Opinion Article by Sofia Almeida Pereira, Lecturer at the Faculty of Biotechnology.
Addressing the issues arising from drought and desertification requires a holistic approach aimed at improving soil health and productivity.
Drought is a climatic phenomenon that is becoming increasingly frequent and severe, particularly in the Mediterranean region, as a result of climate change. The absence of precipitation over long periods has profound and multifaceted impacts on soil health and ecosystems, agricultural productivity, and the sustainability and subsistence of rural areas. Drought and soil degradation are two closely related environmental challenges that increase the risk of desertification in various regions.
The adverse effects of drought on soil quality are numerous, including significant erosion and reduced fertility, which profoundly affect food production and increase food insecurity. Addressing the problems resulting from drought and desertification requires a holistic approach that integrates various strategies aimed at improving soil health and productivity. Biotechnology emerges as a crucial tool for achieving these objectives, as biotechnological techniques offer innovative solutions to address the challenges imposed by water scarcity, promoting agricultural sustainability and ecosystem resilience. The use of microbial-based tools such as biofertilizers is particularly relevant in improving soil fertility and plant growth under drought conditions. Biofertilizers are formulations of beneficial soil microorganisms containing plant growth-promoting bacteria and/or mycorrhizal fungi that help mobilize and convert soil nutrients into forms assimilable by plants through biological processes such as nitrogen fixation and phosphorus solubilization. Additionally, biofertilizers produce essential plant hormones for root system development, enabling plants to absorb more water and nutrients, which is a crucial feature in water scarcity contexts.
