Interactions in Soil: Promoting Plant Growth
Description
This book investigates soil ecology and biodiversity for its ability to maintain a balance of beneficial organisms to support plant growth. This subject is discussed by a group of international authors in natural, agricultural and urban systems. The importance of biodiversity per se and, specifically, the feedbacks between the plant and soil biota in mediating soil function are emphasized. Examples are selected from allelopathy and invasive plant species along with the, hitherto overlooked, role of viruses in soil. The book is intended to provide a framework for a holistic understanding of the essential role of soil organisms in promoting plant growth.
Reviews / Votes
"This timely and high-quality publication contains 11 chapters that focus on the question: What makes for a good soil and what challenges are there for sustaining a soil for optimal plant growth? . Overall, this is an excellent summary of present understanding, and highlights the need for continued study if the overarching question is ever to be fully answered." (Peter J. Gregory, The Quarterly Review of Biology, Vol. 91 (2), June, 2016)
"Interactions in Soil, edited by Dighton (Rutgers) and Krumins (Montclair State), is a timely book on an important topic of growing interest to scholars, conservationists, farmers, and all those interested in the role of healthy soils, particularly soil biology, in providing ecosystem services to society. . it is a useful resource, especially for graduate students and scholars in the field. . Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students and researchers/faculty." (W. J. R. Reeve, Choice, Vol. 52 (6), February, 2015)More details
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Content
Preface.- 1. Introduction: Soils and Their Promotion of Plant Growth; J. Dighton.- 2. Soils supporting Biodiversity; E. Havlicek, E. Mitchell.- 3. Beneficial Interactions in the Rhizosphere; W. H. G. Hol et al.- 4. Trophic Interactions in Soil that Support Primary Production; J. Krumins.- 5. Soils Suppressing Biodiversity; G. Pérès.- 6. Root Pathogens; A. Termorshuizen.- 7. Non-Trophic Interactions: Allelopathy; P. Pavlovic et al.- 8. Viruses in Soil; B. Reavy et al.- 9. Soils Suppressing and Promoting Non-native Plant Invasions; K. Elgersma.- 10. Urban Soils and the Challenge of Restoring Natural Ecosystems; P.A. Hazelton, A. Clements.- 11. Towards a Holistic Approach to Soils and Plant Growth; D. C. Coleman, S. Fu.- Index.