St. Paul, Minn. (October, 2012)– Soil Solarization: Theory and Practice summarizes and updates the vast amount of information on soil solarization made available in the 20 years since the previous book on this topic was published. Soil Solarization is a nonchemical method of pest and pathogen control by soil disinfestation. This title provides the reader with an updated and comprehensive view of the solarization concept and its application, including the disinfestation of soils of plant pathogens and pests, innovations in the implementation of integrated pest management practices, and the importance of these technologies in view of changes in the kinds and uses of soil fumigants. This title is ideal for a variety of crops and agricultural expertise levels. Extension experts, policy makers in agriculture, and growers, as well as professionals employed at universities, private research organizations, and plant protection services, and even individuals involved in agriculture or agrochemistry, will all come to rely on this book.
Soil solarization is a relatively new method and was the environmentally friendly, cost effective answer to the methyl bromide crisis. Through this book everyone in agriculture can come to understand the benefits of the concept made possible through advances in plastic mulch technology. First described in 1976, it is based on solar heating and has been studied or adopted in more than 70 countries, as reflected by the more than 1,400 research papers describing its effectiveness in controlling a large variety of pests and pathogens in numerous crops. The book explains and demonstrates how the method actually triggers and induces chemical, physical, and biological changes beyond the elevation of soil temperature. It includes 28 chapters (in 6 sections) written by 42 authors who are intensively involved in the research and development on relevant topics, covering recent achievements with this method, as well as its future prospects.
The authors place soil solarization as an integral component of pest management programs in both its theoretical and practical aspects. This new title offers basic reference material, literature reviews, historical accounts, and even biographical segments, all packed with new information and research. Each of the six sections of this new book provides specific benefits to its readers. The book also addresses prediction modeling, descriptions of basic approaches and applications of technologies, as well as a global view of the practice.
Book Specifications and Data
©2012; 8.5" x 11" hardcover; 280 pages; 42 figures; 3 pounds; 978-0-89054-418-1
This book is published by The American Phytopathological Society (APS) and may be purchased for $199 plus S&H from APS PRESS. To order this book go to http://www.shopapspress.org or call toll-free 1.800.328.7560 USA/Canada or +1.651.454.7250 elsewhere.
Review copies of Soil Solarization: Theory and Practice are available. If you are interested in reviewing this book in your publication and can forward a copy of the published review within six months of receiving the book, please send your request with details of your publication by email.
NOTE: Digital artwork of the book’s cover is available by contacting Karen Ek using the contact information provided. Please specify if the artwork will be used for print or electronic media.
