SOIL MICROBIOLOGY

Evidences on the development of high quality soils through the actual experiences of farmers from different countries. Revisitation of several dogmas on the way organic matter accumulates in soil. Description of practices that can foster the increase of soil carbon content, its capability of water infiltration and overall sustainability in agriculure. Definition of the microbial roles throughout the above processes.
Nitrogen gas emissions from soil as a function of fertilization pracitices. Role of the bacteria involved in the nitrogen cycle in the various steps.
Microbial hotspots and hot moments in soil.
DNA as the catalogue of all soil bacteria and fungi. Automated DNA extraction from soil. Probes for soil fertility assessment by in-farm measurements via polymerase chain reaction.
Comparison of different bioindicators to reveal the efficiency of ecosystem services in conventional and organic farms, Comparison of species richness-based indicators with those focusing on functional diversity.
Methods to enumerate total microbial diversity in soils and different environments.
Coupling of specific gene targeting analysis with biodiversity surveys in predicting soil fertility.
Notions on biodynamic farming.
Overview of frequently occurring biases and errors in the use of statistics.