Deepak Kumar Verma is an agricultural science professional and is currently a PhD Research Scholar in the specialization of food processing engineering in the Agricultural and Food Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (WB), India. In 2012, he received a DST-INSPIRE Fellowship for PhD study by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. Mr. Verma is currently working on the research project "Isolation and Characterization of Aroma Volatile and Flavoring Compounds from Aromatic and Non-Aromatic Rice Cultivars of India." His previous research work included "Physico-Chemical and Cooking Characteristics of Azad Basmati (CSAR 839-3): A Newly Evolved Variety of Basmati Rice (Oryza sativa L.)". He earned his BSc degree in agricultural science from the Faculty of Agriculture at Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur, and his MSc (Agriculture) in Agricultural Biochemistry in 2011. He also received an award from the Department of Agricultural Biochemistry, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agricultural and Technology, Kanpur, India. Apart from his area of specialization in plant biochemistry, he has also built a sound background in plant physiology, microbiology, plant pathology, genetics and plant breeding, plant biotechnology and genetic engineering, seed science and technology, food science and technology etc. In addition, he is member of different professional bodies, and his activities and accomplishments include conferences, seminar, workshop, training, and also the publication of research articles, books, and book chapters.

With contributions from a broad range of experts in the field, this volume, Microbiology for Sustainable Agriculture, Soil Health, and Environmental Protection, focuses on important areas of microbiology related to soil and environmental microbiology associated with agricultural importance. The information and research on soil and environmental microbiology presented here seeks to act as a gateway to sustaining and improving agriculture and environmental security.

Part I focuses on soil microbiology, dealing extensively with studies on the isolation, culture, and use of Rhizobium spp. and mycorrhizae to improve soil fertility, plant growth, and yield. This includes research progress on biogeochemical cycles, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), microbial interactions in soil and other soil activities, microbial diversity in soil, biological control and bioremediation, and improvement of beneficial microorganisms (N2 fixers, phosphate solubilizers, etc.).

Part 2 goes on to focus on microbiology for crop disease management and pathogenic control in sustainable environment, with chapters on disease management of agricultural and horticultural crop plants through microbial control and how microbial control may a be a potential solution for a sustainability in agriculture. Part 3, Microbiology for Soil Health and Crop Productivity Improvement, features a chapter on the activity and mechanism of nitrogenase enzyme in soil, which is very important for soil health and crop production and productivity. Part 4 presents two chapters entirely devoted to the environmental pollution and its control, looking at the interaction of microbes in aqueous environments and eco-friendly approaches.

There is an urgent need to explore and investigate the current shortcomings and challenges of the current innovations and challenges in agricultural microbiology. This book helps to fill that need.

This volume will be valuable to those involved with agricultural microbiology, including students, instructors, and researchers.

Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR): An Eco-Friendly Approach for Sustainable Agriculture and Improved Crop Production