Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Soil microbial diversity plays a crucial role in soil health and ecosystem functioning, particularly in agricultural fields where it influences nutrient cycling, plant growth, and overall soil quality. This thesis presents a comprehensive investigation into the assessment of soil microbial diversity in agricultural fields using Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology. The study aims to utilize NGS techniques to characterize the microbial communities present in soil samples, providing insights into the composition and diversity of soil microbiota. Chapter 1 introduces the research topic, providing background information on soil microbial diversity and the significance of studying microbial communities in agricultural settings. The problem statement highlights the current gaps in knowledge regarding soil microbial diversity assessment and the limitations of traditional methods in capturing the full extent of microbial communities. The objectives of the study are outlined to address these gaps by employing NGS technology to analyze soil microbial diversity comprehensively. The scope of the study defines the geographical and temporal boundaries of the research, focusing on agricultural fields in a specific region. The significance of the study underscores the importance of understanding soil microbial diversity for sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation. The chapter concludes with an overview of the thesis structure and the definition of key terms used throughout the research. Chapter 2 presents a detailed literature review covering ten key aspects related to soil microbial diversity assessment, NGS technologies, and their applications in soil microbiome studies. The literature review synthesizes existing knowledge on soil microbial communities, highlighting the advancements in sequencing technologies and their role in unraveling the complexity of soil microbiota. Chapter 3 outlines the research methodology employed in this study, detailing the sample collection process, DNA extraction, PCR amplification, library preparation, and NGS sequencing protocols. The chapter also describes the bioinformatics analysis pipeline used to process the sequencing data, including quality control, taxonomic assignment, and diversity analysis. Chapter 4 discusses the findings of the study, presenting the results of soil microbial diversity analysis in agricultural fields using NGS technology. The chapter interprets the microbial community composition, diversity indices, and potential interactions among microbial taxa in the soil samples. The implications of the findings for soil health, nutrient cycling, and agricultural sustainability are also discussed. Chapter 5 provides a comprehensive conclusion and summary of the thesis, highlighting the key findings, implications, and contributions of the study to the field of soil science. The chapter also suggests avenues for future research and potential applications of NGS technology in advancing our understanding of soil microbial diversity in agricultural ecosystems. In conclusion, this thesis contributes to the growing body of knowledge on soil microbial diversity assessment in agricultural fields using NGS technology. By leveraging advanced sequencing techniques, this study enhances our understanding of the complex interactions within soil microbiota and their implications for agricultural sustainability and environmental management.

Thesis Overview

The project titled "Assessment of Soil Microbial Diversity in Agricultural Fields Using Next-Generation Sequencing Technology" aims to investigate the microbial diversity present in agricultural soils using advanced molecular techniques. Soil microbial communities play crucial roles in nutrient cycling, soil health, and overall ecosystem functioning. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies offer powerful tools to analyze and characterize microbial communities with high resolution and accuracy. The study will begin with a comprehensive literature review to establish the current understanding of soil microbial diversity in agricultural settings and the potential impacts of agricultural practices on these communities. This review will provide the necessary background information to frame the research questions and hypotheses for the study. The research methodology will involve collecting soil samples from different agricultural fields representing varying management practices and crop types. DNA will be extracted from these samples, and NGS techniques such as amplicon sequencing will be used to analyze the microbial communities present in the soil. Bioinformatics tools will be employed to process the sequencing data and identify the different microbial taxa present in the samples. The findings of the study will be discussed in detail, including the diversity and composition of soil microbial communities in different agricultural fields. The impact of agricultural practices on microbial diversity and the potential correlations between microbial communities and soil health parameters will be explored. The study will also assess the relationships between microbial diversity and soil functions such as nutrient cycling and disease suppression. The project will conclude with a summary of the key findings, implications for agricultural practices, and recommendations for future research. By employing NGS technology to assess soil microbial diversity, this study aims to contribute to the understanding of the complex interactions between agricultural practices, soil microbial communities, and ecosystem sustainability.