Note: Intro -- MICROBES IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE -- MICROBES IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE -- CONTENTS -- PREFACE -- FOREWORD -- Chapter 1 ROLE OF PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZING MICROORGANISMS IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE -- ABSTRACT -- 1. INTRODUCTION -- 2. URGENT NEED FOR PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZING MICROORGANISMS IN PLANT PHOSPHATE NUTRITION -- 3. NATURE OF PHOSPHATIC BIOFERTILIZERS -- 3.1. Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganisms -- 3.1.1. Search for Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganisms -- 3.1.2. Mechanism of Phosphate Solubilization- an Overview -- 3.1.3. Production of Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganism Inoculants -- 3.2. Mycorrhizae -- 4. PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZING MICROORGANISMS AS INOCULANTS FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE -- 5. HOW IS PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZING MICROORGANISMS APPLIED? -- 6. FACTORS AFFECTING THE SURVIVAL OF PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZING MICROORGANISM INOCULANTS -- 7. CROP RESPONSE TO COMPOSITE INOCULATIONS -- 7.1. Interaction between Phosphate Solubilizing and Nitrogen Fixing Organisms -- 7.2. Symbioses between Phosphate Solubilizing Organism and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi -- 7.3. Tripartite Symbioses between N2 Fixers, P solubilizers, and AM- Fungi -- 8. WHY PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZING MICROORGANISM INOCULATIONS FAIL? -- 9. APPLICATION OF GENETIC ENGINEERING IN DEVELOPING SUPER PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZING MICROBIAL INOCULANTS -- 10. CONCLUSION -- REFERENCES -- Chapter 2 BACTERIAL ENDOPHYTES AND THEIR ROLE IN AGRICULTURE -- ABSTRACT -- 1. INTRODUCTION -- 2. MODE OF PLANT COLONIZATION -- 3. HOW DO ENDOPHYTES DIFFER FROM POTENTIAL BACTERIAL PLANT PATHOGENS? -- 4. OCCURRENCE -- 5. MECHANISMS OF PLANT GROWTH PROMOTION AND APPLICATION IN AGRICULTURE -- 5.1. How an Endophytic Bacteria is Advantageous in Plant Growth Promotion than a Rhizosphere Dweller? [Lodewyckx et al. 2002] -- 5.2. Direct Mechanism -- 5.2.1. N Fixation. , 5.2.2. Production of Plant Growth Hormones and Growth Modulating Enzyme -- 5.2.3. Growth Modulation Enzyme -- 5.2.4 .Phosphorus (P) and other Minerals Solubilization -- 5.3. Indirect Plant Growth Promotion Mechanisms -- 5.3.1. Mineral Uptake Enhancement -- 5.3.2 .Siderophore Production -- 5.3.3. Antibiosis and other Mechanisms -- 6. ENDOPHYTIC BACTERIA ASSOCIATED WITH PLANTS EMPLOYED IN PHYTOREMEDIATION -- 7. CONCLUSION -- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS -- REFERENCES -- Chapter 3 BIOREMEDIATION OF HEAVY METALS BY PLANT GROWTH PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA -- ABSTRACT -- 1. INTRODUCTION -- 2. RHIZOSPHERE AND PLANT GROWTH PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA -- 2.1. Search for Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria for Metal Remediation -- 2.2. Mechanism of Growth Promotion by PGPR- An Overview -- 3. HEAVY METAL REMEDIATION -- 3.1. Soil Contamination Sources -- 3.2. Metal Toxicity to PGPR and Mechanism of Heavy Metal Resistance -- 3.3. Heavy Metal Remediation Strategies -- 3.3.1. Heavy Metal Removal from Contaminated Sites -- 3.3.2. What is Bioremediation? -- 3.3.2.1. Advantages and Limitations of Bioremediation -- 3.3.3. Bioremediation Technologies -- 3.4.3. Remediation of Heavy Metals by PGPR -- 3.5. Biotransformation -- 3.5.1. Chromium Detoxification -- 3.5.2. Mechanism of Hexavalent Chromium Reduction -- 3.6. Bioaccumulation and Biosorption -- 3.7. Phytoremediation -- 3.7.1. Mechanism of Phytoremediation -- 3.7.2. PGPR Assisted Phytoremediation -- 4. CONCLUSION -- REFERENCES -- Chapter 4 CONTRIBUTION OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI AND PLANT GROWTH-PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA TO PLANT HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT -- ABSTRACT -- 1. INTRODUCTION -- 2. SOIL MICROBIAL INTERACTIONS IN AGROSYSTEMS: THE RHIZOSPHERE -- 3. ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI -- 3.1. Effects on Plant Growth -- 3.1.1. Use of Mineral Resources -- 3.1.2. Use of Water Resources -- 3.1.3. Alleviating Abiotic Stress. , 3.2. Effect on Plant Health -- 3.2.1. Enhancement of Plant Nutrient Status and Damage Compensation -- 3.2.2. Competence for Photosynthates and Colonization Sites -- 3.2.3. Changes in Radical Architecture, Anatomy and Longevity -- 3.2.4. Microbial Changes in the Rhizosphere -- 3.2.5. Activation of Host Plant Defence Response -- 4. PLANT GROWTH-PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA -- 4.1. Effects on Plant Growth -- 4.1.1. Production of Phytohormones -- 4.1.2. Use of Mineral Resources -- 4.2. Effects on Plant Health -- 4.2.1. Antibiosis -- 4.2.2. Competence -- 4.2.3. Induced Systemic Resistance -- 5. INTERACTIONS BETWEEN AM FUNGI AND PGPR -- 6. INFLUENCE OF CULTURAL PRACTICES ON RHIZOSPHERE MICROBIOTA -- 6.1. Tillage -- 6.2. Crop Rotation -- 6.3. Fertilizers -- 6.4. Pesticides -- 6.5. Plant Breeding -- 7. CONCLUSION -- REFERENCES -- Chapter 5 ROLE OF QUORUM SENSING IN RHIZOBIUM-LEGUME SYMBIOSIS -- ABSTRACT -- 1. INTRODUCTION -- 2. QUORUM SENSING MOLECULES -- 3. BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS OF QUORUM SENSING -- 4. MOLECULAR MECHANISM OF QUORUM SENSING -- 4.1. Rhizobial Molecules as Promoters of Plant Growth -- 4.2. Rhizobium-legume Symbiotic Interaction- General Overview -- 4.3. Role of Plasmids in Rhizobium-legume Symbiosis -- 4.4. Role of QS in Rhizobium-legume Symbiosis -- 4.4.1. QS in Bradyrhizobium -- 4.4.2. QS in Sinorhizobium -- 5. COMMUNICATION IN A COMPLEX WORLD -- 6. MEASURING QUORUM SENSING -- 7. CONCLUSION -- REFERENCES -- Chapter 6 ROLE OF MYCORRHIZAE IN PLANT NUTRITION -- ABSTRACT -- 1. INTRODUCTION -- 1.1. Structures -- 1.2. Distribution -- 1.3. Classification -- 1.4. Importance -- 2. ROLE OF AM FUNGI IN PLANT NUTRITION -- 2.1. Phosphorus Nutrition -- 2.1.1. Uptake of P from Soil Solution -- 2.1.2. Uptake from Insoluble Inorganic P Sources -- 2.1.3. Uptake from Insoluble Organic P Sources -- 2.1.4. P Transporters in AM Fungi -- 2.2. Nitrogen Nutrition. , 2.2.1. Absorption of Inorganic Nitrogen Compound -- 2.2.2. Absorption of Organic Nitrogen Compound -- 2.2.3. Assimilation of Nitrogen -- 2.2.4. Assistance in Biological N2-fixation -- 2.3. Other Elements -- 3. CONCLUSION -- REFERENCES -- Chapter 7 ROLE OF SIDEROPHORES IN PLANT DISEASE SUPPRESSION -- ABSTRACT -- 1. INTRODUCTION -- 2. SIDEROPHORES: BIOLOGICAL SENSOR OF IRON NUTRITION -- 2.1. Functions of Siderophores -- 2.2. Chemistry of Siderophores -- 2.2.1. Hydroxamate Siderophores -- 2.2.2. Catecholate Siderophores -- 2.3. Application of Siderophores -- 2.3.1. Microbial Siderophore Mediated Iron Uptake -- 2.3.2. Ecological Aspects of Siderophores -- 2.3.3. Siderophores Virulence and Clinical Application -- 2.3.4. Siderophore Mediated Disease Suppression -- 2.3.4.1. Agronomic Aspects -- 3. PHYTOSIDEROPHORES -- 4. CONCLUSION -- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS -- REFERENCES -- Chapter 8 RHIZOREMEDIATION OF HEAVY METALS BY SYMBIOTIC NITROGEN FIXING MICROORGANISMS -- ABSTRACT -- 1. INTRODUCTION -- 2. CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL AVAILABILITY OF METALS IN SOIL -- 3. RHIZOBIUM-LEGUME SYMBIOSIS - AN OVERVIEW -- 4. METAL TOXICITY TO RHIZOBIUM-LEGUME SYMBIOSIS -- 5. HOW RHIZOBIA COMBAT HEAVY METAL STRESS? -- 6. GROWTH PROMOTING ACTIVITY OF METAL TOLERANT RHIZOBIA -- 7. RHIZOREMEDIATION AFFECTING LEGUME GROWTH -- 8. CONCLUSION -- REFERENCES -- Chapter 9 GENETIC INSTABILITY AND NODULATION FLUX IN LEGUME INOCULANTS -- ABSTRAT -- 1. INTRODUCTION -- 2. LEGUME SYMBIONTS -- 3. LEGUME INOCULANTS -- 3.1. Essentials of a Carrier and Inoculant -- 4. GENETIC INSTABILITY AND NODULATION FLUX: RATIONALE AND REASONS -- 4.1. Natural Variations in the Cultures -- 4.1.1. Colony Di/polymorphism -- 4.1.2. Colony Variants or Derivatives -- 4.1.3. Spontaneous Mutations -- 4.1.4. Genomic Rearrangements -- 4.1.5. Instability, Rearrangements or Recombination in Symbiotic Plasmid. , 4.1.6. Horizontal Gene Transfer -- 4.1.7. Ineffective Strains -- 4.2. Environmental Stress -- 4.2.1. Abiotic Factors -- 4.2.1.1. Temperature -- 4.2.1.2. Soil pH: Legumes and their Rhizobia Exhibit Varied Responses to Acidity -- 4.2.1.3. Salinity -- 4.2.1.4. Nutrients -- 4.2.1.4.1. Ions -- 4.2.1.4.2. Phosphorus -- 4.2.1.4.3. Aluminium and Cobalt -- 4.2.1.4.4. Root Environment and Exudates -- 4.2.1.4.5. Agrochemicals -- 4.2.1.4.6. Water -- 4.2.2. Biotic Factors -- 4.2.2.1. Strain Competition -- 4.2.2.2. Bacteriocins/toxicants -- 4.3. Host Factors -- 4.4. Viability and Inoculant Quality -- 4.5. Storage Conditions -- 4.5.1. Culture Media/conditions/sub Culturing -- 4.5.2. Long-term Storage -- 4.6. Agronomic Practices -- 5. CONCLUSION -- REFERENTES -- Chapter 10 PESTICIDE USE IN AGRICULTURE AND MICROORGANISMS -- ABSTRACT -- 1. INTRODUCTION -- 2. PESTICIDAL RISK -- 2.1. Pesticides Affecting Microbes and Plants -- 2.2. Pesticides in Water and Water Bodies -- 2.3. Pesticides Toxicity and the Food Chain -- 3. PESTICIDES DEGRADATION -- 4. PESTICIDE PERSISTENCE -- 5. PESTICIDE ENZYMOLOGY -- 6. CONCLUSION -- REFERENCES -- Chapter 11 REMEDIATION OF HERBICIDES CONTAMINATED SOIL USING MICROBES -- ABSTRACT -- 1. INTRODUCTION -- 2. HERBICIDES AFFECTING SOIL MICROORGANISMS -- 3. HERBICIDE TOXICITY TO CROPS -- 4. BIOREMEDIATION -- 4.1. General Perspective -- 4.2. Bioremediation of Herbicides -- 4.2.1. Degradation of S-triazine Compounds -- 4.2.1.1. Microbial Catabolism of S-triazine Compounds -- 4.2.1.2. Microbial Catabolism of More Complex S-triazine Compounds -- 4.2.2. Phenoxyacetate Herbicides -- 4.2.2.1. 1,4,5-trichlorophenoxy Acetic Acid -- 5. CONCLUSION -- REFERENCES -- Chapter 12 BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF PLANT DISEASES USING ACTINOMYCETES (STREPTOMYCES SPP.) FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE -- ABSTRACT -- 1. INTRODUCTION -- 2. WHAT ARE ACTINOMYCETES?. , 3. ROLE OF ACTINOMYCETES IN RHIZOSPHERE SOILS.

Note: Intro -- Toxicity of Heavy Metals to Legumes and Bioremediation -- Preface -- Contents -- Contributors -- Soil Contamination, Nutritive Value, and Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals: An Overview: -- 1.1 Introduction -- 1.2 Source of Heavy Metal in Soils -- 1.3 Metal Bioavailability -- 1.4 Heavy Metal as Nutrient: An Overview -- 1.4.1 Heavy Metals Importance in Microorganisms -- 1.4.2 Some Examples of Metals Important for Plant Health -- 1.5 Heavy Metal Toxicity: A Brief Account -- 1.5.1 Effects of Heavy Metals on Microbial Diversity -- 1.5.2 Heavy Metals-Plants Interactions -- 1.5.3 Metal Impact on Human Health -- 1.6 Human Health Risk Assessment: A General Perspective -- 1.6.1 What Is Human Health Risk Assessment? -- 1.6.2 Why We Do Assessment and What Is Risk Assessment Process? -- 1.6.3 Why Food Materials Are Used for Human Health Risk Assessment? -- 1.6.3.1 Vegetables as a Model Food for Human Health Risk Assessment: Why? -- 1.6.4 What Are Different Risk Assessments Methods? -- 1.6.4.1 Hazard Quotient -- 1.6.4.2 Daily Dietary Index -- 1.6.4.3 Daily Intake of Metals -- 1.6.4.4 Health Risk Index -- References -- Heavy Metal Toxicity to Symbiotic Nitrogen-Fixing Microorganism and Host Legumes: -- 2.1 Introduction -- 2.2 What Are Nitrogen-Fixing Microbes? -- 2.3 Rhizobium-Legume Pairing: An Overview -- 2.4 How Rhizobia Promote Legume Growth? -- 2.5 Heavy Metal Toxicity: A General Perspective -- 2.5.1 Are Legumes Safe to Grow in Metal Contaminated Soils? -- References -- Toxic Effects of Heavy Metals on Germination and Physiological Processes of Plants: -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 Metal Uptake, Translocation, and Accumulation -- 3.3 Toxicity of Heavy Metals to Plants -- 3.3.1 How Heavy Metals Act -- 3.3.2 Seed Germination and Physiological Processes Affected by Heavy Metals -- 3.3.2.1 Legume Germination Under Metal Stress. , 3.3.2.2 Physiological Processes Affected by Heavy Metals -- Cell Wall and Plasma Membrane -- Lipid Peroxidation -- Photosynthesis -- Water Relations -- Nitrate Reductase -- Denitrification Activity -- Antioxidant Defenses -- References -- Chromium-Plant-Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Interactions: Toxicity and Management: -- 4.1 Introduction -- 4.2 Source of Chromium -- 4.3 Chromium-PGPR Interactions -- 4.4 Bioremediation: A General View -- 4.5 Management of Chromium Toxicity Using PGPR -- 4.6 Mechanism of Hexavalent Chromium Reduction -- 4.6.1 Direct Mechanism -- 4.6.2 Indirect Mechanism of Chromium Reduction -- 4.7 Factors Affecting Chromium Reduction -- 4.7.1 pH -- 4.7.2 Chromium Concentration -- 4.7.3 Effect of Temperature -- 4.7.4 Glucose and NaCl Concentration -- References -- The Influence of Glutathione on the Tolerance of Rhizobium leguminosarum to Cadmium: -- 5.1 Heavy-Metal Soil Contamination -- 5.2 Nitrogen Fixation by Rhizobia -- 5.3 The Influence of GSH on Rhizobium leguminosarum Tolerance to Cadmium -- 5.4 Chronological Dependence of GSH Synthesis from Cd Intracellular Levels -- 5.5 BNF and Plant Tolerance to Heavy Metals -- References -- Bioremediation: A Natural Method for the Management of Polluted Environment: -- 6.1 Introduction -- 6.2 Can Biotechnology Be Useful in Pollution Management? -- 6.3 Bioremediation: An Emerging Option -- 6.3.1 Rationale for Using Bioremediation in Metal Decontamination -- 6.3.2 Types of Bioremediation -- 6.3.2.1 In Situ Bioremediation -- 6.3.2.2 Ex Situ Bioremediation -- 6.3.3 Some Examples of Bacteria-Mediated Bioremediation -- 6.3.4 Bacteria-Assisted Phytoremediation -- References -- Rhizobium-Legume Symbiosis: A Model System for the Recovery of Metal-Contaminated Agricultural Land: -- 7.1 Introduction -- 7.2 Source of Heavy Metals in Agricultural Fields. , 7.3 Mechanisms of Heavy Metal Resistance in Rhizobia -- 7.4 Rhizobium-Legume Symbioses as Phytoremediator -- 7.5 Importance of Recombinant Rhizobia in Heavy Metal Bioremediation -- References -- Microbially Mediated Transformations of Heavy Metals in Rhizosphere: -- 8.1 Introduction -- 8.2 Plant Growth Effect on Microbial Rhizosphere Population -- 8.3 Mobilization of Bioavailable Pool of Heavy Metals in Rhizosphere -- 8.4 Effects of HM on Soil Microorganisms -- 8.5 Effect of Microbial Activity on Metal Toxicity to Plants -- 8.6 Phytoremediation of Metal-Contaminated Soil -- 8.7 Immobilization of HM in the Rhizosphere -- References -- Rhizoremediation: A Pragmatic Approach for Remediation of Heavy Metal-Contaminated Soil: -- 9.1 Introduction -- 9.2 Soil Pollution -- 9.3 Heavy Metal Toxicity -- 9.4 Soil Remediation Approaches -- 9.4.1 Physicochemical Methods -- 9.4.2 Bioremediation -- 9.4.2.1 Phytoremediation -- 9.4.2.2 Rhizoremediation -- 9.5 Plant Growth-Promoting Activities of PGPR -- 9.5.1 Heavy Metal Stress Tolerance -- 9.5.2 Mineral Uptake -- 9.6 Eco-economics -- References -- Role of Plant-Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria in the Management of Cadmium-Contaminated Soil: -- 10.1 Introduction -- 10.2 Cadmium Features -- 10.3 Source of Cadmium -- 10.3.1 Soil -- 10.3.2 Compost and Vegetables -- 10.4 Cadmium Poisoning -- 10.4.1 Clinical Effects of Cadmium -- 10.4.2 Cadmium Toxicity to Plants -- 10.5 Bioremediation and PGPR -- 10.6 Importance of Plant-Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria in Plant Growth -- 10.7 Problems and Perspective of PGPR in Commercialization -- References -- Site-Specific Optimization of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Mediated Phytoremediation: -- 11.1 Soil Pollution and Its Treatment: A General Perspective -- 11.2 AM Fungi as Potential Tool for Phytoremediation -- 11.3 Choosing Remedial Technology -- 11.4 Selection of Host Plants. , 11.4.1 Metal Tolerance of Plants -- 11.4.2 Non-mycotroph or Unconcerned Hyperaccumulating Species -- 11.4.3 Choosing Indigenous or Exogenous (Cultivated) Plant Species -- 11.4.4 Advantages and Disadvantages of Trees -- 11.5 Selecting Infective and Effective AM Fungi -- 11.5.1 The Effect of HMs on the Abundance and Vitality of AMF -- 11.5.2 Investigating the AMF Community of the Polluted Area -- 11.6 Effect of HM-Adapted and HM Non-adapted AMF on Host Tolerance: A Comparative Study -- 11.7 The Impact of Intra- and Interspecific Variability of AMF on Metal Uptake -- 11.8 Sustaining Heavy Metal Tolerance and Inducing Artificial Adaptation -- References -- Heavy Metal Resistance in Plants: A Putative Role of Endophytic Bacteria: -- 12.1 Introduction -- 12.2 Endophytic Bacteria: Tolerance to Heavy Metals -- 12.3 The Alleviation of Metal Toxicity in Plants -- 12.3.1 Oxidative Stress Protection -- 12.3.2 Indirect Reduction of Heavy-Metal Toxicity -- 12.3.3 Phytohormone-Mediated Defense Effects -- 12.4 Endophytic Bacteria: Importance in Phytoremediation Technologies -- References -- Importance of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Legume Production Under Heavy Metal-Contaminated Soils: -- 13.1 Introduction -- 13.2 Negative Influence of Heavy Metal Toxicity to Legumes -- 13.3 Incidence of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Metal-Polluted Sites -- 13.4 Variation Among AMF to HM(s) Tolerance -- 13.5 The Role of AMF in Imparting Metal Tolerance to Legume Plants -- 13.6 Composite Inoculation Effects of AM Fungi on Legume Plants Grown in Metal-Contaminated Soils -- 13.7 Factors Affecting AMF in Metal-Polluted Sites -- 13.8 Mechanisms of Heavy Metal Tolerance -- References -- About the Editors -- Index.

Note: Intro -- Biomanagement of Metal-Contaminated Soils -- Preface -- Contents -- Contributors -- Chapter 1: Heavy Metal Pollution: Source, Impact, and Remedies -- 1.1 Introduction -- 1.2 Sources of Heavy Metals -- 1.2.1 Natural Sources -- 1.2.2 Anthropogenic Sources -- 1.2.3 Activities Generating Heavy Metals -- 1.3 Nature of Heavy Metal Pollution -- 1.3.1 Heavy Metals and Air Pollution -- 1.3.2 Water Pollution -- 1.3.3 Soil Pollution -- 1.4 Impacts of Heavy Metals -- 1.4.1 Impact on the Environment -- 1.4.2 Heavy Metal Toxicity -- 1.4.3 Health Hazards -- 1.5 Abatement of Heavy Metals Pollution -- 1.5.1 Physicochemical Methods -- 1.5.2 Biochemical Methods -- 1.5.2.1 Heavy Metals and Microorganisms -- 1.5.2.2 Biosorption and Floatation -- 1.5.2.3 Biotransformation -- 1.5.2.4 Pollution Monitoring Biosensors -- 1.5.2.5 Bioremediation -- 1.5.3 Phytoremediation -- 1.6 Genetic Engineering: The Way Forward -- 1.7 Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 2: Metal-Plant Interactions: Toxicity and Tolerance -- 2.1 Introduction -- 2.2 Plant Structure -- 2.3 Metal Uptake and Transport -- 2.3.1 Metal Bioavailability -- 2.3.2 Root Uptake -- 2.3.3 Foliar Uptake -- 2.4 Metal Phytomtoxicity -- 2.4.1 Visible Symptoms -- 2.4.2 Physiological Changes -- 2.4.2.1 Inhibition of Germination -- 2.4.2.2 Decreased Growth -- 2.4.2.3 Membrane Damage -- 2.5 Inhibition of Physiological Processes -- 2.5.1 Oxidative Damage in Plants -- 2.5.2 Photosynthesis -- 2.5.3 Water Relations -- 2.5.4 Nutrient Deficiency -- 2.6 Metal Essentiality and Toxicity -- 2.7 Toxicity Sequence -- 2.8 Metal Tolerance Mechanisms -- 2.8.1 Metal Accumulation -- 2.8.2 Metal Detoxification -- 2.8.3 Antioxidant Response -- 2.9 Enhancing Metal Tolerance -- 2.9.1 Chelators -- 2.9.2 Phytohormones -- 2.9.3 Importance of Microorganisms in Metal Removal -- 2.10 Conclusion -- References. , Chapter 3: Bioremediation: New Approaches and Trends -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 Remediation Technologies -- 3.2.1 Bioremediation -- 3.2.1.1 Ex-Situ Bioremediation -- 3.2.1.2 In-Situ Bioremediation -- 3.3 Phytoremediation -- 3.3.1 General Advantages of Phytoremediation -- 3.3.2 General Limitations of Phytoremediation -- 3.4 Phytoremediation Strategies -- 3.4.1 Phytoextraction -- 3.4.2 Rhizofiltration -- 3.4.3 Phytostabilization -- 3.4.4 Phytodegradation -- 3.4.5 Rhizodegradation -- 3.4.6 Phytovolatilization -- 3.5 Environmental Factors Affecting Phytoremediation -- 3.5.1 Soil Types and Organic Matter Contents -- 3.5.2 Soil Water/Moisture -- 3.5.3 Temperature -- 3.5.4 Light -- 3.5.5 Weathering Process -- 3.6 Techniques Used to Enhance Phytoremediation Process -- 3.6.1 Chelator-Induced Phytoextraction -- 3.6.2 Plant Growth Regulators -- 3.6.3 Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria -- 3.6.3.1 Remediation of Heavy Metals by PGPR -- 3.6.3.2 Remediation of Organic Contaminants by PGPR -- 3.7 Breakthroughs in Phytoremediation: Novel Transgenic Approaches -- 3.7.1 Metallothioneins, Phytochelatins, and Metal Chelators -- 3.7.2 Metal Transporters -- 3.7.3 Alteration of Metabolic Pathways -- 3.7.4 Alteration of Oxidative Stress Mechanisms -- 3.7.5 Alteration in Roots -- 3.7.6 Alteration in Biomass -- 3.8 Example of Genetically Engineered Plant -- 3.8.1 Mercury Detoxification Using Transgenic Plants -- 3.9 Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 4: Legume- Rhizobium Symbioses as a Tool for Bioremediation of Heavy Metal Polluted Soils -- 4.1 Introduction -- 4.2 The Legume- Rhizobium Symbiotic Interaction -- 4.2.1 Promotion of the Bacterial Infection -- 4.2.2 Bacterial Infection -- 4.2.3 Nodule Formation -- 4.3 The Legume- Rhizobium Symbiosis as a Tool for Bioremediation -- 4.3.1 The Microsymbiont and Heavy Metals -- 4.3.2 Examples of Heavy Metal Resistance in Rhizobia. , 4.3.2.1 Arsenic Resistance in Rhizobium Strains -- 4.3.2.2 Cadmium Resistance in Rhizobium Strains -- 4.3.2.3 Nickel Resistance Determinants in Rhizobium Strains -- 4.3.2.4 Resistance Against Chromium in Rhizobium -- 4.3.3 Nodulation Efficiency of Metal Resistant Rhizobia -- 4.3.4 Non-rhizobial Bacteria Nodulates Legumes Under Heavy Metal Stress -- 4.3.5 Legumes and Heavy Metals -- 4.3.5.1 Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Legume Plants -- 4.4 Effect of Heavy Metals on the Legume- Rhizobium Symbiotic Interaction -- 4.5 Application of Legume- Rhizobium Symbioses in Metal-contaminated Soils -- 4.6 Engineering Legume- Rhizobium Symbiosis for Improving Bioremediation -- 4.7 Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 5: Importance of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Phytoremediation of Heavy Metal Contaminated Soils -- 5.1 Introduction -- 5.2 Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi: An Overview -- 5.3 AM-Fungi-Assisted Phytoremediation -- 5.3.1 Occurrence of AM-Fungi in Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil -- 5.3.2 Does Mycorrhizal Plants Exhibit Enhanced Tolerance to Heavy Metals? -- 5.3.3 Contribution of AM-Fungi in Phytostabilization -- 5.3.4 Importance of AM-Fungi in Phytoextraction -- 5.4 Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 6: Research Advances in Bioremediation of Soils and Groundwater Using Plant-Based Systems: A Case for Enlarging and Updating Information and Knowledge in Environmental Pollution Management in Developing Countries -- 6.1 Introduction -- 6.2 Types, Sources, and Effects of Soil and Groundwater Pollutants -- 6.3 Phytoremediation: A Type of Plant-Assisted Bioremediation -- 6.4 Necessity for Sustained Bioremediation Research and Development -- 6.5 Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 7: The Bacterial Flora of the Nickel-Hyperaccumulator Plant Alyssum bertolonii -- 7.1 Botany and Life History of Alyssum bertolonii. , 7.2 Plant-Associated Bacteria : Which, Why, for What? -- 7.3 Soil and Rhizosphere Bacteria Involved in Metal Detoxification -- 7.3.1 Endophytic Bacteria -- 7.4 Conclusion and Perspectives -- References -- Chapter 8: Use of Biosurfactants in the Removal of Heavy Metal Ions from Soils -- 8.1 Introduction -- 8.2 Biosurfactants -- 8.2.1 Critical Micelle Concentration -- 8.2.2 Rhamnolipids -- 8.2.3 Surfactin -- 8.2.4 Saponin -- 8.2.5 Sophorolipids -- 8.2.6 Aescin -- 8.3 Heavy Metal Sorption on Soils -- 8.3.1 Comparison of Metal Sorption on Various Soils and/or Components -- 8.4 Heavy Metal Binding Mechanisms of Biosurfactants from Soil -- 8.4.1 Effect of pH -- 8.5 Biosurfactant Sorption onto Soils -- 8.6 Examples of Heavy Metal Removal from Soils Using Biosurfactants -- 8.7 Biosurfactant Foam Technologies -- 8.8 Role of Biosurfactants in Biofilm Formation and Use of Biofilms in Heavy Metal Bioremediation -- 8.9 Recent Use of Biosurfactants in Nanotechnology -- 8.10 Kinetic Modeling of Desorption -- 8.10.1 Sorption-Desorption Equilibrium -- 8.11 Conclusion and Future Prospect -- References -- Chapter 9: Mechanism of Metal Tolerance and Detoxification in Mycorrhizal Fungi -- 9.1 Introduction -- 9.2 Metal Tolerance/Detoxification in Mycorrhizal Fungi -- 9.2.1 Extracellular Mechanisms -- 9.2.1.1 Heavy Metal Chelation by Organic and/or Inorganic Ligands -- 9.2.2 Intracellular Mechanisms -- 9.2.2.1 Metal Complexation by Polyphosphate Granules -- 9.2.2.2 Vacuolar Compartmentalization by PCs and MTs -- 9.2.2.3 Transporter Proteins Involved in Metal Tolerance -- 9.2.2.4 Antioxidative Mechanisms to Combat Metal-Induced Oxidative Stress -- 9.3 Prospects of Genetic Engineering in Metal Remediation -- 9.4 Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 10: Metal Signaling in Plants: New Possibilities for Crop Management Under Cadmium-Contaminated Soils -- 10.1 Introduction. , 10.1.1 Stress Signal Transduction Mechanisms in Plants -- 10.1.2 Most Stress Signaling Mechanisms Share the Same Components -- 10.1.3 Metal Stress in Plants -- 10.1.4 Metal Signal Transduction in Plants - Possible Pathways -- 10.1.5 Possible Points in PC Signaling Regulation -- 10.2 Calcium Signaling in Cadmium Stress -- 10.2.1 The Role of Calcium -- 10.2.2 Calcium Influences Cadmium Uptake but Also PC Synthesis -- 10.3 Protein Phosphorylation Signaling in Metal Stress -- 10.3.1 The Role of Protein Phosphatases -- 10.3.2 Protein Phosphatase Inhibition Increases Cadmium Tolerance by Enhancing PC Synthesis -- 10.4 Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 11: Microbial Management of Cadmium and Arsenic Metal Contaminants in Soil -- 11.1 Introduction -- 11.2 Sources of Cadmium and Arsenic in Soil -- 11.2.1 Cadmium -- 11.2.2 Arsenic -- 11.3 Possible Impacts of Cadmium and Arsenic Metal Contaminants -- 11.3.1 Cadmium Toxicity -- 11.3.2 Arsenic Toxicity -- 11.4 Mechanism of Bacterial Resistance to Heavy Metals: An Overview -- 11.4.1 Bacterial Resistance to Cadmium -- 11.4.1.1 P-type ATPase -- 11.4.1.2 CBA Transporters -- 11.4.1.3 CDF Family Transporters -- 11.4.2 Bacterial Resistance to Arsenic -- 11.5 Influence of Microbes on Speciation and Mobility of Arsenic and Cadmium -- 11.6 Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 12: Phytotechnologies: Importance in Remediation of Heavy Metal-Contaminated Soils -- 12.1 Introduction -- 12.2 Phytoremediation: A Natural Way for Restoration of Polluted Soils -- 12.2.1 Advantages and Limitations of Phytotechnologies -- 12.2.2 Phytoextraction -- 12.2.2.1 Economics of Phytoextraction -- 12.2.3 Phytostabilization -- 12.2.3.1 Advantages -- 12.2.3.2 Disadvantages -- 12.3 Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 13: Chromium Pollution and Bioremediation: An Overview -- 13.1 Introduction. , 13.2 General Description, Discovery, and Occurrence of Chromium.

Note: Intro -- PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZING MICROBESFOR CROP IMPROVEMENT -- CONTENTS -- PREFACE -- ABOUT EDITORS -- CONTRIBUTORS -- BIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF PHOSPHORUSAND PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZINGMICROBES - AN OVERVIEW -- ABSTRACT -- 1.1. INTRODUCTION -- 1.2.1. Phosphorus Deficiency -- 1.3. PHOSPHORUS IN THE SOIL SYSTEM AND ITSAVAILABILITY TO PLANTS -- 1.4. EFFECTS OF COMPOST AND FERTILIZERON SOIL PHOSPHORUS -- 1.5. PLANT AVAILABLE PHOSPHORUS IN THE SOIL -- 1.6. BIOLOGICAL FACTORS AFFECTING AVAILABILITYOF PHOSPHORUS -- 1.7. AGRICULTURAL IMPORTANCE OF PHOSPHATESOLUBILIZING BACTERIA -- CONCLUSION -- REFERENCES -- NOVEL APPROACHES FOR ANALYSISOF BIODIVERSITYOF PHOSPHATE-SOLUBILIZING BACTERIA -- ABSTRACT -- 2.1. INTRODUCTION -- 2.2. MOLECULAR METHODS FOR ANALYSIS OF MICROORGANISMS:THE GENOMICS ERA -- 2.2.1. Gene Sequencing -- 2.2.2. Methods Based on DNA Polymorphisms -- 2.2.3. Low Molecular Weight RNA [LMW RNA] Profiles -- 2.2.4. Inmunofluorescence Methods: Fluorescent Labeling of Gene Products -- 2.2.5. Microarrays -- 2.3. CULTURE-INDEPENDENT MOLECULAR METHODS FOR ANALYSISOF MICROBIAL DIVERSITY: THE METAGENOMICS ERA -- 2.3.1. Fluorescence "In Situ" Hybridization [FISH] -- 2.3.2. Specific PCR Based Methods -- 2.3.3. Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis [DGGE] and TemperatureGradient Gel Electrophoresis [TGGE] -- 2.3.4. Single-Strand Conformation Polymorphisms -- 2.3.5. Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Analysis and Automatized RibosomalIntergenic Spacer Analysis -- 2.3.6. Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism -- 2.3.7. Amplified rDNA Restriction Analysis -- 2.3.8. Real-Time PCR -- 2.3.9. Complete Genomes and Future Perspectives -- CONCLUSION -- REFERENCES -- EFFECTS OF PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZINGMICROORGANISM ON SOILPHOSPHORUS FRACTIONS -- ABSTRACT -- 3.1. SOIL P AVAILABILITY AND BEHAVIORFOR PLANT UPTAKE. , 3.2. INGREDIENT OF GROWTH MEDIA INFLUENCE SOILMICROBIAL ACTIVITY AND P SOLUBILITY -- 3.3. SOLUBILIZATION OF MINERAL PHOSPHATES -- 3.4. ORGANIC PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZATION -- 3.5. PHOSPHORUS SOLUBILIZING BACTERIA AFFECTDIFFERENTIAL P FRACTION OF SOIL -- 3.5.1. Total Phosphorus -- 3.5.2. Labile P fractions -- 3.5.3. Moderately Labile P Fractions -- 3.5.4. Rresidual P Fraction -- CONCLUSION -- REFERENCES -- ROLE OF PLANT GROWTH PROMOTINGMICROORGANISMS FOR SUSTAINABLECROP PRODUCTION -- ABSTRACT -- 4.1. INTRODUCTION -- 4.2. PLANT GROWTH PROMOTING MICROORGANISMS -- 4.2.1. Bacteria -- 4.2.2. Fungi -- 4.2.3. Actinomycetes -- 4.3. MECHANISMS OF PLANT GROWTH PROMOTION -- 4.3.1. Direct Plant Growth Promotion -- 4.3.1.1. Nitrogen -- 4.3.1.2. Phosphorus -- 4.3.1.3. Potassium -- 4.3.1.4. Iron -- 4.3.1.5. Phytohormones and Enzymes -- 4.3.1.6. Volatiles in Plant Growth Promotion -- 4.3.2. Indirect Plant Growth Promotion Mechanisms [Biocontrol] -- 4.3.2.1. 2,4-Diacetyl Phloroglucinol -- 4.3.2.2. Pyoluteorin -- 4.3.2.3. Phenazine-1-carboxylic acid [PCA] -- 4.3.2.4. Pyrrolnitrin -- 4.3.2.5. Cyclic Lipopeptides -- 4.2.6. Volatile Metabolites -- 4.3.2.7. Siderophore Production -- 4.2.8. Production of Hydrolytic Enzymes -- 4.3.2.3. Elicitors and Induced Resistance -- 4.4. RHIZOSPHERE -- 4.4.1. Competitive Root Colonization -- 4.4.2. Factors Affecting Root Colonization -- 4.4.3. Perception on Communication in Rhizosphere: Quorum Sensing[Biofilms] -- 4.5. INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER MICROORGANISMS -- 4.6. MOLECULAR MECHANISM FOR TRAKING BACTERIAIN RHIZOSPHERE -- 4.6.1. Marker Based Detection Methods -- 4.6.2. Nucleic Acid-Based Detection Methods -- 4.7. COMMERCIALIZATION OF PGPM -- 4.7.1. Carrier Materials -- 4.7.2. Technology Transfer -- 4.7.3. Multiple Applications -- 4.8. METAGENOMIC APPROACH TO EXPLOIT NOVEL PGPM -- 4.9. SIGNIFICANCE OF PGPM IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE. , CONCLUSION AND FUTURE OUTLOOKS -- REFERENCES -- GENETIC AND FUNCTIONAL DIVERSITYOF PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZING FLUORESCENTPSEUDOMONADS AND THEIR SIMULTANEOUSROLE IN PROMOTION OF PLANT GROWTHAND SOIL HEALTH -- ABSTRACT -- 5.1. INTRODUCTION -- 5.2. MICROBIAL PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZATION -- 5.3. MICROBIAL MECHANISMS MEDIATING PHOSPHATESOLUBILIZATION -- 5.4. MICROBIAL DIVERSITY OF PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZINGFLUORESCENT PSEUDOMONADS -- 5.4.1. Functional Diversity of Phosphate- Solubilizing FluorescentPseudomonads -- 5.4.1.1. Plant Growth Promoting Traits -- 5.4.1.1.1. Siderophore -- 5.4.1.1.2. Protease -- 5.4.1.1.3. Indole-3-Acetic Acid -- 5.4.1.1.4. 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate [ACC] Deaminase -- 5.4.1.1.5. N-acyl homoserine Lactone [AHL] -- 5.4.1.2. Biocontrol Traits -- 5.4.1.2.1. Antagonism -- 5.4.1.2.2. Fungal Cell Wall Degrading Enzyme -- 5.4.1.2.3. Production of Enzymes for Decomposition of Crop Residues -- 5.4.1.2.3.1. Cellulase -- 5.4.1.2.3.2. Pectinase -- 5.4.1.2.4. Rapid Detection of Antibiotic Genes and Antimicrobial Metabolites -- 5.4.2. Phenotypic and Genotypic Diversity of Phosphate Solubilizing-Fluorescent Pseudomonads -- 5.5. GENES INVOLVED IN PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZATION -- 5.6. MOLECULAR TOOLS USED FOR ISOLATION ANDCHARACTERIZATION OF PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZING FLUORESCENTPSEUDOMONADS -- 5.6.1. Isolation and Screening of Phosphate-Solubilizing Strains -- 5.6.2. Estimation of Phosphate Solubilization -- 5.6.3. Evaluation of Strains for Efficient Phosphate Solubilization -- 5.6.4. Phenotypic Characterization -- 5.6.5. Molecular Characterization -- 5.6.5.1. 16S rRNA, gyrB and rpoD amplifications -- 5.6.5.2. Sequencing and Phylogenetic Tree Analyses -- 5.6.5.3. Amplified Ribosomal DNA Restriction Analysis [ARDRA] -- 5.6.5.4. Electrophoresis -- 5.6.5.5. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA [RAPD] -- CONCLUSION -- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS -- REFERENCES. , PRACTICAL USE OF PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZINGSOIL MICROORGANISMS -- ABSTRACT -- 6.1. INTRODUCTION -- 6.2. PHOSPHORUS IN SOIL -- 6.3. MINERAL PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZATIONThe conventional approach to improve phosphorus nutrition for optimum crop -- 6.4. PHOSPHORUS MOBILIZATION AND SOLUBILIZATION -- 6.4.1. MOBILITY OF PHOSPHORUS IN SOIL -- 6.4.2. Possibilities of Phosphorus Mobilization -- 6.4.3. Mechanisms of P-Solubilization -- 6.5. FACTORS AFFECTING MINERAL P-SOLUBILIZATION -- 6.6. PRACTICAL USE OF P-SOLUBILIZING SOIL MICROORGANISMS -- 6.6.1. P-Solubilizing Bacteria -- 6.6.2. P-Solubilizing Fungi -- 6.7. DETERMINATION OF P-SOLUBILIZING ACTIVITYOF MICROORGANISMS -- 6.7.1. P-Solubilizing Activity in Liquid Cultures -- 6.8. INOCULATION EFFECTS -- CONCLUSION AND FUTURE PROSPECT -- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS -- REFERENCES -- PHOSPHATE-SOLUBILIZATION BY PSYCHROPHILICAND PSYCHROTOLERANT MICROORGANISMS:AN ASSET FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTUREAT LOW TEMPERATURES -- ABSTRACT -- 7.1. INTRODUCTION -- 7.2. PSYCHROPHILIC AND PSYCHROTOLERANT MICROORGANISMS -- 7.3. LIMITATION IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTUREAT LOW TEMPERATURE -- 7.4. PHOSPHORUS AND SOIL FERTILITY -- 7.5. PHOSPHATE-SOLUBILIZING ACTIVITIES AT LOWAND AMBIENT TEMPERATURES -- 7.6. PSMS FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTUREAT LOW TEMPERATURES -- 7.7. FIRST REPORTED PSYCHROTOLERANT MUTANTSFOR HIGHER ALTITUDES -- 7.8. ECONOMY PERSPECTIVE OF BACTERIALPHOSPHATIC FERTILIZER -- 7.9. FUTURE PROSPECTS -- CONCLUSION -- REFERENCES -- BENEFICIAL MICROBES IN SUSTAINABLETROPICAL CROP PRODUCTION -- ABSTRACT -- 8.1. INTRODUCTION -- 8.2. BIOFERTILIZERS -- 8.2.1. Benefits of Plant-Rhizobacteria Associations -- 8.2.1.1. Symbiotic Association -- 8.2.1.2. Associative Plant-Rhizobacteria Association -- 8.2.1.3. Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria -- 8.2.1.4. Potassium Solubilizing Bacteria -- 8.2.2. Plant-Fungi Associations -- 8.2.2.1. Mycorrhizal Fungi. , 8.2.2.1.1. Arbuscular Mycorrhizae -- 8.2.2.1.2. Ectomycorrhiza -- 8.2.2.2. Benefits of Mycorrhizal Fungi -- 8.2.2.2.1. Nutrient Uptake -- 8.2.2.2.2. Soil structure -- 8.2.2.2.3. Tolerance to Stress -- 8.2.2.2.4. Crop Protection -- 8.3. BIOENHANCER -- 8.3.1. Plant Growth Regulators -- 8.4. BIOFERTILIZER PRODUCTION AND APPLICATION -- 8.4.1. Bacterial Inoculum Production -- 8.4.1.1. Carrier Component -- 8.4.1.2. Inoculant Preparation and Packaging -- 8.4.2. Fungal Inoculum Production -- 8.4.2.1. Soil-Based Inoculum -- 8.4.2.2. Soil-Free Inocula -- 8.4.2.3. Inoculum Application -- 8.4.3. Biofertilizer Application -- 8.4.3.1. Mycorrhiza -- 8.4.3.2.1. Fertilization -- 8.4.3.2.2. Management of AM Fungi -- 8.4.3.3. Synergy between Beneficial Microorganisms -- CONCLUSION -- ACKNOWLEDGMENT -- REFERENCES -- MOLECULAR GENETICS OF PHOSPHATESOLUBILIZATION IN RHIZOSPHERE BACTERIAAND ITS ROLE IN PLANT GROWTH PROMOTION -- ABSTRACT -- 9.1. INTRODUCTION -- 9.2. PHOSPHORUS AVAILABILITY IN SOILS -- 9.3. MICROORGANISMS INVOLVED IN SOLUBILIZATIONOF INORGANIC PHOSPHORUS -- 9.4. GENETICS OF PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZATION -- 9.5. MECHANISM OF INORGANIC PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZATION -- 9.5.1 Production of Organic Acids -- 9.4. GENETICS OF PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZATION -- 9.5. MECHANISM OF INORGANIC PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZATION -- 9.5.1 Production of Organic Acids -- 9.5.2. Production of Inorganic Acids -- 9.5.3. Other Mechanisms of Phosphate Solubilization -- 9.6. ORGANIC PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZATION -- 9.6.1. Nonspecific Acid Phosphatases -- 9.6.2. Phytases -- 9.7. ISOLATION OF MINERAL PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZING[MPS] GENES -- 9.7.1. Manipulation of MPS Genes for PGPR Improvement -- 9.8. AGRONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE OF MINERAL PHOSPHATESOLUBILIZING BACTERIA -- 9.8.1. Interactions of P-Solubilizing Bacteria with Other Beneficial Microbes -- CONCLUSION -- REFERENCES. , STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF MICROPHOSAND MECHANISMS OF PHOSPHATE-SOLUBILIZATION.