Agriculture in Semi-Arid Environments

1 Ancient Agricultural Systems in Dry Regions.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 The Beginnings of Agriculture.- 1.3 Ancient Agricultural Systems in Dry Regions of the Old World.- 1.4 Ancient Agricultural Systems in Dry Regions of the New World.- 1.5 Conclusions.- References.- 2 Development of Present Dryland Farming Systems.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Geographic Aspects of the World's Semi-Arid Tropics.- 2.3 Dryland Farming Systems in the Semi-Arid Tropics.- 2.4 Geographic Aspects of the World's Semi-Arid Mid-Latitude Lands (Steppe).- 2.5 Dryland Farming Systems in the Mid-Latitude Steppes.- 2.6 Perception of the Semi-Arid Environment.- 2.7 The Future of Dryland Farming Systems.- References.- 3 Semi-Arid Climates: Their Definition and Distribution.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Meteorological Factors Contributing to Aridity and Humidity.- 3.3 Defining Semi-Arid Regions.- 3.4 Thermal Regions of Semi-Arid Zones.- 3.5 Conclusions.- References.- 4 Agroclimatology Applied to Water Management in the Sudanian and Sahelian Zones of Africa.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Climatology and the Hydrologic Budget of Cropping Systems.- 4.3 Application of Agroclimatology to Agriculture in Senegal.- 4.4 Future Strategies.- References.- 5 Microbiological and Biochemical Aspects of Semi-Arid Agricultural Soils.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Microbial Ecology and Soil Physical Properties.- 5.3 Organic Matter.- 5.4 Mineral Nutrition of Plants.- 5.5 Future Directions for Research.- References.- 6 Crop Adaptation to Semi-Arid Environments.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Water as a Limiting Factor.- 6.3 Adaptive Attributes for Semi-Arid Environments.- 6.4 Developing Cultivars for Semi-Arid Environments.- 6.5 Future Strategies for Research.- References.- 7 Water Transport Through Soil, Plant, and Atmosphere.- 7.1 Introduction.-7.2 Components of the Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Continuum.- 7.3 Models of the Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Continuum.- 7.4 Conclusions.- References.- 8 Crop Management in Semi-Arid Environments.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Management Systems.- 8.3 Cultural Systems.- 8.4 Cropping Methods.- 8.5 Crop Selection.- 8.6 Planting Techniques.- 8.7 Crop Fertilization.- 8.8 Crop Rotation.- 8.9 Vertebrate Pest Control.- 8.10 Harvesting.- 8.11 Future Directions of Research.- References.- 9 Soil Management in Semi-Arid Environments.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 Differing Responses of Soils to Tillage.- 9.3 Objectives of Soil Management.- 9.4 Tillage and Soil Water.- 9.5 Soil Fertility.- 9.6 Tillage and the Soil Microenvironment.- 9.7 Erosion Control.- References.- 10 Erosion and Its Control in Semi-Arid Regions.- 10.1 Introduction.- 10.2 Erosion by Water.- 10.3 Erosion by Wind.- 10.4 Erosion Control Measures.- References.- 11 Diseases and Nematode Pests in Semi-Arid West Africa.- 11.1 Introduction.- 11.2 Principles of Disease and Nematode Management.- 11.3 Diseases and Nematodes of Specific Food Crops.- 11.4 Future Directions for Research in Disease and Nematode Pest Control in Semi-Arid Africa.- References.- 12 Weed Control.- 12.1 Losses from Weeds.- 12.2 Weed Characteristics.- 12.3 Management of Weeds.- 12.4 Herbicides.- 12.5 Interaction of Weed Control and the Environment.- 12.6 Control of Specific Weeds.- 12.7 General Conclusions.- References.- 13 The Interaction Between Cultivation and Livestock Production in Semi-Arid Africa.- 13.1 Introduction.- 13.2 Linkages Between Crop and Livestock Production.- 13.3 Selected Cases of Cropping-Livestock Systems.- 13.4 Trends in Organization of Linkages.- 13.5 Conclusions.- References.- Taxonomic Index.