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in: Nanomaterials-Microbial Interactions for Soil Health, Plant Growth, and Performance, Elsevier, pp.201-228, 2026
Soil is formed and structured by both geochemical and biological processes. The biological processes, mainly driven by microorganisms, also contribute to the life system of soil flora and fauna. Microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi play an essential role in plant growth, agricultural yield improvement, soil bioremediation and nutrient cycling in the soil. However, some harmful microorganisms can colonize the soil ecosystem, cause plant diseases (phytopathogens) and enter the food chain to infect animals and humans. The study of microbe-soil interactions is therefore of great importance for the health and sustainability of soil ecosystems. Such studies start with the detection and identification of microorganisms. Various methods and tools, including culture-dependent and culture-independent methods, are being developed for this purpose. Rapidness, high sensitivity, environmental friendliness and low cost are the main features that excite scientists to develop advanced tools for diagnosis. Nanotechnology applies these facts through advanced sensors based on nanoparticles that respond to the aforementioned characteristics. This chapter summarizes an overview of the soil microbiome, and the strategies used to detect soil microbes, with a focus on nanoparticle-based tools. In addition, the role of nanomaterials in soil microbial biotechnology is discussed.