permaculture

[venaurafarm <venaurafarm@bellsouth.net>]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        Re: [compost_tea] Re: Go Neil! go Jeff!
Date:   Mon, 28 Oct 2013 13:11:16 -0400 (EDT)
From:   soilfoodweb@aol.com
To:     compost_tea@yahoogroups.com

Go Neil!  Go Jeff!

Microbes Rule!

Ok, another try at explaining microbes and what they do for us in a
simple, but pretty much inclusive way .....

Plants "know" what they need based on limitations to their growth, or
limitation to the ability to make flowers, seeds, etc.  The plant puts
out those exudates, in the specific part of the root system (based on J.
Loper's work, and many others at this point, in root exudate types and
amounts) that it needs specific nutrients, to spur specific bacetrial
and fungal individuals to grow.  As these specific species of bacteria
or fungi grow, they make enzymes to solublize the nutrients that the
plant needs (depends on the exudate the plant put out) straight from the
rocks, pebbles, sand, silt, clay and / or the organic matter present in
the soil.

Until your soil runs out of sand, silt, clay or organic matter, there is
really no need to put out any inorganic fertilizer.  A lack of any
nutrient for your plant is really more a lack of the proper sets of
microorganisms being present in the soil to do the job the plant needs
to have done.  No organism to do the work, no soluble nutrients can be
made for the plant.

The enzymes made by the bacteria and fungi to solubilize the particular
needed nutrients are taken up by the bacteria and fungi that made the
enzymes.  Thus those solubilized nutrients are no longer soluble, but
instead tied up inside the bacteria and fungi, held in the soil and not
leachable.

Protozoa, nematodes, and microarthropods need to eat the bacteria and
fungi to release the organic nutrients inside the bacteria and fungi.
These released nutrients are now in the form that plants can easily take
- up, either as chelated nutrients forms, or the soluble mineral
nutrient forms that plants require.

All of these interactions are most concentrated at the root surface,
where the plant is releasing exudates to start the whole process.  Or
course the predators of bacteria and fungi are going to be concentrated
and most active around the roots, because the plant is feeding their
prey.... i.e., bacteria and fungi...so the prey is in high numbers
(biomass).

Our major function  as growers is to make sure the full diversity of
what the plants needs in terms of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes
and microarthropods are present and functioning in the aerobic
environment that selects for the beneficials.


Hopefully, pretty clear and understandable.  Questions?

Elaine R. Ingham
Consultant