Microbes and man

DETAILS : 

• Author: S. CHANDRA , K.K. Khanna , H.K. Kehri
  
• Publisher: ‎ M/s Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
  
• Publication date: ‎ 1 January 1995
  
• Edition: ‎ First Edition
  
• Language: ‎ English
  
• Hardcover: ‎ 386 pages
  
• ISBN-10: ‎ 8121101166
  
• ISBN-13: ‎ 978-8121101165
  
• Item Weight: ‎ 650  g

ABOUT THE BOOK

Microbes and Man, collectively authored by the prominent Indian botanists and mycologists Prof. S. Chandra, Dr. K.K. Khanna, and Dr. H.K. Kehri, is a sophisticated, conceptually rich volume focusing on applied microbiology and plant-microbe interactions. Published within the framework of advanced botanical and agricultural research in India, this volume serves as an essential reference manual and textbook for undergraduate and postgraduate students of Botany, Microbiology, and Agriculture, as well as researchers exploring sustainable bio-resource management. The primary objective of the text is to provide a balanced, comprehensive evaluation of the dual nature of microorganisms, detailing both their pathogenic threats to human enterprises and their indispensable, life-sustaining contributions to global ecosystems, medicine, and industrial biotechnology.

The book moves systematically through fluid, detailed discussions that bridge basic microbiological principles with practical, real-world human applications. Instead of isolating microbial strains into purely theoretical catalogs, the authors analyze them through a functional lens, highlighting how the microscopic world dictates macro-level environmental and human health outcomes. A significant portion of the text explores agricultural microbiology, unpacking the intricate dynamics of the rhizosphere and soil health. Here, the authors elaborate on beneficial plant-microbe associations, particularly focusing on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and rhizobacterial communities, demonstrating how these microscopic entities act as natural bio-fertilizers and bio-control agents capable of nullifying devastating crop diseases and enhancing soil fertility without chemical interventions.

Beyond soil and plant health, the volume transitions into the historical and modern industrial use of microbes by human civilization. The narrative comprehensively covers the role of fungi, bacteria, and yeasts in the synthesis of life-saving antibiotics, organic acids, enzymes, and traditional fermented products. It also addresses contemporary concerns in environmental microbiology, exploring how microbial systems are engineered for the bioremediation of heavy metals, pollution control, and waste management. Conversely, the book maintains a rigorous focus on microbial pathology, documenting various fungal and bacterial infections that plague economically vital food crops, alongside alternative, eco-friendly strategies like homeopathic and plant-extract-based biological management to curb post-harvest rots. By synthesizing these diverse threads into a single, cohesive narrative, the authors successfully present a holistic view of the microbial world not merely as a source of disease, but as a critical partner in human survival and technological advancement.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Prof. S. Chandra is a legendary academician and former Head of the Department of Botany at the University of Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. With a teaching and research career spanning several decades, he has been a pioneering figure in the Indian Phytopathological Society, specializing deeply in mycology, plant pathology, and microbial biocontrol mechanisms. His extensive research has laid foundational benchmarks for understanding host-pathogen interactions and organic farming practices across South Asia.

Dr. K.K. Khanna and Dr. H.K. Kehri are highly distinguished botanists and long-time research collaborators associated with premier scientific frameworks and the University of Allahabad. Their collective research careers are marked by prolific contributions to soil microbiology, mycorrhizal technology, and alternative disease management models, including innovative studies on managing crop rots using non-toxic botanical and homeopathic formulations.

The authorial style of this trio is characterized by strict technical accuracy, data-driven reasoning, and a highly accessible, pedagogical flow. They excel at translating complex biomolecular data and field observations into comprehensive, readable literature designed to stimulate undergraduate learning while remaining deeply valuable to advanced research scholars in the fields of life sciences and biotechnology.