This book addresses the key to the development of sustainable agriculture management of soil fertility. Combining data from temperate and tropical regions, it presents a complete picture of how various soils can best be managed under widely different environmental conditions. This book serves as an excellent reference for professionals as well as a textbook for undergraduate and graduate students preparing for a career in agriculture or soil fertility management. It addresses the soil fertility problems of developing countries, including both temperate and tropical zones and exposes students to the basics of soil fertility, including soil chemistry and soil biology, and the various problems encountered in different parts of the world. TOC:Introduction. Essential Plant Nutrients. Soil the Sustainer. Soil Colloids. Organic Matter. Soil Acidity. Soil Salinity and Sodicity. Nitrogen. Phosphorus. Potassium. Sulfur. Calcium and Magnesium. Iron and Manganese. Copper and Zinc. Boron and Molybdenum. Chlorine. Beneficial Elements. Nutrient Interactions. Organic Manures. Cropping Systems, Soil Fertility, and Fertilizer Use. Each chapter contains References.

Zusammenfassung
Sustainability of agricultural systems is a major global concern due to population growth and a number of environmental factors

Inhalt
IntroductionSustainable Agriculture: Definitions and GoalsFactors Determining SustainabilitySoil Fertility Essential Plant NutrientsCriteria for EssentialityBasis for Classification of Nutrients as Primary, Secondary, and MicronutrientsPrimary Nutrients, Secondary Nutrients, and MicronutrientsFunctions of Essential Nutrients in PlantsSoil the SustainerSoil Organic MatterSoil WaterSoil AirSoil Mineral MatterSoil ColloidsSoil Living OrganismsSoil ColloidsClay MineralsOxide MineralsOrganic MatterHumus, Its Structure and PropertiesC:N RatioFactors Affecting the Organic-Matter Content of SoilsSoil AcidityAcidsThe pH ConceptDetermination of Soil pHActive and Potential AcidityBuffering CapacityNature of Soil AcidityFactors Affecting Soil AciditySoil pH and Crop ProductionLime RequirementLiming MaterialsFineness of LimestoneSoil Salinity and SodicityCoverage and Special FeaturesCriteria for Determining Salinity/Sodicity ClassificationReclamation and Management of Saline SoilsCrop Production on Saline SoilsReclamation and Management of Sodic SoilsCrop Production on Sodic SoilsNitrogenSoil Organic N Mineralization of Soil Organic NitrogenFactors Affecting NitrificationNitrogen ImmobilizationAmmonium Fixation (Nonexchangable Ammonium)NH4 vs. NO3- Nutrition of PlantsBiological Nitrogen FixationNitrogen Fertilizers or Industrial Nitrogen FixationEfficient Nitrogen ManagementIncreasing N Use EfficiencyNitrogen Availability IndicesNitrogen-Deficiency SymptomsPhosphorusSoil PhosphorusPhosphate Retention or Fixation in SoilFactors Affecting the Retention of Phosphorus by SoilPhosphate Fertilizer Reaction Products in SoilIntensity (I) and Quantity (Q) Factors in Phosphorus AvailabilitySoil Testing for PhosphorusPhosphorus-Deficiency Sym