Plant–soil feedback (PSF) is the two-way interaction between plants and the soil they grow in, where plants change the soil, and those changes in turn affect future plant growth—often the same species or new ones. In simple terms:Plants shape the soil, and the soil then “remembers” and responds to those plants. How it works: […]
Plant-Microbe Partnerships that Shape Soils Read More »
When we think about feeding plants, we usually picture fertilizers, compost, or watering cans. But beneath every healthy garden and thriving crop lies an invisible workforce that has been feeding plants for millions of years: microbes. These microscopic organisms—bacteria, fungi, archaea, and other tiny life forms—are the unsung heroes of agriculture and natural ecosystems. Without them,
Microbes That Make Food for Plants Read More »
The war in Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has pushed the cost of oil sky high and people all over the world feel it in their pockets when they put petrol in their cars. The big question on everybody’s mind is how much higher are these prices going to skyrocket and
Microbes as Alternatives to Fossil Fuels Read More »
A useful way to understand fermentation is to think of it as microbial chemical engineering at a microscopic scale. The Fermentation Cell as a Chemical Plant In a conventional chemical factory: Raw materials enter the plant. Reactors convert them into products. Engineers control temperature, pH, mixing, and flow rates. Valuable products are harvested. The
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Fungi are among the most overlooked organisms living inside our homes. While some are harmless, others can damage property, contaminate food, and seriously affect human health. Moulds and fungi thrive in damp, poorly ventilated environments and can quickly spread through walls, ceilings, carpets, furniture, and even air-conditioning systems. Understanding where household fungi grow and the
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How Microbes Clean Polluted Soils Microbes — especially bacteria and fungi — are among nature’s most powerful recyclers. Certain species can break down toxic chemicals, absorb heavy metals, or transform dangerous pollutants into less harmful substances. This process is known as bioremediation, and it is becoming an increasingly important tool for restoring contaminated soils around the
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Can Microbes Help Solve the Plastic Crisis? Plastic pollution has become one of the defining environmental problems of the modern age. From remote beaches to deep ocean trenches, plastic waste now contaminates nearly every ecosystem on Earth. Scientists estimate that millions of tons of plastic enter the environment every year, where it can persist for
Plastic Eating Microbes Read More »
Can Microbes Really Replace Chemical Fertilisers? Modern agriculture faces a difficult balancing act: producing enough food while reducing environmental damage, improving soil health, and lowering input costs. One of the most promising tools in sustainable farming is the use of biofertilisers — living microorganisms that help plants access nutrients naturally. Biofertilisers are increasingly being adopted in
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How Your Microbiome Shapes Overall Wellness The connection between fermented foods and gut health has become one of the biggest nutrition trends in recent years—and for good reason. Scientific research now shows that fermented foods do much more than improve digestion. They influence the gut microbiome, strengthen the immune system, reduce inflammation, and may even
Microbes and Gut Health Read More »
A cruiseship the MV Hondius has been at the centre of an international health scare since Saturday (2 May 2026), when the World Health Organisation (WHO) was informed that a rare disease caused by the Hantavirus – usually spread from infected rodents typically through urine, droppings and saliva – was suspected of being behind the
Zoonotic Diseases such as the Hantavirus Read More »
