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Maize is among the most widely spread and widely used crops of the world, used for cereals for over 4 billion humans, as food for farm animals, and as a source material for biofuel production. Yet there are relatively few books on the cropping system of this important crop. Maize Agroecosystem: Nutrient Dynamics and Productivity, Maize Agroecosystem, is a concise treatise dealing with agronomy, soil fertility, and productivity of maize.
The information is global in nature and considers recent developments in all maize cropping belts. The "global maize agroecosystem" is a conglomerate of several "maize cropping belts" that flourish on different continents. The impact of nutrient management on the productivity of Maize Agroecosystems is the main focus of Maize Agroecosystem: Nutrient Dynamics and Productivity. Maize Agroecosystem: Nutrient Dynamics and Productivity includes the history of maize growing, the kinds of soil needed, nutrient dynamics, the use of soil organic matter, the physiology and genetics of maize, and integrated nutrient management.
It presents comprehensive knowledge regarding the physicochemical dynamics of the three major nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Also covered is how fertilizers impinge on soils of maize farms and their impact on soil and groundwater quality. The impact of crop genotype on soil nutrient dynamics and productivity is also highlighted.
The information provided here will be highly useful to students at colleges and universities in the fields of agricultural sciences and environmental science and ecology, and Maize Agroecosystem: Nutrient Dynamics and Productivity also functions as valuable resource for researchers and professors in crop science. Several figures and tables are included that describe and summarize the impact of various agronomic/fertilizer management procedures on crop productivity.
Preface by Kowligi Krishna
Maize Agroecosystem: Origin, Physiography, Expanse, and Production
Introduction
Physiography, Agroclimate, Soils, Water Requirements and Cropping Systems
Expanse and Productivity of Maize Agroecosystem: Current Status
Uses
Summary
Soils of the Maize Agroecosystem: Tillage and Nutrient Dynamics
Soils of Maize Agroecosystem
Physico-Chemical Transformations of Nutrients in the Soil: A Summary
Soil Tillage affects Nutrient Dynamics in the Maize Belt
Summary
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium in Maize Agroecosystems
Major Nutrients: Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium in Maize Belts
Nitrogen Dynamics in Maize Agroecosystem
Phosphorus Dynamics in Maize Agroecosystem
Potassium Dynamics in Maize Cropping Zones
Summary
Secondary and Micronutrients in Maize Agroecosystems
Soil Organic Matter, Crop Residues, and Green Manures
Soil Organic Carbon and Its Sequestration
Crop Residues and Nutrient Recycling
Green Manures and Nutrient Dynamics
Organic Mulches and Nutrient Dynamics
Summary
Maize Roots, Rhizosphere, Soil Microbes, and Nutrient Dynamics
Introduction
Maize Roots, Their Growth and Nutrient Dynamics
Root Exudations
Maize Rhizosphere
Soil Microbes and Nutrient Dynamics
Summary
Crop Physiology, Genetic Improvement, and Nutrient Dynamics
Integrated Nutrient Management
Crop Response to Nutrient Management Procedures
Modeling to Improve Nutrient Dynamics and Maize Production: Examples
Agronomic Efficiency of Fertilizers
Irrigation and Water-Use Efficiency Affect Nutrient Dynamics
Soil Erosion Control and Its impact on Nutrient Dynamics
Weeds affect Nutrient Dynamics and reduce Maize Productivity
Long Term trials With Maize
Cropping Systems, Nutrient Dynamics and Productivity
Maize for Bio-fuel Production: Nutrients and Productivity
Summary
Index
K. R. Krishna received his PhD in Agriculture from the University of Agricultural Sciences Bangalore. He has been a cereals scientist in India and a visiting professor and research scholar at the Soil and Water Science Department at the University of Florida, Gainesville, USA. Dr. Krishna is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Society of Agronomony, the Soil Science Society of America, the Ecological Society of America, and the Indian Society of Agronomy.
