INFEROMICS – Microbial indicators for optimised agricultural soil management
The INFEROMICS project, coordinated by the Agroecology Joint Research Unit at the University of Burgundy Europe, aims to develop new microbial indicators to better assess the microbiological functioning of agricultural soils. Using DNA analysis tools, the project is developing indicators and their applications to enable farmers and winegrowers to better understand the health of their soils and adopt appropriate practices to improve them.
France, an Active Player in Microbiological Diagnostics
France plays a leading role in the development of soil diagnostic tools, notably thanks to the work of INRAE. This research has made it possible to develop the first indicators of the soil “microbiological heritage,” based on microbial DNA extracted directly from the soil and sequenced within a few days. These tools make it possible to efficiently describe microbial diversity, but they do not yet provide information on the biological functioning of microbial communities.
INFEROMICS: Responding to a Scientific and Agricultural Need
Winner of the 2025–2028 Soils Research Call for Proposals of the Roullier Endowment Fund, the INFEROMICS project aims to address this challenge. It seeks to develop, validate, and disseminate a new generation of indicators capable of assessing the microbiological functioning of soils, in addition to existing indicators of the microbiological heritage.
The approach is based on the use of bioinformatic tools allowing the prediction of the biological functions of microorganisms from community composition data. These bioindicators will first be tested on the “Soil Quality Measurement Network” (RMQS), then applied in different agricultural contexts where practices are precisely documented. They will then be disseminated to agricultural and viticultural stakeholders.
Tools for Better Assessing Soil Quality
The new indicators developed with INFEROMICS will complement existing tools by providing unprecedented information on the functional potential of microbial communities. They will enable farmers as well as public decision-makers to better assess soil quality and the sustainability of practices and production systems, thus contributing to the preservation of this essential reservoir of biodiversity.