Janet I. Sprent – författare

A special meeting of the Royal Society in London in 1986 marked the centenary of the first demonstration of nitrogen fixation. Currently the subject is of great practical importance because the use of nitrogenous fertilizers has resulted in unacceptable levels of water pollution; also these fertilizers are becoming steadily less economic both in cash terms and in utilization of fossil fuels for their manufacture. The number of papers published and the frequency of national and international meetings to discuss research into nitrogen fixation have both increased steadily during the 1970s and 1980s. Specialist monographs and review papers are often too detailed to be of real use to undergraduates in biology or related areas such as agriculture and forestry, and even for graduates and research workers newly entering the field of nitrogen fixation. For people in these categories, the senior author wrote The Biology of Nitrogen-fixing Organisms published by McGraw Hill in 1979. This book has similar aims. It incorporates new findings that have not only resolved some of the uncertainties reported in that earlier text hut, more importantly, it reflects the influence on the subject of recent developments in biochemistry, molecular biology, genetic engineering and other biotechnologies. We have devoted more attention to quantitative aspects of the subject, but unfortunately the many practical difficulties for accurate field assessment of nitrogen fixation and its contribution to nitrogen cycles means that many assessments are either in contlict with each other or must be accepted as tentative.

Many people learn the rudiments of the nitrogen cycle while at school, but the details of the various processes in the cycle are still not widely understood. Some of them are of great current interest, such as the use of nitrogen fixing crops to feed an increasing world population and the problems of pollution of groundwaters by nitrates. Denitrification (forming nitrogen gas) as a way of getting rid of waste from human and intensively farmed animals. This book describes the general processes of the nitrogen cycle, then gives examples of how the cycle is modified under particular ecological and geographical conditions. These examples are drawn from all the major areas of the world, and the impact of man via agriculture, forestry and fuel combustion is discussed. Numerous references are included. The book provides a background for all those whose specialist interests interact with nitrogen cycling, whether they are involved in research or have responsibility for managing the environment.

Sixteen papers addressing the ‘nitrogen economy’of legumes, including nodulation.

Nodules produced on legume roots by root-nodule bacteria provide the major nitrogenous input into natural and agricultural systems worldwide. This book provides an in-depth and up-to-the minute analysis of what is known about this symbiosis, its origins, the process of nodule formation and development, and the biochemistry and genetics of nodular nitrogen fixation. It also reviews the physiology of the root-nodule bacteria themselves, their ecology in both natural and agricultural systems, and how we go about introducing new legumes and the bactria they require. How all the knowledge gained about this system can be applied in the future for better legume-rhizobia functioning in difficult environments is its logical culmination.

This important book provides a comprehensive review of our current knowledge of the world's leguminous plants and their symbiotic bacteria. Written by Professor Janet Sprent, a world authority in the area, Legume Nodulation contains comprehensive details of the following: An up to date review of legume taxonomy and a full list of the world's generaDetails of how legumes are distributed throughout the worldA review of the evolution of legume nodulationComprehensive details of all microorganisms known to be symbiotic with legumesEcological and environmental aspects of legume-bacteria symbiosisLegume Nodulation is an essential purchase for plant scientists, agronomists, ecologists and microbiologists. Libraries in all universities and research establishments where biological and agricultural sciences are studied and taught should have copies of this landmark publication.

This important book provides a comprehensive review of our current knowledge of the world''s leguminous plants and their symbiotic bacteria. Written by Professor Janet Sprent, a world authority in the area, Legume Nodulation contains comprehensive details of the following:

An up to date review of legume taxonomy and a full list of the world''s genera Details of how legumes are distributed throughout the world A review of the evolution of legume nodulation Comprehensive details of all microorganisms known to be symbiotic with legumes Ecological and environmental aspects of legume-bacteria symbiosis

Legume Nodulation is an essential purchase for plant scientists, agronomists, ecologists and microbiologists. Libraries in all universities and research establishments where biological and agricultural sciences are studied and taught should have copies of this landmark publication.