Asparagine (Asn) is an amino acid which serves as a carrier and storage form of nitrogen. In this chapter, the history, chemical properties and general role of Asn will be examined, followed by an account of the history of asparagine synthetase (AsnS) research in humans, microbes and plants. The...

This chapter describes the origin, utilization, morphology (vegetative characters and flowers) and anatomy (root, stem, leaf, fruit and seed) of rice, maize, wheat, sorghum and pearl millet, and discusses the significance of the variations in anatomical characters among cultivars. Organ development ...

The objective of this project was to determine the existence of physiological forms of Ustilaginales in Bromus, Zea and Triticum types in Argentina. Studies were carried out on the physiological specialization of Ustilago bullata Berk on Bromus spp., Zea seedlings' reaction to inoculation with U....

Seed vigour testing provides valuable information for assessing seed lot quality. However, vigour testing has not experienced widespread use because it is labour-intensive, high in cost and the test results often vary from laboratory to laboratory. An automated seed vigour assessment system is...

Paysonia perforata (Rollins) O'Kane and Al-Shehbaz, and P. stonensis (Rollins) O'Kane and Al-Shehbaz are rare winter annuals found in frequently disturbed habitats, such as agricultural fields on floodplains. Both species are threatened by the loss of habitat, by its conversion to uses other than...

This chapter reviews the biochemistry and genetics of seed phytate and lpa genotypes and the breeding and nutritional evaluation of low-phytate crops (maize, barley, rice, wheat and soyabean). Future directions for research on seed phosphate are also discussed.

This chapter provides insights into the effect of property rights on biotechnology research through a survey of Argentinian soyabean and maize farmers. The results claim that the definition and enforcement of property rights have important effects on the incentives that private firms face in the...

Birds are important biodiversity indicators because they depend on a range of invertebrates and plants for food. Farmland bird populations have declined dramatically, especially in Europe, in the latter half of the 20th century due to intensification in agricultural practice. It is important to...

This chapter shows that the Starter Pack programme in Malawi was a focused programme, intended to be long term, aimed at enabling the poorest to access the improved technologies they needed to break out of the cycle of poverty in which they were trapped in. It provided all smallholders with a...

This chapter presents the arguments and the evidence about the impact of the Starter Pack programme on sustainable agriculture in Malawi. It first explores definitions of sustainable agriculture and examines how these relate to the Malawi situation. The relationship between Starter Pack and...