Crop nutrition

Plant nutrient sulfur has been growing in importance worldwide as food production trends increase while overall incidental sulfur inputs diminish. Increasing crop production, reduced sulfur dioxide emissions, and shifts in fertilizer sources have led to a global increase of crop nutritional sulfur deficiencies. Despite the vital role of sulfur in crop nutrition, most of the growth in world fertilizer consumption has been in sulfiir-free nitrogen and phosphoms fertilizers (see Fertilizers). 

Killi, F., Ktiqtikler, A.H., and Safjti, H., Effect of different planting dates and potassium applications on tuber yield, yield composition and soluble dry matter content of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.), in Optimizing Crop Nutrition, International Potash Institute, Izmir, Turkey, 2005, pp. 124—129, http //www.ipipotash.org. 

MODA Technology Partners LONZA GROUP Mohawk Carpet LLC MOHAWK INDUSTRIES INC MonOxbar CONSTAR INTERNATIONAL INC Moorgard BENJAMIN MOORE CO Mosaic Canada ULC CANPOTEX LIMITED Mosaic Crop Nutrition, LLC POTASH CORPORATION OF SASKATCHEWAN INC Mosaic Potash Esterhazy, LP POTASH CORPORATION OF SASKATCHEWAN INC Motiva Enterprises LLC SHELL OIL CO M-tec COMPAGNIE DE SAINT-GOBAIN SA... 

Sulfur is commercially important in the manufacture of chemicals such as sulfuric acid. The chemicals, in turn, are used in the manufacture of sulfa drugs, vulcanized rubber, acid batteries, dyes, and so on. In agriculture, sulfur is the fourth most important crop nutritive element, after nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Its use in fertilizers is increasing rapidly. Sulfur is also used to manufacture poultry feed additives, pesticides, and parasiticides. SEE ALSO ChALCOGENS. 

Stanford, G. and Pierre, W.H., 1953. In Soil and Fertilizer Phosphorus in Crop Nutrition. Academic Press, New York, N.Y., pp. 243-280. 

Zinc oxide (band gap equivalent to 370-nm light) is capable of photooxidizing alkanes to alkanones (Giannotti et al., 1983) and of photodegrading the herbicides molinate (12) and thiobencarb (13) in agricultural wastewaters (Draper and Crosby, 1987 Figure 6.10). The use of ZnO in the latter instance is especially promising since the oxide is used in fertilizers as a source of zinc for crop nutrition. ZnO produced... 

The analysis of plants gives a reliable indication of what nutrients are actually available and recovered by the crop, However, in many cases, that knowledge comes too late to apply fertilizer to affect the growth of the current crop it is likely useful for succeeding crops or for perennial crops. Tissue analyses also require fairly sophisticated instrumentation and a knowledge base for the interpretation. To maximize the benefits of money spent on fertilizers and to avoid crop nutritional problems and environmental problems, farmers need the techniques of soil testing and tissue analysis to determine which nutrients are needed and in what quantities. 

Biotechnology genetic engineering functimial food GM crops nutrition transgenic plants... 

Abstract This chapter explains the importance of feeding crops and ensuring that soil fertility is maintained. It discusses the main elements required by crops, both major and trace. It explains why liming is so important for crop nutrition. It deals with the calculations and sources of information needed to accurately decide on fertiliser application rates, and cost them. It describes the materials used on-farm as fertilisers and explains the differences between straights, compounds and blends, as well as dealing with liquids and solid fertilisers. There is a section on the use of oiganic manures and slurries and how to make best use of them. Finally, the chapter deals with the effect of fertilisers on the environment, during both their manufacture and application. 

Abstract This chapter opens with an introduction to the concept of world markets for oilseeds and proteins and how this affects farmers decisions to grow break crops. It then tackles the agronomy of the main combinable break crops including oilseed rape, linseed, field peas and field beans. It briefly covers more esoteric crops such as flax, lupins, navy beans and sunflowers. Each crop is dealt with by describing the variety choice, tire establishment, crop nutrition, crop protection, and harvesting and storage, as well as a brief discussion of their markets and quality aspects requited. 

The first American superphosphate plant opened in 1850 by William Davison and T.S. Chapell of Baltimore. Other early producers in this decade were Potts Klett and Moro Phillips of Philadelphia. The introduction of the phosphate fertilizer industry created the first significant sulfuric acid market in the U.S. This country would eventually dominate phosphate fertilizer production, thanks mainly to massive phosphate deposits in Florida, which were first mined in 1888. Now, in the early 21 century, the U.S. market for sulfuric acid in the phosphate fertilizer industry is over 25 million tonnes, representing over 8.0 million tonnes per year of sulfur. The largest producer of phosphate fertilizer in the world is Mosaic, formed from the merger of IMC Global and Cargill Crop Nutrition in October 2004 (see Table 2.5). 

BLACK C.A. and GORING C.A.I. 1953. Organic phosphorus in soils. In Soil and Fertiliser Phosphorus in Crop Nutrition. Eds.Pierre W.H. and Norman A.G., Academic Press, pp.l23-153. 

Knowledge of optimal crop nutrition regimens (eg, nitrogen, phosphate, and potash requirements) as well as minor trace element requirements (such as selenium, boron, and sulfur)... 

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