Useful and practical gardening advice. –Jeff Lowenfels, author, the Teaming Series and DIY Autoflowering CannabisMicroscopic organisms are as important to plant growth as water and light. Microbe Science for Gardeners highlights the essential role of microbes in plant biosystems and soil health, providing practical how-to gardening advice for enhancing plant microbiomes, and debunking common gardening myths.Going beyond soil biology to examine the crucial role of microorganisms in cultivating a productive garden, this accessible guide covers:The interrelationships in microbe populations and between microbes and plantsUnderstanding microbes such as bacteria, yeast, mycorrhizal fungi, and protozoa, both in the rhizosphere and above groundHow common practices such as tilling, crop rotation, and mulching affect the microbe communityHow the savvy gardener can encourage beneficial microorganisms while discouraging those that cause disease or other undesirable effectsAn objective analysis of popularized practices such as controlling fungal-to- bacterial ratios and applying biostimulants, compost tea, or plant probioticsPrevention and cures for dozens of bacterial, viral, and fungal plant diseases.Whether you're a home gardener, market gardener, or micro-farmer, Microbe Science for Gardeners will help you leverage the incredible power of the mighty microbe to grow healthy, strong, thriving plants.1. IntroductionWhy Learn About Microbes?Terms Used in This Book2. The World Under a MicroscopeMicrobes by the NumbersMicrobes Are Important to PlantsMicrobes Can Harm PlantsGardeners Affect MicrobesHow Do Microbes Move Around?How Much Do We Really Know?3. BacteriaHow Do Bacteria Eat?Where Do Bacteria Live?Life Cycle of BacteriaNitrogen-Fixing Bacteria4. FungiWhat do Fungi Eat?Where Do Fungi Live?Life Cycle of FungiPathogenic FungiMycorrhizal Fungi5. YeastLife Cycle of YeastYeast-Plant InteractionsYeast in Hellebore NectarYeast Creates AlcoholicsYeast on LeavesYeast in SoilA Bioindicator of Air QualityA Possible Solution to Plastic Pollution6. Nematodes7. ProtozoaLife Cycle of ProtozoaNutrient CyclingProtozoa-Plant InteractionsPlant Diseases8. VirusesViruses in SoilLife Cycle of a VirusThe Spread of VirusesVirus Infection of MicrobesVirus Infection of PlantsRapid MutationBeneficial Interaction with Plants9. More MicrobesArchaeaActinomycetesCyanobacteriaAlgae10. Microbe CommunitiesMicrobe Communities and MicrobiomesSignaling Between MicrobesMicrobes Attack MicrobesMycorrhizal InteractionsLichens11. Plants Love MicrobesNutrient AvailabilityThe PhyllosphereRhizosphereRhizophagy CycleSeed Microbiome12. Manipulating MicrobesFungal-to-Bacterial RatioEffect of AgricultureBiodiversity13. Bioinoculants for the GardenBioinoculants for SeedsBioinoculants as a Foliar SprayBioinoculants for SoilMicrobes Are No Longer LivingShould Gardeners Use Commercial Bioinoculants?Compost Tea14. PathogensYou Suspect a Disease—What Now?List of Plant DiseasesFighting Plant DiseasesCommercial PesticidesHuman DiseasesEndnotesIndexAbout the AuthorAlso by the AuthorAbout New Society Publishers
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