Soil is not only a fundamental source for all living organisms but also impacts non-living factors (water, air, minerals, etc.) making it an invaluable and finite resource. The importance of soil expands from agronomy through to industrialization, thus, it is crucial to understand the impact of human activity on soil quality. To address several global issues related to pollution, food security, and health, the United Nations promotes the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with targets to ‘save soil’ by minimizing nutrient loss and pollution load from the soil. Due to increasing anthropogenic pollution load, many soil pollution control measures are failing, therefore, new technologies and eco-friendly solutions are needed to balance and restore soil health.

Soil-crop interactions are essential considering the crop yield and productivity under different soil statuses. These processes, including nutrient release or soi detoxification, are mediated by soil-inhabiting microbes. In fact, the intrinsic role of soil parameters, including the different classes of soil, control soil microbiota which in turn modulate soil nutrient contents and makes these bioavailable. Different crops, especially cereals, are constantly interacting with these soil microbes, thus the relationship between soil, crops, and microbes is complex.

This Research Topic welcomes studies around different aspects related to the soil and soil-plant interphase. We encourage papers on the nutrient assessments of different soil classes (tropical, desert, frosty, etc.) under different physico-chemical conditions and treatments. We are also interested in articles focused on sustainable and eco-friendly amendments like biochar, nanoparticle, manures, or microbial consortia, and how indigenous or applied microbes to the soil can improve the soil quality. To promote the SDGs and celebrate World Soil Day, we welcome original research articles from researchers across the globe, on topics that may include, but are not limited to:

• Soil compositional variability and associated agricultural concerns
• Agronomic practices for soil sustainability maintenance
• Minimizing loss of soil macro/micronutrients from agricultural fields
• Sustainable amendments (biochar, nanoparticles, organic fertilizers) to the soil for pollutant remediation
• Soil acidity/alkalinity: issues and solutions
• Understanding the role of soil microbes in soil quality
• Microbial amendments for increased crop production
• Excessive irrigation in agriculture and associated soil quality changes

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Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems

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