This edited book aims to focus on microbial diversity in arid lands and deserts versus specific microbial assemblages associated with plants. The book explains ecological drivers that shape this diversity, how plant-associated microbiomes are selected, and their biotechnological potential are discussed. Diversity and functional redundancy of these associated PGPM make them very active in supporting plant improvement, health and resistance to drought, salt and other stresses, and these dimensions will be explored in this book. Implementing proper biotechnological applications of the arid and desert-adapted PGPM constitutes a sizeable challenge, and the book attempts to take up that challenge and help researchers in this field to gain a detailed understanding of PGPM from arid ecosystems. This book serves as a handbook for research workers, teachers, postgraduate students and extension personnel, other development workers, and policy planners engaged in arid zone development.

To cope with the increasing problems created by agrochemicals such as plant fertilizers, pesticides and other plant protection agents, biological alternatives have been developed over the past years. These include biopesticides, such as bacteria for the control of plant diseases, and biofertilizer to improve crop productivity and quality. Especially plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are as effective as pure chemicals in terms of plant growth enhancement and disease control, in addition to their ability to manage abiotic and other stresses in plants. The various facets of these groups of bacteria are treated in this Microbiology Monograph, with emphasis on their emergence in agriculture. Further topics are Bacillus species that excrete peptides and lipopeptides with antifungal, antibacterial and surfactant activity, plant-bacteria-environment interactions, mineral-nutrient exchange, nitrogen assimilation, biofilm formation and cold-tolerant microorganisms.

Salinity is an increasing problem in many irrigated, arid and semi-arid areas of the world where rainfall is insufficient to leach salts from the root zone, and it is a significant factor in reducing growth and crop productivity. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are indigenous to soil and plant rhizosphere. These microorganisms are the potential tools for sustainable agriculture. They enhance the growth of a root system and even of an entire plant and often control certain plant pathogens. Rhizosphere colonization is also considered to be a crucial step in the application of microorganisms for beneficial purposes such as biofertilization, phytostimulation, biocontrol.

Biocontrol Agents for Improved Agriculture, a volume in the Plant and Soil Microbiome series, presents both an advanced and current description of the important role of plant and soil microbiome in plant disease management. Including the latest biotechnological interventions for harnessing plant and soil microbiome and their potential in controlling plant pathogen/ disease, as well as the commercialization of biocontrol products and exploration of microbial derived bioactive compounds, this book provides an important reference on the challenges of biocontrol products. Sections explore the bacterial and fungal species successfully applied as plant and soil inoculant for the effective management of plant diseases. As these microbial biocontrol agents not only suppress the plant disease, but also enhance the growth or agricultural production in sustainable ways, the book focuses on the molecular aspect of plant- pathogen interactions and their biocontrol strategies via the use of plant and soil microbiome. This book is an important reference for those seeking sustainable, safe options for protecting against microbial agricultural loss and environmental damage. - Presents emerging microbial biocontrol strategies for addressing plant pathogens - Covers production and commercialization of biocontrol products - Includes accessible, informative illustrations of current trends in microbial biotechnology

This edited volume is an inclusive collection of information on crop holobiome, their function and diversity, the plausible role of soil microbes in crop growth, protection from pathogens and stresses, the use of resilient microbiomes for changing climate, and the use of new technologies to study plant-insect-microbe molecular interactions in agricultural systems. Holobiomes provide information about both plants and their microbiomes, which gives a more comprehensive insight, particularly for changing climatic scenarios. By optimizing the crop holobime function crop productivity and plant health can be enhanced manifold. This book deep dives into the numerous ways in which holobiome supports the improving plant health, nutrient uptake, disease control, and stress resistance in major food crops. It helps researchers, academicians, agri-entrepreneurs, and technologists understand the structure and function of holobiomes in crop growth, health, stress tolerance under climatic changes, and holobiome diversity and evolution. The book is also helpful in designing new dimensions in the holobiome research and development of new products and technologies. This volume is of interest and useful to agriculture scientists, microbiologists, ecologists, and is a valuable source of reference to researchers and students.

This book explains the challenges for efficient sustainable surface and groundwater development and management with the focus on India and other countries, providing a stable output presentation by using machine learning data mining methods, and modeling. It is a combination of machine learning, modeling, google earth engine, climate data modeling, remote sensing and GIS techniques, surface water modeling, AHP modeling, groundwater quality analysis, aquifer mapping, land use and land cover analysis, forecasting of water and rainfall and so on, its use to sustainable development, planning, and management of groundwater purposes in India and other countries. The main purpose of this book will develop better outlines for the development of surface and groundwater and management in the semi-arid region climate, which supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in India, especially on sustainable surface water and groundwater resources management. This book provides a multidisciplinary overview for the faculty members, administrators scientists, policymakers, social science, and professionals involved in the various aspects of sustainable groundwater development, planning, and management.