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Abstract:
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Preface -- CHAPTER 1 -- Introduction: soil health, soil biology, sustainable agriculture and evidence-based information -- CHAPTER 2 Soil physical, chemical and biological properties and the key role of organic matter in promoting soil and plant health -- CHAPTER 3 Organisms in the soil food web and their functions -- CHAPTER 4 Soilborne diseases: a major impediment to crop production -- CHAPTER 5 Impact of natural enemies on soilborne pathogens -- CHAPTER 6 A practical guide to improving soil health and reducing losses from soilborne diseases -- CHAPTER 7 Grain farming systems to improve soil health and enhance biological suppression of soilborne diseases -- CHAPTER 8 Annual and perennial pastures to improve soil health in grain-cropping systems -- CHAPTER 9 Yield decline of sugarcane: a soil health problem overcome by modifying the farming system -- CHAPTER 10 Vegetable farming systems: the challenge of improving soil health and sustainability in an industry that demands high levels of productivity -- CHAPTER 11 Options for improving soil health and minimising losses from soilborne diseases in perennial horticultural crops -- CHAPTER 12 Key soil health messages, and practices that should be included in holistic soil improvement programs.
Soil Health, Soil Biology, Soilborne Diseases and Sustainable Agriculture provides information about the bacteria, fungi, nematodes and other soil organisms that not only harm food crops but also help them take up water and nutrients and protect them from root diseases. With illustrations and case studies, it provides growers with holistic solutions for building an active and diverse soil biological community capable of improving soil structure, enhancing plant nutrient uptake and suppressing root pests and pathogens.
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