How Beneficial Microbes Can Help Healthy Farms

Microorganisms' Impact on Soil, Plants, Animals, & Environmental Health

Beneficial microorganisms play a vital role in agriculture by improving soil health, plant growth, animal health, and environmental sustainability. These microbes work symbiotically with plants and animals, exchanging nutrients and promoting growth and health. As our understanding of the importance of beneficial microbes grows, so does our ability to promote healthier and more sustainable agricultural practices.

However, it is important to acknowledge the complexity and diversity of ecosystems and the microorganisms within them. Microorganisms can have both beneficial and harmful effects depending on the context, their interactions with other organisms, and the broader ecosystem dynamics. For example, some microorganisms can break down pollutants, decompose organic matter, and fix nitrogen, while others can cause disease or disrupt ecosystem balance.

Labeling all microorganisms as beneficial based on the complexity of ecosystems would be an oversimplification, as it doesn't account for the intricate relationships and dependencies that exist within these systems. Recognizing the context-specific nature of these relationships is essential to understanding the role of microorganisms in the ecosystem.

In this blog post, we will explore the role of beneficial microbes in agriculture, specifically how they can help to promote healthy farms. We will examine their role in soil health, plant growth, and animal health and discuss the environmental benefits of promoting beneficial microbes in agriculture.

The role of beneficial microbes in soil health

Soil health is vital to agriculture, as healthy soil can promote plant growth, nutrient uptake and cycling, carbon sequestration, water purification, soil structure, crop yields, and more. It can also reduce the risk of soil erosion, runoff, and environmental degradation.

However, it is not sufficient to have beneficial microbes in your soil, they need to be in balance with one another.  The ratio between bacteria and fungi in a natural environment is typically 1:1. For example, before bacteria can release nutrients to the plant, fungi must break down organic matter into the soil. Bacteria and fungi work in harmony with each other in the soil to keep nutrient pathways open.

When in balance, beneficial microbes can improve soil health by promoting soil structure, nutrient cycling, and disease suppression. Soil structure is essential for soil health, as it allows for the movement of air and water, which helps plants to access nutrients and reduces the risk of soil compaction. A wide array of beneficial microorganisms can help improve soil structure by producing organic compounds that bind soil particles together, creating channels that allow air and water movement.

In addition to improving soil structure, beneficial microbes also help cycle nutrients through the soil. This means they break down organic matter and other nutrients, making them available for plant uptake. By promoting nutrient cycling, beneficial microbes can help to reduce the need for fertilizers and other inputs, reducing input costs for farmers and minimizing the environmental impact of agriculture.

Beneficial microbes also play a critical role in disease suppression. This can help to reduce the need for synthetic pesticides and other chemicals, further promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Some specific examples of beneficial microbes for soil health include the nitrogen-fixing bacteria Rhizobium and Bradyrhizobium, which can reduce the need for nitrogen fertilizers and promote soil health, Burkholderia and  Pseudomonas, which can carry out phosphate solubilization, Purpureocillium and Duddingtonia flagrans which can suppress harmful nematodes, and Bacillus cereus which can mitigate salt stress on plants. Also, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) Bacillus subtilis, can reduce the need for synthetic pesticides and promote natural disease suppression.

The role of beneficial microbes in plant health

Beneficial microbes play a crucial role in promoting healthy plant growth and health. They can improve plant nutrient uptake, promote disease resistance, and enhance stress tolerance. By working in symbiosis with plants, beneficial microbes can improve their overall health and productivity.

One way that beneficial microbes improve plant health is by increasing nutrient availability. Some microbes, such as mycorrhizal fungi, can increase the surface area of plant roots and improve nutrient uptake by creating a network of mycelium external to the tree roots that extend into the soil. This mycelium absorbs nutrients and transfers them back to the host plant, increasing the absorption surface area of the roots. The hyphae enter the root and create swellings for nutrient storage structures where nutrients are transferred between fungus and plant. Mycorrhizal fungal hyphae occupy soil volumes that are inaccessible to plant roots, allowing them to explore soil more efficiently than plant roots. The extra-radical mycelium can effectively improve nutrient uptake, thereby improving plant growth and development.

Other microbes can help fix nitrogen in the soil, an essential nutrient for plant growth. One example is Azospirillum, a nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which can enhance plant growth by increasing the number of lateral roots and root hairs length, which maximizes the surface area available for nutrient absorption, resulting in a greater capacity for nutrient uptake and improved water status. Azospirillum can also promote plant growth by mechanisms of tolerance of abiotic stresses, named as induced systemic tolerance. These bacteria positively influence the growth and development of plants by producing auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins that are essential for plant health.

Hormone producers are microbial species that release vital phytohormones that support plant growth, metabolism, and stress tolerance. Phytohormones are the chemical messenger that coordinates many functions in plants. They are synthesized not only by plants but also by microbes as part of their coexistence and interaction.

Plant Growth Promoters are an important group of Phytohormones:

• AUXIN PRODUCTION (IAA): Responsible for cell division and elongation.

• GIBBERELLIN PRODUCTION (GA): Responsible for elongation, germination, and flowering.

• CYTOKININ PRODUCTION (CK): Responsible for cell proliferation and cell differentiation.

The capability of microbes, like Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, Bacillus, and Azotobacter, to produce these hormones as secondary metabolism benefits plants and positively impacts root development.  

In addition to improving nutrient uptake, beneficial microbes can help suppress plant diseases. Some microbes produce compounds that can inhibit the growth of harmful pathogens in the soil, reducing the risk of disease and promoting healthy plant growth.

Microbial species are often grouped according to the type of pest they fight, capable of preventing pathogenic species from taking hold. The four considered groups are Fungicides, Bactericides, Insecticides, and Nematicides. Biocontrol agents could be predatory parasitoids of pathogens species, or may compete for the same ecological niche with them. The presence of biocontrol agents implies a great potential for positive action of the microbial community for crop health.

For example, Pseudomonas is a bacterium that can improve nutrient availability and promote disease suppression in plants. It does this by increasing macronutrient availability, reducing the severity of diseases, and protecting seeds and roots from fungal infection. Also, Bacillus subtilis can produce compounds that inhibit the growth of fungal pathogens such as Fusarium and Rhizoctonia by secreting antifungal molecules such as lipopeptides. Bacillus subtilis also colonizes plant roots and attacks soil-borne pathogens directly while stimulating the plants to activate their natural defenses. Also, Bacillus thuringiensis can control certain insect pests, and Trichoderma is a genus of fungi that can promote plant growth and suppress soil-borne diseases.

Beneficial microbes can also enhance plant stress tolerance, helping them to withstand harsh growing conditions. For example, some microbes produce compounds that can help plants to tolerate drought, salinity, or extreme temperatures. This can help to improve crop yields and ensure the stability of agriculture in the face of climate change.

Microbial species are often grouped according to their ability to produce metabolites that help plants withstand stress. The seven considered substances are ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate) deaminase, exopolysaccharide production, heavy metal solubilization, salt tolerance, siderophore production, salicylic acid, and abscisic acid.

Stress tolerance promoting substances impact plant growth and development as they improve plants' general health status and metabolism. The presence of different microorganisms with the availability to produce these stress adaptor substances will improve plant development and crop yield.

The role of beneficial microbes in animal health

Animal health is a critical aspect of agriculture, as healthy animals are necessary for producing high-quality products and ensuring the economic sustainability of farms. Beneficial microbes are key in promoting animal health and productivity by improving digestive health and preventing disease.

Some specific examples of beneficial microbes for animal health include Lactobacillus acidophilus, a bacterium that can improve gut health and reduce the risk of digestive disorders in livestock, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a yeast that can improve feed conversion efficiency and reduce the risk of acidosis in ruminants. 

In addition to promoting digestive health, beneficial microbes can help prevent disease in animals. Some microbes produce compounds that can inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and viruses, reducing the risk of disease and promoting healthy animal growth. For example, the bacterium Bacillus licheniformis produces compounds that can inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, such as Clostridium perfringens, reducing the risk of intestinal diseases in poultry.

Beneficial microbes can also improve animal productivity by promoting healthy growth and development. For example, some microbes can help to improve feed conversion efficiency, allowing animals to gain weight more quickly and reducing the amount of feed needed. Other microbes can improve immune function, reducing the risk of infections and promoting healthy growth.

The role of beneficial microbes in environmental sustainability

In addition to their benefits for soil, plant, and animal health, beneficial microbes also play a crucial role in promoting environmental sustainability in agriculture. By promoting healthy soils, plants, and animals, beneficial microbes can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable agriculture practices.

One way that beneficial microbes promote environmental sustainability is by improving soil health. Healthy soils can sequester carbon, which can help mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas levels. Beneficial microbes can improve soil health by promoting soil structure and nutrient cycling, which can increase the capacity of soils to sequester carbon.

In addition to promoting soil health, beneficial microbes can help reduce the need for synthetic inputs, such as fertilizers and pesticides. This can reduce the environmental impact of agriculture by reducing the use of chemicals that can pollute waterways and harm non-target organisms. By promoting natural processes, such as nutrient cycling and disease suppression, beneficial microbes can help to reduce the need for synthetic inputs and promote sustainable agriculture practices.

Best practices for promoting beneficial microbes on farms

Promoting beneficial microbes on farms can be an effective way to improve soil health, plant growth, animal health, and environmental sustainability. Farmers can use various best practices to promote beneficial microbes on their farms, such as composting, cover cropping, and crop rotations.

Composting is an effective way to introduce beneficial microbes to the soil. By composting organic matter, such as plant residues and animal manure, farmers can create a rich source of nutrients and beneficial microbes. Compost can also help reduce soil erosion and runoff risk, promoting environmental sustainability.

Cover cropping is another effective way to promote beneficial microbes on farms. Farmers can improve soil structure, reduce erosion, and promote nutrient cycling by planting cover crops like legumes or grasses. Cover crops can also help to suppress weeds and reduce the need for synthetic herbicides. When cover crops are terminated and left on the soil surface, they can provide a source of organic matter and beneficial microbes for the soil.

Crop rotations can also help to promote beneficial microbes on farms. Farmers can reduce the risk of soil-borne diseases by rotating crops and improving soil structure. Different crops have different nutrient requirements and root exudates, which can promote the growth of different beneficial microbes. Farmers can promote a diverse range of beneficial microbes by rotating crops and reducing the risk of nutrient depletion and disease.

Some specific examples of beneficial microbes for the farm include the nitrogen-fixing bacteria Rhizobium, which can improve the productivity of legume crops, and the mycorrhizal fungi Glomus intraradices, which can improve nutrient uptake in many crop species.

In order to promote beneficial microbes on their farms, farmers can take a variety of steps. They can implement composting programs, plant cover crops, and implement crop rotations. Farmers can also use biofertilizers, microbial inoculants or microbial amendments to introduce beneficial microbes to the soil. By promoting beneficial microbes, farmers can improve soil health, promote healthy plants and animals, and promote environmental sustainability on their farms.

Key Takeaways

In conclusion, beneficial microbes are critical in promoting healthy and sustainable agriculture practices. They can improve soil health, promote healthy plant and animal growth, and reduce the environmental impact of agriculture. By improving nutrient uptake, disease suppression, stress tolerance, and promoting natural processes, beneficial microbes can help to improve crop yields and promote sustainable agriculture practices.

Farmers can implement best practices such as composting, cover cropping, and crop rotations to promote beneficial microbes on farms. They can also use microbial inoculants and microbial amendments to introduce beneficial microbes to the soil. By promoting beneficial microbes on their farms, farmers can improve soil health, reduce the need for synthetic inputs, and promote environmental sustainability.