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Dr. Ingham's Intro Newsletter
- To: london@metalab.unc.edu
- Subject: Dr. Ingham's Intro Newsletter
- From: sam@unisun.org
- Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 21:26:26 -0700 (PDT)
- Organization: Unisun Communications-Re: Soil Foodweb, Inc.
Greetings!
Recently you signed up for Dr. Elaine Ingham's Email
Newsletter. The newsletter will be sent once per month
with special notices thrown out to you from time to time
if we feel so anxious we just can't wait!
This is the Introductory Newsletter. It comes to you now
as a "Welcome" note and to give you the necessary background
on The Soil Foodweb and a bit of information on Dr. Ingham's
laboratory & research facility...Soil Foodweb, Incorporated.
At the end of this letter you will find a rather detailed
Q&A session between Dr. Elaine Ingham and someone just like you!
This is a real exchange and we hope to encourage you to
ask questions and send comments. We're very excited about this
opportunity to open a dialogue that will lead to further
learning by all of us.
If you have something to share, please email Dr. Elaine
Ingham directly at the following address:
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mailto: info@soilfoodweb.com
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She will address your email personally and maybe you'll find it
posted in a future newsletter!
So, all fomalities aside.... On with the good stuff you've been
waiting for!
Peace,
Samuel A. Ettaro II
Unisun Communications
Dr. Ingham/SFI Newsletter Administrator
(541)367-8980
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The Soil Foodweb:
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There are several million to billion organisms, which typically require a
microscope to see, that live in soil and around the roots of plants. The
way these organisms interact with each other and with plants is called the
Soil Foodweb. There is a best balance of all the different kinds of
microorganisms for each kind of plant to get best plant health and quite
often improve yield. A spoonful of healthy soil should contain only
beneficial species of bacteria, fungi, nematodes and protozoa that never
cause disease or become pests. These species perform vital "functions" in
the root zone that can bring real profits to growers IF soil conditions are
managed in ways that allow the microbes to live and work. To view some of
these critters click on the link below:
________________________________________
http://www.soilfoodweb.com/gallery.html
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Think about the dollar potential involved with each of the following six
functions and then be aware that these functions are entirely biological
and only occur through a soil foodweb that is built up, intact and working!
Services SFI offers:
~Testing soil and foliar samples for the desired biomass
and balance of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes,
mycorrhizal fungi and microarthropods.
~Consulting on practices to optimize soil fertility, and plant
health both in the soil and on the foliage.
~Seminars about the Soil Foodweb, including talks about the
functions provided by a healthy, balanced soil foodweb, how to
detect whether your soil is healthy, to how to get a well-balanced
foodweb, how to make good compost, disease-suppressive compost teas
appropriate to the plant and what products help bring the foodweb
back into balance.
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A balanced Soil Foodweb will:
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1. Suppress disease-causing and pest organisms
2. Retain nitrogen and other nutrients such as calcium,
iron, potassium, phosphorus, etc.
3. Make nutrients available for plant growth at the times
plants require at the rates plants require.
4. Decompose plant residues rapidly.
5. Produce hormones that help plants grow.
6. Produce good soil structure, improving water infiltration,
oxygen diffusion, and water-holding capacity.
7. Consume pollutants in the soil.
Disease suppression: Requires specific species of bacteria and fungi that
compete with, inihibit and parasitize disease-causing organisms. The plant
uses a minimum of 25% of it's fixed energy each year to feed these
beneficial organisms in the volume of soil around it's roots. If
pesticides or high levels of fertilizers have been used, or if plowing has
been too intensive leaving bare soil for significant periods during the
year, these beneficial organisms are no longer present. The exudates the
plant makes feed disease organisms, and we see ever-increasing disease
problems. The beneficials have to be brought back through inoculation if
their numbers are too low, or through feeding the right kinds of foods that
select for the "good guys", and not the bad guys.
A healthy soil that contains a broad diversity of microbial types most
often contains species that consume, inhibit or suppress the kinds of fungi
that cause root rots and the kinds of nematodes that attack roots. There is
plenty of research and on-farm experience to show that these economic
threats can be controlled very well without the need for applied fungicides
or nematicides. What it takes for this to happen is good soil health in the
form of an active, intact soil foodweb.
Retention of nutrients: Nitrate and some other nutrients can leach out and
be lost unless they can be banked in soils until the plant needs them. The
function of nutrient retention occurs when bacteria and fungi multiply and
increase their populations in the soil. Bacteria and fungi are extremely
rich in protein that is made from nitrogen. When bacteria and fungi
multiply they gather nitrates, ammonium, and organic nitrogen from the soil
and convert it to protein in their bodies. Nitrogen in this form is a bank
account of nitrogen that does not leach easily and is not lost as a gas.
Products and cultural practices that stimulate a "bloom" of bacteria or
fungi reproductive growth can be used as tools to achieve nutrient
retention. When this function is working in your soil, half of the process
that leads to lower rates of N and P with no reduction in crop yield is
present. You are retaining N, P, S, Ca, K, Fe, etc, in your soil, and they
will NOT end up in surface or groundwater any longer. Recent studies at
SFI have shown that fungi are the most important retainers of calcium in
the soil. Lose your fungi, and you lose the ability to retain Ca in the soil.
Nutrient Recycling: Once nutrients have been retained, other kinds of soil
organisms need to be encouraged to feed on the bacteria and fungi. In
bacterial-dominated soils, the rich meal of protein in the bacteria and
fungi that the predators eat is metabolized and part of the nitrogen is
released back into the soil as ammonium that is quickly converted to
nitrate for use by crops. In fungal dominated soils, since fungi produce
organic acids, ammonium remains as ammonium, and little is converted into
nitrate. Look at the form of nitrogen in healthy orchard or conifer forest
soils - it is ammonium, not nitrate, that is the major form. Forests where
nitrate is higher than ammonium are typically in severe stress, with dying
trees. The organisms that release nutrients from the bacteria and fungi
(the retained form) are beneficial nematodes that only feed on bacteria or
fungi, protozoa that feed on bacteria, and beneficial soil mites that feed
on fungi. As these species go about their work they cause nitrogen
especially, but also phosphorus and other nutrients, to be released at a
gradual rate that supplies crops with a steady diet all season long.
Decomposition of crop residues, manure and other organic material: These
materials will only decompose if certain species of fungi and bacteria, the
"decomposers", decay them and allow recycling processes to occur. The ideal
process forms large amounts of humus. The decay function gets rid of crop
residues, but what it really does is convert the food energy in fresh
organic matter to biological forms that feed other soil organisms that do
different indispensable functions, as described below.
Production of plant growth regulators: All plants depend on the presence of
certain species of soil microorganisms in the root zone to produce various
hormones and other chemical "signals" that stimulate growth and
development. Two plants from the same seed, one in a dead soil and the
other in a living soil, both with the same nutrients, will show different
rates of growth, final size and value. The plant growing in healthy soil
will have found the partnership it expects with beneficial microbes that
produce growth hormones not made by the plant itself. The plant in healthy
soil will be the better plant.
Soil structure: In order to maintain an well-aggregated soil structure,
i.e., to improve or maintain good tilth, the organisms that glue, bind and
engineer soil structure and soil pores must be present. Good tilth or good
soil structure allows optimum infiltration of air, water and roots.
Aggregates will not form unless sand, silt and clay particles are "glued"
together by the gums and gels that many species of soil bacteria produce.
These aggregates are further strengthened against collapse by species of
beneficial fungi that grow throughout the aggregate and physically bind it.
The large pore spaces holding "reservoirs" of water must be built by the
larger critters, by microarthropods, earthworms, beetle larvae,
enchytraeids, etc. The better the set of soil organisms producing
resilient structure, the more "strength" your soil has. The more resilient
the structure of the soil, the bigger the equipment that can be driven on
it, without destroying that structure.
Clean up of herbicide or pesticide carry over: Most herbicide and pesticide
molecules can be "eaten" or degraded by certain kinds of microbes in the
soil, if those species are present. A healthy soil will tend to rid itself
of ag chemical carry over and other forms of pollution.
Each of the functions above describes how soils are supposed to work and
can work. Your opportunity is to learn to employ cultural practices and
biological products to get all these functions working at top capacity.
Yield and profit will be the result.
Until Next Time!
Dr. Elaine Ingham
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Q&A Session #1
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Q1:
I would like to understand the mechanism of beneficial nematodes affecting
root-feeders. Do these beneficial nematodes survive thermal composting
cycles?
A1:
What we find is that root-feeding nematodes can be suppressed by having a
healthy number of bacterial-feeding nematodes, fungal-feeding nematodes and
predatory nematodes present in the rhizosphere. "Healthy" numbers depend
on the plant, the soil type, climate, hydrology, etc, so we expect that the
number is different based on circumstances.
The mechanisms for interactions between these beneficial nematodes and the
root-feeding nematodes is something nematologists at a variety of
Universities, including my husband at Oregon State University, have been
interacting on for a number of years. Nothing extremely formal, certainly
not funded by any government agency that I am aware. Right now, the
hypothesized explanations for how beneficial nematodes control root-feeding
nematodes are:
1. Physical impediment. The beneficials interfere with the ability of the
pest nematodes to find the root. This could be by occupying space along
the root so the pests don't have room to "belly up to the bar". It could
be that beneficials physically bump and push the pest nematodes out of the
rhizosphere.
2. Stimulating growth of bacteria or fungi that produce antibiotics or
other pest nematode inhibitory compounds. When bacterial- or
fungal-feeding nematodes graze their prey, the release of nutrients
stimulates the remaining prey to grow faster. This is a culling
phenomenon. The stimulated bacteria or fungi may make compounds that kill
the pest nematodes. But in order for this mechanism to work, not only must
the beneficial nematodes be present, but the right species of bacteria and
fungi need to be present.
3. Inoculation of the rhizosphere with bacteria and fungi that trap and
parasitize pest nematodes. There are many species of bacteria and fungi
that if they can gain entrance to the inside of a nematode, will cause
disease, or will parasitize the nematode. Large numbers of nematodes -
beneficials or pests - means the diseases of nematodes will eventually
arrive too. Maybe that's all that happens - the beneficials bring nematode
diseases with them and trash the neighborhood, at least from the
root-feeding nematode's point-of-view.
4. Consumption of pest nematodes. Predatory nematodes eat other nematodes.
It's not really cannibalism, but more like people eating great apes, or
one species of spider eating another species of spider. But the more
predatory nematodes present, the more root-feeders will be eaten. It is
likely that some species of predatory nematodes specialize in hunting down
root-feeding nematodes, so those would be the most effective species to
inoculate. Which species are those? It depends on the soil, climate,
plant species and pest nematodes present, but the best place to look for
this information is in the Journal of Nematology and to talk with your
local nematologist. They may not know this kind of information, but
perhaps they should be encouraged to do so.
We have developed a group of beneficial nematodes that, when added to soil,
interfere with root-feeding nematodes. The comparison of control versus
treatments show reductions in root-feeders on addition of
bacterial-feeding, fungal-feeding and predatory nematodes. But SFI does
not sell products. We test to see if nematodes are present and which kinds
are present. Are they the right ones, based on climate, soil type, plant
desired, etc? We assess whether the other organisms - bacteria, fungi,
protozoa, mycorrhizal colonization - are correctly balanced for a healthy
soil to grow the desired plant. But, the beneficial nematode "inoculum" is
a product that ought to be available to growers. Right now, SFI is willing
to send this inoculum to people, but only if you agree to test your soil
for the nematodes present BEFORE you inoculate, add the beneficial
nematodes, and then test again in a month, and then a year later.
Basically, we're asking that you fund the necessary research to determine
whether this inoculum will work. We'll supply the inoculum, if you agree
to pay for the testing. We need at least two months notice BEFORE we can
get started, because we have to make certain we have enough nematode
inoculum to add to what you want to test.
How much demand might there be for this beneficial nematode inoculum? Most
people don't realize this, but there are a number of situations where
beneficial nematodes need to be added to soil or to compost.
1. When nematicides have been used, those chemicals kill the beneficial
nematodes as well as the pest nematodes. It is rare that the beneficials
come back before the pests!
2. When pesticides are used that kill the non-target beneficial nematodes
(such as 2,4-D, Bravo in some cases, anything containing an alcohol-base,
dichloran, orthene, etc, etc) are used, it may be years before they return.
Because it is not required that pesticides be tested to determine their
effect on beneficial nematodes, some pesticides likely kill only the
beneficials, and not the pest nematodes. Consumers need to demand that
this information appear on pesticide labels.
3. When compost gets too hot, too anaerobic, or too wet during composting,
the beneficial nematodes are either killed or forced into dormant forms.
If killed, the beneficial nematodes need to be added back to the compost as
soon as temperature in the pile comes back down to 100 F or lower.
Typically, if compost doesn't heat too high, the beneficial nematodes begin
to grow at warm, but not-too-hot temperatures. They can then fulfill their
beneficial roles of consuming bacteria and fungi, consuming pest nematodes
if present, improving nutrient cycling in the compost, and improving
aggregate structure in the compost (they are one of the engineers of larger
soil pores). If they start growing rapidly enough, they can be in high
numbers by the time the compost is mature and added to soil.
4. Following rapid freeze-thaw, or wet-dry cycles, pro-longed anaerobic
conditions in the soil, or conditions (toxic chemical spills, fires that
heat the soil to high temperatures) that kill the beneficial nematodes.
Turning to the question about compost temperature, the data we've collected
shows that root-feeding nematodes don't survive thermal composting very
well at all. Root-feeders appear to be quite sensitive to temperatures
above 100 F, while numerous species of bacterial-feeders and fungal-feeders
survive temperatures as high as 145 to 155 F. There are probably some
species of root-feeding nematodes that survive high temperatures, but they
don't also survive the suppressive activities of beneficial nematodes
(outlined above), and the fact that there are no roots to eat in a compost
pile.
A very important point with composting is if you go over 155 to 160 F, the
only nematodes that survive are the ones that can produce dormant stages.
This is a very limited set of nematodes and diversity suffers excessively
when compost gets too high in temperature. Lack of diversity means you
won't have the right beneficial nematodes to suppress, inhibit or eat the
pest nematodes given all the diverse set of environmental conditions
present through the course of a year. Most ecologists are very cognizant
that any one particular species of organism is active and doing it's things
only during a limited set of conditions. Some species require low
temperature, others high, others need high humidity, others low, some like
certain kinds of bacteria to eat, others find those same bacteria toxic,
some like high iron, others need low, and so on. Thus, to have active
beneficial nematodes through the whole year, you need as wide a diversity
as you can manage. Thus, reducing that diversity by getting the compost
too hot reduces the chances of having the diversity of species needed to
combat the pest species.
When we might add an inoculum of beneficial nematodes to improve diversity,
we aren't really certain what the best time is for adding that inoculum.
In compost, beneficial nematodes appear to be happy even when the
temperature is 145 F, but they were in the compost from the beginning of
the heating cycle, not added to the compost. Going from ambient
temperature in an inoculum to 145 F in the compost might kill the nematodes
without some period of acclimation. The beneficial nematodes that were in
the compost to begin with are of course acclimated to the heat. But it
leaves a question about when is the best time to add an inoculum of
beneficial nematodes. We need to start adding at say 100 F, and if all of
the added nematodes survive that temperature, then we try adding them to
the next compost at 110 F. If they all survive that, then we try 120 F,
and so on.
So, stay tuned. When we get that figured out, we'll post it on the web site.
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Unisun Communcations is proud to announce the release of....
Dr. Elaine Ingham Talks on the Soil Foodweb---An audio CD Lecture Series.
The first in the series of 8 lectures is "An Introduction to the Soil
Foodweb" and is now available! We hope you decide to purchase this
first CD. If you have an interest in helping us distribute this line
of products we'd love to chat with you further... Please read on!
********************************************
DR. ELAINE INGHAM's CURRENT PUBLISHED WORKS
********************************************
Compact Disc: Dr. Ingham Talks on the Soil Foodweb
Speaker: Dr. Elaine Ingham
Lable: Coyote Hill MultiMedia
Distributor: Unisun Communications
Format: Double CD Set
These are not live recordings. All of the CD's are recording in a state
of the art digital recording studio and are of the highest quality.
Diagrams accompany the CD on the inside jacket.
*****************************************************************
CD Series #1--"An Introduction to the Soil Foodweb" NOW AVAILABLE
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Elaine Ingham discusses the important functional groups of organisms
that live in soil, how and why they enhance plant growth and production.
This is the introductory talk about the Soil Foodweb. All other CD's assume
an understanding of this introductory material.
Included in this Double CD set:
-The seven benefits of a beneficial soil foodweb.
-Who starts the process? Soil organisms or plants?
-Disease suppression: Working together.
-Nutrient retention: Bacteria and Fungi
-Production of plant available nutrients: Protozoa, nematodes
and microarthropods
-Getting rid of toxic compounds.
-Soil structure: Bacterial bricks, fungal walls, protozoan,
nematode and microarthropod engineers.
-Some considerations about plant health
*************************************************************
CD Series #2--"The Soil Foodweb: A Plant Production Overview"
-------------------------------------------------------------
This talk explores the effect chemically intensive agriculture has had on
soil life, why pesticides are effective initially, but with continued use,
result in the destruction of beneficial soil life, with direct negative
impacts on sustainable agriculture.
Included in this Double CD set:
-What is soil? Parent material? Dirt?
-The plant production gradient and succession
-Soil foodwebs in different systems: What's different in
deserts versus tropical forests?
-From deserts to grasslands to old-growth: Biomass, numbers of
individuals, number of species of each soil foodweb functional group.
-Agriculture: How did we get to where we are today?
-Why does improving the foodweb in degraded soil mean increased yields?
-Different crops require different foodwebs for best production:
Examples from agricultural fields and orchards.
-Summary
This CD Series is currently in production and will be available by
November 10th, 1999. Orders are now being taken.
For more information, to order, and to even PREVIEW these CD's please
visit http://www.soilfoodweb.com or visit us at http://www.unisun.org/artists/ingham
If you wish more to get information on distribution, wholesale/reseller
pricing, and press opportunities with Dr. Ingham and other Unisun Communications
& Coyote Hill Multi Media Products please let us know and we'll give you
a direct phone call!
Or....
****************************************************************
To Receive an Automated Email Response with all pertinent info:
Place "send CD info" in the Subject field of an email and...
mailto: sam@unisun.org You will be mailed automatically.
We will send----
-Retail Order Information
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-Press Releases
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Peace,
Samuel Anthony Ettaro II
Unisun Communications
http://www.unisun.org
(541)367-8980