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  • © 2011

Rainfed Farming Systems

Editors:

  • Unique systems approach to deal with farming holistically
  • Many new topics covered in one comprehensive book
  • Deals with principles and practice, management and an understanding of actions in the farm system
  • This volume takes account of social relationships in the farm system including technical, biological, political and economic relationships
  • Written by prominent agriculturalists with worldwide experience and is well illustrated with figures and tables

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eBook USD 169.00
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  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
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  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

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Table of contents (51 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xviii
  2. Principles and Their Application

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
    2. Principles of a Systems Approach to Agriculture

      • Philip Tow, Ian Cooper, Ian Partridge, Colin Birch, Larry Harrington
      Pages 3-43
    3. Types of Rainfed Farming Systems Around the World

      • Larry Harrington, Phil Tow
      Pages 45-74
    4. A Systems Approach to Climate Risk in Rainfed Farming Systems

      • Peter Hayman, Jason Crean, Canesio Predo
      Pages 75-100
    5. Water Availability and Use in Rainfed Farming Systems

      • Garry J. O’Leary, Sue Walker, N. L. Joshi, Jeff W. White
      Pages 101-132
    6. Principles and Management of Soil Biological Factors for Sustainable Rainfed Farming Systems

      • Vadakattu V. S. R. Gupta, Albert D. Rovira, David K. Roget
      Pages 149-184
    7. Technological Change in Rainfed Farming Systems

      • Colin Birch, Ian Cooper
      Pages 185-214
    8. Weed Management in Rainfed Agricultural Systems

      • Colin Birch, Ian Cooper, Gurjeet Gill, Stephen Adkins, Madan Gupta
      Pages 215-232
    9. Sustainable Pest Management in Rainfed Farming Systems

      • T. James Ridsdill-Smith, H. C. Sharma, Helen Spafford
      Pages 253-270
    10. Farming Systems Design

      • Craig Pearson
      Pages 321-337
    11. Soil Organic Carbon – Role in Rainfed Farming Systems

      • Francis C. Hoyle, Jeff A. Baldock, Daniel V. Murphy
      Pages 339-361
  3. Rainfed Farming System Worldwide - Operation and Management

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 363-363
    2. Rainfed Farming Systems in South Africa

      • Mark Hardy, Luthando Dziba, Willem Kilian, John Tolmay
      Pages 395-432
    3. Farming Systems, Emerging Farmers and Land Reform in the Limpopo Province of South Africa

      • Anthony Whitbread, Neil MacLeod, Cam McDonald, Bruce Pengelly, Kingsley Ayisi, Jeffery Mkhari
      Pages 433-449

About this book

While a good grasp of the many separate aspects of agriculture is important, it is equally essential for all those involved in agriculture to understand the functioning of the farming system as a whole and how it can be best managed.  It is necessary to re-assess and understand rain-fed farming systems around the world and to find ways to improve the selection, design and operation of such systems for long term productivity, profitability and sustainability. The components of the system must operate together efficiently; yet many of the relationships and interactions are not clearly understood.  Appreciation of these matters and how they are affected by external influences or inputs are important for decision making and for achieving desirable outcomes for the farm as a whole.  This book analyses common rain-fed farming systems and defines the principles and practices important to their effective functioning and management.

Reviews

From the reviews:

“The book contains the latest information on the subject area and is produced by experts in the field. … Well-written and indexed, the abstracts and/or conclusions for each … chapters provide a rapid way of assimilating the presented information. … a unique reference book for anyone involved in this form of water-limited agriculture. It is particularly suited to undergraduate and postgraduate students and deserves a place in most university and research institute libraries as well as on farmers’ shelves. In summary, an excellent book.” (Davey Jones, Experimental Agriculture, Vol. 48 (3), 2012)

Editors and Affiliations

  • Gawler, Australia

    Philip Tow

  • Bibaringa, Australia

    Ian Cooper

  • Toowoomba, Australia

    Ian Partridge

  • Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Rese, Leader, Vegetable Centre, Burnie, Australia

    Colin Birch

About the editors



   

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access