Our Neighbors Down Under:
Microbes in the Soil
Joe Magazzi, MS
President:
Green Earth Agriculture
Technical Advisor:
Applied & Experimental Microbiology
Scientific Advisory Committee Member:
Ecological Laboratories Inc
The Relationship of Plants & Microorganisms
Outline
I.
II.
The Relationship of Plants & Turf w/ Microorganisms
The Benefits of Microorganisms:
a. Providing and Cycling Carbon / Detoxification
b. Nutrient Retention, Delivery and Cycling
c. Pesticide Reduction & Disease Prevention
d. Transplant Survival
e. Hormones, Germination & Root Growth
f. Water Production, Retention & Delivery
III. Strategies for Integrating Biologicals
IV. Results
V. Summary
The Relationship of Plants & Microorganisms
The Relationship of Plants,
T f and
Turf
d Trees
T
with
ith
Microorganisms
The Relationship of Plants & Microorganisms
What is soil and how do we treat it?
Minerals &
Nutrients
Water
Gas
Organic Matter
& Microbes
?
Traditional growing practices largely ignore supplementing biology in the
soil. Many chemicals that are used are actually detrimental to microbes.
Plants also have a digestive system too – soil.
The microbes in the soil are as vital or more so for
plant nutritional needs as for human digestion!
Beneficial bacteria and fungi form the basis of the entire soil food web!
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The Relationship of Plants & Microorganisms
The Relationship of Plants & Microorganisms
The Relationship of Plants & Microorganisms
Facts about microorganisms:
1 gram of soil contains:
-1 million (1x106) fungi.
-1 billion (1x109) bacteria.
• In that gram, there are between
4,000 to 10,000 species of bacteria.
• Estimates are that there are between
1 million and 100 million species of
bacteria; only 0.5% to 0.005% are
likely described in detail.
• 90%-95% of the cells on or in the
human body are bacteria cells.
•
Bacteria
Size:
Cell Type:
Trophic
Level:
Function:
Fungi
0.5-5 μM
2-10 μM
Prokaryotic
Eukaryotic
(Simpler, less structured) (More complex, organelles & chromosomes)
1st Level (energy producers) & 2nd Level (energy consumers) only
2nd Level (energy consumers)
Energy, decomposition, nutrients,
Decomposition, nutrients,
protection, nitrogen fixation,
protection, plant growth factors.
plant growth factors.
Benefits of Microorganisms: Cycling Carbon
Pathogens
• Parasitic Relationship – One
member (parasite) benefits
from the relationship while
the host is harmed or killed.
vs.
*All are technically symbiotic relationships.
Beneficials
• Commensal Relationship – One
member benefits from the
relationship while the other is
neither harmed or benefits.
• Mutualistic Relationship –
Both members benefit from
the relationship.
Benefits of Microorganisms: Providing Carbon
The Benefits of Using
Microorganisms (Biologicals):
Providing and Cycling Carbon,
and Detoxification
Beneficial organisms break down and cycle organic and
inorganic matter to provide carbon and nutrients for plants.
Photosynthetic bacteria use
the energy of the sun and
carbon dioxide to provide
energy and carbon to the soil.
Photosynthetic bacteria contribute to soil fertility and plant growth.
2
Benefits of Microorganisms: Detoxification
Beneficial microorganisms break down toxic compounds in soil.
Benefits of Microorganisms: Nutrient Delivery
The Benefits of Using
Microorganisms (Biologicals):
Nutrient Retention,
Delivery and Cycling
for Fertilizer Reduction
At least 9 states now have some type of fertilizer ban in place (including
Westchester County, NY), with at least 6 more states with laws pending.
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Benefits of Microorganisms: Nutrient Delivery
Beneficial Microorganisms help to retain, deliver and cycle nutrients.
Retention
Beneficial
microorganisms fix
nutrients into their cell
bodies and produce
“sticky” biofilms. This
helps retain vital
elements and water in
the soil and especially
the rhizosphere.
Delivery
Microorganisms travel
through the xylem
and phloem and
release nutrients as
part of their normal
life-cycle turn over.
Benefits of Microorganisms: Nitrogen Fixation
Beneficial Microorganisms
provide & process nitrogen
through both “nitrogen
fixation” from the air and by
cycling higher
(not useable) ammonium
(useable)
nitrogen to nitrates (useable).
Benefits of Microorganisms: Phosphate Delivery
Beneficial Microorganisms solubilize phosphates.
Organic Decomposition (Bacteria & Fungi)
Nitrogen Fixation (Bacteria)
NH4+
Nitrification
(Bacteria)
NH4+ + 1.5 O2
NO2- + 0.5 O2
NO2- + 2H2O + 2H+
NO3-
Plant
Assimilation
18
3
Benefits of Microorganisms: Fertilizer Reduction
Corn Trial - Pennsylvania
Benefits of Microorganisms: Fertilizer Reduction
Benefits of Microorganisms: Fertilizer Reduction
Greenhouse Flowers
Results
Best Practice Biological
No Biological
3 gallons 10-10-10
1 gallon Biological
2 gallon 10-10-10
Biological
-50% reduction in
germination time (6
days w/ biological,
normally up to 12
days).
y )
-Almost twice the
growth and girth
compared to higher
fertilizer rate.
-Significant increase
in root mass
compared to control.
2 gallon Biological
1 gallon 10-10-10
Fertilizer
Biologicals
Petunias treated with only biological outperformed
petunias grown with normal fertilizer rates.
• Synthetic fertilizer mining and use harms the environment.
• Nitrogen consumes more than 1% of all man-made power and its
production is a significant component of the world energy budget.
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Benefits of Microorganisms: Fertilizer Reduction
Benefits of Microorganisms: Fertilizer Reduction
The use of pesticides and excess fertilizer is actually
counter-productive to healthy plant and turf growth.
• Excess fertilizer and chemical use is actually
The Benefits of Microorganisms
harmful to plants and turf and can lead to turf
burning, unhealthy growth etc…
• Artificially fast growth impairs the absorption
of nutrients.
nutrients
Plant and Turf Health
& Disease Prevention
• High phosphorous fertilizers are toxic to
beneficial microbes.
• Excess nitrogen can stimulate the growth of
pathogenic microbes and increase diseases in
plants and turf.
• Plants and turf grown without chemicals and
excess fertilizer are less prone to damage
from pathogens and harmful insects.
Approximately 2% of added fertilizer reaches a plant.
The remaining fertilizer feeds pests, pathogens and pollutes water.
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4
Benefits of Microorganisms: Pesticide Reduction
Benefits of Microorganisms: Pesticide Reduction
Benefits of Microorganisms
Pesticides are harmful to people.
Pesticides are harmful to animals and insects and the entire soil food web.
Pesticide use is
now banned on
school grounds
and day care
centers in the
states of
Connecticut
(K-8) and New
York.
Disease & Pest Control Using Biologicals
“The Enemy of My
Enemy is My Friend”
Benefits of Microorganisms: Disease Prevention
Benefits of Microorganisms: Disease Prevention
Benefits of Microorganisms: Disease Prevention
Mechanism #1 – Microbes Produce Compounds That Target Pathogens
Mechanism #2 – Numbers Game, beneficials outout-compete pathogens
Mechanism #3 – Healthier Plants Naturally Resist Pests & Pathogens
Beneficial microorganisms produce compounds that can directly target pathogens.
“two species competing for the same resources cannot stably coexist
if other ecological factors are constant. One of the two competitors
will always overcome the other, leading to either the extinction of this
competitor or an evolutionary or behavioral shift towards a different
niche. The principle
into the maxim
ecological
g
p
p has been paraphrased
p p
"complete competitors cannot coexist".”
• Beneficials and pathogens compete for the
same resources. A plant, tree or turf is a
beneficial organism’s home and it will protect it.
• Plants, trees or turfs will attract beneficial
bacteria or fungi when under attack.
• Bacteria divide much faster than fungi and can
out-compete pathogens for limited resources.
Competitive Exclusion Principle (Gause's Law)
Pathogens evolved eating dead
or weakened plant material
with simple amino acids and
sugars. Healthy plants contain
proteins and complex sugars
that can not be digested by
pests. Plants treated with
pesticides and excess fertilizer
look like biochemically “dead”
plants to pests.
5
Benefits of Microorganisms: Disease Control
Benefits of Microorganisms: Disease Control
Benefits of Microorganisms: Disease Control
Late Blight (Phytophthora infestans) Recovery
Durham, CT
• Upper right plant pretreated with beneficial
bacteria (Bacillus subtilis).
• Upper left plant was not
pre-treated.
• Both plants challenged
with a pathogen.
• The pre-treated plant was
protected from disease
progression.
• Plants “Farm” or “Signal” diseasesuppressing beneficial
microorganisms when under
attack by pathogens.
• It’s important to maintain a
diverse consortium of microbes.
Benefits of Microorganisms: Disease Control
Benefits of Microorganisms: Disease Prevention
Effects of Grain Treatment with Beneficial Bacteria
Control
A university study done at the University of Florida demonstrating that
beneficial bacteria treatment lowered the incidence of xanthomonas
on tomato plants as well as the best chemical controls in single use.
Lesion
Biologicals
Note the difference in foliage and
green colors. Multiple new blooms.
Benefits of Microorganisms: Pest Control
Beneficial Bacteria for Grub Control
Dr. Ron Heiniger, Cropping Systems Specialist
North Carolina State University
Control Beneficial
Bacteria
Best Practice
Late Blight infection
overtaking the tomato plant.
Beneficial
Bacteria
Using beneficial bacteria,
pathogenic nematode
Control Beneficial ControlBeneficial Control Beneficial
Bacteria
Bacteria
Bacteria numbers were decreased
Cyst
Stubby Root
Lance
and yields were increased.
A healthy soil food web provides food for beneficial nematodes.
This also helps to control the pathogenic nematode populations.
• Milky Spore Disease is caused by the bacterium Paenibacillus popilliae
(formerly Bacillus popilliae).
• Effective against the larval (grub) form of the Japanese beetle (Popillia
japonica) only.
• Weather in the Northern United States greatly diminishes the effectiveness
of this method for long-term beetle control?
• Lacks broad-spectrum grub control, but a good natural solution for
Japanese beetle control especially in warmer climates.
6
Benefits of Microorganisms: Pest Control
Beneficial Nematodes for Grub Control
Benefits of Microorganisms: Pest Control
Beneficial Insects for Pest Insect Control
The Benefits of Microorganisms
• Most nematodes feed on fungi and bacteria, are harmless to plants and
form an essential part of a healthy soil food web.
• Biological Control Agents: Enter insect larvae and release bacteria
(Xenorhabdus sp. bacteria) that kills the pest within 24-48 hours.
• It is essential to understand the life cycles of pest insects to apply
beneficial nematodes at the correct stage of life (larval or grub for beetles).
• Beneficial insects can either directly eat pests or parasitize pests by laying
their eggs inside the hosts body or eggs.
• Exploiting natural enemies of the pest
Examples:
• Ladybugs – Eat aphids, mites and other insects.
• Parasitic wasps – infect a large array of pathogenic insect eggs.
Transplant & UpUp-Plant
Survival Increases
39
Benefits of Microorganisms: Transplant Survival
Microorganisms increase transplant survival in multiple ways
• Beneficial bacteria and fungi form biofilms
around the roots and protect plants from
pathogens.
• Beneficial organisms and their biofilms help
retain vital nutrients in the rhizosphere and
make them more available to a plant’s
plant s root
system.
• Polysaccharides produced by soil organisms
absorb many times their weight in water,
protecting plants from water stress during
transplantation or periods of drought.
• Beneficial organisms produce growthpromoting hormones and other compounds
that initiate healthy growth.
• Root dips are a great and easy way to apply!
Benefits of Microorganisms: Transplant Survival
Benefits of Microorganisms: Transplant Survival
University of Florida Transplant Study
Best Practice
Biologicals
• Many pines did not survive
• Note the vastly increased survival rate.
the outplanting.
• Seedlings are much smaller.
• Seedlings are way ahead of the controls
in growth and are generally healthier.
“Initial observation of treated areas indicated a reduction in the need for re-setting
cabbage transplants. Approximately 30% of untreated field area required re-planting;
less than 10% of the (microorganisms) treated field area required re-planting.”
-Dr. Amanda J. Gevens, University of Florida Plant Pathology
7
Benefits of Microorganisms: Hormones & Growth
Benefits of Microorganisms: Hormones & Growth
Bacteria and fungi produce plant hormones that stimulate roots,
top growth and immune function.
Significant promotion of germination and seedling
development with inoculation of beneficial organisms.
The Benefits of Microorganisms
Hormone Production:
Germination Increases
& Root Growth
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Benefits of Microorganisms: Hormones & Growth
Benefits of Microorganisms: Water Reduction
The Benefits of Microorganisms
Best Practice Biologicals Best Practice Biologicals
Best Practice Biologicals
Water Production,
Retention & Delivery
Beneficial microorganisms help with
water retention and drought
resistance by:
• Producing water as a by-product of
their normal cellular metabolism.
• Forming biofilms that can bind and
retain water at the root zone.
• Incorporating
I
ti water
t as partt off their
th i
cells (60-80%) and releasing this
water back to the plants during
drought conditions.
Nitrification
NH4+ + 2O2 NO3- + H2O + 2H+
Beneficials stimulate better and quicker root growth,
which gives plants a greater growth advantage.
47
8
Benefits of Microorganisms: Water Reduction
Before watering or Biological treatment
Benefits of Microorganisms: Water Reduction
6 days after treatment & last watering
Experiment
#1
Strategies for Integrating
Biologicals into Your Lawn Care
or Growing Practice
Experiment
#2
Control
Biologicals
Control
Biologicals
• The vinca treated with Biologicals (right) is still healthy and turgid.
• The pot from vinca treated with Biologicals is heavier with more retained water.
• The untreated vinca (left) is in a decline caused by drought.
Untreated
Biologicals
Biologicals
Low rate
Normal rate
• “Accidental” experiment - lights left on plants for 3 days straight without any watering.
• The lettuce treated with biologicals does not show the effects of drought.
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51
Strategies for Integrating Biologicals
Strategies for Integrating Biologicals
Strategies for Integrating Biologicals
How to stimulate or supplement microbes in
your landscape or lawn care practice:
Practices and products that stimulate microbes
in your lawn care or growing practice:
Practices and commonly used inputs that
adversely affect soil microbiology:
1) Bio-stimulation (inducing microbes):
a) Induce the growth of endogenous
microbes
i b ((organic
i ffertilizers).
tili
)
b) Don’t destroy the natural flora that is
already there!
2) Bio-supplementation (adding microbes).
a) Compost & compost teas.
b) Controlled biological inoculants.
• Organic fertilizers: Includes humates, fish fertilizers, manures
and kelp.
• Can be used alone or in combination with biological
stimulants.
• Although excellent fertilizers, the odor from fish and
manures may turn off customers (better
suited for agriculture or horticulture).
• Molasses and sugars induce the growth
of soil microbes. However, pathogen
growth can be induced as well.
• Tilling: Destroys the complex organization of the
rhizosphere and the crucial top layer of soil.
• Roundup® (Glyphosate): Roundup can reduce beneficial
organism populations (Pseudomonas fluorescens) and cause
increases in pathogen growth (Fusarium).
• Fungicides & Antibacterials: Kill fungi and bacterial
populations in a non-specific manner.
• Insecticides: Can cause secondary effects on beneficial
insect populations (colony collapse disorder).
• Excess Fertilization: Phosphate is toxic to beneficial
organisms at high concentrations. Excess nutrients will
stimulate pathogen growth.
9
Strategies for Integrating Biologicals
Strategies for Integrating Biologicals
•
•
•
•
•
Pros
Very effective and proven.
More sustainable than other methods.
Wide array of nutrients and natural
fertilizer value (depends on inputs).
Has some value in terms of increasing
soil biology.
Cheap to produce.
Organic Fertilizers
and Humates
Controlled
Biological
Inoculants
Compost and
Compost Teas
•
•
•
•
•
•
Cons
Input dependent – inconsistent results.
Difficult and labor-intensive to apply.
“Backyard microbiology” – potential to
grow pathogens or unwanted
organisms without proper testing.
Investment in equipment is needed.
Time consuming to brew teas.
Lack of stability – needs to be used
within 1 to 2 weeks.
•
•
•
•
•
Strategies for Integrating Biologicals:
Biology:
Nutrients:
•
•
•
•
Cons
Less sustainable than compost.
Watch out for “colored water” – ask
for the microscope test.
Diversity is dependent on the
strains used and stabilized.
Higher product costs (although
lower labor and application costs).
Sustainability:
Ease of Use:
Consistency:
Costs:
How is soil microbiology measured?
•
•
•
easily be seen. Plants and turf will visibly increase in growth, health and quality.
Direct Measurements: Extract microbes from soil in a liquid, stain and count
under a microscope. Does not give much information on diversity of species.
Plate Counts: Plate microbes on growth media, and count colonies that form.
By-product
by-products
By
product Analysis: Measure by
products of microbes such as gas production
(CO2 kits), sugars secreted, enzymes produced etc…
Genetic Analysis: Extract DNA from microbes for sequencing.
• Trichoderma species (viride, hamatum, harzianum etc…): Pathogen suppression,
•
nutrient exchange, organic breakdown.
• Mycorrhizal fungi (many species): Form mutualistic relationships with roots for
nutrient exchange and many plant health-promoting functions.
Where can you have soil microbiology measured?
• Steinernema carpocapsae: Fleas, cutworm, sod webworm, termites.
• Steinernema feltiae: Fungus gnats, ticks, thrips, leafminers.
• Heterorhabditis bacteriophora: Japanese beetles, grubs, root weevils, queen ants.
Controlled
Biologicals
• Visually: Fungal growth is visible on roots as web-like structures. Worms can
Fungi:
Nematodes:
Compost and
Compost Teas
Strategies for Integrating Biologicals
Examples of Proven Beneficial Microorganisms
Bacteria:
• Bacillus species (subtilis, pumilus, megaterium etc…): Organic breakdown,
pathogen suppression, hormone production, detoxification.
• Nitrogen fixing bacteria (Rhizobia, Rhodopseudomonas palustris etc…).
• Nitrifying bacteria (Nitrobacter winogradskyi): Cycling nitrogen.
• Pseudomonas fluorescens: Good all purpose species for pathogen
suppression, phosphate solubilization, detoxification.
Pros
No preparation - buy and apply.
Consistent since they are not input
dependent and counts can be verified.
More concentrated – highest counts of
microorganisms available.
Tested for safety and pathogens, not
“Backyard microbiology”.
Stability for years (product dependent).
Strategies for Integrating Biologicals
Results
Soil Food Web (http://oregonfoodweb.com/testing.html)
-Active and total bacteria, active and total fungi, nematodes.
Emory University – Dr Tim Read, 454 Pyrosequencing ([email protected] )
-Full genetic analysis, identification and relative number of soil organisms.
Solvita – CO2 respiration kits.
What does it all mean?
60
10
Improved Turf Health/Yield
Improved Turf Health/Yield
Improved Turf Health/Yield
Turf Grass
Turf Grass
Turf Grass
Before Treatment
4 Weeks After Biological Use
Best Practice
Biologicals
Before Treatment
After Biologicals
Improved Tree Health/Yield
Improved Plant Health/Yield
Improved Plant Health/Yield
Trees (Conifers)
Trees (Conifers)
Woody Ornamentals (Blueberries)
Best Practice
Biologicals
Pine roots from a commercial pine tree plantation
(International Forest).
Best Practice
Biologicals
Best Practice
Biologicals
Slash Pine candles from a commercial pine tree plantation
(International Forest).
Best Practice
Biologicals
Test Results on the Use of MicroorganismsProducts on year-old Rabbiteye
(Austin) Blueberry Plants. Photo taken three weeks after first application.
11
Improved Plant Health/Yield
Improved Plant Health/Yield
Improved Plant Health/Yield
Horticulture (Lantana)
Horticulture (Orchids)
Agriculture (Lettuce)
Odom’s Orchids Trail Results
Best Practice
Biologicals
Best Practice
3 Weeks
Biologicals
Best Practice
Biologicals
Best Practice
Biologicals
“Our loss percentage seems to be down since we started using biologicals. We were losing 5-10%,
especially on the smaller plants, but it has gone down to less than 5% since we started the
treatments. Most of even the smallest plants are now surviving. “
6 Weeks
Rob Schneider, Greenhouse Manager, Odom's Orchids
(Experiments done by the Ace Hardware chain)
Best Practice
Biologicals
(Lettuce grown for the Subway food chain)
67
Improved Plant Health/Yield
Benefits of Microorganisms: Water Reduction
Agriculture (Squash)
Before watering or Biological treatment
6 days after treatment & last watering
Summary
Control
Best Practice
Avg. pounds per acre: 8,800
Biologicals
Avg. pounds per acre: 11,424
30% Increase in Yield!
Biologicals
Control
Biologicals
• The vinca treated with Biologicals (right) is still healthy and turgid.
• The pot from vinca treated with Biologicals is heavier with more retained water.
• The untreated vinca (left) is in a decline caused by drought.
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Summary – Market Assessment
Summary–– Biological Use on Turf
Summary
Summary–– Biological Use on Turf
Summary
Growing Consumer Demand
Cost Comparison Study Conventional vs. Natural
CNLA Turf Study
Natural or organic lawn care is the fastest growing
sector of the landscaping service market.
Study performed for the
Connecticut Nursery and
Landscape Association (CNLA)
Per Steve Bousquet, President:
• A 2008 survey indicated that about 12 million
households were using only natural products on
lawns and gardens, up from 5 million in 2004.
That’ss a 240% Increase!
That
• 20% of consumers have bought an
environmentally friendly lawn-and-garden
product (2005).
• An estimated yearly10% annual growth for the
organic fertilizer market. That is twice the
projected growth for all lawn and garden goods.
• Scott’s organic line of products have doubled
sales each year since their inception.
• A very noticeable
difference in growth
by Day 10.
• 50% better turf
development in areas
treated w/ biologicals.
• The turf treated with
Recent studies have validated that natural or
organic treatment programs cost significantly
less over time than chemical programs with
the same results and no toxicity.
biologicals was 2 to 3
weeks ahead of the
untreated lawns.
• Better recovery from
herbicides with the
use of biologicals.
Summary
Summary: Why integrate biologicals into
your lawn care or growing practice?
• Better results, happier customers.
• More sustainable and better for the environment.
• Compliance with chemical and fertilizer restrictions. These are
Presentation available at:
www.greenearthag.com
Click on the ELA logo
g
g tougher.
g
onlyy getting
• An alternative to the chemicals that are being removed from
the market (i.e. Nemacur) without viable alternatives.
• Long-term cost savings through input reductions.
• Customer demand for greener treatments is rapidly increasing.
• This is the future…be ahead of the curve!
QUESTIONS?
13