Advances in soil quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) techniques for identifying and studying soil microbial communities

Publication date: 04-02-2026
Extent: 22 pages

Contributions by: M. Giles, The James Hutton Institute, UK; A. Cotton, The University of Manchester, UK; and C. Beukes, The James Hutton Institute, UK and University of Pretoria, South Africa

Chapter synopsis:

This chapter explores advances in quantitative PCR (qPCR) techniques for identifying and studying soil microbial communities. The authors begin by describing the principles of qPCR. This is followed by sections discussing factors affecting the reproducibility of qPCR assays, and qPCR targets. They then explain linking soil communities to measured processes. This is then followed by two sections covering case studies and recent developments.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2025.0159.03