Biological Diversity in the Soil – Good for Business!

As Leonardo Da Vinci, visionary artist from the Renaissance once said, “we know better the mechanics of celestial bodies than the functioning of the soil below our feet.”

To augment the “Got Life?” article in the December issue of Lawn & Landscape, IE interviewed Matthew Slaughter, Director of Soil Foodweb Oregon (www.soilfoodweb.com) founded by Dr. Elaine Ingham based in Corvallis Oregon. Matt has been working extensively with landscape contractors to help raise their awareness of the benefits of a biologically diverse population of organisms in a soil.

“What we have done is to adapt the science based principles used in agriculture, into turf and landscape.” Matt continued “I start by describing what a fully functional healthy soil does, then describe the functional groups that exist, and their respective roles…”

Slaughter continued by saying that improving and managing soil biology can become a high value added service for landscape contractors, adding as much as 2 – 3 times more revenues. Explaining further, he stated “If a contractor can provide a fee based service that creates better water retention in the root zone while ensuring an esthetic and safe landscape without the use of chemicals…and -- in the process reduces the cost of weed and pest suppression then it is possible to create a higher value service. The time formerly spent on pest suppression can now be dedicated to more time pruning, and monitoring the landscape – creating real value.”

“Once contractors have a basic knowledge of the interdependence of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes -- I then describe the things you can do to support them.” [Readers desiring further discussion and comment on these points – please email me –if you’re interested we will bring Matt back for a more in-depth discussion -- J. Ossa]

For someone just building their awareness of soil biology, and its benefit to a thriving landscape, what are key steps to ensure success?

Key Steps

Incorporation of “good biology” (usually through high quality compost) during the installation phase of a landscape ensures a higher success rate on installed plants.
Monitor & Manage. Supply food to enhance biological activity (such as compost tea). Matt hastens to add that not all “compost tea” is created equal! It is important to know exactly what is in the tea and its’ condition.
Establish a “base-line” of existing conditions. Perform a soil assay and send soil samples to a lab such as Soil Food Web Oregon to quantify the soil biology. The composition and relative numbers in the different functional groups will establish the features and characteristics of the food web.

In healthy soils, it is the plant that controls what nutrients it wants. Photosynthesis creates carbohydrates & sugars, which are pushed into the root zone. In a diverse spectrum of microorganisms, predators consume food and then mineralize and release nutrients. Our job is to ensure the biology is there and present in the appropriate diversity. If appropriate ratios of biology are present healthy conditions are maintained and the diversity of the soil organisms “self-correct” and tend to ensure the system stays in a healthy balance.

The interest is keen among contractors that Slaughter speaks with. He is currently working on a soil biology component to the Sustainability Studies CEU’s required to keep an Oregon Landscape Contractors Association membership active. Clearly this group of Oregon Contractors sees building biologically diverse soils as “good for business”!

Soil Biology Articles • Posted on 12/18/2009 • (1) Comments • Permalink

Conversation with Gene Barnes

Guest Pro

Gene Barnes of Gallion Irrigation Inc., Houston Texas is our “Guest Pro”.

Excerpts from a conversation with our Guest Pro – Gene Barnes.

“What it took for me to develop what I call “Biological Water Conservation” was to become grounded in the basics of soil science, plant science and micro-biology. Once I understood the basic concepts, organic amendment application became simple to do. I created a different approach to turf and landscape management that had dramatic reduction in inputs and significantly less water requirement.” (Italics added by IE)
“We are just going back to practices that were used in agriculture prior to WWII.
We promote the formation of root mass. We are extending the ability of roots to uptake water and nutrients through increased presence of fungal hyphae. Putting on less water and having a healthier landscape.”

“It is critical to understand what is in the soil. It is real important to understand what is in anything you add to the soil, whether it is compost, compost tea or anything else for that matter. These elements need to be fine tuned to site-specific conditions. We treat the soil like a living, breathing, bio-sphere – because that is what it is!”

“Monitor the soil and adjust as required to sustain a balance. The key is a highly diverse population of organisms will tend to be self-balancing.”

General Information Articles • Soil Biology Articles • Posted on 12/18/2009 • (13) Comments • Permalink

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