Physical Control Methods in Plant Protection

• Plant Protection and Physical Control Methods. The Need to Protect Crop Plants.- Thermal Control Methods.- Thermal Control in Plant Protection.- Flame Weeding in Corn.- Thermal Control of Colorado Potato Beetle.- Control of Insects in Post-Harvest: High Temperature and Inert Atmospheres.- Control of Insects in Post-Harvest: Low Temperature.- Electromagnetic Methods.- Electromagnetic Radiation for Plant Protection.- The Use of Microwaves for Insect Control.- Optical Filters against Grey Mould of Greenhouse Crops.- Photochemical Treatment for Control of Post-Harvest Diseases in Horticultural Crops.- Control of Insects in Post-Harvest: Radio Frequency and Microwave Heating.- Electrical Weed Control: Theory and Applications.- Mechanical Control.- Mechanical Weed Control in Agriculture.- Mechanical Weed Control in Corn (Zea mays L.).- Mulching and Plasticulture.- Physical Barriers for the Control of Insect Pests.- Control of Insects in Post-Harvest: Inert Dusts and Mechanical Means.- Pneumatical Control.- Pneumatic Control of Insects in Plant Protection.- Pneumatic Control of Agricultural Insect Pests.- Pneumatic Control of Colorado Potato Beetle.- Vacuuming Insect Pests: the Israeli Experience.- Current Status and Prospects for the Use of Physical Control in Crop Protection.- List of Contributors.

From the reviews of the first edition: "The aim of this book is to give update information on physical control methods in plant protection. ... The book is nicely presented, clear, and well-structured. It is well illustrated and flows with continuity despite multi-authorship. ... An interesting glossary at the end of the book may help the reader's understanding of the topic." (Michel Couderchet, Journal of Plant Physiology, Vol. 160 (5), 2003) "This book attempts to provide a comprehensive overview of a range of alternative methods divided into ... thermal, electromagnetic, mechanical and pneumatic control. ... each chapter includes a wealth of references that would enable the reader to use it as an ideal starting point for further investigation of the subject. ... If you have either a passing interest in alternatives to biological and chemical control of agricultural pests or are seeking a more detailed starting point for further investigations, this book provides a useful overview." (A. Straszewski, Journal of Agricultural Science, Vol. 138, 2002)