Nature Farming and Microbial Applications

by Hiu-lian Xu, Hiroshi Umemura, James F. Parr Jr

Overview

Produce more abundant, high-quality crops with the information you'll find in this book!

Recent concerns over environmental pollution and food quality degradation caused by the excessive use of chemicals have prompted scientists and policymakers to re-evaluate modern agricultural processes and search for alternatives that will aid in the production of healthy foods and the protection of our environment. Nature Farming and Microbial Applications summarizes current research in the field, highlighting unique practices such as the use of microbial inoculants and various alternatives to chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

The principles of nature farming, as set forth by Japanese philosopher Mokichi Okada, must fulfill these requirements:

• producing safe and nutritious food that promotes good health
• providing economic and spiritual benefits to both producers and consumers
• being sustainable and easily practiced
• conserving and protecting the environment
• producing sufficient high-quality food for an expanding world population
  
  To this end, Nature Farming and Microbial Applications addresses issues of concern to organic farmers, including:
• soil fertility
• pest control
• effective microorganisms
• photosynthesis
• transpiration
• plant-water relations
• stress resistance of growing crops
  
  This well-referenced volume contains unique and original methods of modeling and analysis. It will be used again and again as a reference source for students and researchers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781560220831
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	10/31/2000
Pages:	418
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.38(h) x (d)

About the Author

Hiu-lian Xu, Hiroshi Umemura, James F. Parr Jr.

Table of Contents

Contents Preface , PART I: NATURE FARMING , Nature Farming: History, Principles and Perspectives , Classical Farming Systems of China , Production and Application of Organic Materials as Fertilizers , Biological Practices and Soil Conservation in Southern China , Ecosystem Immunity of a Strategy for Controlling Insect Pests in a Biotic Community , Long-Term Changes in the Soil Properties and Soil Macrofauna and Mesofauna of an Agricultural Field in Northern Japan During Transition from Chemical-Intensive Farming to Nature Farming , Phytophthora Resistance of Organic-Fertilized Tomato Plants , Evaluating Soil Organic Matter Changes Induced by Reclamation , Organic Wastes for Improving Soil Physical Properties and Enhancing Plant Growth in Container Substrates , 'Kachiwari'—A Disease Resistant and Nature Farming Adaptable Pumpkin Variety , Nature Farming Practices for Apple Production in Japan , Effects of Organic Farming Practices on Photosynthesis, Transpiration and Water Relations, and Their Contributions to Fruit Yield and the Incidence of Leaf-Scorch in Pear Trees , PART II: MICROBIAL APPLICATIONS , Soil-Root Interface Water Potential in Sweet Corn as Affected by Organic Fertilizater and a Microbial Inoculant , Biological Control of Common Bunt (Tilletia tritici) , Effects of Organic Fertilizers and a Microbial Inoculant on Leaf Photosynthesis and Fruit Yield and Quality of Tomato Plants , Effects of a Microbial Inoculant and Organic Fertilizers on the Growth, Photosynthesis and Yield of Sweet Corn , Use of Effective Microorganisms to Suppress Malodors of Poultry Manure , Effects of a Microbial Inoculant, Organic Fertilization and Chemical Fertilizer on Water Stress Resistance of Sweet Corn , Effect of a Microbial Inoculant on Stomatal Responses of Maize Leaves , Modeling Photosyn

What People are Saying About This

Kazuyuki Inbushi

Dr. Kazuyuki Inbushi, Professor of Soil Science, Faculty of Horticulture, Chiba University, Japan
COVERS HISTORY, PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF NATURE FARMING, particularly emphasizing microbial inoculation and its effect on the growth and physiology of many crops.

Editorial Reviews

Summarizes current research in alternatives to aid in the production of healthy foods and the protection of the environment, highlighting such practices as the use of microbial inoculants and various alternatives to chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Specific topics include evaluation of soil organic matter changes induced by reclamation, nature farming practices for apple production in Japan, and use of microorganisms to suppress maloders of poultry manure. Techniques are based on principles of nature farming as set forth by Japanese philosopher Mokichi Okada. Co-published simultaneously as , v.3, no.1 (#5), 2000. Xu is a researcher in Japan. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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