Technical
So, let’s look at the soils that host the biology. Firstly, soil needs to be aerobic to harbour healthy soil biology. If the soil smells - contains anaerobic blacklayer - then this needs to be addressed. This is Mother Nature’s way of telling you that the soil is biologically poor. And, if our soils are biologically poor, thatch will not degrade into organic matter and humus, organic nutrients will not convert into available plant food; disease pathogens will take advantage and the grass plant will suffer. So, the first port of call is to address the anaerobic problem. I still believe in the old ways, and I believe that the way we manage our soils has a direct impact on the plants we grow. This philosophy has been tried and tested since the time we started to grow plants. The only difference now is that we have more of an understanding of our soils and, as a result, we have the soil food web.
What function do the different species undertake?
Bacteria: This single celled organism is a prolific reproducer. What it lacks in size it makes up for in numbers - one billion bacteria per teaspoon of healthy soil. It feeds on simple carbohydrates (sugar) and has an association with annuals, including Poa annua. Sugar based bio- stimulants, like molasses, will feed bacteria.
The Benefits/Actions of Bacteria - Decompose simple organic matter
- Recycle, solubilise and retain nutrients in the rootzone
- Protect the plant from disease
- Produce by-products that promote plant growth (enzymes, vitamins, hormones)
- Support Poa Annua Obviously, with all the food the
protozoa consume, they produce waste. This waste is excreted as NH4 (ammonium), which is then available to the plant. They are also an important food source for other soil organisms like earthworms and beneficial nematodes. So, for nutrient recycling, protozoa is king.
Bacteria will reproduce at a massive rate, it’s relatively easy to produce and encourage - aeration and some simple carbohydrates will soon see them appear in abundance.
Fungi: Fungi is very different. This has an association with perennial plants like Fescue Bents and Rye. Fungi prefer complex carbohydrates, like organic matter, lignin, seaweed, humic acid and fish hydrolosate. Fungi take longer to naturally recolonise than bacteria. A bit like the grass it is associated with.
The Benefits/Actions of Fungi - Decomposing thatch
- Nutrient cyclers
Nematodes: Nematodes get a bad press, but they are, in fact, very beneficial. Nematodes are microscopic worms. Like all worms, they move through the soil making channels, eating and reproducing as they go. There are around 20,000 different species that are known, however there are four different types:
- Bacterial feeders - Fungal feeders - Root feeders (Parasitic) - Nematode feeders (Predatory)
Like protozoa, nematodes play an important role in releasing nutrients in plant available form. So, why do nematodes get such bad press. This is because we have an imbalance in the soil. Root feeders are the problem, sucking all that sugary goodness out of the roots. In healthy soil you will find thousands of nematodes of all different types. However, in unhealthy soil, you will only
find rootfeeders. Predatory nematodes will normally keep rootfeeders under control, they love the sugary rootfeeder, they will eat them over any other type. If the rootfeeder has no predators, it is left alone to continue chomping away at our root system
- Soil structure builders - Plant protectors - Support perennial plants
Fungi is more fragile and susceptible to chemicals and high salt fertilisers. But, once established, they have many more benefits.
Protozoa: Protozoa are single-celled animals that feed primarily on bacteria, other protozoa and soluble organic matter. These play an important role in nutrient cycling, due to their fantastic appetite. One protozoa will eat 10,000+ bacteria each day, for example.
Predatory Nematode eating a rootfeeding nematode
Biostimulants
So, what biology do you want to stimulate?
Bacteria = association with annual plants = stimulate with simple carbohydrates, molasses
Fungi = association with perennial plants and grasses = stimulate with complex carbohydrates = humic, seaweed, organic matter etc.
Scientifically, we know so much more
now. We know the operations and benefits of bacteria, different fungi, protozoa, nematodes etc. For me, it’s all about creating a healthy balance and a diverse ecosystem. In the real world of greenkeeping, we need salty inorganics at times, we need chemicals, inert sand dressings/sandy soils and, of course, compaction; not great for our ecosystem! Compost tea is simply a great tool to apply biology, then we can feed the biology with the correct biostimulant, we can reduce the chemicals, salt fertilisers and aerate sensibly… then we can keep the ecosystem. Many are enjoying great success by bringing life back to the soils and working with nature.
Biologically poor rootzone
Paul Lowe, Symbio. Email:
Paul@symbio.co.uk
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012 PC 129
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