Agricultural Microbiology

Agricultural Microbiology

Agricultural microbiology is a branch of microbiology which deals with the study of microorganisms that are involved in various agricultural processes taking place in soil, plants and agro industries.

Agriculturally important processes like the Biological nitrogen fixation, nutrient cycling of Carbon, Sulphur, Phosphorus and Nitrogen are microbe mediated and play a very significant role in replenishing the nutrient supply in soil. Certain microorganisms like bacteria, fungi and viruses are economically important since they cause plant diseases and are responsible for severe crop losses. The study that deals with plant diseases is called plant pathology.

There are microorganisms capable of producing plant hormones thereby enhancing the plant growth. Some micro organisms can be used as biopesticides as they have ability to kill insects that damage plants.