Certain bacteria and fungi that can survive in extreme environments can directly help plants withstand adverse abiotic stress.
At MAFA, we often talk about the importance of protecting the soil microbiome. And for good reason: it is practically the foundation of sustainable agriculture. But let’s take a closer look at the critical role microorganisms play in agricultural production.
- Microorganisms are responsible for decomposing organic matter and for recycling and fixing essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
- By forming soil aggregates, they improve water retention and soil aeration.
- Their absence or scarcity means less energy, less water, and less life in the soil. That is why it is essential to restore the soil’s vital conditions to ensure sustainable and profitable agriculture.
- In addition, microorganisms protect crops from certain pests and diseases thanks to the symbiotic relationships they establish with plants through their root systems.
What are the 4 reasons why microorganisms make your plants more resilient?
1/ Enzymes and Phytohormones: Key Tools for Reducing Stress
Certain beneficial microorganisms can produce plant hormones such as gibberellins, which promote cell division and consequently stimulate the growth and elongation of both shoots and roots.
At the same time, the enzymes they produce can inhibit the synthesis of ethylene, a plant hormone that is often generated under stress conditions.
In other words, microorganisms have the ability to mitigate abiotic stress factors and also biotic stress by suppressing plant pathogens through antibiosis and other biological processes.
The enzymes produced by beneficial microorganisms often help inhibit the synthesis of stress-induced ethylene
2/ The Resistance Developed by Microorganisms Becomes Crop Resistance
As climate change intensifies, many microorganisms have developed mechanisms to tolerate the stressful conditions they also experience, such as water scarcity during drought periods. Some bacteria and fungi can even produce spores or highly resistant microscopic structures that act as protective armour against drought.
Bacteria can also produce exopolysaccharides, a protective layer that shields them from harsh environmental conditions. Considering their symbiotic relationship with plants and their role in processes such as nitrogen fixation and nutrient transformation, strong microorganisms within a diverse and healthy microbiome directly contribute to crop resilience.
In other words, microorganisms play a decisive role in strengthening the natural defences of plants.
In fact, it is estimated that plants allocate between 25% and 45% of their total carbohydrate reserves to feed their associated microorganisms. In return, these microorganisms provide nitrogen, phosphorus, micronutrients, and water.
3/ Microorganisms Increase Plant Tolerance to Water Stress
When water becomes scarce, a plant’s ability to absorb nutrients from the soil is significantly reduced. The reason is simple: nutrients become less soluble and therefore less accessible.
This is where microorganisms play another essential role. They improve nutrient availability by dissolving nutrients and transferring them to plants.
Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, some beneficial microorganisms produce phytohormones (plant hormones) that stimulate root development, increasing the root surface area available for water and nutrient uptake precisely when plants need it most.
Another way microorganisms protect plants from stress is by scavenging ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species), which can damage proteins and other molecules involved in plant cell metabolism. By neutralizing these reactive species, microorganisms help protect plants from the harmful effects of water scarcity.
4/ Microorganisms Are Also a Powerful Biocontrol Tool
Another essential function of microorganisms is biocontrol —the suppression of plant pathogens. How do they achieve this? Primarily through three mechanisms:
- Antagonism, by producing metabolites such as antibiotics that directly inhibit pathogens.
- Competition, by competing with pathogens for vital resources, particularly carbon and other nutrients.
- Induced resistance, whereby microorganisms stimulate plants to strengthen their own defence mechanisms.
For example, strains of Pseudomonas spp. and Trichoderma spp. continuously activate the plant’s natural defence systems throughout its life cycle.
In fact, some microorganisms develop multiple biocontrol mechanisms. Certain fungi can even alter the physical structure of roots through lignification or modify the chemical composition of plant tissues.
For all these reasons, the use of microorganisms in biostimulants and biofertilizers represents a natural and effective alternative to synthetic chemical fertilizers.
The biotechnology developed by MAFA is focused on providing solutions that promote optimal soil microbiology, an essential factor in achieving healthy plants and high-quality food production.
