Do microorganisms release nutrients in soil and how do bacteria and microorganisms ensure the presence of nutrients in an ecosystem?
The basic mechanisms through which bacteria and fungi promote nutrients bioavailability include N fixation, P, K and Fe mobilization through production of organic acids and siderophores. In addition to this, organo-polysaccharides and proteins (golmalin, mucilages and hydrophobins) are also produced that help to promote soil aggregate stability. These processes are carried out by bacteria, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Later group of microbes form a symbiotic association with legume roots infected by N fixing bacteria that increase P, micro and other macronutrients for plant uptake as well as mitigate the effect of water and salt stress. Free-living and symbiotic bacteria enhance plant growth by providing N through atmospheric N2 fixation and produce (phyto)-hormone (auxins, cytokinins and gibberellins) in addition to anti-microbial molecules to protect the crops from diseases.
"M.I Rashid et all. Bacteria and fungi can contribute to nutrients bioavailability and aggregate formation in degraded soils, Microbiological Research, 2016; 183: 26-41."
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