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What you can't see...can help you!
MICROORGANISMS - The Benefits!
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Microbes turn dirt
into soil. They give the soil body and texture as
well as the feel and smell of healthy
soil.
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A functional
ecosystem contains an abundance of microorganisms
such as fungi and bacteria, to small animals,
etc. Over 50 types or groups have been proven
beneficial to the soil and to plant
growth
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"A healthy soil
has a constantly changing, but always active
population of microbes. There are approximately
900,000,000,000 (nine hundred billion) of these
lifeforms in every one pound of healthy
soil." H. Garrett, Harmony With The
Environment, Acres USA, June 1993
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Microorganisms help
roots take up nutrients and are required by most
plants
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They bring nutrients
into the ecosystem from the atmosphere and
mineral reserves locked up in the soil
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Microorganisms break
down detritus into useful soil products like
humus.
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Microorganisms
release minerals in a soluble form from soil and
organic matter.
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They protect roots
from pathogens
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Microorganisms help
hold soil aggregates together, creating channels
through which plants roots grow, soil
animal’s move, and water
percolates.
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Mycorrhizal fungi
have been shown to benefit plants by: enhanced
nutrient absorption, increased drought tolerance,
improved transplantability, and reduced
susceptibility to root diseases. Mycorrhizal
fungi increase the length and mass of root
systems enabling the plant to absorb nutrients
better, they also convert nutrients in to a form
easier for plants to use and absorb. Since the
root mass and size has been increased moisture
can be absorbed from a much larger area giving
greater drought resistance. Disease protection
may be one of the most important aspects of the
fungi's presence. Mycorrhizal fungi increase
the survivability rates of newly planted or
transplanted trees and plants, resulting in
quicker root growth, larger root systems and in
general increased disease resistance. With
healthy root systems plants grow faster and have
healthier top growth.
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Most crop plants and
weeds are colonized by beneficial
vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) soil
fungi, forming symbiotic associations called
mycorrhizae ("fungus roots"). It has
been found that these associations improve plant
nutrition and yield, protect plants from
pathogens, and improve plant resistance to
environmental stress. Journal of Alternate
Agriculture, V9N4,1994, p.157-161
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Mycorrihizal fungi,
as colonizers not only of roots but of the bulk
soil have been found to play a major role in
conserving soil as in enhancing plant
productivity. This fungi mediate the movement of
mineral nutrients from the soil to the plant and
carbohydrates from the plant to the soil...only
recently has the effects on soil aggregation been
recognized. Journal of Alternate Agriculture,
V9N4,1994, p.157-161
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Tests that inoculated
soils with mycorrihizal fungi show plant response
results (seed yield, soil aggregation, growth,
etc.) varies depending on many factors from the
plant species to existing soil
conditions.
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Several types of
fungus, attacks and destroys parasitic
nematodes
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Research has shown
that the fungus Trichoderma sp.:
- increased growth between 150-250 percent as compared to soils without the fungus
- has increased germination rates of seeds
- caused earlier and increased flowering of bedding plants. Greenhouse Manager, November 1992.
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Many species (most)
of nematodes are beneficial, some species attack
and feed on larva in the soil such as
grubworms.
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Wood mulches, in
particularly shredded hardwood mulches or course
textured organic mulch stimulates the growth of
mycorrihizae fungi (pine bark is not near as good
as hardwoods). Also dry molasses and lava sand
will help stimulate microorganisms to reproduce
faster.
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The productivity of
the soil is proportionate to the number, activity
and balance of microorganisms (Medina
Magazine).
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The White Rot Fungus
that decomposes dead wood also has the ability to
clean up (digest) chemicals such as:
pentachlorophenol (a wood preservative more toxic
than CCA), dioxins, cyanides, DDT, TNT
(explosive), creosote, and coal tar. Other toxic
chemicals being tested are Lindane and Toxaphene.
Organic Gardening, July/August 1994
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Microorganisms have
beneficial relationships with plants, they aid
plants in several ways;
- they aid roots in taking up water and nutrients
- improve root growth by producing growth promoting substances
- helps to protect roots from attacks by pests and disease
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Microorganisms get
their food required for growth and reproduction
from organic matter in the soil (of which compost
and mulch is an excellent source).
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Microorganisms
release minerals in the soil for plants to use
and their activity increases as the soil
temperature increases in the spring, when plants
need the minerals the most.
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The abundance and
activity of soil organisms is much greater
immediately right next to roots compared to root
free soil, this is called the "rhizosphere
effect". Microbe population densities are
typically 2-20 times higher and sometimes over
2,000 times higher! Acres USA, November
1994.
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Endophyte's is a
friendly fungus that has a mutually beneficial
association with certain species of grasses, it
derives food as well as protection from living
between the cells of the turfgrass plant. This
fungus does not harm the host plant but does
produce toxins that are released into the leaves
of the plant and these toxins are harmful to
surface feeding insects. Studies at Rutgers
University and Lofts Seed Inc. have shown that
grass with endophyte’s present is able to
withstand drought and weed invasion better. In
addition the fungus produces toxins that repel
chinch bugs, sod webworms, and other surface
feeding insects.
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Researchers have
discovered a group of fungi that protect lawn
grasses from pests. The fungi is called
endophytes and live in a symbiotic relationship
that benefits both plant and fungus. The fungi
produce toxins that are harmless to the grass
(and humans) but repel chinch bugs, sod webworms
and other surface feeding insects. (Fine
Gardening, July/August 1993).
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Research at Rutgers
University and Lofts seed company indicate that
grass plants inoculated with endophytes are more
vigorous, and able to stand drought and weed
invasions better. (Fine Gardening, July/August
1993).
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We have evidence that
CO2 produced by the respiration of microorganisms
in the soil is an important factor in the supply
of the gas to photosynthesizing plants. A soil
rich in decomposing organic matter provides a
much higher level of CO2 in the air just above
the soil than a barren, infertile
soil.
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There are 930 billion
microorganisms in each one pound of soil under
turf. There are about 70 pounds of them living
and working in each 1,000 square feet of root
zone. Many of these organisms are very
short-lived, so the turnover is rapid. One
Hundred pounds of dead microorganisms will
contain close to ten pounds of nitrogen, five
pounds of phosphate, 2 pounds of potassium, one
half pound of calcium oxide, one half pound of
magnesium oxide, and one third pound of sulfate.
With 70 pounds of these creatures per 1000 square
feet of root zone, the poundage adds up to enough
per acre for excellent crop production. Elliot C.
Roberts, The Lawn Institute.
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According to Dr. E.
Ingham, Soil Biologist, Oregon State University,
a teaspoon of healthy soil is teeming with:
- 100 million or so individual bacteria
- 50 to 150 meters of fungal threads
- 10,000 to 100,000 protozoa
- - 5 to 500 beneficial nematodes
Type Of Organism number/acre pounds/acre
- bacteria 800,000,000,000,000,000,000 2,600
- actinomycetes 20,000,000,000,000,000,000 1,300
- fungi 200,000,000,000,000 2,600
- algae 4,000,000,000 90
- protozoa 2,000,000,000,000 90
- nematodes 80,000,000 45
- earthworms 40,000 445
- insects & other arthropods 8,160,000 830
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Beneficial
vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi
colonize the roots of most plants and weeds,
forming symbiotic associations called mycorrhizae
(fungus roots) and have been shown to:
- improve plant nutrition and yield
- improve plant resistance to stress
- colonizes bulk soil in addition to roots conserving soil
- improve soil aggregation
- enhances plant productivity
- mediate the movement of mineral nutrients from the soil to the plant
- mediate the movement of carbon compounds from the plant to the soil
- promote beneficial effects on soil aggregation, American Journal of Alternative Agriculture,
Volume 9, No. 4, 1994, p. 157
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Mycorrhizae fungi
live in a symbiotic relationship with plant
roots. Some plants can not survive without these
root-fungus associations. Benefits include
increased water and nutrient absorption, reduces
transplant shock, and controls certain root
diseases. Growlines, Sept./Oct. 1995.
Note: Unfortunately most plant propagation
programs (rooting mixes, fumigated soils,
synthetic chemical fertilizers, and treated water
(chlorine and fluorine) discourage their
development. And you thought you didn't have
a green thumb.
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A study of leaf
litter in red oak forests in New York state found
that 1 square meter of leaves 12" thick
holds 500 to 5,000 miles of fungal filaments
(Louis Calder Center, Armonk, New York). Margaret
Carreiro, Fordham University.
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Over 1,600+ species
of white rot fungus have been identified. This
fungus cannot tolerate temperatures over 40 EC
hence often found in mesophilic composting and
bioremediation projects. White rot breaks down
lignin (nature's "plastic"), the
fungus wants the cellulose inside the cell and
has to break down the lignin cell wall to get at
it. As a result white rot fungus can biodegrade
hundreds (maybe thousands) of difficult chemicals
(i.e. used in the field can break down TNT at
concentrations of 65,000 PPM!). Michael Keene,
PhD, Utah State University
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Trees worldwide are
having a decline problem that results in
increased disease and pest problems and in
eventual tree death. This problem has been linked
to unhealthy soil caused by use of synthetic
chemicals and improper soil management which have
killed off the required microorganisms. The
recommended treatment is to apply composted mixed
wood and/or leaves around the base of the tree
restoring the microorganisms and creating a
healthy environment for the microorganisms. Dr.
Alex Shigo, Tree Care Industry, October
1996.
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Dr. Elaine Ingham
(soil microbial ecologist) at Oregon State
University has completed studies on over 6,000
soil samples from around the world. She has found
that in ALL cases, all nitrogen (N) inputs to the
soil feed the microbes first. ALL N must be
processed by microbes before plants can use it
(i.e. the useable N is in the "manure"
produced by the microbes!). Acres USA Conference,
December 1996.
Also several excellent papers on the World Wide
Web: http:\\www.soilfoodweb.org
Look for "The Soil Foodweb: It's
Importance in Ecosystem Health".
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Researchers at the
USDA's Soil Microbial Systems Lab have
discovered a new protein named glomalin, which is
produced by fungi that helps glue soil particles
together making it easier for air and water to
move through the soil. The improved circulation
also creates a healthier environment for plants
and beneficial microorganisms. Tests have shown
that no-tilled corn plots were more stable and
contained more glomalin than tilled plots. Soils
with the well stabilized structure were far less
prone to erosion from wind or water. BioCycle,
December 1997.
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Studies at the Arnold
Arboretum have discovered a new class of plants,
actinorhizal plants, that fix nitrogen on their
roots with an association of type of
actinomycete. It is believed these plants-microbe
associations will fix as much nitrogen into the
soil as alfalfa.
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