Soil Fertility, Second Edition
Features
• Approximately twice as much material than was published in the first edition
• Four new chapters, with new information on soil charge properties; ion adsorption, exchange and fixation; and soil reaction
• New emphasis on the relationship between soil fertility and overall environmental sustainability
• Written to appeal to a wide audience ranging from undergraduate students in agriculture and environmental science to practicing professionals
Summary
Soils are one of the world's most important resources, and their protection, maintenance, and improvement is critical to the continuance of life on earth. Soil Fertility, Second Edition, offers thorough coverage of the fertility, composition, properties, and management of soils. This book carries on the tradition of excellence established by authors Henry Foth and Boyd Ellis, leading soil scientists whose previous books in this field have become multi-edition classics.
The Second Edition of Soil Fertility has been significantly expanded to include more information on mineralogy, while keeping the thorough coverage of essential topics. The book presents soils as dynamic, constantly changing bodies, and relates soil fertility and management to the mineralogy of their origin. Four new chapters offer updated information on soil charge properties, ion adsorption, exchange and fixation, and soil reaction. There is also a far greater emphasis on environmental issues, reflecting the increasing importance of environmental concerns to agronomists and soil scientists today.
Contents
Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition
Definition and Nature of Soil Fertility
Historical Development
Soil as a Nutrient Reservoir
Root Interception and Movement of Nutrients to Roots
Nutrient Uptake From Soils
Importance of Fertilizers
Charge Properties
Constant Charge
Variable Charge
Determination of Charge
The Charge of Soil Organic Matter
The Mineral Weathering Sequence and Charge Development
Constant Charge 2:1 Layer Phyllosilicates
Variable Charge 1:1 Layer Phyllosilicates
Variable Charge Short-Range Order Aluminosilicates
Variable Charge Oxide Minerals
Charge Characteristics of Soils
Ion Adsorption, Exchange, and Fixation
Exchangeable Ion Distribution Near Charged Surfaces
Factors Affecting the Cation Exchange Capacity
Cation Exchange Capacity of Soils
The Effective Cation Exchange Capacity
Characteristics of Cation Exchange Reactions
The Exchange Cations in Soils
Exchangeable Cations as a Source of Plant Nutrients
Specific Cation Adsorption
Anion Adsorption and Exchange
Soils with Equal Amounts of Anion and Cation Exchange Capacity
Soil Reaction
Determination of Soil pH
The Soil pH Continuum
Forms of Soil Acidity
Reaction of Soil Orders
Atmospheric Inputs
Effects of Soil pH on Plant Growth
Extreme Weathering Effects on pH
Soil pH Management
The pH Preferences of Plants
Neutralization Reactions
The Lime Requirement
Liming Practices
Other Liming Materials
Selection of a Liming Material
Culturally Produced Soil Acidity
Soil Acidification
Nitrogen
The Nitrogen Cycle
Biological Nitrogen Fixation
Mineralization
Nitrification
Immobilization
Denitrification
Ammonium Fixation
Summary Statement for Soil Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen Uptake by Plants
Nitrogen Distribution and Cycling in Ecosystems
Basis of Nitrogen Fertilizer Recommendation
Phosphorus
Inventory of the Earth's Phosphorus
Phosphorus Cycling in Soil Development
Phosphorus in Fertilized Agricultural Soils
Precipitated Phosphorus
Biologically Incorporated Phosphorus
Soil Organic Phosphorus
Phosphorus Uptake by Plants
Basis of Phosphorus Fertilizer Recommendations
Recommendations for Phosphorus Fertilization of Crops
Environmental Concerns of Soils High in Phosphorus
Potassium
The Soil Potassium Cycle
Mineral Weathering Release of Potassium
Potassium Fixation
Leaching Loss
Plant and Soil Potassium Relationships
Potassium Buffer Capacity
Factors Affecting Uptake of Potassium
Basis of Potassium Fertilizer Recommendations
Replacement of Potassium by Sodium
Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur, and Chlorine
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfur
Chlorine
Micronutrients
Classification of Micronutrients and Trace Elements
Copper and Zinc
Manganese and Iron
Boron and Molybdenum
Trace Elements that May Be Toxic
Methods of Evaluating Soil Fertility for Micronutrients
Micronutrient Deficiency Symptoms
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium Fertilizers
Nitrogen Fertilizers
Phosphorus Fertilizers
Use of Phosphorus Fertilizers
Fate of Applied Fertilizer Phosphorus
Potassium Fertilizers
Mixed Fertilizers
Major Fertilizer Systems
Granular Fertilizers
Bulk Blended Fertilizers
Fluid Fertilizers
Addition and Incorporation of Micronutrients
Salt Index
Fertilizer and Pesticide Combinations
Soil Fertility Evaluation
Plant-Deficiency Symptoms
Soil Tests
Plant Analysis
Application and Use of Fertilizers
Fertilizer Application Practices
Fertilizer Recommendation Philosophies
Fertilizer and Plant-Water Relations
Economics of Fertilizer Use
Environmental Concerns
Site Specific Fertilizer Application
Chapters contain summary and reference sections.
