Reader Comments

Post a new comment on this article

Need for microbial componet

Posted by Laplaze1 on 11 Sep 2014 at 16:59 GMT

These results show (as expected) that re-creating a soil suitable for cultivation de novo will need to take into account the microbial component of the soil. The soils will be sterile and therefore inoculation will be needed. Plenty of fascinating questions there.
- Using legumes with their microbial nitrogen-fixing partner are free-fixing bacteria to bring N into the soil?
- There will be need for decomposers to degrade any organic matter that is present in the soil. What optimal mix?
- Will some of the benficial microbes evolve into pathogens in such a virgin ecosystem?

No competing interests declared.
report a concern respond to this posting