Abstract Agricultural eco-intensification is based on the optimal management of all components of the agroecosystem. One of the components most sensitive to changes is the soil, where the role of microorganisms present in the rhizosphere is fundamental. That is why this work aims to analyze the potential of using microorganisms as a basis for eco-intensification in agricultural systems. This potential was analyzed with a meta-analysis of 203 publications in the period from 2015 to 2022, whose collection was subjected to a frequency analysis of keywords and thematic axes and a cluster analysis (level 3) of the nodes identified using the Nvivo software. The results indicate that only 5.9% analyzed highlight the importance of soil microbiology in agricultural eco-intensification. It is concluded that agricultural eco-intensification promotes fewer inputs, low production costs, and optimal incomes while conserving the soil, improving water content and quality, restoring soil and habitat health, and reducing the emission of greenhouse gases in the agroecosystem. The strengthening of soil microorganisms as an element of eco-intensification represents a niche to improve agroecosystems’ ecology, productivity, and profitability, taking advantage of and maximizing the ecosystem services they offer. This involves deepening research into these interactions to encourage their adoption by farmers.

Resumen La ecointensificación agrícola se basa en el manejo óptimo de todos los componentes del agroecosistema. Uno de los componentes más sensibles a los cambios es el suelo, donde el rol de los microorganismos presentes en la rizosfera es fundamental. Es por ello que el objetivo de este trabajo es analizar el potencial del uso de microorganismos como base para una ecointensificación en los sistemas agrícolas. Este potencial se analizó con un metaanálisis de 203 publicaciones en el periodo de 2015 al 2022, cuyo acervo fue sometido a un análisis de frecuencias de palabras clave, ejes temáticos y de conglomerados (nivel 3) de los nodos identificados mediante el software Nvivo. Los resultados indican que solo el 5.9% analizado destacan la importancia de la microbiología del suelo en la ecointensificación agrícola. Se concluye que la ecointensificación agrícola promueve menos insumos, bajos costos de producción e ingresos óptimos, a la vez que se conserva el suelo, mejora el contenido y la calidad del agua, restablece la salud del suelo y del hábitat y disminuye la emisión de gases de efecto invernadero en el agroecosistema. El fortalecimiento de los microorganismos del suelo como elemento de ecointensificación, representa un nicho para mejorar la ecología, productividad y rentabilidad de los agroecosistemas, aprovechando y maximizando los servicios ecosistémicos que ofrecen. Esto implica profundizar investigaciones en estas interacciones para alentar su adopción por los agricultores.

Resumo As flores tropicais têm um mercado crescente, devido ao seu aspecto exótico, sendo necessárias técnicas para prolongar a sua vida útil. Assim, este estudo buscou avaliar a eficácia do uso de cera e ácido salicílico (1 mM) em hastes de Heliconia wagneriana armazenadas em baixa temperatura, a fim de reduzir as lesões por frio e prolongar a vida de vaso. Para isso, 120 hastes foram colhidas em uma área comercial. Destas, 60 hastes foram enceradas e secas ao ar; enquanto que 60 hastes não-enceradas serviram como controle. Em seguida, 2 grupos de 48 hastes, tanto enceradas quanto do controle, foram armazenadas a 13 °C e UR de 84% por 5 e 10 dias. Após o armazenamento, as hastes foram colocadas em solução de ácido salicílico (1 mM) ou água. As hastes restantes (12 enceradas e 12 controle) foram mantidas em temperatura ambiente. As variáveis avaliadas foram características anatômicas, perda de massa fresca, consumo de solução, vida de vaso, atividade enzimática (polifenol oxidase e peroxidase) e integridade de membrana. O enceramento manteve o peso fresco e prolongou a vida de vaso das hastes armazenadas em vaso em temperatura ambiente por até mais 2 dias. A vida de vaso das hastes refrigeradas de 5 e 10 dias estendeu-se por 3 e 2 dias a mais, respectivamente, em relação às hastes controle. Nenhum efeito significativo foi observado para o uso de ácido salicílico (1 mM). O tecido das hastes enceradas apresentou menor atividade enzimática, refletindo em menor estresse oxidativo em relação ao controle. Espécies tropicais como as helicônias apresentam baixa absorção de água, sendo recomendado o uso de recobrimento de cera para preservar a turgidez e a vida útil das hastes.

Abstract Tropical flowers have a growing market due to their exotic appearance and thus postharvest techniques are necessary to prolong their shelf life. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of wax and salicylic acid (1 mM) in reducing chilling injury and increase the vase life in stems of Heliconia wagneriana stored at low temperature. For that, 120 stems were harvested in a commercial area. From these, 60 stems were waxed and air-dried; while 60 unwaxed stems served as controls. Then 2 groups of 48 stems from both treated and control were cold-stored at 13 °C and 84 % RH for 5 and 10 days. After storage, the stems were placed either in salicylic acid solution (1 mM) or tap water. The remaining stems (12 waxed and 12 control) were kept at room temperature. The variables evaluated were anatomical characteristics, fresh weight loss, solution uptake, vase life, enzymatic activity (polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase), and membrane integrity. The wax coating maintained the fresh weight and extended the vase life of the stored stems under room temperature for up to 2 more days. The vase life of the cold-stored stems of 5 and 10 days was extended by 3 and 2 more days respectively, as compared to the control. No significant effect was observed for the use of salicylic acid (1 mM). The bracts tissue of the waxed stems showed lower enzymatic activity, reflected in lower oxidative stress compared to the control. Tropical species as heliconia present a very low water absorption, then the use of wax coating is recommended to preserve the turgidity and shelf life of the stems.

Abstract Global phenomena such as climate change threaten the resilience of agroecosystems and therefore food security. Thus, the objective of this paper was to analyze the cumulative nature and outstanding advances in the knowledge of the resilience of agroecosystems as a basis for the development of new trends in the subject. A literature review was conducted using the Web of Science database, considering criteria such as date of publication, disciplines and scientific journals. The search covers the period from 1993 to 2020. One hundred eighty-eight publications were identified, with 2018 and 2019 being the years with the highest number of articles published. The research areas with the most publications on resilience are ecology (71), agriculture (52) and environmental sciences (44). Regarding the connectivity based on the value of intermediate centrality, the areas of greatest interrelationship are mainly: agriculture (0.45), science and technology (0.28), environmental sciences (0.2) and ecology (0.12). In the dynamics and study of resilience, the adaptability of the agroecosystem stands out. The conceptual model of resilience analyzed facilitates its study and is composed of: precariousness, latitude, resistance and panarchy. Therefore, the indicators for quantifying resilience in agroecosystems are heterogeneous and multidimensional. It is concluded that resilience has been conceptually studied as an emerging property from the agroecological approach, recently from the socioecological systems approach, where adaptability and interdiscipline are highlighted as a means to solve complex problems.

Resumen Fenómenos globales como el cambio climático amenazan la resiliencia de los agroecosistemas y por tanto la seguridad alimentaria. Por lo anterior, el objetivo del presente trabajo fue analizar el carácter acumulativo y avances de sobresalientes en el conocimiento de la resiliencia de agroecosistemas como base del desarrollo de nuevas tendencias del tema. Se realizó una revisión de literatura con el uso de la base de datos Web of Science considerando criterios como fecha de publicación, disciplinas y revistas científicas. La búsqueda comprende el periodo 1993 al 2020. Se identificaron 188 publicaciones, siendo 2018 y 2019 los años con mayor número de artículos publicados. Las áreas de investigación con más publicaciones en resiliencia son ecología (71), agricultura (52) y ciencias ambientales (44). Respecto a la conectividad basada en el valor de centralidad intermedia, las áreas de mayor interrelación son principalmente: agricultura (0.45), ciencia y tecnología (0.28), ciencias ambientales (0.2) y ecología (0.12). En la dinámica y estudio de la resiliencia sobresale la capacidad de adaptación del agroecosistema. El modelo conceptual de resiliencia analizado facilita su estudio y está integrado por: la precariedad, latitud, resistencia y panarquía. Por tanto, los indicadores para cuantificar la resiliencia en agroecosistemas son heterogéneos y multidimensionales. Se concluye que la resiliencia ha sido estudiada conceptualmente como una propiedad emergente desde el enfoque agroecológico, recientemente desde el enfoque de sistemas socioecológicos en donde se resalta la capacidad adaptativa y a la interdisciplina como medio para resolver los problemas complejos.

RESUMEN Se evaluó el efecto de tres sustratos elaborados a base de ver micompost y uno a base de compost en el desarrollo de variables fisiológicas de esquejes de tres clones de café: INIFAP 00-28, INIFAP 00-24, e INIFAP 97-14 de café robusta (Coffea canephora P.) y sus interacciones. Se estudiaron 12 tratamientos, alojados en un diseño de bloques en tiras divididas (strip plot) con estructura factorial en los tratamientos (substrato x clon) con cuatro repeticiones, se realizó ANOVA y comparación de medias de Tukey (p ≤ 0.05). En el substrato se evaluaron las variables pH, Conductividad eléctrica (EC), materia orgánica (OM), densidad aparente (Bd), capacidad de intercambio catiónico (CEC), macro y micronutrientes; mientras que en los clones de esquejes de café se evaluaron porcentaje de mortalidad (M), porcentaje de prendimiento de yemas axilares (S), porcentaje de enraizamiento (R), longitud de brote (OI), número de entrenudos (Ni), número de hojas (NI), número de raíces (Nr) y longitud de la raíz (RI). En el sustrato INIFAP, los diferentes tipos de clones de café robusta tuvieron el mayor desarrollo fisiológico. Entre tipos de clones, el clon INIFAP 00-28 presentó el mayor desarrollo fisiológico de la parte fotosintetizadora (prendimiento de yema axilar, longitud de brote, número de entrenudos, número de hojas); no obstante, mostró el menor desarrollo radicular. El clon INIFAP 97-14 mostró el menor desarrollo, y el clon INIFAP 00-24 mostró el mayor desarrollo radicular (porcentaje de enraizamiento, número de raíces y longitud de raíz).

ABSTRACT The effect of three substrates made from vermicompost and one based on compost was evaluated on the development of physiological variables of cuttings from three coffee clones: INIFAP 00-28, INIFAP 00-24, and INIFAP 97-14 of robusta coffee (Coffea canephora P) and their interactions. Twelve treatments were studied, arranged in a strip plot block design with factorial structure in the treatments (substrate x clone) with four repetitions; ANOVA and Tukey’s mean comparison (p ≤ 0.05) was performed. In the substrate, the variables pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), apparent density (Bd), cation exchange capacity (CEC), macro and micronutrients were evaluated; while in the coffee cuttings clones, mortality percentage (M), axillary bud yield percentage (S), rooting percentage (R), outbreak length (OI), number of internodes (Ni), number of leaves (NI), number of roots (Nr) and root length (RI). In the INIFAP substrate, the different types of robusta coffee clones showed the highest physiological development. Among types of clones, clone INIFAP 00-28 presented the highest physiological development of the photosynthesis part (axillary bud yield, outbreak length, number of internodes, number of leaves); however, it showed the least root development. The lowest development was observed in the clone INIFAP 97-14, and the highest root development was observed in the clone INIFAP 00-24 (percentage of rooting, number of roots and root length) while the clone INIFAP 00-28 showed the highest development of the photosynthesis part.

ABSTRACT: The study of traditional agricultural systems performs an option for natural-ecosystems conservation and increase crop production. The slash-and-burn system (RTQ) has been declared obsolete and harmful, but this outlook is inconclusive. The aim of this study is to promote a better understanding of its ecological dynamics, which can guide for take decisions of the rational management of the ecosystems where it is located. A fallow chronosequence of the RTQ was analyzed in a tropical deciduous forest on leptosols, with the objective of describing the relationship of the microbial communities with the fallow period and soil organic matter. It is reported the heterotrophic bacteria functional diversity (Shannon index - H') and its activity, since metabolic profile of the microbial populations using BIOLOG-ECOTM plates, organic matter content, total nitrogen, nitrate, ammonium, extractable phosphorus, texture, bulk density, field capacity and permanent wilting point. The soil physical properties were similar at all over plots. Fallow time affected pH, organic-matter ad nitrates content. No clear relation was found between H' and the fallow time (t) but there were H' significant differences (p < 0.05) between higher and less fallow time.

RESUMEN: El estudio de los sistemas agrícolas tradicionales representa una opción ante la necesidad de conservar los ecosistemas naturales e incrementar la producción de alimentos. Una mejor comprensión de la dinámica ecológica de la roza-tumba-quema (RTQ) puede permitir la toma de decisiones encaminadas al manejo racional de los ecosistemas donde esta se practica. Por lo anterior, el objetivo fue describir la relación de las comunidades microbianas con la materia orgánica y la condición nutrimental del suelo. Se calcularon los índices de diversidad de Shannon (H') a partir del perfil metabólico de las poblaciones con el uso de placas BIOLOG-ECOTM , el contenido de materia orgánica (MO), nitrógeno total, nitratos, amonio, fósforo extractable, textura, densidad aparente, capacidad de campo y punto de marchitez permanente del suelo. Las propiedades físicas no fueron significativamente diferentes. El pH, contenido de MO y de nitratos se modificó con el tiempo de descanso. No se encontró relación entre la diversidad microbiana (H') y el tiempo de descanso (t), pero sí diferencias significativas (p < 0.05) entre las parcelas con mayor y menor tiempo de descanso, siendo más diversa esta última.

ABSTRACT The emission of nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2) and ammonia (NH3) in tropical dairy cattle (CLT) excreta, fed with different percentages of crude protein (CP), was quantified using static cameras. Sampling was performed at different times of day (7:00, 10:00, 13:00, 16:00, and 19:00 local time -LT-). The statistical model employed was a covariance analysis in a randomized complete block design with repeated measures. The variables were analyzed using the Glimmix procedure of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) v. 9.2 with a covariance structure of compound symmetry. The best model that explains the flow of N2O-N and the emission of CO2 and NH3 is that which included the minimum ambient temperature and the pH as covariates, respectively. Treatment with 12 % of CP obtained the highest N2O-N flow and the lowest CO2 emission. Treatment with 14 % CP had the lowest N2O emission and treatments with 14 and 16 % CP reflected higher amounts of CO2 emissions. The hours of the day when there were greater emissions of NH3 were 10:00 and 13:00 LT, which in turn were the hours where less amount of CO2 and N2O was emitted. As the percentage of CP in the different treatments increases, there is also an increase in the weight gain of the animal, being the treatment with 16 % CP, commercial food, the diet that produced the highest increase in kilograms in animals.

RESUMEN Se cuantificó la emisión de óxido nitroso (N2O), dióxido de carbono (CO2) y amoniaco (NH3) en excretas de bovinos de raza criollo lechero tropical (CLT) alimentados con diferentes porcentajes de proteína cruda (PC), mediante el uso de cámaras estáticas. El muestreo de gases se realizó a diferentes horas del día (7:00, 10:00, 13:00, 16:00 y 19:00 hora local -HL-). El modelo estadístico usado fue un análisis de covarianza en un diseño de bloques completos al azar con medidas repetidas. La emisión de gases se analizó mediante el procedimiento Glimmix del Statistical Analysis System (SAS) v. 9.2, con una estructura de covarianza de simetría compuesta. El modelo que mejor explica el flujo de N2O-N y la emisión de CO2 y NH3 es aquel que incluyó como covariable la temperatura mínima ambiental y el pH, respectivamente. El tratamiento con 12 % de PC obtuvo el mayor flujo de N2O-N y la menor emisión de CO2. El tratamiento con 14 % de PC tuvo la emisión más baja de N2O y los tratamientos con 14 y 16 % de PC reflejan mayores flujos de emisión de CO2. Las horas del día en que hubo mayor emisión de NH3 fueron las 10:00 y 13:00 HL, que a su vez fueron las horas en que se emitió menor cantidad de CO2 y N2O. Por último, a medida que aumenta el porcentaje de PC en los diferentes tratamientos, hay un incremento en la ganancia en peso del animal, siendo el tratamiento con 16 % de PC, alimento comercial, la dieta que produjo mayor aumento en kilogramos.

RESUMO As Heliconias têm um grande potencial como flor de corte sendo importante o manejo adequado da cultura. Neste sentido, objetivou-se aplicar alterações ao solo (Biol e Polímero superabsorvente - SAP) e analisar o seu efeito sobre o crescimento de Heliconia psittacorum cv. Tropica. Foi realizado experimento usando o delineamento experimental completamente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos e cinco repetições: SAP (1 g planta-1); Biol (planta de 20 mL-1) + SAP (1 g planta-1); Biol (planta de 20 mL-1) e um controle (sem aplicação). Foi cultivado um rizoma de 20 cm por vaso foram avaliados a altura da planta, número de folhas, área foliar e número de brotos. A análise de variância não mostrou nenhuma diferença estatística (p ≤ 0,05) entre os tratamentos para as variáveis altura de planta, área foliar e número de brotos; porém, obteve-se diferença significativa para a variável número de folhas p ≤ 0,05). Os melhores tratamentos foram Biol, SAP e Biol + SAP. Com a aplicação das alterações de biol e SAP, não foi possível aumentar a altura de plantas, a área foliar e o número de brotações de heliconia. Em relação à aplicação de SAP aos resultados não significativos em Heliconia, espera-se que tratamentos com SAP tenham um efeito melhor na estação seca.

ABSTRACT The Heliconias have a great potential as a cut flower and for this reason an adequate management of the crop is important. The objective of this research was the application of soil amendments (Biol and superabsorbent polymers - SAP) and the analysis on their effect in the growth of Heliconia psittacorum cv. Tropica. An experiment was established using a completely randomized design with four treatments and five repetitions: SAP (1 g plant-1), biol (20 mL plant-1) + SAP (1 g plant-1), biol (20 mL plant-1) and one control (without application). A 20 cm rhizome was planted per pot and were evaluated the height of the plant, the number of leaves, the leaf area and the number of shoots were measured. The analysis of variance did not show statistical differences (p ≤ 0.05) between treatments for the variables of the height of the plant, the leaf area and the number of shoots, but statistical differences were found for the variable number of leaves (p ≤ 0.05), and the best treatments were Biol, SAP, and Biol + SAP. With the application of the biol and SAP amendments, it was not possible to increase the plant height, the leaf area and the number of Heliconia shoots. Regarding the application of SAP to the not found significant results in Heliconia, it is expected that treatments with SAP show a better effect in the dry season.

Abstract Heliconias are grown for production of cut flowers, potted plants and indoor landscapes; however, they are affected by inadequate fertilization and poor water supply. The aim of this research was to analyze the effect produced by foliar and soil fertilization with biol, soil chemical fertilization and application of superabsorbent polymers (SAP) on the growth of heliconia. A randomized complete block design with a split-plot arrangement (A x B x C) and four replicates was used: A) application of biol to the soil (20 mL∙plant-1), chemical fertilization (5 g∙plant-1 of 17-17-17 [N, P and K]), without application (control) and chemical fertilization + biol (5 g∙plant-1 of 17-17-17 + 20 mL∙plant-1, respectively); B) with and without the application of foliar biol (17 mL∙plant-1) and C) with and without application of SAP (2 g∙plant-1). During 180 days of evaluation, variables measured were: plant height, vigor, color, number of leaves, health, leaf area and number of shoots. The best treatments were chemical fertilization and the biol + chemical fertilizer combination. The interaction of these treatments showed the best values in plant height, health, number of leaves, leaf area, vigor and color. The chemical fertilization and biol + chemical fertilizer with SAP application treatments showed statistical differences in number of leaves, leaf area and vigor. Biol use showed significant differences, so it is suggested as a complement in heliconia fertilization. In addition, the use of substrates with a high level of organic matter is recommended as an alternative for water retention.

Resumen Las heliconias son cultivadas para producción de flores de corte, plantas en macetas y paisajes en interiores; sin embargo, son afectadas por la fertilización inadecuada y el abastecimiento deficiente de agua. El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar el efecto producido por la fertilización foliar y al suelo con biol, fertilización química al suelo y aplicación de polímeros superabsorbentes (SAP) en el crecimiento de heliconia. Se empleó un diseño de bloques completos al azar con arreglo de parcelas subdivididas (A x B x C) con cuatro repeticiones: A) aplicación de biol al suelo (20 mL∙planta-1), fertilización química (5 g∙planta-1 de 17-17-17 [N, P y K]), sin aplicación (testigo) y fertilización química + biol ( 5 g∙planta-1 de 17-17-17 + 20 mL∙planta-1, respectivamente); B) con y sin la aplicación de biol foliar (17 mL∙planta-1) y C) con y sin aplicación de SAP (2 g∙planta-1). Durante 180 días de evaluación se midió: altura de planta, vigor, color, número de hojas, sanidad, área foliar y número de brotes. Los mejores tratamientos fueron la fertilización química y la combinación de biol + fertilizante químico. En la interacción los mejores tratamientos fueron altura de planta, sanidad, número de hojas, área foliar, vigor y color. La fertilización química y biol + fertilizante químico con aplicación de SAP mostraron diferencias estadísticas en número de hojas, área foliar y vigor. El uso de biol mostró diferencias significativas, por lo que se sugiere como complemento en la fertilización de heliconia, además del uso de sustratos con nivel alto de materia orgánica como alternativa para la retención de agua.

Microbial dynamics, mineral and total nitrogen content were studied during the composting process of filter cake reactivated with chicken manure. Four substrates with different proportions of filter cake:chicken manure (10:0, 9:1, 7:3 and 5:5 v/v) were tested using 68 liters containers for 87 days. Temperature, total populations of bacteria, fungi, ligninolytic microorganisms, CO2 evolution, total nitrogen, ammonium and nitrate content were the evaluated variables. The addition of chicken manure to stored filter cake increased the populations of bacteria, fungi and ligninolytic microorganisms, showing microbial populations of 9.9, 5.5 and 6.4 log units (ULog), respectively. Substrate 5:5 v/v showed a decrease in NH+4-N (from 947 to 268 mg∙kg-1) and an increase in NO-3-N (from 2.7 to 483 mg-∙kg¹) and in total nitrogen (3.4 to 4.7 %). This proportion of chicken manure and filter cake was better because it was biologically stable (compost) and had the highest content of total nitrogen.

Se estudió la dinámica microbiana, así como el contenido de nitrógeno mineral y total durante el proceso de compostaje de cachaza reactivada con gallinaza. Se establecieron cuatro sustratos con diferentes proporciones de cachaza:gallinaza (10:0, 9:1, 7:3 y 5:5 v/v), en contenedores de 68 litros durante 87 días. Las variables evaluadas fueron: temperatura, poblaciones de bacterias, hongos, microorganismos ligninolíticos, evolución de CO2, nitrógeno total, contenido de amonio y nitratos. La adición de gallinaza a la cachaza almacenada, incrementó las poblaciones de bacterias, hongos y microorganismos ligninolíticos, mostrando poblaciones de 9.9, 5.5 y 6.4 unidades logarítmicas (ULog), respectivamente. El sustrato 5:5 v/v presentó disminución en NH+4-N (de 947 a 268 mg∙kg-1), aumento en NO-3-N (de 2.7 a 483 mg∙kg-1) y en nitrógeno total (3.4 a 4.7 %). Esta proporción de gallinaza y cachaza resultó mejor, ya que fue estable biológicamente (compost) y tuvo el mayor contenido de nitrógeno total.

Abstract The traditional sub-disciplines of soil science; physics, chemistry, biology, taxonomy and mineralogy have largely contributed to the establishment of the basic principles of this science and have responded numerous practical questions. Currently, they have refocused their objects of study into emerging areas in order to understand, manage and use in a better way the most complex biological community on the planet. In particular, soil biology is seen as the center of scientific research of this century, presenting novel targets and goals in their research, strongly supported by physical, chemical and taxonomic studies. In the life-sciences, genomics are applied to the study of living systems in the soil, doing an enormous progress in the understanding of these ecosystems. The characterization of various organisms in soil, especially newly discovered microorganisms, represent only the beginning of a new stage in the development of molecular soil microbiology to enable and ensure a sustainable management of the soil resource. The challenge for these disciplines is to identify communities of microorganisms and, the roles they play in their habitats that integrate the diverse landscapes on Earth. Genomics and meta-genomics, along with traditional microbiological techniques are much contributing to advances in the understanding of biodiversity that exists in the soil as a base to ensure the sustainability of the soil and landscape.

Resumen Las subdisciplinas tradicionales de la ciencia del suelo, física, química, biología, taxonomía y mineralogía han contribuido de manera determinante al establecimiento de los principios básicos de esta ciencia y han dado respuesta a numerosas preguntas prácticas. Actualmente han reorientado sus objetos de estudio hacia áreas emergentes, con la finalidad de entender, manejar y aprovechar de una mejor manera la comunidad biológica más compleja del planeta. En particular, la biología del suelo se contempla como el centro de las investigaciones científicas de este siglo, planteando novedosos objetivos y metas en sus investigaciones, soportadas fuertemente por estudios físicos, químicos y taxonómicos. En las ciencias de la vida, la genómica aplicada al estudio de los sistemas vivos en el suelo ha implicado un enorme progreso en el conocimiento de estos ecosistemas. La caracterización de diversos organismos en suelos, y en especial de microorganismos recientemente descubiertos, representan únicamente el inicio de una nueva etapa en el desarrollo de la microbiología molecular de suelos que permita y asegure un manejo sustentable del recurso edáfico. El reto para estas disciplinas es identificar las comunidades de microorganismos y las funciones que éstas desempeñan en sus hábitats que integran los diversos paisajes sobre la Tierra. Genómica y metagenómica, junto con técnicas microbiológicas tradicionales están contribuyendo en mucho a los avances en el conocimiento de la biodiversidad que existe en el suelo, como base que asegure la sustentabilidad del suelo y del paisaje.