5
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
R. K. Dubey et al., Unravelling the Soil Microbiome, SpringerBriefs in
Environmental Science, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15516-2_2
Chapter 2
Belowground Microbial Communities:
Key Players for Soil and Environmental
Sustainability
Abstract One of the key functions of soil microorganisms is to promote plant
health and increase soil productivity. Some indigenous microorganisms of contaminated soil systems also have the capability to degrade the soil contaminants, and
thus are frequently used in bioremediation purposes. Most of these microbes belong
to the category of plant growth-promoting microorganisms, which perform various
functions including providing nutrients to the plants, conferring disease resistance,
and combating temperature, salinity, and other abiotic stresses. These microbes also
support the growth of plants in degraded and contaminated soil systems, aiding
phyto-remediation. In coming decades, food security and climate change are
expected to be the most serious problems for the planet Earth. Plant growthpromoting microorganisms can provide a sustainable solution to these problems by
increasing the production of crop plants, and reducing the use of chemical fertilizers
and pesticides, thus decreasing agricultural pollution. The enormous diversity of
soil microorganisms gives an excellent opportunity for exploring new plant growthpromoting rhizobacteria; however, only 1% of the total soil microorganisms are
culturable in nature, so the majority of the promising strains remain unexplored.
The advent of the novel ‘omic’ technologies provides an excellent opportunity to
harness this potential of the belowground microbial world.
Keywords Bioremediation · Climate change · Food security · Stress tolerance ·
Sustainable agriculture · Plant growth-promoting microorganisms
2.1 Microorganisms for Agriculture and Environmental
Remediation
Microorganisms have a very important role in sustainable agriculture as well as in
the field of environmental cleanup technologies. Microbes also have the potential to
enhance global sustainability through achieving the sustainable development goals
(Akinsemolu 2018). Further details about their role and activity in the mentioned
areas are discussed next (Fig. 2.1).
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
R. K. Dubey et al., Unravelling the Soil Microbiome, SpringerBriefs in
Environmental Science, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15516-2_2
Chapter 2
Belowground Microbial Communities:
Key Players for Soil and Environmental
Sustainability
Abstract One of the key functions of soil microorganisms is to promote plant
health and increase soil productivity. Some indigenous microorganisms of contaminated soil systems also have the capability to degrade the soil contaminants, and
thus are frequently used in bioremediation purposes. Most of these microbes belong
to the category of plant growth-promoting microorganisms, which perform various
functions including providing nutrients to the plants, conferring disease resistance,
and combating temperature, salinity, and other abiotic stresses. These microbes also
support the growth of plants in degraded and contaminated soil systems, aiding
phyto-remediation. In coming decades, food security and climate change are
expected to be the most serious problems for the planet Earth. Plant growthpromoting microorganisms can provide a sustainable solution to these problems by
increasing the production of crop plants, and reducing the use of chemical fertilizers
and pesticides, thus decreasing agricultural pollution. The enormous diversity of
soil microorganisms gives an excellent opportunity for exploring new plant growthpromoting rhizobacteria; however, only 1% of the total soil microorganisms are
culturable in nature, so the majority of the promising strains remain unexplored.
The advent of the novel ‘omic’ technologies provides an excellent opportunity to
harness this potential of the belowground microbial world.
Keywords Bioremediation · Climate change · Food security · Stress tolerance ·
Sustainable agriculture · Plant growth-promoting microorganisms
2.1 Microorganisms for Agriculture and Environmental
Remediation
Microorganisms have a very important role in sustainable agriculture as well as in
the field of environmental cleanup technologies. Microbes also have the potential to
enhance global sustainability through achieving the sustainable development goals
(Akinsemolu 2018). Further details about their role and activity in the mentioned
areas are discussed next (Fig. 2.1).