Exploring Biotechnological Strategies in the Monitoring of Soil Quality

Land degradation caused by factors such as climate change and pollution is among the prominent environmental challenges currently confronting the world; this has resulted in poor soil quality leading to loss of soil fertility as well as loss of biodiversity. In order to address the adverse implications of climate change and improve food productivity and ecosystem function, it is necessary to minimize land degradation and rehabilitate marginal or degraded lands. This can be achieved through monitoring soil quality, including identifying soil health indicators to detect changes caused by both natural processes and human activities such as changes in land use, pesticide application, and fertilizer use. Monitoring of soil quality can provide valuable information on soil health and ecosystem functioning. Despite the importance of soil monitoring indicators, certain limitations have been observed. In recent times, biotechnological strategies for monitoring soil quality have gained increasing attention in evaluating the soil’s chemical, physical, and biological features as it has allowed for a more efficient and accurate soil quality analysis. Current developments in biotechnology have necessitated the need to explore the prospect of incorporating biotechnological approaches in the monitoring of soil quality. This includes soil enzymes, microbial biomass, diversity, and activities, nano biosensors, metagenomics, etc. The application of biotechnological approaches as sustainable means of monitoring soil quality for possible reclamation of marginal lands forms the basis of this chapter.