"Microbes such as bacteria, archaea, and fungi naturally occur in every soil. These microbes perform many different roles vital to the soils, from breaking down organic matter to helping with plant growth. Soil bacteria have been used to improve crop production for many years. The primary function of these beneficial bacteria is to decompose organic matter, provide nutrients to crops, produce hormones to enhance plant growth, improve soil structure, recycle soil nutrients, etc. Healthy populations of beneficial bacteria can help to suppress pathogens and pests, promote plant growth, and increase yield."
https://fruit.wisc.edu/2023/07/18/beneficial-soil-bacteria-role-in-agriculture/
"Soil microbes, biological communities, and the functions they perform are dynamic, complex, and not easily interpreted for field practices. Yet, they are getting more attention as farmers are encouraged to practice more holistic management approaches on their farms."
https://extension.psu.edu/understanding-and-managing-soil-microbes
"Soil microbes (bacteria, fungi, and archaea) perform fundamental functions in soils, such as cycling of crucial nutrients like nitrogen and carbon, breaking down crop residues, and stimulating plant growth. Not all microbial contributions are beneficial—pathogenic microbes negatively impact crop health and yield, and in the worst instances can lead to total crop failure"
https://eorganic.org/node/34646
"The soil microbial variability does not arise from the system per se but is closely linked to the type and amount of soil organic C pool, habitat protection and nutrient availability."
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780128223581000043
"Organic farming helps bolster important beneficial soil fungi, leading to healthier plants. These fungi improve nutrient uptake and soil health, and can help ward off diseases. While synthetic chemicals used in conventional farming reduce the amount and diversity of these microbes, a new study published in Nature: Scientific Reports(link is external) shows that organic farming increases beneficial endophytic fungal communities in multiple crops. In turn, those fungi increase crop growth, health and overall yield."
https://organic-center.org/research/organic-farming-promotes-beneficial-soil-fungi-multiple-crops-and-increases-plant-growth