Re: [compost_tea] Questions about Lactobacillus acidophilus

From: <soilfoodweb_at_aol.com>
Date: Wed, 1 Jan 2003 22:56:45 EST

Lon e-mailed and asked the same question of me, and here's the answer I sent
him -


Hi Lon -

Lactobacillus is in milk. It isn't destroyed by pasteurization, because it
is a spore forming bacterium. Thus it comes in your milk, not from the air.
You carry Lactobacillus in your digestive system.

Lactobacillus can be very useful for soil inoculation, and getting the soil
started moving in the right direction. Because it can survive in reduced
oxygen conditions, it can begin building soil structure in compacted soil.
Getting more air into the soil can help many other beneficial bacteria and
fungi to get going.

But generally, inoculated once is all you need. And by year two, there are
no more benefits to be had from adding just this organism. You have to
continue building the soil, by getting other bacteria, fungi, protozoa and
nematodes into the soil.

So, short term benefit, need the rest of the system brought along to continue
to see things improve. But, no step one, no rest of the system......

EM inocula generally contain several species of Lactobacillus. Organica
products usually do as well. New Era and SPF1 also have these bacteria.
Fair number of inocula on the market contain these species.

Best ones for soil? They are "first step", not long term residents. They
are not generally active in healthy soil.

Um, but data showing that? I've come to that conclusion based on healthy
soil not showing individuals with the typical morphology of these bacteria.
But not on experimental data.

OK?

Elaine
President, Soil Foodweb Inc.
www.soilfoodweb.com



.

Received on Wed Jan 01 2003 - 23:33:12 EST

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