 | Things you need to know about the Fungal to Bacterial Ratio (F:B) ▪ microBIOMETER® is the only non-laboratory test for F:B.
▪ The methods of measuring F:B ratio give very different values (1-11). The Gold Standard for estimating fungal biomass is microscopy, which calculates fungal biovolume. Note that microBIOMETER® detects the same range as microscopy- not surprising as it was validated by correlation with microscopy. For review of these measures see Appendix 1. For measuring progress, stick with one method.
| ▪ | The methods of measuring F:B ratio give very different values (1-11). The Gold Standard for estimating fungal biomass is microscopy, which calculates fungal biovolume. Note that microBIOMETER® detects the same range as microscopy- not surprising as it was validated by correlation with microscopy. For review of these measures see Appendix 1. For measuring progress, stick with one method. | |  Appendix 1 | | ▪ Different methods measure different fungal and bacterial populations. The chart below, adapted from Wang et al review of 192 different F:B ratios, illustrates how three different methods came up with three different F:B ratios for Forest, Farmland and Grassland. Note that microBIOMETER® correlates well with the gold standard, microscopy. By plate culture, forest F:B is about 1/3 that of farmland, whereas PLFA forest F:B is slightly higher, and microscopy and microBIOMETER® forest F:B are 10 times higher than farmland.
| ▪ | Different methods measure different fungal and bacterial populations. The chart below, adapted from Wang et al review of 192 different F:B ratios, illustrates how three different methods came up with three different F:B ratios for Forest, Farmland and Grassland. Note that microBIOMETER® correlates well with the gold standard, microscopy. By plate culture, forest F:B is about 1/3 that of farmland, whereas PLFA forest F:B is slightly higher, and microscopy and microBIOMETER® forest F:B are 10 times higher than farmland. | | ▪ In addition, F:B ratios are strongly affected by the following variables:
| ▪ | In addition, F:B ratios are strongly affected by the following variables: | | 1. Crop type - forest is typically higher than agricultural.
2. AMF- soil of crops that are colonized by AMF have higher F:B.
3. pH - fungi tend to increase at lower pH.
4. Sampling site - the rhizosphere of AMF colonized plants has higher F:B.
5. Fertilizer and litter composition - high nitrogen lowers F:B, organic fertilizer regimens increase F:B as well as MBC.
| 1. | Crop type - forest is typically higher than agricultural. | | 2. | AMF- soil of crops that are colonized by AMF have higher F:B. | | 3. | pH - fungi tend to increase at lower pH. | | 4. | Sampling site - the rhizosphere of AMF colonized plants has higher F:B. | | 5. | Fertilizer and litter composition - high nitrogen lowers F:B, organic fertilizer regimens increase F:B as well as MBC. | | ▪ microBIOMETER® cloud data demonstrates an F:B range of 0-13.5. Note that as the literature predicts, generally the F:B correlates well with MBC. The cloud data portrayed is not identified by user and so we do not have information on the type of soil or crop. From conversations with users, we believe that about 2000 ug MBC/gm soil is the highest seen in agricultural soil, while engineered soils can read higher.
| ▪ | microBIOMETER® cloud data demonstrates an F:B range of 0-13.5. Note that as the literature predicts, generally the F:B correlates well with MBC. The cloud data portrayed is not identified by user and so we do not have information on the type of soil or crop. From conversations with users, we believe that about 2000 ug MBC/gm soil is the highest seen in agricultural soil, while engineered soils can read higher. | |  Celebrating a Successful 2021 Eco-Ag Conference & Trade Show | Acres Conference & Trade Show We were blown away by the welcome we received at the Acres ECO-AG Trade Show. We are so proud to be allied with Acres and the work they are doing to promote healthy soil and healthy food. Being with this giving, hopeful community made us feel so grateful to be contributing to our common goal and renewed our faith in the future of the planet. Our presentation “Building Microbial Communities” was well attended and followed by a lively hour-long Q&A session about soil health. Thank you to Acres for hosting the event and to everyone who visited our booth. We will be back on the trade show circuit attending the MOSES Organic Farming Conference February 24-26. Hope to see you there! |  Quotes, research and articles. | The Farm as Ecosystem "Ninety percent of the carbon dioxide produced by life on this planet primarily originates from bacteria and fungi." -Jerry Brunetti, The Farm as Ecosystem Source: Acres U.S.A. | | |
