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Seasons of Soil Microbes

Seasons of Soil Microbes

Microbial activity in agricultural soils varies between and throughout the different seasons.

Seasonal dynamics are a major driver of soil microbial communities and specifically, temperature, moisture content, and the existence of plant life are considered the most important factors affecting microbial growth and activity within a season.

Temperature can be both a limiting factor and a stimulant of microbial biomass and activity. Generally, microbial biomass is lesser in colder temperatures than in warmer temperatures, due to moisture intake capabilities. However, researchers have found that once temperature increases past a certain point, microbial biomass can decrease. In the warmer or hotter seasons, the addition of vegetative cover or cover crops can help to partially manage how much heat the soil is absorbing. Cover crops are encouraged for numerous reasons, including soil temperature management, but also for their ability to increase microbial biomass and diversity.

Plants and the soil microbial community have a symbiotic relationship which allows the plant to feed the microbial community, as the microbes provide the plant with essential nutrients to stimulate its growth. The exact dynamic between plants and their microbial communities is still being investigated as there are many different factors and conditions that play a role in their relationship. This can make it difficult for farmers and researchers to make definitive statements or assumptions regarding the relationship between soil microbial communities and seasonal changes. Therefore, documenting and analyzing periodic readings with microBIOMETER® can assist you in differentiating between natural and seasonal changes in your soil.

Seasons of Soil Microbes

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Soil Health Workshop

Our soil scientist, Marisa, had the pleasure of attending another hands-on Carbon Sponge workshop led by Brooke Singer.

The event took place at Oko Farms in Brooklyn, NY and was filled with young adults eager to learn ways to improve urban soil health. The workshop began with Brooke discussing the importance of carbon sequestration and building a healthy soil, with a focus on urban farming and the ancient grain, sorghum. Brooke explained how the carbon sponge method and urban farming work together to benefit microbial life.

Also partaking in the soil health conversation was scientist and educator Katharhy G. who provided a deeper insight on how plants and microbes interact with each other. Click here to view more research from Katharhy G.

Afterwards, the participants separated into small groups each testing a crop bed using microBIOMETER®. Each group tested the crop bed they believed had the greatest microbial biomass. The beds had a variety of crops growing and some were farmed using different methods.

As the event came to a close, alternative-grained snacks were provided while the group discussed the reasons for the various microBIOMETER® test results.

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Microbes’ sensitivity to environmental change depends on soil depth

This study found that bacterial communities closer to the soil surface were more sensitive to drought and fire. These results mean that deeper soils may serve as a refuge for bacterial communities living through environmental disturbances like wildfire. (Read more)

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