Advances in agronomy. V.101 /

Front Cover 1
Advances in Agronomy 4
Copyright Page 5
Contents 6
Contributors 10
Preface 14
Chapter 1: Soil Organic Matter: Its Importance in Sustainable Agriculture and Carbon Dioxide Fluxes 16
1. Introduction 17
2. Some Aspects of the Nature and Behavior of Soil Organic Matter 20
3. Changes in the Organic Content of Soils and Their Causes 26
4. Soil Organic Matter and Crop Yields 43
5. Explaining the Benefits of Soil Organic Matter 52
6. Modeling Changes in Soil Organic Matter 61
7. Disadvantages from Increasing Soil Organic Matter 67
Acknowledgments 69
References 69
Chapter 2: Climate Change Affecting Rice Production: The Physiological and Agronomic Basis for Possible Adaptation Strategies 74
1. Introduction 75
2. Stress Physiology and Possible Adaptation Mechanisms to Climate Induced Stresses 78
3. Comparative Assessment of Rice Versus Other Crops (In Terms of Vulnerability and Adaptation Options) 117
4. Outlook: Current Advances and Future Prospects 124
References 125
Chapter 3: Nitrogen in Dryland Soils of China and Its Management 138
1. Introduction 141
2. Contents and Distribution of N in Dryland Soils 146
3. Ways for N Loss and Gain in Dryland Areas 149
4. Rational Application of N Fertilizer to Dryland Soils 152
5. Strategies for Managements of Soil N on Drylands 179
6. Conclusions 184
Acknowledgments 185
References 185
Chapter 4: The Agronomy and Economy of Some Important Industrial Crops 198
1. Introduction 202
2. Arecanut (Areca Catechu L.) 203
3. The Agronomy of Arecanut 213
4. Arecanut Pathology 219
5. Arecanut Entomology 221
6. Arecanut Nematology 222
7. Harvesting and Processing of Arecanut 222
8. A Peep into Arecanut's Future 223
9. Cashew Nut (Anacardium Occidentale L.) 224
10. Economic Botany of Cashew 235
11. The Genetic Improvement of the Cashew Plant 239
12. Establishing and Managing a Cashew Orchard 246
13. The Relevance of \ 253
14. Some Salient Aspects of Raising Soft Wood Grafting 253
15. Planting Technology 254
16. Controlling the Pests and Diseases in Cashew Plantations 258
17. Cashew End Products 264
18. Organization of Cashew Research in India and Overseas 269
19. A Peep into Cashew's Future 271
20. Technology Transfer 273
21. Biodynamic Cashew 273
22. The Coconut Palm (Cocos Nucifera L.) 274
23. Botany of Coconut 280
24. Constraints in Coconut Breeding 289
25. Commercial Production of Hybrid Seeds 292
26. Agronomy of Coconut 293
27. Coconut-Based Mixed Cropping Systems and Their Management 297
28. Seed and Seedling Management 298
29. Field Management 300
30. Productive Palms 300
31. Adaptation to Biotic Factors 301
32. The Range of Coconut of Pests 301
33. Adaptation in Coconut Palm 303
34. A Devastating Virus 304
35. Adapting the Coconut to Market Needs 304
36. Yield Potential of the Coconut Palm 304
37. Quality Traits 305
38. Coconut as a Food Item 306
39. Research and Development in Coconut Production 306
40. Global Coordination 307
41. National Research Centers 307
42. Research in India and Sri Lanka 308
43. Research in the Second Half of Twentieth Century 308
44. A Peep into the Future of Coconut 309
45. Protection of the Production Base 310
46. Advances in Processing Technology 311
47. Contact Information for Research Centers and Institutes 311
Acknowledgments 315
References 316
Chapter 5: Legume-Wheat Rotation Effects on Residual Soil Moisture, Nitrogen and Wheat Yield in Tropical Regions 330
1. Introduction 331
2. Residual Soil Moisture 332
3. Soil Fertility and Yields 335
4. Residue Decomposition and N Mineralization 341
5. Legume-Wheat Rotation Effects on Soil and Yield in a Tropical Humid Climate 349
6. Conclusions 357
References 358
Chapter 6: Strategies for Producing More Rice with Less Water 366
1. Introduction 367
2. Genetic Improvement for Water Productivity 368
3. Crop Management 379
4. Future Thrusts 389
References 390
Index 404