Biological Approaches to Sustainable Soil Systems

Sustainable Soil Systems are critical to expanding agricultural output. This book aims to increase knowledge of biological processes of the soil in order to advance understanding of effective soil systems management. The editors have assembled contributing authors from a variety of disciplines and countries to create a comprehensive resource on soil biological systems. Part I offers a base for understanding soil system management in tropical, temperate, and arid regions. Part II provides a multidisciplinary overview of soil agents and processes, examining soil ecology through topics such as the rhizosphere, the role of fauna and fungi in soil systems, and allelopathy. Part III presents strategies for soil management, exploring methods as diverse as conservation agriculture and deep tillage. Part IV broadens the scope to contextualize biological approaches to soils systems management, analyzing effects on crop pests on diseases, economic and policy contexts, and approaches for monitoring and assessment.