Crop protection has become one of the important inputs in agricultural crops. In the context of the changing cropping pattern and the environment degradation, strategies are needed to minimize use of pesticides hence eco-friendly means and options are presently required and have special significance. During the past few decades, the science of crop protection has developed rapidly, resulting in many diverse techniques to manage a variety of pests, pathogens and nematodes. The prospects of use of pesticides do not appear good because of accidental and incidental trauma encountered in the field of chemical pesticides. Therefore, vigorous research efforts for the control of various pests become imperative. The book contains 30 thought-provoking chapters, not only provides reference but also serve as guide for future research workers into the realm of biological, chemical, physical and onslaughts of modern agriculture on it. The scientists, teachers, students, administrators and policy-makers dealing with pests and diseases management strategies will be benefited.

Dr. D. Prasad, retired as Prof. and Head, I.A.R.I., has 40 years of research and teaching experience in the field of nematology in particular and plant protection in general. He has published more than 246 research papers, 100 abstracts presented in symposia of national and international repute and 95 chapters in various books. Dr. Prasad is known for his research contributions in nematode management on groundnut and soybean and developed IPM nodule for root knot nematode on groundnut. He also worked on environmentally safe pesticides, developed and tested two new molecules for control of nematodes and hence patented, and received HARDF Award 1994, fellow of Several Societies won many prestigious award of Societies and Agril. Universities. Dr. Prasad has written/edited books namely Environment Pollution - Air, Water, Land, Radiation, Solid Waste, Thermal, Soil Environment & Pesticides, Potential IPM Tactics, Ecofriendly Pest Suppression, Crop Pest and Disease Management, Advances in Plant Protection Sciences, Crop Protection: Management Strategies, Sustainable Pests Management, Insect Pest and Disease Management, Sustainable Crop Protection Strategies (2 volumes) and Crop Protection, Conservation and Diversity (2 volumes) during the past few years. He founded a Society of Plant Protection Sciences in 1992 which publishes six monthly Journal “Annals of Plant Protection Sciences”. Dr. Gopal Lal, presently Director, ICAR- National Research Centre on Seed Spices, Ajmer. He has made outstanding contribution in the field of horticultural crops specifically arid zone horticultural crops including seed spices in Rajasthan. Nearly 25 technologies in fruit crops and 35 technologies in vegetables & seed spices on various aspects have been developed by him for the benefit of different stakeholders. He developed important Agri-horti cropping systems with the integration of arid fruits, vegetables, pulses, henna and seed spices at RRS (CAZRI), Pali and NRCSS, Ajmer for enhancing resource use efficiency and farmers’ income. He has published 110 research papers, 130 popular articles, 50 book chapters, 20 bulletins/ manuals,04 authored and 13 edited books. He has developed more than 20 value added products of fruits and vegetables and six patents have been filed at Indian Patent Office. He has guided 15 students for M.Sc. (Ag.) Horticulture and one for Ph.D. (Horticulture) degree. He has organised 15 national, state and district level seminars, 40 training programmes, 12 farmers’ fairs and more than 1500 front line demonstrations for effective transfer of technology for the benefit of stake holders. Dr. Gopal Lal has played very important role in various scientific activities of Indian Society of Seed Spices, Ajmer. As a Horticulture expert, he also played a crucial role in Rajasthan Kisan Ayog in planning and formulating state policy for development of agriculture in Rajasthan state. Imtiyaz Ahmad, presently working as Senior Technical Officer at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. He has more than 30 years’ experience in the field of nematology specially in nematode management and control, nematode taxonomy, national nematode collection of India (NNCI), Digitization of type slides. As S.T.O., helped the scientists to plan out the field experiments, helped in the collection of Data in Rabi and Kharif crops. He also helped in searching the relevant literature from Bulletin International/Indian Journals for students & scientists. He has published one book chapter, seven research papers and 16 popular articles (Hindi/English).