Chapter 19 - Optimal management of plant nutrition in arid and semiarid regions for sustainable agriculture

Abstract

In arid and semiarid regions, characterized by low precipitation and high evapotranspiration, sustainable agriculture confronts significant challenges due to climatic stresses, soil salinity, and water resource scarcity. As the global population grows, doubling food production by 2050 under a forecasted 1.5°C temperature increase becomes imperative. While advancements in agriculture have secured food supplies in various regions, they have also prompted soil degradation, water loss, and adverse climate impacts. To ensure future food security, especially in arid and semiarid zones, the development of environmentally friendly agricultural practices is crucial. Two major strategies for increasing food production are intensification, which enhances yield through advanced technology, and extensification, which converts nonagricultural land to cropland. However, extensification has drawbacks, including increased carbon emissions and loss of biodiversity. Management of essential nutrients is a pivotal approach for boosting crop yield with less environmental consequence. In addressing drought – a major abiotic stress in arid and semiarid areas – optimal plant nutrition plays a key role. Nutrients such as potassium (K), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), and silicon (Si) are vital for plant adaptation to drought stress, affecting physiological processes such as stomatal behavior, osmoregulation, and antioxidant systems. This chapter underscores the significance of plant nutrition management for mitigating drought stress. It discusses the relationship between optimal nutrient management and sustainable agriculture, common environmental stresses, and the defensive mechanisms of plants under drought conditions. This chapter also outlines various management practices for alleviating drought stress, highlighting the importance of plant nutrition management for sustainable crop production in arid and semiarid regions.