Soil biology and biochemistry - a new direction for South African soil science?
| Autor: | M. H. Graham, R. J. Haynes |
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| Rok vydání: | 2004 |
| Předmět: | |
| Zdroj: | South African Journal of Plant and Soil. 21:330-344 |
| ISSN: | 2167-034X 0257-1862 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/02571862.2004.10635068 |
| Popis: | The importance of soil biology and biochemistry is reviewed from a world perspective but using examples from South African research where appropriate. The significance and relevance of microbial biomass C, basal respiration, metabolic quotient and soil enzymology are discussed and new trends in the measurement of soil microbial biodiversity are summarized. The key role of soil fauna to soil processes is also summarized and the importance of the interrelationships between soil biota are stressed along with the importance of food webs. Specific areas of research carried out in South Africa, such as soil ecotoxicology, vermicomposting and biore-mediation are discussed. Much of the research in soil biology in South Africa is carried out by microbiologists and zoologists. There is a general lack of expertise in this area among soil scientists. For research in this area to grow appreciably, as it has already done on the world scene, soil biology and biochemistry will need to be considered and taught as integral... |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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