Infographic: Enhancing the Soya Bean Value Chain with Microbiome Innovations

Published on

08/04/2025

The MICROBIOMES4SOY project takes a close look at how microbiomes — especially in the soil — influence the entire food system, from crop health and food quality to animal and human well-being.

After all, the journey of our food begins in the soil. A thriving soil microbiome boosts plant growth, improves yields, and reduces the need for pesticides. The result? More nutritious crops for both humans and animals — which in turn benefits the gut microbiomes of farmed fish and, ultimately, our own health.

Check out our infographic to discover how healthy soils lead to better health, using soya beans as a case study. It shows how microbiomes at every stage of the food chain play a vital role in supporting our health.

Microbiomes4Soy-Infographic-Final Download

Understanding Soya Plant Microbiomes: Enhancing Crop Productivity

MICROBIOMES4SOY aims to explore the dynamics and potential of plant microbiomes, specifically focusing on the soya bean model. The project seeks to understand how plant microbiomes impact soya crop productivity. Additionally, it aims to develop microbiome-informed approaches, including agricultural strategies and prediction models, to improve yield stability, promote environmental sustainability, and ensure food safety and quality during production.

Soya-Based Aquafeeds: Innovating Aquaculture Sustainability

In the realm of aquaculture, MICROBIOMES4SOY seeks to pioneer solutions by creating innovative soya-based aquafeeds. The project aims to evaluate the effects of these novel feeds on the fish gut microbiome and overall health, addressing both environmental and nutritional aspects of aquaculture.

Joint Efforts for Food Systems Transformation

MICROBIOMES4SOY aims to work collaboratively with food system stakeholders to define regional transition pathways towards plant-based protein diets, contributing to broader shifts in dietary practices.

Improved Microbiome-Based Knowledge and Skills for Food System Actors

Knowledge and skill empowerment is a key objective, intending to equip food system actors with expertise on microbiome interactions, benefits, and industrial applications. This will be achieved through a multi-actor approach, that shares understanding of microbiomes within the broader context of food systems.

Microbiome-Informed Dietary Recommendations:
Exploring Human Health Impacts

Moreover, human health is a central theme, with a dedicated objective to investigate the impact of soya-derived protein diets on the human gut microbiome. The project aims to provide microbiome-informed dietary recommendations, contributing valuable insights to the intersection of nutrition and microbiology.