Agricultural Management of the Soil Biological Community
From Microbiomes to Watersheds

This book provides an in-depth look at the soil biota responsible for maintaining soil ecological functions and how they are impacted by agricultural management, and explores how agricultural practitioners can adjust their practices to allow the soil to work for them. A multi-scale approach is considered, whereby agricultural management can be considered for its beneficial effects on farms, agricultural landscapes, and watersheds. Realistic and practical, this book considers how to enhance the functions and ecological interactions of the soil biota in agricultural ecosystems to sustain our soil for future generations.

Introduction. Soil bacteria communities in agroecosystems. Methods for detecting and monitoring soil bacteria. Classic vs. molecular biology. Metagenomics. Population size, biomass and life history characteristics of common groups. Diversity and distribution. Functions. Nutrient cycling. Humus formation. Soil buffering, biodegradation and biostabilization. Soil structure. Symbiotic and free-living associations with crop plants. Soil fungi communities in agroecosystems. Methods for detecting and monitoring soil fungi. Class vs. molecular biology. Population size, biomass and life history characteristics of common groups. Diversity and distribution. Functions. Nutrient cycling. Humus formation. Soil buffering, biodegradation and biostabilization. Soil structure. Symbiotic and free-living associations with plants. Soil fauna in agroecosystems. Population size, biomass and life history characteristics of the common micro-, meso- and macro-fauna. Diversity and distribution. Major functions. Control of soil bacteria and fungi. Nutrient cycling. Humus formation. Soil structure and architecture. Associations with plants. The soil microbiome. Structure and dynamics. Functions in the rhizosphere – from signal molecules to plant defense. Functions in the bulk soil. Nutrient cycling and humus formation. Soil structure. Epigenetics and beyond. Managing the soil biological soil community in agroecosystems and watersheds: a practical perspective on how our agricultural activities may lead to interesting outcomes! Tillage and soil conservation. Cropping systems and crop modification. Bioenergy crops. Fertilizers: organic and inorganic. Pest management. Water control measures. Irrigation systems. Drainage systems. Flooding control. Organic farming systems. Conclusions and future directions.