Crops and everything that surrounds them are influenced by various non-living factors of the ecosystem, such as atmospheric conditions, water resources, gases, concentrations of organic and inorganic substances, or energy flows, which are called abiotic factors. .

Water, air, temperature, light, pH, soil salinity, humidity, oxygen and different nutrients, among others, are abiotic factors that impact productive activity and strategies and management must be developed to control them.

Moisture and pH

In the case of soil, moisture content exerts a significant influence on oxygen (O2) levels within it, which affects both the activity of microbial metabolic pathways and the composition of the microbial community.

In the case of soil pH, microbial diversity is restricted to its different low and high levels, and increases at moderate soil pH levels. The pH affects the enzymatic activity, the availability of nutrients and the microbial metabolism, thus influencing its composition.

birch effect

The transition from dry to wet conditions can trigger a phenomenon known as the birch effect, characterized by a pronounced increase in respiration and nitrification processes within the soil.

Under conditions where nutrients are scarce, bacteria can form favorable interactions that are coordinated through quorum sensing, while cooperation is lessened under conditions where nutrients are abundant.

soil structure

With the decrease in the size of the particles (less than 0,25 mm in diameter) in the soil structure, the availability of oxygen (O2) is limited, thus promoting the proliferation of bacteria with anaerobic metabolic capacities.

Inside the macroaggregates (greater than 0,25 mm in diameter), where the O2 concentration is higher, the bacteria tend to adopt an aerobic condition.

On the other hand, the abundance of fungi exhibits a positive correlation with the stability of the macroaggregates within the soil structure.

Temperature

Different bacteria grow optimally at different soil temperatures, and temperature changes can change the composition of microbial communities, but soil temperature definitely affects microbial growth rates and metabolic activities.

These are some of the aspects related to the influence of abiotic factors on crops, in this case the soil, so managing these aspects in agricultural production and its management is vital to obtain results of a better productive performance or a higher quality in the fruit, among other objectives.

Strategies

Polish PhD in Science and biotechnologist Michal Slota is a renowned R&D specialist and great science communicator, author of numerous articles and publications related to different crops, microbial communities, soil, abiotic factors, applications and various aspects related to science in the Agriculture.

This specialist will address the issue of “Strategies to manage abiotic stress through plant nutrition” in the next XXVIII International Blueberry Seminar to be held 13 and September 14 in the halls of Hotel Les Dunes D'or Center De Congrès, in the city of Agadir, Morocco.

To inquire about the booth available click HERE

For purchase your ticket to the 100% face-to-face event click HERE