LITERATURE

iterature, books and journal articles of interest to readers are presented here. Please send details of seed publications on policy, regulation and technology to the Editor for inclusion in Seed Info.

R. Tripp. 2001. Seed Provision and Agricultural Development: The Institutions of Rural Change.
Many of the current controversies over globalisation, intellectual property protection, biotechnology and the future of farming are played out in seed provision. The book provides a detailed look at the strengths and weaknesses of seed management in traditional farming systems, reviews the history of formal plant breeding and the origins of seed trade, and examines contemporary seed systems of industrialised and developing countries. The book also describes the major types of aid interventions in developing country seed systems and explains why many of these have not been successful. Examples are drawn from original research in Asia, Africa and Latin America as well as from an extensive review of the literature. The result is a comprehensive picture of seed provision that allows the reader to go beyond the oversimplified views that dominate debates about agricultural development. Price: £14.95 and plus postage. To order: publications@odi.org.uk or website: http://www.odi.org.uk/publications/order.html

Seed Technologists Training Manual
This manual represents the most comprehensive coverage of seed testing technology with over 450 pages, 150 color photographs, and 735 drawings of seeds presented in 15 chapters and authored by the most prominent specialists in the field. The chapters include: (i)The Importance of Seed Testing. (ii) Basic Botany for Seed Testing, (iii) Seed Identification, (iv) Seed Sampling and Sub sampling, (v) Seed Moisture Testing, (vi) Seed Enhancement Technologies, (vii) Physical Purity Testing, (viii) Seed Germination Testing, (ix) Seed Dormancy, (x) Seed Viability Tests, (xi) Seed Vigor Testing, (xii) Seed Pathology (Health) Testing, (xiii) Seed Testing Tolerances, (xiv) Genetic Purity Testing, and (xv) Using Scanners to Improve Seed/Seedling Evaluations
        In addition to conventional cultivar purity testing, herbicide bioassay testing, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, electrophoresis and polymerase chain reaction technologies are included. This excellent manual will be of value to trainee and practicing seed technologists, students, researchers and government agencies. Please contact The Society of Commercial Seed Technologists, c/o Andy Evans, 2021 Coffey Rd., 202 Kottman Hall, Colombus, Ohio 43210, USA; E-mail: evans@osu.edu; Website: http://www.seed technology.net

Post Graduate Diploma or MSc by Attendance or Distance Learning

1. Post-Harvest Horticulture
The program examines the principles and practices fundamental to good post-harvest management applicable to perishable horticultural produce in tropical, sub-tropical and temperate climates.

2. Grain Storage Management
The program examines the principles and practices of handing cereal grains, pulses, oilseeds and other durable food commodities at all levels in the post-harvest system, applicable to tropical and sub-tropical climates.
        In both courses participants are provided with the skills needed to evaluate existing commodity management systems, design and introduce improvements, and communicate effectively with policy makers and with colleagues in multi-disciplinary teams. The program also investigates operational and managerial implications of rapidly changing technologies relevant to post harvest horticulture or grain storage. Information can be obtained from: Natural Resources Institute, Training Support Unit, Medway University Campus, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK; Fax: ++44-1634-883577; E-mail: nri-training@gre.ac.uk.