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.

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.