Overview

Nitrogen is an essential element for plant growth and development and a key agricultural input-but in excess it can lead to a host of problems for human and ecological health. Across the globe, distribution of fertilizer nitrogen is very uneven, with some areas subject to nitrogen pollution and others suffering from reduced soil fertility, diminished crop production, and other consequences of inadequate supply. Agriculture and the Nitrogen Cycle provides a global assessment of the role of nitrogen fertilizer in the nitrogen cycle. The focus of the book is regional, emphasizing the need to maintain food and fiber production while minimizing environmental impacts where fertilizer is abundant, and the need to enhance fertilizer utilization in systems where nitrogen is limited. The book is derived from a workshop held by the Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment (SCOPE) in Kampala, Uganda, that brought together the world's leading scientists to examine and discuss the nitrogen cycle and related problems. It contains an overview chapter that summarizes the group's findings, four chapters on cross-cutting issues, and thirteen background chapters. The book offers a unique sy

Full Product Details

9781559637084

Table of Contents

Reviews

It is a pleasure to read a solidly based scientific report written in a way that is obviously relevant to policy makers. This is a breath of fresh air. --Pedro Sanchez This book is the most comprehensive global synthesis on the nitrogen cycle in agriculture conducted to date. It especially addresses the critical need to understand and hence improve the management of nitrogen fertilizer to maintain crop production while reducing external consequences of fertilizer use. Importantly, it evaluates ways to enhance crop production in areas of the world where nitrogen fertilizers are very expensive. --Dennis Keeney Decisions must be based on best available knowledgea. SCOPE has again produced an in depth review that will be welcomed by the international science community and decision makers in both the private and public sectors. The volume is of high relevance on all scales from the farm level to global food security. --Thomas Rosswall

It is a pleasure to read a solidly based scientific report written in a way that is obviously relevant to policy makers. This is a breath of fresh air. --Pedro Sanchez Decisions must be based on best available knowledgea. SCOPE has again produced an in depth review that will be welcomed by the international science community and decision makers in both the private and public sectors. The volume is of high relevance on all scales from the farm level to global food security. --Thomas Rosswall This book is the most comprehensive global synthesis on the nitrogen cycle in agriculture conducted to date. It especially addresses the critical need to understand and hence improve the management of nitrogen fertilizer to maintain crop production while reducing external consequences of fertilizer use. Importantly, it evaluates ways to enhance crop production in areas of the world where nitrogen fertilizers are very expensive. --Dennis Keeney

This book is the most comprehensive global synthesis on the nitrogen cycle in agriculture conducted to date. It especially addresses the critical need to understand and hence improve the management of nitrogen fertilizer to maintain crop production while reducing external consequences of fertilizer use. Importantly, it evaluates ways to enhance crop production in areas of the world where nitrogen fertilizers are very expensive. --Dennis Keeney

Author Information

Arvin R. Mosier is a research chemist for the USDA Agricultural Research Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. J. Keith Syers is Vice-President for International Relations, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand. John R. Freney is a chief research scientist (retired), CSIRO, Division of Plant Industry, Canberra, Australia. The Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment (SCOPE) was established by the International Council for Science (ICSU) in 1969. It brings together natural and social scientists to identify emerging or potential environmental issues and to address jointly the nature and solution of environmental problems on a global basis.With its headquarters in Paris, France, SCOPE programs are conducted by volunteer scientists from every inhabited continent of the globe.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available