Soil metabarcoding in conventional vs. organic farming practices
Soil is crucial in crops, providing nutrients, physical support, and water for plant development. Soils contain an important diversity of microorganisms (soil microbiome) that provide ecosystem services for food production and climate regulation. Assessing through metabarcoding and metagenomics, soil health is crucial for understanding microbial diversity and ecological dynamics, influencing crop cultivation suitability. This study evaluates the impact of organic versus conventional farming practices on prokaryote and fungal diversity in soils associated with common bean cultivation, highlighting their implications for agricultural sustainability and ecosystem health.