Crops and Environmental Change: An Introduction to Effects of Global Warming, Increasing Atmospheric CO₂ and O₃ / Edition 1

by Jeffrey Amthor, Seth Pritchard

Overview

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!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781560229131
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	02/07/2005
Pages:	434
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Jeffrey Amthor (U.S. Department of Energy, Germantown, Maryland, USA), Seth Pritchard (College Charleston, South Carolina, USA).

Table of Contents

Preface and Acknowledgments,, Abbreviations,, Chapter 1. Introduction,, Human Population Growth,, Environmental Changes,, Crops and Food Supply,, Population, Crop Yield, and Crop Production,, Summary,, Chapter 2. Methods of Studying Effects of Environmental Change on Crops,, Correlations Between Observed Yield and Historical Patterns of Environmental Variation and Change,, Experimental Control of Environmental Conditions,, Methods for Salinity Studies,, Summary,, Chapter 3. Cellular Responses to the Environment,, Membrane Structure and Function,, Enzymes,, Cellular Mechanisms of Stress Resistance,, The Role of Calcium in Stress Responses,, Specificity, Cross-Talk, and Cross-Tolerance,, Summary,, Chapter 4. Water Relations,, The Future of Fresh Water Resources,, Effects of Climate Change on Global Hydrology,, Excess Precipitation,, Drought,, Water Uptake, Transport in Xylem, and Transpiration,, The Plant Surface,, Roots and Hydraulic Conductance,, The Crop Canopy,, Environmental Changes,, Summary,, Chapter 5. Photosynthesis, Respiration, and Biosynthesis,, Photosynthesis,, Effects of Environmental Conditions and Changes on Photosynthesis,, Respiration,, Effects of Environmental Conditions and Changes on Respiration,, Biosynthesis,, Summary,, Chapter 6. Partitioning of Photosynthate,, Source and Sink,, Harvest Index,, Methods for Studying Partitioning,, Carbon Partitioning Within Source Leaves,, Phloem Loading,

What People are Saying About This

David W. Lawlor

REQUIRED READING. . . . IMPORTANT. . . . A VALUABLE, CAREFULLY WORKED, AND CONCEPTUALLY WIDE-RANGING ANALYSIS. . . . Well-written and illustrated . . . excellently referenced. . . . Timely . . . worthy of the task it sets out to tackle. This careful and balanced analysis of the literature, with its sensible explanations, well-drawn conclusions, and identification of unresolved issues and possible ways forward, is based on concise, clear summaries of metabolic and physiological processes.
—PhD, Senior Principal Research Scientist (retired), Crop Performance & Improvement Division, Rothamsted Research, United Kingdom

Steven R. Shafer

OF GREAT VALUE TO STUDENTS, DECISION MAKERS, AND LEADING SCIENTIFIC EXPERTS. . . . The authors write in a style that is easy to read. . . . Pritchard and Amthor are well qualified. . . . Both are in professional positions that give them credibility on the topic of environment and crops. The more people who make a serious choice to dive into this crucial topic, the more likely we will be to have a healthy population and economy in the future. There will be few better sources than this book where you can take the plunge.
—PhD, National Program Leader, Global Change, USDA Agricultural Research Service, George Washington Carver Center, Maryland