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A farmer walking through a green field with a herd of cows

Special Collections

Special Collections

Fostering microbial diversity

Fostering Microbial Activity and Diversity in Agricultural Systems

March 26, 2025

This three-part series focuses on fostering microbial activity and diversity through better management practices and strategies. Part 1 discusses the soil microbiome and its importance along with factors affecting microbial activity in agricultural systems. Part 2 looks at management practices for better microbial activity and diversity. Part 3 examines monitoring and quantification of microbial diversity, challenges for adopting sustainable practices, government policy, and scaling microbial diversity from smaller to larger agricultural systems.

Illustration adapted from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

Secrets of Soil: Exploring the Microbiome and Its Applications

March 26, 2025

The term “microbiome” refers to a collective assembly of microorganisms within a specific environment, including fungi, bacteria, and viruses, influencing dynamic functions within the system. Microbes play a pivotal role in the production of various food items, wines, and medicinal compounds. Their significance in agriculture and ecology is monumental, which will be explored in this two-part series.