Fertilizer sulfur and food production

1. Front Matter

   Pages I-XXI

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2. Introduction

   • J. S. Kanwar, M. S. Mudahar

   Pages 1-3

3. Food and Nutrition Problems in Perspective

   • J. S. Kanwar, M. S. Mudahar

   Pages 5-14

4. Fertilizer Sulfur in Strategies for Food Production

   • J. S. Kanwar, M. S. Mudahar

   Pages 15-31

5. Sulfur in Plant, Animal, and Human Nutrition

   • J. S. Kanwar, M. S. Mudahar

   Pages 33-49

6. Status, Diagnosis, and Determinants of Sulfur Deficiency

   • J. S. Kanwar, M. S. Mudahar

   Pages 51-90

7. Crop Response to Fertilizer Sulfur in the Tropics

   • J. S. Kanwar, M. S. Mudahar

   Pages 91-123

8. Estimating Sulfur Requirements, Supplies, and Gaps

   • J. S. Kanwar, M. S. Mudahar

   Pages 125-145

9. Fertilizer Sulfur Sources and Supply Strategies

   • J. S. Kanwar, M. S. Mudahar

   Pages 147-157

10. World Sulfur Situation, Outlook, and Public Policy

    • J. S. Kanwar, M. S. Mudahar

    Pages 159-189

11. Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations

    • J. S. Kanwar, M. S. Mudahar

    Pages 191-221

12. Back Matter

    Pages 223-247

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Fertilizer is a vital component of strategies for expanding foodproduction. The rapid growth in population and the widening food deficits inmany tropical countries ofAsia, Africa, and Latin America call attention to those aspects of fertilization that have been neglected but are expected to yield­ large economic payoffs in the future. Fertilizer sulfur falls into this category. In the past fertilizer sulfur received little attention from researchers and policymakers since sulfur deficiency was not considered a serious problem. It was not a problem because of low crop yields, extensive cropping, and the incidental supply of sulfur through rain, irrigation water, manures, and sulfurcontaining fertilizers. However, the situation has changed in the last three decades. Moder­ nagriculture based on high crop yields, intensive cropping, improved crop varieties, and greater use of sulfur-free fertilizers and environmental regula­ tions restricting sulfur emissions are creating large gaps between sulfur sup­ ply and sulfur requirements. Sulfur deficiencies are widespread and grow­ ing. Consequently, the full potential of a modern agricultural system in tropical countries is not being realized. This research effort results from the recognition of the seriousness of the sulfur problem and its adverse impact on food production as well as IFDC's dedication to the development and transfer of economically ef­ ficient fertilizer technology to tropical countries. This study represents a comprehensive analysis ofthe technical and economic linkages between fer­ tilizer sulfur and food production, and it provides guidelines for future directions in fertilizer sulfur research and public policy.

• agriculture
• development
• emissions
• environment
• growth
• population
• production
• research
• water

• ICRISAT, Hyderabad, India

  J. S. Kanwar

• IFDC, Muscle Shoals, USA

  M. S. Mudahar

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