Question

How do microbes help in agriculture?

Answer 1

Microbes' role in agriculture:

1. Microbes increase soil fertility.
2. They're used as a biofertilizer in agriculture.
3. Microbes decompose dead and decaying organic matter and help with the recycling of nutrients.
4. Microbes present within the roots of various plants in a symbiotic association or free-living in the soil provide nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, e.g. Rhizobium within the root nodules of legumes, cyanobacteria (Anabaena) within the roots of fern and cycas, Pseudomonas, Azotobacter, etc.
5. Microorganisms are also used as a biopesticide to control the infestation of pests, insects, etc. E.g. Bacillus thuringiensis.