How the soil microorganisms are beneficial to us?
Nutrient cycling Soil organisms play a key role in nutrient cycling. Fungi, often the most extensive living organisms in the soil, produce fungal hyphae. Hyphae frequently appear like fine white entangled thread in the soil. Some fungal hyphae (mycorrhizal fungi) help plants extract nutrients from the soil. They supply nutrients to the plant while obtaining carbon in exchange and thus extend the root system. Root exudates also provide food for fungi, bacteria, and nematodes. When fungi and bacteria are eaten by various mites, nematodes, amoebas, flagellates, or ciliates, nitrogen is released to the soil as ammonium. Decomposition by soil organisms converts nitrogen from organic forms in decaying plant residues and organisms to inorganic forms which plants can use. Residue decomposition Soil organisms decompose plant residue. Each organism in the soil plays an important role. The larger organisms in the soil shred dead leaves and stems. This stimulates cycling of nutrients. The larger s
