Historically, economic development and human health has improved with access to nutrient-rich food and agricultural advances. Over the past several decades, farmers have increasingly used mineral fertilizers to boost crop output, especially in highly populated areas like Asia and Africa. Fertilizer consumption and cropland expansion are globally increasing to meet food security and global market needs. Despite this increase in food production and fertilizer use, micronutrient-related deficiencies remain widespread in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and other regions, particularly impacting women's and children's health. One contributing factor to the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies in these populations is the deterioration of soil health as a result of intensive animal and crop production, which severely damages plant and microbe diversity. This loss of biodiversity has impacted the bioavailability and distribution of soil macro- and micronutrients. Anthropogenic activity has additionally increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, polluted water bodies and higher air pollution, further impacting soil quality and nutrients.
Plant nutrition plays an essential role in food quality and sustainability. Different mineral elements enter plants through various sources, i.e., from the soil, fertilizers, organic manures and biological N fixation. This Research Topic discusses effective solutions for plant nutrient management during plant development, from seed germination to decomposing plant debris. How are different biological fertilizers utilized to improve food quality and environmental safety? How can sustainable farming technology fight against climatic challenges and reduce ecological problems? The primary focus is discussing modern biotechnological tools to explore plant biology and environment interaction. Particularly, microbes (bacteria, actinobacteria, archaea, fungi, mycorrhiza, and viruses) interaction with plants under nutrient-limiting conditions, as well as the importance of microbial nanoparticles/nano-fertilizers in plant nutrient cycling. The influence of soil treatments like compost, biowaste, biochar, and industrial waste on microbial functions and soil health will also be explored.
Submissions (including Original Research, Reviews and Opinions) on the following topics are welcome, but not limited to:
• Plant microbial interaction with nutrients (bioavailability, detoxification, solubilization, chelation)
• Plant rhizosphere and rhizosphere-associated microbe biology (root exudates, fertilizers, compost, and bio-char)
• Moderns genomic and molecular tools to study plant-microbe-nutrient interaction
• Bio-char engineering and soil nutrient management
• Influence of plant pathogens on nutrition
• Plant stress regulation via microbes
Historically, economic development and human health has improved with access to nutrient-rich food and agricultural advances. Over the past several decades, farmers have increasingly used mineral fertilizers to boost crop output, especially in highly populated areas like Asia and Africa. Fertilizer consumption and cropland expansion are globally increasing to meet food security and global market needs. Despite this increase in food production and fertilizer use, micronutrient-related deficiencies remain widespread in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and other regions, particularly impacting women's and children's health. One contributing factor to the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies in these populations is the deterioration of soil health as a result of intensive animal and crop production, which severely damages plant and microbe diversity. This loss of biodiversity has impacted the bioavailability and distribution of soil macro- and micronutrients. Anthropogenic activity has additionally increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, polluted water bodies and higher air pollution, further impacting soil quality and nutrients.
Plant nutrition plays an essential role in food quality and sustainability. Different mineral elements enter plants through various sources, i.e., from the soil, fertilizers, organic manures and biological N fixation. This Research Topic discusses effective solutions for plant nutrient management during plant development, from seed germination to decomposing plant debris. How are different biological fertilizers utilized to improve food quality and environmental safety? How can sustainable farming technology fight against climatic challenges and reduce ecological problems? The primary focus is discussing modern biotechnological tools to explore plant biology and environment interaction. Particularly, microbes (bacteria, actinobacteria, archaea, fungi, mycorrhiza, and viruses) interaction with plants under nutrient-limiting conditions, as well as the importance of microbial nanoparticles/nano-fertilizers in plant nutrient cycling. The influence of soil treatments like compost, biowaste, biochar, and industrial waste on microbial functions and soil health will also be explored.
Submissions (including Original Research, Reviews and Opinions) on the following topics are welcome, but not limited to:
• Plant microbial interaction with nutrients (bioavailability, detoxification, solubilization, chelation)
• Plant rhizosphere and rhizosphere-associated microbe biology (root exudates, fertilizers, compost, and bio-char)
• Moderns genomic and molecular tools to study plant-microbe-nutrient interaction
• Bio-char engineering and soil nutrient management
• Influence of plant pathogens on nutrition
• Plant stress regulation via microbes
