By Jamie Martin
Healthy soil microbes are essential for plant growth, ecosystem balance, and natural pest protection. A new study explored how farming practices and farmer beliefs shape soil microbiome functions and crop health.
The research analyzed survey responses and soil samples from organic farmers across New York. Scientists examined how management decisions affect microbial diversity and how these microbes support plant defenses.
“Our goal was to build a socio-ecological model that looks at how farmer beliefs about the soil microbiome mediate their management practices, and how those practices in turn affect ecological responses,” said lead author Elias Bloom, postdoctoral research associate at Cornell.
Using DNA analysis, researchers identified soil microbial communities linked to stronger pest resistance. Laboratory tests showed that soils with healthier microbiomes helped pea plants better withstand aphid attacks.
Three management practices were strongly connected to positive microbiome outcomes. These included limiting soil disturbance through no-till systems or raised beds, planting cover crops such as rye and warm-season grasses and using precise watering methods instead of broadcast irrigation.
The study also found that recent use of pesticides and insecticides harmed beneficial microbes and reduced plant defense abilities. Compost use showed variable effects, depending on soil conditions.
Farmer beliefs played a major role in shaping management choices. Many farmers adopted soil-friendly practices because they believed in their benefits, even when financial incentives were limited.
“It is important to keep in mind that pest suppression is just one function of the microbiome. There are still many unknown functions, and we don’t know which of these will be needed in the future as challenges in agriculture continue to arise, so it’s important to conserve microbial diversity,” said co-author on the study, Clare Casteel.
Researchers are now testing whether sharing microbiome data and conservation payment options can further encourage adoption. The findings support targeted education efforts to help farmers choose practices that improve soil health and long-term farm sustainability.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-sasiistock
Categories: National