Controlled Release Fertilizers for Sustainable Agriculture provides a comprehensive examination of precision fertilizer applications using the 4-R approach—the right amount of fertilizer at the right time to the right plant at the correct stage of plant growth. This volume consolidates detailed information on each aspect of controlled release fertilizers, including up-to-date literature citations, the current market for controlled release fertilizers and patents. Presenting the tremendous advances in experimental and theoretical studies on sustainable agriculture and related areas, this book provides in-depth insight into state-of-the-art controlled release mechanisms of fertilizers, techniques, and their use in sustainable agriculture. Conventional release mechanisms have historically meant waste of fertilizers and the adverse effects of that waste on the environment. Controlled release delivery makes significant strides in enhancing fertilizer benefit to the target plant, while protecting the surrounding environment and increasing sustainability. Presents cutting-edge interdisciplinary insights specifically focused on the controlled release of fertilizers Explores the benefits and challenges of 4-R fertilizer use Includes expertise from leading researchers in the fields of agriculture, polymer science, and nanotechnology working in industry, academics, government, and private research institutions across the globe Presents the tremendous advances in experimental and theoretical studies on sustainable agriculture and related areas

Nitrogen is the most yield-restraining nutrient in crop production globally. Efficient nitrogen management is one of the most important factor for improving nitrogen use efficiency, field crops productivity and profitability. Efficient use of nitrogen for crop production is therefore very important for increasing grain yield, maximizing economic return and minimizing nitrous oxide (N2O) emission from the fields and nitrate (NO3) leaching to ground water. Integrated nitrogen management is a good strategy to improve plant growth, increase yield and yield components, grain quality and reduce environmental problems. Integrated nitrogen management (combined use of chemical + organic + bio-fertilizers) in field crop production is more resilient to climate change.

Slow and controlled release fertilizers have often been used to prevent N loss through leaching. Recently, new slow release fertilizers have been developed and their potential use in corn production is an alternative to increase N efficiency. An incubation study was performed to measure and compare the release rates from two urea-formaldehyde (UF) liquid resins and conventional urea. Four different representative soils from corn production areas of Iowa were collected. The soils were classified as: Harps (Typic Calciaquoll), Nicollet (Aquic Hapludoll), Okoboji (Cumulic Hapluquoll) and Sac (Oxyaquic Hapludoll). Soil samples (10 g) were amended with solutions containing rates of N equivalent to 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg N ha−1 of urea and the UF materials and incubated at 20 0C for 0, 7, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days. At the end of the respective incubation periods each sample was analyzed for nitrate-N (NO3-N) and ammonium-N (NH4-N). The results obtain showed that UF fertilizers might not meet the N requirements for corn production in Iowa due to the low percentage N recoveries (60 - 80% N) observed. The soils had different release rates mainly affected by pH and organic matter content. A two year trial was conducted to asses the effect of a polymer-coated urea (ESN) fertilizer upon corn biomass and grain N uptake and yield when applied in the fall or spring. Nitrogen fertilizer rates used for urea and ESN treatments were 0, 34, 67, 101, 135, 168 and 200 kg N/ha. The results obtained showed that corn biomass was not affected by the use of ESN or urea in particular. Biomass weight and N uptake tended to respond to N rates in some treatments. Grain yield always increased with N rate. However the effect of ESN and urea application varied from one year to the next and among locations.

The lingo of soil science is a language unto itself. Soil and Environmental Science Dictionary is a glossary of terms used in soil and environmental science, including terms from related disciplines. Designed for teachers, students, researchers and others interested or involved in environmental sciences related to soils, this compilation includes a