Microorganisms Advance Agroecological Farming in Mexico

Microorganisms identified in agricultural soils in Michoacan and Oaxaca, as well as marine environments, are being studied as biological tools to improve crop productivity, restore soil health, and reduce dependence on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Research projects led by Mexican universities are supporting the development of biofertilizers, biostimulants, and biological pest control solutions adapted to regional agricultural conditions.

In Michoacan, beneficial bacteria and fungi isolated from agricultural plots in the Bajío, Purépecha Plateau and Tierra Caliente regions are being incorporated into agroecological production strategies through a collaboration between UNAM, the state government, and agricultural research institutions.

The initiative is part of the project Conservation and Management of Beneficial Rhizospheric Microorganisms of Native Corn and Beans for Agroecological Transition, developed by UNAM’s Institute for Ecosystem Research and Sustainability (IIES) in collaboration with Michoacan’s Agrosano program from the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER), the National Institute of Forestry, Agricultural and Livestock Research (INIFAP), and the Universidad Michoacana. 

Researchers identified native microorganisms capable of promoting plant growth, improving nutrient availability and contributing to biological pest and disease control. Selected strains from the genera Bacillus, Beauveria, Metarhizium, and Trichoderma were transferred to nine biofactories operated by the Agrosano program, where they will be multiplied for application in crops such as corn, lemon, mango, avocado. and berries.

"Beneficial microorganisms associated with the roots of native corn are biological resources from producers’ own fields. With this project, we return that biological resource to its original soil instead of using commercial microorganisms from other countries. At the same time, we contribute to valuing and conserving these biotic resources associated with Mexico’s native corn," says John Larsen, Researcher, IIES’ Agroecology Laboratory. 

The strategy is focused mainly on small producers, who will be able to reproduce and apply these biological inputs in their own fields. Participating farmers have reported improvements in productivity, reduced fertilizer and pesticide use, and lower production costs.

Similar research is being carried out in Oaxaca, where a UNAM team analyzed bacterial communities in traditional agricultural systems within the UNESCO Global Geopark Mixteca Alta. Using gene sequencing, researchers identified microorganisms associated with soil fertility, nutrient cycling, and disease suppression. The study found bacterial groups including Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Chloroflexi, which contribute to organic matter decomposition, carbon and nitrogen cycling, soil structure formation and plant growth.

Researchers noted that traditional systems such as lama-bordos and terraces, developed more than 3,400 years ago, have created soil conditions that support beneficial microbial communities. The findings could enable the development of locally adapted biofertilizers and biostimulants while supporting soil restoration.

Beyond agricultural soils, researchers are also exploring marine microorganisms as tools to improve crop resilience. At the University of Guadalajara’s Center for Biological and Agricultural Sciences (CUCBA), scientists are evaluating a marine actinobacteria from the genus Streptomyces to help tomato plants tolerate saline soils.

The research examines whether microorganisms adapted to marine environments can improve crop resistance to salinity, a growing challenge linked to fertilizer use and climate variability. Preliminary tests showed that tomato seeds treated with the bacteria achieved a nearly 20% increase in germination under saline stress conditions compared with untreated seeds. "The idea is that these bacteria can associate with plants and help them resist this type of stress," says Ahtziri Lomelí, Researcher, CUCBA.