Why Organic? It’s All About the Microbes
What do Soil Microbes do?
There are vast numbers of beneficial microbes in the soil, including bacteria, and specialized fungi called Mycorrhizae (my-co-ry-zae), that are responsible for dissolving soil minerals and nutrients, and making them available to plants. They produce many enzymes and acids that break down minerals which are, otherwise, less available for absorption by plant roots. These minerals include Iron, Calcium, and Magnesium, as well as the commonly familiar Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium (N-P-K).
Most “Ordinary” fertilizers are “Synthetics”
“Synthetic” fertilizers are most commonly known and used in our society. No need to mention names, but most brand-name fertilizers heard about on T.V., or seen on store shelves, are “synthetic”, or man-made products, often derived from petroleum or natural gas. These products generally provide plants with NPK (known as “macronutrients” because plants use them in the largest quantities), and some add micronutrients (nutrients needed in much smaller quantities) as well.
The “Organic Difference”
Natural “Organic” fertilizers, on the other hand, are derived from “natural” sources, such as corn, feather meal, fish, seaweed, animal manures, etc. Although the label on a container of “organic” may still just list NPK values, the simple fact that microbial populations are being promoted, gives plants access to a much broader range of nutrients than synthetics do, and this can lead to greater overall health. The main benefits to the plant include increased drought tolerance, as well as increased resistance to pests and diseases.
To learn about how synthetic, nitrogen-based fertilizers can affect a plant’s insect resistence, click here.
How do most “synthetic” fertilizers affect soil microbes?
This question can be answered by using the example of early pioneers, who preserved meat two hundred years ago by putting it in salt, because salt kills the bacteria that cause meat to spoil (decay). The common synthetic NPK fertilizers today, chemically speaking, come in the form of salts. This is why every commercial greenhouse that grows their plants using synthetic fertilizers, routinely tests its soils for “soluble salts” levels. Thus, when a lawn or a landscape plant is repeatedly fertilized in this manner, the microbial life in the soil is gradually beaten down by these same salts. As a result, the plants become dependent, or “hooked”, on the “artificial” food because much of the “real” food can no longer be accessed.
A commonly experienced situation is when heavily fertilized lawns accumulate a layer of thatch. The reason for this is that there are relatively few microbes present to decompose the thatch. Conversely, thatch is not a problem in naturally fed turf.
“Quick Fix” instant gratification or Long-term Solution?
People often ask: “If I switch to an “organic” fertility program for my landscape or lawn, what kinds of results can I expect to see?” Of course, that depends on the condition of the landscape or lawn at the time of the change-over. For example, at Organic Air, our tree and shrub program focuses on strengthening the existing population of beneficial soil microbes in the root-zone (or re-establishing a population, if needed), to increase uptake of existing nutrients in the soil.
Think of it as “Life Support” for the soil. In addition, foliar sprays containing nutrients in solution, rather than insecticides or fungicides, help strengthen cell walls in the leaves, making them more difficult for pests or fungi to pierce or infect. The end result is reduced damage from pests without the use of harmful pesticides! Much research over the years has shown that foliar-applied nutrients can be absorbed by the plant as much as ten times more quickly than root-applied fertilizers. Nonetheless, if plants are relatively weak to start with, they will be prone to insect attacks for awhile, until they are strengthened, and develop their own natural resistance.
Organic Air injects a blend of beneficial microbes and plant nutrients directly into the root zone using a root feeding lance. This process is commonly called “Deep Root Feeding”, although, in reality, the lance only goes less than six inches into the soil. There’s no need to go deeper, because the majority of feeder roots are within that space. Going deeper would mostly miss the target.
What’s in these “Natural” products used by Organic Air?
Living Ingredients and Ingredients for Living
With our complete 5-step Tree and Shrub Health Program, your landscape plants will benefit from treatments that provide a diverse blend of beneficial microbes (fungi, bacteria), vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, including the following:
- Microbes: Ectomycorrhizae, Endomycorrhizae, Bacillus thuringensis, Various Rhizobium, Actinomycetes, Aspergillus, Yeast extracts
- Natural Plant Extracts: Including essential plant oils (Cedar Oil, Neem Oil, Citrus Oils) Garlic, Hot Pepper.
- Elements: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Boron, Manganese, Zinc, Carbon, Iron, Copper, Iodine, Molybdenum, Cobalt, Selenium, Sulfer
- Humic Acids, including Fulvic Acid: These allow minerals to be absorbed and moved throughout the plant much more efficiently, to where-ever they are needed most. Great for helping to correct nutrient deficiencies.
- Seaweed: By supplying sugars and cytokinins for rapid microbial growth, nutrients are made available to relieve plant stress.
What are Mycorrhizae?
Mycorrhizae is a Greek word for “Fungus Root” It has become the “buzz word” in an industry where soils have become increasingly depleted by construction and chemical practices. Mycorrhizae are non-woody structures composed of both root and fungus tissue. Native to forest and prairie soils, they are also found in soils that have retained high fertility. For instance, old residential sites, built upon rich layers of topsoil, still contain plenty of these beneficial fungi.
Mychorrhizae perform the following essentials of strong-celled growth:
- Release of minerals and nutrients from soil particles by dissolving the minerals and organic matter into humus, which is then readily available for absorption by plant roots.
- Development of extensive root mass which further helps the plants access soil nutrients and water. This greatly increases plants’ survival during drought and heat.
- Production of Plant Growth Hormones and Antibodies to help plant development and build disease resistance.
- Mycorrhizae form a “sheath” around the roots, and protect the plant from other disease-causing fungi and soil organisms.
|
Texas A & M University Horticulture Dept.
|
|
Mycorrhizae Research by Dr. Fred T. Davies: Discusses some benefits and effects of mycorrhizae on host plants.
|
Social Homes