Oilseed rape, a major crop in many parts of the world, is attacked by a wide range of insect pests, many of which are of considerable economic importance. With the increasing demand to reduce agrochemical inputs on arable crops, the Commission of the European Communities supported a three-year programme in which scientific participants reviewed the natural enemies of oilseed rape insect pests. The various outputs from this important work form the basis of this comprehensive new book. Biocontrol of Oilseed Rape Pests commences with a review of the oilseed rape crop, followed by chapters on pests, pest management strategies and parasitoids of specific pests or groups of pests. Detailed information is also included on sampling, trapping and rearing pests, their parasitoids and predators; the identification of hymenopterous parasitoids; pathogens of oilseed rape pests, predators, predator taxonomy and identification, and the impact of on-farm landscape structures and systems on predators. This book is an essential purchase for all those involved with oilseed rape and for anyone with an interest in agricultural biocontrol strategies. It is also essential reading and an invaluable source of reference for agricultural scientists, entomologists, crop protection specialists, advisers and consultants. All agrochemical companies should have multiple copies of this book on their shelves, as should all libraries in universities and research establishments where biological and agricultural sciences are studied and taught. Dr David V. Alford, based in Cambridge, UK, has many years of experience working as a government entomologist.
Pest and Disease Management Handbook updates the 3rd edition of the Pest and Disease Control Handbook (1989). The structure of this important new book differs in several respects, acknowledging the advances that have been made in integrated crop management and the trends towards the more rational use of pesticides. Fully revised and up-to-date, the book commences with a new introductory chapter covering the principles of pest and disease management. Following chapters, each written by acknowledged experts in the field, cover a group of major temperate northern hemisphere crops. As well as comprehensive details of pest and disease management strategies, each chapter also includes a classification scheme for the cited pests and diseases. This important publication is a vital tool for all those involved in the crop protection / agrochemical industry including business managers, entomologists, agricultural scientists, plant pathologists and those studying and teaching BASIS courses. As an important reference guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students studying agricultural sciences, applied entomology and crop protection, copies of the book should be available on the shelves of all research establishments and universities where these subjects are studied and taught. Pest and Disease Management Handbook is published for the British Crop Protection Council (BCPC) by Blackwell Science. BCPC is a registered charity having the principal objective of promoting the development, use and understanding of effective and sustainable crop protection practice. Dr David V Alford, based in Cambridge, UK, is a member of the BCPC board, with many years' experience working as a government entomologist.