This is a completely revised edition of the previously titled Solute Movement in the Soil-Root System. It describes in detail how plant nutrients and other solutes move in the soil in response to plant uptake, and it provides a basis for understanding processes in the root zone so that they can be modeled realistically in order to predict the effects of variations in natural conditions or our own practices.

Below the soil surface, the rhizosphere is the dynamic interface among plant roots, soil microbes and fauna, and the soil itself, where biological as well as physico-chemical properties differ radically from those of bulk soil. The Rhizosphere is the first ecologically-focused book that explicitly establishes the links from extraordinarily small-scale processes in the rhizosphere to larger-scale belowground patterns and processes. This book includes chapters that emphasize the effects of rhizosphere biology on long-term soil development, agro-ecosystem management and responses of ecosystems to global change. Overall, the volume seeks to spur development of cross-scale links for understanding belowground function in varied natural and managed ecosystems. - First cross-scale ecologically-focused integration of information at the frontier of root, microbial, and soil faunal biology - Establishes the links from extraordinarily small-scale processes in the rhizosphere to larger-scale belowground patterns and processes - Includes valuable information on ecosystem response to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide and enhanced global nitrogen deposition - Chapters written by a variety of experts, including soil scientists, microbial and soil faunal ecologists, and plant biologists

Principles of Soil and Plant Water Relations, 2e describes the principles of water relations within soils, followed by the uptake of water and its subsequent movement throughout and from the plant body. This is presented as a progressive series of physical and biological interrelations, even though each topic is treated in detail on its own. The book also describes equipment used to measure water in the soil-plant-atmosphere system. At the end of each chapter is a biography of a scientist whose principles are discussed in the chapter. In addition to new information on the concept of celestial time, this new edition also includes new chapters on methods to determine sap flow in plants dual-probe heat-pulse technique to monitor water in the root zone. - Provides the necessary understanding to address advancing problems in water availability for meeting ecological requirements at local, regional and global scales - Covers plant anatomy: an essential component to understanding soil and plant water relations

The Encyclopedia of Soil Science provides a comprehensive, alphabetical treatment of basic soil science in a single volume. It constitutes a wide ranging and authorative collection of some 160 academic articles covering the salient aspects of soil physics, chemistry, biology, fertility, technology, genesis, morphology, classification and geomorphology. With increased usage of soil for world food production, building materials, and waste repositories, demand has grown for a better global understanding of soil and its processes. longer articles by leading authorities from around the world are supplemented by some 430 definitions of common terms in soil sciences.

In the past 10 years, there has been a resurgence in interest in soil management and conservation of the soil resource. With the knowledge we have accumulated in the past 100 years, there is the possibility of developing new and innovative ways of effectively managing the soil. The emphasis on sustainable agriculture requires that we understand how to utilize the soil as a viable living resource. To meet the world demand for food within the next 50 years requires a healthy and strong soil resource which can sustain production. With the dedication of the National Soil Tilth Laboratory in 1989, it was decided that one contribution the laboratory could make to agri cultural science would be to foster an exchange of information on soil management. The focus of that interchange centers on long-term soil management. If we are to fulfill the goals of sustainable agriculture, environmental quality, and feeding the world, there will have to be an increased understanding of how to effectively manage the soil. Long-term soil management requires integrated and interdisciplinary research to bring all of the information together in terms which would be applicable to all soils. To accomplish this goal a workshop is held each year, with the exchange of information focusing on a single topic within the framework of developing effective strategies for long-term soil management. With the forum to focus on an individual theme each year, the theme for the initial workshop was "Limitations to Plant Root Growth.

The Soil-Root Interface contains the proceedings of an international symposium held in Oxford, England, on March 28 to 31, 1978. The first five chapters of this book contain the majority of papers presented at the meeting, as well as the descriptions of displayed posters and films. Abstracts of other contributions offered by participants but not read at the meeting form the final chapter. The first five parts cover topics on nutrient demand and supply at the soil root interface; physics and chemistry of the interfacial region; biological activities at the interface; the interface in relation to environmental stress and disease; and the interface in relation to soil function and growth.

This open access book highlights concepts discussed at two international conferences that brought together world-renowned scientists to advance the science of potassium (K) recommendations for crops. There was general agreement that the potassium recommendations currently in general use are oversimplified, outdated, and jeopardize soil, plant, and human health. Accordingly, this book puts forward a significantly expanded K cycle that more accurately depicts K inputs, losses and transformations in soils. This new cycle serves as both the conceptual basis for the scientific discussions in this book and a framework upon which to build future improvements. Previously used approaches are critically reviewed and assessed, not only for their relevance to future enhancements, but also for their use as metrics of sustainability. An initial effort is made to link K nutrition in crops and K nutrition in humans. The book offers an invaluable asset for graduate students, educators, industry scientists, data scientists, and advanced agronomists.

In the course of evolution, a great variety of root systems have learned to overcome the many physical, biochemical and biological problems brought about by soil. This development has made them a fascinating object of scientific study. This volume gives an overview of how roots have adapted to the soil environment and which roles they play in the soil ecosystem. The text describes the form and function of roots, their temporal and spatial distribution, and their turnover rate in various ecosystems. Subsequently, a physiological background is provided for basic functions, such as carbon acquisition, water and solute movement, and for their responses to three major abiotic stresses, i.e. hard soil structure, drought and flooding. The volume concludes with the interactions of roots with other organisms of the complex soil ecosystem, including symbiosis, competition, and the function of roots as a food source.