Molecular Soil Biology 2024, Vol.15, No.2, 87-98 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 96 Advances in microbial inoculant technologies, the use of biofertilizers and biopesticides, and the development of microbial consortia offer promising tools for enhancing soil health and crop productivity. These innovations can reduce the reliance on chemical inputs, mitigate environmental impacts, and contribute to the sustainability of rice farming systems. The importance of soil microbiota in promoting sustainable rice cultivation cannot be overstated. These microorganisms are the foundation of soil health, driving processes that are essential for maintaining nutrient availability, improving soil structure, and supporting plant health. By fostering a diverse and active microbial community, sustainable farming practices can enhance the resilience of rice ecosystems to environmental stresses, reduce the need for chemical inputs, and ensure long-term productivity. The interactions between rice plants and their associated microbiota are critical for optimizing nutrient use efficiency and minimizing the environmental footprint of rice farming. As such, the integration of soil microbiota management into agricultural practices is vital for achieving the goals of sustainable agriculture and food security in the face of global challenges such as climate change and population growth. Looking ahead, the future of global agriculture will increasingly depend on our ability to harness the potential of soil microbiota for sustainable food production. Further research is needed to deepen our understanding of the complex interactions between soil microorganisms and crop plants, particularly in diverse and dynamic field conditions. Advances in biotechnology, such as the development of tailored microbial consortia and the use of genetic engineering to enhance microbial traits, hold great promise for improving crop productivity and resilience. Moreover, the widespread adoption of microbiota-based management practices will require supportive policies, farmer education, and access to affordable microbial products. As these practices become more mainstream, they have the potential to transform agriculture by reducing dependency on synthetic inputs, enhancing ecosystem services, and contributing to global food security. The integration of soil microbiota management into agricultural systems represents a crucial step toward building a more sustainable and resilient global food system. Acknowledgments We would like to thank two anonymous peer reviewers for their suggestions on my manuscript. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The authors affirm that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References Babin D., Deubel A., Jacquiod S., Sørensen S.J., Geistlinger J., Grosch R., and Smalla K., 2019, Impact of long-term agricultural management practices on soil prokaryotic communities, Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 129: 17-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SOILBIO.2018.11.002 Barea J., 2015, Future challenges and perspectives for applying microbial biotechnology in sustainable agriculture based on a better understanding of plant-microbiome interactions, Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 15: 261-282. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-95162015005000021 Batista B.D., and Singh B., 2021, Realities and hopes in the application of microbial tools in agriculture, Microbial Biotechnology, 14: 1258-1268. https://doi.org/10.1111/1751-7915.13866 Bernaola L., Cange G., Way M., Gore J., Hardke J., and Stout M., 2018, Natural colonization of rice by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in different production areas, Rice Science, 25: 169-174. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.RSCI.2018.02.006 Chen D., Yuan L., Liu Y., Jianhua J., and Hou H., 2017, Long-term application of manures plus chemical fertilizers sustained high rice yield and improved soil chemical and bacterial properties, European Journal of Agronomy, 90: 34-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EJA.2017.07.007 Chen X., Henriksen T., Svensson K., and Korsaeth A., 2020, Long-term effects of agricultural production systems on structure and function of the soil microbial community, Applied Soil Ecology, 147: 103387. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2019.103387
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