Advancements in Microbial Biotechnology for Soil Health

This edited book covers the latest trends to improve soil health. It provides an easy-to-understand information to the readers. This book acts as a reference book for various agronomists and research scholars working in the field of agriculture. This edited book covers advanced technologies and practices carried out worldwide to improve soil health. In the present scenario, it is very important to save soil health and replenish it in a sustainable manner from various anthropogenic hazards. As soil is the source to almost all lives on earth and it is duty, the scientific community is developing ways to disseminate and communicate the most recent advancements to restore its health. Content of the book is designed in such a way that it provides a compressive information to the readers to restore the soil health that will ultimately help to improve the health of microbes, animals as well as plants that thrive in the soil and ultimately the quality of life of human being. This book helpsresearch scholars and teachers working in agriculture, horticulture, and environmental management by utilizing advances in microbiology and biotechnology. It is of interest to undergraduate and graduate students, teachers, researchers, environmentalists, agriculture and horticulture scientists, capacity builders, policy makers and all other stakeholders.  

Dr. Ravi Kant Bhatia, presently working as Assistant Professor in the Department of Biotechnology Himachal Pradesh University Shimla-05, India is actively engaged in research activities in the area of Environmental Biotechnology. Dr. Bhatia received his Master in Biotechnology in 2007, HNBGU Garhwal Uttrakhand, Ph. D from Himanchal Pradesh University Shimla. He has vast experience in industry and academia and continuously engaged in teaching and research activities. He has qualified UGC-NET, ICAR-NET, GATE and obtained UGC-PDF fellowship to pursue his Post Doctorate. He has also received SERB-ITS fellowship award to visit Scotland to present his research findings in an international conference. He has published more than 75 research publication, 18 Chapters and two books. He is serving as reviewer for various prestigious national, international journals and received projects from various funding agencies related to environmental microbiology and biotechnology. Beside his teaching and research assignments he is also looking after Biotechnology Incubation Centre (BIC-HPU) to promote bio-entrepreneurship in the field of Environment, Agriculture and Industrial Biotechnology.

Dr Abhishek Walia is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Sciences at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India. He has total 8 years of Teaching and Research experience after obtaining his Doctorate degree. Dr. Walia has published international and national 38 research papers, 5 Review articles, 14 Book chapters, and 2 Conceptual articles. He has received DST-Inspire Fellowship by Government of India. He is Editorial Board Member and Review Editor in international and national journals of repute. He has also Headed the Department of Microbiology at DAV University, Jalandhar, Punjab. Dr. Walia is working in the area of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology and currently focussing on the aspect of agro-residue waste management and transformation to various valuable products for the hilly regions of Himachal Pradesh.