A microbiota do solo e sua importância na agricultura sustentável

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.4482408075

• Palavras-chave: biodiversidade microbiana; ciclagem de nutrientes; controle biológico de patógenos; fixação biológica de nitrogênio; práticas de manejo sustentável

• Keywords: microbial diversity; nutrient cycling; biological control of pathogens; biological nitrogen fixation; sustanaible managment pratices

• Abstract: This chapter discusses the vital role of soil microbiota in promoting plant health and agricultural sustainability. Soil microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and actinobacteria, are essential for processes such as nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, nitrogen fixation, and biological control of pathogens. Nutrient cycling is highlighted as a critical process for soil fertility and crop productivity, with specific microorganisms playing roles in the decomposition of organic matter and the solubilization of essential minerals such as phosphorus and sulfur. The chapter also emphasizes the importance of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in leguminous plants, mediated by bacteria of the genus Rhizobium, which form beneficial symbiotic associations with plant roots, reducing the need for nitrogenous fertilizers. Furthermore, it addresses biological control of pathogens, where beneficial microorganisms suppress pathogen activity through competition, antibiotic production, and induction of systemic resistance in plants. Agricultural practices that promote the diversity and activity of the soil microbiota are fundamental for soil health, sustainable crop productivity, and the mitigation of adverse environmental impacts, pointing to the need to integrate sustainable management techniques that favor these microorganisms.