Publisher's Synopsis
In order to feed the world's growing population, there is need to double food production by 2050. To attain this goal, there is an urgent need to connect the manifold valuable interactions that occur between plants and microorganisms. The last several decades have seen rapid strides made in our appreciation of the diversity of environmental microbes and their possible benefits to sustainable agriculture and production. Abundant use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and other agricultural inputs derived from fossil fuels have increased agricultural production, yet growing awareness and concern over their adverse effects on soil productivity and environmental quality cannot be ignored. The advent of powerful new methodologies in microbial genetics, molecular biology and biotechnology has only quickened the pace of developments. The vital part played by microbes in sustaining our planet's ecosystems only adds urgency to this enquiry. The beneficial influences of microorganisms on plant growth include nitrogen fixation, acquisition and uptake of major nutrients, promotion of shoot and root growth, disease control or suppression and improved soil structure. This volume covers the wide-ranging aspects of the role of microbes in sustainable agriculture and biotechnological developments. The contributed chapters are written by renowned experts on the recent developments in microbial technologies to enhance agricultural production. It is essential to enhance the activities of microbes that benefit plant nutrition, control diseases and assist plants to cope with a variety of abiotic stresses to sustain and improve global food production in future climate scenarios while maintaining environmental health. Soil microorganisms enhance plant nutrient acquisition. They are involved in a wide range of biological processes including the transformation of insoluble soil nutrients. The inoculation of soil or crop with phosphate solubilizing/mineralizing microorganisms is therefore a promising strategy for the improvement of plant absorption of phosphorus and thereby reducing the use of chemical fertilizers that have a negative impact on the environment. Furthermore, it focuses on the diversity of PSM, mechanism of P solubilization, role of various phosphatases, impact of various factors on P solubilization, the present and future scenario of their use and potential for application of this knowledge in managing a sustainable environmental system. Understanding how agricultural practices shift microbial abundance, diversity and life strategies, such as presented in this volume, can assist with designing farming systems that can support high yields, while enhancing C sequestration and increasing resilience to climate change.