Janet I. Sprent – författare

Nitrogen fixation is currently of great practical importance because the use of nitrogenous fertilizers has resulted in unacceptable levels of water pollution and the fact that these fertilizers are becoming steadily less economic both in cash terms and in utilization of fossil fuels for their manufacture. This book aims to present new findings in the field of nitrogen fixation and to reflect the influence on the subject of recent developments in biochemistry, molecular biology, genetic engineering and other biotechnologies. The book includes quantitative aspects of the subject, but the many practical difficulties for accurate field assessment of nitrogen fixation and its contribution to nitrogen cycles means that many assessments are either in conflict with each other or must be accepted as tentative. Although this book is concerned essentially with how nitrogen-fixing organisms function and why they are of practical importance, rather than with details of laboratory or field techniques, an appendix deals with the main methods of measurement of nitrogen fixation and some of the problems that must be faced.

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. 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.

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.