This book provides current information on the world's soil resources available for food production and discusses ways to maintain or improve these resources to achieve optimal production. Chapters cover global food demand, soil degradation, fertilizer needs, nutrient budgeting and plant nutrition, disease suppressive soils, soil and climate change, soil fertility management, ecological efficiency, sustainable production systems, soil resilience, and soils and human health. The contributing authors offer innovative soil and water management options. This timely resource includes numerous illustrations, tables, and equations to aid in comprehension.