Publisher's Synopsis
Soil fertility problems can be resolved and yields increased by the judicious use of fertilisers, crop residues and/or organic manures. However, such remedies will have a fuzzy element of muck and magic about them unless the location-specific nutrient requirements of the crop are pinpointed. This monograph provides a vehicle for developing country farmers to benefit from scientific knowledge on plant nutrition and soil fertility. Many factors can contribute to slow or unhealthy plant growth and, ultimately, to reduce yields. These include unfavourable weather leading to drought or waterlogging; acid rain from active volcanoes; competition by weeds; attacks by insect pests and shortages or excesses of particular chemical elements in the soil surrounding the roots. This book is about how to recognise and deal with shortages or excesses of chemical elements.
