"I've got the magic in me": The microbiome of conventional vs organic production systems

Abstract

The term microbiome refers to the existence of multiple microbial genomes present in an environment in an association with a host. With the development of more precise sequencing approaches, identification of genus and families that were uncultivable microbes has been made possible. The current chapter explores the importance of understanding microbial communities and their association with agricultural production systems with particular attention to endophytic microorganisms. Agri-management practices and their relationship to the selection of microbial variation of taxa by plants and soil have been discussed in detail. The article also discusses how farming practices such as cover cropping and mulching mediate microbial community dynamics. Future perspectives on advancing sustainability by microbiome optimization are discussed.