Introduction

Soil is not merely a physical medium for plant growth; it is a complex and dynamic ecosystem that hosts a vast community of microorganisms. This soil microbiome plays essential roles in soil fertility, plant resilience, and agricultural sustainability. However, intensive farming practices can reduce microbial biodiversity, impairing the soil’s ability to support healthy crops in the long term.

In this article, we will explore what the soil microbiome is, its role in plant health, and effective strategies for its management.What is the Soil Microbiome?

The soil microbiome is made up of microorganisms—bacteria, fungi, archaea, viruses, and protozoa—that interact with plant roots and the surrounding environment. This biological system influences several key processes, such as:

Soil structure improvement: Microorganisms promote the aggregation of soil particles, which enhances porosity, water retention, and aeration.

Nutrient cycling: Microorganisms decompose organic matter, improving the availability of micronutrients and other essential elements for plant growth.

Plant growth promotion: Certain microorganisms establish symbiotic relationships with plants, aiding the absorption of essential nutrients and stimulating development through the production of phytohormones and beneficial metabolites.

Pathogen suppression: A diverse and balanced soil microbiome acts as a biological barrier, limiting the growth of pathogenic microorganisms and reducing the incidence of crop diseases by competing for nutrients, producing antimicrobial compounds, and inducing plant resistance.

The Impact of the Microbiome on Soil Health and Agricultural Productivity

What Role Does the Microbiome Play in Soil Health?

The soil microbiome is key to the fertility and resilience of agricultural ecosystems. Its genetic and functional diversity is an indicator of soil quality, as microbial activity affects both ecosystem stability and crop productivity.

Degraded soil microbiomes can result in lower carbon storage capacity, less efficient nutrient recycling, and greater vulnerability to erosion and compaction.

How Do Agricultural Practices Affect the Soil Microbiome?

Conventional agricultural practices—such as excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, as well as intensive tillage—can diminish microbial diversity and encourage the proliferation of opportunistic organisms that negatively impact soil structure and crop health.

Recent studies show that regenerative agriculture systems, which include cover cropping and the application of biostimulants, can help restore microbial biodiversity and improve long-term soil productivity.

Strategies to Restore and Maintain a Healthy Soil Microbiome

1. Crop rotation and diversification
   Monoculture reduces microbial diversity and encourages specific pathogens. Rotating and diversifying crops supports a more balanced and resilient microbial community.
2. Use of cover crops
   Cover crops protect the soil from erosion, increase organic matter content, and provide a substrate for beneficial microorganisms.
3. Incorporation of organic amendments
   Compost and biofertilizers can improve soil structure and enhance its nutrient retention capacity.
4. Reduction in agrochemical use
   Excessive application of fertilizers and pesticides can disrupt the microbial balance and reduce soil biodiversity.

Conclusion

The soil microbiome is a fundamental pillar of agricultural sustainability and ecosystem health. Implementing strategies that foster its diversity and functionality not only improves crop productivity but also contributes to environmental conservation.

Integrating innovative technologies—such as biostimulants that promote the development of beneficial microorganisms—is an effective solution to revitalize life in the soil and strengthen agriculture’s resilience to today’s challenges.

References:

• Trivedi, P., Leach, J.E., Tringe, S.G., Sa, T., & Singh, B.K. (2020). Plant–microbiome interactions: from community assembly to plant health. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 18(11), 607–621.
• Sokol, N.W., et al. (2022). Life and death in the soil microbiome: how ecological processes influence biogeochemistry. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 20(7), 415–430.
• Dubey, A., Malla, M.A., & Yadav, S. (2023). Soil Microbiome: Diversity, Benefits and Interactions with Plants. Sustainability, 15(19), 14643.
• FAO. (2021). Four new reports highlight the importance of the microbiome for food security, soil health, and nutrition.

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What Effect Do Amino Acids Have on Plants?

Amino acids play a fundamental role in plants. They act as the building blocks of proteins, regulate both primary and secondary metabolism, and serve as precursors to essential hormones like auxins, which promote root growth. Additionally, they are involved in photosynthesis, aiding in chlorophyll synthesis, which increases the plant’s capacity to generate energy from sunlight.

Glutamic acid, for example, plays a central role in amino acid metabolism. It acts as a metabolic signal and activates cycles of protein and enzyme synthesis, key molecules for growth and stress resistance.

What Amino Acids Do Plants Lack?

Plants can sometimes be deficient in certain amino acids that are essential for their development. Alanine and glutamate, for instance, are crucial for carbon and nitrogen cycles, which are fundamental to growth and biomass production. Supplementation with these amino acids can enhance the plant’s ability to use nitrogen more efficiently, promoting healthy growth even under environmental stress.

Are Amino Acids Good for Plants?

Yes, amino acids are essential for plant health. Not only do they form proteins, but they also have protective functions against stress. Amino acids such as proline and betaine are known for their ability to protect plant cells from osmotic and oxidative stress, helping plants cope with adverse conditions such as drought, heat, or high salinity.

Amino Acid Technology in Modern Agriculture

At AgriTecno, we utilise advanced technologies to develop products that contain amino acids, which improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). By reducing the need for fertilisers and enhancing the plant’s ability to use the available nutrients, our products contribute to more sustainable agriculture. Additionally, the amino acids in our solutions activate genes responsible for nitrogen assimilation, protein synthesis, and stress resistance.The use of amino acids in agriculture not only improves crop performance but also contributes to more sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices. In collaboration with Ajinomoto, a global leader in amino acid-based technologies, our products offer innovative solutions to maximise plant health and productivity.

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Soil Health: A Pillar of Regenerative Agriculture

Soil health is key to the success of any agricultural system. As soils degrade due to excessive use of chemical fertilisers and intensive farming practices, their ability to retain nutrients and water is reduced, negatively affecting crop production. Healthy soils are essential for maintaining a proper structure, allowing the circulation of air and water, and providing a favourable environment for roots and beneficial microorganisms.

At AgriTecno, we use advanced technologies such as Agriful, a biostimulant designed to improve soil structure and promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms. Agriful contains humic and fulvic acids, which increase soil aggregate stability, allowing better oxygen circulation and greater water retention. This biostimulant also helps increase the availability of nutrients by solubilising phosphates that would otherwise be inaccessible to plants.

Prebiotics for Soil: Maximising Biodiversity

The use of prebiotics in agriculture is an effective strategy to increase soil biodiversity. These organic compounds promote the development of beneficial microorganisms that enhance soil fertility and structure, leading to greater plant growth. Agriful acts as a prebiotic that nourishes these microorganisms, facilitating root colonisation and boosting their ability to solubilise essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus.

Tecamin Raíz: Strengthening Roots and Adapting to Stress

Another key component of our product line is Tecamin Raíz, a biostimulant based on amino acids and trace elements specifically designed to promote root system development. Tecamin Raíz improves water and nutrient uptake, strengthening roots and helping plants better adapt to abiotic stress, such as salinity, droughts, and extreme cold.

Transcriptomic studies conducted on Tecamin Raíz have shown that it activates genes related to root growth and elongation, resulting in greater water and nutrient absorption. Additionally, this biostimulant contains trace elements like boron, copper, and zinc, which are essential for cell division and root development, and also enhances nitrogen-use efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions about Regenerative Agriculture

What is regenerative agriculture?

Regenerative agriculture is a farming approach that seeks not only to preserve but to regenerate soil ecosystems. Through sustainable practices, it promotes biodiversity and improves soil health, leading to increased fertility and crop productivity while also mitigating the effects of climate change.

How can soil be regenerated?

Soil regeneration is achieved through practices such as crop rotation, composting, and the use of biostimulants like Agriful and Tecamin Raíz. These products help improve soil structure, increase water and nutrient retention, and promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms, restoring soil fertility naturally.

Sustainable Agriculture: A Regenerative Future

Adopting regenerative agricultural practices, combined with the use of biostimulants like Agriful and Tecamin Raíz, allows farmers to regenerate soil health, improve crop resilience, and increase production sustainably. At AgriTecno, we are committed to creating biotechnological solutions that not only enhance crop yields but also contribute to the long-term sustainability of the agricultural ecosystem.

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At AgriTecno, we understand the importance of caring for and regenerating this vital resource. Through our biotechnological solutions, we help farmers improve the fertility of their soils naturally and sustainably.

What are the pillars of regenerative agriculture?

Regenerative agriculture aims to restore and enhance agricultural ecosystems through sustainable practices. Its fundamental pillars are:

1. Soil health: Promoting soil fertility by regenerating organic matter, encouraging beneficial microorganisms, and improving soil structure.
2. Biodiversity: Diversifying crops, integrating agroforestry, and fostering local fauna and flora to create natural equilibrium in agricultural ecosystems.
3. Carbon sequestration: Implementing techniques to capture carbon in the soil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
4. Closed nutrient cycles: Optimising resource use and recycling nutrients through composting, crop rotation, and other sustainable practices.

These pillars are closely linked to soil fertility, as healthy and well-managed soil is the foundation for the efficient functioning of these components.

What is soil fertility and why is it important?

Soil fertility is defined as the ability of soil to provide favorable physical, chemical, and biological conditions for plant growth and optimal crop development, ensuring sustained production and yield over time. In addition, fertile soil also:

• Improves water retention.
• Encourages the activity of beneficial microorganisms.
• Enhances crop resistance to diseases and environmental stress.
• Reduces the need for chemical inputs.

Fertile soil is essential for ensuring healthy and sustainable crops, contributing to global food security.

How can soil fertility be improved?

Several practices can help regenerate and maintain soil fertility:

1. Use of biostimulants: Products enriched with humic acids, fulvic acids, and amino acids that improve soil structure, enhance water retention, and promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms.
2. Crop rotation: Alternating different types of crops in a given area helps prevent the depletion of specific nutrients and reduces the prevalence of pests and diseases.
3. Application of organic matter: Compost and other organic residues increase the carbon content of the soil, improving its capacity to retain nutrients and water.
4. Reduced tillage: Minimising tillage helps maintain soil structure and prevent erosion, conserving organic matter and soil biodiversity.

The Role of AgriTecno Products in Soil Fertility

At AgriTecno, we develop biotechnological solutions to regenerate and maintain soil fertility. Our products, designed with advanced technology, contain:

• Humic and fulvic acids: Improve soil aggregate stability, facilitating water and air circulation and enhancing nutrient retention.
• Soil prebiotics: Promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms that decompose organic matter, making nutrients more accessible to plants.
• Amino acids: Help plants optimize nutrient uptake and resist abiotic stress conditions.

Long-term Benefits of Fertile Soil

Investing in soil fertility not only guarantees better yields but also:

• Contributes to sustainable agriculture.
• Reduces dependence on chemical fertilisers.
• Enhances crop resilience to climate change.

Conclusion: Soil, Our Foundation for a Sustainable Future

Soil fertility is the cornerstone of sustainable agriculture. At AgriTecno, we are committed to helping farmers care for this essential resource through innovative biotechnological solutions. Together, we can ensure a greener and more productive future for generations to come.

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What are Biostimulants?

Biostimulants are substances or microorganisms that stimulate plant nutrition processes independently of their nutrient content, with the purpose of improving one or more of the following characteristics:

• Nutrient use efficiency
• Tolerance to abiotic stress
• Soil or rhizosphere nutrient availability

How Do Biostimulants Work?

Biostimulants enhance natural plant processes, helping plants absorb nutrients more efficiently, improve stress tolerance, and recover faster from adverse conditions. Products like Agriful, a highly concentrated soil improver, enhance the stability of soil aggregates, which improves root health, nutrient uptake, and water retention in the soil.

Agriful Antisal is a biostimulant designed specifically to reduce soil salinity, maximising harvest quality by providing calcium to alleviate saline stress. Tecamin Raíz, a specialised rooting agent, stimulates root development, improving nutrient uptake and helping crops resist abiotic stress such as drought and salinity.

In addition, Fertigrain Foliar acts as a liquid biostimulant for foliar application, improving the growth of extensive crops.

European Regulation on Biostimulants (EU Regulation 2019/1009)

The EU Regulation 2019/1009 has established clear guidelines for biostimulants in the European market. For the first time, biostimulants are defined not by their composition, but by their function—what they do for plants. This regulation ensures that biostimulants must demonstrate effectiveness in one of four key areas:

1. Improving nutrient use efficiency
2. Enhancing tolerance to abiotic stress
3. Improving quality traits
4. Enhancing the availability of nutrients in the soil

This new regulatory framework reflects the importance of biostimulants in agriculture and how their impact on crops is expected to be promoted.

Examples of Plant Biostimulants

Biostimulants can come in many forms, including:

• Amino acids: Essential for protein synthesis and stress response.
• Seaweed extracts: Improve plant resilience to environmental stress.
• Humic and fulvic acids: Enhance nutrient uptake and soil structure.

At AgriTecno, we offer a variety of biostimulants such as Agriful, which enhances soil structure and boosts nutrient availability; Tecamin Raíz, which promotes root development; and Fertigrain Foliar, a growth promoter for crops.

Do Biostimulants Work?

Yes, biostimulants have been proven to work effectively in improving plant performance. Agriful has demonstrated its ability to increase soil stability, root health, and nutrient availability, while Tecamin Raíz significantly improves root development, enabling better nutrient and water absorption.

Can Biostimulants Replace Fertilizer?

While biostimulants cannot completely replace fertilizers, they work in tandem to improve the efficiency of nutrient use. Biostimulants help plants absorb and utilise the nutrients provided by fertilizers more effectively, reducing the overall need for chemical inputs.By using biostimulants, farmers can enhance crop growth, improve resilience to stress, and promote sustainable agriculture practices. Products like Agriful, Tecamin Raíz, and Fertigrain Foliar are essential tools in achieving higher yields while reducing environmental impact.

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