This book is a compilation of information on all basic aspects of mealybugs, as well as management strategies for mealybug species affecting different crop plants in different countries. It highlights the latest information on morphology, cytogenetics, taxonomy, molecular characterization, biology, damage, ecology, natural enemies, ant association, control measures, insecticide resistance and pheromones – essential aspects which will equip researchers to pursue further research on mealybugs. The book examines current trends in the management of mealybugs for a variety of agricultural and horticultural crops, forest plants and mulberry in different countries, while also addressing the negative effects of chemical control methods and presenting success stories of mealybug control that utilize their natural enemies. It offers a valuable guide for crop growers, government officials and other stakeholders in the industry, as well as researchers and students engaged in related research and development activities.

This book comprehensively compiles information on some of the major pests that afflict agricultural, horticultural and medicinal crops in particular as well as many polyphagous pests. Not only does this book deal with the pests of common globally produced crops it also addresses those of rarely dealt with crops such as seed spices, medicinal and aromatic plants. While the perspective of insect pests is largely Indian and South East Asian in context, the book does deal with globally problematic pests, particularly polyphagous ones. Not only will the readers be acquainted with the pests, their damaging potential and their life cycle but also with the latest methods of managements including ecofriendly measures being employed to keep pest populations at manageable levels. The 27 chapters in the book, are grouped into four sections primarily based on crop types, viz. pest of agricultural, horticultural and medicinal crops, and polyphagous pests, making the book easy to navigate. Each of the chapters is comprehensive and well illustrated and written by academicians who have dedicated their entire lives to the study of a particular crop-pest complex. The final chapter of this book provides an overview on the principles and processes of pest management.

Scale insects feed on plant juices and can easily be transported to new countries on live plants. They sometimes become invasive pests, costing billions of dollars in damage to crops worldwide annually, and farmers try to control them with toxic pesticides, risking environmental damage. Fortunately, scale insects are highly susceptible to control by natural enemies so biological control is possible. They have unique genetic systems, unusual metamorphosis, a broad spectrum of essential symbionts, and some are sources of commercial products like red dyes, shellac and wax. There is, therefore, wide interest in these unusual, destructive, beneficial, and abundant insects. The Encyclopedia of Scale Insect Pests is the most comprehensive work on worldwide scale insect pests, providing detailed coverage of the most important species (230 species in 26 families, 36% of the scale insect pest species known). Advice is provided on collection, preservation, slide-mounting, vouchering, and labelling of specimens, fully illustrated with colour photographs, diagrams and drawings.

This edited book highlights the latest information on the use of nanotechnology, satellite technology, and biotechnological tools in pest management. It covers the role of climate change and ecology in managing pests and also their molecular identification. Other methods that the book encompasses are organic pest management, host-plant resistance, semiochemicals, and bio-control technology. The book also covers insect pollinators which play important role for fruits in horticultural crop production. Intensive and extensive cultivation of horticultural crops lead to serious pest problem. Climatic conditions in India and elsewhere due to which new pests have emerged that causes severe damage to the horticultural crops. In response to this, researchers have developed new techniques to fight pests and their growing resistance to pesticides. This book covers the latest information on identity, biology, damage, seasonal development, and pest management of the horticultural crop pests. It serves to be an essential tool for horticultural professionals, including development officers, horticulturists, field-level extension workers, nurserymen, planters, and entomologists, and is a valuable source of reference for relevant researchers, teachers, and students in the region.

The importance of viticulture and the winemaking socio-economic sector is acknowledged worldwide. The most renowned winemaking regions show very specific environmental characteristics, where climate usually plays a central role. Considering the strong influence of weather and climatic factors on grapevine yields and berry quality attributes, climate change may indeed significantly impact this crop. Recent trends already point to a pronounced increase in growing season mean temperatures, as well as changes in precipitation regimes, which have been influencing wine typicity across some of the most renowned winemaking regions worldwide. Moreover, several climate scenarios give evidence of enhanced stress conditions for grapevine growth until the end of the century. Although grapevines have high resilience, the clear evidence for significant climate change in the upcoming decades urges adaptation and mitigation measures to be taken by sector stakeholders. To provide hints on the abovementioned issues, we have edited a Special Issue entitled “Viticulture and Winemaking under Climate Change”. Contributions from different fields were considered, including crop and climate modeling, and potential adaptation measures against these threats. The current Special Issue allows for the expansion of scientific knowledge in these particular fields of research, as well as providing a path for future research.

Sucking pests are most notorious group of pests for agricultural crops. Unlike most pests with chewing mouth parts, sucking pests cause more severe damage to the crops and are complex to get identified until advanced stages of infection. Not only is this late detection detrimental to their effective control, sucking pests also often cause fungal growth and virus transmission. The book emphasizes on sucking pests of most major crops of India. It aims to reflect Indian scenario before the international readership. This book complies comprehensive information on sucking pests of crops and brings the attention of the readers to this multiple damage causing insect complex. The chapters are contributed by highly experienced Indigenous experts from Universities & ICAR institutes, and book collates useful content for students and young researchers in plant pathology, entomology and agriculture.

Sustainable Agriculture and the Environment describes the relationship of agriculture, society, nature and the environment, sustainable agriculture and sustainable development goals, management of biophysical resources for sustainable food and environment, traditional knowledge and innovative options, and social and policy aspects of sustainable agriculture. The book presents both environmental and economic principles, helping readers in the development and application of robust policy and good institutional systems that execute on sustainable agriculture practices for a healthy environment and to combat climate resilience. - Includes case studies that provide real-world insights - Relates traditional knowledge and innovation, maximizing the potential from both - Reinforces our understanding of the role of sustainable agriculture in developing environmentally sustainable and profitable food systems

Globalization, trade, and climate change, as well as reduced resilience in production systems due to decades of agricultural intensification, have played roles in the spread of pests. One of the significant threats to sustainable crop production across Eastern African countries is the increasing phenomenon of the introduction and spread of emergent pests. FAO Subregional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE), in collaboration, with the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) undertook a survey and assessment to review the status of early warning, preparedness, and response capacities of NPPOs and agriculture extension services in the Eastern African countries. The survey involved a desk review of emergent pests, including insects, diseases, nematodes, and weeds. This report describes the status of their distribution in Eastern Africa, biological characteristics, description of hosts and symptoms on hosts as well as their economic importance and associated phytosanitary risks. The Intervention is designed to gather baseline information for developing fit-for-purpose initiatives to safeguard productivity and reduce vulnerabilities to shocks affecting food and nutrition security caused by pests and strengthen the relevant capacities of stakeholders to cope with these threats. The overall output is to develop a roadmap for surveillance, monitoring, and early response to emerging pests in Eastern Africa. Review of the existing plant protection acts and legislation; pest-listing activities for countries to develop lists of quarantine and non-quarantine pests and undertaking national contingency planning for prioritized pests are among the major recommended interventions.

Dragon fruit (pitaya) is a perennial climbing cactus, native to the tropical areas of North, Central and South America. It is suited to tropical and subtropical regions and is commercially grown in an increasing number of countries, including Israel, Australia and the USA. Dragon fruit generates considerable consumer interest because of its exotic appearance and potential health benefits. The fruit is rich in nutrients and phytochemical compounds. It can be eaten fresh or used in the preparation of juices, jellies, jams, etc. The natural bioactive compounds in pitaya have the potential to be exploited in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Increasingly cultivated worldwide, the plant is drought-resistant, easily adapts to light intensity and high temperatures, and has a tolerance to a wide range of soil salinities. With ongoing global warming, dragon fruit has great potential as a new crop for many more countries. This book is a compilation of the current state of knowledge on dragon fruit physiology, cultivation, production technology, postharvest management and processing, and is written by leading international authors.

This book represents a new, completely updated, version of a book edited by two of the current editors, published with Springer in 1999. It covers pest and disease management of greenhouse crops, providing readers the basic strategies and tactics of integrated control together with its implementation in practice, with case studies with selected crops. The diversity of editors and authors provides readers a complete picture of the world situation of IPM in greenhouse crops.