Overview

The production of food, fibre and fuel have throughout history been the most important challenges to humanity. The increase in the world population and the rising living standards in the 20th century have increased the demands on these resources to unprecedented levels. Consequently, there is now worldwide concern over sustainability and environmental effects of the management practices of modern cropland, grassland, forestry and other plant production systems. This is a textbook which should enable students with a broad range of backgrounds an interest to gain a basic scientific understanding of the processes which define the ecology and environment of plant production. The introduction considers the global issues and the remainder is divided into two sections. The first considers the relationship between plant production and the environment and examines ecological principles, the importance of genetic manipulation and diversity, historical development of agricultural ecosystems and increasing yield, biophysical limits of productivity, the soil-plant relationship and water requirements. The second section considers the physical environment that influences plant production and examines the effects of solar radiation, temperature, weather, and atmospheric gases. This book is aimed at students of agronomy, plant science, ecology and environmental biology and for others with an interest in the sustainability of plant production and its associated environmental considerations.

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9780851992204

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This introductory undergraduate textbook provides a basic scientific approach to the physical environment of plant production and related environmental issues. The volume was assembled with contributions by the editors, both renowned plant ecologists, and their colleagues in the agronomy department at the University of Florida. The opening chapter introduces the major issues associated with the increasing global demand for food, fiber, and fuel. ... The chapter on plant genetics demonstrates the importance of biodiversity in the development of crop sciences. The maintenance of agricultural productivity is explored in four chapters. ... Two chapters on soil and water, related by soil-water interactions, cover the basic principles that provide some understanding of the environmental issues of soil degradation and water depletion. Finally, three chapters on temperature, climate, and atmospheric gases relate to climate change and global warming. --The Quarterly Review of Biology<br>

<br> This introductory undergraduate textbook provides a basic scientific approach to the physical environment of plant production and related environmental issues. The volume was assembled with contributions by the editors, both renowned plant ecologists, and their colleagues in the agronomy department at the University of Florida. The opening chapter introduces the major issues associated with the increasing global demand for food, fiber, and fuel. ... The chapter on plant genetics demonstrates the importance of biodiversity in the development of crop sciences. The maintenance of agricultural productivity is explored in four chapters. ... Two chapters on soil and water, related by soil-water interactions, cover the basic principles that provide some understanding of the environmental issues of soil degradation and water depletion. Finally, three chapters on temperature, climate, and atmospheric gases relate to climate change and global warming. --The Quarterly Review of Biology<p><br>

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