Toward a more sustainable agriculture

1 Our Threatened Agricultural Resources.- Agricultural Problems.- Energy.- Water.- Soil.- Transitional Agriculture.- Meeting the Challenge.- References.- 2 Organic Farming.- Prevalence, Size, Common Practices.- Energy Usage.- Crop Productivity.- Economics.- Labor.- Conservation and Environmental Quality.- Soil.- Water.- Environment.- Future Prospects.- Research Needs.- References.- 3 Crop Energy Conservation.- Energetics of Crop Production.- Fertilization.- Reduction of Fertilizer Usage.- Use of Organic Wastes.- Use of Legumes.- Field Operations: Farm Machinery.- Field Operations: Tillage.- Irrigation.- Reduction of Pumping Frequency.- Pump Efficiency.- Improved Management.- System Alterations.- Pesticides.- Crop Drying.- Frost and Cold Protection.- Transportation.- Future Directions.- References.- 4 Greenhouse Energy Conservation.- Fuel and Furnaces.- Microclimate Heating.- Temperature Control.- Split-Night Regime.- Temperature Averaging.- Insulation.- Polyethylene Over Glass.- Bubble Pack.- Thermal Sheets.- Sausage Tubes.- Lapseal.- Miscellaneous Insulation.- Roofing Materials.- Acrylic Panels.- Polycarbonate Panels.- Double-Glass Panels.- Future.- Cost Payback Period.- Experimental Greenhouses.- References.- 5 Animal Husbandry Energy Conservation.- Environmental Maintenance.- Insulation.- Waste Heat Recovery.- Ventilation.- Evaporative Cooling.- Lighting.- Brooding and Farrowing Areas.- Feed.- Cattle Feed.- Feed for Other Livestock.- Feed Processing and Handling.- Transportation.- Waste Disposal.- References.- 6 Postproduction Energy Conservation.- Food Processing.- Energy Accounting Techniques.- Equipment.- Miscellaneous Energy Conservation Measures.- Food Waste Recovery.- On-Site Food Processing.- In- and Out-of-Home Food Preparation.- Marketing and Distribution.- Transportation.- Fiber.- References.- 7 Sustaining Resources: Soil.- Organic Matter.- Organic Amendments.- Animal Manures.- Crop Residues.- Sewage Sludge and Septage.- Other Organic Wastes.- Soil Erosion.- Erosion and Crop Yields.- Status of Research on Erosion and Soil Productivity.- Economics of Erosion Control.- Practices to Control Erosion of Croplands.- Soil Compaction.- Cropping Systems to Sustain Productivity.- Multiple Cropping.- Rotations, Nitrogen Fixation, and Forages.- Organic Agriculture and Soil Maintenance.- Maintenance of Range Productivity.- References.- 8 Sustaining Resources: Water.- Usage and Availability.- Groundwater Depletion.- Future Demand.- Additional Problems.- Subsidence.- Saltwater Contamination.- Reduced Surface Water Flow.- Groundwater Contamination.- Salinization.- Drainage.- Conservation of Water.- Control of Runoff Losses.- Control of Evaporation Losses.- Reduction of Losses from Deep Percolation.- Conservation Irrigation.- Salt-Tolerant Crops.- Dryland Farming.- References.- 9 Sustaining the Environment.- Agriculture's Impact on the Environment.- Water Quality.- Air Quality.- Soil Quality.- Reducing Agricultural Pollutants.- Integrated Pest Management.- Practices.- Economic Benefits.- Current Research.- Research Directions.- Future Directions.- Genetic Resources.- References.- 10 Future Technology.- Solar Technology.- Crop Drying.- Space and Water Heating.- Future Uses for Solar Energy.- Windpower.- Hydroelectric and Geothermal Power.- Biotechnology.- Genetic Engineering.- Embryo Transfer.- Biomass.- Alcohol Production.- Biogas Production.- Oils from Seeds.- Assessment of Alternate Energy.- Mechanization.- Management.- Computer-Assisted Management.- Computer Constraints.- References.