Advances in Research on Fertilization Management of Vegetable Crops (eBook)

   Chapter 1: The role of research for a sustainable fertilization management in vegetables: future trends and goals Francesco Tei, Silvana Nicola, Paolo Benincasa Abstract 1. Vegetable production in the world 2. Health and economic benefits from vegetables 3. Peculiarities of fertilization in vegetable crops 4. Fertilizer consumption in vegetable production 5. Making fertilization sustainable in vegetables: trends and goals of research References

Chapter 2: Tools and strategies for sustainable nitrogen fertilization of vegetable crops Rodney B. Thompson, Nicolas Tremblay, Matthias Fink, Marisa Gallardo, Francisco  M. Padilla Abstract 1. Introduction 2. Nature of output from tools for N management of vegetable crops 3. Methods based on soil analysis or soil N supply 4. Nitrogen balance method 5. Methods based on crop/plant analysis 6. Use of proximal optical sensors 7. Luxury N consumption and responses of monitoring approaches at excessive crop N status 8. Use of simulation models and decision support systems for N management 9. Application methods 10. Specialised fertilisers 11. Future developments 12. General considerations 13. Conclusions Acknowledgements References

Chapter 3: Organic matter mineralization as a source of nitrogen Stefaan De Neve Abstract 1. Introduction 2. The process of N mineralization 3. Measurements and mathematical description of N mineralization 4. Predicting N mineralization 5. Environmental factors influencing N mineralization 6. Sources of organic matter 7. Synchronization of N mineralization with crop N demand 8. Conclusion References

Chapter 4: Fertilizers: criteria of choice for vegetable crops Paolo Sambo, Carlo Nicoletto Abstract 1. Introduction 2. Mineral fertilizers 3. Organic fertilizers 4. Conclusions References

Chapter 5: Crop Rotation as a System Approach for Soil Fertility Management in Vegetables Paolo Benincasa, Giacomo Tosti, Marcello Guiducci, Michela Farneselli, Francesco Tei Abstract 1. Introduction 2. Use of fertilisers in vegetable crops 3. Role of cover and green manure crops 4. Intercropping vegetables 5. Crop residue management 6. Crop rotation in non-specialised organic and conventional farming systems 7. Crop rotation in specialised vegetable cropping system 8. Conclusions References

Chapter 6: Localized Application of Fertilizers in Vegetable Crop Production Eric H. Simonne, Aparna Gazula, Monica Ozores-Hampton, Jim DeValerio, Robert C. Hochmuth Abstract 1. Introduction 2.  Root response to localized fertilizer application, the environmental impact of vegetable crop production and strategies for reducing nutrient loss 3. Principles and practices for localized fertilizer applications to vegetable crops 4. Conclusion References

Chapter 7: Water and nutrient supply in horticultural crops grown in soilless culture: resource efficiency in dynamic and intensive systems Giuseppe Pignata, Manuela Casale, Silvana Nicola Abstract 1. Introduction 2. Soilless culture systems and input control 3. Substrate properties for plant nutrient uptake 4. Water in horticultural soilless culture systems 5. Formulation of the hydroponic nutrient solution 5.1. Macro-, meso- and micronutrients in soilless culture 6. Indicators used in the soilless culture system 7. Open-cycle or closed-cycle hydroponic systems in soilless cultures 8. Planning the nutrient supply in soilless culture systems 9. Hydroponic nutrient solution supply systems 10. Conclusions References

Chapter 8: Plant breeding for improving nutrient uptake and utilization efficiency Antonio Ferrante, Fabio Francesco Nocito, Silvia Morgutti and Gian Attilio Sacchi. Abstract 1. Introduction 2. Physiological, biochemical and molecular traits affecting nitrogen uptake by roots 3. New approaches for improving Nutrient Use Efficiency in plants 4. Conclusion References

Chapter 9: Water management for enhancing crop nutrient use efficiency and reducing losses Jose L. Gabriel, Miguel Quemada Abstract 1. Water and nutrient management for enhancing crop uptake and use efficiency 2. Effect of water management on soil nutrient mineralization (nutrient supply) 3. Effect of water management on nutrient losses and water quality 4. Effect of water management on gaseous losses 5. Effect of water management on salinity control 6. Conclusion References

Chapter 10: An economic analysis of the efficiency and sustainability of fertilization programmes at the level of operational systems, with case studies on Table tomato, Carrot and Potato in Central Italy Gaetano Martino Paolo Polinori, Luca Turchetti Abstract 1. Introduction 2. Methodology proposed 3. Conceptual framework 4. Empirical analysis 5. Conclusions References