Linking Soil Microbial Diversity to Modern Agriculture Practices: A Review

Abstract

Agriculture is a multifarious interface between plants and associated microorganisms. In contemporary agriculture, emphasis is being given to environmentally friendly approaches, particularly in developing countries, to enhance sustainability of the system with the least negative effects on produce quality and quantity. Modern agricultural practices such as extensive tillage, the use of harmful agrochemicals, mono-cropping, etc. have been found to influence soil microbial community structure and soil sustainability. On the other hand, the question of feeding the ever-growing global population while ensuring system sustainability largely remains unanswered. Agriculturally important microorganisms are envisaged to play important roles in various measures to raise a healthy and remunerative crop, including integrated nutrient management, as well as disease and pest management to cut down agrochemicals without compromising the agricultural production. These beneficial microorganisms seem to have every potential to provide an alternative opportunity to overcome the ill effects of various components of traditional agriculture being practiced by and large. Despite an increased awareness of the importance of organically produced food, farmers in developing countries still tend to apply inorganic chemical fertilizers and toxic chemical pesticides beyond the recommended doses. Nutrient uptake enhancement, biocontrol of pests and diseases using microbial inoculants may replace/reduce agrochemicals in agricultural production system. The present review aims to examine and discuss the shift in microbial population structure due to current agricultural practices and focuses on the development of a sustainable agricultural system employing the tremendous untapped potential of the microbial world.

Impacts of Ecological Shading by Roadside Trees on Tea Foliar Nutritional and Bioactive Components, Community Diversity of Insects and Soil Microbes in Tea Plantation

“…Soil microbe community diversity is an important indicator for evaluating soil health and it is closely related to crop growth [ 67 ]. Soil microbes decompose organic matter and provide plants with various nutrient elements that can be directly absorbed [ 68 ]. Studies have shown that the soil microbial diversity is higher in compound environments, where a variety of plants coexist, and a suitable soil microbial community is helpful for sustainable tea production [ 69 , 70 ].…”

Impact of Agrochemicals on Soil Biota and Ways to Mitigate it: A Review

“…Application of mancozeb and chlorothalonil within 48 hours can influence nitrification and denitrification processes [36]. Using triarimol and captan reduces the growth of Aspergillus species as well as the development of plants [37]. The application of thiobencarb at 2 to 4 mg/kg inhibits the growth and survival of Azospirillum, Azotobacter, and anaerobic nitrogen fixers under alluvial soil [38].…”

Growing Chinese Medicinal Herbs to Prevent and Treat Chronic Illness

“…During the past half-century, the comprehension of ecological agriculture has moved beyond the mere absence of negatives-the avoidance of toxic chemicals-to the presence of positives. Scientific investigations of soil life are ongoing, along with the means to protect and enhance soil fertility through positive practices such as continuous cover and intercropping (Gupta et al 2022).…”