Abstract Description

We are all familiar with microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi, which we mostly try to avoid or get rid of because of their association with disease and decay. However, most microorganisms do not cause disease and are very important in keeping our bodies and environment healthy. This is particularly true for soil, where microbes are critical to maintain the function of soil. The concept of soil health is complex, especially in agriculture. Over the years, a rise in input costs, smaller profit margins and degraded soils have led to soil health becoming more than just a buzz word. Agriculturists have taken a keen interest in the role of microorganisms in soil nutrient cycles, to understand the contribution of these organisms to healthier soils and ultimately reduce synthetic inputs. With the rapid development of technology, we have begun to study various microbiomes (bacteria and fungi), which has allowed microbiologists to better characterise and understand their roles in soil environments. The development of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides allowed the production of crops to rapidly increase to feed an ever-growing population. Unfortunately, this technological progress also resulted in degradation of soils, erosion and a loss of nutrients. We are now beginning to see that synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and monocrop systems, have a negative effect on the microbial species composition as well as function in agricultural systems. Ironically, it is to the microbes that farmers now turn to restore soil health and make food production more sustainable. This talk will explore different microbial species and their lifestyles in soil, and their contribution to sustainable food production.