Reflections on microbial genetic resources in agricultural systems

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Microbiology
• Biodiversity Conservation

Background:

• Unsustainable agricultural practices like monocultures and excessive agrochemical use negatively impact Latin America's environment, economy, and health.
• There is a growing global demand for sustainable agricultural inputs, driven by environmental concerns and the need for safe, quality food.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the current research landscape of microbial genetic resources in agriculture.
• To highlight the importance of native agrobiodiversity and its potential for developing novel bioinputs.
• To identify key research trends and applications of microbial genetic resources.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer software.
• Co-occurrence term analysis of 60 scientific articles published between 2020 and 2024.
• Data sourced from Scopus and Web of Science databases.

Main Results:

• Significant research interest exists in microbial genetic resources for plant nutrition, growth regulation, pest/disease control, and stress tolerance.
• Bibliometric analysis reveals trends in the application of microbial resources in agriculture.
• Understanding complex microbial ecological dynamics is crucial for effective real-world application.

Conclusions:

• Microbial genetic resources represent a promising avenue for developing sustainable agricultural bioinputs.
• Preserving and utilizing native agrobiodiversity is essential for Latin America's agricultural future.
• Further research into microbial ecological dynamics is needed for successful implementation and equitable benefit distribution.