Springer Sustainable Management of Soil and Environment

Fertilizers have been used extensively around the globe since the Green Revolution, due to the high subsidies. However, extensive fertilizer use exacerbates soil degradation and causes yield stagnation, and as a result threatens food security and soil sustainability, especially in developing countries. This means that sustainable soil and environmental management are vital to provide food and nutritional security for present and future generations. This has led to the International Union of Soil Science (IUSS) declaring 2015-2024 the International Decade of Soils. This book focuses on the impact of sustainable management of soil and environment on improving the functioning of soil-ecosystems and agronomic productivity, and also discusses food security, nutrient cycling, recent advances in INM technologies, eco-friendly cultivation, agricultural practices to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as well as conservation agriculture and its effects, and strategies for soil sustainability. Offering a comprehensive overview of management in the context of the sustainability of soil and the agroecosystems that it supports, it demonstrates the options available and provides insights into restoring soil health and matching soil nutrient supply with crop demand to ensure nutritional security in an eco-friendly environment. From the Back Cover Fertilizers have been used extensively around the globe since the Green Revolution, due to the high subsidies. However, extensive fertilizer use exacerbates soil degradation and causes yield stagnation, and as a result threatens food security and soil sustainability, especially in developing countries. This means that sustainable soil and environmental management are vital to provide food and nutritional security for present and future generations. This has led to the International Union of Soil Science (IUSS) declaring 2015-2024 the International Decade of Soils. This book focuses on the impact of sustainable management of soil and environment on improving the functioning of soil-ecosystems and agronomic productivity, and also discusses food security, nutrient cycling, recent advances in INM technologies, eco-friendly cultivation, agricultural practices to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as well as conservation agriculture and its effects, and strategies for soil sustainability. Offering a comprehensive overview of management in the context of the sustainability of soil and the agroecosystems that it supports, it demonstrates the options available and provides insights into restoring soil health and matching soil nutrient supply with crop demand to ensure nutritional security in an eco-friendly environment. About the Author Ram Swaroop Meena was born into a farming family and obtained his master’s and doctorate degrees in Agronomy from the Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner (Rajasthan). Dr. Meena was awarded a Raman Fellowship from the MHRD, GOI. He completed his postdoctoral research on soil carbon sequestration under Prof. Rattan Lal from Ohio State University, USA. Dr. Meena has 9 years’ research and teaching experience at UG/PG/Ph.D. levels and is currently running 3 externally funded projects on soil sustainability, crop productivity and efficient use of resources.  He has published more than 100 research and review papers in leading peer-reviewed journals, contributed 25 book chapters and has published 4 books in India and 6 international books. He has also been involved in developing 2 textbooks for schools. He has received numerous awards, including Young Scientist, Young Faculty, Global Research, Excellence in Research, and Honorable Faculty Award. Dr. Meena is a member of 9 respected national and international societies, a member of the editorial boards of twelve peer-reviewed journals and has attended numerous national and international conferences. In addition, he coordinates training courses, meetings,