Microbial Inoculants: Soil Dynamics and Nutrient Bioavailability is an essential volume in the Plant and Soil Microbiome series. This book delves into the foundational and contemporary details regarding the use of microbial inoculants, which are living organisms like fungi, bacteria, and microalgae, sourced from soil, plants, water, and organic materials. Acting as biostimulants or biocontrol agents, these inoculants offer an environmentally-friendly alternative to synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, playing a crucial role in soil conservation, plant health, and crop yield enhancement.
Apart from exploring the nexus between plant and soil, the book also discusses the range of applications of microbial inoculants in agricultural and environmental practices. It provides insights into how these microorganisms contribute to sustainable farming by enhancing nutrient bioavailability and protecting crops from diseases, thus promoting better yield and overall plant vitality. This volume is a valuable resource for those interested in advancing agricultural techniques through the utilization of natural, biotic solutions.
Dr. Ajay Kumar is a visiting scientist at the Agriculture Research Organization, Volcani center, Rishon Leziyon, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development Israel. He has published extensively in leading International and National journals or books. He has wide area of research experience, especially in the field of Plant-Microbe Interactions, Microbial biocontrol, and Endophytes related with the medicinal plants, Postharvest management of fruits. Dr. Kumar also serves as an Associate editor in Frontier in Microbiology, and special guest editor in Microorganisms or Plants MDPI, Journal.
Joginder Singh Panwar is a Professor in the Department of Botany at Nagaland University, Lumami, India. His previous appointments include a professorship at the School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, and a Young Scientist position at the Microbial Biotechnology and Biofertilizer Laboratory at Jai Narain Vyas University, funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. He is an active member of several scientific societies, including the Association of Microbiologists of India and the European Federation of Biotechnology. Dr. Singh has an extensive publication record across books and journals, and he also regularly serves as a reviewer for numerous prestigious international journals He has published extensively with Elsevier and Springer both in journals and books. He serves as a reviewer for many prestigious journals. He actively participates and presents at national and international scientific conferences and events.
Dr. Ana Maria Queijeiro López became an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry at the Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology (IQB) of the Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL) after completing her master's degree in Biological Sciences (Applied Microbiology) and starting a doctorate in Phytopathology (Parasitism Biochemistry) at the Escola Superior de Agricultura of the University of São Paulo, receiving training at universities in Germany, Spain and England, the latter country where she completed her doctorate in Molecular Biochemistry and Phytopathology (University of Bristol, Long Ashton Research Station campus), under the supervision of Prof. Dr. John Alexander Lucas. She returned to IQB/UFAL in 1999, as Associate Professor, where she still works in teaching, extension and research activities, in areas of interface between microbial biochemistry and different areas of biotechnology, such as in the interaction with plants, animals, different ecosystems, food and pharmaceutical products.
Prof. Ravindra Nath Kharwar, currently serving as a Professor in the Centre of Advanced Study in Botany, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. He has over 30 years of experience in teaching and research. He is fellows of Mycological Society of India, Indian Phytopathological Society, BOYSCAST, and the recipients of Dr. S. K. Shome Memorial Award in 2012, and Dr V. Agnihothrudu Memorial Award in 2016, and Dr. AK Sarbhoy Memorial Award in 2020, Prof. PC Jain Memorial Award in 2021, and Sir E.J. Butler Award 2021, respectively. Recently, he has been selected for INSA Teachers Award-2022.
He is associated to various reputed journals in capacities of either editor-in-chief/editor or member of editorial board. He has worked with Prof. Gary Strobel, in the Department of Plant Sciences at Montana State University, Bozeman, USA as BOYSCAST fellow. He has been working on fungal and actinobacterial endophytes.
