Preface to the second edition

Summary

This new edition of Agricultural Plants incorporates significant changes which have occurred during the last few years. New information has been added, including description of some crop plants which first have come into prominence in recent times, while material which is no longer relevant has been deleted. Changes in the botanical name of some plant families have forced a rearrangement of chapters, because the alphabetical order of presentation has been retained, and one further family has been included. The introductory chapter on world population and crop production is presented in a modified form as is the final chapter on the physiological basis of yield. However, the main purpose of the book remains the same, and we hope that it will continue to play a useful part as a teaching aid and guide for students of all ages.