ISBN-13: 9789400722132 / Angielski / Twarda / 2012 / 829 str.
ISBN-13: 9789400722132 / Angielski / Twarda / 2012 / 829 str.
This review of recent developments in our understanding of the role of microbes in sustainable agriculture and biotechnology covers a research area with enormous untapped potential. Chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and other agricultural inputs derived from fossil fuels have increased agricultural production, yet growing awareness and concern over their adverse effects on soil productivity and environmental quality cannot be ignored. The high cost of these products, the difficulties of meeting demand for them, and their harmful environmental legacy have encouraged scientists to develop alternative strategies to raise productivity, with microbes playing a central role in these efforts. One application is the use of soil microbes as bioinoculants for supplying nutrients and/or stimulating plant growth. Some rhizospheric microbes are known to synthesize plant growth-promoters, siderophores and antibiotics, as well as aiding phosphorous uptake.
The last 40 years have seen rapid strides made in our appreciation of the diversity of environmental microbes and their possible benefits to sustainable agriculture and production. The advent of powerful new methodologies in microbial genetics, molecular biology and biotechnology has only quickened the pace of developments. The vital part played by microbes in sustaining our planet's ecosystems only adds urgency to this enquiry. Culture-dependent microbes already contribute much to human life, yet the latent potential of vast numbers of uncultured-and thus untouched-microbes, is enormous. Culture-independent metagenomic approaches employed in a variety of natural habitats have alerted us to the sheer diversity of these microbes, and resulted in the characterization of novel genes and gene products. Several new antibiotics and biocatalysts have been discovered among environmental genomes and some products have already been commercialized. Meanwhile, dozens of industrial products currently formulated in large quantities from petrochemicals, such as ethanol, butanol, organic acids, and amino acids, are equally obtainable through microbial fermentation. Edited by a trio of recognized authorities on the subject, this survey of a fast-moving field-with so many benefits within reach-will be required reading for all those investigating ways to harness the power of microorganisms in making both agriculture and biotechnology more sustainable.
Microorganisms and their biosynthetic capabilities have solved several difficult problems in the welfare of mankind. Various fields in which microorganisms have helped mankind include medical technology, human and animal health, food processing, food safety and quality, genetic engineering, environmental protection, agricultural biotechnology and more effective treatment of agriculture, and municipal and industrial waste treatment, which provide a most impressive record of achievements. Most of these technological advancements would not have been possible using conventional straightforward chemical and physical engineering methods, or if they were, they would not have been practically or economically feasible and might cause environmental pollution problems. For many years, soil microbiologists and microbial ecologists have differentiated soil microbes as beneficial, harmful or natural according to their function, and how they affect soil quality, plant growth and yield and plant health. Beneficial microorganisms are those that can fix atmospheric nitrogen, decomposes organic waste and residue, detoxify pesticides, suppress plant diseases and soil-borne pathogens, enhance nutrient cycling and produce bioactive compounds such as vitamins, hormones and enzymes that stimulate plant growth. Harmful microorganisms are those that can induce plant disease, stimulate soil borne pathogens, immobilize nutrients and produce toxic and putrescent substances that adversely affect plant growth and health. Beneficial naturally occurring microorganisms can be utilized as inoculants to increase the microbial diversity of soil and plants. The conceptual designs are important in developing new technologies for utilizing beneficial and effective microorganisms for a more sustainable agriculture and production of useful bioactive compounds. An idealized system based on this should maintain and improve human health, be economically beneficial to both producers and consumers, actively protect the environment, be self contained and regenerative and produce enough food for ever increasing world population on a long term and sustainable basis. This book is aimed at reviewing the recent developments in understanding the role of microbes in sustainable agriculture and biotechnology.