This textbook aims to describe the role of minerals in plant life cycle; how these nutrients are absorbed, distributed, stored; what functions each mineral plays and the disorders that their excess or absence may cause. From an agronomic perspective, such knowledge is key to boost crop production and improve its quality, and it also helps understand how to better manage fertilizers and prevent environmental issues. The book has focus on tropical agriculture and its specific demands, providing examples of major crops (such as sugarcane, soybeans, coffee etc), silviculture and pasture species.
Introduction to Plant Nutrition
Ion Uptake by Roots
Foliar Ion Uptake
Nitrogen
Sulphur
Phosphorus
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Boron
Zinc
Manganese
Iron
Copper
Molybdenum
Chlorine
Nickel
Potentially toxic metals
Visual and Leaf Diagnosis
Interactions between nutrients.
Renato de Mello Prado has a PhD in Agronomy from the Sćo Paulo State University (Unesp) and did postdocs at the University of Cordoba and the Public University of Navarra, Spain. He is a professor of Plant Nutrition at Unesp since 2003 and coordinates a research group (Genplant) focused on the nutrition of tropical plants. He has published over 400 articles in peer-review journals and 20 academic books.
