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Soil Microbiology is the branch of science that deals with the study of microorganisms living in this environment, their activities and how they affect soil properties, whether in natural or agricultural environments. Bacteria, fungi, archeas, algae, protozoa and micro fauna represent the main microorganisms in the soil. This system also includes viruses, obligate intracellular parasites, which play important roles in controlling the soil population. The microorganisms represent a very small fraction of the soil mass and occupy a volume of less than 1% of its total.
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However, in this small fraction lies an enormous biodiversity, found mainly in the most superficial layer of the soil (10-30 cm deep). This biodiversity is responsible for important soil activities, including metabolic activities, energy flow, cycling and transporting nutrients, pathogen control, xenobiotic decomposition, etc.
Recent advances in biomolecule extraction procedures, DNA sequencing by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), metagenomics, metatranscriptomics and all other “omics” have revolutionized Microbiology and allowed us to study in more detail aspects involved with structure, composition and function of soil microbial communities. This knowledge is fundamental to understanding this system’s resilience to the impacts of natural origin and the modifications caused by global changes and anthropogenic activities.
Read More
However, in this small fraction lies an enormous biodiversity, found mainly in the most superficial layer of the soil (10-30 cm deep). This biodiversity is responsible for important soil activities, including metabolic activities, energy flow, cycling and transporting nutrients, pathogen control, xenobiotic decomposition, etc.
Recent advances in biomolecule extraction procedures, DNA sequencing by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), metagenomics, metatranscriptomics and all other “omics” have revolutionized Microbiology and allowed us to study in more detail aspects involved with structure, composition and function of soil microbial communities. This knowledge is fundamental to understanding this system’s resilience to the impacts of natural origin and the modifications caused by global changes and anthropogenic activities.
