The invisible life that nourishes our agricultural fields

For those who are lovers of agriculture know the importance of this sector for food production and for a long time these spaces or ecosystems were perceived as an inert surface where the only living organisms were plants and to maintain them a series of practices had to be applied throughout the crop cycle to obtain good yields. Nowadays, we have returned to the past and we have recognized that agroecosystems are not inert spaces but systems where a diversity of components interact, among which is the soil.

Speaking of the soil, this important component of agriculture not only serves to provide support to plants, but from under our feet in a world invisible to the naked eye, an intense vital activity that is crucial for agriculture takes place: the activity of soil microorganisms, these small beings, invisible to the human eye, are the foundations of the fertility and health of terrestrial ecosystems, and their role in food production is fundamental. That's why we never tire of repeating that the soil is alive.

Fertile soil is not only an inert mixture of minerals and organic matter, but a complex and dynamic ecosystem inhabited by billions of microorganisms, bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, protozoa and nematodes, among others, which form a diverse and essential community for the functioning of the soil. Soil microorganisms are responsible for breaking down organic matter, releasing nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, which are essential for plant growth. In turn, these nutrients are absorbed by the roots, allowing the crops to thrive.

On the other hand, beyond their role in the nutrient cycle, soil microorganisms also perform other important functions for plant health, according to Soria (2016), some produce plant hormones that stimulate the growth of roots and foliage, while others act as natural biocontrollers, protecting crops from diseases and pests. In addition to this, microorganisms also contribute to the formation and maintenance of the soil structure, adding organic matter and creating pores that allow the circulation of air and water, a soil with a good structure is more resistant to erosion and retains moisture better, which benefits the development of roots and the absorption of nutrients.

Currently, with the focus on sustainable development in agriculture, soil microorganisms are presented as valuable allies, their rational use can contribute to reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, promoting more environmentally friendly agricultural practices. It has been both the study of microorganisms that have begun to develop products or biofertilizers based on microorganisms that are obtained from live microorganisms or their metabolites, and are used to improve soil fertility and plant growth, these products offer an ecological and sustainable alternative to traditional chemical fertilizers, among the fertilizers that may contain microorganisms or their metabolites is compost that is the result of the decomposition of organic material by microorganisms, vermicompost is a kind of compost where earthworms intervene among others.

To maintain the presence of microorganisms in the soil of the agoeecosystems there are various agricultural practices that can contribute to promote the presence and activity of these and consists of reducing the use of chemical inputs that can damage microbial life, use of organic fertilizers that provide organic matter that serves as food for microorganisms and soil management avoiding indiscriminate tillage the ideal would be to minimize soil disturbance and thus protect the habitat of microorganisms.

Dear readers, soil microorganisms are a fundamental part of the agricultural ecosystem, and their care and promotion are essential for sustainable and productive agriculture. By understanding their importance and adopting practices that favor their development, we can contribute to soil health, food quality and environmental preservation.