Soil Biology Test

A soil biology test is a test that aids farmers and growers in understanding soil biology and the makeup of the various organisms that make up the soil microbes living and working in the soil. It is critical to helping farmers and growers make informed decisions about their nutrient applications. Agricultural and horticultural soils are tested for nutrients to evaluate soil fertility and quality which helps in monitoring fertiliser programs and identifying nutrient deficiencies or toxicities. However, often overlooked, yet just as, if not more important is measuring and understanding what is happening in and amongst the soil biology.

Why do a soil biology test?

1. Soil is a complete ecosystem of biological organisms that all do various jobs to help plants grow. The relationship between plants and these organisms helps transport nutrients between the plant, roots, organisms and organic matter creating a balanced and healthy soil micro-biome in which plants thrive.
2. Years, if not decades, of the application of synthetic fertilisers such as Urea and Superphosphate, have left many soils in poor condition. Understanding the biology in the soil can help make informed decisions easier to increase biological activity, helping to release, cycle and transport nutrients already in the soil, but locked up, and making them available to the plant.
3. Determining the levels of bacteria and fungi in the soil, and their activity levels, will help in understanding what products can be applied as bio-stimulants to feed the soil biology, activating them and increasing their effectiveness.
4. Understanding biology helps to reduce synthetic inputs, saving money, environmental damage, waste, and makes decisions about inputs clearer.

For more on the importance of testing the soil for both nutrients and biology check out our article "The Triumverate of Testing" here.

Understanding soil biology is the beginning of farming and growing smarter, reducing inputs and costs and working with the natural eco-systems to grow and produce the food we all enjoy.