Advances in Agronomy

by Sparks

• ISBN13: 9780120007950
• ISBN10: 0120007959
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-04-08
• Publisher: Elsevier Science

Summary

Volume 73 contains 4 reviews on contemporary and important topics in the agronomic sciences. In Chapter 1, "Interactions among Root-Inhabiting Fungi and Their Implications for Biological Control of Root Pathogens," fungi are defined, their distribution and abundance are discussed, and their role in agroecosystems is present. Chapter 2, "Dwarfing Genes in Plant Improvement," discusses advances in the role of dwarfing genes in plant improvement. Emphasis is placed on breeding and genetic aspects. Chapter 3, "A Review of the Effect of N Fertilizer Type on Gaseous Emissions," covers a topic that is of great environmental interest the effect of nitrogen fertilizers on gaseous emissions. Chapter 4, "Rhizobia in the Field," is a comprehensive review of rhizobia including diversity, systematics, natural populations, and field introduction of rhizobia.

Table of Contents

Contributors	ix
Preface	xi
Desertification and Its Relation to Climate Variability and Change
Daniel Hillel
Cynthia Rosenzweig
Introduction	2	(1)
Concepts and Definitions	3	(2)
Processes	5	(11)
Case Study: The Sahel	16	(4)
Monitoring Desertification	20	(1)
Future Climatic Variability and Change	21	(10)
Prospects	31	(9)
References	35	(5)
Fate and Transport of Viruses in Porous Media
Yan Jin
Markus Flury
Introduction	40	(3)
Characteristics of Viruses Relevant for Subsurface Fate and Transport	43	(2)
Virus Sorption	45	(12)
Protein Sorption and Denaturation	57	(7)
Virus Survival	64	(3)
The Role of the Gas-Liquid Interface in Protein/Virus Inactivation	67	(3)
Transport of Viruses in Porous Media	70	(16)
Indicators for Human Enteroviruses	86	(2)
Concluding Remarks	88	(16)
References	91	(13)
Current Capabilities and Future Needs of Root Water and Nutrient Uptake Modeling
Jan W. Hopmans
Keith L. Bristow
Introduction	104	(5)
Water Transport in Plants	109	(6)
Linking Plant Transpiration with Assimilation	115	(5)
Transport of Water and Nutrients in the Plant Root	120	(6)
Nutrient Uptake Mechanisms	126	(6)
Flow and Transport Modeling in Soils	132	(3)
Root Water Uptake	135	(10)
Nutrient Uptake	145	(7)
Coupled Root Water and Nutrient Uptake	152	(10)
Comprehensive Example	162	(7)
Prognosis	169	(17)
References	175	(11)
Micronutrients in Crop Production
N. K. Fageria
V. C. Baligar
R. B. Clark
Introduction	186	(2)
Status in World Soils	188	(7)
Soil Factors Affecting Availability	195	(11)
Factors Associated with Supply and Acquisition	206	(21)
Improving Supply and Acquisition	227	(19)
Conclusion	246	(24)
References	247	(23)
Soil Science in Tropical and Temperate Regions---Some Differences and Similarities
Alfred E. Hartemink
Introduction	270	(1)
Soil Science in Temperate Regions	271	(3)
Soil Science in Tropical Regions	274	(8)
Diametrically Opposite Interests	282	(3)
Impact of Soil Science	285	(1)
Concluding Remarks	286	(8)
References	287	(7)
Responses of Agricultural Crops to Free-Air CO2 Enrichment
B. A. Kimball
K. Kobayashi
M. Bindi
Introduction	294	(1)
Methodology	295	(31)
Results and Discussion of Crop Responses to Elevated CO2	326	(24)
Compendium and Conclusions	350	(9)
Summary	359	(11)
References	360	(10)
The Agronomic and Economic Potential of Break Crops for Ley/Arable Rotations in Temperate Organic Agriculture
M. C. Robson
S. M. Fowler
N. H. Lampkin
C. Leifert
M. Leitch
D. Robinson
C. A. Watson
A. M. Litterick
Introduction	370	(1)
Crop Rotations as the Central Management Tool in Organic Farming	371	(20)
Break Crops for Nutrient Management	391	(12)
Break Crops for Improving Soil Structure	403	(6)
Break Crops for Weed Management	409	(2)
Break Crops for Pest and Disease Management	411	(5)
Conclusions	416	(13)
References	417	(12)
Index	429