Bucknell University is a private liberal arts college in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania with excellent research facilities and innovative teaching. Students get the opportunity to work closely with professors in their chosen field.
Students in the Biology 203, Integrative Concepts in Biology, laboratory have a unit all about soil. The students visit the Bucknell Farm to learn about the properties of healthy soil. They then pick a location on campus to study. Students study the health of the soil in different conditions, such as soil with native flowers growing compared to soil under a tree. They measure microbial biomass, soil respiration rate, and various other soil properties to determine the overall health of the soil.
“The microBIOMETER® test allows students to quickly and easily measure microbial biomass and the relative amounts of bacteria and fungi in the soil. It is easy to use for non-experts with very quick results! We have measured huge differences in the microbial biomass at locations across Bucknell’s campus and have been surprised to have very high levels of biomass in the grassy areas, too!” – Rebekah Stevenson, Director of Core Course Laboratories – Biology Department
American BioChar Company is a Michigan-based company run by longtime green industry couple, Mark & Laurie Mann. For more than two decades, they have been researching and developing programs and products to improve soils, root conditions, and plant growth in urban, rural, and agricultural landscapes.
Over the last 3 years, they have conducted trials on blueberry farms in SW Michigan, using the microBIOMETER® and other soil-metric tests. The trials compared soils of blueberry bushes treated with their VITAL Blend soil amendment to those with untreated soil. Data was collected in the spring, summer and fall each year to demonstrate the natural ebb & flow of microbe communities in soils. Not only does the data show the steady increase of soil microbial biomass, but overall the trial sites have improved soil structure and more nutrient dense crops.
“The biggest impact we have in using the microBIOMETER® is demonstrating the successful transformation within the soil, following applications of our different biochar blended soil amendments. It provides confidence in our product and helps move the client conversation toward the biological benefits of our product. When a client is able to see and track the fungal to bacterial ratio for their soil overtime, it is very empowering.”
American BioChar is also undergoing several other trials throughout the mid-west with corn, cannabis, soybeans, and tree rhizospheres, using both their VITAL Blend and their new GRATEFUL Blend living soil. As both blends provide active and fixed carbon to soil, these trials were aimed to enhance and increase soil biology and restore nutrient density. Pre- and post- application photos can show how these products improved overall crop production.
Recently, Laurie Mann and microBIOMETER® president Laura Decker participated in Heart & Soil Magazine‘s Soil Summit discussing “How to Increase the Speed of Microbe Growth”. Click here to watch!
Overton Environmental Enterprises, Inc. is a Canadian company that develops innovative biotechnology solutions that reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Their EcoTea™ products and research are focused on helping farmers work with soil ecosystems instead of against them. In their years of research they have proven direct results from using broad spectrum biology but the impacts in the soil and changes in soil quality have been harder to showcase.
Three seasons ago they discovered the microBIOMETER® testing system. These tests have given them a way to benchmark pre application conditions, the post application changes and most importantly the improvements over time. This real-time way for farmers to see the unseeable has given them confidence in the value of biology for their soils and programs. They use microBIOMETER® to augment field data (i.e. help correlate scores with plant health data and yield). microBIOMETER® has allowed them to show how EcoTea™ can influence root bacterial to fungal ratios and determine (at least in part) the amount of resources the plant is allocating to the rhizosphere.
The microBIOMETER® has given us another way to showcase how re-introducing biology can help our soils and the hard-working communities that rely on them.”
EcoTea™ is a biological product with biodiversity like no other, built on the vision of soil biodiversity enhancing professional success. EcoTea™ combines a wide array of plant-supporting microorganisms fortified with added biostimulants to enhance soil quality and nutrient function. Diversity is the key, allowing our products to adapt and meet your individual site needs, based on plant response and requirements. Our proprietary process built with ecological engineering provides the functional microbial community associated with healthy crops and soil.
Can Grow Crop Solutions, a company focused on providing market-leading fluid solutions and service, has been incorporating microBIOMTER® into their business with positive results. Shawn Brenneman, Director of Commercial Growth & Strategy at Can Grow, shared a bit about their company and the testing they are performing.
Vibrant, diversified soil biology is essential in growing crops for maximum yield and quality, Can Grow works with farmers on getting the most out of their cropping systems. They do this through increasing nutrient use efficiency, reducing crop stress, and helping soil/biological systems function at higher levels. Utilizing microBIOMETER® allows their customers to have a greater understanding of how soil type and management practices impact soil biology and advise them on potential solutions to improve performance.
The microBIOMETER® helps Can Grow and their customers determine a baseline of organisms within an entire field or production area that may be high or low yielding. It allows the company to track the improvements their solutions make on the balance and diversity of micro-organisms in the soil. Microbial systems are often hard for growers to understand because they can’t be seen. microBIOMETER® creates a clear picture by quantifying which solutions work in supporting soil health and which ones do not.
In a bio-fertility trial, ReNew (bacteria/fungi team from Biodyne USA) was applied in furrow with water to corn, Can Grow then evaluated the microbial diversity in the root system of the microbial treated area vs. the non-treated area. The untreated soil had a F: B ratio of fungi 4% and bacteria 96%. This level was much lower than what they wanted for yield optimization. However, it was consistent with what they generally see in tilled, high crop protection use fields. The ReNew treated area had a F:B ratio of fungi 29% and bacteria 71% showing the biology was colonizing the root zone area and providing fertility benefits to the crop.
About Can Grow: The company is much more than a fluid fertilizer company. They have a long, successful history of innovating, adapting and manufacturing fluid solutions to maximize plant potential and soil performance. As a manufacturer, they have the technology and knowledge to innovate and adapt proven fluid solutions to meet changing needs in any market. They assist their clients in addressing factors beyond their control, such as changing environmental conditions, through foliar combinations for application throughout the season.
Find out more at: www.cangrow.com
Amanda Foxon-Hill, a chemist by trade, is working with Mid Lachlan Landcare in the region of NSW, Australia. Mid Lachlan Landcare is a community organization committed to the regeneration of land. Their work includes Regenerative Agriculture, Box Gum Woodland Conservation, Superb Parrot Habitat, Community Gardens, Education & more. Cowra is the main town in their Landcare region which consists of various soil profiles. It is rich in farming land with cropping and grazing.
Amanda designed and performed a soil research project funded by the BCT (Biodiversity Conservation Trust). She took soil samples from farms, conservations and public land across the region to map their soil microbiome. Her goal was to see if she could establish a ’normal’ or ’typical’ range of microbes for each type of landscape and soil.
Amanda looked at grazed vs ungrazed land, mono-cropping vs mixed pasture etc. but that was really secondary to the soil geology and microbe link as there was a short window to complete this round of tests and farm management decisions such as what crop to grow, for instance, requires testing over multiple time points.
As part of the project, Amanda trialed microBIOMETER®. Microbes are essential for soil fertility and almost all plants work cooperatively with microbes to access the nutrients they need to thrive. The relationship between plants and microbes is dynamic; changing with the season, how the land is managed, plant species and life-stage, climate and the soil structure and composition.
“Overall, we feel this project has successfully delivered insights into how the Mid Lachlan region’s soils microbiome functions with respect to landscape features and management decisions although it’s clear there’s still a lot more work to do. Also, after putting the microBIOMETER® through its paces we believe it’s a useful tool for those looking to gain a deeper understanding of their soil. Our advice would be to use the microBIOMETER® or similar microbiology assessment tool/ protocol alongside your existing soil testing tools, at regular intervals to monitor the effect management decisions have on the soil microbiota over time.”
Ithaca Central High School science teacher Robert Tuori is conducting a study to examine short term changes in soil health at Nook And Cranny Farm, a diverse vegetable farm, as an independent research project for the USDA Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Fellows.
Utilizing both the microBIOMETER® and Cornell Soil Health Assessment, Robert and students will compare tilled vs non-tilled soil in 4 crop beds, each containing either brassica or cucurbit, and flipping crops midseason. The beds were covered in October of last year with a cocktail of winter rye, vetch, and triticale. These cover crops were grown until early May, then covered with a black silage tarp for one month. The brassicas were planted into hay mulch while the cucurbits were planted into biodegradable plastic mulch.
Robert is particularly interested in looking at easy, on-farm testing, as well as lab analysis. They will conduct microBIOMETER® testing on each bed three times throughout the season: before planting, midseason before second planting, and at the end of the season. For the lab based analysis, they will measure nutrient levels in each bed at the beginning and at the end of the study, as well as perform the Cornell Soil Health Assessment on all four beds at the end of the study.
Emil Racelis, a 6th grader in McAllen, Texas, utilized microBIOMETER® in his science fair project at IMAS (International Museum of Art & Science) and was awarded 3rd Place in the middle school division!
As a control, Emil tested three different store bought bagged soils with microBIOMETER®; top soil, organic potting soil and commercial potting soil. The top soil had a very low levels of microbes while the organic and commercial potting soils had a high level of microbes. Emil then collected soil samples in his community garden from areas with high plant diversity (five or more species in the sample plot) and areas of low plant diversity (areas with two or less species per sample plot).
His hypothesis was that areas with higher plant diversity would have more microbes, but that is not what he found. There were low/medium levels of microbes in all the plots sampled, therefore, no solid conclusion could be made. Emil believes the results stemmed from drought conditions they were currently experiencing in Texas. The garden was watered sometimes, but not that much. Emil would like to do more microBIOMETER® soil testing in the future during a season with more rain.
“I had a lot of fun using the tests and I got some pretty cool results even though they were not what I expected. I found the process really interesting and the test easy to perform. I hope I get to use microBIOMETER® again some day.” -Emil Racelis
“Emil really got into this project, and was fascinated by what he found, which only leads to more questions! Now he really wants to do more experimenting to see what helps the soil microbes. We have a garden, and he is talking about testing the results of compost tea, and other organic additives, as well as looking at the affect of drought vs rainy season. We may have to save up for more tests! You got us hooked! It was so cool to see him using the tests independently. I love how user-friendly your system is.” – Alison, Emil’s mom
Please click here to view more science fair projects using microBIOMETER®. If you would like to include microBIOMETER® in your next school or science fair project, contact us for details!
The images above represent microBIOMETER® soil testing results one year apart which show the mB levels have improved over 40%.
David Bray serves as the agriculture and livestock consultant for Omnicrobe Natural Solutions, an all-natural microbial amendment, and represents the company throughout the United States.
Omnicrobe Natural Solutions has performed soil tests in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas on a variety of crops. Their SOIL2 product breaks down the nutrients that are in the soil to become more readily available to the plant root system. Applying SOIL2 lessens the demand for fertilizer by utilizing the nutrients’ that are existing. They use microBIOMETER® to establish a base line reading then retest at various phases to determine how the soil is progressing.
Being able to track the microbes in the soil to determine the amount of SOIL2 microbes to apply, has proven beneficial to rebuild and maintain healthy soil. Application of SOIL2 can vary from in-furrow application, broadcast spray, irrigation, or drip tape.
David Bray was born and raised in Southwest, Oklahoma. He graduated from Cameron University, Lawton, OK with a degree in Agriculture Education and a minor in Agronomy. Retired from public education in July 2022, his passion now lies in plant and animal health,; leading to a healthier human.
Our customer Living Water has been utilizing microBIOMETER® to enhance their approach to sustainable farming and to refine their microbial treatments, ensuring they meet the specific needs of each farm.
Their innovative system integrates with the existing irrigation setup to distribute beneficial microbes effectively. With the help of microBIOMETER®’s soil testing, they are able to analyze microbial biomass and adjust the microbial mixes they provide each month, ensuring optimal soil health.
Sales rep Brent taking a soil sample at one of the farms in West Texas
Leveraging microBIOMETER® for Increased Soil Health
Our customer Living Water has been utilizing microBIOMETER® to enhance their approach to sustainable farming and to refine their microbial treatments, ensuring they meet the specific needs of each farm.
Their innovative system integrates with the existing irrigation setup to distribute beneficial microbes effectively. With the help of microBIOMETER®’s soil testing, they are able to analyze microbial biomass and adjust the microbial mixes they provide each month, ensuring optimal soil health.
Key Benefits:
Living Water and microBIOMETER®’s collaboration is the result of their shared passion for soil health and their quest to transform farming with data-driven microbial management.
About Living Water: Living Water is a visionary agricultural technology company with a mission to redefine the way farmers approach soil health. Their flagship product is a subscription-based automated microbe bioreactor that seamlessly infuses essential nutrients into every irrigation cycle. Designed to deliver maximum efficiency with minimal labor, this innovative system eliminates the need for labor-intensive hauling, mixing, or application processes. Learn more at WeSaveSoil.
