Microbiological Advancements for Higher Altitude Agro-Ecosystems & Sustainability


Book Description

The book explores the challenges and opportunities associated with high-altitude agro-ecosystems and the factors that influence them. It discusses the various indigenous agricultural practices and approaches, as well as the microbiology of mountain & hill agro-ecosystems, providing a comprehensive overview of the various factors that control the microbiome at high altitudes. The contributions examine microbiological advances, such as use of “omics” technologies for hill agriculture and environmental sustainability, and explore the use of nanotechnology for agricultural and environmental sustainability at higher altitudes. The book also describes various aspects of low-temperature microbiology in the context of high-altitude farming and environmental sustainability.




Microbiological Activity for Soil and Plant Health Management


Book Description

Plants and the soil they grow in, are confronted with severe biotic and abiotic stresses viz. nutrient starvation, salt stress, drought, flooding, xenobiotic contamination, in order to sustain in an ecosystem. They also shape the microbial composition in their vicinity by modulating their secretions. This book discusses the pressing demand for novel and potential microorganisms to support an environment-friendly and cost-effective way of stress management in the plants. The book summarizes the processes and mechanisms involved in microbe-assisted plant and soil stress management. It discusses the challenges and opportunities in the application of microbial interactions in plant health. It describes in detail the nutrient dynamics of different soil systems. It includes important topics like agriculturally important genes and enzymes, rhizosphere modeling & engineering, genetically engineered bio-inoculants etc. It also talks about the application of next-generation technologies, omics and nano-based technologies. In the recent years, more than 50% of agricultural production relies on chemical fertilizers, leading to serious health issues and environmental concerns. This book provides natural solutions to these environmental concerns. This book is useful for researchers and students in the field of microbiology, agriculture, soil biology and plant sciences.




Trends of Applied Microbiology for Sustainable Economy


Book Description

Trends of Applied Microbiology for a Sustainable Economy discusses the role of modern tools and next-generation technologies in applied microbial research, including recent trends and innovation in global biofertilizers. Agriculture has seen dramatic changes since the time of its inception. Starting with the domestication of wild plants to small-scale traditional farming and then large-scale, chemical-intensive agriculture. It is at a crossroads once again, putting a huge amount of pressure on available natural resources like soil, water and biodiversity which is bound to increase with the ever-growing human population. This book helps readers understand the challenges associated with these demographic changes. - Redefines the relationship between microorganisms and agricultural sustainability in view of the latest technologies and advancements - Documents recent microbiological advancements in agricultural research and discusses challenges and opportunities in the biofertilizers market - Identifies challenges and opportunities for scaling up biofertilizers technology - Discusses recent trends and innovations in the biotechnology market and economy




Advances in Agricultural and Industrial Microbiology


Book Description

This book is developed in a lucid manner for readers to grasp information about the role and potential of microbes in sustainable agriculture & computational strategies associated with it. Present volume focuses on advancements of microbial research in increasing agricultural productivity and sustainability viz. plant growth promotion by rhizobacterial biostimulants, endophytes, actinobacteria, arbuscularmycorrhizal fungi and biocontrol. Present day research is focused on role of soil microbe’s in agriculture, diazotropic & azotobacterial N2 fixation, PGPR etc. However, there is dearth of information on bioremediation of agrochemicals, biocontrol etc. This book is a compilation of research advances in both the aspect from eminent experts around the globe. In addition, in-silico mediated understandings of plant pathology, use of artificial neural networks in phytopathogen prediction, computational approaches in enhancing secondary metabolites production will be beneficial to professionals and academicians for sustainable agriculture. This volume will be very helpful for the students, teachers, professionals, and scientists concerned in agricultural production, food security, soil microbiology, agricultural biotechnology, and computational techniques.




Survival Strategies in Cold-adapted Microorganisms


Book Description

Extremophiles have unique physiological properties, thus considered to be ideal candidates for industrial development. This book present concepts on cold-adapted microorganisms, centered on four different aspects - (i) diversity of cold adapted microbes (ii) their ecology, physiology and metabolism (iii) omics research in the field and (iv) their potential applications. This volume collates the recent developments and innovations with respect to these microorganisms. This book is meant for researchers, biochemists, industries, and government agencies interested in cold active microbes and their products. Also, would be of interest to NGOs and progressive farmers which are working for higher altitude ecosystems throughout the globe.







Handbook of Agricultural Biotechnology, Volume 1


Book Description

Handbook of AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY The book provides detailed information on the application of nanopesticides for the management of numerous agricultural pests and pathogens, as well as to foster an innovative pathway toward future sustainable agriculture and food systems. Biopesticides have been identified as a sustainable and permanent replacement to synthetic chemicals. Their application will go a long way toward preventing major challenges that confront sustainable agriculture, the actualization of global food production and food security, helping to feed an ever-increasing population that is predicted to increase to nine billion by 2050. An interdisciplinary collaboration among policymakers, private sector, researchers, civil society, farmers, consumers, and environmentalists will foster an innovative pathway toward future sustainable agriculture and food systems that could ensure resilience, food security, and a healthy environment. The book explains the application of some nanobiopesticides as ovicides that could kill eggs of insects and mites, as well as slimicides that could destroy slime-producing microorganisms, such as algae, bacteria, fungi, and slime molds. Other highlights include: a discussion on the application of nanobiopesticides for the rejuvenation of heavily contaminated environments (as well as their role in the mitigation of several abiotic stress); a demonstration of how nanobiopesticides derived from plants could be applied for effective management of pests and diseases in animal husbandry and fishery; and a collection of relevant information on patents, the commercialization of relevant plant-derived nanobiopesticides, and their social economic and industrial relevance. Audience The book is a useful resource for a diverse audience, including industrialists, food industry professionals, agriculturists, agricultural microbiologists, plant pathologists, botanists, microbiologists, biotechnologists, nanotechnologists, microbial biotechnologists, farmers, policymakers, and extension workers.




Understanding Soils of Mountainous Landscapes


Book Description

Understanding Soils of Mountainous Landscapes: Sustainable Use of Soil Ecosystem Services and Management focuses on the patterns and processes of mountainous soils, including threats due to the fragile nature of mountain ecosystems, and the conservation and management of soil ecosystem services and restoration processes. The book covers a balanced approach to land and resource management, ensuring that environmentally and socio-culturally sound interventions are developed and applied in the complex geophysical, ecological, and social landscapes of the world's mountain systems. The book provides holistic understanding of mountain soils to help environmental and soil scientists gain insight and develop new problem-solving approaches. With obvious up- and downstream linkages (e.g., a large proportion of urban canters globally depend on water that originates in the mountains) as well as globalization (e.g., continental-scale impacts of air pollution and climate change on glaciers), the long-range success of conservation measures in mountain regions requires that the following discrete but interconnected interventions be pursued concurrently: (1) the protection of biodiversity and ecosystem services, (2) empowerment of mountain communities (including family farming), and (3) elaboration of more thoughtful, context-specific policy environments for sustainable mountain development. - Offers comprehensive coverage of all aspects of mountain soils including climate change, ecosystem services, and threats - Focuses on exploring the human and anthropogenic challenges associated with the sustainable management of soils in mountain landscapes - Includes content on biochar-mediated microbial community dynamics




Handbook of Agricultural Biotechnology, Volume 4


Book Description

Handbook of AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY The book provides detailed information about the application of repellent products that contain plant-based ingredients known as nanobioinsecticides, including the pesticide evaluation scheme guidelines for repellent testing, relevant information about the procedures to evaluate several repellent compounds, the development of new products that offer high repellency, and guidelines for consumer safety. The chapters of volume IV of this set, focus on a wide range of related topics. They chronicle many traditional repellent plants that could be used in ethnobotanical studies and provides valuable insight into the development of new natural products. It outlines the standardization and numerous investigations used to affirm the level of repellent compounds from various plants. Furthermore, it details the safety, efficacy, and facts about plant-based repellent testing, and reviews new developments in the field. The book also explores the sustainable techniques involved in the structural elucidation and characterization of active constituents found in nanobioinsecticides, and gives relevant information on the use of essential oils, derived from plants, in the preparation of nanobioinsecticides. Audience The book is a useful resource for a diverse audience, including industrialists, food industry professionals, agriculturists, agricultural microbiologists, plant pathologists, botanists, microbiologists, biotechnologists, nanotechnologists, microbial biotechnologists, farmers, policymakers, and extension workers.




Handbook of Agricultural Biotechnology, Volume 2


Book Description

Handbook of AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY The book provides a detailed examination of the application of nanobioherbicides that come from plants including information on the different metabolites derived from numerous plants that could become bioherbicides. The book gives attention to weed-plant physiology and chronicles the activities of nanobioherbicides on weeds during preliminary bioassays, pot assays, in-house screenings, and during field trials. Furthermore, deep data is provided on the commercial potential of these nanobioherbicides derived from plants, while toxicity assays are also highlighted. Other topics covered include: documented patents on nanobioherbicides; the process involved in the registration of these novel products as nanobioherbicides for both conventional and organic farming; relevant information on the application of molecular techniques for improvement of nanobioherbicides, such as genomics, proteomics, informatics, bioinformatics, and chemoinformatics; details about the non-target effect of the nanobioherbicides. Highlighted, too, is information on the biochemical, enzymatic, and ultrastructural effects of these nanobioherbicides, as well as detailed information on the nutritional qualities of agricultural crops after nanobioherbicidal application. Audience The book is a useful resource for a diverse audience, including industrialists, food industry professionals, agriculturists, agricultural microbiologists, plant pathologists, botanists, microbiologists, biotechnologists, nanotechnologists, microbial biotechnologists, farmers, policymakers, and extension workers.