The understanding of plant-soil interactions in acid soils is important for improved food production in many parts of the world. The context of the book touches on basic and applied aspects of the physics, chemistry and biology of acid soils and their effect on growth of plants. It contains a large section on management of acid soils for plant (food) production and on socioeconomic aspects of management of acid soils. This is important because a large portion of the world's acid soils occurs in less developed countries. Plant-Soil Interactions at Low pH: Principles and Management contains a substantial number of papers, including nine invited reviews, presented at the Third International Symposium of Plant-Soil Interactions at Low pH. The major themes include chemistry and physics of acid soils, microbial and faunal activity in acid soils, mechanisms of acid tolerance of plants, selection and breeding of acid-tolerant plants, diagnosis and correction of acid soil infertility, socioeconomic aspects of acid soil management and management systems for agriculture, horticulture and forestry on acid soils.

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.

The long-awaited second edition of this classic textbook expands on the first edition to include advances made in the last four decades, bringing the topic completely up to date. The book addresses critical issues such as whether humanity can feed itself, and whether it can do so in environmentally sound and sustainable ways. Written from agronomic, environmental, and ecological standpoints, the textbook employs a multidisciplinary approach, including policymaking and plant genetic improvements, as well as ecosystem services, climate change, biodiversity, sustainability and resilience. New chapters in this second edition focus on organic carbon in soil, soil biology, soils in relation to livestock production and forestry, and agroforestry. The new edition will again be the go-to textbook for courses on tropical soils, and a reference textbook for soil and agricultural scientists and development professionals working in the tropics.

This book presents comprehensive coverage of differentiated plant responses to changing environments. It focuses on how multiple and combined stress factors influence plant survival. It examines the latest data on the capacity of roots to alter growth patterns due to disturbances in physical and/or chemical soil constraints, water supply, and other traumas. It contains over 85% new and updated material with more than 1500 new citations, tables, drawings, and photographs.

The International Society of Root Research sponsored the Symposium "Root Demographics and Their Efficiencies in Sustainable Agriculture, GrassLands and Forest Ecosystems," July 14-18, 1996, at the Madren Conference Center, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA. The conference was a continuation of a series of international symposiums on root research held every three to four years. Symposiums have also been held twice in Vienna, Austria, and once in Uppsala, Sweden, and Almaty, Kazahkstan prior to the meeting at Clemson University. The sponsoring society has made a particular effort in these symposia to include root scientists from the former Soviet Union because of the importance of exchanging information on a worldwide basis. This symposium continued and promoted that effort by providing travel grants to several scientists from that region; however, funds for that purpose were limited. Therefore, in compiling these proceedings, a number of papers from scientists from the former Soviet Union and former Warsaw Pack countries have been included even though the scientists were not actually present for the SymPOSIum.