Impacts Of Cover Crops On Carbon Dioxide And Nitrous Oxide Flux From A Row Crop Agricultural Field In Central Illinois

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Impacts of Cover Crops on Carbon Dioxide and Nitrous Oxide Flux from a Row Crop Agricultural Field in Central Illinois

Author : Joshua Smith
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 109 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (99 download)

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Book Synopsis Impacts of Cover Crops on Carbon Dioxide and Nitrous Oxide Flux from a Row Crop Agricultural Field in Central Illinois by : Joshua Smith

Download or read book Impacts of Cover Crops on Carbon Dioxide and Nitrous Oxide Flux from a Row Crop Agricultural Field in Central Illinois written by Joshua Smith and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 109 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the United States, there is renewed interest in incorporating cover crops into agricultural systems to provide a variety of potential benefits related to soil quality, water quality, and greenhouse gas emissions. This study focused on assessing whether cover crops influence N 2 O and CO2 emissions in a central Illinois agricultural research field over two years (2011-2013) of cover crop growing seasons. Three winter cover crop systems, annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum ), cereal rye (Secale cereale ), and a cereal rye (2011)/ hairy vetch (Vicia villosa ) (2012) rotation were planted after fall 2011 and 2012 harvests. The field included a total of eight main plots, two of each treatment, and two no cover crop control plots. Soil carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and nitrous oxide (N2 O) fluxes were measured from the plots in a single corn (Zea mays ) - soybean (Glycine max ) system for two cover crop growing seasons. Fluxes of CO 2 and CO2 were measured in March 2012, August 2012, and February 2013. The CO2 flux measurements were performed by using an infrared gas analyzer. The N2 O fluxes were analyzed from samples collected at 0, 10, 20, 30 min intervals from the same closed dynamic chamber system. Both CO2 and N2 O fluxes were computed from respective gas concentrations over time. Data were analyzed with a repeated measures mixed model procedure. N2 O fluxes from the cereal rye/hairy vetch plots were greater than the no cover control and annual ryegrass plots, suggesting that cover crops may not decrease N2 O fluxes immediately after being incorporated into a cropping system. In contrast, CO2 fluxes did not significantly differ among the treatments, but the cereal rye/hairy vetch plot sequestered ~100 kg C ha-1 of soil organic carbon (SOC). Overall, it was observed that some cover crop plots can have higher N2 O fluxes than plots without cover crops, but cover crops have the long-term potential to sequester C in croplands demonstrating that their use should still be considered a sustainable agriculture practice.

Managing Agricultural Greenhouse Gases

Author : Mark Liebig
Publisher : Academic Press
ISBN 13 : 0123868971
Total Pages : 602 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (238 download)

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Book Synopsis Managing Agricultural Greenhouse Gases by : Mark Liebig

Download or read book Managing Agricultural Greenhouse Gases written by Mark Liebig and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2012-06-08 with total page 602 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 2002, the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) developed a coordinated national research effort called GRACEnet (Greenhouse gas Reduction through Agricultural Carbon Enhancement network) to provide information on the soil C status and GHG emission of current agricultural practices, and to develop new management practices to reduce net GHG emission and increase soil C sequestration primarily from soil management. Managing Agricultural Greenhouse Gases synthesizes the wealth of information generated from the GRACEnet project in over 30 ARS locations throughout the US and in numerous peer-reviewed articles. Although GRACEnet is an ARS project, contributors to this work include a variety of backgrounds and reported findings have important international applications. For example, many parts of the world possess similar ecoregions to the U.S. (e.g., northern Great Plains is similar to the Argentina Pampas and Ukraine Steppe).

Impact of Cover Crops and Nitrogen Application on Nitrous Oxide Fluxes and Grain Yield of Sorghum and Maize

Author : George Yakubu Mahama
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (98 download)

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Book Synopsis Impact of Cover Crops and Nitrogen Application on Nitrous Oxide Fluxes and Grain Yield of Sorghum and Maize by : George Yakubu Mahama

Download or read book Impact of Cover Crops and Nitrogen Application on Nitrous Oxide Fluxes and Grain Yield of Sorghum and Maize written by George Yakubu Mahama and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Leguminous cover crops systems have been envisaged as a critical component of sustainable agriculture due to their potential to increase soil productivity through cycling of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in agricultural systems. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the performance of leguminous summer cover crops; cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.], pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp], sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) and double-cropped grain crops; grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] after winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and to determine the effects of these crops and varying N rates in the cropping system on nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, growth and yield of succeeding grain sorghum and maize (Zea mays L.) crop, soil aggregation, aggregate-associated C, and N. Field and laboratory studies were conducted for two years. The cover crops and double-cropped grain crops were planted immediately after winter wheat harvest. The cover crops were terminated at the beginning of flowering. Nitrogen fertilizer (urea 46% N) rates of 0, 45, 90, 135, and 180 kg N ha−1 were applied to grain sorghum or maize in fallow plots. Pigeon pea and grain sorghum had more C accumulation than cowpea, sunn hemp and double-cropped soybean. Pigeon pea and cowpea had more N uptake than sunn hemp and the double-cropped grain crops. Fallow with N fertilizer application produced significantly greater N2O emissions than all the cover crops systems. Nitrous oxide emissions were relatively similar in the various cover crop systems and fallow with 0 kg N ha−1. Grain yield of sorghum and maize in all the cover crop and double cropped soybean systems was similar to that in the fallow with 45 kg N ha−1. Both grain sorghum and maize in the double-cropped soybean system and fallow with 90 kg N ha−1 or 135 kg N ha−1 gave profitable economic net returns over the years. The double-cropped grain sorghum system increased aggregate-associated C and whole soil total C, and all the cover crop and the double-cropped soybean systems increased aggregate-associated N and soil N pools. Inclusion of leguminous cover crops without N fertilizer application reduced N2O emissions and provided additional C accumulation and N uptake, contributing to increased grain yield of the following cereal grain crop.

Nitrogen in Agricultural Systems

Author : James Stuart Schepers
Publisher : ASA-CSSA-SSSA
ISBN 13 : 9780891181644
Total Pages : 994 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (816 download)

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Book Synopsis Nitrogen in Agricultural Systems by : James Stuart Schepers

Download or read book Nitrogen in Agricultural Systems written by James Stuart Schepers and published by ASA-CSSA-SSSA. This book was released on 2008 with total page 994 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Review of the principles and management implications related to nitrogen in the soil-plant-water system.

The Effect of Cover Crop Choice on Nitrous Oxide Emissions and Soil N Dynamics in a California Vineyard Agroecosystem

Author : Jonathan Vick
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781369795554
Total Pages : pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (955 download)

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Book Synopsis The Effect of Cover Crop Choice on Nitrous Oxide Emissions and Soil N Dynamics in a California Vineyard Agroecosystem by : Jonathan Vick

Download or read book The Effect of Cover Crop Choice on Nitrous Oxide Emissions and Soil N Dynamics in a California Vineyard Agroecosystem written by Jonathan Vick and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas (GHG) with a global warming potential (GWP) 298 times greater than CO2. Cover crops, those crops grown other than the cash crop, offer a range of benefits for growers. However, cover crops also serve as inputs of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), that can stimulate microbial N2O emissions. Vineyard agroecosystems represent a unique case for studying the effects of cover crops on N2O emissions as vineyard cover crops are generally non-fertilized and rain-fed. A two-year field study and accompanying laboratory incubation was conducted to examine the effects of three cover crop treatments (a legume mix, a ‘soil builder’ mix, and perennial ryegrass) and a fallow control on soil GHG emissions and soil N-dynamics. N2O emissions over the course of the study period did not show significant differences, with emissions ranging from 550 ± 202 g N2O-N ha−1 from the fallow soil to 951 ± 135 g N2O-N ha−1 from the ryegrass planted soil. Precipitation patterns were an important driver of N2O emissions. The laboratory incubation results showed N2O emissions from the legume mix planted soil to be an order of magnitude higher than the other treatments, with denitrification as the pathway responsible for the observed differences in gaseous N production rates. Additionally, patterns of N-transformations exhibited treatment differences, suggesting that two years of cover cropping influenced soil microbial community behavior.

Managing Agricultural Greenhouse Gases

Author : Mark Liebig
Publisher : Academic Press
ISBN 13 : 012386898X
Total Pages : 602 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (238 download)

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Book Synopsis Managing Agricultural Greenhouse Gases by : Mark Liebig

Download or read book Managing Agricultural Greenhouse Gases written by Mark Liebig and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2012-10-16 with total page 602 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Global climate change is a natural process that currently appears to be strongly influenced by human activities, which increase atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHG). Agriculture contributes about 20% of the world's global radiation forcing from carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, and produces 50% of the methane and 70% of the nitrous oxide of the human-induced emission. Managing Agricultural Greenhouse Gases synthesizes the wealth of information generated from the GRACEnet (Greenhouse gas Reduction through Agricultural Carbon Enhancement network) effort with contributors from a variety of backgrounds, and reports findings with important international applications. - Frames responses to challenges associated with climate change within the geographical domain of the U.S., while providing a useful model for researchers in the many parts of the world that possess similar ecoregions - Covers not only soil C dynamics but also nitrous oxide and methane flux, filling a void in the existing literature - Educates scientists and technical service providers conducting greenhouse gas research, industry, and regulators in their agricultural research by addressing the issues of GHG emissions and ways to reduce these emissions - Synthesizes the data from top experts in the world into clear recommendations and expectations for improvements in the agricultural management of global warming potential as an aggregate of GHG emissions

Livestock's Long Shadow

Author : Henning Steinfeld
Publisher : Food & Agriculture Org.
ISBN 13 : 9789251055717
Total Pages : 418 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (557 download)

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Book Synopsis Livestock's Long Shadow by : Henning Steinfeld

Download or read book Livestock's Long Shadow written by Henning Steinfeld and published by Food & Agriculture Org.. This book was released on 2006 with total page 418 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The assessment builds on the work of the Livestock, Environment and Development (LEAD) Initiative"--Pref.

Root Zone Water Quality Model

Author : Lajpat Ahuja
Publisher : Water Resources Publication
ISBN 13 : 9781887201087
Total Pages : 388 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (1 download)

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Book Synopsis Root Zone Water Quality Model by : Lajpat Ahuja

Download or read book Root Zone Water Quality Model written by Lajpat Ahuja and published by Water Resources Publication. This book was released on 2000 with total page 388 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This publication comes with computer software and presents a comprehensive simulation model designed to predict the hydrologic response, including potential for surface and groundwater contamination, of alternative crop-management systems. It simulates crop development and the movement of water, nutrients and pesticides over and through the root zone for a representative unit area of an agricultural field over multiple years. The model allows simulation of a wide spectrum of management practices and scenarios with special features such as the rapid transport of surface-applied chemicals through macropores to deeper depths and the preferential transport of chemicals within the soil matrix via mobile-immobile zones. The transfer of surface-applied chemicals (pesticides in particular) to runoff water is also an important component.

Soil Carbon Dynamics

Author : Werner L. Kutsch
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
ISBN 13 : 1139483161
Total Pages : 301 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (394 download)

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Book Synopsis Soil Carbon Dynamics by : Werner L. Kutsch

Download or read book Soil Carbon Dynamics written by Werner L. Kutsch and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2010-01-07 with total page 301 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Carbon stored in soils represents the largest terrestrial carbon pool and factors affecting this will be vital in the understanding of future atmospheric CO2 concentrations. This book provides an integrated view on measuring and modeling soil carbon dynamics. Based on a broad range of in-depth contributions by leading scientists it gives an overview of current research concepts, developments and outlooks and introduces cutting-edge methodologies, ranging from questions of appropriate measurement design to the potential application of stable isotopes and molecular tools. It includes a standardised soil CO2 efflux protocol, aimed at data consistency and inter-site comparability and thus underpins a regional and global understanding of soil carbon dynamics. This book provides an important reference work for students and scientists interested in many aspects of soil ecology and biogeochemical cycles, policy makers, carbon traders and others concerned with the global carbon cycle.

Soil Management and Greenhouse Effect

Author : John M. Kimble
Publisher : CRC Press
ISBN 13 : 1351415840
Total Pages : 404 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (514 download)

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Book Synopsis Soil Management and Greenhouse Effect by : John M. Kimble

Download or read book Soil Management and Greenhouse Effect written by John M. Kimble and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2018-02-06 with total page 404 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Soil Management and Greenhouse Effect focuses on proper management of soils and its effects on global change, specifically, the greenhouse effect. It contains up-to-date information on a broad range of important soil management topics, emphasizing the critical role of soil for carbon storage. Sequestration and emission of carbon and other gases are examined in various ecosystems, in both natural and managed environments, to provide a comprehensive overview. This useful reference includes chapters that address policy issues, as well as research and development priorities. The material in this volume is valuable not only to soil scientists but to the entire environmental science community.

Soil Health and Climate Change

Author : Bhupinder Pal Singh
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 364220256X
Total Pages : 399 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (422 download)

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Book Synopsis Soil Health and Climate Change by : Bhupinder Pal Singh

Download or read book Soil Health and Climate Change written by Bhupinder Pal Singh and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2011-07-24 with total page 399 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “Soil Health and Climate Change” presents a comprehensive overview of the concept of soil health, including the significance of key soil attributes and management of soil health in conventional and emerging land use systems in the context of climate change. Starting with a review of the physical, chemical and biological indicators of soil health and their significance for monitoring the impacts of climate change, this book then focuses on describing the role of soil structure, pH, organic matter, nitrogen, respiration and biota in sustaining the basic functions of soil ecosystems, and their anticipated responses to climate change. Further topics include the management of cropping, pastoral, and forestry systems, and rehabilitated mine sites, with a focus on mitigation of and adaptation to climate change impacts. Finally, the opportunities and potential risks of organic farming, biochar and bioenergy systems, and their ability to sustain and even enhance soil health, are discussed.

A Framework for Assessing Effects of the Food System

Author : National Research Council
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 030930783X
Total Pages : 340 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (93 download)

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Book Synopsis A Framework for Assessing Effects of the Food System by : National Research Council

Download or read book A Framework for Assessing Effects of the Food System written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2015-06-17 with total page 340 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How we produce and consume food has a bigger impact on Americans' well-being than any other human activity. The food industry is the largest sector of our economy; food touches everything from our health to the environment, climate change, economic inequality, and the federal budget. From the earliest developments of agriculture, a major goal has been to attain sufficient foods that provide the energy and the nutrients needed for a healthy, active life. Over time, food production, processing, marketing, and consumption have evolved and become highly complex. The challenges of improving the food system in the 21st century will require systemic approaches that take full account of social, economic, ecological, and evolutionary factors. Policy or business interventions involving a segment of the food system often have consequences beyond the original issue the intervention was meant to address. A Framework for Assessing Effects of the Food System develops an analytical framework for assessing effects associated with the ways in which food is grown, processed, distributed, marketed, retailed, and consumed in the United States. The framework will allow users to recognize effects across the full food system, consider all domains and dimensions of effects, account for systems dynamics and complexities, and choose appropriate methods for analysis. This report provides example applications of the framework based on complex questions that are currently under debate: consumption of a healthy and safe diet, food security, animal welfare, and preserving the environment and its resources. A Framework for Assessing Effects of the Food System describes the U.S. food system and provides a brief history of its evolution into the current system. This report identifies some of the real and potential implications of the current system in terms of its health, environmental, and socioeconomic effects along with a sense for the complexities of the system, potential metrics, and some of the data needs that are required to assess the effects. The overview of the food system and the framework described in this report will be an essential resource for decision makers, researchers, and others to examine the possible impacts of alternative policies or agricultural or food processing practices.

Climate Change and Global Crop Productivity

Author : K. R. Reddy
Publisher : CABI
ISBN 13 : 9780851997094
Total Pages : 492 pages
Book Rating : 4.9/5 (97 download)

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Book Synopsis Climate Change and Global Crop Productivity by : K. R. Reddy

Download or read book Climate Change and Global Crop Productivity written by K. R. Reddy and published by CABI. This book was released on 2000-04-25 with total page 492 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Annotation. Worldwide climatic changes have been raising concerns about potential changes to crop yields and production systems. Such concerns include the ability to accommodate these uncertain effects in order to ensure an adequate food supply for an increasing population. Written by leadinginternational experts, this book is the first comprehensive examination of the potential effects climate change, particularly green house gases, will have on agroecosystems. It also reviews the effects such systems have on climate change itself.

Ecological Responses and Adaptations of Crops to Rising Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide

Author : Zoltan Tuba
Publisher : CRC Press
ISBN 13 : 9781560221203
Total Pages : 444 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (212 download)

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Book Synopsis Ecological Responses and Adaptations of Crops to Rising Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide by : Zoltan Tuba

Download or read book Ecological Responses and Adaptations of Crops to Rising Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide written by Zoltan Tuba and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2005-08-31 with total page 444 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The impact of rising levels of greenhouse gases—and the global consequences for crops! Carbon dioxide is a major greenhouse gas that causes global warming and directly impacts every aspect of plant life and indirectly impacts animal and human life. Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have risen dramatically over the past century, and though this could mean opportunities for better growth and increased yield of certain crops, other factors like weather extremes and changes to plant physiology may mitigate the positive effects. Ecological Responses and Adaptations of Crops to Rising Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide comprehensively analyzes every aspect of crop responses to increasing carbon dioxide as well as their productional significance for the world. Changes in the growth rate and yield of crops are explored, with attention given to the consequences of coming weather changes on production and the expected economic impact. Ecological Responses and Adaptations of Crops to Rising Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide takes the data gleaned from careful research to provide an in-depth vision of the impact of carbon dioxide on global temperatures, plant physiology, and the ecological and economic future of our world. Respected authorities thoroughly discuss the research detailing the complete range of issues from plant growth under increased carbon dioxide levels to the impact of rising air temperatures to the evolving ecophysiological responses within various crops. Extensive references provide opportunities for further research while detailed tables and graphs clearly illustrate data. Ecological Responses and Adaptations of Crops to Rising Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide explores the effects of carbon dioxide enrichment on: plants, crops, and vegetation—is it beneficial? growth, yield, and photosynthetic responses in rice the photosynthetic capacity and productivity of rice under field conditions—and the role of nitrogen fertilization forage and grain nitrogen content potato crops crop responses including interaction with temperature the growth of maize different agricultural systems around the world—such as central and southeastern Europe, northern climates, Sudan, citrus-growing regions, and others the production ecophysiology of Hungarian green pepper and much more! The impending changes in our world make Ecological Responses and Adaptations of Crops to Rising Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide a valuable text for educators and postgraduate students in the field of plant ecology and crop production and an essential resource for researchers in the fields of plant ecology, ecophysiology, agricultural crop production, and environmental sciences.

Direct Effects of Increasing Carbon Dioxide on Vegetation

Author : Boyd R. Strain
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 620 pages
Book Rating : 4.F/5 ( download)

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Book Synopsis Direct Effects of Increasing Carbon Dioxide on Vegetation by : Boyd R. Strain

Download or read book Direct Effects of Increasing Carbon Dioxide on Vegetation written by Boyd R. Strain and published by . This book was released on 1986 with total page 620 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

The impact of rising carbon dioxide levels on crop nutrients and human health

Author : Smith, Matthew R.
Publisher : Intl Food Policy Res Inst
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 4 pages
Book Rating : 4./5 ( download)

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Book Synopsis The impact of rising carbon dioxide levels on crop nutrients and human health by : Smith, Matthew R.

Download or read book The impact of rising carbon dioxide levels on crop nutrients and human health written by Smith, Matthew R. and published by Intl Food Policy Res Inst. This book was released on 2018-07-06 with total page 4 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are rising globally at a rapid pace, on track to surpass 550 parts per million (ppm) by midcentury. Studies have found that, when grown under elevated CO2 concentrations of 546–586 ppm, many food crops—including wheat, rice, barley, and soybeans—have lowered concentrations of nutrients, including many that are important for overall health, such as iron, zinc, and protein. Elevated CO2 also affects both the quantity and quality of forage, thereby affecting animal performance and production and, consequently, the availability of nutrients from animal-source foods, such as meat, milk, and eggs. This loss of dietary nutrients in foods could translate to increased nutritional deficiency for hundreds of millions of people already on the brink of deficiency—mainly developing countries in Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa based on dietary preferences for the commodities most affected. This policy note examines the link between rising CO2 levels and declining nutritional content for a number of major crops, as well as forage. The discussion includes a comparison of the varying effects by crop, and strategies to address this challenge in the context of climate change.

Toward Sustainable Agricultural Systems in the 21st Century

Author : National Research Council
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309148960
Total Pages : 598 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (91 download)

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Book Synopsis Toward Sustainable Agricultural Systems in the 21st Century by : National Research Council

Download or read book Toward Sustainable Agricultural Systems in the 21st Century written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2010-07-25 with total page 598 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the last 20 years, there has been a remarkable emergence of innovations and technological advances that are generating promising changes and opportunities for sustainable agriculture, yet at the same time the agricultural sector worldwide faces numerous daunting challenges. Not only is the agricultural sector expected to produce adequate food, fiber, and feed, and contribute to biofuels to meet the needs of a rising global population, it is expected to do so under increasingly scarce natural resources and climate change. Growing awareness of the unintended impacts associated with some agricultural production practices has led to heightened societal expectations for improved environmental, community, labor, and animal welfare standards in agriculture. Toward Sustainable Agricultural Systems in the 21st Century assesses the scientific evidence for the strengths and weaknesses of different production, marketing, and policy approaches for improving and reducing the costs and unintended consequences of agricultural production. It discusses the principles underlying farming systems and practices that could improve the sustainability. It also explores how those lessons learned could be applied to agriculture in different regional and international settings, with an emphasis on sub-Saharan Africa. By focusing on a systems approach to improving the sustainability of U.S. agriculture, this book can have a profound impact on the development and implementation of sustainable farming systems. Toward Sustainable Agricultural Systems in the 21st Century serves as a valuable resource for policy makers, farmers, experts in food production and agribusiness, and federal regulatory agencies.