Disease Suppressive Tropical Soils

This volume explores how soils in tropical crop production areas naturally suppress devastating diseases affecting key crops such as rice, banana, cocoyam, and others. While disease-suppressive soils in temperate regions have been widely studied, far less is known about their occurrence and role in the tropics. For the first time, we bring together and document evidence showing how tropical soils contribute to disease suppression, often in regions where crops have been cultivated for time immemorial. For example, research in India has shown that rice has been grown continuously in the same soils for over 3,000 years under monoculture.

By engaging leading researchers as chapter authors, this volume highlights how soil suppressiveness functions in tropical systems and draws parallels with findings from temperate regions. A particular emphasis is placed on the soil microbiome, underscoring its central role in maintaining soil and crop health.