Many soils around the world are submitted to severe degradation processes by different causes, this fact leads to losses in soil microbial productivity and fertility which need to be restored to recover soil sustainability. The soil management practices can positively affect soil quality and microbial communities, and probably soil microorganism are the most sensitive and rapid indicators to the changes that can induce the restoration of the soil. On the other hand, the use of microorganisms is a widely used approach to improve soil structure, soil fertility, mitigate soil contamination, plant cover establishment, etc. Bacteria, cyanobacteria, actinomycetes, mycorrhizal fungi and other plant growth promoting microorganisms are target topics for a great number of soil scientists and microbiologists This session thus provides a great opportunity to gather the diverse community of scientists studying both the effects of soil restoration (mulching, revegetation, organic matter addition, etc.) on the microbial communities; and the role of microbial inoculations on soil management and sustainable practices.