Prairie Agroecosystems: Interconnected Microbiomes of Livestock, Soil and Insects

Agroecosystems are comprised of environmental compartments where associated microbial communities interact with one another. These communities, called microbiomes, inhabit livestock, insects, and plants. Microbiomes also present in the soil watersheds. Clarifying nature extent interactions between both at intra-farm global scales can promote sustainable production systems, healthier animals, increased crop yields, safer meat products. Early research on microbiomes was hindered by a lack expertise high cost molecular sequencing. However, these limitations have been largely resolved advances reduced costs sequencing technologies. In this paper, we summarize bioinformatics approaches, review crucial roles diverse plants soil, as well pollinators pest insects. include nutrient cycling, acquisition, metabolism toxins enhanced host immune function. Additionally, examine potentially undesirable effects climate change agri-food such their role release greenhouse gases from cattle impact safety spoilage. By increasing awareness growing ease which they be studied, hope to foster greater adoption microbiome research. Further understanding will advance our efforts increase agricultural while reducing its negative footprint, thus making agroecosystems more sustainable.