Improving the Sustainability of Dryland Farming Systems: A Global Perspective. - I. Introduction. - II. The Concept of Sustainability. - III. Dynamics of Soil Productivity. - IV. Opportunities and Limitations. - V. Perspectives and Strategies. - References. - Agroclimatology of Semiarid Lands. - I. Introduction. - II. Climatic Resources. - III. Soils. - IV. Agroclimatic Indices. - V. Limitations. - VI. Research Needs. - References. - Conservation Tillage Systems. - I. Introduction. - II. Conservation Tillage Equipment. - III. Weed Control. - IV. Water Infiltration Evaporation and Conservation. - V. Crop Growth Yields and Water Use. - VI. Soil Erosion and Environmental Quality. - VII Insects Plant Diseases and Other Pests. - VIII Soil Properties. - IX. Economies. - X. Summary and Conclusions. - References. - Tillage and Residue Management Effects on Soil Organic Matter Dynamics in Semiarid Regions. - I. Introduction. - II. Characteristics of Semiarid Regions. - III. Properties and Factors Affecting Soil Organic Matter. - IV. The Effect of Residues on Soil Structure. - V. Tillage and Residue Management Effects on Soil Organic Matter and Nutrients. - VI. Tillage Strategies for Improved Management of Organic Matter and Plant Nutrients. - VII. Cropping Methods for Maintaining Soil Organic Matter and Nutrients in Semiarid Areas. - VIII. Summary and Conclusions. - References. - Tillage Systems and Equipment for Dryland Farming. - I. Introduction. - II. Factors Affecting Selection of Tillage System. - III. Tillage Systems. - IV. Summary and Needs. - References. - Fertility Management and Nutrient Cycling. - I. Introduction. - II. Principles Relating Water and Nutrient Availability. - III. Water Deficits. - IV. Management Practices. - V. Conclusions. - References. - Water-Use Efficiency. - I. Introduction. - II. Seeding Rate and Planting Geometry. - III. Crop Calendars. - IV. Crop Selection and Germplasm Enhancement. - V. Water Management. - VI Soil Fertility. - VII. Research Needs for Improved Water-Use Efficiency. - References1. - Water Erosion and Water Quality. - I. Introduction. - II. Impacts. - III. Prediction. - IV. Research Needs. - V. Summary. - References. - Wind Erosion: Mechanics Prediction and Control. - I. Introduction. - II. Basic Wind Erosion Process. - III. Extent of Problem. - IV. Deposition of Eroded Material. - V. Impact on Soil Productivity. - VI. Wind Erosion Control. - VII. Conclusions. - References. - Methods for Removing Spatial Variability from Field Research Trials. - I. Introduction. - II. Experimental Design. - III. Methods of Statistical Analysis. - IV. Explicit Trend Analysis and Removal. - V. Comparison of Methods. - VI. Summary. - References. - Diseases Caused by Root-Infecting Pathogens in Dryland Agriculture. - I. Introduction. - II. Etiology. - III. Epidemiology. - IV. Host Range and the Effects of Crop Rotations. - V. Tillage and Crop Residue Management. - VI. Strategies and Approaches to Economic Control. - VII. Research Needs. - VIII. Epilog. - References. - The Role of Soil Biodiversity in Sustainable Dryland Farming Systems. - I. Introduction. - H. Diversity/Erodibility Relationships. - III. Early Bioindicators of Soil Degradation. - IV. Measurements to Characterize Biodiversity. - V. Implications for Conservation of Marginal Lands. - VI. Future Research Needs. - References. - Managing Crop Residues to Optimize Crop/Livestock Production Systems for Dryland Agriculture. - I. Introduction. - II. Available Water and Crop Yields. - III. Value of Crop Residues for Water Conservation. - IV. Effect of Surface Residue Management on Crop Yields. - V. Value of Crop Residues for Erosion Control. - VI. Progresswith Residue Management Systems. - VII. Conservation Management and Water Quality. - References. - Agroclimatic Approaches for Improving Agricultural Productivity in Semiarid Tropics. - I. Introduction. - II. Agroecological Features of the Semiarid Tropics. - III. The Indian SAT. - IV. The Sahelian SAT. - V. Botswana SAT. - VI. Summary and Conclusions. - References. - An Economic Analysis of Farm Management Practices and Improved Technologies in the Sahel. - I. Introduction. - II. Farming Conditions in Mali. - III. Technological Options for Dryland Farming. - IV. Soil Water and Crop Management Case Studies. - V. Case Study Results. - VI. Conclusions. - References. - Use of Crop Simulation Models in Dryland Agriculture. - I. Introduction. - II. Evaluation of New Crops in Australia. - III. Application of Grain Sorghum Simulation Models in Central Texas. - IV. Future Trends in Model Use. - References. - Strategies for Increasing the Productivity and Stability of Dryland Farming Systems. - I. Introduction. - II. Successful Dryland Regions. - III. Dryland Technologies. - IV. Research and Technology Transfer. - V. Research Needs. - VI. A Strategy for Achieving Improved Dryland Production. - References. Language: English