Improvement Of Sorghum Seed Germination And Emergence Under Stress Conditions By Seed Treatments

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Environmental Adaptations and Stress Tolerance of Plants in the Era of Climate Change

Author : Parvaiz Ahmad
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 1461408156
Total Pages : 523 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (614 download)

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Book Synopsis Environmental Adaptations and Stress Tolerance of Plants in the Era of Climate Change by : Parvaiz Ahmad

Download or read book Environmental Adaptations and Stress Tolerance of Plants in the Era of Climate Change written by Parvaiz Ahmad and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2011-12-02 with total page 523 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Climate change is a complex phenomenon with a wide range of impacts on the environment. Biotic and abiotic stress are a result of climate change. Abiotic stress is caused by primary and secondary stresses which are an impediment to plant productivity. Prolonged exposure to these stresses results in altered metabolism and damage to biomolecules. Plants evolve defense mechanisms to withstand these stresses, e.g. synthesis of osmolytes, osmoprotectants, and antioxidants. Stress responsive genes and gene products including expressed proteins are implicated in conferring tolerance to the plant. This volume will provide the reader with a wide spectrum of information, including vital references. It also provides information as to how phytoconstituents, hormones and plant associated microbes help the plants to tolerate the stress. This volume also highlights the use of plant resources for ameliorating soil contaminants such as heavy metals. Dr. Parvaiz is Assistant professor in Botany at A.S. College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India. He has completed his post-graduation in Botany in 2000 from Jamia Hamdard New Delhi India. After his Ph.D from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, India in 2007 he joined the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi. He has published more than 20 research papers in peer reviewed journals and 4 book chapters. He has also edited a volume which is in press with Studium Press Pvt. India Ltd., New Delhi, India. Dr. Parvaiz is actively engaged in studying the molecular and physio-biochemical responses of different plants (mulberry, pea, Indian mustard) under environmental stress. Prof. M.N.V. Prasad is a Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Hyderabad, India. He received B.Sc. (1973) and M.Sc. (1975) degrees from Andhra University, India, and the Ph.D. degree (1979) in botany from the University of Lucknow, India. Prasad had published 216 articles in peer reviewed journals and 82 book chapters and conference proceedings in the broad area of environmental botany and heavy metal stress in plants. He is the author, co-author, editor, or co-editor for eight books. He is the recipient of Pitamber Pant national Environment Fellowship of 2007 awarded by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India.

Broadening the Genetic Base of Grain Cereals

Author : Mohar Singh
Publisher : Springer
ISBN 13 : 8132236130
Total Pages : 282 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (322 download)

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Book Synopsis Broadening the Genetic Base of Grain Cereals by : Mohar Singh

Download or read book Broadening the Genetic Base of Grain Cereals written by Mohar Singh and published by Springer. This book was released on 2016-09-13 with total page 282 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book offers comprehensive coverage of important grain cereals including their origin and distribution, crop gene pool, level of diversity, production constraints, traits of importance for genetic base widening, crop improvement methodologies, genome mapping, genomics for breeding, and future strategies. The chapters, contributed by eminent crop researchers from around the world, provide rare insights into the crop-specific constraints and prospects drawing from their substantial experience. As such, the book offers an essential source of information for grain cereals scientists, teachers, students, policy planners and developmental experts alike. Grain cereals, which comprise rice, wheat, maize, barley, oats, sorghum and millets, are members of the grass family. These crops are vital to human nutrition, thanks to their roles as staple food crops in different parts of the globe. Some of them are rich sources of carbohydrates, which provide energy, while others are important sources of minerals, vitamins and proteins, in addition to their medicinal properties. In most cereals, the existing variability among elite germplasm has been exploited to attain a desirable level of productivity. However, to make further breakthroughs in enhancing yield and improving stability in future crop cultivars, new sources of genes/alleles need to be identified in wild/weedy species and incorporated into the cultivated varieties. Though there have been many publications on various aspects of grain cereal improvement in the recent past, to date this essential information has remained scattered among different periodicals.

Priming and Pretreatment of Seeds and Seedlings

Author : Mirza Hasanuzzaman
Publisher : Springer Nature
ISBN 13 : 9811386250
Total Pages : 606 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (113 download)

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Book Synopsis Priming and Pretreatment of Seeds and Seedlings by : Mirza Hasanuzzaman

Download or read book Priming and Pretreatment of Seeds and Seedlings written by Mirza Hasanuzzaman and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2019-10-15 with total page 606 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book introduces readers to both seed treatment and seedling pretreatments, taking into account various factors such as plant age, growing conditions and climate. Reflecting recent advances in seed priming and pretreatment techniques, it demonstrates how these approaches can be used to improve stress tolerance and enhance crop productivity. Covering the basic phenomena involved, mechanisms and recent innovations, the book offers a comprehensive guide for students, researchers and scientists alike, particularly Plant Physiologists, Agronomists, Environmental Scientists, Biotechnologists, and Botanists, who will find essential information on physiology and stress tolerance. The book also provides a valuable source of information for professionals at seed companies, seed technologists, food scientists, policymakers, and agricultural development officers around the world.

Allelopathy

Author : Zahid A. Cheema
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 3642305954
Total Pages : 513 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (423 download)

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Book Synopsis Allelopathy by : Zahid A. Cheema

Download or read book Allelopathy written by Zahid A. Cheema and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-09-17 with total page 513 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Allelopathy is an ecological phenomenon by which plants release organic chemicals (allelochemicals) into the environment influencing the growth and survival of other organisms. In this book, leading scientists in the field synthesize latest developments in allelopathy research with a special emphasis on its application in sustainable agriculture. The following topics are highlighted: Ecological implications, such as the role of allelopathy during the invasion of alien plant species; regional experiences with the application of allelopathy in agricultural systems and pest management; the use of microscopy for modeling allelopathy; allelopathy and abiotic stress tolerance; host allelopathy and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; allelopathic interaction with plant nutrition; and the molecular mechanisms of allelopathy. This book is an invaluable source of information for scientists, teachers and advanced students in the fields of plant physiology, agriculture, ecology, environmental sciences, and molecular biology.

The Root Systems in Sustainable Agricultural Intensification

Author : Zed Rengel
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
ISBN 13 : 1119525403
Total Pages : 468 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (195 download)

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Book Synopsis The Root Systems in Sustainable Agricultural Intensification by : Zed Rengel

Download or read book The Root Systems in Sustainable Agricultural Intensification written by Zed Rengel and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2021-04-19 with total page 468 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Explore an in-depth and insightful collection of resources discussing various aspects of root structure and function in intensive agricultural systems The Root Systems in Sustainable Agricultural Intensification delivers a comprehensive treatment of state-of-the-art concepts in the theoretical and practical aspects of agricultural management to enhance root system architecture and function. The book emphasizes the agricultural measures that enhance root capacity to develop and function under a range of water and nutrient regimes to maximize food, feed, and fibre production, as well as minimize undesirable water and nutrient losses to the environment. This reference includes resources that discuss a variety of soil, plant, agronomy, farming system, breeding, molecular and modelling aspects to the subject. It also discusses strategies and mechanisms that underpin increased water- and nutrient-use efficiency and combines consideration of natural and agricultural systems to show the continuity of traits and mechanisms. Finally, the book explores issues related to the global economy as well as widespread social issues that arise from, or are underpinned by, agricultural intensification. Readers will also benefit from the inclusion of: A thorough introduction to sustainable intensification, including its meaning, the need for the technology, components, and the role of root systems Exploration of the dynamics of root systems in crop and pasture genotypes over the last 100 years Discussion of the interplay between root structure and function with soil microbiome in enhancing efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus acquisition Evaluation of water uptake in drying soil, including balancing supply and demand Perfect for agronomists, horticulturalists, plant and soil scientists, breeders, and soil microbiologists, The Root Systems in Sustainable Agricultural Intensification will also earn a place in the libraries of advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students in this field who seek a one-stop reference in the area of root structure and function.

New Challenges in Seed Biology

Author : Susana Araújo
Publisher : BoD – Books on Demand
ISBN 13 : 953512658X
Total Pages : 214 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (351 download)

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Book Synopsis New Challenges in Seed Biology by : Susana Araújo

Download or read book New Challenges in Seed Biology written by Susana Araújo and published by BoD – Books on Demand. This book was released on 2016-10-12 with total page 214 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: New Challenges in Seed Biology - Basic and Translational Research Driving Seed Technology combines different aspects of basic and translational research in seed biology. A collection of eight chapters written by seed biology experts from the field of seed physiology, ecology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and seed technology was gathered. We hope that this book will attract the attention of researchers and technologists from academia and industry, providing points for interactive and fruitful discussion on this fascinating topic.

Salinity: Environment — Plants — Molecules

Author : André Läuchli
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 0306481553
Total Pages : 551 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (64 download)

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Book Synopsis Salinity: Environment — Plants — Molecules by : André Läuchli

Download or read book Salinity: Environment — Plants — Molecules written by André Läuchli and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2007-05-08 with total page 551 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In biology, the very big global and thevery small molecular issues currently appear to be in the limelight ofpublic interest and research funding policies. They are in danger of drifting apart from each other. They apply very coarse and very fine scaling, respectively, but coherence is lost when the various intermediate levels of different scales are neglected. Regarding SALINITY we are clearly dealing with a global problem, which due to progressing salinization of arable land is of vital interest for society. Explanations and basic understanding as well as solutions and remedies may finally lie at the molecular level. It is a general approach in science to look for understanding of any system under study at the next finer (or "lower") level of scaling. This in itself shows that we need a whole ladder of levels with increasingly finer steps from the global impact to the molecular bases of SALINITY relations. It is in this vein that the 22 chapters of this book aim at providing an integrated view of SALINITY.

Modern Seed Technology

Author : Alan G Taylor
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9783036517704
Total Pages : 196 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (177 download)

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Book Synopsis Modern Seed Technology by : Alan G Taylor

Download or read book Modern Seed Technology written by Alan G Taylor and published by . This book was released on 2021-10-25 with total page 196 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Satisfying the increasing number of consumer demands for high-quality seeds with enhanced performance is one of the most imperative challenges of modern agriculture. In this view, it is essential to remember that the seed quality of crops does not improve.

Advances in Seed Priming

Author : Amitava Rakshit
Publisher : Springer
ISBN 13 : 9811300321
Total Pages : 312 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (113 download)

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Book Synopsis Advances in Seed Priming by : Amitava Rakshit

Download or read book Advances in Seed Priming written by Amitava Rakshit and published by Springer. This book was released on 2018-06-07 with total page 312 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Most crop plants grow in environments that are suboptimal, which prevents the plants from attaining their full genetic potential for growth and reproduction. Stress due to abiotic and biotic agents has a significant effect on world food production. Annually, an estimated 15% of global yields are lost, but this figure belies far greater losses for specific food systems and the people whose existence is dependent upon them, particularly in developing countries. Current efforts to mitigate these losses are worryingly over-reliant on the use of sophisticated and costly chemicals /measures with substantial economic and environmental costs, or on the development of efficient and smart crop varieties, which can take decades. What we need is a broad range of safe, robust and equitable solutions for food producers. One under-investigated approach is that of utilizing the crop plant’s innate immune system to resist stress. More specifically, the innate immune system can be sensitized or ‘primed’ to respond more quickly and strongly to protect the plant against stresses. However, a strategy of employing priming in combination with reduced pesticide use can enhance protection, and help to meet commitments to reducing chemical inputs in agriculture. This book discusses in detail different segments of priming in addressing stress factors and traits to increase competitiveness against all odds. Adopting a holistic and systematic approach, it addresses priming to counter climate-change related adverse effects coupled with pest and pathogen related stress on the productivity of crops utilizing natural resources to reap sustainable environmental, economic and social benefits for potential productivity of crops, maintaining synergy between soil, water and plants in ways that mimic nature.

Drought Stress Tolerance in Plants, Vol 1

Author : Mohammad Anwar Hossain
Publisher : Springer
ISBN 13 : 3319288997
Total Pages : 538 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (192 download)

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Book Synopsis Drought Stress Tolerance in Plants, Vol 1 by : Mohammad Anwar Hossain

Download or read book Drought Stress Tolerance in Plants, Vol 1 written by Mohammad Anwar Hossain and published by Springer. This book was released on 2016-05-25 with total page 538 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Abiotic stress adversely affects crop production worldwide, decreasing average yields for most of the crops to 50%. Among various abiotic stresses affecting agricultural production, drought stress is considered to be the main source of yield reduction around the globe. Due to an increasing world population, drought stress will lead to a serious food shortage by 2050. The situation may become worse due to predicated global climate change that may multiply the frequency and duration and severity of such abiotic stresses. Hence, there is an urgent need to improve our understanding on complex mechanisms of drought stress tolerance and to develop modern varieties that are more resilient to drought stress. Identification of the potential novel genes responsible for drought tolerance in crop plants will contribute to understanding the molecular mechanism of crop responses to drought stress. The discovery of novel genes, the analysis of their expression patterns in response to drought stress, and the determination of their potential functions in drought stress adaptation will provide the basis of effective engineering strategies to enhance crop drought stress tolerance. Although the in-depth water stress tolerance mechanisms is still unclear, it can be to some extent explained on the basis of ion homeostasis mediated by stress adaptation effectors, toxic radical scavenging, osmolyte biosynthesis, water transport, and long distance signaling response coordination. Importantly, complete elucidation of the physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms for drought stress, perception, transduction, and tolerance is still a challenge to the plant biologists. The findings presented in volume 1 call attention to the physiological and biochemical modalities of drought stress that influence crop productivity, whereas volume 2 summarizes our current understanding on the molecular and genetic mechanisms of drought stress resistance in plants.

Seed Germination in Desert Plants

Author : Yitzchak Gutterman
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 3642756980
Total Pages : 262 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (427 download)

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Book Synopsis Seed Germination in Desert Plants by : Yitzchak Gutterman

Download or read book Seed Germination in Desert Plants written by Yitzchak Gutterman and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 262 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: During germination, the most resistant stage of the life cycle - the seed - changes to the most sensitive stage, namely the seedling. Therefore, in desert plant species seed dispersal and subsequent germination in the optimum time an place place are particularly critical parameters. Discussed here are the ways and means by which desert plants have adapted through the course of evolution to their extreme environment. Two such strategies which have evolved are a) plants with relatively large and protected seeds which germinate when the chance of seedling survival is high and the risk relatively low or b) those with an opportunistic strategy: minute seeds which germinate after low rainfall under high risk for seedling survival if additional rain does not follow. Most species adopt a combination of the two mechanisms. Species have adapted both genotypically and phenotypically, both aspects of which are also discussed in this thorough text. The reader is provided with a good understanding of the complex influences on each seed traced through from initial development to germination stage regarding germination preparation and subsequent survival.

Agricultural Nanobiotechnology

Author : Fernando López-Valdez
Publisher : Springer
ISBN 13 : 3319967193
Total Pages : 221 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (199 download)

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Book Synopsis Agricultural Nanobiotechnology by : Fernando López-Valdez

Download or read book Agricultural Nanobiotechnology written by Fernando López-Valdez and published by Springer. This book was released on 2018-11-09 with total page 221 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Nanobiotechnology in agriculture is a new knowledge area that offers novel possibilities to achieve high productivity levels at manageable costs during the production and merchandising of crops. This book shows us how we can use the cutting-edge knowledge about agriculture, nanotechnology, and biotechnology to increase the agricultural productivity and shape a sustainable future in order to increase the social welfare in rural areas and preserve the environmental health. Specialists from several countries will provide their feedback on a range of relevant topics such as environment-friendly use of nanofertilisers, nanodevices, nano-food packaging, nanocoating and nanocarriers and their relationship with the modern agriculture.

Soil Salinity Assessment

Author : J. D. Rhoades
Publisher : Food & Agriculture Org.
ISBN 13 : 9789251042816
Total Pages : 172 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (428 download)

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Book Synopsis Soil Salinity Assessment by : J. D. Rhoades

Download or read book Soil Salinity Assessment written by J. D. Rhoades and published by Food & Agriculture Org.. This book was released on 1999 with total page 172 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Determination of soil salinity from aqueous electrical conductivity; determination of soil salinity from soil-paste and bulk soil electrical conductivity; example uses of salinity assessment technology; operational and equipment costs associated with salinity instrumentation measurement techniques.

Microbial Inoculants in Sustainable Agricultural Productivity

Author : Dhananjaya Pratap Singh
Publisher : Springer
ISBN 13 : 813222647X
Total Pages : 354 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (322 download)

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Book Synopsis Microbial Inoculants in Sustainable Agricultural Productivity by : Dhananjaya Pratap Singh

Download or read book Microbial Inoculants in Sustainable Agricultural Productivity written by Dhananjaya Pratap Singh and published by Springer. This book was released on 2016-02-22 with total page 354 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How to achieve sustainable agricultural production without compromising environmental quality, agro-ecosystem function and biodiversity is a serious consideration in current agricultural practices. Farming systems’ growing dependency on chemical inputs (fertilizers, pesticides, nutrients etc.) poses serious threats with regard to crop productivity, soil fertility, the nutritional value of farm produce, management of pests and diseases, agro-ecosystem well-being, and health issues for humans and animals. At the same time, microbial inoculants in the form of biofertilizers, plant growth promoters, biopesticides, soil health managers, etc. have gained considerable attention among researchers, agriculturists, farmers and policy makers. The first volume of the book Microbial Inoculants in Sustainable Agricultural Productivity - Research Perspectives highlights the efforts of global experts with regard to various aspects of microbial inoculants. Emphasis is placed on recent advances in microbiological techniques for the isolation, characterization, identification and evaluation of functional properties using biochemical and molecular tools. The taxonomic characterization of agriculturally important microorganisms is documented, along with their applications in field conditions. The book exploresthe identification, characterization and diversity analysis of endophytic microorganisms in various crops including legumes/ non-legumes, as well as the assessment of their beneficial impacts in the context of promotingplant growth. Moreover, it provides essential updates onthe diversity and role of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhizal mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Further chaptersexamine in detailbiopesticides, thehigh-density cultivation of bioinoculants in submerged culture, seed biopriming strategies for abiotic and biotic stress tolerance, andPGPR as abio-control agent. Given its content,the book offers a valuable resource for researchers involved in research and development concerningPGPR, biopesticides and microbial inoculants.

Field Crop Arthropod Pests of Economic Importance

Author : Peter A. Edde
Publisher : Academic Press
ISBN 13 : 0128196998
Total Pages : 1004 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (281 download)

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Book Synopsis Field Crop Arthropod Pests of Economic Importance by : Peter A. Edde

Download or read book Field Crop Arthropod Pests of Economic Importance written by Peter A. Edde and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2021-08-21 with total page 1004 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Field Crop Arthropod Pests of Economic Importance presents detailed descriptions of the biology and ecology of important arthropod pest of selected global field crops. Standard management options for insect pest control on crops include biological, non-chemical, and chemical approaches. However, because agricultural crops face a wide range of insect pests throughout the year, it can prove difficult to find a simple solution to insect pest control in many, if not most, cropping systems. A whole-farm or integrated pest management approach combines cultural, natural, and chemical controls to maintain insect pest populations below levels that cause economic damage to the crop. This practice requires accurate species identification and thorough knowledge of the biology and ecology of the target organism. Integration and effective use of various control components is often enhanced when the target organism is correctly identified, and its biology and ecology are known. This book provides a key resource toward that identification and understanding. Students and professionals in agronomy, insect detection and survey, and economic entomology will find the book a valuable learning aid and resource tool. - Includes insect synonyms, common names, and geographic distribution - Provides information on natural enemies - Is thoroughly referenced for future research

Plant Abiotic Stress Tolerance

Author : Mirza Hasanuzzaman
Publisher : Springer
ISBN 13 : 3030061183
Total Pages : 506 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (3 download)

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Book Synopsis Plant Abiotic Stress Tolerance by : Mirza Hasanuzzaman

Download or read book Plant Abiotic Stress Tolerance written by Mirza Hasanuzzaman and published by Springer. This book was released on 2019-04-04 with total page 506 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Plants have to manage a series of environmental stresses throughout their entire lifespan. Among these, abiotic stress is the most detrimental; one that is responsible for nearly 50% of crop yield reduction and appears to be a potential threat to global food security in coming decades. Plant growth and development reduces drastically due to adverse effects of abiotic stresses. It has been estimated that crop can exhibit only 30% of their genetic potentiality under abiotic stress condition. So, this is a fundamental need to understand the stress responses to facilitate breeders to develop stress resistant and stress tolerant cultivars along with good management practices to withstand abiotic stresses. Also, a holistic approach to understanding the molecular and biochemical interactions of plants is important to implement the knowledge of resistance mechanisms under abiotic stresses. Agronomic practices like selecting cultivars that is tolerant to wide range of climatic condition, planting date, irrigation scheduling, fertilizer management could be some of the effective short-term adaptive tools to fight against abiotic stresses. In addition, “system biology” and “omics approaches” in recent studies offer a long-term opportunity at the molecular level in dealing with abiotic stresses. The genetic approach, for example, selection and identification of major conditioning genes by linkage mapping and quantitative trait loci (QTL), production of mutant genes and transgenic introduction of novel genes, has imparted some tolerant characteristics in crop varieties from their wild ancestors. Recently research has revealed the interactions between micro-RNAs (miRNAs) and plant stress responses exposed to salinity, freezing stress and dehydration. Accordingly transgenic approaches to generate stress-tolerant plant are one of the most interesting researches to date. This book presents the recent development of agronomic and molecular approaches in conferring plant abiotic stress tolerance in an organized way. The present volume will be of great interest among research students and teaching community, and can also be used as reference material by professional researchers.

Lost Crops of Africa

Author : National Research Council
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309176891
Total Pages : 405 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (91 download)

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Book Synopsis Lost Crops of Africa by : National Research Council

Download or read book Lost Crops of Africa written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 1996-02-14 with total page 405 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Scenes of starvation have drawn the world's attention to Africa's agricultural and environmental crisis. Some observers question whether this continent can ever hope to feed its growing population. Yet there is an overlooked food resource in sub-Saharan Africa that has vast potential: native food plants. When experts were asked to nominate African food plants for inclusion in a new book, a list of 30 species grew quickly to hundreds. All in all, Africa has more than 2,000 native grains and fruitsâ€""lost" species due for rediscovery and exploitation. This volume focuses on native cereals, including: African rice, reserved until recently as a luxury food for religious rituals. Finger millet, neglected internationally although it is a staple for millions. Fonio (acha), probably the oldest African cereal and sometimes called "hungry rice." Pearl millet, a widely used grain that still holds great untapped potential. Sorghum, with prospects for making the twenty-first century the "century of sorghum." Tef, in many ways ideal but only now enjoying budding commercial production. Other cultivated and wild grains. This readable and engaging book dispels myths, often based on Western bias, about the nutritional value, flavor, and yield of these African grains. Designed as a tool for economic development, the volume is organized with increasing levels of detail to meet the needs of both lay and professional readers. The authors present the available information on where and how each grain is grown, harvested, and processed, and they list its benefits and limitations as a food source. The authors describe "next steps" for increasing the use of each grain, outline research needs, and address issues in building commercial production. Sidebars cover such interesting points as the potential use of gene mapping and other "high-tech" agricultural techniques on these grains. This fact-filled volume will be of great interest to agricultural experts, entrepreneurs, researchers, and individuals concerned about restoring food production, environmental health, and economic opportunity in sub-Saharan Africa. Selection, Newbridge Garden Book Club