This review mainly discusses three related topics: the application of ecological theories to soil, the measurement of microbial diversity by molecular techniques and the impact of transgenic plants and microorganisms on genetic diversity of soil. These topics were debated at the Meeting on Soil Emergency held in Erice (Trapani, Italy) in 2001 for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Italian Society of Soil Science.
Ecological theories have been developed by studying aboveground ecosystems but have neglected the belowground systems, despite the importance of the latter to the global nutrient cycling and to the presence of life on the Earth. Microbial diversity within the soil is crucial to many functions but it has been difficult in the past to determine the major components. Traditional methods of analysis are useful but with the use of molecular methods it is now possible to detect both culturable and unculturable microbial species.
Despite these advances, the link between microbial diversity and soil functions is still a major challenge. Generally studies on genetically modified bacteria have not addressed directly the issue of microbial diversity, being mainly focused on their persistence in the environment, colonization ability in the rhizosphere, and survival. Concerns have been raised that transgenic plants might affect microbial communities in addition to environmental factors related to agricultural practice, season, field site and year.
Transgenic plant DNA originating from senescent or degraded plant material or pollen has been shown to persist in soil. Horizontal transfer of transgenic plant DNA to bacteria has been shown by the restoration of deleted antibiotic resistance genes under laboratory in filter transformations, in sterile soil or in planta. However, the transformation frequencies under field conditions are supposed to be very low. It is important to underline that the public debate about antibiotic resistant genes in transgenic plants should not divert the attention from the real causes of bacterial resistance to antibiotics, such as the continued abuse and overuse of antibiotics prescribed by physicians and in animal husbandry.
Terms of Use: This is an academic paper. Students should NOT copy our materials word to word, as we DO NOT encourage Plagiarism. Only use as a guide in developing your original research work. Thanks.
Disclaimer: All undertaking works, records, and reports posted on this website, eprojectguide.com are the property/copyright of their individual proprietors. They are for research reference/direction purposes and the works are publicly supported. Do not present another person’s work as your own to maintain a strategic distance from counterfeiting its results. Use it as a guide and not duplicate the work in exactly the same words (verbatim). eprojectguide.com is a vault of exploration works simply like academia.edu, researchgate.net, scribd.com, docsity.com, course hero, and numerous different stages where clients transfer works. The paid membership on eprojectguide.com is a method by which the site is kept up to help Open Education. In the event that you see your work posted here, and you need it to be eliminated/credited, it would be ideal if you call us on +2348064699975 or send us a mail along with the web address linked to the work, to eprojectguide@gmail.com. We will answer to and honor each solicitation. Kindly note notification it might take up to 24 – 48 hours to handle your solicitation.