agriculture [n.]

the science or practice of farming, including the rearing of crops and animals. DERIVATIVES agricultural, adjective; agriculturalist, noun; agriculturally, adverb; agriculturist, noun.
- ORIGIN Latin agricultura, from ager ‘field’ + cultura ‘cultivation’.

Oxford Dictionaries

This page looks at topics A to L covering Australian Wine [including Journals], Biology of Cells and Organisms, Chemistry for Land & Food Resources, Genetics & Animal Breeding, Global Environment & Sustainability and other general information.

The Second Page looks at topics beginning M to Z and covers areas such as Molecular Biology & Breeding, Resource Management Economics and Soil Management & Conservation.

Information is aimed at undergraduate level and is listed in alphabetical groupings. Some information may be useful at a higher level.

Be aware some units/topics have different titles at different universities, even though content may be the same or similar. Australian information is supplied wherever possible.

Additional unit material will be included as time permits.

If you are aware of any worthwhile information which is not included, suggestions or additions are welcome and will be given every consideration.

A - F

Australia in The Wine World

History of viticulture & winemaking, major grape varieties, Australian wine regions, chemistry of winemaking, the culture of wine.

• Australian Winery Search
  ‘Search the database according to winery name, wine brand or winemaker name’.
• How to Manage Pests : Grapes
  Diseases, nematodes, insects & mites, weeds , other general information. University of California.

Journals

• Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research
  Table of contents, abstracts.
• Australian & New Zealand Wine Industry Journal
  Tables of contents for all Journals.
• Journal of Wine Research
  Table of contents provided.
• Practical Winery & Vineyard
  Table of contents [including archive], some full-text articles.
• Vineyard and Winery Management
  Selected full-text articles.

• Situation and Statistics of The World Vitiviniculture Sector
  ‘Progress report on the latest available statistics on the world vitiviniculture sector’. View the slide presentation on the assessment.
• The Chemistry of Wine Making
  Basic background.
• The Internet Guide to Wine and FAQs
  Array of information in book form. Worth visiting.
• Viticulture & Oenology
  Links, University of Adelaide Library. Grouped under multiple headings including Australia and Overseas.
• VITIS International Variety Catalogue
  ‘Database comprising passport, primary and secondary descriptor data and pictures of more than 17 000 cultivars and Vitis species found in grapevine variety collections and in literature’.
• Vitis-Vea
  ‘International English-language literature database in the field of viticulture’. 8 major areas included.
• Wine Analysis Tutorials
  Monash Scientific.
• Wine And Grapes
  University of California. Extension Short Course, PDF materials for multiple sections.
• Wine and Health
  Papers, FAQs, links to information.
• Wine Literature of the World
  State Library of South Australia.
• Wine Regions of Australia
  Access various wine regions via state/territory links. Detailed information.
• Wine Styles
  Information on all wine styles grown in Australia.

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Biology of Cells & Organisms

Basic processes of life, prokaryotic & eukaryotic cells, structure and function of organisms, plant and animal reproduction and development, demonstrate effective laboratory technique and usage.

• Basic Biological Topics
  Sections on Organismal Biology, Cell & Molecular Biology. Extensive information, selected headings.
• Cell Biology
  Articles from Science.
• Characteristics of Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes
• How to Successfully Use a Microscope
  From Nikon.
• Immune Response
  Definition, alternative names, general information, embedded links.
• Nervous System
  From Wikipedia. Information, embedded links.
• Neural Control Mechanisms
  Short tutorial.
• Principles of Hormonal Control Systems
  Short tutorial.
• Prokaryotic And Eukaryotic Cells
  An Internet Based Lesson Plan. ‘Utilise the Internet as a resource in researching Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells. Students will be able to state the similarities and differences of these cell types, as well as be familiar with the Symbiotic Theory’.
• The Nervous System
  The neuron to the peripheral nervous system and beyond. Further links.
• Why Sexual Reproduction ?
  Article, selected bibliography, links to other quoted sites.

Chemistry for Land & Food Resources

The nature of matter, behaviour of gases, energy and chemical systems, redox, organic molecules, chemical equilibrium, catalysts & enzymes, more.

• Acid and Base Strength
  Introduction, definitions, diagrams, more. The Virtual Chembook at an American College.
• Behaviour of Gases
  ‘Models and laws that allow us to predict the effects of temperature, pressure and concentration on gases and gas mixtures’. Only through ChemCal Online, University of Melbourne.
• Catalysis by Enzymes
  From Wikipedia.
• Enzyme
  Extensive information, examples. Answers.com.
• Eric Weisstein’s World of Chemistry
  Chemical Reactions, Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Quantum Chemistry, Experimental Chemistry, Mineralogy, more.
• Gas State Equations
  Article covering related material. Linked information.
• Kinetic Analysis of Enzyme-Catalyzed Reactions
  ‘Introduces you to the kinetic analysis of enzymes, and provide some experimental procedures that use enzymes found in common foods’.
• The Kinetic Theory
  ‘Attempts to explain macroscopic properties of gases, such as pressure, temperature, or volume, by considering their molecular composition and motion’. From Wikipedia. A Kinetic Theory Applet to demonstrate actions is here.
• Mechanisms of Enzyme Catalysis
  Article, embedded links.
• Organic Chemistry
  ‘Study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions and synthesis of organic compounds that by definition contain carbon’.
• Organic Compound
  ‘Any member of a large class of chemical compounds whose molecules contain carbon, with the exception of carbides, carbonates, carbon oxides and gases containing carbon’.
• pH Scale
  Introduction, definitions, diagrams, more. The Virtual Chembook at an American College.
• Redox Reactions
  ‘Redox reactions are a family of reactions concerned with the transfer of electrons between species’. Information, diagrams, calculator, more.
• Redox Reactions : FAQs
• Reduction And Oxidation Reactions
  Multiple sections. Includes Oxidation States, Is It a Redox Reaction ?, Balancing Redox Reactions, more.
• Solutions
  Annotated links to information covering relevant material on solutions and solubility.

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G - L

General Sites

• AgNIC
  ‘Through AgNIC you can search the world of agriculture or stay up-to-date with the latest agricultural news and events taking place around the world’.
• Agricultural Biotechnology Links
  Annotated links in areas including public interest organisations and Industry, academia and government. Union of Concerned Scientists.
• AgricultureInformation
  ‘AgricultureInformation.com is an online community comprising of buyers, sellers and technical experts in agriculture. By joining our Free. community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members, respond to polls, upload to our gallery, add links to our directory and access to many other features’.
• Agriculture Directories and Search Engines Directory
  International listing from AgriSupportOnline. Well-annotated links with countries of origin indicated.
• Agronomy
  Resources listed under Departments, News, Journals & Books, sites, Industries & Research, Events. From Icademic.
• Australian Agriculture Directory - AgLinks
  ‘The Australian Agriculture Directory’. More than 1 000 links.
• Australian Farming Virtual Library
  ‘Information on various topics that relate to Australian and New Zealand farming industries’. Extensive listing. Feature Site with annotation.
• Extension Publications
  University of Nebraska. More than 900 publications listed under 30+ headings. A large percentage of use in a wide range of agricultural areas, some of which, such as Families and Communities & Leadership might not be expected. Most in either/both HTML or PDF formats.
• FAOSTAT - Statistical Databases
  ‘On-line, multilingual database currently containing over 3 million time-series records covering international statistics’. Includes areas of Production, Land Use and Irrigation, Fertiliser and Pesticides.
• RUAF Foundation
  ‘The RUAF Foundation is an international network of seven regional resource centres and one global resource centre on Urban Agriculture and Food Security’.

Genetics & Animal Breeding

Quantitative and molecular genetics, breeding programs, design and management of programs, generic improvement tools, heritability, economic breeding objectives.

• A Tactical Approach
  To The Design Of Crossbreeding Programs. University of New England paper looking at frameworks that cover breeding and economic results.
• Cloning and Other Reproductive Technologies
  For Application in Transgenics. Electronic Workshop Presentation. Links to workshop papers of a similar nature.
• Electronic Forum on Biotechnology in Food and Agriculture
  ‘Quality balanced information on agricultural biotechnology in developing countries. To make a neutral platform available for people to exchange views and experiences on this subject’.
• Genetic Defects and the Effects of Inbreeding
  Article looking at a specific case. ‘Discusses the genetic effects of inbreeding, linebreeding, and outcrossing. It also discusses how inbreeding can result in the fixation of both deleterious as well as advantageous genetic traits’. Linked to Texas Longhorn cattle.
• Inbreeding
  Extensive article, created by staff at an American University. Download a PDF version.
• Inbreeding and It’s General Effects
  Covering points including fixation.
• Introduction to Quantitative Genetics
  11 sections from a Description of Quantitative Traits to links, other genetic topics.
• Marker Assisted Selection
  Report of an FAO Conference. Each major point has an accessible resource in PDF format.
• Molecular Genetics : Piecing It Together
  ‘Study of the agents that pass information from generation to generation’. Primer.
• Primer on Molecular Genetics
  PDF format, Human Genome Project.
• Quantitative Genetics
  From Wikipedia. Information, embedded links.
• Quantitative Genetics [2]
  Information in point form, links.
• Quantitative Genetics Resources
  Links, particular programs, notes/comments on all issues in quantitative genetics [i.e., animal breeding, plant breeding, evolutionary genetics, human genetics]’.

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Global Environment & Sustainability

Environment and sustainable production systems, global warming and climate change, genetically modified foods, water quality, population, biodiversity, more.

• Biotechnology [GM Foods]
  Information from the WHO.
• Climate Change
  From the WWF. Basic information, science, projects, publications, conservation results, more.
• Climate Change [New Scientist]
  Information, links, briefing notes, archival material, FAQs, more.
• Controversies Surrounding Genetically Modified Food
  What is genetic modification ?, benefits/risks, commentaries, glossaries, databases, links.
• Cornell Waste Management Institute
  ‘Addresses the environmental and social issues associated with waste management by focusing University resources and capabilities on this pressing economic, environmental and political issue’.
• EUROPA - Waste
  Waste management protocols, European Union.
• Food Safety [WHO]
  Responses to 20 questions on genetically modified food. Download in PDF format in multiple languages.
• Future Harvest
  ‘Explore the future of farming. See how farming families, companies and community groups are responding to the challenge of environmental sustainability in the way they manage the land’. Museum of Victoria.
• Genetically Modified Foods and Organisms
  Benefits and controversies, further links.
• Genetically Modified Food - News
  News items [with dates], GM ingredients, Who’s Doing What ?, contacts, links.
• GeoHive : Global Statistics
  ‘Geopolitical data, statistics on the human population, Earth, more’.
• Global Warming
  News, climate change and beyond. US Environmental Protection Agency.
• Global Warming [Wikipedia]
  Information, embedded links.
• International Data Base
  ‘Computerized data bank containing statistical tables of demographic and socioeconomic data for 227 countries and areas of the world’.
• International Symposium on Water Quality & Quantity
  Commercial book but with links to online articles.
• Kyoto Protocol
  Complete information.
• Preparing a National Strategy
  On Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-Sharing. Extensive document [Kew] includes tools, appendices, process, more.
• TEEB
  ‘The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity [TEEB] study is a major international initiative to draw attention to the global economic benefits of biodiversity, to highlight the growing costs of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, and to draw together expertise from the fields of science, economics and policy to enable practical actions moving forward’.
• Waste Management
  From Wikipedia. Information, embedded links.
• Water Quality Centre [Arizona State University]
  Reports on aspects of quantity and quality of water.

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