Unravelling the Dynamic Role of Beneficial Microbes in Regenerative Agriculture

Abstract

The concept of sustainable agriculture is a well-discussed practice ensuring that it ensures the resilient socio-economic status of a farm without compromising its ill effects on our environment. Although Regenerative Agriculture (RA) is a relatively new term with no set meaning, it is a farming concept based on the notion that “no-size-fits-all”, and it works by fixing degraded land through zero tillage, reducing chemical application, and strengthening agriculture by means of nature-based resources. RA is the next step in sustainable agriculture (SA). Due to the increasing human population, there is immense pressure on the farming world to feed them with increased crop production, for which farmers injudiciously use pesticides and synthetic fertilizers without thinking of their side effects. Here comes the role of beneficial microbes in rejuvenating and healing the soil, water, and plant systems. Unraveling the biota black box using modern molecular methods can help us to find modern molecular suits for beneficial organisms. The incorporation of some of these microbes, viz., Rhizobium, Pseudomonas, Cyanobacteria, Trichoderma, Mycorrhizae, etc., can certainly help to boost up agricultural production globally. Crop productivity is greatly influenced by soil management practices, which influence the microbial diversity and soil microbial processes. Microbes function as a community, not in isolation. This chapter focuses on the diverse roles of beneficial microbes and various processes helping in the regeneration of agriculture. © 2024 CRC Press.