Re: [compost_tea] protozoa

From: Jeff Lowenfels <jeff_at_gardener.com>
Date: Sun, 11 May 2003 09:49:04 -0800

Paulette,

You have to let this stuff sink. The protozoa are after Carbon AND Nitrogen=
. They need carbon for energy production and nitrogen for synthesis of amin=
o acids and proteins. They are not eating primarily for the nitrogen, but =
the carbon......

The forests don't have nitrifying bacteria so the ammonium stays in that fo=
rm. In row crop situations there are usually nitrifying bacteria so the amm=
onium is converted to nitrite and then nitrate.

Why? It is all in the book you have in front of you:Simplified, bacteria pr=
oduce slime which has a pH above 7. Fungi produce organic acids with a pH b=
elow 7. Nitrifying bacteria prefer a pH above 7 and so don't exist in high =
numbers in soils dominated by fungi...i.e. forest.

I would suggest you go to one of Dr. Elaine's seminars and or order the CDs=
 from the SFI site. If you go to www.alaskahumus.com you will find lots of =
links and sources, books and notes.

Cheers,

Jeff



Received on Sun May 11 2003 - 17:26:35 EDT

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