Has biotechnology a role in soil science?

Abstract

Biotechnology is discussed in terms of its potential to improve crop productivity and protect the environment. The topics covered include soil stabilisation, dinitrogen fixation, plant growth enhancement, biocontrol, bioremediation, and sustainability. It seems that soil science and biotechnology are totally interactive and both disciplines will advance where it is recognised that interdisciplinary studies are most valuable. Many advances in medicine and pharmacology are based on developments in soil science, such as the discovery of streptomycin from soil-borne actinomycetes. The soil biota should produce much scope yet for further discoveries, and there seems to be a place for soil science courses in biotechnological, environmental health, and medical education.