Fungal Ministrations in Soil Detoxification, Building, and Health Restoration

Abstract

Soil health refers to its function as a living ecosystem. Food demand for the growing population necessitates boosting of crop productivity. Soil health and crop productivity are closely linked. Various chemicals are often added to the soil at higher doses in an effort to increase productivity, which in the long term deteriorates soil quality. The quality of soil is determined by the availability of essential nutrients. Healthy soil is vital for vibrant microbial diversity. An extensive range of microbes live in soil, which have a participatory contribution in modulating soil properties. The primary role of fungi in the soil ecosystem is decomposition, breakdown of complex substances, plant growth promotion, and biocontrol. Fungi have been extensively studied at pilot and field scale. Employing fungi for biocontrol is also a well-researched area and has a good representation of products in the market. The fungal role in plant growth promotion is relatively an emerging area. This chapter focuses on the role of fungi in defining various functions that impact soil quality. A detailed analysis of the assimilatory actions, dissimilatory reactions, remediatory roles, ecosystem, and regulatory functions of fungi has been discussed. The primary role of fungi is in the soil ecosystem. Additionally, this chapter provides information on commercial products derived from fungi that enhance soil health by way of nutrient acquisition, biocontrol, and bioremediation. The chapter also briefly describes the approaches through which fungi aid in restoring soil health.