Soil microbiology

Soil microbiology is all about the different living things that live in the dirt! Just like how you have living things in your body, the soil is full of tiny living things too!

There are different kinds of living things called microorganisms that you cannot see with your eyes because they are very, very small. Some of these microorganisms are called bacteria, fungi, and viruses. They live in the soil and can sometimes help plants grow, while other times they can harm them.

These tiny living things eat and break down dead, old things in the soil like old leaves or tiny bugs. They also work to change the soil in different ways to make it better for plants. Some even capture tiny particles of nutrients to help the plants grow better.

Soil microbiologists, who are the scientists who study these tiny living things, try to understand how different microorganisms work together to make the soil better for plants. They also look at how things like climate change, pollution, and chemicals can affect the microorganisms and the plants that grow in the soil.

In general, soil microbiology is all about understanding the tiny living things in the dirt and how they help or hurt our plants, animals, and environment!