Fungal:Bacterial Ratio
Benchmark Value
Scoring Curve
The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is CompositeFramework, but the benchmark data may be missing required fields (e.g., optimal range bounds for an OptimalRange benchmark). This is typically a data quality issue in the benchmark pipeline.
Evidence & Context
Reference Value: No specific numerical value is available in the literature for a best-practice benchmark. 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.
Fungal:Bacterial ratio quantifying the relative biomass of fungi to bacteria in soil microbial communities.
This benchmark represents a qualitative reference condition describing a trajectory of increasing fungal to bacterial ratio towards levels typical of less-disturbed native perennial grassland ecosystems in arid mountain ranges and uplands agricultural systems.
No specific numerical benchmark exists; the reference is a directional trend supported by Australian research indicating improved ecological function with increasing fungal dominance.
Sources (1)
How should we manage our soils to increase soil carbon?, accessed May 10, 2026
View SourceSupporting Sources (19)
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 July 23, 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 SourceThe incorporation of fungal to bacterial ratios and plant ecosystem effect traits into a state-and-transition model of land-use change in semi-arid grasslands - ResearchGate, accessed May 10, 2026
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 Source
Soil 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 July 29, 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 SourceRegenerative agriculture is key to dry season preparation - Soils For Life, accessed July 23, 2025
View SourceHow Biodiversity-Friendly Is Regenerative Grazing? - Frontiers
View Source
The fungal-bacterial ratio for soil health - Farmer's Weekly, accessed July 21, 2025
View Source
Agricultural Soil Management Practices Differentially Shape the Bacterial and Fungal Microbiomes of Sorghum bicolor | Applied and Environmental Microbiology - ASM Journals
View Source