Microorganisms capable of accumulating lipids in high percentages, known as oleaginous microorganisms, have been widely studied as an alternative for producing oleochemicals and biofuels. Microbial lipid, so-called Single Cell Oil (SCO), production depends on several growth parameters, including the nature of the carbon substrate, which must be efficiently taken up and converted into storage lipid. On the other hand, substrates considered for large scale applications must be abundant and of low acquisition cost. Among others, lignocellulosic biomass is a promising renewable substrate containing high percentages of assimilable sugars (hexoses and pentoses). However, it is also highly recalcitrant, and therefore it requires specific pretreatments in order to release its assimilable components. The main drawback of lignocellulose pretreatment is the generation of several by-products that can inhibit the microbial metabolism. In this review, we discuss the main aspects related to the cultivation of oleaginous microorganisms using lignocellulosic biomass as substrate, hoping to contribute to the development of a sustainable process for SCO production in the near future.

Knowledge of the agricultural soil microbiota, of the microbial consortia that comprise it, and the promotion of agricultural practices that maintain and encourage them, is a promising way to improve soil quality for sustainable agriculture and to provide food security. Although numerous studies have demonstrated the positive effects of beneficial soil microorganisms on crop yields and quality, the use of microbial consortia in agriculture remains low. Microbial consortia have more properties than an individual microbial inoculum, due to the synergy of the microorganisms that populate them. This review describes the main characteristics, ecosystem functions, crop benefits, and biotechnological applications of microbial consortia composed of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), and Actinobacteria, to promote the restoration of agricultural soils and, consequently, the quality and health of agricultural crops. The aim is to provide knowledge that will contribute to the development of sustainable and sufficiently productive agriculture, which will adapt in a good way to the pace of the growing human population and to climate change.

The application of organic amendments is an increasingly widespread practice, which allows fertilizing and restoring soils in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. Improving the quality of amendments through the application of microorganisms has been a challenge in recent years. The objective of the study was to determine the effects of microalgae+compost (1:1) mixture on the yield of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis L.) plants grown in a sandy loam soil with low nutrient availability. Yields were compared with the application of compost, cattle manure and two chemical fertilizers. The treatments applied were: T1 prepared with urea (NPK 46-0-0), triple superphosphate (NPK 0-46-0) and potassium saltpeter (NPK 15-0-14); T2 commercial fertilizer (NPK 12-11-18); T3 microalgae biomass (T3); T4 compost; T5 1:1 microalgae+compost mixture; T6 cattle manure; and T0 control (no fertilization). The experiments were conducted in 30 L pots using 40 g soil per plant and 4 g N as a reference to standardize fertilizer application. The results showed that the fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (%DW) of T5 and T6 were not significantly different from those of T1 (p > 0.05), on the contrary, FW of T5 and T6 was 43.8% and 40% higher than in T2, as well as the %DW was 0.59% and 0.6% w w^-1, also higher than in T2. These results suggest that the microalgae+compost mixture is an alternative fertilizer, equivalent to chemical fertilizers and manure, presenting the advantages of being more stable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. However, further studies are needed to determine the necessary dose per cultivated plant species.

Agroecology is increasingly shaped by the convergence of traditional knowledge, farmers’ lived experiences, and scientific research, fostering a plural dialog that embraces the ecological and socio-political complexity of agricultural systems. Within this framework, soil biodiversity is essential for maintaining ecosystem functions, with soil microbiology, and particularly arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), playing a pivotal role in enhancing soil fertility, plant health, and agroecosystem resilience. This review explores the synergy between agroecological practices and AMF by examining their ecological, economic, epistemic, and territorial contributions to sustainable agriculture. Drawing on recent scientific findings and Latin American case studies, it highlights how practices such as reduced tillage, crop diversification, and organic matter inputs foster diverse and functional AMF communities and differentially affect their composition and ecological roles. Beyond their biological efficacy, AMF are framed as relational and socio-ecological agents—integral to networks that connect soil regeneration, food quality, local autonomy, and multi-species care. By bridging ecological science with political ecology and justice in science-based knowledge, this review offers a transdisciplinary lens on AMF and proposes pathways for agroecological transitions rooted in biodiversity, cognitive justice, and territorial sustainability.