Advances in Agronomy

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