Anmerkung: Intro -- Preface -- Contents -- About the Editors -- 1: High Altitude Agro-ecosystems: Challenges and Opportunities -- 1.1 Introduction -- 1.1.1 Characteristics of High Altitude -- 1.1.2 Farming System in High Altitude -- 1.1.3 Prominent Agro-ecosystem -- 1.1.4 Challenges and Opportunities -- 1.1.4.1 Soil Health -- 1.1.4.2 Soil-Water Interaction (SWI) -- 1.1.5 Small Landholding -- 1.1.6 Tools and Farming Implements -- 1.1.7 Mountain Agriculture and Climate Change -- 1.2 Opportunities in Hill Farming -- 1.2.1 Ecological Niche Area of Cultivation -- Box 1.1: Oak Tasar Silk -- Box 1.2: Chilling Requirement in Apple cultivation -- 1.2.2 Organic Farming Practices in Hill -- 1.2.2.1 Challenges in Organic Farming Practices in Hill -- 1.3 Conclusions -- References -- 2: An Overview of Indian Agriculture with Focus on Challenges and Opportunities in North East -- 2.1 Evolution of Agriculture in India -- 2.2 Importance of Agriculture for India -- 2.3 Current Challenges in Indian Agriculture -- 2.4 North Eastern States of India: An introduction -- 2.4.1 Arunachal Pradesh -- 2.4.2 Assam -- 2.4.3 Manipur -- 2.4.4 Meghalaya -- 2.4.5 Mizoram -- 2.4.6 Nagaland -- 2.4.7 Sikkim -- 2.4.8 Tripura -- 2.5 Hill Agriculture of North East India: Prevailing Scenario and Challenges -- 2.6 Opportunities and Initiatives -- 2.6.1 Enhancement in Agricultural Productivity of North East -- 2.6.2 Increases in Crop Intensity and Diversification -- 2.6.3 Development of North East as Organic Hub -- 2.6.4 Establishment of Markets -- 2.6.5 Allied Sector Development -- References -- 3: Sari System: A Traditional Cropping Pattern of the Uttarakhand Himalaya -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 Sari System -- 3.2.1 Rabi Season (Wheat Cropping) -- 3.2.1.1 Field Preparation -- 3.2.1.2 Ploughing -- 3.2.1.3 Roguing and Weeding -- 3.2.1.4 Harvesting of Crop. , 3.2.2 Kharif Season (Finger Millet Cropping) -- 3.2.2.1 Field Preparation -- 3.2.2.2 Ploughing -- 3.2.2.3 Roguing and Weeding -- 3.2.2.4 Harvesting of Crop -- 3.2.3 Kharif Season (Rice Cropping) -- 3.2.3.1 Field Preparation -- 3.2.3.2 Ploughing -- 3.2.3.3 Roguing and Weeding -- 3.2.3.4 Harvesting of Crop -- 3.2.4 The Rainy Season (Zaid Season) -- 3.3 Sari System and Diversity of Agricultural Crops -- 3.4 Crop Diversity and Economic Sustainability -- 3.5 Threats to the Sari System -- 3.6 Proposed Plans for Improvement -- 3.7 Conclusion -- References -- 4: Factors Influencing Soil Ecosystem and Agricultural Productivity at Higher Altitudes -- 4.1 Introduction -- 4.2 Abiotic/Climatic Factors -- 4.2.1 Temperature -- 4.2.1.1 Disadvantages of Temperature in Soil Ecosystem and Agricultural Productivity -- 4.2.2 Wind Profile -- 4.2.2.1 Advantages of Wind in High Altitudinal Agriculture -- 4.2.3 Air Moisture Content -- 4.2.3.1 Disadvantages of Moisture Content in Soil Ecosystem and Agricultural Productivity -- 4.2.4 Radiation -- 4.2.5 Precipitation in Higher Altitudes -- 4.2.6 Impact on Soil Ecosystem -- 4.2.7 Impact on Agriculture -- 4.3 Physiographic Effects on Soil and Agriculture -- 4.4 Soil Nutrient -- 4.5 Soil Fauna -- 4.5.1 Earthworms -- 4.5.2 Formicidae (Ants) -- 4.5.3 Termitidae (Termites) -- 4.6 Soil Flora -- 4.7 Soil Microbes -- 4.7.1 Bacteria -- 4.7.2 Fungi -- 4.7.3 Algae -- 4.7.4 Nematodes -- 4.8 Conclusion -- References -- 5: Traditional Farming Systems and Agro-biodiversity in Eastern Himalayan Region of India -- 5.1 Introduction -- 5.2 Traditional Farming Systems and Agro-biodiversity -- 5.2.1 Alder-Based Jhum Cultivation in Khonoma Village, Nagaland -- 5.2.2 Zabo Rice Cultivation System in Kikruma Village, Phek District, Nagaland -- 5.2.3 Tree-Based Cultivation in Konyak Village, Mon District, Nagaland. , 5.2.4 Apatani Fish-Cum-Paddy Cultivation in Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh -- 5.2.5 Jhum and Bun (Terrace) Farming in Meghalaya -- 5.2.6 Rice-Based Farming System in Tripura -- 5.2.7 Organic Agriculture and Terrace Paddy Cultivation in Sikkim -- 5.3 Microbial Interventions in Jhum Farming Sector of North East India -- 5.4 Conclusion and Opinion -- References -- 6: Indigenous Agricultural Practices: A Supreme Key to Maintaining Biodiversity -- 6.1 Introduction -- 6.2 Indigenous Knowledge -- 6.3 The Role of Indigenous Knowledge -- 6.4 Indigenous Agricultural Practices in India -- 6.4.1 Meghalaya -- 6.4.2 Uttar Pradesh -- 6.4.3 Kashmir -- 6.4.4 Jharkhand -- 6.4.5 Himachal Pradesh -- 6.4.6 Chhattisgarh -- 6.5 Indigenous Systems in Agriculture -- 6.5.1 Organic Agriculture -- 6.5.2 Multiple Cropping or Mixed Cropping -- 6.5.3 Crop Rotation -- 6.5.4 Maintenance of Crops -- 6.5.5 Fallowing -- 6.6 Indigenous Agricultural Practices in Relation to Biodiversity Conservation -- 6.7 Conclusion -- References -- 7: Management of Biotic and Abiotic Stress Affecting Agricultural Productivity Using Beneficial Microorganisms Isolated from H... -- 7.1 Introduction -- 7.2 Biological Control of Plant Diseases at High Altitude -- 7.2.1 Biocompatibility with Other Soil Activity -- 7.2.2 Recent Trends in the Strain Improvements -- 7.2.3 Commercialization of Biological Control Agents -- 7.3 Abiotic Stress -- 7.3.1 Impact of Abiotic Stress on Plants -- 7.3.2 Plant-Microbe Interactions for Alleviating Abiotic Stress -- 7.4 Cross-Protection Against Abiotic and Biotic Stress -- 7.5 Conclusion -- References -- 8: Microbial Diversity in North Western Himalayan Agroecosystems: Functions and Applications -- 8.1 Introduction -- 8.2 Ecosystems in North Western Himalayas: Structure and Diversity -- 8.2.1 The Cold Deserts -- 8.2.2 Hot Springs -- 8.2.3 The Forest Ecosystems. , 8.2.4 Alpine Meadows -- 8.2.5 The Wetlands -- 8.2.6 Agroecosystems -- 8.3 Constraints of Hill Agroecosystem -- 8.3.1 Climate Change -- 8.3.2 Natural Disasters -- 8.3.3 Nutrient Imbalance and Soil Organic Carbon Losses -- 8.3.4 Anthropogenic Activities -- 8.3.5 Biological Constraints -- 8.3.6 Indigenous Farming Practices in North Western Himalayas -- 8.4 Microbial Diversity in Cold Deserts -- 8.4.1 Bacteria -- 8.4.2 Cyanobacteria -- 8.5 Bacterial Diversity in Sub-Glacial Lakes -- 8.6 Hot Spring Diversity -- 8.7 Microbial Diversity in Forest Ecosystem -- 8.7.1 Bacterial Diversity -- 8.7.2 Mushroom Diversity in Forest Ecosystem -- 8.8 Microbial Diversity in Alpine Meadows -- 8.9 Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria in Himalayan Agroecosystems -- 8.10 Conclusion -- References -- 9: Biodiversity of Microbial Community: Association with Sustainable Hill Agroecosystems -- 9.1 Introduction -- 9.2 Soil Health for Sustainable Agroecosystem -- 9.2.1 Soil Biota -- 9.2.2 Nutrient Cycling Associated to Microbial Community -- 9.2.3 Soil Health Management -- 9.3 Microbial Biodiversity of Mountains/Hills -- 9.3.1 Bacterial Community -- 9.3.2 Archaeal Community -- 9.3.3 Eukaryotic Community -- 9.3.4 Metabolic and Genetic Diversity -- 9.4 Hill Agroecosystem -- 9.4.1 Traditional Hill Agroecosystem -- 9.5 Factors Affecting Hill Agroecosystem -- 9.5.1 Temperature -- 9.5.2 Climate Change -- 9.5.3 Farming Technique -- 9.6 Conclusion -- 9.7 Future Prospects and Recommendation -- References -- 10: Soil Microbiota: A Key Bioagent for Revitalization of Soil Health in Hilly Regions -- 10.1 Introduction -- 10.2 Importance of Soil Nutrients -- 10.3 Factors Affecting Nutrient Status of Soil -- 10.3.1 Temperature and Altitude Gradient -- 10.3.2 Agricultural Practices -- 10.3.3 Soil Microbiota -- 10.4 Properties of Soil at Higher Altitude -- 10.5 Why Require Nutrient Management?. , 10.6 Strategies of Nutrient Management in Soil -- 10.6.1 Agronomical Approaches -- 10.6.2 Use of Chemical Fertilizer -- 10.6.3 Role of Microorganisms in Reinstatement of Soil Nutrient -- 10.6.3.1 Microbial Mechanism for Nutrient Management -- 10.6.3.1.1 Nitrogen Fixation -- 10.6.3.1.2 Soil Organic Matter Management -- 10.6.3.1.3 Phosphate Mobilization -- 10.6.4 Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) -- 10.7 Conclusion -- 10.8 Future Prospects -- References -- 11: Characteristics of Microbial Community and Enzyme Activities in Higher Altitude Regions -- 11.1 Introduction -- 11.2 Study Sites and Their Climatic Conditions -- 11.2.1 Higher Altitude Locations Studied in India -- 11.2.2 Higher Altitude Locations Studied in China -- 11.2.3 Higher Altitude Locations Studied in Other Parts of the World -- 11.3 Microbial Diversity of High Altitude Regions -- 11.4 Characteristics of Microbial Enzymes Produced at Higher Altitude Sites -- 11.5 Factors Affecting the Microbial Community and Their Activities at High Altitude -- 11.6 Concluding Remarks and Future Perspectives -- References -- 12: Psychrotolerant Microbes: Characterization, Conservation, Strain Improvements, Mass Production, and Commercialization -- 12.1 Introduction -- 12.2 Plant Growth-Promoting (PGP) Traits of Psychrotrophs -- 12.3 Characterization -- 12.3.1 Cultivable/Culturable Methods -- 12.3.2 Non-cultivable/Unculturable Methods -- 12.3.2.1 Fluorescence Microscopy -- 12.3.2.2 Molecular Techniques -- 12.3.3 Techniques Used to Culture the ``Unculturables´´ -- 12.4 Conservation -- 12.4.1 In Situ Conservation -- 12.4.2 Ex Situ Conservation -- 12.4.3 In-Factory Conservation -- 12.5 Strain Improvements -- 12.5.1 Gene Cloning and Mutagenesis -- 12.5.2 Atmospheric and Room-Temperature Plasma (ARTP) -- 12.6 Mass Production -- 12.6.1 For Enzyme Production -- 12.6.2 For Bioinoculant Production. , 12.7 Commercialization.

Anmerkung: 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.

Anmerkung: Intro -- Preface -- Contents -- About the Editors -- 1: Cyanobacteria in Cold Ecosystem: Tolerance and Adaptation -- 1.1 Introduction -- 1.2 Significance of Cold Ecosystem -- 1.3 Ecology and Biogeochemistry of Cyanobacteria -- 1.3.1 Cryptic Niches -- 1.3.2 Hypoliths -- 1.3.3 Endoliths -- 1.3.4 Cryoconites -- 1.3.5 Aquatic Habitats -- 1.4 Ecophysiology of Polar Cyanobacteria and Functional Role of Arctic and Antarctic Cyanobacteria -- 1.5 Polar Region: Extreme Environmental Parameters and Stress Factors -- 1.6 Polar Cyanobacteria: Response to Various Stress Factors -- 1.6.1 General Mechanism of Adaptation -- 1.6.2 Stress Avoidance -- 1.6.3 Stress Tolerance -- 1.6.4 Dormant Cell Formation -- 1.6.5 Morphological Structures -- 1.6.6 Consortia -- 1.6.7 Low Temperature -- 1.6.8 Temperature Perception -- 1.6.9 Lipids -- 1.6.10 Proteins/Enzymes -- 1.6.11 Freeze/Melting Cycles -- 1.6.12 Antifreeze Proteins -- 1.6.13 Compatible Solutes and Cryoprotectants -- 1.6.14 Ice Nucleation Proteins -- 1.6.15 Dessication -- 1.6.16 Extracellular Envelopes -- 1.6.17 Water Stress Proteins -- 1.6.18 Salinity -- 1.6.19 Ionic Regulation -- 1.6.20 Osmotic Regulation -- 1.6.21 Irradiance (PAR) and Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) -- 1.6.22 Photosynthesis and Photoinhibition at Low Temperature -- 1.6.23 Screening Compounds -- 1.6.24 Antioxidants -- 1.6.25 Survival Strategies: Insight from Metagenomics -- 1.6.26 Subzero Temperature Effect -- 1.7 Impact of Rise in Global Temperature on Polar Cyanobacteria -- 1.7.1 Nitrogen Cycling -- 1.7.2 Carbon Cycling -- 1.8 Conclusion -- References -- 2: Cold-Adapted Fungi: Evaluation and Comparison of Their Habitats, Molecular Adaptations and Industrial Applications -- 2.1 Introduction -- 2.2 Natural Habitats and Their Occurrence -- 2.3 Temperature Range -- 2.4 Cold Adaptations in Fungi: Definition -- 2.5 Cold-Adapted Fungi: A Background. , 2.6 Molecular Adaptations -- 2.7 The Arctic -- 2.8 The Antarctic -- 2.9 Nonpolar Regions -- 2.10 Arctic Fungi -- 2.10.1 Plant-Associated and Free-Living Fungi of Arctic Soils -- 2.10.2 Glacial Ice -- 2.10.3 Marine Fungi from the Arctic -- 2.11 Antarctic Fungi -- 2.11.1 Soils -- 2.11.2 Antarctic Permafrost -- 2.11.3 Endolithic Communities -- 2.12 Harmful Effects in Plants, Animals and Humans -- 2.13 Applications of Fungi in Industry -- 2.13.1 Cold-Active Enzymes -- 2.13.1.1 Proteases -- 2.13.1.2 Chitinases -- 2.13.1.3 Cellulases and Pectinases -- 2.13.1.4 Amylases -- 2.13.1.5 Xylanases -- 2.13.1.6 Lipolytic Enzymes -- 2.13.2 Pharmaceutical Products -- 2.13.3 Bioremediation -- 2.13.4 Pigment Production -- 2.14 Agriculture -- 2.15 Conclusion -- References -- 3: Microbial Life in Cold Regions of the Deep Sea -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 Deep Sea as a Microbial Habitat -- 3.2.1 With Low Temperature -- 3.2.2 With High Pressure -- 3.3 Microbial Diversity in Deep Sea -- 3.4 Microbial Adaptations at Deep Sea -- 3.4.1 Low-Temperature Adaptations -- 3.4.1.1 Maintenance of Membrane Structure by the Generation of Unsaturated Fatty Acids -- 3.4.1.2 Cold-Shock Proteins (CSP) -- Functions of Cold-Shock Proteins -- 3.4.1.3 Viable but Non-Culturable Cell (VBNC) -- Mechanism of VBNC Formation -- 3.4.1.4 Antifreeze Proteins -- Mechanism of AFP -- 3.4.1.5 Adaptation Mechanism of Psychrophilic Enzymes -- 3.4.1.6 Piezophiles/Barophiles -- 3.4.2 Adaptation Mechanism of Piezophiles (High-Pressure Adaptations) -- 3.4.2.1 Membrane Lipid Adaptation -- 3.4.2.2 Outer Membrane Porins -- 3.4.2.3 Membrane Transport -- 3.4.2.4 Respiratory Chain -- 3.4.2.5 Motility Under High Pressure -- 3.4.2.6 Enzymes Adaptations Under High Pressure -- Low Stability -- High Compressibility -- High Absolute Activity -- High Relative Activity at High Pressures. , 3.5 Microbial Nutrition and Metabolism in Deep Sea -- 3.5.1 Chemistry of Deep Sea -- 3.5.2 Microbial Metabolism in Deep Sea -- 3.6 Conclusion -- References -- 4: Adaptation to Cold Environment: The Survival Strategy of Psychrophiles -- 4.1 Introduction -- 4.2 Ecological Adaptability of Psychrophiles -- 4.3 Environmental Adaptability of Psychrophiles -- 4.3.1 Membrane Fluidity -- 4.3.2 Cold-Shock and Heat-Shock Responses -- 4.3.3 Antifreeze Proteins (AFPs) -- 4.3.4 Cryoprotectants -- 4.3.5 Cold-Adapted Enzymes -- 4.3.6 Carotenoid Pigments -- 4.3.7 Protein Folding in Psychrophiles -- 4.3.7.1 Marine Environment -- 4.3.7.2 Non-marine Environment -- 4.3.7.3 Glacier Environment -- 4.4 Adaptation to Cold Habitat -- 4.4.1 Morphological Features -- 4.4.2 Molecular Aspects -- 4.4.3 Other Special Features -- 4.5 RandD Effort Innovation Technologies to Find Specific Adaptations -- 4.6 Conclusion -- References -- 5: Enzymatic Behaviour of Cold Adapted Microbes -- 5.1 Introduction -- 5.2 Psychrophillic Enzymes -- 5.2.1 Cold Adapted Activity -- 5.2.1.1 Inactivation and Unfolding -- 5.2.1.2 Active Site Architecture -- 5.2.1.3 Active Site Dynamics -- 5.2.1.4 Adaptive Drift and Adaptive Optimization of Substrate Affinity -- 5.2.1.5 Comparative Structural Analysis of Extremophiles -- 5.2.1.6 Composition of Amino Acids -- 5.2.1.7 Secondary Structural Elements -- 5.2.1.8 Comparative Proteome Analysis -- 5.2.1.9 Amino Acid Substitution Pattern -- 5.3 Kinetics and Energetics of Cold Activity -- 5.4 Conformational Stability -- 5.4.1 Structural Origin of Low Stability -- 5.5 Folding Funnel Model of Cold Active Enzymes -- 5.6 Psychrophillic Enzymes in Biotechnology -- 5.6.1 Heat Lability in Molecular Biology -- 5.6.2 Application of Cold Active Enzymes for Manufacturing Chemicals and Wastewater Treatment -- 5.6.3 Cold Active Enzymes Used in the Food Industry. , 5.7 Future Prospects -- 5.8 Conclusion -- References -- 6: An Overview of Survival Strategies of Psychrophiles and Their Applications -- 6.1 Introduction -- 6.2 Types of Extremophiles -- 6.2.1 Thermophiles -- 6.2.2 Psychrophiles -- 6.2.3 Acidophiles -- 6.2.4 Alkaliphiles -- 6.2.5 Halophiles -- 6.2.6 Piezophiles -- 6.3 Survival Strategies Adapted by Psychrophiles -- 6.3.1 Cell Membrane Fluidity -- 6.3.2 Antifreeze Proteins (AFPs) -- 6.3.3 Cold Shock Proteins -- 6.4 Applications of Cold Adapted Microbes -- 6.4.1 Psychrophilic Enzymes in Different Industries -- 6.4.2 Use of Psychrophilic Microorganisms in Bioremediation -- 6.4.3 Role of Psychrophiles in Medicine and Pharmaceuticals -- 6.4.4 Role of Psychrophiles in Domestic Purposes -- 6.4.5 Application of Psychrophiles in Textile-Based Industries -- 6.5 Psychrophiles Used in Fine Chemical Synthesis -- 6.6 Role of Psychrophiles in Agriculture -- 6.7 Conclusion and Future Prospectives -- References -- 7: Microbial Genes Responsible for Cold Adaptation -- 7.1 Introduction -- 7.2 Cold-Adapted Microorganisms -- 7.2.1 Diversity of Cold-Adapted Microorganisms -- 7.2.2 Strategies for Cold Adaptation -- 7.3 Cold Adaptation Genes -- 7.3.1 Cold Shock Response -- 7.3.1.1 Cold Shock Response in E. coli -- 7.3.1.2 Cold Shock Response in B. subtilis -- 7.3.1.3 Cold Shock Response in Psychrotrophs and Psychrophiles -- 7.3.2 Cold Acclimation Proteins -- 7.4 Genomic Studies -- 7.4.1 Psychrotrophic Microorganisms -- 7.4.2 Microbial Physiological Adaptations -- 7.4.3 Cell Membrane Modulation -- 7.4.4 Osmoprotection and Cryoprotection: Compatible Solutes -- 7.4.5 Freeze Protection -- 7.4.6 Extracellular Compounds -- 7.4.7 Transport and Diffusion -- 7.4.8 RNA/DNA Secondary Structure -- 7.4.9 Substrate Oxidation -- 7.5 Conclusion -- References -- 8: Survival Strategies in Cold-Adapted Microorganisms -- 8.1 Introductions. , 8.2 Survival Strategies of Cold-Adapted Microorganisms: Initial Studies -- 8.2.1 Physiological Adaptations Exhibited by Cold-Adapted Microorganisms -- 8.2.2 Structural Alterations of Proteins/Enzymes in Cold-Adapted Microorganisms -- 8.2.3 Alterations Ensuring Biomembrane Fluidity in Cold-Adapted Microorganism -- 8.2.4 Other Subtle Adaptations Exhibited by Cold-Adapted Microorganisms -- 8.2.5 Metagenomics- and Genomics-Based Studies of Cold-Adapted Microorganisms -- 8.3 Systems Biology Studies of Cold-Adapted Microorganisms -- 8.3.1 Comparative Genomic Studies of Cold-Adapted Microorganisms -- 8.3.2 Transcriptomics Studies of Cold-Adapted Microorganisms -- 8.3.3 Proteomics Studies of Cold-Adapted Microorganisms -- 8.4 Conclusion and Future Prospects -- References -- 9: Microbial Adaptations Under Low Temperature -- 9.1 Introduction -- 9.2 Microbial Adaptations Under Low Temperature -- 9.2.1 Sensing the Temperature -- 9.2.2 Structural Adaptation of Enzymes -- 9.2.3 Membrane Fluidity -- 9.2.4 Metabolism at Low Temperatures -- 9.2.5 Heat-Shock Proteins -- 9.2.6 Cold-Shock Proteins -- 9.2.7 Cryoprotectants -- 9.2.8 Antifreeze Proteins -- 9.3 Future Prospects -- References -- 10: Molecular Mechanisms of Cold-Adapted Microorganisms -- 10.1 Introduction -- 10.2 Cold-Adapted Enzymes -- 10.3 Modifications in Transcription and Translation -- 10.4 Role of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) -- 10.5 Cryoprotectant and Cold-Shock Proteins -- 10.6 Role of RNA Degradosome -- 10.7 Changes in Membrane Fluidity -- 10.8 Fatty Acid Desaturation -- 10.9 Branching of Fatty Acids -- 10.10 Cis- and Trans-Fatty Acids -- 10.11 Amino Acid: Composition and Length Variation -- 10.12 Modifications at Protein-Folding Stage -- 10.12.1 Translation -- 10.12.2 Folding Assistance -- 10.13 Conclusion -- References. , 11: Microbe-Mediated Plant Functional Traits and Stress Tolerance: The Multi-Omics Approaches.

Anmerkung: Intro -- Preface -- Contents -- About the Editors -- 1: Agriculturally Important Microbes: Challenges and Opportunities -- 1.1 Introduction -- 1.2 Azotobacter -- 1.2.1 Action Mechanism of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria -- 1.2.2 Azotobacter as Biofertilizers and Biocontrol Agents -- 1.3 Serratia spp. -- 1.3.1 Action Mechanism as Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria -- 1.3.2 Serratia as Biocontrol Agents -- 1.3.3 Serratia in Abiotic Stress Tolerance -- 1.4 Bacillus spp -- 1.5 Pseudomonas -- 1.6 Challenges to the Use of Agriculturally Important Microbes -- 1.6.1 Screening of Microbes and Poor Shelf Life of Bioformulation -- 1.6.2 Lack of Field Reproducibly of PGPR Performance -- 1.6.3 Skewed Perception -- 1.6.4 Challenges in Product Commercialization -- 1.6.5 Challenges in Products Registration and Patent Filing -- 1.7 Future Aspects -- References -- 2: Agriculturally Important Microorganism: Understanding the Functionality and Mechanisms for Sustainable Farming -- 2.1 The Concept of Plant Microbiome and the Rhizobiome -- 2.2 Agriculturally Important Microorganisms (AIMs) -- 2.3 Diversity and Functionality of AIMs -- 2.3.1 Diversity and Interrelationship -- 2.3.2 Diversity and Functionality -- 2.3.2.1 Biocontrol Agents (BCA) -- 2.3.2.2 Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) -- 2.3.2.3 Plant Growth-Promoting Fungi (PGPF) -- 2.3.2.4 Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) -- 2.3.2.5 Endophytes -- 2.3.2.6 Actinomycetes -- 2.4 Mechanisms Involved in Plant and Soil Health Improvement -- 2.4.1 Direct Mechanism -- 2.4.1.1 Biological Fixation of the Atmospheric Nitrogen -- 2.4.1.2 Solubilization of Phosphates by Microorganisms -- 2.4.1.3 Production of Siderophores by Microorganisms -- 2.4.1.4 Production of Phytohormones -- 2.4.2 Indirect Mechanism -- 2.4.2.1 Induction of Resistance in Host Plants by AIMs. , 2.5 Molecular Signaling in the Rhizosphere and Beyond: The Cross Talk -- 2.5.1 Microbe Triggered Immunity -- 2.5.2 Microbial Signaling -- 2.6 Current and Future Challenges -- 2.7 Conclusion -- References -- 3: Microbial Diversity of Different Agroecosystems: Current Research and Future Challenges -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 Microbial Diversity of Agroecosystems -- 3.2.1 Temporal and Spatial Distribution -- 3.2.2 Diversity in Different Agroecosystems -- 3.2.2.1 Jhum Agroecosystem -- 3.2.2.2 Microbial Diversity in Sundarbans -- 3.2.2.3 Agroecosystem of North Western Himalayas -- 3.2.2.4 Thar Agroecosystem -- 3.2.2.5 Coffee Shade Tree Agroecosystem -- 3.2.2.6 Apatani Wet Rice Agroecosystem -- 3.2.2.7 Agroecosystem of Leh Ladakh -- 3.2.2.8 Effect of Changing Environment on Microbial Diversity -- 3.3 Role of Microorganisms in Ecosystem Functioning -- 3.3.1 Nutrient Cycling -- 3.3.2 Soil Formation and Weathering -- 3.3.3 Waste Recycling -- 3.4 Effect of Changing Environment on Microbial Diversity -- 3.4.1 Soil Biodiversity, Resistance, and Resilience -- 3.4.2 Nitrogen Deposition -- 3.4.3 Elevated Carbon Concentration -- 3.5 Mitigation Strategies -- 3.5.1 Soil Biodiversity and Sustainable Agricultural Practices -- 3.5.2 Soil Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology -- 3.5.3 Agroecosystem Management with Core Microbiomes -- 3.6 Conclusion -- References -- 4: Soil Microbial Biomass asan Index of Soil Quality and Fertility in Different Land Use Systems of Northeast India -- 4.1 Introduction -- 4.2 Role of Soil Microbes in an Ecosystem -- 4.3 Soil Microbial Biomass -- 4.4 Land-Use Types of Northeast India -- 4.5 Soil Nutrient Status of Different Land-Use Types of Northeast India -- 4.6 Changes in Microbial Biomass C, N, and P Due to Land-Use Types -- 4.7 Microbial C:N:P Stoichiometry in Different Land-Use Types of Northeast India -- 4.7.1 Microbial C:N Ratio. , 4.7.2 Microbial C:P Ratio -- 4.7.3 Microbial N:P Ratio -- 4.8 Soil Nutrient Fractions in Microbial Biomass of Different Land Uses of Northeast India -- 4.9 Conclusion -- References -- 5: Microbes and Plant Mineral Nutrition -- 5.1 Introduction -- 5.2 An Overview of Soil Microorganisms for the Availability of Nutrients in Plants -- 5.3 Soil Microbes Induced Nitrogen Uptake by Plants -- 5.4 Soil Microbes Induced Phosphate Uptake by Plants -- 5.5 Soil Microbes Induced Potassium Uptake by Plants -- 5.6 Soil Microbes Mediated Micronutrient Acquisition in Plants -- 5.6.1 Iron -- 5.6.2 Zinc -- 5.7 Copper -- 5.7.1 Manganese -- 5.8 Future Perspectives and Challenges in Plant Microbe Based Agro-Inputs -- 5.9 Conclusion -- References -- 6: Drought Stress Alleviation in Plants by Soil Microbial Interactions -- 6.1 Introduction -- 6.2 Stresses, Soil Structure and Their Effect on Microbial Colonization -- 6.3 Microbes: As Protective Companion to Plants -- 6.3.1 Bacteria -- 6.3.2 AM Fungi -- 6.3.3 Actinomycetes -- 6.3.4 Virus -- 6.4 Drought Stress Management -- 6.4.1 Growth, Biomass, and Photosynthesis -- 6.4.2 Mineral Uptake and Mobilization -- 6.4.3 Redox Homeostasis and Membrane Stabilization -- 6.4.4 Osmolytes Regulation -- 6.4.5 Hormonal Regulation and Volatiles -- 6.5 Conclusion and Future Prospective -- References -- 7: Role of Nitrogen-Fixing Microorganisms for Plant and Soil Health -- 7.1 Introduction -- 7.2 Biological Nitrogen Fixation -- 7.2.1 Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation -- 7.2.2 Invasion and Infection -- 7.2.2.1 Release of Flavonoids -- 7.2.2.2 Nod Factor -- 7.2.2.3 Nod Factor Perception -- 7.2.2.4 Responses to Nod Factor -- 7.2.2.5 Root Hair Curling -- 7.2.2.6 Nodule Organogenesis -- 7.2.3 Regulation of Nitrogen Fixation -- 7.2.4 Free Living and Associative Nitrogen Fixation -- 7.2.4.1 Free-Living Diazotrophs -- 7.2.4.1.1 Azotobacter vinelandii. , 7.2.4.1.2 Cyanobacteria -- 7.2.4.2 Associative Diazotrophs -- 7.3 Application in Management Practices -- 7.4 Conclusions -- References -- 8: Serendipita indica Mediated Drought and Heavy Metal Stress Tolerance in Plants -- 8.1 Introduction -- 8.2 Role of S. indica in Heavy Metal Stress Tolerance -- 8.3 Drought Stress Tolerance Mediated by S. indica -- 8.4 Conclusion -- References -- 9: Role of Rhizosphere and Endophytic Microbes in Alleviation of Biotic and Abiotic Stress in Plants -- 9.1 Introduction -- 9.2 Biotic and Abiotic Stress and Their Impacts on Crop Production -- 9.3 Diversity and Consortium of Rhizosphere and Endophytic Microbes -- 9.4 Environmental and Host Influence on the Rhizosphere and Endophytic Microbes -- 9.4.1 Environmental Effects -- 9.4.2 Effects of Agronomic Practices -- 9.4.3 Influence of Host Plants -- 9.5 Role of Rhizosphere and Endophytic Microbes in Agriculture -- 9.5.1 Plant Growth Promotion by Increasing Nutrient Availability -- 9.5.2 Plant Growth Promotion by Hormone Production -- 9.5.3 Defend Plants Against Biotic Stress -- 9.5.4 Increase Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants -- 9.6 Molecular Mechanisms of Stress Alleviation -- 9.6.1 Microbe-Mediated Induced Systemic Tolerance to Abiotic Stress -- 9.6.1.1 Amelioration of Nutrient Deficiency -- 9.6.1.2 Water, Temperature and Salinity Stress Tolerance -- 9.6.1.3 Tolerance of Stress Due to Heavy Metal and Herbicide Toxicity -- 9.6.2 Microbe-Mediated Induced Systemic Resistance to Biotic Stresses -- 9.6.3 Defence Mechanisms of Rhizosphere and Endophytic Microbes Against Biotic Stresses -- 9.6.4 Defence Against Phytopathogens -- 9.6.5 Defence Against Phytophagous Insects -- 9.7 Influence of Rhizosphere and Endophytic Microbes on Product Quality -- 9.8 Biotechnological Approaches for Enhancing the Effectiveness of Rhizosphere and Endophytic Microbes. , 9.9 Conclusion and Future Perspective -- References -- 10: Augmentation of Plant Salt Stress Tolerance by Microorganisms -- 10.1 Introduction -- 10.1.1 Impact of Soil Salinization on Plants -- 10.1.2 Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria -- 10.1.3 Mycorrhizal and Endophytic Fungi -- 10.2 Molecular Mechanism Involved in Salt Tolerance -- 10.2.1 General Mechanisms of Augmenting Salt Tolerance in Plants -- 10.2.2 Specific Mechanisms in Regulating Salt Tolerance by Microorganisms -- 10.3 Microbial Stimulation of Salt Tolerance -- 10.3.1 Salt Tolerance by Bacteria -- 10.3.2 Salt Tolerance by Fungi -- 10.4 Combinatorial Benefits of PGPB and Mycorrhizal Fungi -- 10.5 Conclusion and Future Perspective -- References -- 11: Impact of Plant Exudates on Soil Microbiomes -- 11.1 Rhizosphere -- 11.2 Root Exudate -- 11.2.1 Rhizodeposition -- 11.2.2 Root Exudate and Organic Acid -- 11.3 Plant Interaction with Microbes -- 11.4 Root Exudate Impact -- References -- 12: Global Climate Change and Microbial Ecology: Current Scenario and Management -- 12.1 Introduction -- 12.2 Microbial Functions in the Environment -- 12.3 Applications in Agriculture -- 12.3.1 Nutrient Recycling -- 12.3.2 Sustaining Optimal Soil Structure for Agriculture -- 12.3.3 Mineralization and Humification -- 12.4 Role of Soil Enzymes in Decomposition of Organic Matter -- 12.4.1 Amylase -- 12.4.2 Arylsulfatase -- 12.4.3 β-Glucosidase -- 12.4.4 Cellulose -- 12.4.5 Chitinase -- 12.4.6 Dehydrogenase -- 12.4.7 Phosphatase -- 12.4.8 Proteases -- 12.5 Pollutants Mitigation -- 12.6 Bioremediation -- 12.7 Impact of Climate Change on the World´s Agriculture -- 12.7.1 Effects of Temperature -- 12.7.2 Moisture Fluctuations -- 12.7.3 Significance of Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems -- 12.8 The Relevance of the Microbial World to the Problem -- 12.9 Role of Terrestrial Microbes. , 12.9.1 Production of Carbon Dioxide and Methane.

Anmerkung: Intro -- Trends of Applied Microbiology for Sustainable Economy -- Copyright -- Contents -- Contributors -- Preface -- 1 Trends of agricultural microbiology for sustainable crops production and economy: An introduction -- 1.1 Introduction -- 1.2 Role of beneficial microbiomes in plant growth promotion -- 1.2.1 Nitrogen fixation -- 1.2.2 Phosphorus solubilization -- 1.2.3 Potassium solubilization -- 1.2.4 Zinc solubilization -- 1.2.5 Siderophore production -- 1.2.6 Phytohormone production -- 1.3 Microbiomes for mitigation of biotic and abiotic stresses -- 1.3.1 Abiotic stress management -- 1.3.1.1 Salinity stress -- 1.3.1.2 Drought stress -- 1.3.1.3 High temperature stress -- 1.3.1.4 Low temperature -- 1.3.2 Biotic stress management -- 1.4 Beneficial microbiomes for sustainable crop production and protection -- 1.4.1 Biofertilizers -- 1.4.2 Biopesticides -- 1.5 Beneficial microbiomes in organic agriculture -- 1.6 Implication of beneficial microbes sustainable economic -- 1.7 Conclusion -- References -- 2 Phytobiome research: Recent trends and developments -- 2.1 Introduction -- 2.2 Plant-associated microbiomes -- 2.3 Plant-microbial interactions -- 2.4 Functional roles of phytobiome for sustainable agriculture -- 2.4.1 Role in nutrient mobilization -- 2.4.2 Effect on plant growth and health -- 2.4.3 Role in crop productivity -- 2.4.4 Enhanced plant defense mechanisms -- 2.5 Plant microbiome in the field of translation and commercialization -- 2.6 Conclusions -- References -- 3 An overview of microbial diversity under diverse ecological niches in northeast India -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 Microbial diversity in different ecological niches -- 3.2.1 Bacterial diversity in hot water springs -- 3.2.2 Metagenome analysis of Phumdi (a floating island) in Loktak Lake, Manipur. , 3.2.3 Microbial diversity in forest ecosystem -- 3.2.4 Microbial diversity in jhum agroecosystem -- 3.2.5 Microbial diversity in agroecosystem -- 3.2.6 Contaminated habitats -- 3.3 Northeast microbial database (NEMiD) -- 3.4 Conclusion and future prospects -- References -- 4 Microbial consortium and crop improvement: Advantages and limitations -- 4.1 Introduction -- 4.2 Microbial consortia -- 4.3 Plant microbiota existing above the ground -- 4.4 Managed microbial consortia -- 4.4.1 Synthetic consortia -- 4.5 Plant growth-promoting microorganisms -- 4.6 Microbial interactions within consortium -- 4.7 Stimulation of plant growth under stressed condition -- 4.8 Application of microbial consortium in agriculture -- 4.8.1 Nutrient mobilization and management of soil by the rhizospheric microbes -- 4.8.2 Biostimulants -- 4.9 Conclusion and future scope -- References -- 5 Revisiting soil-plant-microbes interactions: Key factors for soil health and productivity -- 5.1 Introduction -- 5.2 Important types of plant-microbes interactions -- 5.2.1 Mutualisms -- 5.2.1.1 Rhizobia-legume mutualism -- 5.2.1.2 Actinorhizal associations -- 5.2.1.3 Plant-cyanobacterial mutualisms -- 5.2.2 Mycorrhizae -- 5.2.2.1 Arbuscular mycorrhizae -- 5.2.2.2 Ectomycorrhizae, ectendomycorrhizae, and arbutoid mycorrhizae -- 5.2.2.3 Ericoid mycorrhizae -- 5.2.2.4 Orchid and monotropoid mycorrhizae -- 5.3 Major pathways of improved soil health and productivity attributed by different plant-microbe interactions -- 5.3.1 Mineral acquisition -- 5.3.2 Biocontrol agent -- 5.3.3 Extenuating abiotic stresses -- 5.3.4 Improved physiochemical nature of soil -- 5.3.5 Phytostimulation -- 5.3.6 Rhizoremediation -- 5.4 Biofertilizers -- 5.5 Outlook and conclusion -- References -- 6 Biological control of forest pathogens: Success stories and challenges. , 6.1 Introduction -- 6.2 The importance of forest pathogens -- 6.3 Biological control: A brief exposition -- 6.3.1 Why adopt biological control? -- 6.3.2 Types of interactions contributing to biological control -- 6.3.3 Mechanisms of biocontrol -- 6.3.3.1 Direct mechanisms: Disease biocontrol is based primarily on three mechanisms -- Parasitism -- Antibiosis -- Competition -- 6.3.3.2 Indirect mechanisms of biocontrol -- 6.4 Success stories of biological control with special reference to Heterobasidion annosum -- 6.5 Challenges -- 6.5.1 Spectrum of specificity -- 6.5.2 Risk of introduction into new habitats -- 6.5.3 Sensitivity of biocontrol agents to stresses -- 6.5.4 Laborious laboratory screening and field screening of BCAs -- 6.5.5 Paucity of funding and poor policy support -- 6.5.6 Complex anatomy -- 6.5.7 Potential to become human pathogens -- 6.5.8 Nagoya protocol -- 6.5.9 Fluctuating trends -- 6.6 Future directions -- 6.7 Conclusion -- References -- 7 Cold-tolerant and cold-loving microorganisms and their applications -- 7.1 Introduction -- 7.2 Diversity of cold-tolerant mutants in cold ecosystems -- 7.3 Mechanisms of cold tolerance in microorganisms -- 7.3.1 Cell membrane response -- 7.3.2 Cryoprotectants -- 7.3.3 Antifreeze proteins -- 7.3.4 Cold acclimation proteins and cold shock response -- 7.3.5 RNA degradosome -- 7.4 Aspects of cold-tolerant enzymes -- 7.4.1 Industrial and medical aspects -- 7.4.2 Environmental aspects -- 7.4.3 Agricultural aspects -- 7.4.3.1 Plant growth-promoting microbes -- 7.4.3.2 Isolation of psychrophilic PGP microbes -- 7.4.3.3 Identification of psychrophilic PGP microbes -- 7.4.3.4 Characterization of psychrophilic PGP microbes -- 7.4.3.5 Selection of psychrophilic PGP microbes -- 7.4.3.6 Formulation of psychrophilic microbes as biofertilizers -- 7.5 Future prospects. , References -- 8 Plant growth-promoting diazotrophs: Current research and advancements -- 8.1 Introduction -- 8.2 Nitrogen fixation in diazotrophs -- 8.3 Terrestrial nitrogen-fixing diazotrophs -- 8.4 Nitrogen fixation in the ocean -- 8.5 Genomic and transcriptomics of diazotrophs -- 8.6 Beneficial mechanisms other than N-fixation provided by diazotrophs -- 8.7 Application in global agriculture -- 8.8 Future challenges in agriculture: Application of diazotrophs to nonlegumes -- 8.9 Conclusions and future perspectives -- References -- 9 Role of mycorrhizae in plant-parasitic nematodes management -- 9.1 Introduction -- 9.2 Role of arbuscular mycorrhiza in the suppression of plant-parasitic nematodes -- 9.3 Interaction of arbuscular mycorrhiza with soil-borne nematodes associated with plants -- 9.4 Mycorrhizal mode of action to manage plant-parasitic nematode -- 9.4.1 Physical interferences -- 9.4.1.1 Alteration in root and root-associated tissues morphology -- 9.4.2 Biochemical and physiological disturbances -- 9.4.2.1 Availability of nutrients -- 9.4.2.2 Struggle for plant photosynthates and place for infection -- 9.4.2.3 Alteration in biochemical and chemical composition of root tissues -- 9.4.3 Alteration in microflora of mycorrhizal rhizosphere -- 9.5 Mycorrhizal approaches for the management of plant pathogens -- 9.5.1 AMF integration with other approaches -- 9.5.2 Host-symbiont-soil nutrient status -- 9.5.3 Initial inoculum density and inoculations sequence of pathogen and symbionts -- 9.6 Production and commercialization of AMF -- 9.6.1 Conventional methods -- 9.6.2 In vitro/axenic cultivation of AM fungi (root organ culture) -- 9.7 Conclusion -- References -- 10 Plant growth-promoting and biocontrol potency of rhizospheric bacteria associated with halophytes -- 10.1 Introduction. , 10.2 Plant-microbe interactions and mitigation of abiotic stress -- 10.2.1 Plant growth-promoting rhizospheric bacteria (PGPR) and their activities -- 10.2.2 Current scenario of soil salinity -- 10.2.3 Effect of salt stress on the plant growth -- 10.2.4 Mechanisms of halotolerant bacteria -- 10.2.5 Analysis of PGP traits and biocontrol activity of halophytes -- 10.2.6 Experimental outcomes -- 10.3 Concluding remarks and future prospects -- Acknowledgments -- References -- 11 Nanotechnology for plant growth promotion and stress management -- 11.1 Introduction -- 11.2 Synthesis, absorption, and translocation of nanoparticles in plants -- 11.3 Nanoparticles in plant growth and stress tolerance -- 11.4 Green nanoparticle -- 11.5 Genetic engineering in nanoparticle -- 11.6 Conclusion -- References -- 12 Role of microbial biotechnology for strain improvement for agricultural sustainability -- 12.1 Introduction -- 12.2 Microbial inoculants in agriculture for sustainability -- 12.2.1 Microbial inoculants as biofertilizers -- 12.2.1.1 Plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) -- 12.2.1.2 Role of PGPR in plant growth and development -- 12.2.2 Microbial inoculants as biocontrol agents -- 12.2.3 Different microbial groups in soil ecosystem -- 12.2.3.1 Rhizobia -- 12.2.3.2 Mycorrhizal fungi -- 12.2.3.3 Endophytic fungi -- 12.2.3.4 Rhizospheric fungi -- 12.2.3.5 Entomopathogenic and mycoparasitic fungi -- 12.2.4 Microbial inoculants for biotic and abiotic stress tolerance -- 12.2.4.1 Mitigation of drought stress -- 12.2.4.2 Salinity stress mitigation -- 12.2.4.3 Mitigation of heavy metals stress -- 12.2.4.4 Mitigation of heat stress -- 12.2.4.5 Combating elevated carbon dioxide -- 12.3 Microbial biotechnology for sustainable agriculture -- 12.3.1 Strain improvement -- 12.3.2 Selection from naturally occurring variants. , 12.3.3 Manipulation of the genome of organisms.