Mycoagroecology: Integrating Fungi into Agroecosystems

Agriculture has undergone unsustainable changes for greater food production, and climate change is placing additional pressures on agricultural systems. Mycoagroecology: Integrating Fungi into Agroecosystems provides a foundation for integrated fungal-agricultural understanding and management, emphasizing the potential of beneficial fungi to biologically control pests and produce valuable products.

Format: Hardback
Length: 278 pages
Publication date: 27 October 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

During the 20th century, agriculture experienced significant and unsustainable changes in pursuit of increased food production. However, the consequences of climate change are becoming increasingly evident, and the global population continues to grow, exerting additional pressures on agricultural systems. Consequently, it is of utmost importance to redirect international agriculture towards a sustainable future capable of providing healthy and bountiful foods while preserving and reconstructing the balance of natural ecosystems.

Fungi, an underappreciated and underutilized group of organisms, hold immense potential to contribute to the production of healthy food and other products while enhancing the sustainability of agricultural systems. Mycoagroecology: Integrating Fungi into Agroecosystems provides a comprehensive foundation for understanding and managing integrated fungal-agricultural systems. This text is suitable for students and professionals from various disciplines, encompassing nine introductory chapters that establish a strong foundation in ecosystem functioning, evolution, population dynamics, fungal biology, crop breeding and pest management, basic economics of agriculture, and the historical development of agriculture during the 20th century. The latter half of the text focuses on practical applications, integrating the knowledge gained from the introductory chapters to provide a deeper understanding of the diverse roles of fungi in natural and agricultural systems.

PARTNERS: This text delves into the known benefits of wild plant-fungal mutualisms and explores strategies for fostering and maintaining these relationships in a productive agricultural setting.

PESTS AND PEST CONTROL AGENTS: This text acknowledges the historical and ongoing significance of agriculturally important fungal pathogens, conducting a survey of major fungal diseases and their management in agriculture.

By embracing the potential of fungi and implementing mycoagroecological practices, we can strive towards a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future. This approach not only benefits the environment but also ensures the provision of nutritious and safe food for a growing global population.

Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367335243