Tropical Agriculturalist Series
Published by Macmillan Education,
To order contact
Macmillan Education Oxford
Between Towns Road
Oxford, UK
OX4 3PP
Phone 01865 405 700
Fax 01865 405 701
Or to find your local bookseller, click here
mdl@macmillan.co.uk
Series Editor: R Coste
Series Editor (Livestock Volumes) Dr A.J.Smith
Published in association with
Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) Postbus 380, 6700 AJ Wageningen, the Netherlands.
Tel +31 317 467100, Fax +31 317 460067
E-Mail cta@cta.nl
Free copies may be available from CTA for organisations in Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific countries, (Click here)
A comprehensive series of more than 40 practical field guides and textbooks on many aspects of agriculture in the tropics covering both crops and livestock. They are aimed at producers, farmers and farm managers, agriculture extension officers, agricultural diploma, degree and vocational students, teachers and lecturers, senior secondary students, adult education, rural community development programmes.
French editions published and available from Maisonneuve and Larose, Paris
Food Legumes covers
the botany, characteristics and requirements of this group of crops
and how to grow them in a variety of tropical zones. Crop protection,
harvesting, nutritive value, uses and processing are also included in
a comprehensive text written in an easy to read style
Sorghum examines the characteristics and cultivation of
this important crop in a variety of different agricultural conditions
and zones. Details are given for its morphology, planting and control
of pests and diseases, its optimum growing conditions, harvesting and
economics. A considerable amount of tabulated data has been included and
the text is well illustrated throughout and includes an attractive full
colour section of photographs
Upland Rice covers in
detail the characteristics and requirements of the crop and how to grow
it in a variety of African zones and farming systems, with particular reference
to the Caribbean and other tropical areas. Pest, disease and weed control,
harvesting, storage and uses are also included in a comprehensive text written
in an easy to read style
Weed Control describes
the basic biology of weeds and the characteristics of weed species.
The methods of control - manual, animal powered and engine driven, cultural
and chemical control - are described and illustrated in detail, together
with the main herbicides and their application measures. Preventative
measures, and how to choose a control method, are included, to stress the
importance of selecting the most appropriate measures.
Avocado is a succinct
guide to the cultivation and marketing of a fruit of growing importance
in the diets of many people throughout the world. It covers the
plant's origins and distribution, botany, and selection and breeding,
as well as providing more detailed guidance on the field operations needed
to grow this sensitive crop successfully. Land preparation, the choice
of cultivars and rootstocks, grafting techniques, irrigation requirements,
and major pests and diseases are some of the topics covered. Lastly,
the book turns to harvesting and processing considerations, with special
emphasis on the requirements for export. A wealth of photographs,
line drawings, tables and charts support the text, which is based on the
authors' 20 years of experience, as well as extensive reference to the global
literature.
Plantain Bananas covers in detail the characteristics and requirements
of the crop and how to grow it in a variety of African zones and farming
systems, with relevance to the Caribbean and other tropical areas. Pest,
disease and weed control, harvesting, storage and uses are also included
in a comprehensive text written in an easy-to-read style.
Cocoa covers in detail
the characteristics and requirements of the crop and how to grow it in
a variety of tropical zones. Pest and disease control, selection,
the establishment and management of plantations, harvesting, processing,
quality and chocolate manufacture are also included in a comprehensive
text written in an easy-to-read style.
Coconut covers the main
types of coconut palm, their origin, world distribution and characteristics.
It examines important production factors such as climate and soils, selection,
breeding and propagation, and establishing and managing a plantation.
There is a useful section on pests and disease control accompanied by
colour photographs. The method of processing coconut and its various products
and markets are also well covered.
Coffee Growing describes
the basic botany of the coffee plant and how to grow it in a variety of
African Zones and farming systems, with reference to other tropical areas.
All the practical growing techniques are given in detail; there is an
extensive section on pests and diseases, and a final section on harvesting.
Coffee processing and production will be left to another volume in the
series.
Cotton covers in detail
the characteristics and requirements of the crop and how to grow it
in a variety of African zones and farming systems, with relevance to
other tropical areas. Pest, disease and weed control, harvesting
and ginning are also included in a comprehensive and easy-to-read style.
Cut Flowers is aimed
particularly at tropical growers and agricultural colleges. Details
are given of the main production factors such as climate, soils, propagation,
fertilisers, pest and disease control; and there is a section on packaging,
transport and markets. Thirty-five popular flowers are discussed
in detail, with technical advice on their cultivation. The global
growth of floriculture is considered and the text is supported by colour
photographs of the main cut flowers grown.
The Storage of Food Grains
presents solutions to many of the problems of providing efficient and
adequate storage for grains and seeds after harvesting, in a variety of
tropical conditions. Particular emphasis is given to the identification
and control of insect and rodent pests. A number of appendices provide extra
practical information which is useful as a reference for grain store managers.
Maize covers in detail
the characteristics and requirements of the crop and how to grow it in
a variety of African zones and farming systems, with relevance to the
Caribbean and other tropical areas. Pest, disease and weed control, harvesting,
storage and uses are also included in a comprehensive text written in an
easy-to -read style
Market Gardening introduces readers to vegetable production and guides
them through the process of growing a profitable crop in tropical or
subtropical climates. The book provides details for 59 specific vegetables
including the choice of cultivars, their cultivation and management and
even how to use them. There is more general advice on climates and soils,
the production of suitable planting material, cultural operations, the
use of inputs, and harvesting and post harvesting operations. Market
Gardening includes appendices which describe common pests and diseases
and suggests methods of control.
Oil Palm is an invaluable
guide for anyone involved in any aspect of oil palm cultivation or exploitation,
whether at village level or on an industrial scale. The text is clearly
presented and well illustrated, with diagrams and photographs throughout.
Tea covers in detail
the characteristics and requirements of the crop and how to grow
it in a variety of tropical zones. Pest, disease and weed control,
plucking and processing are also included in a comprehensive text written
in an easy-to-read style.
Spice Plants covers
in detail the botany, origins, propagation, genetic improvement, management
and harvesting of a variety of common spice crops. Methods of storage,
preparation and processing are also dealt with, as well as their nutritional
properties. The variety of uses of spices from flavouring to perfumes
is also covered in this comprehensive and easy-to-read text.
Sugar Cane covers in detail the characteristics
and cultivation of this important crop in a variety of different agricultural
systems and zones, from small plantations to large estates. Extensive
information is provided on such features as its physiology and cropping
cycles, including practical growing techniques covering soil preparation,
planting, fertilisation, irrigation, crop maintenance and harvesting.
Detailed tables are provided, giving the reader a wealth of additional
information on the growing, assessment, harvesting and processing of
the crop
Alley Farming has been written in
a concise and practical format. It is illustrated with diagrams
and photographs and has a list of books for further reading.
Food Crops and Drought looks at the ways in which
the productivity of food crops in the semi arid tropics may be increased,
and the yields safegarded, by both genetic and agronomic means. It explains
the characteristics of drought tolerant crops, and genetic improvements
to those crops to enable moderate yields to be achieved under dryland
conditions. It also explores farming practices which can contribute to
increased yields and enhance such genetic adaptation. There are also chapters
on the effect of drought on crops, drought tolerance in food crops such
as cereals and legumes, genetic improvements, and improving water resources
and their use. 
Warm Water Crustaceans are an increasingly
important form of livestock in many parts of the world. Not only
are they a valuable food commodity but many other by-products can be gained
from their processing. This book covers in detail the main species
that can be farmed and includes aspects of harvesting and marketing.
A number of recipes are also included in this comprehensive and easy-to-read
text.
This
volume explains the causes of animal diseases, how they are spread and
the means available for their control. It covers not only diseases caused
by micro-organisms, arthropods and helminths, but also deals with metabolic
diseases and those caused by toxins. The signs of health and the symptoms
to look for when an animal is suspected of being diseased are clearly
presented using simple diagnostic keys. Tables are included to assist
in diagnosis of diseases in the major farm animals found in the tropics.
The book concludes by dealing with general veterinary procedures, including
the administration of medicines.
Animal Breeding examines
in detail the various techniques that can be used in breeding animals
such as selection, crossbreeding and inbreeding. Examples of the various
techniques are given, including their advantages and disadvantages in tropical
and subtropical environments, and how they can be used to improve the core
traits of animals. The book also deals with basic genetics and examines
factors such as the effect of climate on animals and the importance of preserving
gene pool in native tropical breeds. This book will be an invaluable guide
to anyone involved with animal breeding and livestock improvement in the
tropics.
Donkeys
is a valuable guide for anyone involved with using or breeding these often
under-valued and neglected animals. The book covers in detail the rearing,
husbandry, management, feeding and nutrition, disease and work performances
of donkeys. It emphasises the use of the donkey as a work animal with
details of harnessing and equipment. Health and disease, and care of the
donkey are explained. There is also a chapter on the infertile offspring
of the donkey and the horse, the mule and the hinney. The book makes a
strong case for the advantages of the donkey in rural development. The text
is presented in an easy-to-read style and is supplemented throughout with
many diagrams and photographs.
This book is a valuable guide
for anyone involved in the management and care of camels. All aspects
of the camel are covered, starting with its origins, domestication, worldwide
distribution and population. Chapters on different types and breeds,
production systems, anatomy and physiology, reproduction, management, nutrition
and health are followed by its various uses, in particular transport and
milk production. The text is presented in a clear and easy-to-read
style, and is illustrated throughout with many diagrams and photographs.
This book is a valuable guide
for anyone concerned with the management or production of forage, especially
by the smallholder farmers and pastoralists in the tropics and subtropics.
It covers the principles of Forage Husbandry, as well as the functions
of different types of forage resources and their integration into wider
farming systems. Chapters include the assessment and management of natural
forage, the use of forage as an auxiliary product from cultivated land,
cultivated forages, conservation and supplementation of forage, and research
and development of forage husbandry. A list of important species of forage
grasses, legumes, trees and shrubs is included in the appendices
The new updated material includes information about genetic resources,
the application of biotechnology to sheep breeding, different types of pasture
and tree crops, foods that are poisonous to sheep, modern techniques of
artificial insemination and modern anthelminthics.
This book summarises current information on livestock behaviour
of relevance to stock owners in the developing world. The authors focus
on cattle, sheep, goats pigs and poultry, providing detailed practical
advise and management suggestions for a range of different livestock production
systems, both traditional and modern. Readers are introduced to behaviour
aspects of reproduction, such as how to detect oestrus and how to minimise
neonatal mortality. This is followed by a discussion on how to manage feeding
behaviour for maximum productivity, and then by a section on social behaviour,
which describes how social stressors can affect welfare.. Technical information
is presented clearly and many points are illustrated with photographs, diagrams
and tables
Tilapia is a succinct guide
to the farming of this popular fish. It examines in detail the fish and
its needs, breeding, appropriate farming systems, fish health and the
fish farming environment. It sets out in simple terms how to develop
a tilapia farm while avoiding potential pitfalls. Chapters on the construction
of tilapia farms and farm management provide guidance anyone farming tilapia.
There are useful sections on overcoming problems related to health, environment
and farming practices. 
Rubber covers all practical aspects of growing
rubber. The aim of the book is to provide a guide to large and small
scale planters and to answer the questions associated with rubber
cultivation. Early chapters describe plant classification, development,
environmental influences and propogation. These aspects are followed
by details of establishment of a plantation and its maintenance and exploitation.
The authors highlight the benefits of the rubber plantation as an environmentally
acceptable, closed ecosystem with a constant cycle of uptake and return
of soil nutrients. Processing and uses of rubber and its associated products
are also described.
Sweet Potato is an invaluable source of information
on one of the world's most important food crops. Global production of
sweet potato rivals that of casava and the crop is widely cultivated in
small home gardens and farms in the tropics. Originally grown as a subsistence
food the sweet potato is increasingly being regarded as a useful
cash crop. 
Groundnut, also known as peanut, is a leguminous food
crop vital to subsistence and incomes of small-scale farmers in
developing world's semi-arid and sub-humid zones. 
Where There is No Vet is more than just a book on
first aid for animals. It aims to help people keep their animals healthy.
It covers a wide range of topics that affect the health of livestock,
from diarrhoea to rinderpest, from helpful traditional remedies to the
uses of modern medicines and vaccines. It includes advice on the care,
feeding and handling of animals. By describing the signs of disease to
look for, it helps the readers to work out what is wrong with the animal
and then tells them what to do about it. Special emphasis is placed on preventing
and controlling diseases and problems. The book covers routine treatments,
assisting births and dealing with emergencies and simple operations. Not
only does it help readers realise what they can do for their own animals,
it also helps them recognise which problems need assistance from experienced
vets or skilled workers. 
