Long-term farming systems trials (the Mandela Trials) showed that organic farming systems initially had lower yields than conventional systems in the first 2 years (20% and 31% lower, respectively). In the third (drier) year, the yield gap was closed once soils had improved biologically and...

This chapter describes the ability of Trichoderma spp. to induce plant growth by direct and indirect mechanisms. Direct mechanisms include the facilitation or increment of nutrients uptake such as phosphate solubilization, iron sequestration and production of secondary metabolites, including...

In growing cereal and legume seedlings arsenate is more toxic for root growth than shoot growth. Arsenate treatment affects the activity of antioxidant scavenging enzymes, level of oxidative stress markers, sugar and starch contents as well as carbohydrate metabolizing enzyme activities causing...

This chapter presents ways to improve the production efficiency and reduce the excretion of primarily nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), but also other undesired substances such as heavy metals in monogastric animals and emissions of ammonia and methane. The two main areas addressed are the amount of ...

The dynamics of aquatic resources in the canals of Bac Lieu Province, in southern Vietnam, are detailed and synthesized in this study. Nekton and eight environmental parameters were monitored in this province between 2004 and 2006, at 14 sites sampled three times a year. The study area, located...

This chapter introduces the regression techniques for dealing with multiple variables. The multiple linear regression model is described and the testing of the significance, goodness-of-fit and assumptions of multiple linear regression are discussed. The regression analysis of non-linearly related...

This book contains 14 chapters that evaluate the current knowledge, state of art and future prospects of plant membrane and vacuolar transporters in relation to plant productivity and quality improvement. The role of transporters, the mechanisms of uptake, accumulation or transport of potassium,...

Phosphorus is one of the 17 plant essential elements. Phosphate (Pi), the available form of phosphorus for plants and other living organisms, however, exists only at a very low concentration in soil. As plants are usually exposed to the Pi limiting condition, we have to add sufficient amounts of Pi ...

Discussions on the different aspects of the administration of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) in children are presented, including its indications and contraindications, the different equipment and infusions used, and organization and monitoring of an HPN programme. Also, the nutritional...

This paper discusses bacterial utilization of dissolved organic phosphorus and ecosystem regulation of nutrient availability in phosphorus-limited communities in aquatic environments. Emphasis is given on the importance of bacteria utilizing organic phosphate as a source of carbon as well as of...