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Effect of Organic Farming on Structural and Functional Diversity of Soil Microbiome: Benefits and Risks

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Plant Biotic Interactions

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Abstract

The significance of microbial diversity in soil has been demonstrated since decades. Assorted variety of microorganisms in soil is fundamental to support soil health, as an extensive diversity of microorganisms is associated with essential soil functions. Several abiotic and biotic factors have been reported to affect the structural and functional diversity of soil microbes. This chapter centers around information related to the application of different biological amendments, and their influential role in shaping soil microbial community diversity, and health. Specifically, it focuses on the application of different organic fertilizers, and their influence on the diversity of microbial communities in arable soil, and upon the risks associated with such amendments, since they can be a source of heavy metals, antibiotics, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and antibiotic-resistant genes carried by mobile genetic elements.

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Acknowledgment

The study was supported by grants received from the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India (BT/PR27680/BCE/8/1434/2018), and Science and Engineering Research Board, Government of India (YSS/2015/001437). US wishes to acknowledge the fellowship received from the University Grant Commission, Government of India.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, India

    Vijay Laxmi Shrivas, Upma Singh & Shilpi Sharma

  2. Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, India

    Vijay Laxmi Shrivas & P. Hariprasad

  3. Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland

    L. Weisskopf

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  1. Vijay Laxmi Shrivas
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  2. Upma Singh
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  3. L. Weisskopf
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  4. P. Hariprasad
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  5. Shilpi Sharma
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Correspondence to Shilpi Sharma .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Amity Institute of Microbial Technology, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Ajit Varma

  2. Amity Institute of Microbial Technology, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Swati Tripathi

  3. Department of Botany, Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Motihari, Bihar, India

    Ram Prasad

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Shrivas, V.L., Singh, U., Weisskopf, L., Hariprasad, P., Sharma, S. (2019). Effect of Organic Farming on Structural and Functional Diversity of Soil Microbiome: Benefits and Risks. In: Varma, A., Tripathi, S., Prasad, R. (eds) Plant Biotic Interactions . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26657-8_9

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