The present context of Soil Microbiome:
- A group of researchers have called "soil microbiome" under the "One Health" Goal.
- One Health approach is an integrated disease control and pandemic preparedness approach. It is a collaborative multisectoral and transdisciplinary approach, that recognizes the interconnection of people, animals, plants, and shared environment.
About Soil Microbiome:
The soil microbiome refers to the diverse community of microorganisms—including bacteria, fungi, and viruses—that live in the soil.
These microorganisms play crucial roles in soil health and fertility, influencing processes such as nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and plant growth.
Role of Soil Microbiome in disease prevention:
In terms of preventing pandemics, the soil microbiome itself doesn’t directly prevent infectious diseases in humans. However, it can contribute to overall ecosystem health, which indirectly impacts human health.
The following ways, soil microbiome helps in the prevention of the Pandemic:
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Stability:
- A healthy soil microbiome supports plant growth and ecosystem stability.
- It maintains healthy water.
- It ensures food security by increasing soil fertility.
Disease Suppression:
Some soil microbes have been found to suppress plant pathogens. By promoting healthy plant growth, these microbes indirectly contribute to food security and reduce the likelihood of crop failures, which can be crucial in times of global health crises.
Microbial Interactions:
Soil microorganisms interact with each other and with plants in complex ways. Understanding these interactions can provide insights into how microbial communities might be manipulated to support better agricultural practices or to mitigate the spread of plant diseases.
Human Health Connections:
There is emerging evidence that the microbiomes in various environments, including soil, have links to human health. For example, exposure to diverse microbes from soil has been associated with reduced risk of allergies and autoimmune diseases. This suggests that maintaining a healthy microbiome could have broader implications for human health.
Concerns challenges:
- Soil microbiome works as the reservoir of human pathogens, that cause millions of infections ( typhoid, malaria) each year via direct or indirect interactions.
Way Forward:
- More research is needed to fill the knowledge gaps and overcome the challenges.
- A global knowledge hub network is needed for data collection, knowledge sharing, and policy recommendations.
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