Applied crop physiology: understanding the fundamentals of grain crop management

Abstract

Abstract This book contains 5 chapters that presents a simple, straightforward discussion of the principles and processes involved in the production of grain yield by agronomic crops, and how these processes underlie and influence management decisions. The focus is on grain crops, principally maize and soybean, although the general principles apply equally well to cereals, grain legumes and oil crops. Management decisions define all cropping systems - what (crop species, variety), where (climate), when (planting date), and how (row spacing and population density) are the fundamental choices. Knowledge of the fundamental processes responsible for plant growth and the accumulation of yield simplifies the decision-making process and leads to improved management decisions, higher grain yields, and cropping systems that are efficient, resilient and sustainable. The contents include basic plant growth processes (e.g. photosynthesis, respiration, evapotranspiration); growth and production of yield; crop management (seed quality, variety selection, planting date, row spacing); and crop production in the future (climate change, GMOs, precision agriculture and new crops). This books is intended for researchers in crop science, agronomy and plant science, and crop production practitioners. This book will enable readers to make better, more informed management decisions; decisions that will help maintain a well-fed world in the future.