Why this needs to be the era of soil biology

摘要

A number of independent factors have come together to question the principal production model which underpinned much of European agriculture for the final half of the 20th century. During this period agriculture became increasingly dependant on chemical inputs for the supply of mineral nutrients and as the basis of protection from pests, weeds and diseases. While this approach succeeded in reducing the price of food and the reliability of production it gave rise to other problems.