In any ecosystem plant and microbe interaction is inevitable. They not only co-exist but also
support each other's survival and provide sustenance in stressful environments. Agro-ecosystems
in many regions around the globe are affected by high temperatures soil salinity alkalinity
low pH and metal toxicity. High salinity and severe draught are other major constraints
affecting agricultural practices and also plants in the wild.A major limiting factor affecting
global agricultural productivity is environmental stresses. Apart from decreasing yield they
also have a devastating impact on plant growth. Plants battle with various kind of stresses
with the help of symbiotic associations with the rhizospheric microbes. Naturally occuring
plant-microbe interactions facilitate the survival of plants under these stressful
conditions.The rhizosphere consists of several groups of microbes plant growth-promoting
bacteria (PGPB) is one such group of microbes that assists plants in coping with multiple
stresses and also promote plant growth. These efficient microbes support the stress physiology
of the plants and can be extremely useful in solving agricultural as well food- security
problems.This book provides a detailed holistic description of plant and microbe interaction.
It elucidates various mechanisms of nutrient management stress tolerance and enhanced crop
productivity in the rhizosphere discussing The rhizospheric flora and its importance in
enhancement of plant growth nutrient content yield of various crops and vegetables as well as
soil fertility and health. Divided into two volumes the book addresses fundamentals
applications as well as research trends and new prospects for agricultural sustainability.
Volume 1: Stress Management and Agricultural Sustainability includes chapters offering a broad
overview of plant stress management with the help of microbes. It also highlights the
contribution of enzymatic and molecular events occurring in the rhizosphere due to plant
microbe interactions which in turn help in the biological control of plant disease and pest
attacks. Various examples of plant microbe interaction in rhizospheric soil are elaborated to
facilitate the development of efficient indigenous microbial consortia to enhance food and
nutritional security.Providing a comprehensive information source on microbes and their role in
agricultural and soil sustainability this timely research book is of particular interest to
students academics and researchers working in the fields of microbiology soil microbiology
biotechnology agronomy and the plant protection sciences as well as for policy makers in the
area of food security and sustainable agriculture.
