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Advances in AGRONOMY Vol.28

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During 1976, an event occurred which is of great significance to all mankind. At some location, probably in one of the developing countries where population growth is high, a child was born, the world's four billionth human being. This event, which was easily predictable considering national birth and death rates, calls our attention to the ever-present race between population and food sup- plies. It gives reason for the increased focus of the world's scientific community on food production and it justifies the attention that has been given by crop and soil scientists to this important human problem.

Rising costs of energy are a second area of worldwide human concern, an area that has marked effects on man's ability to feed himself. Modern agricultural technology, developed over a long period of relatively low energy costs, is generally high in its energy requirements. Sudden increases in energy costs have caused a re-examination of the high energy demanding concepts of modern agriculture and have accelerated attempts to obtain high food production rates using practices with modest energy requirements.

This volume contains reviews of the research contributions of crop and soil scientists to the solution of each of these worldwide problems. Attention is given to nitrogen, an element essential for crop production and an element whose supply is markedly affected by energy costs. Nitrogen is supplied either through biological fixation in the field or by commercial fertilizers. In either case, there is need for research findings on this element, its efficiency of utilization and its influence on crop production and crop physiological processes.

Three review articles on nitrogen are found in this volume. One deals with nitrogen stress in plants, one with the use of tracers in nitrogen research, and a third with nitrate accumulation in plants.
Cereal crops are carrying and will likely continue to carry a major share of the burden of food supply, especially in the developing countries. Three articles in this volume focus on the cereals. Emphasis is given to contributions relating to their genetic improvement and to their physiology.

A review of statistical techniques used in soil classification is very timely and should be useful in studies to integrate soil and crop performance information. Likewise, the article on crop-water relations summarizes work on moisture stress in plants and provides background information for draught-alleviating practices. Lastly, the review article on protoplasts calls attention to an exciting new area of research which will likely be pursued as we attempt to increase the yield potential of crop plants.

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Availability

8805

631(058) ADV a

Perpustakaan PPKS Medan Lt. 1 (631)

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Detail Information

Series Title

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Call Number

631(058) ADV a

Publisher

New York : Academic Press., 1976

Collation

xi, 418 hal.: ill.;23,5 cm

Language

English

ISBN/ISSN

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Classification

631(058)

Content Type

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Media Type

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Carrier Type

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Edition

28

Subject(s)

Pertanian

Specific Detail Info

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Statement of Responsibility

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