Soil as a living environment, a medium to be discovered and put to good use.

Soil functions which refers to diversity and activity of living organisms a re often modified by modern high-intensity agriculture. Global nitrogen eco nomy has been changed by synthetic nitrogen fertilisers use and biological nitrogen fixation is less and less valorised. The soil biological potential and its implication in global soil fertility are minimised by massive util isation of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. in a next future soil quali ty couldn't be evaluated without an appreciation of biological properties. Conceptual and methodological approaches involved in soil biology will be u seful tools in complement of traditional soil analysis. Management of the i nteractions in the rhizosphere which is a unique environment where plant ro ot and soil microorganisms meet together is a way to better use of the soil biological potential.