Soil Microbiomes: Pivotal Agents of Sustainable Agriculture under Intensive Farming in Bangladesh

The soil microbiomes, comprising diverse bacteria, fungi, archaea, and other microorganisms, forms the foundation of soil health and ecosystem functionality. This review explores the structural and functional aspects of soil microbial communities, including their composition, spatial organization, and interactions, as well as the environmental and anthropogenic factors that shape them. The soil microbiome plays pivotal roles in nutrient cycling, soil structure formation, plant growth promotion, stress mitigation, and greenhouse gas regulation, directly influencing soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics and overall soil fertility. Microbial activities also contribute to climate change mitigation and support sustainable agricultural practices. In Bangladesh, intensive farming practices have significantly altered microbial community composition and functions, posing challenges to soil health and productivity. Strategies such as organic amendments, crop diversification, reduced chemical inputs, and bioinoculant applications are crucial to restoring microbial health in these systems. Understanding the intricate links between soil microbiome structure, function, and agricultural management is essential for promoting sustainable and resilient farming systems under intensive cultivation.