Abstract
This book comprises a comprehensive collection of molecular methods for studying microorganisms that occur in the soil or that are associated with plants, at the community, population, taxonomic and functional group levels. It contains 16 chapters encompassing most techniques that are currently available for these purposes, and offers analyses of their respective strengths and limitations. In doing so, it provides a critical and comparative basis upon which an informed choice of technique can be made. It covers molecular based approaches for research on a wide range of microorganisms, including important contributors to biogeochemical cycles such as nitrifiers, denitrifiers and sulfur and iron oxidizers, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, streptomycetes, symbiotic root nodule bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi, as well as plant pathogenic bacteria. By presenting a variety of modern molecular techniques in a single source, the book allows a prospective researcher to select a method that is most appropriate for a particular research requirement. It will be of significant interest to those involved in the fields of soil and plant microbiology, microbial ecology and plant pathology.