Soil is a living organism that loves to cooperate with farmers and gardeners. A green thumb will appear on those who align themselves with its health and requirements. This book discusses: Soil habitat Sustaining soil fertility The soil food-web Nutrient availability and deficiency After reading this book, readers will not only have a different view on soil, but on weeds as well. Knowing and utilizing the energies and characteristics of weeds, as Gilman teaches, will make for a more productive garden, and less stressful gardening.
In Soil Fertility Management in Agroecosystems, Editors Amitava Chatterjee and David Clay provide a thoughtful survey of important concepts in soil fertility management. For the requirements of our future workforce, it is imperative that we evolve our understanding of soil fertility. Agronomists and soil scientists are increasingly challenged by extreme climatic conditions. Farmers are experimenting with integrating cover crops into rotations and reducing the use of chemical fertilizers. In other words, there is no such a thing as a simple fertilizer recommendation in today's agriculture. Topics covered include crop-specific nutrient management, program assessment, crop models for decision making, optimization of fertilizer use, cover crops, reducing nitrous oxide emissions, natural abundance techniques, tile-drained conditions, and soil biological fertility.
The book entitled "Soil fertility and Nutrient management" is a compilation work and most of the information was farmed very critically covering all the main topics of plant nutrition. The book will be serve as useful reference to students, teachers, researchers scientists, policy makers and other interested in soil science, agronomy, crop science, environmental sciences and agriculture. Note: T& F does not sell or distribute the Hardback in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
As soil and crop management procedures have become more complex, County Agricultural Agents, farm advisors, consultants, and fertilizer and chemical dealers have had to specialize in some aspect of soil fertility and crop nutrition management procedures, limiting their ability to provide a range of advice and services. Most farmers and growers can no longer turn to just one source for the information and instruction needed to achieve their production goals. With over 70 percent new material, the second edition of the Plant Nutrition and Soil Fertility Manual discusses the principles determining how plants grow and the elements essential for successful crop production, with a focus on the principles of soil fertility and plant nutrition. The book covers physical and chemical properties of soil, chemical and organic fertilizers, soil acidity and alkalinity, liming and liming materials, and micronutrients essential to plant growth. It also describes elements toxic to plants, soil testing, and plant analysis. The topics and discussion in this self-contained book are practical and user-friendly, yet comprehensive enough to cover material presented in upper-level soil and plant science courses. It allows practitioners with general background knowledge to feel confident applying the principles presented to soil/crop production systems.
Synthetic chemical fertilizer pollutes lakes and rivers and kills soil organisms like earthworms. Fortunately, there is a better way to fertilize soil without polluting the environment. Feed the Soil is a book that teaches you about soil and how to improve soil fertility through natural methods. It is a reference book describing 127 different green manure crops. Growers can add nitrogen to the soil naturally by growing legumes, like peas, beans, clover or alfalfa. By growing legumes and turning them under, we can add nitrogen to the soil and improve soil fertility. This process is called green manuring and was used by the ancient Chinese and the Romans. Green manuring also adds vital organic matter to the soil. Organic matter acts like little sponges that absorb water and stores it for plant roots during dry periods. Growing legumes as green manure helps to improve and build topsoil. It is a sustainable way to farm or garden. It’s like putting money into the bank.
This volume provides an overview of the fundamental concepts and recent advancements in organic farming, a form of agriculture that is increasing rapidly in popularity. Readers will discover information on the history of organic farming, environmental friendly practices and challenges, and innovations in the field. The chapter authors analyze pertinent aspects of this integrated farming system including strategies to improve seed quality, methods to improve soil fertility, and the advantages of using organic fertilizers. Particular attention is also given to weed management practices, bioenergy production and insights into the ways organic farming can adapt to global climate change and build sustainable food systems for future generations. Scientists, decision-makers, professors, and farmers who wish to work towards making agricultural systems more sustainable will find this book appealing.
Weed populations in agriculture are a major cause of yield loss. Conventionally, crop rotation and tillage practices limit the number of weed flora. Several chemical herbicides are being applied to control weed growth, but the long-term use of those chemicals does not effectively control weeds, due to the development of resistant germplasms, which cause hazardous effects in living organisms. The global interest in organic farming endorses the alternative way of weed control against chemical herbicides. Recently, biological agents have been added to integrated weed management strategies. Several studies reveal that plant extracts, bacteria, fungi and their products effectively control weed seed germination and growth. The aim of this book is to discuss the current understanding of bioherbicides and strategies to weed control.
