newsletterbanner
 
***
rodele

microBIOMETER® can tell you if you are increasing the nutrient value and disease resistance of your crop

A Rodale study showed greatly increased levels of the vitamins and minerals in sustainably farmed soils as opposed to mineral fertilized crops. And at Rodale, the sustainable practice yields are the same as the paired fields farmed with mineral fertilizers – and in bad weather, and disease years significantly better. Rodale is only one of many studies showing the increased nutrient value of organically and sustainably grown food.

Now Dr. Montgomery of the University of Washington’s team in a similar study has shown that if you are increasing your microbial biomass you are increasing the nutrient level of your crop: “soil health is a more pertinent metric for assessing the impact of farming practices on the nutrient composition of crops”.

Biklé, A. and Montgomery, D.R., 2021. Soil health and nutrient density: beyond organic vs. conventional farming. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems.

Hepperly, P.R., Omondi, E. and Seidel, R., 2018. Soil regeneration increases crop nutrients, antioxidants and adaptive responses. MOJ Food Process Technol, 6(2), pp.196-203.

***
Atandi 2

Janet Atandi testing with microBIOMETER®

Soil research in Kenya

Janet Atandi, a nematology PhD student in Kenya, is currently working on an assessment of banana fiber paper on soil health as part of a Wrap and Plant technology study. In brief, she is testing the long-term effect of using modified banana fiber paper to manage plant-parasitic nematodes and its impact on the beneficial soil microbial communities.

The banana fiber paper is used as an organic carrier for either ultra-low dosages of nematicides (abamectin and fluopyram) or microbial antagonists (Trichoderma spp.) and is to be compared to unmodified paper.

This study is being conducted using potatoes and green peas as the test crops over five consecutive seasons. With the aid of a microBIOMETER® test kit, Janet will be able to assess the impact of the paper on the soil microbial biomass and thus will be able to determine whether the banana paper is effective or detrimental to soil health.

Wrap and Plant technology sources:
NC State explores promising pest-control strategy with high-impact potential for sub-Saharan Africa
Banana's Waste, potatoes gain
Potato farmers conquer a devastating worm—with paper made from bananas

***
IMG 5735

Laura with Jorge Abrego, General Manager at ACRES USA

At the World Agri-Tech Summit

microBIOMETER® president, Laura Decker, attended the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in San Francisco last month.

The event featured a select group of investors, large agricultural companies, and small startups/early-stage companies looking to network and fundraise.

Laura was happy to see some of our favorite companies- ACRES USA, Leaf, 3BAR, and Farmers Business Network as well as meet new groups such as Cropin, Pluton Bioscience, and Carbon Terra.

Being a small Ag-Tech company, it was wonderful to have the opportunity to meet and engage with some of the big players in the field such as Dole, Syngenta, Bayer, Corteva, and NutrienAg.

As microBIOMETER® continues to grow and innovate, it is exciting to see all the wonderful things happening in the Ag-Tech space.

IMG 5731

Beeflow

See what all the BUZZ was about at the World Agri-Tech Summit!

Beeflow is an innovative company that helps growers cultivate native and local bee populations and more efficiently utilize and safeguard provided colonies.

They provide professional pollination services to farmers. By applying scientific knowledge and technology during crop pollination, they are able to increase crop yields and improve the quality of fruits and seeds.

IMG 5732
***
All Speakers - April 13-3

Regenerative Food Systems Investment - Virtual Series

What we have going on this month!

Laura Decker will be presenting at the Regenerative Food Systems Investment Virtual Series during the Enabling Tech - Soil Data & Analytics session on April 13th. Learn about the role soil data and analytics technology can play in scaling regenerative and what opportunities for investment these tools present! Click here to learn more.

microBIOMETER® is also a sponsor for the 4/20 Overgrow event April 18-24. Participants have the chance to win a 10-Test Starter Kit!

***
 
   
 
Powered by
GoDaddy Email Marketing ®