Micronutrient Deficiencies in Global Crop Production

Eight micronutrient elements (boron, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel and zinc) are essential for higher plants. A deficiency of one or more of these will adversely affect both the yield and quality of crops. Micronutrient deficiencies in crops occur all over the world, but differences in soil conditions, climate, crop genotypes and management, result in marked variations in their occurrence. The causes, effects and alleviation of micronutrient deficiencies in crops in a range of different countries, regions and continents, including: Australia, India, China, Turkey, the Near East, Africa, Europe, South America and the United States of America, are covered in this book.§Links between low contents of trace elements essential for humans (e.g. iodine, iron, and zinc) in staple grains and the incidence of human health problems are discussed, together with the ways in which the micronutrient content of food crops can be increased and their bioavailability to humans improved. Detailed treatment of topics, such as: soil types associated with deficiencies, soil testing and plant analysis, field experiments, innovative treatments, micronutrients in the subsoil, nutrient interactions, effects of changing cropping systems, micronutrient budgets and hidden deficiencies in various chapters provides depth to the broad coverage of the book.§This book provides a valuable guide to the requirements of crops for plant micronutrients and the causes, occurrence and treatment of deficiencies. It is essential reading for many agronomy, plant nutrition and agricultural extension professionals.