Soil Water And Agronomic Productivity

This volume comprises chapters on soil productivity enhancement written by scientists from various parts of the world. The book discusses the conversion of waste water and other by-products from factories into organic fertilizers, and practices for improving nutrient availability. The need for effective policies to control and promote the effective and efficient use of fertilizers is discussed too.

This book introduces basic and practical information on fertigation to researchers, extension agents and growers. To provide understanding of the basic issues regarding the appropriate selection of fertilizer injectors, fertilizer compounds used in fertigation for growing various field and horticultural crops. The book provides useful basic principles and practical information concerning fertilizer management and fertigation techniques of field, horticulture, and medicinal and aromatic crops. The book focuses on the agronomic value of fertigation practice and provides the reader with best practical advice required for successful fertigation based on the field experience.

Agronomic crops have been used to provide foods, beverages, fodders, fuels, medicines and industrial raw materials since the dawn of human civilization. Today, agronomic crops are being cultivated by employing scientific methods instead of traditional methods. However, in the current era of climate change, agronomic crops are subjected to various environmental stresses, which results in substantial yield loss. To meet the food demands of the ever-increasing global population, new technologies and management practices are being adopted to boost yield and maintain productivity under both normal and adverse conditions.

"The agricultural sky" is a dominant natural entity that has influenced, interacted with, and guided the evolution of crops, farming practices, and cropping systems. The sky—and all its components—above and near agricultural areas is an important aspect of an agricultural enterprise—as important as soils, water, and crop species. The blue sky above crops that is seemingly clear, tranquil or sometimes filled with clouds, is really a repository of a large number of gases, mineral or organic particulate matter, dust, mist, turbulent wind, innumerable species of micro-organisms, tiny biotic flora/fauna, seeds, insects, etc. The agrarian sky supports complex interactions of biotic and abiotic aspects with perhaps immediate and/or delayed influence on crops sown on the ground.

by Anthony E. Hall (Author)