These papers include two lectures which address the role of Plant Nutrition in the sustainability of agro-ecosystems and the production of enough high quality food to feed the growing world population. Recent advances in Plant Nutrition are reviewed in the 11 papers presented in each of the Symposia devoted to: genetics and molecular biology of Plant Nutrition, nutrient functions, the role of the apoplast in mineral nutrition, plant quality and plant health, salinity and plant-soil-water relations, mineral element toxicity and resistance nutrient acquisition, soil organisms/plant interactions, fertiliser use in relation to optimum yield and environment, nutrient dynamics in natural and agro-ecosystems, and plant nutrition and sustainable development. Current knowledge and research emphasis in these areas of the subject is well illustrated and the reader is provided with a comprehensive view of the state of Plant Nutrition research.

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Preface. Plenary lectures. Plant nutrition research: Priorities to meet human needs for food in sustainable ways; I. Cakmak. Access ans excess problems in plant nutrition; M.van Noordwijk, G. Cadisch. Symposium I: Genetics and molecular biology of plant nutrition. Molecular mechanisms of potassium and sodium uptake in plants; P. Mäser, et al. Symposium II: Nutrient factors. A proposed role for copper ions in cell wall loosening; S.C. Fry, et al. Symposium III: The role of the apoplast in plant mineral nutrition. The functions of cell wall polysaccharides in composition and architecture revealed through mutations; N.C. Carpita, M.C. McCann. Symposium IV: Mineral nutrition: plant quality and plant health. The impact of mineral nutrients in food crops on global human health; R.M. Welch. Symposium V: Salinity and plant soil water relations. Avenues for increasing salt tolerance of crops, and the role physiologically based selection traits; R. Munns, et al. Symposium VI: Mineral element toxicity and resistance. Mechanisms of metal resistance in plants: aluminum and heavy metals; L.V. Kochian, et al. Symposium VII: Nutrient acquisition: mechanisms and modelling. Use of modelling to inderstand nutrient acquisition by plants; G.J.D. Kirk. Symposium VIII: Soil organisms/plant interactions. Malate plays a central role in plant nutrition; J. Schulze, et al. Symposium IX: Fertilizer use with regard to optimum yield and environment. Precision agriculture: a challenge for crop nutrition management; P.C. Robert. Symposium X: Plant nutrition and sustainabledevelopment. Plant nutritient management for enhanced productivity in intensive grain productivion systems of the United States and Asia; A. Dobermann, K.G. Cassman.