The umbrella of microbial biotechnology in agriculture covers numerous scientific activities, ranging from production of biofertilizers to that of microbial pesticides; from biological nitrogen fixation to ligno-cellulose degradation; from production of biomass and bio-fuels to transgenic plants.

The object of this book is to cover comprehensively different groups of microorganisms used for sustained productivity of plants important in agriculture, horticulture and forestry.

readers may appreciate the potential and fascination of biotechnological approaches used for utilizing microorganisms in sustainable agriculture, horticulture and forestry. The book is a comprehensive and detailed analysis of the subject.

The book will be useful to students, teachers and researchers interested in microbiology, biotechnology, natural resource management, organic farming and sustainable agriculture, horticulture and forestry.

D. Joseph Bagyaraj: Formerly, Professor & Head, (Department of Agricultural Microbiology), ICAR Emeritus Scientist & NASI Senior Scientist, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK Campus, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

1. Introduction and Historical Perspectives 2. Soil as a Reservoir for Agriculturally Important Microorganisms 3. Nitrogen Fixing Microorganisms 4. Microorganisms Modulating Phosphorus Nutrition of Plants 5. Plant Growth Promoting Rhizomicroorganisms 6. Microorganisms for the Biocontrol/Management of Soil-Borne Plant Diseases 7. Microorganisms for the Biocontrol of Insect Pests 8. Microorganisms for Control of Weeds 9. Microorganisms in Conversion of Agricultural Waste to Compost 10. Mass Production and Quality of Microbial Inoculants