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Better understanding of soil microbes needed

A soil scientist says agriculture needs to focus more on the role and activity of microbes.

Woods End Laboratories founder Dr. Will Brinton tells Brownfield these often overlooked organisms mediate, regulate and control nutrients presented to plants.

“When you put ammonium fertilizer on soil, a group of microbes will faithfully transform it to nitrate; sometimes in a manner of days.  Actually, the plants prefer that and will absorb (the nitrates).”

Microbes consist of fungi, protozoa, nematodes, earthworms and arthropods that exist in large numbers in the soil as long as there is a carbon source for energy.

While tests to evaluate nutrient deficiencies in the soil are common in modern agriculture, Brinton says technology that sheds more light on micro-organisms is coming.

“The big change will be taking account of the transformation that microbes carry out in soils that are directly feeding plants, and supporting the development of healthy, functioning soils.”

As environmental concerns heighten and margins get tighter, he says agriculture needs to become more efficient in how nutrients are recycled in soil systems.

Brinton suggests enhanced microbial data will aid in that effort, benefiting both the environment and the farmer’s bottom line.