Soil Fertility, Second Edition [Hardcover]

Soils are one of the world's most important resources, and their protection, maintenance, and improvement is critical to the continuance of life on earth. Soil Fertility, Second Edition, offers thorough coverage of the fertility, composition, properties, and management of soils. This book carries on the tradition of excellence established by authors Henry Foth and Boyd Ellis, leading soil scientists whose previous books in this field have become multi-edition classics.
The Second Edition of Soil Fertility has been significantly expanded to include more information on mineralogy, while keeping the thorough coverage of essential topics. The book presents soils as dynamic, constantly changing bodies, and relates soil fertility and management to the mineralogy of their origin. Four new chapters offer updated information on soil charge properties, ion adsorption, exchange and fixation, and soil reaction. There is also a far greater emphasis on environmental issues, reflecting the increasing importance of environmental concerns to agronomists and soil scientists today.Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition
Definition and Nature of Soil Fertility
Historical Development
Soil as a Nutrient Reservoir
Root Interception and Movement of Nutrients to Roots
Nutrient Uptake From Soils
Importance of Fertilizers
Charge Properties
Constant Charge
Variable Charge
Determination of Charge
The Charge of Soil Organic Matter
The Mineral Weathering Sequence and Charge Development
Constant Charge 2:1 Layer Phyllosilicates
Variable Charge 1:1 Layer Phyllosilicates
Variable Charge Short-Range Order Aluminosilicates
Variable Charge Oxide Minerals
Charge Characteristics of Soils
Ion Adsorption, Exchange, and Fixation
Exchangeable Ion Distribution Near Charged Surfaces
Factors Affecting the Cation Exchange Capacity
Cation Exchange Capacity of Soils
The Effective lC“