Metagenome. soil metagenome

Soil microbial communities are responsible for important functions of agroecosystems, including nutrient cycling and plant growth, carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas emissions, suppression of soil-borne pathogens, and remediation of potentially toxic elements in the environment. Managing soils to harness microbial services and curb soil degradation is an attractive goal for both farmers and policy makers. However, there are still many unanswered questions about the role of specific agricultural practices and combinations of practices in shaping soil microbial communities. An important first step toward biologically beneficial soil management is to assess the effects of regional agricultural practices on microbial communities in a timely manner to identify management impacts. Uncovering management and soil conditions that result in detectable, consistent changes in microbial diversity, composition, biomass, and functions is invaluable for building knowledge about the functional roles of microbial communities in soils.