Re: [compost_tea] protozoa
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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