Properly planned and visualized, large-scale developments can be successfully constructed, whether as master planned communities, planned unit developments, or new towns. Fundamentals of Land Development provides an in-depth approach to the design, planning, and development of large land areas into comprehensively designed communities. This book provides in-depth discussions of the full range of development tasks involved in any large development project, from site and land use selection, market analysis, preparing the land use plan and impact statements, to getting approval from the municipality and community, permitting and approval, scheduling and cost management, and the basics of engineering systems and design. Developers and other stake-holders will find guidance on such issues as: • How real-world development is driven by profits, and how team members can maximize profits while developing creatively and responsibly • Site selection and acquisition • Entering the growing business of retirement (active adult) community development Illustrated with real-world case studies drawn from the authors own experience, Fundamentals of Land Development is a practical manual for developers looking to improve the profitability of their projects and gain a better understanding of what all team members undertake in a project of this size and complexity.
Designed As A Text Book, But Equally Useful As A Reference Source For Scholars And Others, This Book Offers All The Necessary And Desired Information About Soils And Their Culture. Beginning With Classification Of Soils And Their Physical And Chemical Properties, It Deals Systematically With All Such Topics As Soil Acidity, Soil Moisture, Soil Organisms, Accumulation Of Organic Matter In Soils, Effect Of Manures And Fertilizers On Soil, Soil Fertility Maintenance And Development And Management Of Alkali Soils. Soil Requirements For Specific Fruit Crops Have Also Been Discussed. On The Whole The Book Introduces The Reader To Soil As Natural Entities And Their Inherent Characteristics; Explains The Basic Relationship Between Soils And Plants; And Gives A Clear Understanding About The Fundamental Principles Involved In The Use Of Soil Management Practices. An Exhaustive Subject Index For Easy Reference Hunting And A Detailed Glossary Of Terms Are Other Attractions Of The Book. Chapter 1: Soil Development; Sources Of Material From Which Soils Are Developed, Characteristics Of Rocks And Minerals From Which Soils Are Derived, Chemical And Physical Processes Active In Soil Development, Biological Agencies Which Aid In Soil Formation, Products And Results Of Mineral-Decomposing Processes, Constructive Processes Of Soil Development, The Soil Profile, Chapter 2: Classification Of Soils; A Textural Classification Of Soils, A Systematic Classification Of Soils, Soil Mapping And The Soil Survey, Soil Groups In Relation To Climatic Conditions, Age Relief And Parent Material In Relation To Soil Groups, Soil Groups In Relation To Vegetative Cover, Soil Groups In Relation To Population Density And Production Of Agricultural Products, Chapter 3: Physical And Chemical Properties Of Soils; Making A Mechanical Analysis, Properties Of Soil Separates, Soil Structure, Tillage Operations And Soil Properties, Porosity And Weight Of Soil, Soil Color, Soil Temperature, Chapter 4: Soil Reaction; Soil Acidity And Conditions Giving Rise To Acid Soils, Conditions In Acid Soils Which Are Beneficial Or Detrimental To The Growth Of Plants, Conditions Of Development And Effect On Plants Of Neutral And Alkaline Soils, Chapter 5: Lime And Its Use; The Need Of Soils For Lime, Functions Of Lime In The Soil, Forms Of Lime, Lime Guarantees, Sources Of Lime, The Use Of Lime, Chapter 6: Soil Moisture; Soil Water Which Yields To The Pull Of Gravity, Soil Water Which Is Retained Against The Pull Of Gravity, Water In Relation To Plant Growth, Loss Of Moisture From The Soil, Runoff Water, Chapter 7: Soil Organisms: Their Relation To Soils And Soil Productivity; Nature And Extent Of The Soil Population, Activities Of Soil Microbes In Relation To The Growth Of Higher Plants, The Role Of Microorganisms In The Development Of Soils, Interrelationship Between Higher Plants And Soil Microorganisms And Among Soil Microorganisms Themselves, Chapter 8: Soil Organic Matter: Organic Matter Accumulation In Soils, Effects Of Organic Matter On Soil Productivity, The Decomposition Of Organic Matter And Humus Formation, Loss And Restoration Of Soil Organic Matter, Chapter 9: Cover And Green-Manure Crops; The Effects Of Cover And Green-Manure Crops, The Principal Cover And Green-Manure Crops And Their Regional Distribution, The Utilization Of Cover And Green-Manure Crops, Effect Of Green Manre On Yield Of Crops, Chapter 10: Farm Manures; The Production Of Manure, The Decomposition Of Manure, Losses Occurring With Manure, Methods Of Handling Manure, Field Management Of Manure, Fertilizing Properties Of Manure, Effects Of Manure Upon The Soil, Chapter 11: Nutrient Requirement Of Plants; Elements Used By Plants, Effects Of Nitrogen Phosphorus And Potassium On Plants And The Quantities Removed By Crops, Determining Soil-Nutrient Deficiencies, Chapter 12: Fertilizers And Fertilizer Materials; Fertilizing Materials Supplying Nitrogen, Phosphatic Fertilizer Materials, Potassium Fertilizers, Mixed Fertilizers, Chapter 13: Fertilizer Practices; Effects Of Fertilizers On Soils, Effects Of Fertilizers On Crops, Laws Controlling Fertilizer Sales, Home Mixing Fertilizers, The Purchase And Use Of Fertilizers, Chapter 14: Soil Fertility Maintenance And Productivity Rating Of Soil; Maintaining Soil Fertility, Soil Productivity Rating And Land Classification, Chapter 15: Soils And Agriculture Of Arid Regions; Characteristics And Utilization Of Soil In Arid Regions, Development And Management Of Alkali Soils, Chapter 16: Irrigation; Water Supply And Land For Irrigation, Irrigation Practice, Chapter 17: Fruit Soils; Selecting A Site For A Fruit Enterprise, Soil Requirements Of Specific Fruit Plants, Chapter 18: Lawn Soils; Soils And Soil Preparation, Grass Selection And Seeding, Fertilization And Liming, Moving And Watering, Chapter 19: Soil Resources; Acreage Of Farm Land In The United States, Acreages Of Aroble Land And Land Requirements, Land Policies Of The United States.
IRRIGATION FUNDAMENTALS is a comprehensive text on the basic principles and practices of applied agricultural irrigation. Written over a period of more than 10 years, it is based on the authors'' extensive experience in farming, consulting, research, teaching, and other related agricultural activities. The book is for use by teachers of introductory courses in irrigation, farmers who have some basic technical knowledge, and for administrators who need a general understanding of irrigation as an aid for policy decisions in water resource development and planning. Various factors that influence crop yield and production including climate, fertility, water, drainage, and agronomic practices are addressed. The various irrigation methods such as border, basin, contour, furrow, sub, sprinkle, and drip or trickle are described; and conditions are given for selection of the appropriate method to use. Recent developments and new technology are included herein when they have obvious practical applications, but for the most part the material presented in this book is based on well established principles and practices. Much of the content is very practical and much is essentially nontechnical. Nevertheless, some of the material covered in this book goes beyond the basic concepts in an attempt to better describe the relationships and techniques employed by irrigation scientists and irrigation engineers.From the Preface: The future of the world depends very much on how we manage natural resources. Since the year 1900 there has been a ninefold increase in global carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels, and the world population has increased about 3.7 times in this century. Vast areas of forests have been destroyed, and irrigated lands now produce 40% of the food supply. Due to depletion of groundwater reserves and an increase in population, irrigated area per capita is declining. Consequently, the irrigation of additional alluvial lands is a strategic necessity for all of humankind. Much of the alluvial lands cannot be made productive without prior development of water resources through flood control, drainage, and irrigation. The production of electricity through hydropower and the production of alcohol fuel from irrigated crops, as has been practiced for many years in Brazil, can slow the increase in carbon emissions. Such diverse developments are typically not separable; rather, they must be considered as integral parts of a comprehensive development plan. The conservation of natural resources and increasing productivity of irrigated lands are also strategic necessities. Much of the current technology is highly transferable and crop yields can be significantly increased on lands already under irrigation.The authors have worked in many countries in connection with resource inventories, teaching, and the planning, development and use of irrigation as a tool for increasing production and providing employment. They have written extensively and have been honored for their achievements. They have considerable experience with everything from primitive low-technology irrigation developments to highly developed irrigation in the USA and in dozens of countries around the world. Both of the authors have dedicated their careers to teaching, research, and consulting in agricultural irrigation and water resources development and planning. It is their hope and expectation that this book will provide incentives for investigating and documenting land and water resources, improving development, increasing crop yields, conserving resources, and improving the environment. From the Table of Contents:Chapt. 1 - INTRODUCTION: Irrigation Fundamentals: - - A Definition of Irrigation - - Statistical Perspectives of Agricultural IrrigationChapt. 2 - FACTORS INFLUENCING CROP PRODUCTION: - - Introduction - - Temperature, Radiation, and Evaporative Potential - - Climate Change - - Soil Fertility and Fertilizers - - Water Availability and Distribution - - Soil Aeration and Drainage - - Plant Density, Spacing and Leaf Area Index - - Crop VarietyChapt. 3 - AGRICULTURAL SOILS: - - Introduction - - Soil Texture and Structure - - Soil Classification and Evaluation - - Bureau of Reclamation Land Classification - - Soil Age and Topography - - Soil Chemistry - - Infiltration Rates - - Soil-Water Relationships - - Equations for Soil Water Content - - Soil Water Potential - - Measuring Soil Water ContentChapt. 4 - EVALUATING IRRIGATION RESOURCES: - - Introduction - - Climate - - Hydrology - - Human and Other Factors - - Integrated DevelopmentChapt. 5 - IRRIGATION METHODS: - - Introduction - - Graded Border Irrigation - - Basin Irrigation - - Contour Levees - - Furrow Irrigation - - Sub-Irrigation - - Sprinkle Irrigation - - Drip or Trickle Irrigation - - Selecting an Irrigation Method - - Land Grading and Leveling - - Laser-Leveling Equipment and Practices - - Computing Diagonal Slopes - - Irrigation System EvaluationChapt. 6 - CROP WATER REQUIREMENTS: - - Introduction - - Direct Methods - - Indirect Methods - - Potential Evaporation - - Reference Evapotranspiration - - Extraterrestrial Solar Radiation - - Irrigation Requirements - - Crop CoefficientsChapt. 7 - IRRIGATION SCHEDULING: - - Introduction - - Allowable Water Depletion - - Monitoring Soil Water - - Scheduling Irrigations - - Rice Irrigation
NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care define the fundamentals of organic land care, specify the practices which an accredited organic land care professional will abide by when offering the public organic land care services, and specifies the requirements for accreditation by the NOFA Organic Land Care Program.
Soil Health and Intensification of Agroecosystems examines the climate, environmental, and human effects on agroecosystems and how the existing paradigms must be revised in order to establish sustainable production. The increased demand for food and fuel exerts tremendous stress on all aspects of natural resources and the environment to satisfy an ever increasing world population, which includes the use of agriculture products for energy and other uses in addition to human and animal food. The book presents options for ecological systems that mimic the natural diversity of the ecosystem and can have significant effect as the world faces a rapidly changing and volatile climate. The book explores the introduction of sustainable agroecosystems that promote biodiversity, sustain soil health, and enhance food production as ways to help mitigate some of these adverse effects. New agroecosystems will help define a resilient system that can potentially absorb some of the extreme shifts in climate. Changing the existing cropping system paradigm to utilize natural system attributes by promoting biodiversity within production agricultural systems, such as the integration of polycultures, will also enhance ecological resiliency and will likely increase carbon sequestration. Focuses on the intensification and integration of agroecosystem and soil resiliency by presenting suggested modifications of the current cropping system paradigm Examines climate, environment, and human effects on agroecosystems Explores in depth the wide range of intercalated soil and plant interactions as they influence soil sustainability and, in particular, soil quality Presents options for ecological systems that mimic the natural diversity of the ecosystem and can have significant effect as the world faces a rapidly changing and volatile climate
