How to achieve sustainable agricultural production without compromising environmental quality, agro-ecosystem function and biodiversity is a serious consideration in current agricultural practices. Farming systems’ growing dependency on chemical inputs (fertilizers, pesticides, nutrients etc.) poses serious threats with regard to crop productivity, soil fertility, the nutritional value of farm produce, management of pests and diseases, agro-ecosystem well-being, and health issues for humans and animals. At the same time, microbial inoculants in the form of biofertilizers, plant growth promoters, biopesticides, soil health managers, etc. have gained considerable attention among researchers, agriculturists, farmers and policy makers. The first volume of the book Microbial Inoculants in Sustainable Agricultural Productivity - Research Perspectives highlights the efforts of global experts with regard to various aspects of microbial inoculants. Emphasis is placed on recent advances in microbiological techniques for the isolation, characterization, identification and evaluation of functional properties using biochemical and molecular tools. The taxonomic characterization of agriculturally important microorganisms is documented, along with their applications in field conditions. The book exploresthe identification, characterization and diversity analysis of endophytic microorganisms in various crops including legumes/ non-legumes, as well as the assessment of their beneficial impacts in the context of promotingplant growth. Moreover, it provides essential updates onthe diversity and role of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhizal mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Further chaptersexamine in detailbiopesticides, thehigh-density cultivation of bioinoculants in submerged culture, seed biopriming strategies for abiotic and biotic stress tolerance, andPGPR as abio-control agent. Given its content,the book offers a valuable resource for researchers involved in research and development concerningPGPR, biopesticides and microbial inoculants.

The performance of crops in the soil largely depends on the physico-chemical components of the soil, which regulate the availability of nutrients as well as abiotic and biotic stresses. Microbes are the integral component of any agricultural soil, playing a vital role in regulating the bioavailability of nutrients, the tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses and management of seed-borneand soil-borne plant diseases. The second volume of the book Microbial Inoculants in Sustainable Agricultural Productivity - Functional Applications reflects the pioneering efforts of eminent researchers to explore the functions of promising microbes as microbial inoculants, establish inoculants for field applications and promote corresponding knowledge among farming communities. In this volume, readers will find dedicated chapters on the role of microbes as biofertilizers and biopesticides in the improvement of crop plants, managing soil fertility and plant health, enhancing the efficiency of soil nutrients and establishing systemic phytopathogen resistance in plants, as well as managing various kinds of plant stress by applying microbial inoculants. The impact of microbial inoculants on the remediation of heavy metals, soil carbon sequestration, function of rhizosphere microbial communities and remediation of heavy metal contaminated agricultural soils is also covered in great detail. In this Volume, a major focus is on the approaches, strategies, advances and technologies used to develop suitable and sustainable delivery systems for microbial inoculants in field applications. Subsequent chapters investigate the role of nanomaterials in agriculture and the nanoparticle-mediated biocontrol of nematodes. An overview of the challenges facing the regulation and registration of biopesticides in India rounds out the coverage.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the benefits of biofertilizers as an alternative to chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Agricultural production has increased massively over the last century due to increased use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, but these gains have come at a price. The chemicals are not only expensive; they also reduce microbial activity in agricultural soils and accumulate in the food chain, with potentially harmful effects for humans. Accordingly, it is high time to explore alternatives and to find solutions to overcome our increasing dependence on these chemicals. Biofertilizers, which consist of plant remains, organic matter and microorganisms, might offer an alternative. They are natural, organic, biodegradable, eco-friendly and cost-effective. Further, the microbes present in the biofertilizers are important, because they produce nutrients required for plant growth (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), as well as substances essential for plant growth and development (e.g., auxins and cytokinins). Biofertilizers also improve the physical properties, fertility and productivity of soil, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers while maintaining high crop yield. This makes biofertilizers a powerful tool for sustainable agriculture and a sustainable environment. The book covers the latest research on biofertilizers, ranging from beneficial fungal, bacterial and algal inoculants; to microbes for bioremediation, wastewater treatment; and recycling of biodegradable municipal, agricultural and industrial waste; as well as biocontrol agents and bio-pesticides. As such, it offers a valuable resource for researchers, academics and students in the broad fields of microbiology and agriculture.

Plant growth promoting microorganisms (PGPM) have gained acceptance and importance due to their dual benefits of promoting plant growth in addition to managing plant pests and diseases and are extensively used as microbial inoculants in improving agricultural productivity. Use of PGPM mixtures and their integration with other means, like host resistance and chemicals, has proven to be more useful in management of several disease problems. Successful greenhouse and field demonstrations have been done using PGPM for growth promotion and resistance induction in various crops, against a broad spectrum of pathogens. Practical use of PGPM-based products has advanced and many formulations are made available in commercial scale, and more are currently under development. Further, novel formulation technologies have been formulated. Microorganisms constitute the major players in the rhizosphere and their composition and biomass significantly alters the plants response to the environment. Composition and interaction of rhizomicroflora with its surroundings highly influences plant health and productivity. Such beneficial rhizo-ecosystems engineering and manipulation of the rhizosphere to exploit or enhance this innate genetic potential, which will most probably play a key role in the future development of sustainable agricultural processes, is also reviewed. In recent years, a substantial amount of work has been done in the area of PGPM and voluminous literature is available. This book presents a methodical, comprehensive and latest research survey in this area. An overview of the scale and impact of PGPM in plant growth promotion and management of crop diseases, focusing attention on details most relevant to the development and application of biological control strategies involving various microbial strains is discussed. Problems and prospects of commercialisation, advantages and disadvantages of their use and their potential for integrated pest management are also outlined. Most of the available books either refer to the subject of plant growth promoting fungi or plant growth promoting bacteria, however, this comprehensive book includes research pertaining to all beneficial microorganisms that are plant growth promoting in nature. Moreover, this is a rapidly developing field of research and has global impact. Therefore, keeping in pace with the latest developments in this area is totally necessary, and this book will be a latest and up-to-date compilation of the research from different parts of the world.

This book addresses basic and applied aspects of two nexus points of microorganisms in agro-ecosystems, namely their functional role as bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides. Readers will find detailed information on all of the aspects that are required to make a microbe “agriculturally beneficial.” A healthy, balanced soil ecosystem provides a habitat for crops to grow without the need for interventions such as agro-chemicals. No organism in an agro-ecosystem can flourish individually, which is why research on the interaction of microorganisms with higher forms of life has increasingly gained momentum in the last 10-15 years. In fact, most of plants’ life processes only become possible through interactions with microorganisms. Using these “little helpers” as a biological alternative to agro-chemicals is a highly contemporary field of research. The information presented here is based on the authors’ extensive experience in the subject area, gathered in the course of their careers in the field of agricultural microbiology. The book offers a valuable resource for all readers who are actively involved in research on agriculturally beneficial microorganisms. In addition, it will help prepare readers for the future challenges that climate change will pose for agriculture and will help to bridge the current gaps between different scientific communities.

The main focus of this book is to survey the current status of research, development and use of agriculturally important microorganisms in Asian countries and develop a strategy for addressing critical issues various policy constraints due to which bio-pesticides have found limited applications. In this book the editors have tried to develop a consensus on issues of such as quality requirements, quality control, regulatory management, commercialization and marketing of agriculturally important microorganisms in Asian countries. All these issues are discussed at national level by competent authorities of Asian countries including India, China, Malaysia, Iran, Taiwan, Israel, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Philippines.

Microbes are the predominant form of life on the planet due to their broad range of adaptation and versatile nutritional behavior. The ability of some microbes to inhabit hostile environment incompatible with most forms of life means that their habitat defines the extent of the biosphere and delineates the barrier between the biosphere and geosphere. The direct and indirect role of microbes that include bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, viruses, mycoplasma, and protozoans are very much important in development of modern human society for food, drugs, textiles, agriculture, and environment. Furthermore, microorganisms and their enzyme system are responsible for the degradation of various organic matters. Microbes for Sustainable Development and Bioremediation emphasizes the role of microbes for sustainable development of ecosystem. Environmental microbiology role in biogeochemical cycle and bioremediation of environmental waste is major theme, which comprises the following aspects: Bacterial phytoextraction mechanism of heavy metals by native hyperaccumulator plants from complex waste-contaminated site for eco-restoration Role of microbial enzyme for eco-friendly recycling of industrial waste Field-scale remediation of crude oil–contaminated desert soil and treatment technology Microbial technology for metal recovery from e-waste printed circuit board Impact of genomic data on sustainability of ecosystem Methane monooxygenases: their regulations and applications Role of microbes in environmental sustainability and food preservation This book will be directly beneficial to researchers and classroom students, in areas of biotechnology, environmental microbiology, molecular biology, and environmental engineering with specialized collection of cutting-edge knowledge.