Innovations in Dryland Agriculture

viii

areas around world. This book is divided into five sections and 20 chapters as
detailed below.

1. Introduction
   
   
   • Chapter 1 describes the basic concepts, origin and a brief history of dryland
     agriculture.
   
   
   • Chapter 2 states the challenges and researchable issues in dryland
     agriculture.
   
   
   
   


2. Elements of Dryland Agriculture
   
   
   • Chapter 3 collates the conventional and innovative water harvesting tech-
     niques in dry environments.
   
   
   • Chapter 4 describes the weed problem in dryland agriculture systems and
     proposes strategies for integrated weed management.
   
   
   • Chapter 5 discusses the nutrient management perspectives in dryland agricul-
     ture and suggests strategies for improving nutrient use efficiency in dryland
     agriculture systems.
   
   
   • Chapter 6 describes the insect pests in drylands and proposes innovative
     options for integrated management of insect pests in dry environments.
   
   
   • Chapter 7 covers the epidemiology and management of fungal diseases in dry
     environments.
   
   
   • Chapter 8 describes integrated crop–livestock production in drylands.
   
   
   
   


3. Modeling and Crop Improvement for Dryland Agriculture
   
   
   • Chapter 9 introduces the application of modelling in dryland agricultural
     systems.
   
   
   • Chapter 10 covers breeding and genetic enhancement strategies for dryland
     crops.
   
   
   
   


4. Dryland Agriculture: Some Case Studies
   
   
   • Chapter 11 discusses Australian experiences of dryland agriculture.
   
   
   • Chapter 12 analyses the experiences, issues and options in pasturelands of
     Australia’s drylands.
   
   
   • Chapter 13 covers the experiences, challenges and options regarding dryland
     agriculture in South Asia.
   
   
   • Chapter 14 describes the experiences from Northwest China regarding the
     sustainable management of drylands.
   
   
   • Chapter 15 illustrates the experiences in dryland agriculture from the Great
     Plains region of the United States and Canada.
   
   
   • Chapter 16 describes the experiences in dryland agriculture from Eastern and
     Southern Africa.
   
   
   
   


5. Innovations in Dryland Agriculture
   
   
   • Chapter 17 covers the sustainable use of soil and other natural resources in
     relation to agronomic productivity and environment quality. It also addresses
   
   
   
   

Preface