Most ecosystem services and goods human populations use and consume are provided by microbial populations and communities. Indeed, numerous provisioning services (e.g. food and enzymes for industrial processes), regulating services (e.g. water quality, contamination alleviation and biological processes such as plant-microbial symbioses), and supporting services (e.g. nutrient cycling, agricultural production and biodiversity) are mediated by microbes. The fast development of metagenomics and other meta-omics technologies is expanding our understanding of microbial diversity, ecology, evolution and functioning. This enhanced knowledge directly translates into the emergence of new applications in an unlimited variety of areas across all microbial ecosystem services and goods. The varied topics addressed in this Research Topic include the development of innovative industrial processes, the discovery of novel natural products, the advancement of new agricultural methods, the amelioration of negative effects of productive or natural microbiological processes, as well as food security and human health, and archeological conservation. The articles compiled provide an updated, high-quality overview of current work in the field. This body of research makes a valuable contribution to the understanding of microbial ecosystem services, and expands the horizon for finding and developing new and more efficient biotechnological applications.

Applications of Metagenomics: Agriculture, Environment, and Health examines current metagenomics methods and their applications in soil, polluted environment sites, agriculture production, and health care, with separate sections dedicated to each application area. Special attention is paid to the biotechnological study of novel microbial resources for social welfare. Beyond applications, the book discusses evolving next generation technology and techniques used for carrying out metagenomics studies, and in doing so highlights the latest research and advances in the field, along with ways to adapt these approaches for different study types across the biological sciences.Chapter topics range from metagenomics for studying root microbial communities to microbial diversity of the rhizosphere, fungal diversity, microbial biodiversity in forest environments, the human microbiome, and disease epidemiology, with one chapter dedicated to Covid-19 metagenomics. - Offers tools to apply evolving next generation sequencing technologies in the detection of disease pathogens, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites across various environments, as well as host response - Includes separate sections dedicated to topics and current studies in environmental science, agriculture production and health care - Features chapter contributions from international experts in the field

Pesticides: Human Health, Environmental Impacts and Management considers microbial degradation and environmental management of pesticides, covers microbial options as an alternative to chemical pesticides, explores plant-microbe interactions for reduced applications of pesticides in the agricultural fields, discusses the enhancement of microbial pesticides degradation, explains function of engineered microorganisms for effective pesticide degradation, describes potential indigenous/effective microbes for effective pesticide degradation processes, and presents research on microbes for sustainable agricultural and environmental practices. - Provides the latest developments and progress on pesticide management through sustainable practices - Describes the adverse effects of pesticides on human health and its precautionary control measures through biological agents - Introduces the aspects and advances of biological technologies in the environment for sustainable management of pesticides - Elaborates on advanced prospective, vide application, and modern practices of harnessing the potential of microbial resources in environment

Pesticides in a Changing Environment: Impact, Assessment, and Remediation covers compounds that repel, kill or to prevent any pest. On the basis of the target killed, pesticides are mainly classified as herbicides, fungicides and insecticides. The increased demand of food on account of population explosion has compelled man to use pesticides for better crop production. However, there are many negative impacts of these chemical agrochemicals like toxicity to non-target organisms and retention in bio-systems in the form of their residues, leading to harmful effects on the food chain and food web.This book will be an important source of information for researchers and academicians working in the field of pesticide pollution, its physiology and biochemistry, and development of pesticide remediation technologies. - Assists readers in developing new strategies to address the issues related to sensing and remediation activities - Includes low cost materials for sensor and adsorbent development, allowing professionals to make decisions-based on economic considerations - Provides alternatives for the development of socioeconomically sustainable products for sensing and remediation application

Increasing world population, unpredictable climate and various kind of biotic and abiotic stresses necessitate the sustainable increase in crop production through developing improved cultivars possessing enhanced genetic resilience against all odds. An exploration of these challenges and near possible solution to improve yield is addressed in this book. It comprehensively and coherently reviews the application of various aspect of rapidly growing omics technology including genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics for crop development. It provides detailed examination of how omics can help crop science and introduces the benefits of using these technologies to enhance crop production, resistance and other values. It also provides platform to ponder upon the integrative approach of omics to deal with complex biological problems. The book highlights crop improvement such as yield enhancement, biotic and abiotic resistance, genetic modification, bioremediation, food security etc. It explores how the different omics technology independently and collectively would be used to improve the quantitative and qualitative traits of crop plants. The book is useful for graduate and post-graduate students of life science including researchers who are keen to know about the application of omics technologies in the different area of plant science. This book is also an asset to the modern plant breeders, and agriculture biotechnologist.

Handbook of Bioremediation: Physiological, Molecular and Biotechnological Interventions discusses the mechanisms of responding to inorganic and organic pollutants in the environment using different approaches of phytoremediation and bioremediation. Part One focuses specifically on inorganic pollutants and the use of techniques such as metallothionein-assisted remediation, phytoextraction and genetic manipulation. Part Two covers organic pollutants and consider topics such as plant enzymes, antioxidant defense systems and the remediation mechanisms of different plant species. This comprehensive volume is a must-read for researchers interested in plant science, agriculture, soil science and environmental science. The techniques covered in this book will ensure scientists have the knowledge to practice effective bioremediation techniques themselves. - Provides a comprehensive review of the latest advances in bioremediation of organic and inorganic pollutants - Discusses a range of different phytoremediation techniques - Evaluates the role of genomics and bioinformatics within bioremediation

Dr. Datta Madamwar holds a provisional patent related to the theme of this Research Topic. All other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject.