What is the role of microorganisms at different stages of ecosystem development for soil formation and plants depend on microorganisms in the soil?
The role of soil microbes is of high interest, since they are responsible for most biological transformations and drive the development of stable and labile pools of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and other nutrients, which facilitate the subsequent establishment of plant communities. Soil microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa, and archaea are essential for the growth of plants by providing nutrients to the plants, through the process of mineralization of organic content. The actions of soil organisms are extremely important for maintaining healthy soils. These organisms can change the physical organization of soil by creating burrows, can add nutrients to the soil through the breakdown of dead leaves, and can help to control the populations of other soil organisms. All soil organisms help decompose nutrient rich organic material (decaying plants, animals, and animal waste), which increases soil organic matter (SOM) that feeds plants. Larger soil organisms, such as earthworms and arthropods, add nutrients to the soil through their waste as they shred and feed on SOM.Microbes can make nutrients and minerals in the soil available to plants, produce hormones that spur growth, stimulate the plant immune system and trigger or dampen stress responses. In general a more diverse soil microbiome results in fewer plant diseases and higher yield.
Soil microorganisms directly influence plant growth by forming a mutual (symbiotic) or pathogenic relationship with the roots and, through the free-living microorganisms (non-symbiotic) that are indirectly capable of switching the rate of nutrient supply to plants. The role of soil microbes is of high interest, since they are responsible for most biological transformations and drive the development of stable and labile pools of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and other nutrients, which facilitate the subsequent establishment of plant communities. Due to their close proximity to plant roots, soil microbes significantly affect soil and crop health. Some of the activities they perform include nitrogen-fixation, phosphorus solubilization, suppression of pests and pathogens, improvement of plant stress, and decomposition that leads to soil aggregation. Microorganisms have several vital roles in ecosystems: decomposition, oxygen production, evolution, and symbiotic relationships. Decomposition is where dead animal or plant matter is broken down into more basic molecules. Microorganisms play an important role in the nutrient cycle. Some bacteria (Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria) secrete phytochemicals and organic acids that are helpful in the growth and development of plants. Microorganisms help maintain soil pH but balance nutrients and minerals. Soil microorganisms are responsible for most of the nutrient release from organic matter. When microorganisms decompose organic matter, they use the carbon and nutrients in the organic matter for their own growth. They release excess nutrients into the soil where they can be taken up by plants.
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