Maize agroecosystem: nutrient dynamics and productivity

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. This book, 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.

<P>Preface by Kowligi Krishna<BR><STRONG>Maize Agroecosystem: Origin, Physiography, Expanse, and Production<BR></STRONG>Introduction<BR>Physiography, Agroclimate, Soils, Water Requirements and Cropping Systems<BR>Expanse and Productivity of Maize Agroecosystem: Current Status<BR>Uses<BR>Summary<BR><STRONG>Soils of the Maize Agroecosystem: Tillage and Nutrient Dynamics<BR></STRONG>Soils of Maize Agroecosystem <BR>Physico-Chemical Transformations of Nutrients in the Soil: A Summary <BR>Soil Tillage affects Nutrient Dynamics in the Maize Belt<BR>Summary <BR><STRONG>Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium in Maize Agroecosystems<BR></STRONG>Major Nutrients: Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium in Maize Belts <BR>Nitrogen Dynamics in Maize Agroecosystem <BR>Phosphorus Dynamics in Maize Agroecosystem <BR>Potassium Dynamics in Maize Cropping Zones <BR>Summary<BR><STRONG>Secondary and Micronutrients in Maize Agroecosystems<BR></STRONG>Soil Organic Matter, Crop Residues, and Green Manures<BR>Soil Organic Carbon and Its Sequestration<BR>Crop Residues and Nutrient Recycling <BR>Green Manures and Nutrient Dynamics <BR>Organic Mulches and Nutrient Dynamics <BR>Summary<BR><STRONG>Maize Roots, Rhizosphere, Soil Microbes, and Nutrient Dynamics<BR></STRONG>Introduction<BR>Maize Roots, Their Growth and Nutrient Dynamics<BR>Root Exudations<BR>Maize Rhizosphere<BR>Soil Microbes and Nutrient Dynamics<BR>Summary<BR><STRONG>Crop Physiology, Genetic Improvement, and Nutrient Dynamics<BR></STRONG>Integrated Nutrient Management<BR>Crop Response to Nutrient Management Procedures <BR>Modeling to Improve Nutrient Dynamics and Maize Production: Examples<BR>Agronomic Efficiency of Fertilizers<BR>Irrigation and Water-Use Efficiency Affect Nutrient Dynamics<BR>Soil Erosion Control and Its impact on Nutrient Dynamics<BR>Weeds affect Nutrient Dynamics and reduce Maize Productivity<BR>Long Term trials With Maize <BR>Cropping Systems, Nutrient Dynamics and Productivity <BR>Maize for Bio-fuel Production: Nutrients and Productivity<BR>Summary<BR>Index<U><BR></P></U>

Chapter 1 Maize Agroecosystem: Origin, Physiography, Expanse, and Productivity -- chapter 2 Soils of the Maize Agroecosystem: Tillage and Nutrient Dynamics -- chapter 3 Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium in Maize Agroecosystem -- chapter 4 Secondary and Micronutrients in Maize Agroeosystems -- chapter 5 Soil Organic Matter, Crop Residues, and Green Manures -- chapter 6 Maize Roots, Rhizosphere, Soil Microbes, and Nutrient Dynamics -- chapter 7 Crop Physiology, Genetic Improvement, and Nutrient Dynamics -- chapter 8 Integrated Nutrient Management.