May 16, 2022 – Many farmers – and gardeners – focus on the physical and chemical management of their farms (or gardens). Techniques such as no-till, or best practices in fertilizer management have had many advances. The Soil Science Society of America’s (SSSA) May 16th Soils Matter blog explores advances in soil additions that help soil biology.
Blogger Karl Wyant says there are two ways to influence soil biology: practices and products. Practices, like the physical management of the soil, also benefit soil biology. Products “are additions that can be used in a field management plan to help optimize soil biology. These products, when sorted by their active ingredient, are typified as microalgae, molasses, fulvic and humic acids, kelp products, and living bacteria and fungi inoculants, etc.”
“Your soil is teeming with fungi and bacteria, and they are ready to go to work for your farm or garden,” says Wyant. The problem? “They are starving and will go dormant on you until conditions improve. Research shows that most soils are generally low in the food stuff that microbes like to eat, and that food scarcity will limit the activity of your soil biology.”
To read the full blog, visit https://soilsmatter.wordpress.com/2022/05/15/what-is-the-current-research-about-soil-additions-to-help-soil-biology/
This blog is sponsored by Phycoterra.
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The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) is a progressive international scientific society that fosters the transfer of knowledge and practices to sustain global soils. Based in Madison, WI, and founded in 1936, SSSA is the professional home for 6,000+ members and 1,000+ certified professionals dedicated to advancing the field of soil science. The Society provides information about soils in relation to crop production, environmental quality, ecosystem sustainability, bioremediation, waste management, recycling, and wise land use.