Holganix utilizes the microBIOMETER® test as a baseline for their customers to see the fungi and bacteria levels present in their soil. These results act as a starting point. Most of the soil initially tested is bacteria dominant. That is what the company is trying to change. The Holganix product used to amend the soil is fungal and protozoa dominant. By increasing these levels, they are increasing the soil health on their customer’s farms.
There are many soil tests on the market so it can be difficult for farmers to ascertain whether or not they’re choosing the right one. The truth is, there are pros and cons to every soil test. Therefore, it boils down to finding which ones align best with your farming goals and which are easily and readily available to you without needing to stretch your resources too much.
Since microBIOMETER® is a relatively new soil test on the market, questions are often raised on how this test compares to other commonly used soil indicators such as the Haney Soil Test and PLFA test.
Bright Endeavors Now (BEN) located in Tanzania, East Africa was started by Biology professor Dr. Regina Herbert, PhD and her husband, an Electrical Engineer, Ricardo R. Herbert, MUP, MBA.
The BEN program provides an environment where budding engineers, designers, scientists and doctors are introduced to concepts in the sciences, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM), through engaging, developmentally-appropriate activities.
There are many soil tests on the market so it can be difficult for farmers to ascertain whether or not they’re choosing the right one. The truth is, there are pros and cons to every soil test. Therefore it boils down to finding which ones align best with your farming goals and which are easily and readily available to you without needing to stretch your resources too much.
Since microBIOMETER® is a relatively new soil test on the market, a lot of questions are raised on how this test is different from other commonly used soil indicators such as the Haney Soil Test and PLFA test. While all three are soil biological health tests, their methodologies are very different and the tests measure different parameters.
The microBIOMETER® is an on-site soil test that measures the microbial biomass and fungal to bacterial ratio of living and dormant bacteria and fungi. The test process works by measuring the color intensity of the microbial solution created and comparing the color to the test card comparator. This patented, colorimetric analysis process is generated through our microBIOMETER® Reader App and produces results within 25 minutes of starting the testing process. Test prices range from $13.50/sample to $6.75/sample. The low cost, rapid result detection, and on-site testing of living soil are what makes this test stand out against others. The microBIOMETER® has a slightly limited scope, however, as it’s only able to measure the overall biomass of fungi and bacteria. It does not differentiate between microbial species nor does it measure any other parameters.
The Haney Soil Test is a lab test that focuses on assessing a variety of soil parameters such as pH, microbial biomass, water extractable organic carbon and nitrogen, soil respiration, and inorganic plant available nutrients such as NPK. This test uses multiple methods in order to obtain results, including the Solvita CO2 Burst test to indicate soil microbial respiration and biomass, and the use of unique soil extracts to determine organic and inorganic nutrient availability. While this test offers a large array of soil parameters, there is controversy in the science community about using the Solvita CO2 Burst test methodology as a way of accurately predicting microbial biomass. This is because the soil is dried then rewetted to trigger a release of CO2 to measure microbial activity. Drying soil decreases microbial biomass, and while rewetting it will increase biomass again, it doesn’t necessarily repopulate back to the original microbial composition. The Haney Soil test is offered at several labs throughout the country and recommendations are included with results. Generally, this lab test costs about $50/sample and takes about 3-4 weeks to receive results.
The PLFA Soil Test is a lab-based technique that analyzes phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA), which are found in the cell membranes of living organisms, to determine an estimation of living microbial biomass, fungal to bacterial ratio, and to identify the general presence or absence of microbial functional groups in bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. For this test, labs first dry the soil overnight then use multiple solvents to extract fatty acids from the sample. Then, mass spectrometry is used to identify the sample’s microbial composition based on specific PLFA biomarkers. This testing process takes a few days to complete and generally costs about $60/sample depending on the lab. It is one of the most utilized testing methods since it gained popularity in the late 80’s. Since then, it was discovered that some of the PLFA biomarkers used for identification aren’t limited to one microbial group, therefore making it difficult to determine the accuracy of some results.
The value of each of these tests is to determine a baseline assessment of your soil health. The information obtained from any of these tests will help you gain a better and more rounded understanding of what’s happening in your soil.
David Purdy,, Territory Business Manager at John Deere and Soil Health Specialist, utilized the microBIOMETER® soil test in his study titled Assessment of the mircoBIOMETER Soil Biology Test for Agrovista LTD.
Background:
There is an increased level of interest in soil health and a greater demand for more analytical approaches, in particularly for soil biology, for its assessment from farmers and advisors. This short report reviews the use of a recently developed rapid on-site soil microbial carbon testing tool called microBIOMETER® using a replicated 5 year cover crop experiment.
Founded in 2008, Applied Bio-Minerals, Inc. specializes in managing naturally present microbiomes using mixtures of mined minerals.
The company’s operating mode is based on observations, and a close collaboration with the customer. The holistic approach enables farmers to use microbes already present on their farm to their benefit by lowering their inputs and maximizing their revenues, all naturally. As part of the service provided to customers, the company regularly measures progress to ensure the farmer’s goals are met.
Their approach is to examine the entire living soil profile and record its evolution from a baseline set before the application of products. Among the many variables one is essential, the amount of living micro-organisms, and the ratio between bacteria and fungi, at various soil depths.
That is where microBIOMETER® comes in. They have been utilizing the microBIOMETER® soil test in their business since 2020.
“microBIOMETER® is a very convenient tool to have a quick result (in the field) on microbes and allows decisions and adjustments in conducting the field as the season progresses or from one season to the next. Microbial life might sometimes be surprisingly active in depth (here a vineyard). The importance of checking compost quality also underlines the usefulness of the microBIOMETER®” – Herve Bonin, co-founder and managing partner of Applied Bio-Minerals, Inc.
About Applied Bio-Minerals, Inc.
Data from Applied Bio-Minerals, Inc. customer in Virginia
BioHub Solutions, an Australian company that provides biological solutions to the agricultural industry, has incorporated microBIOMETER® into their business. BioHub Solutions believes measurements should be simple whenever possible to ensure their implementation and repeatability. microBIOMETER® has become an integral part of the BioPlan processes. Growers also like it because it provides instant feedback and accountability for Biohub’s biological strategies.
“Our trees continue to do well against the control in areas such as average plant height growth, trunk to height ratio, and fungi to bacteria ratio utilizing microBIOMETER®. This is pleasing so far and we will continue measurements.”
Green bean study in North Queensland.
Green bean trial in North Queensland (above). Initial samples taken 2 weeks before harvest. So far overall bean numbers are 36% improved over control. More importantly, marketable sized numbers are improved by 52%. This is where the margin is for the grower. Microbial biomass is also 28% higher than control which is pleasing. Looking forward to the full harvest figures if they reflect the initial samples taken.
Olive rootstock (below). The data has indicated on average, a 17% increase in stem diameter over the control. Root weight improvements of 47%, biology biomass improvements of 46% and fungal to bacterial ratio improvements of 56% over control. This illustrated that the BioHub solution achieved results in the manner the team had predicted. Photo depicts an example of the treated plug on the left and control on the right.
Olive rootstock – treated
Olive rootstock – control
Hypatia I is an interdisciplinary and multigenerational team of Catalan female scientists who journeyed to the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah in April 2023 for an analog mission to determine if there is life on Mars. At MDRS, they performed high-quality space-related research in a simulated environment, in which they also conducted outreach and science-based communication programs. Most importantly, their work aims to inspire the next generation of young girls interested in pursuing STEM-related careers.
For about 2 weeks, the Hypatia I crew conducted their research while contributing to the understanding of what living and working on Mars would be like. Throughout their time at MDRS, each crew member conducted experiments relating to their individual specialties. Some of the experiments included the development of an iron-based battery using materials in the environment surrounding MDRS, and a comparative seed experiment to study the potential effects of space travel on tomato seeds.
Additionally, the crew collected soil samples from the surrounding desert and, using the microBIOMETER®, tested the soil for evidence of life. The team found that the microBIOMETER® could detect life in 7 of the 11 different desert plots. While the microbial biomass levels were low, with a range of 50-120 ugC/g, the existence of any bacteria or fungi was exciting to see. Hypatia I’s analog mission shows promise for future studies relating to space biology.
Hypatia I is an interdisciplinary and multigenerational team of Catalan female scientists who journeyed to the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah in April 2023 for an analog mission to determine if there is life on Mars. At MDRS, they performed high-quality space-related research in a simulated environment, in which they also conducted outreach and science-based communication programs. Most importantly, their work aims to inspire the next generation of young girls interested in pursuing STEM-related careers.
Kenley Mitchell, a 5th grader at Sargent Elementary School, utilized microBIOMETER® in her science fair project titled “Getting Dirty: Does Soil Affect a Dog’s Microbiome?” Kenley won first prize in her category and received the overall best project award for the San Luis Valley Regional in Alamosa, CO!
Project Abstract:
For my project, I tested a dog’s microbiome and compared it to the health of the dog’s soil. I also looked at the time the dog spends in the soil. I ran two samples. The first sample was a stool sample. The second sample was a soil sample. Both were taken at the same time. I tested dogs that are in the city vs. country dogs. I found out that farm dogs have a healthier microbiome, but city dogs have healthier soil. The farm dogs’ average microbial biomass in the soil is 221.0 ug C/g. The city dogs’ average microbial biomass in the soil is 273.4 ug C/g. Farm dogs average for F% is 20%. City dogs average for F% is 32%. Farm dogs average for B% is 80%. City dogs average for B% is 68%. The farm dogs were outside in the soil for longer periods of time. The farm dogs might be healthier due to spending more time in the soil.
