Microbiological indicators of soil quality and health

This article presents an overview of known and modern microbial indicators of soil quality. It focuses on predictive and informative tests of soil quality and health. Formulas for the overall assessment of soil fertility based on soil biological activity tests are provided. The indices are grouped into four categories: carbon management indices (CMI), structural and dynamic characteristics of microbial communities, enzymatic activity indices (TEI, BIF, GMea, BA12), and stoichiometric and other indicators. Prospects for digitalization of soil microbiological research are discussed, which can improve the reliability of fertility change predictions and enable the development of practice-oriented recommendations for land managers.

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