Aims and scope

BIOLOGY AND FERTILITY OF SOILS

This journal publishes original papers, reviews and short communications concerning fundamental and applied aspects of biology (microflora and microfauna), biochemistry and fertility of soils. Special issues on relevant topics, or based on meetings, are also considered for publication in BFS. A few position papers and letters may also published in each issue. Manuscripts should fit within the following main areas:

Soil biology microflora, virus and fauna, their processes, turn-over, and interactions in soil or in model, systems; microbial communities on plant roots and their association (nitrogen fixation, mycorrhiza), molecular signals between roots, between roots and microorganisms and between microorganisms as affected by soil; microbial diversity and soil functionality; gene detection and gene expression in soil; omics in soil; gene exchange in both rhizosphere and bulk soil.

Soil biochemistry reactions, kinetics, activities and localization in the soil matrix of enzymes; metabolic rates and reactions controlling the overall rate of metabolic processes; biotic versus abiotic reactions.

Soil fertility microflora-and-faunal-mediated processes that affect (directly or indirectly) nutrient availability, uptake, soil-root interrelationships and plant productivity in general; modelling of mechanisms and processes in nutrient mobilization, immobilization and organic matter stabilization.

Soil quality effect of contaminants (pesticides, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, etc) on composition and activity of soil biota; bioaccumulation in food chains; behavior of soil borne pathogens; hazard and fate of potentially pathogenic organisms in soil; biological processes involved in production and consumption of greenhouse gas¸processes by soil communities and the role of soil as a carbon sink.

Soil biotechnology unknown microorganisms and new microbial products (enzymes, antibiotics, etc); organisms and processes applied in biotechnology of agricultural wastes and their use in soil; biological control of techniques; inoculation in rhizosphere and bulk soil; manipulations of soil microorganisms; biological remediation of contaminated soils.