On top of that, beneficial fungi can outcompete damaging fungi in the soil and make plants more disease-resistant. As decomposers, mushrooms are a valuable part of local ecosystems. But mushrooms ...

"Our focus was on the energy cycles in the soil food web—meaning the energy that is passed on from decomposers and herbivores to small predators," says co-author Professor Nico Eisenhauer from iDiv.

The drought monitor report as of Tuesday, March 11th continues showing a deterioration in conditions. Stafford County and part of Pawnee are back to abnormally dry.

The research team from CAS looked at soil fungi and their complex plant relationships, ranging from co-dependency as symbionts, to pathogens or decomposers that support nutrient recycling.

Farmers can also use inorganic fertilisers on soil to overcome specific mineral deficiencies, although this does not require the involvement of decomposers.