Solving Soil’s Microscopic Mysteries: Introduction to Metagenomics

Oct 27, 2023

Like your gut microbiome, the soil counterpart is composed of all the microorganisms (or “microbes”) that live there. Having this information is incredibly valuable to those who are interested in measuring soil health, including: farmers, agronomists, scientists, and any business invested in agriculture.

How do we know what microbes are in the soil?
There are a few different technologies that can shine a light on the invisible world of microbes. Because it provides the most clear picture, Trace Genomics uses DNA sequencing to understand the soil microbiome. In order to understand how that works, let’s back up a little bit…

What is DNA?
DNA is known as the “blueprint of life” because it contains all the information necessary to “build” a living organism. It’s a biological molecule made up of four different chemical building blocks called bases; you can think of it like a language with four letters in the alphabet.

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Video: How farmers are protecting the soil and our food security | DW Documentary

For a long time, soil was all but ignored. But for years, the valuable humus layer has been thinning. Farmers in Brandenburg are clearly feeling the effects of this on their sandy fields. Many are now taking steps to prepare their farms for the future.

Years of drought, record rainfall and failed harvests: we are becoming increasingly aware of how sensitively our environment reacts to extreme weather conditions. Farmers' livelihoods are at stake. So is the ability of consumers to afford food.

For a few years now, agriculture that focuses solely on maximum yields has been regarded with increasing skepticism. It is becoming more and more clear just how dependent we are on healthy soils.

Brandenburg is the federal state with the worst soil quality in Germany. The already thin, fertile humus layer has been shrinking for decades. Researchers and farmers who are keen to experiment are combating these developments and looking for solutions. Priority is being given to building up the humus layer, which consists of microorganisms and fungi, as well as springtails, small worms and centipedes.

For Lena and Philipp Adler, two young vegetable farmers, the tiny soil creatures are invaluable helpers. On their three-hectare organic farm, they rely on simple, mechanical weed control, fallow areas where the soil can recover, and diversity. Conventional farmer Mark Dümichen also does everything he can to protect soil life on his land. For years, he has not tilled the soil after the harvest and sows directly into the field. His yields have stabilized since he began to work this way.

Isabella Krause from Regionalwert AG Berlin-Brandenburg is convinced after the experiences of the last hot summers that new crops will thrive on Brandenburg's fields in the long term. She has founded a network of farmers who are promoting the cultivation of chickpeas with support from the scientific community.