Soil and Fertilizers: Managing the Environmental Footprint

Soil and Fertilizers: Managing the Environmental Footprint offers methods to improve soil health by reducing fertilizer input while maintaining high agronomic yields. It highlights the tenfold increase in global fertilizer consumption between 2002 and 2016, emphasizing the risks to the environment and human health from excessive use. The book provides solutions for enhancing fertilizer efficiency and outlines agricultural practices to reduce the environmental footprint. It is part of the Advances in Soil Sciences series and will appeal to soil scientists, environmental scientists, and agricultural engineers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 372 pages
Publication date: 13 June 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Soil and Fertilizers: Managing the Environmental Footprint is a comprehensive guide that offers strategies to enhance soil health while reducing the rate of fertilizer input, ensuring high agronomic yields. It is estimated that fertilizer use contributed to nearly half of global births in 2008, highlighting its crucial role in sustaining agricultural production in the face of population growth and climate change. However, excessive use of chemical fertilizers poses significant risks to the environment and human health.

The book emphasizes a tenfold increase in global fertilizer consumption between 2002 and 2016, shedding light on the detrimental effects on soil quality, water, air, and biota caused by overuse of chemical fertilizers. Written by an interdisciplinary author team, this book provides valuable insights into improving the efficiency of fertilizer use and outlines agricultural practices that can minimize the environmental footprint.

Key features of the book include:

Thorough literature review: The book encompasses a comprehensive examination of the agronomic and environmental impact of fertilizer, encompassing topics such as ecosystem degradation, eutrophication of drinking water, and the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Dedicated chapters: The book devotes specific chapters to enhancing the use efficiency and effectiveness of fertilizers through improved formulations, time and mode of application, and the integration of precision farming technology.

Geographic variation in fertilizer consumption: The book presents case studies for specific countries and regions, including India and Africa, to illustrate geographic variation in fertilizer consumption volume.

Discussion of organic vs. chemical fertilizers: The book explores the pros and cons of organic and chemical fertilizers, as well as innovative technologies such as nuclear energy, and their relevance in addressing environmental concerns.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals: The book discusses the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and their implications for sustainable agriculture and food production.

Part of the Advances in Soil Sciences series, Soil and Fertilizers: Managing the Environmental Footprint is a solutions-focused volume that appeals to soil scientists, environmental scientists, and agricultural professionals alike. By implementing the strategies outlined in this book, we can strive towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to agriculture, ensuring the long-term viability of our food systems.

Weight: 690g
Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032336213