Molecular Soil Biology 2024, Vol.15, No.2, 59-70 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 66 7.2 Soil Organic matter changes in different agricultural practices Agricultural practices significantly impact soil organic matter (SOM) and microbial communities. A study comparing organic and conventional management systems found that organic practices led to higher microbial biomass and enzyme activities, particularly in soils with crop residue amendments (Arcand et al., 2016). This suggests that organic management can enhance SOM decomposition and nutrient cycling, thereby improving soil fertility. Additionally, the use of household compost in Typic Acrustox soils resulted in increased microbial activity and organic carbon content, further emphasizing the benefits of organic amendments in maintaining soil health (Vinhal-Freitas et al., 2020). 7.3 Microbial decomposition in agroforestry systems Agroforestry systems, which integrate trees with crops or livestock, can influence microbial decomposition processes. Although specific studies on agroforestry were not provided, the principles observed in other agricultural systems can be applied. For example, the addition of organic amendments such as biochar and compost has been shown to support diverse microbial populations capable of decomposing both labile and recalcitrant carbon compounds (Risueño et al., 2021). This diversity is crucial for the resilience of agroforestry systems, as it ensures efficient nutrient cycling and soil health maintenance. 7.4 The role of biochar in enhancing microbial decomposition and soil health Biochar has been extensively studied for its role in enhancing microbial decomposition and soil health. A meta-analysis revealed that biochar addition significantly increased microbial biomass and activities, particularly in soils with low pH and nutrients (Zhang et al., 2018). The structural properties of biochar, such as surface area and porosity, were found to be critical in enhancing microbial activity and community structure. These improvements in microbial functions can lead to better nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration, ultimately enhancing soil health and crop yields. 7.5 Emerging technologies for monitoring and enhancing microbial activity in soils Emerging technologies are being developed to monitor and enhance microbial activity in soils. High-throughput sequencing, for example, has been used to assess the impact of biochar and compost amendments on microbial communities in polluted wetland soils (Liang et al., 2019). This technology allows for detailed analysis of microbial diversity and function, providing insights into how different amendments influence soil health. Additionally, the use of stable isotope probing (SIP) has been employed to trace microbial utilization of crop residues, revealing differences in microbial succession between organic and conventional management systems (Arcand et al., 2016). These advanced techniques are crucial for developing strategies to optimize microbial activity and improve soil health. 8 Challenges and Future Directions 8.1 Challenges in studying and managing microbial communities in soil Studying and managing soil microbial communities present several challenges due to the inherent complexity and diversity of these ecosystems. One significant challenge is the hyperdiverse nature of local soil communities, which has traditionally obscured efforts to identify general global patterns in soil biodiversity and biogeochemistry (Crowther et al., 2019). The complexity of community composition and interactions within the soil environment further complicates our understanding, especially when conventional culture-based methods are often biased and unable to fully capture the functional diversity of soil microbes (Lahlali et al., 2021). Additionally, the impact of agricultural practices on soil microbial communities varies significantly across different biomes, making it difficult to develop universal indicators for soil health and productivity (Trivedi et al., 2016). The stratification and distinct spatial distribution of microbial taxa within soil horizons also add another layer of complexity to studying these communities (Baldrian et al., 2011). 8.2 Advances in molecular techniques for studying microbial decomposition Recent advances in molecular techniques have significantly enhanced our ability to study soil microbial communities and their roles in decomposition. High-throughput molecular technologies, such as metagenomics, metaproteomics, metatranscriptomics, and proteogenomics, have been increasingly used to unravel the diversity
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