The Role of Plant Roots in Crop Production


Book Description

The Role of Plant Roots in Crop Production presents the state of knowledge on environmental factors in root growth and development and their effect on the improvement of the yield of annual crops. This book addresses the role of roots in crop production and includes references to numerous annual crops. In addition, it brings together the issues and




The Role of Plant Roots in Crop Production


Book Description

The Role of Plant Roots in Crop Production presents the state of knowledge on environmental factors in root growth and development and their effect on the improvement of the yield of annual crops. This book addresses the role of roots in crop production and includes references to numerous annual crops. In addition, it brings together the issues and the state-of-the-art technologies that affect root growth, with comprehensive reviews to facilitate efficient, sustainable, economical, and environmentally responsible crop production. Written for plant scientists, crop scientists, horticulturalists, and soil scientists, plant physiologists, breeders, environmental scientists, agronomists, and undergraduate and graduate students in different disciplines of agricultural science, The Role of Plant Roots in Crop Production: Addresses root architecture and development dynamics to help users improve crop productivity Emphasizes crop production, plant nutrition, and soil chemistry relative to root growth and functions Covers root morphology, root functions, nutrient and water uptake by roots, root-soil interactions, root-environment interactions, root-microbe interactions, physiology of root crops, and management practices to improve root growth Supports content with experimental results, and additional data is presented with pictures Increasing food production worldwide has become a major issue in the 21st century. Stagnation in grain yield of important food crops in recent years in developed, as well as developing, countries has contributed to a sharp increase in food prices. Furthermore, higher grain yield will be needed in the future to feed a burgeoning world population with a rising standard of living that requires more grain per capita. Technologies that enhance productivity, ensure environmental safety, and conserve natural resources are required to meet this challenge.




Plant Root Systems


Book Description

The physiological background; Relationships between roots and shoots; The groeth and form of root systems; The absorption and transport of nutrients; The water relations of plant root systems; Relationships between plant roots and the rhizosphere flora; The soil environment; Mechanical impedance of root growth; Effects of anaerobic soil conditions; The soil/root interface; Traditional and modern methods of tillage; Reduced cultivation, soil conditions and crop growth.




Understanding and Improving Crop Root Function


Book Description

Part 1 in this collection reviews recent research on understanding root system architecture and growth together key interactions in the rhizosphere. Parts 2 and 3 assess how roots respond to biotic and abiotic stresses whilst Part 4 explores how this understanding can be used to optimise root function.




The Root Systems in Sustainable Agricultural Intensification


Book Description

Explore an in-depth and insightful collection of resources discussing various aspects of root structure and function in intensive agricultural systems The Root Systems in Sustainable Agricultural Intensification delivers a comprehensive treatment of state-of-the-art concepts in the theoretical and practical aspects of agricultural management to enhance root system architecture and function. The book emphasizes the agricultural measures that enhance root capacity to develop and function under a range of water and nutrient regimes to maximize food, feed, and fibre production, as well as minimize undesirable water and nutrient losses to the environment. This reference includes resources that discuss a variety of soil, plant, agronomy, farming system, breeding, molecular and modelling aspects to the subject. It also discusses strategies and mechanisms that underpin increased water- and nutrient-use efficiency and combines consideration of natural and agricultural systems to show the continuity of traits and mechanisms. Finally, the book explores issues related to the global economy as well as widespread social issues that arise from, or are underpinned by, agricultural intensification. Readers will also benefit from the inclusion of: A thorough introduction to sustainable intensification, including its meaning, the need for the technology, components, and the role of root systems Exploration of the dynamics of root systems in crop and pasture genotypes over the last 100 years Discussion of the interplay between root structure and function with soil microbiome in enhancing efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus acquisition Evaluation of water uptake in drying soil, including balancing supply and demand Perfect for agronomists, horticulturalists, plant and soil scientists, breeders, and soil microbiologists, The Root Systems in Sustainable Agricultural Intensification will also earn a place in the libraries of advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students in this field who seek a one-stop reference in the area of root structure and function.




Molecular Aspects of Plant Beneficial Microbes in Agriculture


Book Description

Molecular Aspects of Plant Beneficial Microbes in Agriculture explores their diverse interactions, including the pathogenic and symbiotic relationship which leads to either a decrease or increase in crop productivity. Focusing on these environmentally-friendly approaches, the book explores their potential in changing climatic conditions. It presents the exploration and regulation of beneficial microbes in offering sustainable and alternative solutions to the use of chemicals in agriculture. The beneficial microbes presented here are capable of contributing to nutrient balance, growth regulators, suppressing pathogens, orchestrating immune response and improving crop performance. The book also offers insights into the advancements in DNA technology and bioinformatic approaches which have provided in-depth knowledge about the molecular arsenal involved in mineral uptake, nitrogen fixation, growth promotion and biocontrol attributes.




The Root Systems in Sustainable Agricultural Intensification


Book Description

Explore an in-depth and insightful collection of resources discussing various aspects of root structure and function in intensive agricultural systems The Root Systems in Sustainable Agricultural Intensification delivers a comprehensive treatment of state-of-the-art concepts in the theoretical and practical aspects of agricultural management to enhance root system architecture and function. The book emphasizes the agricultural measures that enhance root capacity to develop and function under a range of water and nutrient regimes to maximize food, feed, and fibre production, as well as minimize undesirable water and nutrient losses to the environment. This reference includes resources that discuss a variety of soil, plant, agronomy, farming system, breeding, molecular and modelling aspects to the subject. It also discusses strategies and mechanisms that underpin increased water- and nutrient-use efficiency and combines consideration of natural and agricultural systems to show the continuity of traits and mechanisms. Finally, the book explores issues related to the global economy as well as widespread social issues that arise from, or are underpinned by, agricultural intensification. Readers will also benefit from the inclusion of: A thorough introduction to sustainable intensification, including its meaning, the need for the technology, components, and the role of root systems Exploration of the dynamics of root systems in crop and pasture genotypes over the last 100 years Discussion of the interplay between root structure and function with soil microbiome in enhancing efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus acquisition Evaluation of water uptake in drying soil, including balancing supply and demand Perfect for agronomists, horticulturalists, plant and soil scientists, breeders, and soil microbiologists, The Root Systems in Sustainable Agricultural Intensification will also earn a place in the libraries of advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students in this field who seek a one-stop reference in the area of root structure and function.




Crop Rotation on Organic Farms


Book Description




Limitations to Plant Root Growth


Book Description

In the past 10 years, there has been a resurgence in interest in soil management and conservation of the soil resource. With the knowledge we have accumulated in the past 100 years, there is the possibility of developing new and innovative ways of effectively managing the soil. The emphasis on sustainable agriculture requires that we understand how to utilize the soil as a viable living resource. To meet the world demand for food within the next 50 years requires a healthy and strong soil resource which can sustain production. With the dedication of the National Soil Tilth Laboratory in 1989, it was decided that one contribution the laboratory could make to agri cultural science would be to foster an exchange of information on soil management. The focus of that interchange centers on long-term soil management. If we are to fulfill the goals of sustainable agriculture, environmental quality, and feeding the world, there will have to be an increased understanding of how to effectively manage the soil. Long-term soil management requires integrated and interdisciplinary research to bring all of the information together in terms which would be applicable to all soils. To accomplish this goal a workshop is held each year, with the exchange of information focusing on a single topic within the framework of developing effective strategies for long-term soil management. With the forum to focus on an individual theme each year, the theme for the initial workshop was "Limitations to Plant Root Growth.




Rhizobiology: Molecular Physiology of Plant Roots


Book Description

This book discusses the recent advancements in the role of various biomolecules in regulating root growth and development. Rhizobiology is a dynamic sub discipline of plant science which collates investigations from various aspects like physiology, biochemistry, genetic analysis and plant–microbe interactions. The physiology and molecular mechanisms of root development have undergone significant advancements in the last couple of decades. Apart from the already known conventional phytohormones (IAA, GA, cytokinin, ethylene and ABA), certain novel biomolecules have been considered as potential growth regulators or hormones regulating plant growth and development. Root phenotyping and plasticity analysis with respect to the specific functional mutants of each biomolecule shall provide substantial information on the molecular pathways of root signaling. Special emphasis provides insights on the tolerance and modulatory mechanisms of root physiology in response to light burst, ROS generation, agravitrophic response, abiotic stress and biotic interactions. Root Apex Cognition: From Neuronal Molecules to Root-Fungal Networks and Suberin in Monocotyledonous Crop Plants: Structure and Function in Response to Abiotic Stresses” are available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com. Chapters “Root Apex Cognition: From Neuronal Molecules to Root-Fungal Networks and Suberin in Monocotyledonous Crop Plants: Structure and Function in Response to Abiotic Stresses” are available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.