BookKodoth Prabhakaran Nair.
Summary: This book conceptualizes a revolutionary idea based on a mechanistic-mathematical model in which the "Buffer Power" of the principal and problematic nutrients like phosphorus, potassium and zinc is quantified. This is achieved by using either a very sophisticated technique, electro-ultra-filtration, or a simple adsorption-desorption equilibrium technique, and by integrating the "Buffer Power" of the nutrient in question into the computations, accurate fertilizer recommendations are made. This technique was field tested across Europe, (Germany and Belgium), Africa (The Republic of Cameroon), and Asia (both Central Asia- Turkey and South Asia-India), during a period of three decades in test crops, such as, summer rye (Secale cereale), maize (Zea mays), wheat (Triticum aestivum), white clover (Trifolium repens), a highly nutritious and palatable fodder crop for Africa, black pepper (Piper nigrum) and cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum). Remarkable precision in predictability of plant uptake of phosphorus, potassium and zinc was obtained employing the technique. "The Nutrient Buffer Power Concept" project was shortlisted for the very prestigious U.S. Million Rolex Awards For Enterprise of The Rolex Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland, for its outstanding originality and quality from more than 3500 nominations worldwide and is the only project chosen for this very coveted distinction from the Asian continent.
Contents:
Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. Efficient Plant Nutrient Management
Chapter 3. The Buffer Power and Effect on Nutrient Availability
Chapter 4. Quantifying the Buffer Power of Soils and Testing Its Effect on Nutrient Availability
Chapter 5. Case Studies with Asian Soils
Chapter 6. The Role of Electro-Ultrafiltration (EUF) in Measuring P and K Intensity for the Construction of Buffer Power Curves
Chapter 7. Quantifying the Buffer Power for Precise Availability Prediction
Heavy Metals
Chapter 8. Case Studies with South Asian Soils
Chapter 9. Case Studies with Central Asian Soils
Chapter 10. Case Studies with African Soils with Regard to P and K
Chapter 11. The Changing Face of Global Agriculture
Chapter 12. Sustainable Agricultural Production on a Small Farm
Chapter 13. General Profile of Current Agricultural Systems
Chapter 14. Sustainability Conundrums
Chapter 15. Land Management for Sustainable Agriculture
Chapter 16. Erosion Control and Maintenance of Good Soil Tilth
Chapter 17. Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management
Chapter 18. How to Manage Water Use for Sustainable Agriculture?
Chapter 19. Primary Productivity and Biodiversity
Chapter 20. Environment and Management
Chapter 21. Policy Making and Regulations
Chapter 22. Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganisms and Their Role in Sustainable Agriculture
Chapter 23. Energy Management in Sustainable Agriculture
Chapter 24. Measurement of Agricultural Sustainability
Chapter 25. Climate Change and Agricultural Production
Chapter 26. Achieving Agricultural Sustainability
The Future Challenge
Chapter 27. Holistic Technologies
Chapter 28. Integrated Plant Nutrient Management
Chapter 29. The Salient Conclusions.