Nitrogen is an important agricultural input that is critical for crop production. However, the introduction of large amounts of nitrogen into the environment has a number of undesirable impacts on water, terrestrial, and atmospheric resources. This book explores the use of nitrogen in U.S. agriculture and assesses changes in nutrient management by farmers that may improve nitrogen use efficiency. It also reviews a number of policy approaches for improving nitrogen management and identifies issues affecting their potential performance.

In his insightful new book, Holy Shit: Managing Manure to Save Mankind, contrary farmer Gene Logsdon provides the inside story of manure-our greatest, yet most misunderstood, natural resource. He begins by lamenting a modern society that not only throws away both animal and human manure-worth billions of dollars in fertilizer value-but that spends a staggering amount of money to do so. This wastefulness makes even less sense as the supply of mined or chemically synthesized fertilizers dwindles and their cost skyrockets. In fact, he argues, if we do not learn how to turn our manures into fertilizer to keep food production in line with increasing population, our civilization, like so many that went before it, will inevitably decline.

With his trademark humor, his years of experience writing about both farming and waste management, and his uncanny eye for the small but important details, Logsdon artfully describes how to manage farm manure, pet manure and human manure to make fertilizer and humus. He covers the field, so to speak, discussing topics like:

How to select the right pitchfork for the job and use it correctly

How to operate a small manure spreader

How to build a barn manure pack with farm animal manure

How to compost cat and dog waste

How to recycle toilet water for irrigation purposes, and

How to get rid ourselves of our irrational paranoia about feces and urine.

Gene Logsdon does not mince words. This fresh, fascinating and entertaining look at an earthy, but absolutely crucial subject, is a small gem and is destined to become a classic of our agricultural literature.

This book describes many important principles of fertilizer management and the environmental pollution problems due to the indiscriminate soil fertilization rate. The long-term impacts of organic or mineral fertilizer use have implications on soil fertility, crop yields, water quality, climatic change, greenhouse gas emissions, etc. Twelve chapters provide the state of the art of some important topics on subsistence agriculture, modern agronomy, and technological improvements which have sharply increased yields from cultivation, with a special emphasis on the sustainable management and environmental impact of commercial and nontraditional fertilizers. Without a doubt, this book is a valuable contribution to the agricultural sciences and it would not have been possible without the invaluable contributions, immeasurable acknowledgements, and recognized expertise from the authors.

This early work on fertilisers and manure is both expensive and hard to find in its first edition. It contains detailed information on the chemicals involved in the processes of fertilisation. This is a fascinating work and is thoroughly recommended for the agricultural chemistry. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Organic farming is a system approach utilizing the natural cycles and biological interactions for crop production and protection. It aims at harmonizing with nature and a method of production without destroying the environment. Vermitechnology is one of the important components of organic farming. The earthworm (verm) is now known to be a good biological element for the recovery of vermifertilizer and vermin- protein for use in agro-ecosystems, aquaculture, poultry etc. Earthworm culture, popularly called vermiculture is being widely practicised in a big commercialized manner. Therefore, it is high time to enter into the vermitechnology as a part of the biotechnology programme. In India, some companies have adopted vermiculture, but by and large the general awareness remains limited, despite the fact that several non-governmental organizations and governmental institutions are trying hard to popularize vermitechnology. This book is an attempt to help those desirous of starting a vermicutlure and vermicompost industry. Based on this rationale, the Vermiculture Research Station in Aligarh, India embarked on an extensive programme of transferring vermitechnology to the farmers back in 2000 under the Lab to Land programme. The farmers were given specialized training through field demonstrations in vermitechnology, organizing special courses and setting-up their own field units in rural areas. It is heartening to note that female farmers have also come forward in this new venture and are now producing quality vermicompost to supplement their income.

Soil Fertility and Fertilizers: An Introduction to Nutrient Management, Eighth Edition, provides a thorough understanding of the biological, chemical, and physical properties affecting soil fertility and plant nutrition. Covering all aspects of nutrient management for profitable crop production, the text pays particular attention to minimizing the environmental impact of soil and fertilizer management. The eighth edition of this proven text has been substantially revised to reflect rapidly advancing knowledge and technologies in both plant nutrition and nutrient management.

Phosphorus is an essential plant nutrient, but global population growth has dramatically reduced the availability of phosphorus fertilizer resources. Despite this scarcity, there remain numerous problems associated with the excessive and inappropriate use of phosphorus leading to non-point source pollution and eutrophication of natural waters. Identifying appropriate systems for managing soil phosphorus and reducing the risks of eutrophication are needed to minimize the environmental risks. This book focuses on the availability and recycling of phosphorus; regulatory and policy issues of sustainable phosphorus use; and water quality management in agroecosystems pertaining to phosphorus. Sections are dedicated to global phosphorus reserves; cycling and pathways of phosphorus; phosphorus in agriculture; human dimensions and policy intervention; and research and development priorities. Phosphorus is a finite but crucial resource and is an essential element to all life. Sub-optimal availability and nutrient imbalance in the root zone can adversely impact plant growth, and the quality of food and feed grown on these soils. However, the proven reserves of phosphorus can hardly be adequate for a few centuries only. Yet, its misuse and mismanagement has caused severe problems of eutrophication of water and pollution of the environment. Thus, judicious management of soil phosphorus is essential. This volume is specifically devoted to availability and recycling of phosphorus, regulatory/policy issues of sustainable use of phosphorus, and management in agroecosystems in the context of maximizing the use efficiency and minimizing the environmental risks of water quality.

This new volume, Biofertilizers and Biopesticides in Sustainable Agriculture, presents strategies for the management of soil and crop diseases. Microbes have attracted worldwide attention due to their role in disease management and remediation of polluted soils. Taking a sustainable approach, this book explores the means of integrating various microbial management approaches to achieve the desired levels of crop yield under both conventional soils and neglected soils through the use of biopesticides and other botanicals as well as biomolecules. This book also presents a broad and updated view of molecular nitrogen fixation and phosphate-solubilizing and sulfur-transforming microbes for nutrition of crops in relation to the role of metal tolerant microbes in providing protection to plants grown in metal-contaminated soils. The preparation and application of biofertilizers, utilization of household waste materials, and use of genetically modified microorganisms (GMOs) in plant growth and development are also well discussed in the volume.

In this book, the biosorption process used to produce biological components of fertilisers was examined. For this purpose, the waste biomass obtained from the supercritical fluid extraction of oils from multiple berries seeds was used. It was shown that post-extraction residues of black currant, raspberrys and strawberry seeds constitute a valuable material for agricultural purposes. Detailed characteristics of these materials were presented. Moreover, it was shown that berries seeds are characterised by good biosorption properties. It was possible to increase the content of microelements essential for plants by applying the biosorption process. The utilitarian properties of enriched materials were tested in field experiments. Bioavailability of microelements from enriched post-extraction residues of the berries seeds to plants was assessed and the biofortification of edible parts of plants with micronutrients from the new products was achieved.

Nitrate and nitrite are two ions largely diffused in the environment because they take part in the nitrogen cycle. Moreover, a great part of atmospheric nitrogen may be oxidized to nitrite and nitrate by microorganisms in plants, soil or water. The more stable form of oxidized nitrogen is nitrate ion, but, through microbial activity, it can be reduced to nitrite ion which is more chemically reactive. Nitrate and its salts are widely used, especially as inorganic fertilizers, and for many other purposes such as oxidizing agents, explosives, in the chemical industry and as food preservatives. This book discusses the agricultural uses, management practices and environmental effects of nitrogen fertilizers.

Ammonia emissions from farming are causing environmental problems on local and regional scales in Europe and elsewhere. These emissions also reduce the efficiency of manure as a fertilizer in crop production. This thesis presents a body of research and development on technologies to reduce ammonia emissions from stored animal slurry, field-applied slurry, and mineral fertilizers. The processes involved in the release of ammonia from slurry, the transport of ammonium and pH changes in surface layers of stored slurry, and slurry and fertilizers applied to the surface of bare soils are described. Techniques and management practices that reduce ammonia emission are presented and evaluated. The book provides a better understanding of the relationships between ammonia emissions and the most important underlying processes. This information can be used to develop technologies, models, and decision support for better management of animal manure, leading to a minimal negative impact on the environment and a strong positive impact on plant production. The book makes a contribution to research using basic science to develop applied technological solutions. It also proposes areas for future research that can enable efficient use of manure and reduce environmental pollution. Thesis.

Fertilisers are compounds given to plants to promote growth; they are usually applied either through the soil, for uptake by plant roots, or by foliar feeding, for uptake through leaves. Fertilisers can be organic (composed of organic matter), or inorganic (made of simple, inorganic chemicals or minerals). They can be naturally occurring compounds such as peat or mineral deposits, or manufactured through natural processes (such as composting) or chemical processes (such as the Haber process). Fertilisers typically provide, in varying proportions, the three major plant nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), the secondary plant nutrients (calcium, sulphur, magnesium), and sometimes trace elements (or micronutrients) with a role in plant nutrition: boron, chlorine, manganese, iron, zinc, copper, and molybdenum. This new book presents recent and important research from around the globe.

The innovative 3R "Recycle-Reuse-Reduce" AGROCARBON technology provides recycling of agricultural organic and mineral by-products provides carbon products for soil amendment and restoration of soil natural balance. This book explains how the input feed streams are plant and animal origin carboniferous by-products, such as refuse grain, sawdust, food grade animal bone meal, food processing and/or other agro by-products. The innovative technology is providing surface modified charcoals and minerals for plant availability and post processing the chars by integrated biotechnological means. The process is upgrading by-products to high added-value biological control, plant growth promotion and natural fertilisation combined products for environmentally friendly vegetable cultivation, with carbon sequestration potential. The 3R is a horizontally arranged and indirectly heated low temperature zero emission carbonisation system (operating under vacuum, up to 850 DegreesC+/-50 DegreesC material core temperature) and directly integrated novel agro biotechnological processing units of agrocarbon specific solid state fermentation and formulations. Performance: 1. Food crop mineral deficiency and disturbance stress mitigation in temperate climatic regions by restoration of soil natural balance. 2. Input feed streams: low value organic and/or inorganic by-products; such as refuse grain, sawdust and/or high Phosphorous content animal bone meal, and/or other by products; which can be valorisation transformed by added-value integrated thermal and biotechnological means. 3. The 3R biotechnology integrated industrialised biochar production technology is a modern zero emission solution, in which process all and any output products are recycled and reused, aiming prevention-protection-preservation approaches. 4. The output products are different types of soil biotechnology specific solid carrier composits and adapted microbiological fungus and/or bacteria strain consortiums. Depending on the soil and climate application scenario conditions, different types of soil and climate relevant 3R NPK products can be made. 5. The application objective of the products are the natural balance and functionality restorations of degraded temperate agriculture soils with controlled microbiological activity and precision farming nutrient supply. Further objectives are the promotion of humus building and mineral mobilisation towards plant availability, for sustainable, improved, economical and ecological food crop production in the fields of organic and low input low green house gas farmings, while carbon sequestration is also targeted. 6. The application targets combined effects, such as plant growth promotion, biological control against soil borne plant pathogens and natural NPK fertilisation, especially sequenced mobilised Phosphorus supply and improved nutrient use efficiency. 7. The application sectors are the organic farming and/or low input farming for environmentally friendly vegetable cultivation and other food crop productions. 8. STATUS: "product like" field demonstration plant has been developed, successfully tested, scale up optimisation and comprehensive industrialised engineering design made for 30,000 m3/year input feed stream as of modern US/EU industrial norms and standards. Patented original solution. Available for licensing and technology transfer.

This important volume provides new research on the design and application of ecologically safe formulations for protecting cultivated crops against pathogen-causing diseases and weeds-that also provide nitrogen fertilizers at the same time. The authors make a significant contribution to the development and agricultural use of environmentally safe and biodegradable new-generation pesticides with targeted and controlled release of active ingredients. They discuss the problems associated with the use and accumulation of xenobiotics in the biosphere and present highlights of modern trends in the design of new-generation formulations. The authors present their original research results on the properties of herbicides, fungicides, and nitrogen fertilizers deposited in a degradable polymer base and the effectiveness of the use of these formulations in laboratory ecosystems with higher plants infected with fusariosis and weeds. The research provided here provides a new direction for the use of degradable polymers, essential for the creation of ecologically safe agricultural technologies and reducing uncontrolled accumulation and spread of xenobiotics in the biosphere.

The world population is projected to reach nine billion by 2050, and in the coming years, global food demand is expected to increase by 50% or more. Higher crop productivity gains in the future will have to be achieved in developing countries through better natural resources management and crop improvement. After nitrogen, phosphorus (P) has more widespread influence on both natural and agricultural ecosystems than any other essential plant element. It has been estimated that 5.7 billion hectares of land worldwide contain insufficient amounts of available P for sustainable crop production, and P deficiency in crop plants is a widespread problem in various parts of the world. However, it has been estimated that worldwide minable P could last less than 40 years. For sustaining future food supplies, it is vital to enhance plant P use efficiency. To bring the latest knowledge and research advances in efficient management of P for economically viable and environmentally beneficial crop production in sustainable agriculture, Phosphorus Management in Crop Production contains chapters covering functions and diagnostic techniques for P requirements in crop plants, P use efficiency and interactions with other nutrients in crop plants, management of P for optimal crop production and environmental quality, and basic principles and methodology regarding P nutrition in crop plants. The majority of research data included are derived from many years of field, greenhouse, and lab work, hence the information is practical in nature and will have a significant impact on efficient management of P-fertilizers to enhance P use efficiency, improve crop production, promote sustainable agriculture, and reduce P losses through eluviations, leaching, and erosion to minimize environmental degradation. A comprehensive book that combines practical and applied information, Phosphorus Management in Crop Production is an excellent reference for students, professors, agricultural research scientists, food scientists, agricultural extension specialists, private consultants, fertilizer companies, and government agencies that deal with agricultural and environmental issues.

Written by research pioneers and leading scientists in the area of agricultural systems, Quantifying and Understanding Plant Nitrogen Uptake for Systems Modeling comprehensively covers plant N uptake in agricultural system models, especially for building soil-plant system models.

The text illustrates how to minimize the transportation of nitrogen fertilizers in crop production to surface and ground waters, as even moderate errors in uptake estimations lead to a dramatic increase in the amount of nitrogen leached into groundwater. It also highlights the knowledge gaps preventing correct simulation of this process and explains what to look for when using a system model and interpreting simulation results.

Applies to a Variety of Crops, Including Oilseed, Wheat, Potatoes, and Maize

Addressing quantification and synthesis in the context of system modeling, this text introduces cutting-edge and original information regarding N uptake not previously offered by other research texts in the field. This, in turn, benefits scientists, professors, system modelers, and model users in interpreting modeling results for enhancing nitrogen management and developing decision support tools.

This volume documents, with complex, detailed models, plant N uptake based on absorption kinetics of transporters across the root cell membranes, mass flow, and diffusion to the root surface of single or composite roots. It also provides simpler models used in N uptake simulations at the field and watershed scales.

Discusses All Areas of the Complex Process

In addition to the important processes of nitrogen translocation, remobilization, and grain protein formation, the book documents variousphilosophies, mechanisms, and scales in simulating plant N uptake in agricultural system models, while providing an extensive review of the uptake of dissolved organic nitrogen by plants in ecosystems.

Dr. Smil is the world's authority on nitrogenous fertilizer. The industrial synthesis of ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen has been of greater fundamental importance to the modern world than the invention of the airplane, nuclear energy, space flight, or television. The expansion of the world's population from 1.6 billion people in 1900 to today's six billion would not have been possible without the synthesis of ammonia. In Enriching the Earth, Vaclav Smil begins with a discussion of nitrogen's unique status in the biosphere, its role in crop production, and traditional means of supplying the nutrient. He then looks at various attempts to expand natural nitrogen flows through mineral and synthetic fertilizers. The core of the book is a detailed narrative of the discovery of ammonia synthesis by Fritz Haber-a discovery scientists had sought for over one hundred years-and its commercialization by Carl Bosch and the chemical company BASF. Smil also examines the emergence of the large-scale nitrogen fertilizer industry and analyzes the extent of global dependence on the Haber-Bosch process and its biospheric consequences. Finally, it looks at the role of nitrogen in civilization and, in a sad coda, describes the lives of Fritz Haber and Carl Bosch after the discovery of ammonia synthesis.