Handbook of Agricultural Biotechnology, Volume 1

Handbook of AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY The book provides detailed information on the application of nanopesticides for the management of numerous agricultural pests and pathogens, as well as to foster an innovative pathway toward future sustainable agriculture and food systems. Biopesticides have been identified as a sustainable and permanent replacement to synthetic chemicals. Their application will go a long way toward preventing major challenges that confront sustainable agriculture, the actualization of global food production and food security, helping to feed an ever-increasing population that is predicted to increase to nine billion by 2050. An interdisciplinary collaboration among policymakers, private sector, researchers, civil society, farmers, consumers, and environmentalists will foster an innovative pathway toward future sustainable agriculture and food systems that could ensure resilience, food security, and a healthy environment. The book explains the application of some nanobiopesticides as ovicides that could kill eggs of insects and mites, as well as slimicides that could destroy slime-producing microorganisms, such as algae, bacteria, fungi, and slime molds. Other highlights include: a discussion on the application of nanobiopesticides for the rejuvenation of heavily contaminated environments (as well as their role in the mitigation of several abiotic stress); a demonstration of how nanobiopesticides derived from plants could be applied for effective management of pests and diseases in animal husbandry and fishery; and a collection of relevant information on patents, the commercialization of relevant plant-derived nanobiopesticides, and their social economic and industrial relevance. Audience The book is a useful resource for a diverse audience, including industrialists, food industry professionals, agriculturists, agricultural microbiologists, plant pathologists, botanists, microbiologists, biotechnologists, nanotechnologists, microbial biotechnologists, farmers, policymakers, and extension workers.

Charles Oluwaseun Adetunji, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Microbiology at the Edo University Iyamho, in Edo State, Nigeria. Currently, he is the Director of Intellectual Properties and Technology Transfer and Chairman of the Committee on Research Grants at EUI. He has won several scientific awards and grants from renowned academic bodies such as the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) India. He has published more than 600 papers in peer-reviewed national and international journals as well as more than 50 books, 340 book chapters, and many scientific patents. Julius Kola Oloke, PhD, is a Professor and Vice Chancellor in the Department of Pure and Applied Biology at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. He has a PhD in microbiology from Obafemi Awolowo University in 1989. Professor Oloke was conferred with the National Productivity Order of Merit Award by the Federal Government of Nigeria in August 2012, for his work on formulating an immune modulating agent known as Trinity Immuno-booster (Trino IB) which has been used in many countries.