Textbooks:

1
Textbooks Physiology of Crop Plants
Gardner et al. Principles of Ecology
in Plant Production Sinclair et al.
(both texts available at UF Bookstore) Agronomy
Department Website http//agronomy.ifas.ufl.edu
Course Website http//agronomy.ifas.ufl.edu/cla
ss_sites/AGR4512/index.htm Class notes is
password protected Password physiology
2
Principles of Ecology In Plant Production
Chapter 1
Plant production is the only basis for
providing food
All meat production is based on feed
obtained through plant production.
The diets of many people are based almost
solely on direct consumption of plant products.
Fiber needs are also dependent on plant
production, either directly in the case of
wood and cotton or indirectly in the case of
animal fibers such as wool.
Plant products are the main fuel for cooking
and heating for many people in less-
developed countries.
3
World Population
Human population is increasing at the rate
of 250,000 people per day, or 90 million per
year. Increases in the standard of living
in developing countries results in
increasing per capita demand for plant
products. (ie. more meat is consumed!)
World population 1830 - 1
billion 1930 - 2 billion
1975 - 4 billion 1999 - 5.9
billion 2008 - 6.7 billion U.S.
305M FL18M http//www.census.gov/popul
ation/www/ This rapid population increase
leads to tremendous challenges for improving
plant productivity, strains natural
resources, and puts enormous pressure on
the environment. Worldwide avg. no. of
births/female 3.1 Avg. no. for replacement
2.0
4
http//www.census.gov/ipc/www/idb/worldpopinfo.htm
l
5
(No Transcript)
6
(No Transcript)
7
http//www.earth-policy.org/Indicators/Grain/2006.
htm
8
Per Capita
9
Increases in world grain production 1950 to
1984 - 3 per year (Green Revolution) 1984 to
1993 - 1 per year Diets change as standard
of living increases Percent of grain used for
livestock production 1/3 -
worldwide 2/3 - U.S. Grain conversion
efficiency Beef - 7 units grain/1 unit
beef Pork - 4 units grain/1 unit
pork Chicken - 2 units grain/1 unit
chicken
10
Land Area Basis
http//www.whole-systems.org/grain.html
Source U.N. FAO, compiled by Worldwatch
Institute, 2000
11
Can we expect the continued high rates of
increased grain production? U.S.
Wheat 1960s - 3.8 annual
increase 1970s - 1.9 annual
increase 1980s - 1.5 annual
increase Globally (see figure 1.4)
12
(No Transcript)
13
http//www.fas.usda.gov/grain/circular/2006/05-06/
graintoc.htm
14
(No Transcript)
15
(No Transcript)
16
(No Transcript)
17
Global food security is threatened
by Lower gains in crop yields Limited land
(at least productive land) Limited water
Union of Concerned Scientists (1992) issued
the following World Scientists Warning to
Humanity (1972) A great change in our
stewardship of the Earth and the life on it
is required if vast human misery is to be
avoided and our global home planet is not to
be irretrievable mutilated.
18
Environmental Consequences of
Increasing Demands for Plant Products
Loss of Biodiversity Land and Soil
Degredation Water Weather and Climate
19
In 1798, Thomas Malthus published an Essay on
the Principle of Population He warned that
population growth would eventually exceed the
capabilities to produce food. Malthus believed
that population growth would eventually lead to
poverty. In 1679, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek made a
guess at the carrying capacity of the planet. He
predicted that, if all the earth was populated as
densely as Holland (at that time), the earth
could support a population of 13.4
billion. There are many today who support
pessimistic predictions on food supplies, unless
population growth is brought under control