Soil Microbiology, Ecology and Biochemistry, Third Edition [Hardcover]

Eldor A. Paul (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 5, 2007 | ISBN-10: 0125468075 | ISBN-13: 978-0125468077 | Edition: 3

Now in its third edition, this classic textbook includes basic concepts and applications in agriculture, forestry, environmental science, and a new section entirely devoted to ecology. This revised and updated edition guides students through biochemical and microbial processes in soils and introduces them to microbial processes in water and sediments. Soil Microbiology, Ecology, and Biochemistry serves as an invaluable resource for students in biogeochemistry, soil microbiology, soil ecology, sustainable agriculture, and environmental amelioration.

NEW TO THIS EDITION:
* New section on Ecology integrated with biochemistry and microbiology
* Sections on exciting new methodology such as tracers, molecular analysis and computers that will allow great advances in this field
* Six new chapters: bioremediation, soil molecular biology, biodiversity, global climate change, basic physiology and ecological interpretations
* Expanded with contributions from leading soil microbiologists and agronomists on both fundamental and applied aspects of the science
* Full-color figures
* Includes a website with figures for classroom presentation use

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a comprehensive text for the study of soil ecology. It covers the subject in sufficient depth for an advanced undergraduate or post graduate course in soil microbiology and biochemistry...the reader soon begins to relate the discussions to plant health and fruit development. The topics are covered to a depth that addresses a wide range of readers, from those who wish an overview of the subject to those who need to know the fundamental microbiology or biochemistry. The 18 chapters are divded into five broad subject areas, starting with background and continuing through the soil biota, interactions, biochemistry, and concluding with the impact of human processes. There is little current appreciation of the impact of cultivation on soil ecosystems, thus we employ few strategies to manage these systems to our advantage. A book like this is food for though."
- Gary Strachan, in FRUIT GROWER

Book Description

This thoroughly updated and expanded edition is the classic teaching text for students studying soil organisms and their processes.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 552 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press; 3 edition (January 5, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0125468075
• ISBN-13: 978-0125468077
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #505,010 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #45 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Agricultural Sciences > Soil Science
  • #66 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Agricultural Sciences > Crop Science

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Standard text for soil microbiology, September 17, 2002

By 

Travis Idol - See all my reviews

This review is from: Soil Microbiology and Biochemistry, Second Edition (Hardcover)

I was a graduate student in soils and forestry when I took a class in soil microbiology that used this text. It is essentially the gold standard for soil micro texts. It isn't overly technical, but it includes a thorough analysis of the basic concepts needed to understand most aspects of soil microbiology research and application. The book uses mostly agronomic examples, but there is enough variety of ecosystems to make it useful for those working in forestry, grasslands, and almost any type of soil. Those interested in detailed discussions of molecular microbial methods or biotechnology may be disappointed, but for the general student looking to understand what those billion microbes per teaspoon of soil are doing, this book is the best introduction out there.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good text book, November 7, 2007

By 

Gene Cloner (St Louis) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Soil Microbiology, Ecology and Biochemistry, Third Edition (Hardcover)

This book has some excellent introductory material if you want to learn about soil microbiology. It is nicely organized with chapters (check the table of contents). A very good improvement over the previous edition in that it talks about some of the recent technology such as metagenomics. I would not recommend it as a reference book for graduate students, but a very good intro text book for grad and undergrads.

4.0 out of 5 stars Concise and cheap!, January 22, 2012

By 

L K. Dexter (Corvallis, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Soil Microbiology, Ecology and Biochemistry, Third Edition (Hardcover)

This book was required for Soil Biology at Oregon State University. Our professor decided to change to this book from "Principles and Applications of Soil Microbiology" (by David M. Sylvia) because students liked how small and cheap it is. It fits well in my purse, actually. I've brought my book to many places to read, and the chapters are concise and well written. Compared to the Sylvia book (which is around $140ish and rather unwieldy), the topics aren't as numerous or fleshed out, but you get what you pay for. However, I don't recommend purchasing this book unless you need it for a class. It's not worth it as a good reference to have on hand. You would have to scour the chapters for the information you want, and it's not even guaranteed to be there. So, good for classes, bad for references afterwards.