Biological Soil Analysis

During our analysis we will count the microscopic organisms that are present in your soil. These counts will indicate what is working for you and what is working against you. When we speak about biology in the soil, these organisms are what we refer to. Once we get an accurate count of the underground works force (or lack there of) we can advise on how to add the appropriate balances of organisms back into your soil to create the natural process of nutrient cycling; commonly known as the 'poop loop'. Microorganisms create nutrients in plant available forms in the correct balances at the correct time just by their excrement.

The importance of a balanced fungal to bacterial ratio is becoming of massive importance in the scientific community. Largely though, this information has been left out of agronomy/farmer education. While we know how detrimental fungi can be, we also understand how iherantively beneficial fungi can be. In particular, Mycorrhizal fungi is what we want to see. If there is adequate mycorrhizal fungal colonization your plants will have access to water at depths they normally can't reach. Mycorrhizal fungi can access the nutrients your plants need in available forms and in the appropriate balances. Mycorrhizal fungi can etch away parent materials in dirt and release minerals to the plants. This fungi can also decompose toxic chemicals and restore your dirt to soil.  Beneficial fungi is by far, in my opinion, one of your best allies when building soil structure and storing carbon.

The high bacterial counts that we often find in our agricultural soils indicates major compaction issues. Bacteria, when in an environment that is unsuitable for them, will encase themselves in a waxy coating and create tight junctures that product compaction. Compaction causes water infiltration rates to be low, nutrient holding capacity to be non existent causing the need for more applications of toxic chemicals. Compaction causes the roots of plants to spread sideways and compete with other plants for nutrients and water. This causes yields to be lower and pest/disease pressure to increase. 

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It is important to note that the lack of cover crops and driving large equipments on bare soil largely contributes to compaction.

Microscope analysis can tell you what your disease and pest pressure you have. By indicating the non beneficial organisms we find in your sample we can immediately tell you how bad a pest/disease will be for your crop. When plants are stressed from their environment, lack of beneficial biological protection/nutrients they will become extremely susceptible to diseases and pest pressure. If your plants are healthy and have the adequate fungal:bacterial colonization the roots zones will be protected against all non beneficial pests and disease. As the larger bugs (ladybugs and lacewings) travel your plants, the beneficial microorganisms will attach themselves to your plant surfaces and protect the above ground parts of your plants. Once we see evidence of trouble in your soil sample, we can make sure the right application of biology is applied as a soil drench and foliar application to protect and prevent further damage.

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Organic matter is essential to the structure of healthy soil. It acts as as a structure builder, acts as food for bacteria and fungi (which are food for larger microorganisms- thus creating nutrient cycling). Organic matter is one of the most important aspects of healthy soils yet our world is largely lacking in organic matter. This is because we leave soils bare (fallow) and wind erosion and run off take away our most important resource; organic matter. 

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In the analysis we can also look at soil aggregation. Aggregates are made by beneficial microorganisms and they are the passageways to keep oxygen and water moving throughout your soil. Without aggregates, our soil becomes compacted and anerobic. THis is the perfect conditions for non beneficial organisms to attack your plants.

Just by assessing the color of the sample under the microscope can tell us about the history of the soil we are sampling. We can tell if toxic chemicals have been used and we can tell if the dirt has gone anaerobic at some point. We can tell if the oxidation of parent material has released toxic levels of minerals that might be causing the PH of your soil to be low or high.