CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

The escalating global demand for food, coupled with the adverse effects of climate change and environmental degradation, necessitates sustainable agricultural practices. Microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and archaea, are pivotal in this context. They contribute to nutrient cycling, improve soil structure, and assist in plant growth promotion. For instance, plant growth-promoting microbes (PGPMs) enhance nutrient availability and bolster plant resilience against environmental stresses EM inoculation to the soil can improve the quality of soil, plant growth and yield (Han et al., 2020). Healthy soil ecology has the capability of protecting plants against soil born diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms and parasites. The soil system offers this protection through a balanced relationship between pathogenic and billions of beneficial microorganisms working together in synergy. Chan et al., (2023) observed that presence or absence of these beneficial microorganisms in any soil system precisely distinguishes “living soil” from a “dead soil”. They decompose and ferment organic fraction of the soil system converting it into humus containing nutrients while releasing hormones that facilitate plant growth. They are responsible for providing hormones, nutrients and minerals to the plants through the root system. In addition, they bring together soil particles in the soil structure enabling it to retain nutrients and moisture (Kengo and Hui-lian, 2000).

Agriculture can be defined as the science and practice of cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising animals while utilizing microorganisms to enhance soil fertility, promote plant growth, protect against diseases, and improve agricultural productivity. (Bhardwaj, Ansari, Sahoo and  Tuteja, 2014). Microorganisms play a crucial role in agriculture by enhancing soil fertility, promoting plant growth, controlling diseases, and contributing to organic farming. Their interactions with plants and soil help maintain agricultural productivity and sustainability. They serve as biofertilizers, biopesticides, and bioremediators, making agriculture more sustainable and environmentally friendly. (Glick, 2019). Agricultural price variability plays an important role both at the macro and micro levels. At the macro level, countries likely to be most concerned by macro economic impact of agricultural price variability are the developing or emerging economies that are dependant on agricultural commodities for a large share of their export revenue or whose food imports are significant in balance of payment or fiscal position of government. For exporting countries heavily dependent on agricultural commodities, exceptionally low prices will have immediate balance of payment problem and may curtail investment which can affect capacity utilization and will therefore have significant negative effect on growth. For importing countries faced with exceptionally high prices may experience deterioration in balance of payment and in their public finance. For low-income importing countries, high food prices can result to inflation and high import bills which in turn could worsen the current account balance, as countries have to export more to pay for imports, such deficit may result in the depreciation of the exchange rate

Microorganisms serve as natural biocontrol agents, helping to suppress plant diseases and pests. Beneficial microbes such as Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens produce antibiotics and enzymes that protect crops from harmful pathogens. The use of microbial-based biofertilizers and biopesticides is gaining global recognition as an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic agricultural inputs. This seminar explores the significant contributions of microorganisms to agriculture. Microorganisms are vital for nutrient cycling, such as nitrogen fixation and decomposition of organic matter. In medicine, they are essential for the production of antibiotics and vaccines. Probiotic bacteria support gut health, and some microbes are used in biotechnology for waste treatment and biofuel production.

Microorganisms, often referred to as microbes, are microscopic organisms that include bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa, algae, and viruses. Despite their minute size, microorganisms play essential roles in ecological systems, human health, agriculture, and industry. The collective genome of microorganisms living in and on the human body—in regulating immunity, metabolism, and even mental health (Knight et al., 2019). Additionally, climate change studies have highlighted microorganisms’ roles in greenhouse gas production and mitigation (Cavicchioli et al., 2019).

Statement of the Problem

Despite the well-documented benefits of microorganisms in enhancing soil fertility, promoting plant growth, and enabling sustainable agricultural practices, their potential remains underutilized in many parts of the world. Modern agriculture continues to rely heavily on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which contribute to soil degradation, water pollution, and a decline in biodiversity.

Moreover, there is limited awareness among farmers and agricultural stakeholders about the specific roles and applications of beneficial microorganisms such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria, mycorrhizal fungi, and phosphate-solubilizing microbes. This knowledge gap leads to a lack of adoption of biofertilizers and microbial inoculants that could improve crop yield and soil health in an eco-friendly and cost-effective manner.