Search

Microbiome Drivers of Ecosystem Function focuses on the advancements in microbial technologies towards harnessing the microbiome for improved crop productivity and health that are at the frontier of agricultural sciences. It provides insights into the diversity of endophytic microbiomes and their potential utility in agricultural production.Increased crop yield through chemical interventions have limit thresholds and alternative, natural and/or integrated approaches are increasingly needed. Microbial inoculants among the ways in which food production efficiency can be improved. Plant growth-promoting soil organisms increase net crop uptake of soil nutrients, resulting in larger crops and higher yields of harvested food. These and other symbiotic associations between plants and microbes can ultimately be exploited for the increased food production necessary to feed the world, in addition to creating safer farming techniques that minimize ecological disruption.As a volume in the Microbiome Research in Plants and Soil series, Microbiome Drivers of Ecosystem Function serves as an ideal reference for researchers and students in the fields of agricultural biotechnology, biochemistry, environmental science, plant biology, agricultural sciences, and agricultural engineering. - Provides insights on engineered microbes in sustainable agriculture, recent biotechnological developments, and future prospects - Introduces microbes as chief ecological engineers in reinstating equilibrium in degraded ecosystems - Presents the current state and development, as well as future challenges in studying plant-microbe interactions - Discusses endophytic microbiomes and other microbial consortium with multifunctional plant growth-promoting attributes

Microbial Biostimulants for Plant Growth, Development and Abiotic Stress Amelioration provides readers with insights into the major role of biostimulants in plant growth and development while under abiotic stress. The term biostimulants is broadly used to reference a group of diverse substances and microorganisms that stimulate life or that promote favorable plant responses. They stimulate natural processes to enhance/benefit nutrient uptake, nutrient efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress, and crop quality. Many biostimulants improve nutrition and they do so regardless of their own nutrient contents. Further, recently microbe-based biostimulants have emerged as important plant protectors under a range of adverse conditions. Microbial Biostimulants for Plant Growth, Development and Abiotic Stress Amelioration is the latest volume in the Biostimulants and Protective Biochemical Agents series. - Presents the potential for more environmentally sustainable interventions against abiotic stresses - Highlights the variety of applications for which biostimulants are proving effective - Includes coverage of commercialization and role in addressing Sustainability Development Goals

Macrophomina Phaseolina: Ecobiology, Pathology and Management provides insights into the sustainable prevention and treatment of this wide-spread challenge to plant health. With a focus on agricultural as well as non-food plant challenges, the book highlights diverse approaches and provides central insights. The pathogen of M. phaseolina affects the fibrovascular system of roots and basal internodes of its host, impeding the transport of water and nutrients to the upper parts of the plant, thus resulting in progressive wilting, premature drying and dying, loss of vigor, and reduced yield. Finally, the book explores the interaction of M. phaseolina with soil, microbes and ecological conditions to control disease-causing strategies. Recognizing the necessity that strategies applied to manage the disease should have no or minimum effect on ecological resources, the book focuses on alternative sustainable management technologies such as mix-cropping, the use of antagonistic bacteria and fungi and microbial biosurfactants, plant growth promoting antagonistic rhizobacteria and how cultural practices may also play an important role. - Identifies plant diseases caused by Macrophomina phaseolina - Explores M. phaseolina genetic diversity - Highlights pesticide tolerance and alternative control options