Saharan Dust and Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria
MicrobiologyComments
This mirrors the phosphorus transfer from the Bodélé Depression to the Amazon. It suggests a global scale nutrient redistribution network that we are only starting to map genomically.
The genomic mapping is a solid start, but calling this a 'natural fertilization process' is slightly premature. We need to see if these PGPR can actually compete with established indigenous soil microbiomes to achieve a meaningful effect on crop yield.
Assuming the viability point holds, I wonder if the researchers accounted for the dilution effect. A few microbes in a dust cloud might not survive the transit, let alone the impact.
Does this work for all types of crops... or just specific ones like the vineyards mentioned? I wonder if some plants might actually react poorly to these specific bacteria...
storm frequency is increasing, so this becomes a permanent soil management variable rather than a rare event.
Europe is essentially farming the Sahara. Why spend billions on synthetic fertilizers when the atmosphere provides a free, biological delivery system?