Author Description

"Soil Organic Matter in Sustainable Agriculture gathers key scientific reviews by world-renowned scientists concerning critical issues for successful SOM management. This book contains evaluations of the types of organic soil constituents - organisms, fresh residues, biologically active compounds and humic substances. It explores how organic matter benefits the function of soils in agroecosystems and the various practices that enhance SOM. Emphasizing the prevention of imbalances that lead to soil and crop problems, the text also explores the development of soils suppressive to plant diseases, and relates SOM management to supplying nutrients to crops." "This book provides the essential scientific background and poses the challenging questions that scientists must address to better understand SOM and develop improved soil and crop management systems."--Jacket.