Chapter One: A Career Perspective on Soil Management in the Cerrado Region of Brazil
- Abstract
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The Environment of the Cerrados
- 3. Pioneer Soil Fertility Works
- 4. A Survey of the “Unfertility” Status
- 5. Limiting Aspects Concerning Water Stress
- 6. Mineralogical Properties, Phosphorus Fixation, and Electrical Charges
- 7. Soil Fertility Management
- 8. Other Actions
- 9. The Cerrado Production Potential in the 1990s and Today's Production
- 10. New Sustainable Technologies
- 11. Final Remarks
Chapter Two: The definition of soil since the early 1800s
- Abstract
- 1. Introduction
- 2. A Brief History of Soil Science—The Context
- 3. Soil Descriptions and Definitions in the 1800s
- 4. Definitions in Soil Survey and Classification
- 5. The Expanding View
- 6. Soil Definitions in Dictionaries and Glossaries
- 7. Discussion
- 8. Some Concluding Remarks
- Acknowledgments
Chapter Three: Climate Change and Agriculture: Adaptation Strategies and Mitigation Opportunities for Food Security in South Asia and Latin America
- Abstract
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Climate Change Scenario in South Asia and Latin America
- 3. Emission of Greenhouse Gases From Agriculture
- 4. Water Resources: Current and Future Scenario
- 5. Impact of Climate Change on Crop Production and Food Security in South Asia and Latin America
- 6. Adaptation Strategies and Mitigation of Changing Climate in Agriculture
- 7. Mitigation Strategies/Options
- 8. Modeling Impact of Climate Change on Crop Production
- 9. The Way Forward
- 10. Conclusions
- Acknowledgments
Chapter Four: Plant Bioregulators for Sustainable Agriculture: Integrating Redox Signaling as a Possible Unifying Mechanism
- Abstract
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Classes of PBRs
- 3. Unified Mechanism for PBR Mediated Action on Plants
- 4. Knowledge Gaps Carrying Forward Scientific Leads From Lab to Farmer's Field
- 5. Quality Control and Ecological Concerns
- 6. Conclusion and Future Directions
Chapter Five: Iron Redox Cycling Coupled to Transformation and Immobilization of Heavy Metals: Implications for Paddy Rice Safety in the Red Soil of South China
- Abstract
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Characteristic of Paddy Soil
- 3. Iron Oxide Minerals and Iron Redox Cycling
- 4. Correlations Between Iron Cycling and the Fate of Heavy Metals
- 5. Microbial and Geochemical Mechanisms for Iron Redox Cycling Coupled to the Fate of Heavy Metals
- 6. Important Processes Affecting the Iron Redox Cycling Coupled to the Fate of Heavy Metals
- 7. Future Research Needs
- Acknowledgment
Chapter Six: Organic Farming, Soil Health, and Food Quality: Considering Possible Links
- Abstract
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Organic Farming and Management Effects on Soil Quality/Health
- 3. Links Between Soil Health and Plant Health
- 4. Potential Mechanisms Linking Soil Health, Plant Health, and Food-Crop Quality
- 5. Food-Crop Quality and Human Health
- 6. Conclusions and Recommendations for Future Research
- Acknowledgments