SOIL MICROORGANISMS AS A CRITICAL RESOURCE FOR AGRICULTURE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

This project conducted a primary scale survey of soil chemistry and microbiology across a range of agroecological zones in Kenya. It is part of a major project that aimed to bring together a consortium of researchers across sub Saharan Africa to implement a research strategy designed to provide baseline surveys of soil microbial communities. The analyses, took advantage of modern molecular phylogenetic methods including next generation DNA sequencing, aim to establish strong baseline datasets for future use in establishing national genetic resource catalogues, land management and utilization, and in monitoring the impacts of climate change and desertification.