Growing Food, 2006 A Guide to Food Production

This handbook offers an ideal reference for individuals and organizations involved with the production of food, from both agriculture and horticulture. Designed to be accessible for those who normally speak or read English as their second language, it offers thorough explanations and numerous cross references to the terminology, acronyms and technologies used. The book answers basic questions about how food is produced from plants and aims to demystify the subject of growing food. The focus is firmly on the technical aspects of food crops, animal husbandry, agrochemicals and genetic engineering are only briefly mentioned.

SECTION 1: THE PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES USED IN AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE
A. Plant Growth: a. Plant Propagation; b. Plant Population; c. Leaf Area Index ;d. The Root System ;e. The Nitrogen Cycle
B. Arid Regions: a. Plant / Soil / Water Relationships, b. Plant Reaction to Stress; c. Crop Management in Arid Regions
C. Soil: a. Saline Soils; b. Soil Analysis; c. Acid Soils / pH value; d. Trace Elements
D. Fertiliser
E. The Plant: a. Annual / Biennial / Perennial; b. Botanical Classification; c. Cultivar / Variety; d. Photosynthesis / Respiration; e. Transpiration; f. Wilting; g. Shade Plants / Sun Plants; h. Vegetative Reproduction; i. Determinate / Indeterminate; j. Day length / Photoperiodism; k. Growth Period; l. Tuber; m. Rogue Plant; n. Volunteer Plants
F. The Seed: a. Germination;b. Seed Rate; c. Hybrids; d. Composite Varieties; e. Inoculation / Nitrogen Fixation; f. Seed Treatment (Dressing); g. Vernalisation
G. Crops: a. Cropping Calendar; b. Break Crops; c. Catch Crops; d. Climbing Crops; e. Companion Crops; f. Cover Crops; g. Pioneer Crops; h. Smother Crops; i. Shade Crops
H. Farming Systems: a. Rotation; b. Mixed Cropping; c. Alley Cropping; d. Green Manure; e. Mulch; f. Silage; g. Hay; h. Land Area Measurement
I. The Harvest: a. Maturity; b. Yield; c. Haulm
J. Insects
K. Diseases
L. Weeds
M. Tools
N. Irrigation
O. Storage

SECTION 2: DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MAIN FOOD CROPS
A. Cereals: Barley, Buckwheat, Maize, Millet, Oats, Rice, Sorghum, Teff , Wheat
B. Legumes: Broad Bean / Horse Bean / Field Bean, Chickpea, Cowpea, Field Pea, Groundnut / Peanut, Haricot / French Bean, Lentil, Lima Bean, Mungbean, Pigeon Pea, Soybean, Vetch / Grass Pea / Chickling Pea
C. Oilseeds: Castor, Linseed, Niger Seed, Sesame, Sunflower
D. Root Crops: Cassava /Manioc, Irish Potato, Sweet Potato, Taro, Yam
E. Vegetables: Cabbage, Carrot, Cucurbits, Okra , Onion , Pepper, Tomato
F. Fruits: Avocado, Banana, Citrus, Guava, Mango, Papaya / Pawpaw, Watermelon
G. Under exploited Crops: Amaranth, Bambara Groundnut, Buffalo Gourd, Leucaena, Lupin, Tepary Bean, Winged Bean / Four-angled Bean

SECTION 3
3A Naming and Classification of Food Crops
3B Seed Purchase Procedures
3C Conversion Tables and Statistics
3D Some issues to consider when planning or assessing agricultural projects

Bibliography

Index

Tony Winch was born and raised on an agricultural research farm in Kent.  After graduating in 1971 from Wye College (London University) with a BSc (2.1) in Agricultural Economics he worked for a number of years in the commercial seed trade in the UK, Brazil, Canada and North America.

Since 1980 he has worked in the agricultural aid and development sector, employed by a number of agencies to work as an agricultural consultant in Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Angola and Afghanistan.  When he is not overseas he liv es in Herefordshire, UK and attempts to feed his family as far as possible from the garden.

Comprehensive reference book on food production from plants

Simple and clear explanation of the principles and practices of food production

Rapid access to information, which is presented in a logical sequence

International appeal - straightforward English style of writing

Understable to non-specialists and to people whose first language may not be English