PUBLICATIONS

Principios de nutricion vegetal: This is the Spanish version of the well-respected and well-known textbook on “Principles of Plant Nutrition” (4th ed.) by K. Mengel and E.A. Kirkby, translated by R.J. Melgar and Mercedes Ruiz. It is available at IPI for US$ 42. 692 pages (ISBN 3-906-535-03-7).

Potassium and potash fertilizers by V.V. Prokoshev and I.P. Deryugin (Russian): In 185 pages, the book discusses the role of K in plant and animal life, K in soils, its dynamics and methods to determine soil K. Further chapters deal with agronomic and ecological aspects of potash use, its effect on yield, quality, resistance and economy. The book is available through IPI.

Nutrient cycling and management in agro-ecosystems. Proceedings of the 9th ISSAS/IPI Regional workshop, Haikou, China, 6-8 December 1999. 430 pages (in Chinese) (ISBN 7- 5630-1553-1/S).

Balanced plant nutrition in sugar beet cropping systems for high yield and quality. Proceedings of the Regional Workshop of Beta Research Institute, IMPHOS and IPI, September 1-2, 1999, Budapest, Hungary, edited by I. Buzas and A.E. Johnston (English/Hungarian). It discusses the situation of sugar beet production and the problems of the sugar industry, the economy of fertilization and nutrient management and the impact of balanced fertilization and yield, quality and stress resistance. 216 pages (ISBN 963 85126 1 X).

Agrochemicals, composition, production, toxicology, applications by Franz Müller (Editor). The book presents an overview of all aspects of modern agricultural practices. Beginning with a concise historic overview of modern trends in agriculture, it leads into chapters dealing with fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides, plant growth regulators and biological control agents. In each chapter, corresponding practical and theoretical aspects are discussed, and each entry is accompanied by its chemical structure, physical properties, synthesis, agricultural use, trade names, toxicology, and its ecological significance. A valuable source of information on 1031 pages. Issued by Wiley-VCH Verlag, Weinheim, Germany (ISBN 3-527-29852-5).

Potassium in Chinese Agriculture by Jian-Chang Xie, Jian-Min Zhou and R. Haerdter (Chinese with English summary): It describes in 18 chapters the role of fertilizers in sustainable agricultural development in China with the focus on potassium. Potassium nutrition of plants and humans, K in soil, nutrient cycles and the response of crops to balanced fertilization in terms of yield, quality and stress resistance, provide important background information. The final chapters are devoted to nutrient management. 380 pages (ISBN 7-5630- 1499-3).

Fertilizer strategies by FAO and IFA (revised version Nov. 1999): 'Fertilizer is known to be a powerful productivity-enhancing input. Indeed, one-third of the increase in cereal production worldwide and 50 percent of the increase in India's grain production has been attributed to fertilizer related factors'. The document analyses the present situation in the development of agriculture and its relevance to the mineral fertilizer sector. It looks into projected fertilizer demand, the factors which affect the use of fertilizers by farmers and the policy focus for a dynamic fertilizer market. Other chapters are devoted to the international fertilizer industry, strategy issues and marketing and credit. The efficient use of fertilizers is covered in the chapter on agricultural extension. The last chapter promotes the need for a co-ordination of policies. 98 pages (ISBN 92-5-104351-5).

Agriculture, fertilizers and the environment by M. Laegreid, O.C. Bockman and O. Kaarstad: The book is subdivided into three parts, which look into global food production and associated challenges; soil productivity, fertilizer use and the environment; productivity and sustainability. Much space is given to the chapters on 'concerns related to fertilizer use' and on 'food quality' as well as to 'environmental and sustainability aspects of fertilizer use in agriculture'. It is natural that nitrogen and phosphorus should receive the greatest attention in the book since both nutrients are in the frontline of concerns about the impact of mineral fertilizer on the environment. Issued by CABI publishing in association with Norsk Hydro ASA. 294 pages (ISBN 0-85199-358-3).

Rice: Nutrient disorders & nutrient management by A. Dobermann and T. Fairhurst. 'Thirty years ago, persuading rice farmers to use modern varieties and their accompanying fertilizer inputs was easy because the results, in terms of yield increases, were often spectacular…' Nowadays…'further improvements in rice productivity, however, are likely to be much more incremental and “knowledge-based”. Future yield increases will mostly result from the positive interactions and simultaneous management of different agronomic aspects such as nutrient supply, pest and disease control, and water…'. This handbook provides an excellent guide for managing nutrients and detecting nutrient deficiency and toxicity symptoms. A new approach is described to calculate site-specific nutrient management recommendations for N, P and K in lowland rice. Issued by PPI/PPIC and IRRI, 191 pages (ISBN 981-04-2742-5).

Understanding phosphorus and its use in agriculture by A.E. Johnston and I. Steen. 'In many parts of the world the landscape is managed by humankind for food production, forestry and recreation, or for its beauty. For each of these uses the plants that are grown require appropriate levels of many different nutrients. This booklet considers the essential need for phosphorus in agriculture, with a particular emphasis on Europe'. In four main chapters the role of P in agriculture, and its presence and behaviour in soils and the environment, is described. It closes with a view on management concepts, integrated plant nutrient management and the sustainable use of phosphatic fertilizers. Issued by Brussels, Belgium.