Soil and Fertilizers: Managing the Environmental Footprint presents strategies to improve soil health by reducing the rate of fertilizer input while maintaining high agronomic yields. It is estimated that fertilizer use supported nearly half of global births in 2008. In a context of potential food insecurity exacerbated by population growth and climate change, the importance of fertilizers in sustaining the agronomic production is clear. However, excessive use of chemical fertilizers poses serious risks both to the environment and to human health. Highlighting a tenfold increase in global fertilizer consumption between 2002 and 2016, the book explains the effects on the quality of soil, water, air and biota from overuse of chemical fertilizers. Written by an interdisciplinary author team, this book presents methods for enhancing the efficiency of fertilizer use and outlines agricultural practices that can reduce the environmental footprint. Features:Includes a thorough literature review on the agronomic and environmental impact of fertilizer, from degradation of ecosystems to the eutrophication of drinking water. Specific chapters are devoted to enhancing the use efficiency and effectiveness of the fertilizers through improved formulations, time and mode of application, and the use of precision farming technology. The geographic variation in fertilizer consumption volume is revealed by case studies for specific countries and regions, including India and Africa. The pros and cons of organic vs. chemical fertilizers, as well as innovative technologies including nuclear energy, are discussed, as are the U. N.'s Sustainable Development Goals. Part of theAdvances in Soil Sciencesseries, this solutions-focused volume will appeal to soil scientists, environmental scientists and agricultural engineers. | Soil And Fertilizers by Rattan Lal, Hardcover | Indigo Chapters