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: EP 70 Maximizing Soil Function – Stories of Regeneration Part 3

Soil is very much alive. And hungry too. Some estimates go as far as saying that there is more life in a teaspoon of healthy soil than there are people on the planet. You just need a microscope to see the vast majority of it. Or you do what grain farmer Blake Vince did, and bury a pair of “tighty whities” (underwear) in the soil to produce proof of the existence of this vast and diverse soil microbial community.

In the soil, you’ve got well-known critters like earthworms, bacteria and fungi and lesser-known ones like protozoa and nematodes, who have this tendency to eat the bacteria and fungi. In this bustling environment where a lot of things are eating each other, there is an exchange between soil organisms and plants so both sides of the equation get what they need to survive and thrive and produce food for the rest of us living above ground. This interaction between the soil and plants is something that fascinated Blake Vince, who farms mainly soya and corn in southwestern Ontario, it fascinated him at a young age.

Welcome to Stories of Regeneration, a podcast series brought to you by Rural Routes to Climate Solutions and Regeneration Canada. Join me, your host Derek Leahy, as we delve into the importance of supporting an agricultural system that not only prioritizes the health of our land and ecosystems but also ensures the sustainability of our farmers and ranchers. Get ready to explore the transformative power of regenerative agriculture.