The book Managing Soil Health for Sustainable Agriculture, authored by Dan Reicosky and translated by Dr. Seyyedeh Fatemeh Aghamir, Assistant Professor at the Research Institute of Medicinal Plants and Raw Materials, Shahid Beheshti University, and Samaneh Eskandari, has been published.
This book was first published in 2024 (1403 in the Iranian calendar) by Shahid Beheshti University Press in 502 pages, medium octavo size. It is available at a price of 3,020,000 IRR.
Intensive agriculture in developed countries and the rapid expansion of crop cultivation in developing nations have posed significant threats to soil health, which is the foundation of agriculture, leading to growing concerns. Furthermore, in urban societies, soil is often perceived as mere dirt, and its vital role is rarely acknowledged. Today, one of the greatest threats to human society is the paving and preparation of soil for construction and urban development. Developed countries appear brightly lit in nighttime satellite imagery—an indication of the soil degradation taking place on Earth. As such, managing soil health is of critical importance.
In recent decades, humanity has faced challenges such as limited food production resources, growing global population, climate change, ecosystem services, environmental quality, and overall quality of life—all of which underscore the importance of soil health management. Soil Health Management offers the latest research in soil science related to ecosystem services across three main sections and thirteen chapters. In this book, soil is presented as an ecosystem whose habitat is moderated by its physical and chemical properties. The structure and chemistry of soil, organic matter, microorganisms, and soil-dwelling organisms are thoroughly explored. Soil health is examined comprehensively and precisely through various methods, including assessments of its physical and chemical properties, performance indicators, organic carbon content, and biological condition.
Part One provides an overview of soil and its health, climate change, integrated management, and the economics of soil health.
Part Two focuses on soil structure and composition, covering topics such as soil texture, chemical composition, microorganisms, and fauna and their roles in maintaining soil health.
Part Three explores the role of hydrology in soil health, nutrient cycling, plant-soil interactions, and soil erosion mechanisms.
This book serves as a valuable and practical resource for students of soil science and engineering, environmental management, and sustainable agricultural extension and education.
Students and interested readers can purchase the book at the Publication Center of Shahid Beheshti University, located on the ground floor of the Information Technology (IT) Building, or order it online through the Center's website. The digital version of the book is also available on Fidibo and Taghche platforms.