Crops And Environmental Change: An Introduction To Effects Of Global Warming, Increasing Atmospheric CO2 And O3 Concentrations, And Soil Salinization On Crop Physiology And Yield [Paperback]

Jeffrey Amthor (Author), Seth Pritchard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 9, 2005 | ISBN-10: 1560229136 | ISBN-13: 978-1560229131 | Edition: 1

Examine important global environmental changes that will affect the future of agriculture!

Here is a complete introduction to the influence of global environmental changes on the structure, function, and harvestable yield of major field crops. It gives you an in-depth look at the effects of climate change, air pollution, and soil salinization. The book provides an introduction to the ramifications, both positive and negative, of these ongoing environmental changes for present and future crop production and food supply.

Crops and Environmental Change: An Introduction to Effects of Global Warming, Increasing Atmospheric CO2 and O3 Concentrations, and Soil Salinization on Crop Physiology and Yield integrates a discussion of the physiological effects of environmental change with background information on basic topics in plant physiology. Numerous charts, tables, and figures are included to assist in understanding the empirical effects of the environment on crops.

Topics addressed in Crops and Environmental Change include:

• the effects of increasing global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration
• climatic changes associated with increasing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases
• the effects of increasing ozone concentrations in the lower atmosphere across large crop-growing regions
• soil salinization in areas of irrigated crops
• the causes and trajectories of ongoing environmental changes
• the implications of environmental changes on the future of crop production
• and much more!

The information in this book is appropriate for newcomers to the field as well as for seasoned professionals. It is written in language accessible to those new to the area and serves as a good jumping off point for more in-depth study. And since it is organized like a traditional plant physiology textbook, it is appropriate for students in the field. For experienced professionals, it acts as a handy refresher/reference tool on the basics of plant physiology. Crops and Environmental Change is a valuable resource for anyone concerned with the future of agriculture. Make it part of your professional/teaching collection today!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"OF GREAT VALUE TO STUDENTS, DECISION MAKERS, AND LEADING SCIENTIFIC EXPERTS." -- Steven R. Shafer, PhD, National Program Leader, Global Change, USDA Agricultural Research Service, George Washington Carver Center, Maryland

"REQUIRED READING. . . IMPORTANT. . . A VALUABLE, CAREFULLY WORKED, AND CONCEPTUALLY WIDE-RANGING ANALYSIS. . . Well-written and illustrated." -- David W. Lawlor, PhD, Senior Principal Research Scientist (retired), Crop Performance & Improvement Division, Rothamsted Research, United Kingdom --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 421 pages
• Publisher: CRC Press; 1 edition (February 9, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560229136
• ISBN-13: 978-1560229131
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,172,731 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ultrastress, February 25, 2006

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This review is from: Crops And Environmental Change: An Introduction To Effects Of Global Warming, Increasing Atmospheric CO2 And O3 Concentrations, And Soil Salinization On Crop Physiology And Yield (Hardcover)

Scientists have statistics for how much food plants grow in what environment over time. They have experimental results for what and how much plants grow in what environment. So we know it used to be growing population went along with growing more garden and field crops, by clearing more land. Since the mid-20th century it goes along with making each plant grow more. In the 21st century it goes along with making lots of breeding decisions. For plants face warmer, unhealthy environments of too much carbon dioxide and ozone in the air and salt in the soil.

More carbon dioxide and ozone in the air; saltier soil; and warmer temperatures aren't the only stresses making our world unhealthy. These four are well studied. The problem is experiments and research look at stresses one by one. But in the real world stresses work together to strain our world. So we need paper trails on what happens when stresses gang up together.

Plants have ways of dealing with worldwide stresses. Some are choosing to put more growth into some parts over others; letting all parts grow, but in changed ways such as changed numbers of leaves; and using stress-busters such as antioxidants and polyamines against ozone and salt damage, and heat shock proteins and membranes against high temperatures. One problem is they generally handle more carbon dioxide better than they do greater ozone, saltiness and warmth. The other is plants strong on stress-busters tend to be small, slow-growers that put out less and smaller fruits and tubers.

Scientists also have ways of dealing with stressed plant environments. Some are breeding, developing cultivars, and genetic engineering. They're using these ways to get faster, greater harvests from garden and field crops. They're also trying to grow garden vegetables and field crops in more climates and places. The problem is breeders favor fast-growing big harvesters over stress-busters. That might change. For drought, as one of many stresses, is a real concern in the face of worldwide fresh water shortages. Also, growers grow particular garden and field crops, to make money and support families. So there's a place for irrigation, which salts soils, and for chemicals such as fertilizers and herbicides/pesticides. That's what happens when growers don't match soils with crops, when they change soils to fit crops.

The book begins with a helpful preface and set of abbreviations. It ends with an appendix list of plants; an appendix comment on main field and vegetable crops of the United States; a complete, up-to-date set of references; and a good index. In between, Seth G Pritchard and Jeffrey S Amthor organize the ten chapters well, with convincing examples, facts and figures. It's fortunate for readers CROPS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE is so well organized. For the writing is clear, but technical throughout.