Soil microorganisms are like tiny superheroes, living in a complex and ever-changing world beneath our feet. They face a multitude of challenges, from scorching heat and bone-chilling cold to drought and floods. But these resilient little beings have developed some amazing strategies to survive and thrive in these adverse conditions.

Here are some of their superpowers:

Forming spores: Some bacteria, like Bacillus and Clostridium, can transform into tough, dehydrated spores when things get tough. These spores are practically invincible, able to withstand extreme temperatures, radiation, and even chemicals. When conditions improve, they germinate back into active bacteria, ready to conquer again!

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Bacteria spores

Going into hibernation: When the temperature drops or food becomes scarce, many microorganisms simply take a nap. They enter a state of dormancy, significantly reducing their metabolism and activity. This allows them to conserve energy and wait for better times.

Building shelters: Some clever microbes, like fungi, create intricate networks of filaments called hyphae. These hyphae not only help them explore the soil for food and resources but also provide a protective layer against harsh conditions.

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Fungi hyphae

Adapting their metabolism: Some microorganisms are metabolic chameleons, able to switch their food sources and energy production pathways depending on what's available. This flexibility allows them to survive in a wide range of environments.

Living in communities: Many soil microorganisms don't go it alone. They form complex communities where different species cooperate and exchange resources. This teamwork helps them overcome challenges that they couldn't face individually.

Now, let's talk about the heavyweights of the soil world: the groups with the highest biomass. These are the guys who make up the bulk of the microbial community and play a crucial role in ecosystem functioning.

• Bacteria: These tiny workhorses are everywhere in the soil, and their total biomass can be several times that of all other organisms combined! They perform a variety of essential tasks, from decomposition to nitrogen fixation.
• Fungi: These filamentous marvels are responsible for breaking down organic matter and making nutrients available to plants. They also play a vital role in soil structure and water retention.
• Archaea: These ancient microorganisms are often found in extreme environments, but they also thrive in soil. They contribute to various processes, including methane production and nutrient cycling.

It's important to remember that the soil microbial community is incredibly diverse, with thousands of different species. The specific groups with the highest biomass will vary depending on factors like soil type, climate, and plant cover. But one thing is for sure: these tiny beings are the foundation of healthy soil and essential for a thriving ecosystem.

I hope this gives you a deeper appreciation for the amazing world of soil microorganisms!

Dr Murtadha Shukur thank you for your contribution to discussion

Soil microorganism is not only an important part of soil, but also a dynamic source of substances transformation in soil. When antibiotics enter the soil through excrement discharge or sewage irrigation, the residual antibiotics will change the structure community and the activity of microorganism in the soil, and cause various toxic effects. In the microbial community. The community diversity of soil microorganisms decreased with the increase of the concentration of oxytetracycline. When the concentration of the oxytetracycline reaches 11 μmol/L, 20% of the community diversity of the microorganisms is inhibited. Sulfanilamide into soil and found that the sulfanilamide can reduce the phospholipid fatty acid in the soil, and that the proportion of the bacteria and fungi was reduced by sulfanilamide even after 2 months.

Dr Osama Bahnas thank you for your contribution to discussion

Soil microorganisms have developed various strategies to survive adverse conditions. Some of these strategies include forming spores, which are dormant, resistant structures that can withstand harsh conditions, such as extreme temperatures or lack of nutrients. To respond and adapt to adverse environmental changes, microorganisms employ a striking combination of transcriptional regulatory circuits to sense and translate extracellular stimuli into specific cellular signals, resulting in altered gene expression and protein activities. Microorganisms employ various strategies to survive under adverse conditions. These mechanisms include entering dormancy, forming spores, adapting metabolic pathways, producing protective structures, utilizing DNA repair mechanisms, and engaging in horizontal gene transfer. Bacteria have several mechanisms to respond to unfavorable environmental conditions. One common response is the formation of endosperms, which are dormant, tough structures that allow bacteria to survive in harsh conditions. Almost all prokaryotes have a cell wall, a protective structure that allows them to survive in both hypertonic and hypotonic aqueous conditions. Some soil bacteria are able to form endosperms that resist heat and drought, thereby allowing the organism to survive until favorable conditions recur. Fungi have the highest biomass in soil. The major contribution to their microbial biomass belongs to fungi. The highest fungal biomass (up to 790 μg C/g soil) has been found in the soils with surface organic horizons in the form of thin moss/lichen litters, in which the development of fungal mycelium is most active.Soils contain vast amounts of soil microorganisms capable of utilizing most or all available nutrients present within the soil. However, total soil microbial biomass is typically 2%–3% of the total soil organic matter content, and is rarely greater than 4.5%.