturated fats, which are all linked to improving brain and nerve cell function. The fruit is also a rich source of phytochemicals and phytosterols which have been shown to have protective health effects against heart disease, some types of cancer and type 2 diabetes."

The volume also summarises key advances in genetics, breeding and cultivation of the main tree nuts, from walnuts and almonds to chestnuts, pistachios and hazelnuts, as well as the management of pests and diseases.

Francis Dodds says, "Key target characteristics for breeding not only include high yield but also good morphological and vegetative traits as well as resistance to pests and diseases."

Edited by Dr Ümit Serdar and Emeritus Professor Dennis Fulbright, this volume reviews the current research in tree nuts by bring together contributions from an internationally renowned team of experts.

Professor Tom Gradziel from the University of California-Davis says about this book, "I believe this volume will become an important reference not just for tree crops but other horticultural and forestry crops as well."

Dr Ümit Serdar is a Professor in the Faculty of Agriculture at Ondokuz Mayis University, Turkey. He was Chair of the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) Workgroup on Chestnuts from 2014-2017 and is a member of other ISHS Workgroups.

Dr Dennis Fulbright is Emeritus Professor in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences at Michigan State University, USA. Like Professor Serdar, he is internationally known for his research on chestnut cultivation and disease management.

END

Copies of Achieving sustainable cultivation of tree nuts can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £170/$220/€205 from www.bdspublishing.com.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2018.0042

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

30 June 2019

Achieving sustainability in the cultivation of temperate zone tree fruits and berries

A new two-volume collection on temperate zone fruits and berries has been published by award winning Cambridge-based publisher, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited. Achieving sustainable cultivation of temperate zone tree fruits and berries - Volume 1: Physiology, genetics and cultivation, focuses on key advances across the value chain, from breeding improved varieties to better techniques for cultivation and crop protection. The second volume of Achieving sustainable cultivation of temperate zone tree fruits and berries includes case studies of individual fruits that illuminate the specific challenges they face and ways these are being addressed. Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing says, "Temperate fruits, like other crops, face a number of challenges. Such problems include the need to optimise yields, sensory and nutritional quality; the dynamic threats from biotic and abiotic stress in a changing climate and the increasing cost and decreasing availability of labour." He continues on to say, "With the sheer volume of research published in these titles, we're sure the books will be a standard reference tool for researchers, horticultural scientists, students and others interested in the study and cultivation of temperate zone tree fruits and berries." Click to read more

This collection is edited by Professor Gregory A. Lang.

Dr Lang is a Professor in Tree Fruit Physiology at Michigan State University, USA. He is the current Chair of the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) Workgroup on Orchard Systems.

Emeritus Professor Ian J. Warrington, Massey University, New Zealand says about the book, "This text, with its impressive line-up of world-renowned contributors, will provide an excellent resource of information about developments in temperate fruit production and about future prospects for further change towards greater sustainable production."

END

Copies of Achieving sustainable cultivation of temperate zone tree fruits and berries - Volume 1 can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £140/$180/€170 from www.bdspublishing.com.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2018.0040.1

Copies of Achieving sustainable cultivation of temperate zone tree fruits and berries - Volume 2 can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £140/$180/€170 from www.bdspublishing.com.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2018.0040.2

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

30 June 2019

Advances in the use of robots in agriculture

"The challenges of robotics and automation dealt with in this book are pivotal to progressing this area of biosystems engineering and technology development in agriculture. In particular, the international range of expert knowledge in these chapters creates a key reference and a scientific basis for the systems-oriented and interdisciplinary approach we need in this area." Professor Claus Grøn Sørensen, former President of EurAgEng, Head of Research Unit and Smart Farming Centre, Aarhus University, Denmark Robotics and automation for improving agriculture is a new book published by award winning Cambridge-based publisher, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing and provides a comprehensive review of key advances in the use of robots in agriculture. Chapters summarise developments in location and guidance systems as well as reviewing the use of agricultural robots in planting, crop monitoring, spraying, irrigation and weed management. Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing says, "Robotics and automation are having a significant impact on agriculture, one that is accelerating. This book addresses the major and most recent advances in the use of robotics in agriculture." Click to read more

The book is edited by Dr John Billingsley, Professor of Mechatronic Engineering, University of Southern Queensland, Australia.

Dr Billingsley celebrates the book's publication and says, "Not only does the book alert farmers to the wonders that are on the horizon, it offers inspiration to the many researchers who are trying to bring those wonders about."

Dr Billingsley is a Fellow of the IET (UK), past Fellow of Engineers Australia and a Senior Member of the IEEE (USA). He is the current Director of Technology Research at Australia's National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture (NCEA).

END

Copies of Robotics and automation for improving agriculture can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £160/$210/€190 from www.bdspublishing.com.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2018.0056

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

28 June 2019

NEW title on breeding techniques for cereal crops

A new book on cereal crop breeding techniques has been published by award winning Cambridge-based publisher, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited. Advances in breeding techniques for cereal crops provides a comprehensive review of breeding techniques for cereals such as wheat, barley maize and rye. Part 1 discusses ways of better exploiting genetic diversity. Parts 2 & 3 summarise developments in the use of doubled haploids and hybrid breeding methods. Parts 4 & 5 review advances in high throughput phenotyping and its use in identifying markers for breeding. Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds says, "Cereal crops, such as wheat, maize and barley, are a global food staple. However, factors such as global population growth, climate change and diseases have increased pressure on increasing crop productivity in a sustainable way." "Breeding programmes have resulted in agronomically-advanced and higher-yielding cultivars but the genetic gain of cereal crop production has slowed in recent years. These developments are elucidated in Advances in breeding techniques for cereal crops." Click to read more

This collection is edited by Professor Frank Ordon and Wolfgang Friedt.

Professor Ordon is President of the Julius Kühn-Institute (JKI), the Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants in Germany. He is Honorary Professor for Molecular Resistance Breeding at the Martin-Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Editor-in-Chief of Plant Breeding, a member of the editorial board of several other journals and Chair of the Wheat Initiative Research Committee.

Wolfgang Friedt is Professor Emeritus of Plant Breeding at the Justus Liebig-University of Giessen (Germany), where he has taught crop science, plant genetics and breeding. Professor Friedt serves on the editorial board of two scientific journals. He is also chair or member of scientific boards for various professional organisations, including the Science Board of the Wheat Initiative.

Professor Peter Langridge, University of Adelaide, Australia; Chair of the Scientific Board of the Wheat Initiative says, “This book provides an excellent resource since it brings together leading experts in both the development and application of new technologies. It provides the reader with an authoritative explanation of the technologies and a critical assessment of their implementation in cereal improvement.”

END

Copies of Advances in breeding techniques for cereal crops can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £190/$245/€230 from www.bdspublishing.com.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2018.0051

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

5 June 2019

A step towards sustainable agriculture

A new book on agroforestry has been published by award winning Cambridge-based publisher, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited. Agroforestry seeks to balance the protection of forest resources, the exploitation of the ecosystem services that trees can contribute to agriculture and the role of agroforestry in diversifying the range of agricultural products and markets. P.K. Ramachandran Nair - Distinguished Professor at the University of Florida, USA & co-founder of ICRAF says, "Based on the breadth of topics covered and the experience and expertise of the distinguished editors and contributing authors, this book promises to be a substantial addition to the growing body of knowledge on agroforestry and a valuable reference material for all interested in the subject." The collection is divided into four key sections: Agroforestry practices Agroforestry ecosystem services Agroforestry products Tropical agroforestry Emeritus Professor Gene Garrett, University of Missouri, USA celebrates the book's publication and says, "In my opinion, this work could become one of the top temperate-zone agroforestry reference works." Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, who have published the new title, explores the wealth of research in Agroforestry for sustainable agriculture in this short video. Click to read more

The book is edited by Dr Rosa Mosquera-Losada and Dr Ravi Prabhu.

Dr Rosa Mosquera-Losada is Distinguished Professor at the University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

Professor Mosquera-Losada is President of the Spanish Agroforestry Association (AGFE) and a former President of the European Agroforestry Federation (EURAF). She is also Coordinator of the EU-funded Agroforestry Innovation Networks (AFINET) project and is co-Chair of the Croplands Working Group of the Global Research Alliance and of the Global Alliance for Climate Smart Agriculture (FAO).

Dr Ravi Prabhu is Deputy Director General (Research) at the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) in Kenya.

Dr Prabhu was previously Senior Programme Officer for Forests and Climate Change at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

END

Copies of Agroforestry for sustainable agriculture can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £180/$235/€215 from www.bdspublishing.com.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2018.0041

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

5 March 2019

A continued drive towards improving organic farming

A new book on organic animal farming has been published by award winning Cambridge-based publisher, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited. The title pays particular attention to the role organic animal farming will play in the face of key environmental issues. Dr Malla Hovi, Veterinary Epidemiologist at Preventable Surprises says, "This book comes at an extremely opportune time when the world is having to rethink food production and diets in the face of climate change and mass land degradation." Dr Hovi emphasises the market's need for a book of this calibre and celebrates it's publication: "The cast of editors and authors, all leaders in their field, makes the book a reliable reference work for years to come and is hugely welcome." The collection is divided into three key sections. Part 1 is dedicated to assessing the concepts associated with organic animal farming, Part 2 focuses on the farming of particular species, and Part 3 discusses what the future holds for the organic farming process. Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, who have published the new title, says "Organic animal farming is growing rapidly but face a range of challenges in areas such as nutrition, health and welfare. This volume surveys the wealth of research addressing these challenges." Francis explores the wealth of research in Improving organic animal farming in this short video. Click to read more

The book is edited by Dr Mette Vaarst and Dr Stephen Roderick.

Dr Mette Vaarst is Senior Researcher in the Department of Animal Science at Aarhus University, and in the International Centre for Research in Organic Food Systems (ICROFS), Denmark. She has published widely on organic animal farming and coordinated a number of major European research projects in this area.

Dr Stephen Roderick manages research and development projects in organic and sustainable farming at Duchy College's Rural Business School in the UK. He has published widely in animal health and farm resource management.

END

Copies of Improving organic animal farming can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £170/$220/€205 from www.bdspublishing.com.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2017.0028

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com

13 February 2019

50 years of research into African agriculture

A new book on Plant health covering 50 years of research in African agriculture has been published by award winning Cambridge publisher, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing in conjunction with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). Nteranya Sanginga, Director General of the IITA says "Relentless population increase creates an urgent need for new methods to produce more in a sustainable way on existing cultivated land." These methods include: "Adopting pragmatic solutions to plant protection to reduce crop losses and quality reduction, including developing resistant crop varieties and applying biological control, application methods of pesticides and perhaps most importantly, good farming practices." These solutions are discussed within the book, with 70 contributors directing their research to the common goal of protecting crops in a more sustainable manner - from pests like pathogens (including viruses), to insects, mites, nematodes and weeds. Francis Dodds, Editorial Director at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, who have published the new research, says “This unique book brings together some of the world’s leading experts on plant health in sub-Saharan Africa to review progress in dealing with the range of biotic threats faced by African farmers, and will be a standard reference on improving the management of pests and diseases in developing countries." Francis explores the wealth of research in Critical issues in plant health: 50 years of research in African agriculture in this short video. Click to read more

The book is edited by Dr Peter Neuenschwander and Dr Manuele Tamò.

Dr Peter Neuenschwander is an Emeritus Scientist at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), based in Benin. Formerly Director of the IITA's Plant Health Management Division, he has worked on integrated pest management (IPM) projects in over 25 countries.

Dr Manuele Tamò is an insect ecologist at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Benin, with a particular focus on IPM in cereal-legume systems. He has worked with organisations such as WorldVeg (formerly AVRDC), ICRISAT and AfriceRice on IPM projects in many countries.

Professor E. A. "Short" Heinrichs, Secretary General - International Association for the Plant Protection Sciences, says about this book:

“This book, a must read for international agricultural scientists and pest management specialists, describes in meticulous detail how a group of eminent scientists have dedicated their lives to produce research that has led to stunning breakthroughs in the development of pest management strategies designed to solve the problems of African food insecurity, hunger and poverty.”

END

Copies of Critical issues in plant health: 50 years of research in African agriculture can be obtained from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited in print and digital formats costing: £170/$220/€205 from www.bdspublishing.com.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2018.0043

For further comments, please contact Rob Burleigh on +44 (0)1223 839365 or email rob.burleigh@bdspublishing.com