The Role of Microorganisms in Agricultural Soil

Today I have a new post about agriculture. What will it be about? Well, it's about how agriculture depends not only on the sun and water to survive, but also on the microorganisms that live beneath the ground: fungi, bacteria, and many other life forms. Archaea and protozoa are the true architects beneath the ground. Well, without further ado, let's begin.

Microorganisms, the invisible creatures of the soil, play a vital role, as they naturally fertilize the soil, decomposing waste and providing nutrients to plant roots. This benefits us too, as we don't have to use as many chemicals on plants.

Both fungi and bacteria are beneficial, as they create a natural barrier against pathogens, again reducing the need for pesticides. However, these microorganisms are very valuable in the soil and for plants, as they considerably improve soil structure, promoting water retention and aeration.

A final benefit of these bacteria for the soil is decomposition and agricultural sustainability, as they continually recycle essential nutrients and promote their availability for crops; in other words, they continue to produce nutrients that benefit crops.

Microorganisms and agricultural authorities play a very important role, as the use of pesticides is causing damage to the soil. Recently, the use of these microorganisms is facilitating the use of fewer chemicals, as I mentioned before, since by improving soil quality, they are also regenerating it, returning nutrients lost due to the excessive use of chemicals.

Tips to Promote Their Activity in the Soil

Here are some tips on how to promote their activity in the soil and promote microbial health.

One way is to use more compost and organic matter in your crops, as I mentioned earlier in my post on traditional methods. Also, avoid the excessive use of synthetic fertilizers and implement crop rotation to diversify the soil microbiota. And lastly, and most importantly, use fewer pesticides and chemicals.

Photos from pixabay