Optimising bio-based fertilisation for a more sustainable agriculture

Improvements in plant nutrition and fertilisation are central to any transition to a more sustainable agriculture. In addition to ways of improving nutrient use efficiency, a key area to investigate further is the transition from relying primarily on inorganic fertilisers to a greater use of organic sources of nutrition. Optimising bio-based fertilisation for a more sustainable agriculture provides a comprehensive overview of the recent research undertaken in this area, focussing primarily on the role of differing types of soil amendments and their contribution to improvements in soil organic matter content, nutrient availability, crop growth and yields. The book also reviews recent advances in biostimulants, such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, and considers optimising their use to promote crop health and nutrient use efficiency. Edited by an international expert in nutrient dynamics from organic amendments, the book will be a standard reference for university and other researchers in agricultural and environmental science, farmers, agronomists advising on fertiliser use and its environmental impact, as well as government and private sector agencies supporting the transition to a more sustainable agriculture. Dr Ruben Sakrabani is Professor of Soil Chemistry in the Centre for Soil, Agrifood and Biosciences at Cranfield University, UK. He has an international reputation particularly for his research on the nutrient dynamics, resource use efficiency and reliability of organic soil amendments such as compost, manure, slurry sludge, biochar and digestates. Professor Sakrabani is an Associate Editor of Soil Use and Management. He is also a member of the Advisory Board of the UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) responsible for research funding in environmental science.