ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the problems of arid land soil management, the contributing role of microflora, and the promise of new technology in selected and improved soil microbial additives. The blue-green algae would be of prime importance in establishing viable soil microecology in arid lands without use of excessive energy supplies from exogenous sources. Much of the land on our planet, approximately 30 to 35 percent, is located in hot, dry regions. An area of this magnitude should to all intents and purposes have vast potential for profitable agricultural production. The blue-green algae, because of their ability to obtain metabolic energy by photosynthesis rather than from agricultural residues and their close interrelationship with other essential soil microorganisms, are an important factor in building fertile soils. The biological agriculturalist has demonstrated that a healthy, well-balanced soil containing adequate levels of organic matter and essential minerals will develop and grow plants in abundance utilizing less water and nutrients.
