The Soil Revolution: If it's broken, fix it!
In the realm of agriculture, a profound truth is emerging: there's no chemical solution powerful enough to address the monumental challenge of soil organic matter (SOM) depletion. As we face the consequences of decades of chemical-intensive farming, the agricultural community is turning its attention to a more holistic and sustainable approach. This blog explores the brilliance of adding amendments in the form of fish, seaweed, and compost amendments to enhance soil fertility, delving into the intricate world of soil microbiology and its crucial role in plant health and crop production.

The Microbial Foundation of Soil Fertility
At the heart of soil health lies a bustling metropolis of microorganisms. These tiny yet mighty beings are the true architects of soil fertility. The enzymatic activity of soil, which correlates closely with microbial activity, serves as a reliable index of soil fertility[21]. This relationship underscores the importance of nurturing a diverse and active microbial community in our agricultural soils.
Plant roots, far from being passive structures, actively participate in this microbial symphony by releasing enzymes into the soil[38]. These root exudates play a crucial role in shaping the rhizosphere, the narrow region of soil directly influenced by root secretions and associated soil microorganisms.
The Protein Puzzle in Soil Fertility
Proteins, the most common nitrogenous compounds in living cells, play a pivotal role in soil fertility. Complex proteins like globulins, while insoluble in water, become soluble in dilute salt concentrations. This property has led to the practice of salt fertilisation to boost crop growth. However, this approach comes with a significant caveat: while it solubilises protein compounds for immediate crop nutrition, it often compromises long-term soil integrity[5]. This is the cat and mouse game farmers must solve; balancing the annual books without selling our critical asset of SOM.
A fascinating study from 1940 revealed that pumpkins secrete 9-11 amino acids, highlighting the complex interactions between plants and soil at the molecular level. This discovery underscores the intricate nature of plant-soil relationships and the importance of maintaining a balanced soil ecosystem.
The Shortcomings of Chemical-Dominant Agriculture
Modern, chemical-dominant agriculture, while effective in the short term, falls woefully short in providing the biotic substances necessary for sustained microbial and crop production. To just clarify my position here; I'm not against chemical agriculture. Our soils & crops need these inputs to supply the short term demands of crops whilst we are getting our soils working. But our common approach often leads to a vicious cycle of declining soil health, increased pest pressure, poor crop quality, and an ever-growing dependence on toxic "rescue" chemicals[7]. I wish to see a desire for more of a common sense and innovative approach to tackling our SOM woes.
Nature's Toolkit for Soil Health
In contrast to synthetic fertilisers, nature offers a rich array of substances that support and enhance soil microbial populations. These inputs offer serious bang for the buck by supporting the synergistc relationships between minerals-microbes-plant roots to include:
- Sugar and Molasses
- Compost
- Vitamins
- Fish and Seaweed
- Humic Acid
- Herbs
- Ferments
These natural amendments provide readily available food sources for soil microorganisms, fostering a diverse and active microbial community[1][2]. As we are all beginning to understand, our farming practices need to align with the needs of our microbial compatriots which are vital in the endevor of growing and building soil & crops.
The Microbial Mediation of Plant Nutrition
It's crucial to understand that nutrient feeding and assimilation in plants are almost entirely mediated by microorganisms. This fact must be at the forefront of all decision-making processes if we aim to build and maintain soil health. When we bypass these microbial intermediaries and their biotic contributions through excessive use of synthetic fertilisers, our soils suffer, and disease inevitably sets in[7]. Unfortunately our targeting of these pathogens through the use of biocidal control thearpies further exacerbates the issue.
The Natural Path to Plant Nutrition
Under natural conditions, plant nutrition is derived through biotic and organic means. In an ideal scenario, every nutrient a plant absorbs has passed through the digestive tract of one or many microbes. This process results in bioavailable nutrients that contribute to the long-term fertility of the soil[7].
A landmark study in 1955 by Koteler demonstrated the stark difference between sterile and biologically active soils. In sterile soil, the diffusion of phosphorus was found to be very slow, with negligible uptake by plant roots. In contrast, the presence of thriving bacterial colonies creates a bioactive soil environment, effectively mobilising phosphorus and making it available to plants[7].
Beyond Inorganic Nutrition
Plants are not limited in their capacity to assimilate nutrients. They'll go for the low hanging fruit (inorganic or biologically mediated). In this uptake, they take up various organic carbonaceous and nitrogenous compounds. Some of these substances supply energy, while others act as biocatalysts in the soil. Once absorbed by the plant, these compounds increase the intensity of biological and biochemical processes within plant cells and tissues[7].
The impact of these bioactive substances extends beyond mere growth enhancement. They also confer their qualities to the nutritional profile of the crop, potentially improving the nutritional value of our food[7]. In essence, it's the presence of these metabolic compounds and byproducts from the microbial activity that give soil it Joie de vivre.
The Vital Role of Microbes in Soil Fertility
While it's possible to grow plants in sterile, mineral media and produce seeds without microbial participation, such an approach is proving catastrophic. Plants grown under test conditions eventually losing their vitality and die out. This observation underscores the critical role of microbes in maintaining soil fertility and supporting long-term plant health[7].
The science confirms that the presence of bacteria in the growing substrate leads to the formation and accumulation of a diverse array of amino acids. Remarkably, some amino acids (serine, glycine, alanine, valine, and cysteine) are undetectable in control groups of barley grown in sterile media. However, these same amino acids are present in considerable amounts when bacteria are present in the growing environment[7].
The Bacterial Influence on Plant Biochemistry
Different bacterial cultures play various roles in the formation and concentration of amino acids in plant tissues. Microbial metabolic products increase the uptake of phosphorus and nitrogen by plant roots, thereby enhancing the synthetic capacity of the roots[7].
Moreover, microbes and biotic substances affect nitrogen transformation in plant roots. In the presence of microorganisms, the rate of amino acid metabolism in roots increases, along with the transformation of inorganic nitrogen to organic forms[7]. This process, when it happens in the plant comes at a tremendous energetic cost. Sub contracting this job out to the microbial crew is a plant savvy way of optimising for efficient energy expenditure, which we observe in yield.
Historical Perspectives on Organic Farming
As far back as 1933, Ressel and colleagues concluded that no mixture of artificial substances could match the effectiveness of manure and the carryover effects of organic substances on soil health. They recognised that the living portion of the soil is key to maintaining steady crop production year after year[7].
The Transition to Sustainable Agriculture
The transition from chemical-intensive to sustainable agriculture is not instantaneous. It's generally believed that it takes roughly 1-5 years to break free from the "chemical treadmill." This transition involves rebuilding soil structure and altering soil porosity to increase oxygen content. The lack of oxygen promotes pathogenic actors in the soil, which produce toxins and antibiotics that suppress beneficial microbes[7]. Our journey towards the black gold damands patience, tenacity, and pragmatic bravery over and above expedience and conservatism. The same old actions will deliver the same old results. So in our desire to make meaningful change in the system it demands that undertsnamd how biologically sound methods of soil and crop cultivation can be leveraged for improved health.
The Power of Healthy Soils in Disease Prevention
In active and healthy soils, phytopathogens grow very slowly, if at all. This knowledge should form the basis for using microbial antagonists in the struggle against harmful microflora and plant pathogens. For instance, actinomycetes have been shown to suppress phytopathogenic fungi effectively[7][8].
Historical research supports this approach. In 1935, Russian scientists Khudyakov and Norogrudskii established the lytic effect of mycolytic bacteria on phytopathogenic fungi. Later, in 1940, Karanyako found that mycolytic bacteria suppressed fungal growth, reducing the morbidity of cotton plants by 60-90%. His study concluded that while 52.6% of untreated plants were infected, only 18.1% of treated plants succumbed to infection[7].
The Role of Microbial Antagonists in Soil Health
Microbial antagonists play a vital role in soil improvement. To enhance the growth and abundance of these beneficial organisms, certain plant residues should be added to the soil as a source of nutrition. This enrichment strategy effectively boosts the population of microbial antagonists[7].
The Plant Microbiome: Nature's Defense System
On the surface of plants, we find diverse colonies of microbes collectively known as the phyllosphere (above ground), rhizosphere (underground). This microbial community serves as the plant's first line of defense against the outside world. Both microbial habitats typically includes bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, yeast, algae, and protozoa[7].
The Delicate Balance of Soil Microbiology
The importance of microbial inhibitors (pathogens) in soil toxicosis is largely determined by the degree and growth of their activity. Among the inhibiting factors of great importance are bacteriophages and actinophages. When these phages multiply in the soil, they can render root nodule bacteria inactive[7].
It's worth noting that some fungal pathogens, such as Fusarium, Penicillium, Trichoderma, Verticillium, and Pythium, can actually increase the soil's capacity to support healthy crops and thriving microbial communities when present in balanced quantities[7].
However, toxins introduced by inhibitors may accumulate in the soil in considerable quantities, endowing it with toxic properties (toxicosis). This phenomenon is often observed in conventional agriculture[7].
Mycolytic Bacteria
Mycolytic bacteria are remarkable microorganisms with the ability to break down and degrade fungal cell walls. These bacteria play an important role in various ecological and biological processes. Each group of these bacteria dissolves certain forms of fungi, including both saprophytes and phytopathogens. Interestingly, plants also influence pathogenic microbes that affect both humans and animals[7][29].
The Fungal Factor in Soil Health
Fungi have also been found to have an effect on nematodes, with some species able to catch root-feeding nematodes with their hyphae and poison them. Introducing beneficial fungi to the soil has proven effective in reducing the incidence of plant diseases[7].
Conclusion: The Path to a beautiful Agriculture
The biocontrolling effect of microbes on soil health is by no means a novel concept. However, it's crucial to recognize that our farm management practices determine the biological systems present in our fields. Certain practices encourage inhibitors and pathogenic microbes, while others promote the soil's ability to rid itself of harmful bacteria[7].
As we move towards more sustainable agricultural practices, we must embrace the power of natural amendments that enhance the microbial colonies present to serve the needs of our crops and soils. These substances not only provide essential nutrients but also support the diverse microbial communities that are the true stewards of soil health.
By working synergistally with our microbial compatriots, we can build resilient, fertile soils that support healthy crops, enhancing our journey towards the elevated states of human well being. As farmers, we must all be invested in the mastery of life cultivation. This approach of harnessing the potent power of microbes lends itself as
a promising path forward – one that respects the intricate balance of life in our soils and harnesses its power for the benefit of both agriculture and the environment.
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