In short

  • ARI and Agriculture Victoria are undertaking a two-year study to better understand the microbiome, structure and function of healthy soils.
  • Soil samples from across Victoria will be analysed to identify bacterial, fungal and some functional components.
  • This research will guide future improvements in soil health and support other related decisions. For example, how to increase agricultural productivity and where and how to implement revegetation programs to help restore degraded landscapes and sequeter carbon.

Soil biome project-Cape conran, photo by Matt Bruce

In short

Scientists from ARI and Agriculture Victoria are investigating the role of the microbiome in supporting healthy soils. The project will help guide future improvements in soil health to increase agricultural productivity and support landscape recovery and ecological restoration programs.

Soil is home to more than 25 per cent of our planet’s biodiversity in the form of microbes, fungi, and invertebrates. Our understanding of what represents healthy soil and how best to promote this has significant gaps.

In Victoria, we collectively know very little about the microbiome of soils across the state. ARI’s post-2019/2020 bushfire study (unpublished) identified a clear need to understand more about Victorian soil biota to enact conservation protection and management actions.

Soils for the future

Scientists from ARI and Agriculture Victoria are investigating the role of the microbiome in supporting healthy soils. The project will help guide future improvements in soil health to increase agricultural productivity and support landscape recovery and ecological restoration programs.

Soil is home to more than 25 per cent of our planet’s biodiversity in the form of microbes, fungi, and invertebrates. Our understanding of what represents healthy soil and how best to promote this has significant gaps.

In Victoria, we collectively know very little about the microbiome of soils across the state. ARI’s post-2019/2020 bushfire study (unpublished) identified a clear need to understand more about Victorian soil biota to enact conservation protection and management actions.

Victorian Soils-Soil Biome project, photo by Matt Bruce

What we have been doing

ARI is collecting samples from about 200 sites from both natural and agricultural landscapes across Victoria. These samples will be analysed using DNA barcoding by Agriculture Victoria to identify their bacterial, fungal and some functional components. The results will help us to identify what healthy microbiome profiles look like.

This project will be delivered in partnership with Agriculture Victoria, informing future improvements for farm management practices and investment in land restoration projects.

The project will be completed by August 2026.

Soil sample-Soil Biome, photo by Matt Bruce

National Soil Action Plan

This project is funded as part of the National Soil Action Plan 2023 to 2028. The National Soil Action Plan 2023-2028 is the first action plan under the National Soil Strategy. The Strategy sets out how Australia will value, manage and improve our soil for the next 20 years.

Further information

You can read more about this project in the Victorian Government’s media release at https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/research-investment-digs-future-soil-health

For further information about this project, contact matt.bruce@deeca.vic.gov.au

Page last updated: 23/05/25