Soil Is a Living Biological Community
Every area of soil contains a unique combination of organic matter, minerals, microorganisms, and plant roots.
The balance of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and other soil organisms varies depending on the ecosystem and how the land is managed.
Prairies, grasslands, and many agricultural soils tend to contain large populations of bacteria. Highly productive agricultural soils may also support significant fungal populations.
Protozoan communities also vary by soil type. Agricultural soils can contain thousands of amoebae and flagellates, along with hundreds of ciliates, in a single teaspoon of soil.
Forest soils often contain different microbial populations, including larger numbers of amoebae and different ratios of fungi and bacteria.
How Land Management Affects Soil Biology
Agricultural practices can significantly influence the soil microbial community.
Soils that are minimally disturbed or not tilled often contain a higher proportion of fungi compared with heavily tilled agricultural soils.
Most soil organisms are concentrated within the upper layers of soil, where organic matter, oxygen, moisture, and plant roots are most abundant.
The Importance of the Root Zone
Bacteria commonly concentrate around plant roots because the rhizosphere provides readily available carbon compounds and other nutrients.
Protozoa are also abundant in this area because many feed on bacteria.
Within a healthy soil ecosystem:
- Photosynthetic bacteria and algae capture energy
- Bacteria and fungi break down organic materials
- Microorganisms help release plant-available nutrients
- Protozoa consume bacteria and contribute to nutrient cycling
- Fungi help decompose complex organic matter and humus
Together, these organisms form a soil food web that plays an important role in nutrient availability, soil structure, and plant development.
Farmers Grow More Than One Crop
Successful crop production depends on more than the plants growing above the soil.
Farmers are also managing a biological crop beneath the surface: the microbial community that helps process organic matter and nutrients.
These microorganisms help transform nutrients from organic matter and fertilizers into forms that plants can absorb.
In this sense, farmers are supporting two crops:
- A diverse community of beneficial soil microorganisms
- The crop that is ultimately harvested
Some intensive agricultural practices can disrupt microbial populations that contribute to nutrient cycling and long-term soil health.
Supporting Soil Microbiology with Lot 125®
BioLynceus® offers biological soil products designed to help replenish and support beneficial microbial populations.
Lot 125® combines a diverse microbial community with humic and fulvic acids to support biological activity and improve soil conditions.
Lot 125® is designed to help:
- Support beneficial soil microorganisms
- Improve nutrient availability
- Support cation exchange capacity (CEC)
- Increase micronutrient availability
- Encourage healthier root-zone conditions
- Support overall soil health and fertility
By strengthening the biological component of agricultural soil, Lot 125® can help create conditions that support more efficient nutrient cycling and healthier crop development.
Written by Scott Anderson, Agronomy