Soil Biology Primer PDF Download

Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Soil animals
Languages : en
Pages : 56

View

Book Description

Author: Franz Schinner
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 364260966X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 438

View

Book Description
In terrestrial ecosystems, soil microorganisms and soil animals are essential for litter degradation, soil formation and the availability of nutrients and trace elements. The measurement of biological soil parameters allows a rapid evaluation of the effects of chemical and physical influences due to pollutants or soil management. This book introduces a number of well proved methods for the analysis of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur cycles. It focuses further on the determination of the number and biomass of microorganisms, algae and animals in the soil. Particular emphasis is placed on the comprehensible and complete description of the experimental procedures.

Author: Graham Stirling
Publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING
ISBN: 1486303056
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 276

View

Book Description
Our capacity to maintain world food production depends heavily on the thin layer of soil covering the Earth's surface. The health of this soil determines whether crops can grow successfully, whether a farm business is profitable and whether an enterprise is sustainable in the long term. Farmers are generally aware of the physical and chemical factors that limit the productivity of their soils but often do not recognise that soil microbes and the soil fauna play a major role in achieving healthy soils and healthy crops. Soil Health, Soil Biology, Soilborne Diseases and Sustainable Agriculture provides readily understandable information about the bacteria, fungi, nematodes and other soil organisms that not only harm food crops but also help them take up water and nutrients and protect them from root diseases. Complete with illustrations and practical case studies, it provides growers and their consultants with holistic solutions for building an active and diverse soil biological community capable of improving soil structure, enhancing plant nutrient uptake and suppressing root pests and pathogens. The book is written by scientists with many years' experience developing sustainable crop production practices in the grains, vegetable, sugarcane, grazing and horticultural industries. This book will be useful for: growers, consultants, agronomists and soil chemists, extension personnel working in the grains, livestock, sugarcane and horticultural industries, professionals running courses in soil health/biological farming, and students taking university courses in soil science, ecology, microbiology, plant pathology and other biological sciences.

Author: Richard D. Bardgett
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 9780198525028
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 264

View

Book Description
Soil science has undergone a renaissance with increasing awareness of the importance of soil organisms and below-ground biotic interactions as drivers of community and ecosystem properties.

Author: Lynette K. Abbott
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1402066198
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 267

View

Book Description
It is becoming more relevant to explore soil biological processes in terms of their contribution to soil fertility. This book presents a comprehensive scientific overview of the components and processes that underpin the biological characteristics of soil fertility. It highlights the enormous diversity of life in soil and the resulting effects that management of land can have on the contribution of this diverse community to soil fertility in an agricultural context.

Author: Eldor A. Paul
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0123914116
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 598

View

Book Description
The fourth edition of Soil Microbiology, Ecology and Biochemistry updates this widely used reference as the study and understanding of soil biota, their function, and the dynamics of soil organic matter has been revolutionized by molecular and instrumental techniques, and information technology. Knowledge of soil microbiology, ecology and biochemistry is central to our understanding of organisms and their processes and interactions with their environment. In a time of great global change and increased emphasis on biodiversity and food security, soil microbiology and ecology has become an increasingly important topic. Revised by a group of world-renowned authors in many institutions and disciplines, this work relates the breakthroughs in knowledge in this important field to its history as well as future applications. The new edition provides readable, practical, impactful information for its many applied and fundamental disciplines. Professionals turn to this text as a reference for fundamental knowledge in their field or to inform management practices. New section on "Methods in Studying Soil Organic Matter Formation and Nutrient Dynamics" to balance the two successful chapters on microbial and physiological methodology Includes expanded information on soil interactions with organisms involved in human and plant disease Improved readability and integration for an ever-widening audience in his field Integrated concepts related to soil biota, diversity, and function allow readers in multiple disciplines to understand the complex soil biota and their function

Author: A Burgers
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0323146589
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 543

View

Book Description
Soil Biology brings together the microbiological, botanical, and zoological aspects of soil biology. Leading specialists provide critical reviews and assessments of their particular branches of soil biology, paying particular attention to functional aspects and biotic interrelationships whenever possible. This volume is organized into 17 chapters and begins with an overview of the soil system, emphasizing the system components including the mineral fraction, organic matter, soil moisture, and soil atmosphere. The next chapters focus on microorganisms present in the soil, along with their effects on plant roots. The book also discusses the soil algae, including how algae are affected by physical and chemical environments and their interrelations with other organisms. The remaining chapters look at other organisms that inhabit the soil, including Arthropoda, Collembola, and Mollusca, as well as the probable effects of inhibiting substances upon the biology of soil microorganisms. The final chapters explain the decomposition of organic matter in the soil and the effects of synthetic chemicals on soil microorganisms. This book is a valuable resource for soil biologists and research workers in fields such as botany, agriculture, zoology, and microbiology.

Author: Fatima M. S. Moreira
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136573100
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 257

View

Book Description
This practical handbook describes sampling and laboratory assessment methods for the biodiversity of a number of key functional groups of soil organisms, including insects, earthworms, nematodes, fungi and bacteria. The methods have been assembled and the protocols drafted by a number of scientists associated with the UNEP-GEF funded Conservation and Sustainable Management of Below-Ground Biodiversity Project, executed by the Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility (TSBF) Institute of the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). The methods provide a standardized basis for characterizing soil biodiversity and current land uses in terrestrial natural, semi-natural and agroecosystems in tropical forests and at forest margins. The aim is to assess soil biodiversity against current and historic land use practices both at plot and landscape scales and, further, to identify opportunities for improved sustainable land management through the introduction, management or remediation of soil biota, thus reducing the need for external inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides. The book also contains extensive advice on the handling of specimens and the allocation of organisms to strain or functional group type. Published with TSBF-CIAT, CTA, UNEP and GEF

Author: Elaine Ingham
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780979756108
Category : Compost
Languages : en
Pages : 93

View

Book Description
Simple explanations about how to add biology to any plant growing system makes this book easy-to-read for the general public. Guidelines for conventional, sustainable and organic applications -- whether you are growing indoor in controlled environments and soilless media or outdoors in open fields of soil, this book helps you design your growing systems and incorporate biology into your programs. Basic biology and chemistry of nutrient-cycling and plant growing environments are given, so the mystery is taken out of plant growing. Chapters include: Introduction, Synthetic or Inorganic Systems, Biological/Organic Systems, Plant Growing Systems Out of Balance, Roots Interface Biology and Plants, Types of Microorganisms, Types of Beneficial Aerobic Microorganisms, Environments for Maintaining Microorganisms, Microbes and Plants Form a Symbiotic Relationship, Integrating Biology into Plant Growing Systems, Sources of Beneficial Microorganisms, Apply Microorganisms, Testing for Biologicals, Research on MicroorganismsThere are many types of biological products for soil and soilless media enhancement available on the commercial market today and more entering daily. New research, new formulations, new stabilization techniques are enabling the expansion of these product to fill the increasing demand from consumers wanting alternatives to toxic chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.This notebook is an attempt to provide basic information about adding biology to soil and soilless media whether in outdoor fields or indoor controlled environment hydroponics systems. Whether we are using synthetic fertilizers/nutrients or sustainable practices, or have converted to organic systems, there is a way to add biology to enhance production, yield and quality.

Author: Else K. Bünemann
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642152716
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 483

View

Book Description
Phosphorus (P) is a finite resource which is essential for life. It is a limiting nutrient in many ecosystems but also a pollutant which can affect biodiversity in terrestrial ecosystems and change the ecology of water bodies. This book collects the latest information on biological processes in soil P cycling, which to date have remained much less understood than physico-chemical processes. The methods section presents spectroscopic techniques and the characterization of microbial P forms, as well as the use of tracers, molecular approaches and modeling of soil-plant systems. The section on processes deals with mycorrhizal symbioses, microbial P solubilization, soil macrofauna, phosphatase enzymes and rhizosphere processes. On the system level, P cycling is examined for grasslands, arctic and alpine soils, forest plantations, tropical forests, and dryland regions. Further, P management with respect to animal production and cropping, and the interactions between global change and P cycling, are treated.