Crop Ecology
Productivity and Management in Agricultural Systems

A detailed exploration of the impact of environmental conditions and management on crops, resource requirements and soil resources.

David J. Connor (Author), Robert S. Loomis (Author), Kenneth G. Cassman (Author)

9780521761277, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 28 April 2011

576 pages, 169 b/w illus. 66 tables
24.4 x 17 x 3.2 cm, 1.27 kg

'This edition retains the engaging conversational tone that made the original volume popular with students. The presentation of crop ecology in this text employs unparalleled clarity to facilitate interest and learning. Despite its focus as an educational work, this book would have considerable utility as a reference for practitioners in the field. As with the original text, the second edition saves the best for last - Chapter 18 conveys the authors' collective vision for the future of agriculture. If this edition weathers the test of time as well as [the] original, then this chapter alone is required reading for agriculturalists.' Thomas G. Chastain, The Quarterly Review of Biology

Food security and environmental conservation are two of the greatest challenges facing the world today. It is predicted that food production must increase by at least 70% before 2050 to support continued population growth, though the size of the world's agricultural area will remain essentially unchanged. This updated and thoroughly revised second edition provides in-depth coverage of the impact of environmental conditions and management on crops, resource requirements for productivity and effects on soil resources. The approach is explanatory and integrative, with a firm basis in environmental physics, soils, physiology and morphology. System concepts are explored in detail throughout the book, giving emphasis to quantitative approaches, management strategies and tactics employed by farmers, and associated environmental issues. Drawing on key examples and highlighting the role of science, technology and economic conditions in determining management strategies, this book is suitable for agriculturalists, ecologists and environmental scientists.

Preface
Part I. Farming Systems and Their Biological Components: 1. Agricultural systems
2. Trophic chains
3. Community concepts
4. Genetic resources
5. Development
Part II. Physical and Chemical Environments: 6. Aerial environment
7. Soil resources
Part III. Production Processes: 8. Nitrogen processes
9. Water relations
10. Photosynthesis
11. Respiration and partitioning
Part IV. Resource Management: 12. Soil management
13. Strategies and tactics for rainfed agriculture
14. Water management in irrigated agriculture
15. Energy and labor
Part V. Farming, Then, Now and in the Future: 16. Evolution of wheat farming systems in southern Australia
17. Technological change in high-yield agriculture
18. The future of agriculture
Species list
Conversions and constants useful in crop ecology
Index.

Subject Areas: Sustainability [RNU], Environmental management [RNF], Applied ecology [RNC]