Rome: FAO, 2006. — 350 pp. — (FAO Fertilizer and Plant Nutrition Bulletin, 16).
ISBN 92-5-105490-8.Food security is a major global concern. It depends to a considerable extent on efficient plant nutrition. Extensive information on various aspects of plant nutrition has been generated in the recent past. However, this information remains scattered in several publications. This bulletin provides comprehensive updated coverage of the key aspects of plant nutrition with special reference to integrated nutrient management for crop production. The topics covered include: present and future demand for plant nutrients; food security and agricultural production; plant nutrients and the basics of plant nutrition; soil fertility and crop production; sources of plant nutrients and soil amendments; optimizing plant nutrition; guidelines for the management of plant nutrients and their sources; nutrient management guidelines for major field crops; economic and policy issues of plant nutrition; plant nutrition, food quality and consumer health; and plant nutrition and environmental issues.C o n t e n t s.
Preface.
Acknowledgements.
List of abbreviations and acronyms.
Introduction.
Present and future demands for plant nutrients in developing regions.
Food security and agricultural production.
Striving for food security.
Food security for a growing world population.
Food production prospects in developing countries.
Problems and possibilities.
Demands on agriculture for providing food security.
Nutrients in production and consumption cycles and nutrient transfers.
Plant nutrients and basics of plant nutrition.
Plant nutrients.
Nutrients – their functions, mobility in plants and deficiency/toxicity symptoms.
Basics of plant nutrition.
Root growth and nutrient uptake.
Efficient use of nutrients.
Soil fertility and crop production.
Soils as a basis for crop production.
Soil constituents.
Soil properties and plant requirements.
Nutrients in soils and uptake by plants.
Dynamics of plant nutrients in soils.
Dynamics of major nutrients.
Assessment of available nutrient status of soils and plants.
Impact of soil fertility on crop productivity.
Fertility management of soils in different climate regions.
Sources of plant nutrients and soil amendments.
Mineral sources of nutrients (fertilizers).
Organic sources of nutrients.
Biofertilizers (microbial inoculants).
Soil amendments.
Optimizing plant nutrition.
General aspects.
Basic information for optimizing crop nutrition.
Strategies for optimizing nutrient management.
Integrated nutrient–water management for optimizing plant nutrition.
Plant nutrition and resistance to stress.
Nutrient management in different cropping systems.
Optimizing nutrient management in dryland and irrigated farming.
Guidelines for the management of plant nutrients and their sources.
Preconditions for successful nutrient management.
Guidelines for nutrient management through fertilizers.
Guidelines for fertilizer application.
Guidelines for the application of organic manures.
Guidelines for the application of biofertilizers.
Application of soil amendments.
Nutrient management guidelines for some major field crops.
Cereals and millets.
Grain legumes.
Oil crops.
Root and tuber crops.
Sugar crops.
Fibre crops.
Pastures.
Economic and policy issues of plant nutrition.
Factors affecting decision–making.
Economics of fertilizer application.
Economics of organic manures and biofertilizers.
Policies for effective plant nutrition.
Plant nutrition, food quality and consumer health.
General aspects.
Plant nutrition and product quality.
Consumer health issues and food quality.
Plant nutrition and environmental issues.
Basic effects of nutrient management on the environment.
Environmental aspects of plant nutrients.
Minimizing the negative environmental effect of nutrient use.
Glossary.
Bibliography.
Units and conversion factors.
