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Advances in AGRONOMY Vol. 25

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Dramatic reductions during the past two years in the world food supply have jolted a complacent world into the realization that the food-population race remains unquestionably the most critical problem facing mankind. Population growth continues at alarming rates in those countries where food supplies are already inadequate. Food shortages are plaguing not only the poor countries where hunger, malnutrition, and starvation are a way of life, but have now reached the more affluent nations. Even the United States which for a generation has sought through public programs to limit crop production is now concentrating on programs to increase food supply. Once again tillers of the soil, and the crops and animals which supply our food have high national priorities. In this time of international concern over food supply, reviews of scientific advancement such as those con- tained in this volume are most reassuring.

Papers contained in this volume are concrete evidence of the contribution of crop and soil scientists to mankind's efforts to feed himself. Four of the papers deal with crops. One is concerned with research on crimson clover, a legume grown in the southern part of the United States and a plant which is most important to a growing animal industry in this area. Re- markable progress is reported on knowledge gained from the breeding of sorghum, a plant which is rapidly becoming a major crop in the semi-arid regions throughout the world. Factors affecting the lodging of small grains is the subject of one review. Recent advances in research on malting barley, a crop of expanded acreage and of increasing quality expectations is the subject of the fourth crops article.

The reviews of advances in soil science are certainly not unrelated to crop production. The mechanisms of ion absorption by plant roots are the subject of one review. Plant root growth is one of the phenomena considered in the critical analysis of the practice of zero-tillage made by scientists who have devoted much of their research efforts to this cultural practice. Phosphorus accumulation in streams and lakes fed by runoff from agricultural lands is the subject of another review. The need to prevent environmental contamination from agricultural chemicals is considered. The genesis and management of acid sulfate soils, which occupy millions of acres of coastal areas in warm and hot humid climates are discussed.

These soils are important especially to the rice growing areas of the world. The international focus of this journal is maintained not only by the nature of the subjects covered but by the selection of authors to write the reviews. Food production is truly an international problem to which crop and soil scientists throughout the world are addressing their attention

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8354

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., 1973

Collation

xi, 411 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

25

Subject(s)

Pertanian

Specific Detail Info

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Statement of Responsibility

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