in this handbook summarize research for each of the plant nutrients and several beneficial elements, and readers should refer to the individual chapters for information on past, current, and future research on these elements. | 6 3 2006 12 37 PM Page 5 9 Section V Conclusion 6 3 2006 12 37 PM Page 59 6 3 2006 12 37 PM Page 5 9 22 Conclusion Allen V. Barker University of Massachusetts Amherst Massachusetts David J. Pilbeam University of Leeds Leeds United Kingdom CONTENTS Status of Current Knowledge and Soil Testing and Plant Analysis and Nutrient Accumulation of Elements by Genetics of Plant General STATUS OF CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND RESEARCH Chapters in this handbook summarize research for each of the plant nutrients and several beneficial elements and readers should refer to the individual chapters for information on past current and future research on these elements. However some conclusions can be drawn about the kinds of current research that are being carried out in plant nutrition and literature that addresses this research in a general way can be identified and will be presented in this summary. Traditionally research in soil fertility and plant nutrition has addressed soil testing and plant analyses and nutrient availability for plants nutrient requirements of different crops fertilizer use and crop utilization of nutrients in materials applied to soil. Interest in these traditional fields continues but topics including accumulation and transport of nutrients and nonessential elements have received recent attention. Research in genetics of plant nutrition has risen with the growth in the field of molecular biology. SOIL TESTING AND PLANT ANALYSIS AND NUTRIENT AVAILABILITY Consideration of the environmental and economic consequences of soil fertility practices is an essential component of research in plant nutrition. Soil tests are developed to assess the availability of plant nutrients in soils and these tests are calibrated for the major field and vegetable crops and provide the basis for lime and .
