Strategies in Improving Plant Growth, Soil Fertility Status, and Microbial Community

Dear Colleagues,

Among the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, there is the promotion of sustainable agriculture, with a sound natural resources management. The sustainable use of soil includes the protection of organic matter contents and microbiota/microbiome, which are essential elements of soil fertility and the biogeochemical cycling of elements. These important components of soil are influenced by extrinsic factors such as geographic location, soil type, climate, and the presence of pathogenic organisms. The intrinsic properties of the soil (i.e., pH, organic matter, texture, and moisture) also have a powerful impact on organic matter contents and microbiota/microbiome and are strictly linked to agronomic practices.

Agricultural soil quality and fertility are threatened by conventional agriculture, which exploits soil resources to meet global food needs. Conversely, sustainable management practices (i.e., conservation agriculture, minimum tillage, and organic agriculture) improve and preserve soil quality and fertility. Cover crops, crop rotation, the application of sustainable fertilizers (e.g., biochar, microbial biofertilizers, biostimulants, and natural amendments), and the reduction of agrochemicals are strategies that improve the soil quality and fertility, shaping the microbial community and soil organic matter contents. These agronomic practices also have positive effects on crops, inducing resistance to biotic and abiotic stress in plants and improving food quality and security.

This Special Issue aims to show, in the current and historical context, how the adoption of these agronomic practices is fundamental to improving the growth and productivity of plants and to counteract the decrease in the fertility of agricultural soils and the consequent loss of microbial biodiversity.

We welcome contributions ranging from local studies to global perspectives on this topic, as well as reviews, communications, and concept papers.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Giancarlo Pagnani
Dr. Marika Pellegrini
Dr. Debasis Mitra
Dr. Periyasamy Panneerselvam
Guest Editors

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