Interactions in Soil Promoting Plant Growth [Hardcover]

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.

Preface.- 1. Introduction: Soils and Their Promotion of Plant Growth; J. Dighton.- 1.1. Introduction.- 1.2. Suppressive soils.- 1.3. Soil biodiversity.- 1.4. The rhizosphere as a unique niche.- 1.4.1. Antifungal properties of the rhizosphere.- 1.4.2. Herbivory protection in the rhizosphere.- 1.4.3. Mycorrhizae as a component of the rhizosphere.- 1.5. Viruses.- 1.6. Earthworms: ecosystem engineers and soil disturbance.- 1.7. Pollution, urbanization and invasive species.- 1.8. New tools in the tool box: Molecular determination of diversity and transcriptomics for function.- 1.9. Conclusion.- References.- 2. Soils supporting Biodiversity; E. Havlicek, E. Mitchell.- 2.1. Introduction.- 2.2. Soils as complex systems.- 2.3. Soils as a product of species diversity.- 2.3.1. Functional roles of soil dwellers.- 2.3.2. Plants considered as soil dwellers.- 2.3.3. Soil properties and soil organisms.- 2.4. Aggregates as functional units.- 2.4.1. Structure, a key property of soils.- 2.4.1.1. Good structure versus bad structure.- 2.4.2. Formation of aggregates.- 2.4.2.1. Physical mechanisms in subsoil.- 2.4.2.2. Biological mechanisms in topsoil.- 2.5. Biodiversity as a product of soils.- 2.5.1. Heterogeneity of habitats and functions.- 2.5.1.1. Approal#-