Agronomy and Horticulture Department
Date of this Version
1969
Abstract
Man through the ages has evolved a strategy, albeit empirical, of manipulating the environment and the plant to his advantage. Practices such as fertilizing the soil, irrigation, weed control, and plant breeding and selection are common. Nonetheless, concentrated and coordinated efforts to understand the mechanisms controlling the whole soil-plant- atmosphere continuum is a new approach to finding new ways to favorably manipulate the whole system as well as predict response.
Conceptually and experimentally it has proven advantageous to view the total system in terms of energy, momentum, and mass exchange. This makes sense because in the first instance the foundations of crop production and water use are based upon two solar energy conversion processes-photosynthesis and evaporation. In the second instance, the momentum exchange of the wind creates the necessary turbulent ventilation to diffuse heat, water vapor, carbon dioxide, and oxygen. Of course, all of these exchange processes are driven by a common energy source-the sun.
Comments
Published in Physiological Aspects of Crop Yield: Proceedings of a symposium sponsored by the University of Nebraska, the American Society of Agronomy, and the Crop Science Society of America, and held at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebr., January 20-24, 1969. Edited by Jerry D. Eastin, F. A. Haskins, C. Y. Sullivan, C. H. M. Van Bavel, and Richard C. Dinauer (Madison, Wisconsin: American Society of Agronomy & Crop Science Society of America, 1969). Copyright © 1969 American Society of Agronomy & Crop Science Society of America. Used by permission.