Microbiome Engineering through Azolla-Earthworm Vermicompost: - A Bioeconomy Approach to Degraded Soil Recovery

Global food security and ecosystem sustainability are seriously threatened by soil degradation, causedby nutrient depletion, erosion, intensive agriculture, and environmental stressors. One promisingbioeconomy-driven method for improving agricultural productivity and restoring degraded soils ismicrobiome engineering via Azolla-earthworm vermicomposting. While earthworm-mediatedvermicomposting breaks down organic waste, increases microbial diversity, and creates stabilisedhumus that improves soil structure, water retention, and nutrient cycling, Azolla, an aquatic fern thatfixes nitrogen, enriches soils with bioavailable nitrogen. By accelerating the turnover of organic matter,encouraging positive microbial interactions, and enhancing overall soil health, this system produces asynergistic effect. The applications range from nutrient management in sustainable agriculture to moreextensive ecosystem restoration, such as reclaiming marginal lands and lowering reliance on chemicalfertilisers. Field-scale adoption requires addressing these constraints through mechanistic research,composting and cultivation practice, long-term monitoring, and policy support. This review highlightsthe role of Azolla-earthworm vermicomposting in soil restoration, nutrient enrichment, and sustainablebioeconomy frameworks. Regenerative agriculture and microbial ecology combine to provide ascalable, environmentally responsible way to improve crop productivity, damaged soils, and supportresilient and climate-smart agricultural systems. This integrated microbiome engineering approach canserve as a template for circular bioresource use and sustainable land management.