About this Research Topic

Background

A report published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) indicates that over 95% of the food production of the whole world comes from land, but human-induced soil degradation affects 34% of agricultural land (1.66 billion hectares). From 2000 to 2017, per capita land area decreased by 20%; but there is very little high-yield land available for further development. The development of efficient and sustainable agriculture is urgent. More and more reports indicate that microorganisms play an important role in improving soil quality crop quality and yield. Reasonable use of microorganisms can effectively assist in the development of efficient and green agriculture and boost productivity and quality.

The promotion of green planting models such as intercropping and relay cropping, and the use of green agricultural inputs has greatly improved soil quality as well as crop yield and quality. The prevention and control of soil-borne diseases, as well as soil degradation and conservation, have greatly affected the development of efficient and green agriculture. Numerous research cases have already demonstrated the important role of microorganisms in these processes and have explained their mechanisms. However, with the development of new technologies and products, more unclear mechanisms are gradually being uncovered. We hope to elucidate the mechanisms of microorganisms from multiple perspectives, both qualitative and quantitative, to help researchers and farmers better understand and utilize microorganisms and apply them in practical production.

This Research Topic seeks high-quality original research articles, reviews, and mini reviews on mechanism research, perspectives and opinions, etc. The scopes are welcomed but not limited to:

a) Green planting models such as intercropping and crop rotation or non-chemical control methods may lead to changes in soil or rhizosphere microorganisms. The mechanisms and cases of how these microbial changes improve crop yield and quality should be highlighted.
b) The mechanisms (especially microbiological) by which green agricultural inputs such as organic fertilizers, soil amendments, and plant growth regulators activate soil nutrients, improve nutrient utilization, and enhance soil quality.
c) The development of compost products, bio-organic fertilizers, and microbial agents, as well as their application in controlling soil-borne diseases.
d) The mechanisms of microorganisms in soil degradation and conservation, as well as soil carbon sequestration and emission reduction.
e) The influence of microorganisms on sustainable agriculture through plant growth promotion, plant health, plant nutrient acquisition, and plant disease processes (agricultural control ), as well as the mechanisms involved.

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: Green Planting, Soil Quality, Soil-borne Diseases, Soil degradation, Soil conservation, Non-chemical control

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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