Soils, Plant Growth and Crop Production is a component of Encyclopedia of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Engineering and Technology Resources in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty Encyclopedias. Plants, and crops in particular, grow and develop through the uptake of water and nutrients by the root system in soils and their transformation into biomass through processes governed by photosynthesis. The quality and amount of products harvested from this biomass depend largely on the intrinsic properties of the soil, i.e. the moisture and nutrients made available for uptake by the roots. These volumes describe in a synthetic form the impact of the most important soil properties on general agronomy, crop production, cultivation methods, and yields, including the specific management aspects which take away some production constraints. Changes in general agronomy as a result of plant breeding, climatic change and competition between newly introduced crops are discussed. The three volumes with contributions from distinguished experts in the field discusses about soils, plant growth and crop production in several related topics. These volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College students Educators, Professional practitioners, Research personnel and Policy analysts, managers, and decision makers and NGOs.

Crop disease management strategies revolve around the principles of exclusion, eradication and immunization. Cultural practices are aimed at preventing or reducing the accumulation of pathogen population (inoculum). Development of cultivars with genetic resistance by transgressing resistance gene(s) through traditional breeding procedures or biotechnological techniques is the most effective and acceptable strategy, as it is environment-friendly and does not need any additional cost to the grower. Assessment of different grades of resistance of cultivars or genotypes to soilborne microbial pathogens has been possible by quantifying pathogen populations or their DNA contents in the test plants by applying biological and molecular methods. This second volume of a two-volume set focuses on the soilborne microbial plant pathogens and the diseases caused by them. The book provides information on ecology and epidemiology of soilborne microbial plant pathogens and various strategies applicable for effective management of diseases. Chapters cover exclusion and prevention strategies; improvement of host plant resistance; biological management; application of chemicals; and integration of these disease management strategies. Features Discusses various aspects of soilborne microbial plant pathogens to develop effective methods of managing diseases. Presents information on epidemiology and ecology of soilborne microbial plant pathogens. Facilitates the application of management strategies alone or in combination with others for effective suppression of disease development. Features information on application of biotic and abiotic biological control agents (BCAs) to suppress pathogen development either by directly acting on the pathogen(s) or indirectly by enhancing host resistance to the pathogens. Employs biotic and abiotic biocontrol agents either to replace or reduce the use of chemicals is an achievable approach for managing the soilborne microbial pathogens.

‘Fundamentals of Agriculture’ for competitive exams in agriculture discipline contains 6 chapters in volume I and 7 chapters in volume II covering all disciplines of agriculture. The chapters included General Agriculture, Agricultural Climatology, Genetics, Plant Breeding & Biotechnology, Plant Physiology & Biochemistry, Seed Technology and Agronomy in volume I and Soil Science & Agricultural Microbiology, Horticulture, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Agriculture Extension, Agriculture Economics and Agriculture Statistics in Volume II have given due importance and whole syllabus is covered as per ICAR/SAUs syllabus and guidelines. Each chapters contains very short types of descriptive questions. Recent precise information and development in the field of agriculture have been incorporated in the book. For the overall benefit of the student in the discipline of agriculture we have made this book exclusively in such a way that it hands out not only solutions but also detailed explanations. Though these detailed and thorough explanation, student can learn the concepts which will enhance their thinking and learning ability. Thus this book may be useful not only to students but also teachers, researchers, extension workers and development officers for reference and easy answering of many complicated questions of all related disciplines of agriculture. Fundamentals of Agriculture covers the course contents of competitive examinations like IAS, IFS, PCS, ARS, Banking services, B.Sc./M.Sc./Ph.D. (Ag) admission, states and national levels of different competitions in agriculture. The entire book is prepared in most simple, clear, talking language, comprehensive and short descriptive types of questions so that the concepts could be easily understand by the readers in short times. Hence, this book can solve as a single platform for preparation of different competitive examinations in agriculture.

‘Fundamentals of Agriculture’ for competitive exams in agriculture discipline contains 6 chapters in volume I and 7 chapters in volume II covering all disciplines of agriculture. The chapters included General Agriculture, Agricultural Climatology, Genetics, Plant Breeding & Biotechnology, Plant Physiology & Biochemistry, Seed Technology and Agronomy in volume I and Soil Science & Agricultural Microbiology, Horticulture, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Agriculture Extension, Agriculture Economics and Agriculture Statistics in Volume II have given due importance and whole syllabus is covered as per ICAR/SAUs syllabus and guidelines. Each chapters contains very short types of descriptive questions. Recent precise information and development in the field of agriculture have been incorporated in the book. For the overall benefit of the student in the discipline of agriculture we have made this book exclusively in such a way that it hands out not only solutions but also detailed explanations. Though these detailed and thorough explanation, student can learn the concepts which will enhance their thinking and learning ability. Thus this book may be useful not only to students but also teachers, researchers, extension workers and development officers for reference and easy answering of many complicated questions of all related disciplines of agriculture. Fundamentals of Agriculture covers the course contents of competitive examinations like IAS, IFS, PCS, ARS, Banking services, B.Sc./M.Sc./Ph.D. (Ag) admission, states and national levels of different competitions in agriculture. The entire book is prepared in most simple, clear, talking language, comprehensive and short descriptive types of questions so that the concepts could be easily understand by the readers in short times. Hence, this book can solve as a single platform for preparation of different competitive examinations in agriculture.

This new 2-volume set discusses the importance of fodder production of the minor fodder crops for animals. The volumes focuses on fodder production for forage crops, cover 17 major forage crops and 25 minor forage crops. The volumes discuss crop production methodology and agronomic management in a systemic way, providing an abundance of information on each type of forage crop discussed, including preferred soil type, land capability, cropping patterns, climate, and socioeconomic conditions. They also address pests of the various forage crops, disease management, agroforestry in fodder and forage crops, preservation of forage crops, and forage production and climate change. Forage crops are very essential for quality milk and meat production. Farm animals are normally fed fodder available from cultivated areas, supplemented by a small extent with harvested grasses and top feeds. The three major sources of fodder are crop residues, cultivated fodder, and fodder from trees, pastures, and grazing lands. The patterns and types of fodder crops vary by geographical location.