Highlighting a tenfold increase in global fertilizer consumption between 2002 and 2016, the book explains the effects on the quality of soil, water, air and biota from overuse of chemical fertilizers.This book presents methods for enhancing the efficiency of fertilizer that can reduce the environmental footprint.

Rattan Lal, Ph.D., is a Distinguished University Professor of Soil Science and Director of the Carbon Management and Sequestration Center, The Ohio State University, and an Adjunct Professor of University of Iceland. His current research focus is on climate-resilient agriculture, soil carbon sequestration, sustainable intensification, enhancing use efficiency of agroecosystems, and sustainable management of soil resources of the tropics. He has received honorary degrees of Doctor of Science from Punjab Agricultural University (2001), the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas (2005), Alecu Russo Balti State University, Moldova (2010), Technical University of Dresden, Germany (2015), University of Lleida, Spain (2017), Gustavus Adolphus College, Saint Peter, Minnesota, and PUCV, Valparaiso, Chile (2019).

Effects of Fertilizers on Soil Quality and Functionality.Treatment of Wet Organic Waste by Hydrothermal Carbonization. Crop Residue Management for Improving Soil Carbon Storage, Nutrient Availability and Fertilizer Use Efficiency. Improving Soil Fertility through Fertilizer Management in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Storage of Organic Carbon in Dryland Soils of Africa: constraints and opportunities. Manures Vs Fertilizers in Rainfed Dryland Production Systems of India. Reducing emission of greenhouse gases from fertilizer use in India. Soil Health and Fertilizer Use in India. Isotopes Applications in Fertilizer Research. Managing fertilizers in soils of paddy rice. Nuclear Powered Agriculture: Fertilizers and Amendments. Nitrogen Dynamics and Management in Rainfed Drylands: issues and challenges. Tailored Fertilizers The Need of the Times. Managing Soils for Reducing the Dependence on Chemicals and Import of Resources into Agro-Ecosystems