Agriculture is one of the biggest contributors to climate change. More sustainable crop production based on agroecological principles is seen as a key solution to this challenge. Understanding and improving soil health is the foundation for this approach. Improving soil health provides a considered assessment of key management strategies to enhance the physical, chemical and biological health of soils in achieving sustainable improvements in crop yields. The book reviews the role of cultivation practices as well as organic and other soil amendments, such as biofertilizers. By assessing the dimensions of soil health, and reviewing the wealth of evidence on how well individual techniques contribute to improving soil, the book shows how farmers can achieve sustainable improvements in both productivity and profitability. Improving soil health will be a standard reference for researchers in soil and crop science, government and other agencies responsible for the health of agricultural soils, companies providing soil monitoring and management services and farmers wishing to further their knowledge on the latest developments in effective soil management.

This book mainly focuses on the role of biofertilizers in managing soils for improving higher crops and vegetables as a substitute to chemical fertilizers. Highlights the valuable information for the mechanism of action, factors affecting and limitations of biofertilizers in the wider ecosystem. Presents diversity of techniques used across plant science. Design to cater to the needs of researchers, technologists, policy makers and undergraduates and postgraduates’ students studying, in the field of organic agriculture, soil microbiology, soil biology, soil fertility and fertilizers. Addresses plant responses to biofertilizers.