Microorganisms in the Soil of Arid Pastures–Indicators of Health and Assistants in the Evaluation of Biostimulants

Microorganisms living in the soil of arid rangelands play a key role in maintaining their health. These tiny creatures are agents of organic matter decomposition on which soil fertility depends. Species and quantitative composition of microorganisms is an indicator reflecting the direction of biological processes in the soil. In natural conditions, the ratio of different groups of microorganisms shows whether decomposition or synthesis of organic compounds, including humus, prevails. In agrocenoses where humans use organic and inorganic fertilizers, the study of microorganisms helps to assess the availability of nutrient elements to plants. Analysis of the soil microbial community also allows direct assessment of the effectiveness of biostimulant application, i.e. how well plants assimilate the applied macronutrients. The purpose of our study was to determine the health of the soil by the number and ratio of different groups of microorganisms, to identify whether the processes of decomposition (mineralization) or synthesis (immobilization) of nutrients prevail in the soil and to obtain reliable information on the availability of nutrients for plants. The study of microorganisms in the soil of arid pastures is a valuable tool for assessing their ecological state, as well as for developing more efficient and environmentally friendly farming methods.