Mineral nutrition is indispensable to modern crop production. This book is founded on the observations that i) over half the increase in crop yields during the Green Revolution can be attributed directly to the application of chemical fertilizers and ii) soil fertility is still the single most important factor limiting crop production worldwide. To continue to feed the world, and to preserve our fragile environment, the availability and sustainable use of mineral fertilizers is essential.

This book is the product of Dr Fageria's 40 years' experience as a soil scientist and expert in the mineral nutrition of crop plants, and most of the research data come from the author's own work. Following a general introduction to the topic of plant mineral nutrition, there are chapters devoted to each of the 14 mineral elements required by plants. These chapters follow a similar format in which the author describes the cycle of the element in the soil-plant system, the requirement and functions of the element in plants, the symptoms of deficiency and toxicity of the element, physiological factors relating to the acquisition and utilization of the element by plants and finally management strategies for the efficient use of fertilizers containing the element.

The book provides a blueprint for the sustainable use of mineral fertilizers in crop production that will serve as a useful reference for agronomists and extension workers and as a textbook for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.