We use compound light microscopes to analyze the biological biomass in our soils. Through analysis of microorganisms, we can help you understand the organisms in your soil, who is missing, and how to balance the system for infinite abundance.
Biological Assessments
We assess the biology in the soil, the Fungi, Bacteria, Protozoa, and Nematodes–and identify whether they are beneficial or disease-causing organisms. These organisms are directly involved in cycling nutrients and building soil structure. Once a healthy population of aerobic microorganisms is present in the soil, they reduce compaction, protect plants from disease and make nutrients plant available.
What’s the process?
When you contact us for soil analysis, one of our lab technicians will be available to discuss your project, offer advice, and give instructions on collecting a soil sample.
Next, you will label and ship your sample overnight (for compost teas and extracts) or via 3-day express shipping (for compost and soil samples). We must receive all samples as quickly as possible so that the biology stays indicative of the soil in your fields.
Once we receive your sample, we will analyze the biology present and send you a detailed report and photographs.
Organism Overview
Bacteria are everywhere on our planet, in our soils and bodies. These micro-organisms mine our planet’s parent materials: the Earth’s stones or bones, which hold calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, etc. Bacteria secrete alkaline glues and build soil structure. Anaerobic bacteria are disease-causing and can wreak havoc on systems where they are present in high numbers.
Protozoa are single-celled organisms that eat bacteria and excrete waste products containing the nutrients held in the bacteria in a plant-available form. They play an essential role in nutrient cycling. Both anaerobic and aerobic protozoa exist, and their presence and population in soil samples are good indicators of where your system is currently and where it is headed.
Nematodes are worm-like multi-cellular organisms. They are the most numerous multi-cellular creatures on Earth. There are bacterial, fungal, predatory, and root-feeding nematodes, some beneficial, some detrimental to plant health. Harmful nematodes thrive in anaerobic environments where they lack competition from beneficial organisms. Nematodes exude waste products in a plant-available form.
Fungi are the decomposers of our world. They can be beneficial or disease-causing and are essential for building soil structure. They form complex, mutually beneficial relationships with plants in which the fungi mine far-off nutrients and transport them to the plant’s roots for uptake. In return, the plant creates and releases sugary exudates into the soil, essentially liquid sunlight, a by-product of photosynthesis. The further an ecosystem is in succession, the more fungi are present, and weed pressure will diminish.
