Understanding the Role of Soil Microbes with Laura Decker

Chemical fertilizers are incredibly effective in increasing yield, however, they have taken away the role of microbes in the soil. What is the importance of soil microbes, and why do we need them?

Hear Laura Decker open up the topic of microbes, including when they thrive, how to build a diverse microbial community, and how to test the microbes in YOUR soil.

00:00 Introduction
00:39 How do chemical fertilizers impact the soil?
02:15 Healthy soils depend on microbes for...
04:19 Root structure
05:10 Understanding microbial communities & soil structure
08:26 The soil aggregate cycle
09:27 Carbon stores
11:45 When do microbes thrive?
13:12 Pros & cons of different soil inputs
16:07 What is limiting microbial biomass in your soil?
18:07 Meet microBIOMETER

Discover Rhyzogreen, by Riogen.
We're passionate about making a difference in agriculture. A difference that adds to your pocketbook. With Rhyzogreen, we're feeding the microbes in the soil to impact root structure, plant health, and ultimately yield. Bottom line, soil health directly correlates to plant health. Whether it's corn or beans, small grains or alfalfa, hay ground or rangeland, the science works the same. Feed those microbial communities. Stimulate life. Set in motion a wonderful natural response.

[samteawater]

What I understand from other speakers and videos is that it’s important for soil life to keep the ground covered, preferably with living plants/roots in the ground, or else with some kind of mulch.

[sharonwittmayer]

LOVE this information!!! Thank you! I’ve been trying to explain this to my husband so he understands why I do the things I do in the garden. He is a retired commercial landscaper and in that world they want instant and easy fixes. This is soooo helpful!

[EnsignBaiXin]

This is a fantastic review of soil microbes and their complexity. Thank you for putting this together and giving a dynamic presentation with a good narrative and fantastic visuals and information.

[stanleychavez]

Thank you very much. I've been looking for a way to check my microorganisms

[truckload]

great, thank you for quick concise lecture

[bitlessmind]

Great introduction. Thank you for your efforts. 🙂

[matthewflexen]

Thank you so much, my son and I enjoyed your explanations. 😊

[yusufalbalooshi]

Hello, dear sister. I am from the State of Bahrain. I have increased calcium carbonate and very high salinity after using agricultural gypsum and slaked lime a lot. I have increased salinity and alkalinity, especially since we live in the Middle East, where the soil is alkaline. I ask your Excellency for advice and guidance on treating the high salinity of agricultural soil, as the plants suffer and die. I am a fan of natural fertilization, oregano. Thank you very much.

[ihapseodi]

Egypt guy appreciate your presentation 🙏🏼

[davidclode]

Thanks Laura for an excellent video. Just an observation, but the term SOC or soil organic carbon has become common, and I know I am being pedantic, but it is a tautology, like "reversing backwards". Organic chemistry is carbon chemistry, so saying organic carbon is like saying carbon carbon. I think the terms "soil carbon" or "soil organic matter" are preferable. Please don't take it the wrong way, I really enjoyed the video.

[bears]

Curious to whether soil is needed or best for microbes, or coco hydro are also places they can live or thrive? Or can they grow in coco at all for instance?

[sivasubramanian]

Can we compress the compost colr pith in wet condition as like 5 kg coir blocks and do transport to other place by sea. (The Sailing time will be 30 days) Please Suggest.

[jeremiahthomaskornder]

I am curious about the device you sell.

[jonathanhollinger]

Moringa Oleifera makes a excellent biostimulant. It has the highest level of plant based zeatin. You can grow your own trees and make it yourself. You need a Brix level of 12 or higher to keep your plants pest resistant.

[michaelanderson]

I am using around 25% sugar and 75% water spray for my magic mushrooms (Pink Buffalo) spawn grains which is mixed with regular outside soil.

[partidaportet]

I am not sure if microbes communicate soil conditions to plants, is there evidence to support this.
. I think the soil conditions determine the microbe diversity which then dictates the types of plants that might preference any one area over another. Eg lower fungus, higher pH more bacteria, .less lignin based or perennial plants?
We know we can change microbiomes through selective inputs. Not changing them persay, but activating or not what is omnipresent through subtle shifts in Redox homeostasis?

[markdenadventuretravelsfar]

Is drenching molasses makes pplant healthy and microbes also

[bishnoirk]

Very useful information. Thanks. In india cow farming is for the same purpose

[jacobrafaat]

Soil organic carbon🤔 replaces humus since that doesn’t exist but the carbon structures we were looking for

[coolnout]

MIcrobes love unsulphered molassyes. Cheap and ready available; mix with water and apply.