Foreword

A holistic approach is particularly needed to understand soil microbes and their products, which secrete or change the chemicals present in the soil by their biological processes. These soil microorganisms are not only directly or indirectly influenced by environmental conditions, fundamental soil characteristics such as moisture, oxygen and chemistry and also by each other in both beneficial and predatory ways. By studying all components in all-inclusive means, we can learn how to manage soil in a way that enhances the benefits provided by soil organisms and, ultimately enhances the fertility of the soil.

The soil microorganisms live on organic matter, make an association with other organisms and perform significant vital processes in the soil. Of these microorganisms, bacteria, fungi, algae and nematodes are the most important ones. Some of them perform critical functions in nitrogen and carbon cycles. Mostly the soil organisms are friendly except for a few. These microbes carried out various ecological processes, necessarily not only essential for plants but significant for animals and humans. They also carried out the degradation of organic material and suppressed soil-borne plant diseases.

The present book "Industrial Applications of Soil Microbes" Vol 3 presents the basic information about these microbes, especially on mycorrhiza and soil-borne bacteria. The different chapters written by eminent subject experts will not only provide the basics about soil microbes but also their products, which are of importance to humankind. I am sure that the knowledge given in the form of the book will be not only helpful to the students but also to the scientists, academicians and industrialists. I, personally hope that the book will be helpful in giving an idea for the future direction of research.

I congratulate all the contributors of this book and the editorial board members for bringing up such an important book for microbiologists.