Introduction to Soil Microbiology

First Edition
Mark Coyne

Introduction to Soil Microbiology is a user-friendly introduction to the incredible world of soil microbiology.

The microscopic life in soil influences virtually everything in our lives from the water we drink, the food we eat, to the air we breathe. Understanding something about the life in soil, appreciate the things that these life forms do, and seeing how these activities influence our world is the goal of this textbook.

This is a book you can actually read and comprehend with a minimum exposure to soil science or microbiology.

Features:

• written in non-technical, direct terminology, the subject matter is easy to understand
• practical examples are drawn from typical agricultural and environmental problems
• detailed figures, graphs and photographs clearly illustrate information used by soil microbiologists every day
• question sets provided in each chapter test general knowledge, mathematical skills and abstract reasoning

Contents:

INTRODUCTION TO SOIL MICROORGANISM AND MICROBIOLOGY.
A Historical Perspective of Soil Microbiology. Microbial Growth and Metabolism. Soil Enzymes.

THE SOIL MICROBIAL COMMUNITY.
The Macrofauna - Ants, Earthworms, and Other Creatures. The Mesofauna - Nematodes. The Microfauna - Protozoa and Archezoa. The Chromista - Algea. Fungi. Filamentous Prokaryotes - Actinomycetes. The Rest of the Prokaryotic World. Mycoplasmas, Viruses, Viroids, and Prions - The Rest of the Microbiota.

THE SOIL AS A MICROBIAL ENVIRONMENT.
Soil as a Microbial Habitat. Environmental Influences - Temperature, Reduction-Oxidation, and pH. Soil Water and Microbial Activity.

SOIL MICROORGANISMS AND NUTRIENT CYCLES.
The Sulfur Cycle. The Phosphorus Cycle. Iron and Manganese Transformations. The Nitrogen Cycle - Nitrogen Mineralization. The Nitrogen Cycle - Nitrification. The Nitrogen Cycle - Immobilization. The Nitrogen Cycle - Denitrification and Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction. The Nitrogen Cycle - Nitrogen Fixation. The Carbon Cycle - Organic Carbon Entering Soil. The Carbon Cycle - Mineralization and Residue Decomposition. The Carbon Cycle - Soil Organic Matter and Humus.

SOIL MICROBIAL INTERACTIONS.
Microbial Interactions - The Community Reflects the Habitat. Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation. Inoculation and Biocontrol. Mycorrhizae.

SOIL MICROORGANISMS AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY.
Composting. Bioremediation. Heavy Metals. Glossary of Soil Microbiology and Biochemistry Terms. Index.

448 Pages - 8-1/2 x 11 in.

Hardcover, 448 pages