Scientists from the Unidad Académica de Estudios Territoriales (UAET) Oaxaca, at the Instituto de Geografía de la UNAM, discovered bacterial communities with exceptional capabilities to enhance sustainable agriculture through soil fertility, as well as promoting ecological restoration.
The discovery was made in the UNESCO Global Geopark Mixteca Alta, a territory where traditional agricultural systems have been managed by local communities for more than 3,400 years.
Microorganisms that regenerate the soil
These bacterial populations, characterized through advanced genetic sequencing, stand out for their ability to:
- Suppress pathogens naturally.
- Improve nutrient cycling such as carbon and nitrogen.
- Generate stable organic matter, which strengthens the physical structure of the soil.
- Promote plant growth and the resilience of agricultural ecosystems.
Among the dominant groups identified are Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Chloroflexi, as well as specific families like Solibacteraceae and Sphingomonadaceae.
Local biofertilizers and fewer agrochemicals
The discovery paves the way for the creation of local biofertilizers and biostimulants, adapted to the region’s conditions. This represents a concrete alternative to reduce dependence on industrial agrochemicals, whose costs are often dollarized and subject to international market volatility.
The practical application of this “bacterial army” will allow:
- Recover degraded soils.
- Improve agricultural productivity.
- Reduce environmental impacts associated with intensive chemical use.
Science and tradition in synergy
The study highlights how the ancestral management of lama-bordos, terraces, and valleys created ideal environments for these bacterial communities. The integration of modern genomic science with traditional knowledge turns Mixteca Alta into a global model of sustainability.
This approach demonstrates that soil recovery does not depend solely on technology, but also on the accumulated wisdom of local communities, who have maintained resilient agricultural practices for millennia.
National and global impact
The significance of the discovery lies in its potential to transform Mexican agriculture:
- Strengthens food sovereignty, by reducing dependence on external inputs.
- Offers regenerative solutions to soil degradation, which affects a large part of the country’s arable land.
- Contributes to global sustainability, by positioning Mexico as a reference in the integration of science and tradition to face the challenges of climate change and food security.
The Mixteca Alta model confirms that the combination of advanced genomics and ancestral knowledge is the most efficient path towards sustainable agriculture. This “bacterial army” not only protects soils and improves productivity but also symbolizes a regenerative strategy with environmental, social, and economic impact.