Impact of Drought on Soil Microbial Communities

Authors

• Sujani De Silva, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Lithma Kariyawasam Hetti Gamage, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Vesh R. Thapa, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

ORCID IDs

De Silva: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1461-9633

Gamage: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6029-571X

Thapa: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7375-272X

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2025

Citation

Microorganisms (2025) 13(7): 1625

doi: 10.3390/microorganisms13071625

Comments

Open access

License: CC BY 4.0

Abstract

Drought, an increasingly prevalent climate stressor due to global warming, profoundly impacts agricultural systems, particularly the soil microbiome. Soil microorganisms are crucial for nutrient cycling, plant health, and ecosystem stability; however, drought-induced changes disrupt microbial community structure, function, and interactions with plants. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the effects of drought on soil microbiomes, with a focus on microbial diversity, resilience, and functional shifts in agricultural contexts. It highlights key microbial mechanisms underpinning plant drought tolerance, including symbioses with plant growth-promoting bacteria and fungi. Furthermore, it addresses knowledge gaps in the long-term effects of repeated drought events, microbial adaptations, and plant–soil feedback mechanisms. By advancing our understanding of drought–microbiome dynamics, this review aims to inform sustainable agricultural practices and resilience strategies to mitigate the adverse impacts of drought on crop productivity and ecosystem health.