Just as we need nutrients to survive, plants require both nutrients and microbes to grow, flower and produce fruit. Today, we are taking a deeper look at just how important microbes are for our plants and why they matter more than most people realise.
Microorganisms and Their Superpowers
Deep within the soil of plants growing in the wild, there is a diverse community of microorganisms breaking down organic and mineral nutrients. They do far more than that. They also protect plants from pathogens and support overall resilience.
When looking at the main groups of soil microbes, you will typically find bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, protozoa, nematodes, and algae. Each one plays a unique role.
Bacteria
Bacteria are among the smallest organisms in soil, but they are incredibly abundant.
They do the dirty work, literally. They break down simple organic materials quickly, convert nitrogen into plant-available forms, and decompose root exudates, which are the sugars released by plants into the soil.
Without bacteria, nutrient cycling would slow dramatically.
Fungi
Fungi play a vital role in the soil ecosystem. Many form symbiotic relationships through mycorrhizal networks, which can increase a plant’s effective root surface area by up to 1,000 times, significantly boosting water and nutrient uptake.
Beyond nutrient support, fungi also enhance a plant’s ability to resist pests, disease, and drought. They wear many hats underground, and over 90 percent of terrestrial plants rely on fungal partnerships to survive.
Rhizobacteria
Rhizobacteria often do not receive the spotlight, but they are essential. These beneficial bacteria help plants establish strong root systems and promote growth by enhancing nutrient uptake.
They also produce phytohormones that stimulate root development and act as biocontrol agents against pathogens.
An important note about rhizobacteria and many other microbes is that even when nutrients are present in the soil, plants often cannot access them without microbial help. Rhizobacteria act like a key, unlocking each nutrient door.
Trichoderma
It may not be the mitochondria, but it certainly is a powerhouse when it comes to biological control.
Trichoderma is a beneficial soil fungus commonly found in healthy soils worldwide. Put simply, it is both a bodyguard and a strategist.
This fungus actively attacks harmful pathogens. It can detect dangerous fungi, adjust its growth patterns to move toward them, and release enzymes that break them down. This process is called mycoparasitism. It is particularly effective against root rot.
Like its microbial counterparts, Trichoderma also improves nutrient availability and enhances stress tolerance against drought, salinity, transplant shock, and temperature swings.
These are just a few of the many microorganisms living in wild soils. They are some of the biggest players in the ecosystem, often working quietly behind the scenes without much recognition.
They have been here far longer than we have, around 3.5 billion years. They built the systems we depend on today, and life evolved within those very systems.
We think they deserve a little spotlight.
Let us know which microbes you think deserve some love. We would love to hear from you. Send your microbe facts to hello@wethewild.co, and we will make sure they get the appreciation they deserve.