About this Research Topic

Background

Soil health is a vital factor in the global food production system, influencing both the quality and safety of the food we consume. It integrates a variety of biological, chemical, and physical attributes that affect plant growth and the nutritional value of crops. With eroded or depleted soils often yielding nutrient-deficient produce, there is a critical link between poor soil conditions and increased rates of malnutrition. On the other hand, soils abundant in organic matter and biological diversity foster healthier and more nutrient-packed crops, which are essential for good human health. Additionally, soils enriched with beneficial microorganisms can decrease plant diseases, boosting both plant and human health and supporting a safer food supply. Enhancing soil health is thus paramount not only for food security but also for preserving agricultural biodiversity, increasing resilience to environmental changes, and limiting climate-related impacts.

This Research Topic aims to delve into the significant influence of soil health on the nutritional value of food crops and consequently on human well-being. It intends to collate studies that elucidate the impact of various soil management techniques—like organic amendments, crop rotations, and minimizing chemical inputs—on increasing soil microbial diversity and functionality. These agricultural practices are shown to not only bolster soil fertility but also amplify the nutrient content in crops, directly linking soil health with human dietary needs. The goal here is to highlight the necessity of sustainable soil management practices to prevent malnutrition and enhance public health, facilitating an interdisciplinary dialogue that merges soil science, nutrition, and public health for a rounded view of agricultural impacts on nutrition.

To better understand the comprehensive effects of soil health on plant nutrition and human health, the scope of this issue is outlined as follows. We are interested in high-quality submissions that can shed light on several critical areas:

o Interactions between soil microbes and crop nutrient profiles.

o Advancements in soil management that yield better health and nutritional outcomes for crops.

o Case studies that pinpoint soil health's role in mitigating malnutrition.

o In-depth reviews examining links between soil attributes and food safety.

o Techniques in agriculture that bolster both soil and human health.

o Examination of organic matter's role in soil vitality affecting crop yields and quality.

o Studies on how soil biodiversity affects plant health and pest resistance.

Through this inclusive approach, we aim to promote collaborative studies that integrate various scientific perspectives and offer actionable solutions for improving soil health and ultimately human health through enhanced food quality.

Article types and fees

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

• Brief Research Report
• Clinical Trial
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini 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:

• Brief Research Report
• Clinical Trial
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Soil health, soil management, crop yields, nutritional outcomes, soil microbes, food safety, Society Affiliation RT

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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