This book offers effective methods of regulating soil pH for sustainable crop production by decreasing soil contaminants, balancing soil pH, improving nutrient uptake, and increasing crop yields. The book discusses methods of measuring soil pH, factors influencing soil pH, the influence of soil pH on nutrient availability and microbial activity, the causes and amendments of soil acidity, the effects of fertilizers on soil acidity, and soil pH preferences of various crops. This book will serve as a guide for understanding the roles of pH in soil and crop productivities. This is an important resource for soil, crop, and environmental scientists, agronomists, crop physiologists, botanists, foresters, wildlife scientists, and students in these disciplines.

World population is growing at an alarming rate and is anticipated to reach about six billion by the end of year 2050. On the other hand, agricultural productivity is not increasing at a required rate to keep up with the food demand. The reasons for this are water shortages, depleting soil fertility and mainly various abiotic stresses. The fast pace at which developments and novel findings that are recently taking place in the cutting edge areas of molecular biology and basic genetics, have reinforced and augmented the efficiency of science outputs in dealing with plant abiotic stresses. In depth understanding of the stresses and their effects on plants is of paramount importance to evolve effective strategies to counter them. This book is broadly dived into sections on the stresses, their mechanisms and tolerance, genetics and adaptation, and focuses on the mechanic aspects in addition to touching some adaptation features. The chief objective of the book hence is to deliver state of the art information for comprehending the nature of abiotic stress in plants. We attempted here to present a judicious mixture of outlooks in order to interest workers in all areas of plant sciences.

The central role of soil chemistry in the ecosystem and other disciplines is becoming increasingly important. For example the effects of the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, and accelerated use of pesticides, on soil fertility has been a focus of much high-level debate. This text begins by defining the relationship between soil chemistry and other fields such as plant science and pollution science. A detailed description of the components of soils follows, including inorganic, mineral and organic matter. The book addresses cogent issues such as soil fertility and soil pollution. In a concluding chapter, a review of future analytic advances in the study of soil chemistry is given, emphasising the importance of the soil chemist in equitable and sustainable land use and agricultural policy. The book is an ideal starting point for the student undertaking undergraduate study in the environmental and soil sciences.

An evolving, living organic/inorganic covering, soil is in dynamic equilibrium with the atmosphere above, the biosphere within, and the geology below. It acts as an anchor for roots, a purveyor of water and nutrients, a residence for a vast community of microorganisms and animals, a sanitizer of the environment, and a source of raw materials for co

This handbook offers effective strategies to modify and adjust crop production processes to decrease the toxicity of soil contaminants, balance soil pH, improve root growth and nutrient uptake, and increase agricultural yield. The Handbook of Soil Acidity provides methods to, measure soil acidity, determine the major causes of soil acidification, c

Soil acidity is a major limitation to crop production in many parts of the world. Plant growth inhibition results from a combination of factors, including aluminum, manganese, and hydrogen ion toxicities and deficiencies of essential elements, particularly calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and molybdenum. Agricultural management practices and acid precipitation have increased acid inputs into the ecosystem and heightened concern about soil acidity problems. While application of lime has proved to be effective in ameliorating surface soil acidity in many areas, significant soil acidity problems still exist. Scientists from Alberta, Canada, recognized the need to provide a forum for researchers from different disciplines to exchange information and ideas on solving problems of plant growth in acid soils. As a result of their efforts, the First International Symposium on Plant-Soil Interactions at Low pH was held at Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada, in July 1987. In many acid soil areas, liming materials are not readily available, the cost may be prohibitive, or subsoil acidity cannot be corrected by surface application of lime. New management approaches involving both the plant and the soil are needed in these situations. Progress has been made in the selection and breeding of acid-tolerant plants. However, continued progress will be limited by our lack of understanding of the physiological and biochemical basis of differential acidity tolerance among plants.