Report Cover

Executive summary for policymakers and researchers

This summary is based on 'A review of the impacts of crop production on the soil microbiome: Innovations and policy recommendations to address environmental degradation, climate change and human health', produced by the informal FAO microbiome working group. The review makes clear that the soil microbiome plays a pivotal role in ecosystem health, agroecosystems, and the climate system. The review is among the first of several publications by the group that will address different microbiome ecosystems and their relatively underexplored potential to alleviate global problems.

Related Organisations

Connected Content

Soil is an essential natural resource for all farmers. Over recent years many initiatives have sought to provide information and advice on soils and Soil Health, notably AHDB Great Soils. 

The intricate web of relationships between physical, chemical and biological soil components underpins crop and livestock health and productivity.

Soil biology includes a variety of soil microbes, bacteria and larger fauna such as earthworms and collembolans.