Encyclopedia on plant protection takes decade-long efforts

For Shao Quanxi, compiling an encyclopedia is more than a professional endeavor; it is the realization of a personal dream.

How many decades does a person have in a lifetime? How many of those decades are spent in one's career? For the editors of the Encyclopedia of Plant Protection in China, the project was like nurturing a child from infancy to adolescence. This monumental work took a decade to complete, representing the dedication of over 3,000 experts in the field of plant protection.

Encyclopedia of Plant Protection in China thoroughly introduces the disciplinary system of plant protection, incorporating the latest policies and advancements within the field.

Published by the China Forestry Publishing House, it consists of 8 volumes and 16 books, including the Comprehensive Volume, Volume on Plant Pathology, Volume on Insects, Volume on Weeds, Volume on Pesticides, Volume on Rodent Damages, Volume on Biological Controls, and Volume on Biosafety.

The book set, primarily compiled between 2012 and 2022, stands as the first systematic, comprehensive and authoritative reference in China's plant protection domain, filling a significant gap in the nation's encyclopedic resources.

Shao Quanxi, the chief editor of China Forestry Publishing House and the general leader of the encyclopedia project, is set to retire next year. The publication of the encyclopedia marks a notable achievement at the end of his extensive career.

This encyclopedia represents monumental work under the national publishing quality strategy of China Forestry Publishing House. It is a key national publication planning project, a national dictionary compilation and publication planning project, and a project funded by the National Publishing Fund.

Despite its academic value, the encyclopedia is accessible to a broad audience. "The encyclopedia is like an open university without walls, representing a country's mature technological development. It can be read by both adults and children, serving an educational role and playing a vital part in the popularization of a country's scientific and cultural education," Shao said.