The effective management of plants is fundamental to all agricultural enterprise, making plant science a key discipline for all growers. This book provides an integrated explanation of all aspects of plant structure and function for students of agriculture, horticulture and applied biology, with the aim of highlighting the practical relevance of plant science to agriculture. Each chapter is self-contained and self-explanatory, with specific chapters covering energy, water, minerals, structure, growth and development from sowing to harvest, environmental effects and controls, breeding, vegetative propagation, field production and yield, and the nutritional content of produce. Taken as a whole, Plants in Agriculture fulfills the need for a single text which promotes a comprehensive understanding of how plants operate in agriculture.

The book highlights proceedings from the Berlin 2008: Agriculture and Development conference held in preparation for the World Development Report 2008.

Seeks to assist governments and other organizations in advancing gender equality and equity in the agriculture and rural development sector. The key gender issues in agriculture explored are: equal access to resources and services (land and water; credit, training and other support services); gender differences in roles and activities; gender and agricultural extension and research; gender and the commercialization of agriculture; and empowerment and access to decision-making.

Organic agriculture is defined as an environmentally and socially sensitive food supply system. This publication considers the contribution of organic agriculture to ecological health, international markets and local food security. It contains a number of case studies of the practical experiences of small farmers throughout the world (including India, Iran, Thailand, Uganda and Brazil) who have adopted fully integrated food systems, and analyses the prospects for a wider adoption of organic agriculture. The book also discusses the weakness of institutional support for nurturing existing knowledge and exchange in organic agriculture.

This sourcebook provides practical guidance to policymakers and program planners in countries and to development agencies on how to carry out or support an agricultural sector program—from initial discussions, to developing the program concept, to securing broad stakeholder involvement, to implementation. It explains the reasons why countries may wish to undertake a sector or subsector program and describes the conditions which can help ensure the program's success; provides details on how to formulate a sector strategy and bring about institutional reforms; focuses on core public sector activities based on a detailed expenditure review; and suggests ways of encouraging donors to work together under the leadership of the partner country government.

The 21st century could see the switch from the fossil fuel to the biological based economy. Papers presented in this conference proceedings explore the questions involved.