Making of a Soil Scientist

Undergraduate and graduate students in soil science, agronomy, natural resource management and sustainable development.

The book describes Lal's journey from subsistence farming to global fora, discussing his soil-centric approach to global issues, including climate change and sustainable development.Rattan Lal is ranked No. 1 globally and in the U.S. among agricultural scientists (Plant Science and Agronomists) by Research.com on the basis of the number of scientific citations and his discipline H-index. He has been awarded The World Soil Prize, The Japan Prize, The World Food Prize, The Arrell Innovation Prize, and the Padma Shri Award. This book describes Rattan Lal's professional journey from a subsistence farm in India to working on global fora as a soil scientist. It discusses the challenges and opportunities of his soil-centric approach to global issues faced in the 21st century, emphasizes the need for revisiting the Green Revolution approach, and making agriculture an integral part of the solution to restoring soil health, addressing climate change, and promoting sustainable development. This book will be of interest to students and researchers in soil science, agronomy, natural resource management and sustainable development. This book combines an exploration of the value of a soil-centred philosophy when addressing sustainability issues together with descriptions of the challenges of an international scientific career.