Microbial ecology as indispensable tool in agroecological studies

Abstract

Microbial ecology establishes the interrelationships between microorganisms, macroorganisms
and the environment; it is an indispensable tool in the study of Agroecology since it allows
us to know the microbial diversity present in different agroecosystems. An agroecosystem is an
ecosystem in which the human being exerts an intentional selection on the organism’s composition
and activities, thus agricultural management influences the soil populations. In order to
confirm the last idea, were compared heterotrophic bacteria and filamentous fungi populations
present in soil of three different agroecosystems. Conventional agricultural and agroecological
management showed greater bacterial population, whereas in the plantation of eucalyptus there
was a higher population of fungi. Soil management is determinant in the size and diversity
of fungal and bacterial populations.