Biomass currently accounts for about fifteen per cent of global primary energy consumption and is playing an increasingly important role in the face of climate change, energy and food security concerns.

Handbook of Bioenergy Crops is a unique reference and guide, with extensive coverage of more than eighty of the main bioenergy crop species. For each it gives a brief description, outlines the ecological requirements, methods of propagation, crop management, rotation and production, harvesting, handling and storage, processing and utilization, then finishes with selected references. This is accompanied by detailed guides to biomass accumulation, harvesting, transportation and storage, as well as conversion technologies for biofuels and an examination of the environmental impact and economic and social dimensions, including prospects for renewable energy. This is an indispensable resource for all those involved in biomass production, utilization and research.

'[The] most authoritative and rich source of information in biomass. It can be considered as a milestone and will be instrumental in promoting the utilization of biomass for human welfare in decades to come.' Prof. Dr. Rishi Kumar Behl, University of Hisar, Haryana, India 'This book enlightens the vital economic and social roles of biomass to meet the growing demand for energy.' Dr. Qingguo Xi, Agricultural Institute of Dongying, Shandong, China 'The author's decade-long expertise and dedication makes this publication unique. Global in scope, the standards of judgment and accuracy are high for a book that will become the biomass bible and reference for future generations.' Prof. Preben Maegaard, Director, Nordic Folkecenter for Renewable Energy and Chairman, World Council for Renewable Energy (WCRE) 'an extremely useful reference for students, researchers and others wishing to gain a greater understanding of issues associated with bioenergy crops and to examine the details for individual crop species.' Experimental Agriculture