Global water use has been growing at more than twice the rate of population growth in the last century. The scarcity, of water resources and water pollution restrict the sustainable development of the economy and society all over the world. Agriculture is the major consnmer of water worldwide. Water-saving agriculture is an urgent need for sustainable development. Water in Agriculture: Challenges,Technological Solutions & Innovations is based on the invited keynotes and contributory papers presented at the International Symposium on Water in Agriculture and Forestry held during 21-24, October 2008 in Beijing, China. Including the latest research developments made by 18 research groups worldwide and leading experts in the field, this volume provides state-of the art knowledge on。

Preface

Section Ⅰ Water Resources and Water Crisis in China:an Overview

 The Connotation and Extension of Agricultural Water Resources Security

 The Shortage, Pollution and Management of China's Water Resources

Section Ⅱ Application of Chemical Water-saving Materials in Agriculture

 Degraded Lands and Hydrogels: From an Ecological Catastrophe to Economical Profit

 The Principle Mechanisms of Action and the Application of Super Absorbent Polymers in Agricultural Production

Section Ⅲ New Materials and New Technologies

 Preparation and Characterization of Nanocomposite Films from Chitin Whisker and Waterborne Poly (ester-urethane) with or without UltraSonification Treatment

 Effects of Ultra-Sonification Assisting Polyethylene Glycol Pre-Treatment on the Crystallinity and Accessibility of Cellulose Fiber

Section Ⅳ The Effect of Water-saving Chemical Materials in Agriculture & Forestry

 Water Potential Preliminary Study of Superabsorbents and Mineral/polymer Hybrid Superabsorbents

 The Effects of Super-absorbent Polymers on the Ponding Infiltration Characteristics of Soil Water

 Effect of a Water-Retaining Agent on Photosynthesis and Water Utilization at Different Growth Stages of Winter Wheat

 Effects of PAM on Aggregate Distributions and Stabilities of Three Types of Soils in the Loess Plateau, China

 Analysis of the Economically Efficient Quantity of a Water Retention Agent in Agricultural Production and Factors Affecting Demand

 The Effect of Super Absorbent Polymers on the Growth and Yield Performance of Cotton in Xinjiang, China

Section Ⅴ Related Studies on Water Use & Drought

 Adaptive Mechanisms for Drought and the Improvement of Crop Yields in the Arid Xinjiang Area of China

 Ecophysiological Strategies for Improving Wheat Water Use in Semi-Arid China

 Divisions of seasonal droughts in hilly areas of southern China

 Streamfiow Simulation over the Yellow River Basin using Two Different Resolution of the LRM with RIEMS

Contributing Authors