Soil Biology (Tertiary Level Biology Series)

There is currently great interest in the biology of soil, stimulated by increased concern to conserve natural resources, not only in agriculture, but also in natural ecosystems. Recent developments in molecular biology have raised the possibility of manipulating soil organisms in order to improve food production and the quality of the environment. This book provides an integrated account of the organisms in soil - from viruses to trees, the environments in which they live, and the ways in which they can modify soil by their biochemical processes. The ways in which organisms interact, particularly with plant roots, and the methods of manipulating soil organisms are also discussed.