Management of soil microbiota

The manipulation of soil microflora can involve changes in microbial divers ity and microbial activities and it is carried out for practical purposes. The microbial diversity can be modified by the inoculation of beneficial mi croorganisms into soil or by agricultural management practices. Indigenous soil microorganisms show a remarkable range of catabolic and anabolic activ ities. In addition, they are able to degrade xenobiotics whose molecular st ructure does not resemble that of naturally occurring compounds. It is unkn own how the development of cluster of genes encoding the enzymes involved i n the degradation of these compounds occured. Another way of manipulating s oil microflora is to stimulate or inhibit its activities and these approach es may involve changes in the composition of soil microflora due to both ta rget and non-target effects. Enzymes immobilized on supports resembling soi l colloids can be added to soil so as to increase the activity of microbial reactions.