About this Research Topic

Background

The intricate roles of soil microorganisms in ecological processes such as organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling, disease suppression, and toxin transformation underscore their significance for maintaining soil health and ecosystem services crucial for food production and human well-being. However, inadequate management practices have led to the deterioration of soil microbial communities, resulting in compromised soil biological health. This decline is evidenced by the proliferation of soil-borne pathogens, disruptions in nutrient cycling, organic carbon depletion, and heightened pollution risks.

Recent strides in high-throughput omics technologies have revolutionized our understanding of soil microbial communities and their functions. These cutting-edge tools offer unprecedented insights into the complexity of microbial ecosystems, shedding light on the mechanisms driving microbial ecological deterioration in the face of challenges such as soil pollution and climate change. Despite growing recognition of the importance of soil biological health, gaps persist in our understanding of the causes, evolution, and potential remedies for microbial ecological degradation.

This Research Topic endeavors to bridge these knowledge gaps by delving into the factors underlying the deterioration of soil microbial communities and its repercussions on soil ecosystem services. It aims to explore strategies to enhance soil biological health and bolster agricultural sustainability. By critically examining recent advancements and ongoing challenges in understanding microbial communities in agricultural soils, this research endeavor seeks to inform the development of innovative solutions for sustainable soil management and agricultural practices.

In this Research Topic, we invite Original Research, Review, and Perspective articles covering Microorganisms in Agricultural soil: Advances and Challenges of Biological Health. The subtopics include, but are not limited to:

(1) Cause and evolution of microbial ecological deterioration, with a focus on its correlation with the prevalence of soil-borne diseases and nutrient imbalances.

(2) Microbial-mediated processes leading to the depletion of soil organic matter and emissions of greenhouse gases such as CO2 and CH4.

(3) Evolution of soil microbial communities in polluted environments, and the role of soil microorganisms in the transformation of pollutants, including heavy metals, antibiotics, and microplastics.

(4) Novel microbial approaches to improve soil biological health, including methods for enhancing nutrient availability, controlling soil pathogens, mitigating organic matter depletion, and reducing pollution.

We enthusiastically welcome submissions that explore mechanistic insights and hypothesis-driven research in soil microbial ecological deterioration. We also invite submissions that address topics related to the development of evaluation criteria and advancements in technology for assessing microbial ecological deterioration and enhancing agricultural soil biological health. By delving into these areas, we aspire to advance our knowledge and foster the development of effective strategies for promoting soil health and sustainable agricultural practices.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Soil biological health, soil microbiome, soil contamination, agricultural soil, soil nutrient cycling, soil organic matter

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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