A multidisciplinary approach to sustainable agriculture: the impact of microbial and organomineral fertilization on soil bacteria, crop yield, and farmer adoption

Abstract

Soil health and microbial diversity are critical components of sustainable agriculture, directly influencing crop productivity and environmental stability. However, conventional agricultural practices, particularly the excessive use of chemical fertilizers, have led to soil degradation, microbial imbalance, and long-term ecological concerns. These issues have highlighted the urgent need for alternative approaches to fertilization that promote soil sustainability without compromising crop yield. In recent years, microbial inoculants and organomineral fertilizers have gained attention as potential ways to improve soil health and support plant growth. They also offer a safer alternative to chemical inputs by reducing their environmental impact. This study investigates how evidence from microbial, organomineral, and combined application of fertilizers affects soil microbial diversity, soil quality, and crop yield in agricultural fields in Çumra, Konya. To achieve this, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to analyze the dynamics of microbial compartments under different fertilization methods, both before and after planting. Sequencing results revealed clear shifts in microbial composition, particularly highlighting the dominance of Vibrio species after harvest and in continuously cultivated areas, likely linked to irrigation. Some bacterial genera known for their stress tolerance, like Rubrobacter and Microvirga were dominant in previously uncultivated soils before planting. In addition to microbial profiling, soil physicochemical analyses revealed that organic matter and potassium levels were positively correlated with bacterial diversity, especially in the combined treatment group, where organic matter content reached the highest levels. The research results show that the combined use of microbial and organomineral fertilizers stabilizes soil bacterial diversity, improves nutrient availability, and promotes better plant growth compared to using microbial or organomineral fertilizers alone. The interaction between microbial inoculants and organomineral fertilizers maintains a more balanced soil bacterial community compared to application of these fertilizers alone. These findings suggest that adopting a combined fertilization approach may be important to increase agricultural productivity while reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers, which are associated with negative environmental impacts such as groundwater pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Farmers face challenges in implementing sustainable fertilization techniques due to economic constraints, lack of knowledge, and limited access to biofertilizers. Although this research highlights the advantages of microbial and organomineral fertilizers, widespread adoption requires policy support, financial incentives, and technical support to encourage farmers to transition to more sustainable agricultural practices. Addressing these barriers through educational/training programs and government subsidies can accelerate the adoption of biofertilization methods and thereby increase agricultural productivity in an environmentally sustainable manner.