Fungal:Bacterial Ratio
Benchmark Value
Scoring Curve
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Evidence & Context
The reference condition is defined as a significant and sustained increase in the ratio above the degraded agricultural baseline (typically <0.1), trending towards the higher F:B ratio characteristic of local, less-disturbed native perennial grassland ecosystems.
The Fungal:Bacterial (F:B) ratio quantifies the relative biomass of the two dominant groups of decomposer microorganisms in the soil.
The Fungal:Bacterial ratio is a key bioindicator that quantifies the relative biomass of fungi to bacteria in soil, indicating soil ecological health in arid mountain agricultural systems.
A key Australian study in a comparable semi-arid environment provides a robust qualitative benchmark: systems undergoing agricultural de-intensification and adopting regenerative practices demonstrate a significantly higher F:B ratio, indicating improved ecological function.
Sources (1)
Root Structure and Functioning for Efficient Acquisition of Phosphorus: Matching Morphological and Physiological Traits
View SourceSupporting Sources (18)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
Mechanisms and implications of bacterial–fungal competition for soil resources - PMC, accessed July 27, 2025,
View SourceSoil microbial community composition under Eucalyptus plantations of different age in subtropical China - ResearchGate, accessed July 23, 2025
View SourceAnalyzing your Fungal to Bacterial Ratio Results - microBIOMETER, accessed June 7, 2025,
View SourceBiogeographical patterns of the soil fungal:bacterial ratio across ..., accessed July 27, 2025,
View SourceMechanisms and implications of bacterial–fungal competition for soil resources - PMC, accessed July 23, 2025
View Source
Cover Crop Species Composition Alters the Soil Bacterial Community in a Continuous Pepper Cropping System - Frontiers, accessed July 27, 2025,
View Source
Drought stress induced increase of fungi:bacteria ratio in a poplar plantation - ResearchGate, accessed July 27, 2025,
View SourceFarming systems can affect soil biology, soil pathogens and system ..., accessed July 27, 2025,
View SourceBeyond Bacteria: The Importance of Fungi, Protozoa and Nematodes in Soil Microbiology, accessed July 27, 2025,
View SourceHow does soil "memory" affect microbial regeneration after disturbance (like fire or tillage)?, accessed July 27, 2025,
View SourceAustralian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed August 28, 2025,
View SourceSoil Fungal:Bacterial Ratios Are Linked to Altered Carbon Cycling - Frontiers, accessed July 23, 2025
View SourceMicrobial community composition and activity in paired irrigated and non-irrigated pastures in New Zealand - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 9, 2025,
View Source
Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face of farming - Frontiers, accessed July 27, 2025,
View SourceRegenerative agriculture augments bacterial community structure for a healthier soil and agriculture - Frontiers, accessed July 27, 2025,
View SourceNCC: Regenerative Agriculture and Soil Health - Wet Tropics Plan, accessed July 27, 2025,
View SourceSoil Fungal:Bacterial Ratios Are Linked to Altered Carbon Cycling - Frontiers, accessed July 11, 2025,
View Source
Agricultural Soil Management Practices Differentially Shape the Bacterial and Fungal Microbiomes of Sorghum bicolor | Applied and Environmental Microbiology - ASM Journals, accessed August 9, 2025,
View Source