[compost_tea] probiotics

From: clay <rhibo_at_iinet.net.au>
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2003 10:08:57 +0800

hi there

i thought i would introduce myself to the group. My name is clayton and i a=
m
farm manager at an organic urban city farm in perth, Australia. The farm i=
s
situated on an old scrap metal recycling yard and thus was contaminated wit=
h
heavy metals such as lead and zinc.

As part of our soil program i would like to be introducing microbes. We hav=
e
also recently noticed peach leaf curl on our peaches and im hoping that
regular applications of compost tea will help to remedy this.

my main question is, does anyone have any advice on how the product below
would differ from compost tea?

this company looks very good and is local for me.

my main concern with brewing my own compost tea is quality control, so i am
wondering if the product below would be more reliable to introduce microbes=
.

here is the info from their website...........

Eco-Probiotics Soil Restorer is a combination of cultured BENEFICIAL soil
bacteria and fungi micro-organisms.  There are four blends available,
³Garden², ³Lawn & Turf², ³Tree & Broadacre² and ³Trichoderma =
PLUS² -  all
specially selected for their use in soil restoration and better nutrient
release while helping with pathogen control.
 
90% of the living mass on earth is in the top 25cm of soil! The soil should
be alive!
 
All nutrient transactions within the soil require bacteria and fungi (85% o=
f
these are beneficial and vital for nutrient exchange and subsequent
availability to our plants, crops and pasture.)
 
Eco-Probiotics Soil Restorer inoculates the soil with beneficial microbes
(soil structure builders, decomposers, nutrient builders, nitrogen fixers,
protectors, and plant growth hormone producers). Micro-organisms select wha=
t
they need to make the compounds of life (and in a form that are
BIO-AVAILABLE), and reject the waste that is not needed, (eg aluminium,
iron, etc) ­ which are generally in excess in our soils. Micro-organisms
also control what goes into the plant roots.
 
Note: These natural controls may be TURNED OFF when the soil is made more
acid or excessive acidic chemicals are added.
 
 
     General Analysis :

 
MAIN STRAINS
 
Azotobacter:           Produce plant growth hormones.
 
Azosporillum:         Free living nitrogen fixers-convertin=
g atmosphere
nitrogen in the soil.
 
Bacilli:                       =
Lactic acid bacteria, helps with soil
condition structure.
 
Cellulosic Fungi:    One of the few decomposers of organic matter
(cellulose) turning stubble
into organic carbon.
 
Mycorrhiza:             Nutrient converters and act=
ively source phosphorus
from the soil.
 
Phoshobacter:        Converts phosphorus into plant available=
 ³P²
 
Pseudomonas:       Soldier bacteria ­ helps protect plants ag=
ainst fungal
attack in the root zone.
 
Rhizobium:              Legume nitrogen fixers.
 
Streptomyces:        Bacteria that helps control pathogenic b=
acteria.
 
Saccharomyces:    Yeasts that convert carbon dioxide into sugars with=
in the
soil.
 
Trichoderma:          Potential to control soil diseases.
 
 

 
     Modes of Action :

 
Why the need for balanced populations of soil microbes?
 
Fact A:            The soil, when healthy, has a livi=
ng community of soil
micro-organisms.
Fact B:            These micro-organisms are responsi=
ble for the continues
breakdown of parent rock materials and the decomposition of organic matter
that provide a continuous supply of nutrition for plant food. They also dra=
w
free nitrogen directly from the atmosphere and make it available for use by
plants.
Fact C:           The population and activity of health=
y soil bacteria are
directly related to the efficiency of fertilizers, chemicals and soil
nutrients.
Fact D:           Most soils in Australia have become b=
iologically depleted
in the past 20 years due to ever increasing chemical use.
 
Beneficial micro-organisms form a vital part in the world's cyclic food
chain. When organic matter dies and decomposes, bacteria and molds
metabolize the highly complex organic molecules into simple inorganic
bio-available wastes. Elements of inorganic wastes are then excreted back
into the soil to be absorbed and utilized once again as food by earthworms
and plants. Some bacterial species release nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, an=
d
trace elements from organic matter. Others break down soil minerals and
release potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and iron. Still other
species make and release natural plant growth hormones, which stimulate roo=
t
growth. A few species of bacteria fix nitrogen in the roots of legumes whil=
e
others fix nitrogen independently of plant association. Bacteria are
responsible for converting nitrogen from ammonium to nitrate and back again
depending on certain soil conditions. Other benefits to plants provided by
various species of bacteria include increasing the solubility of nutrients,
improving soil structure, fighting root diseases, and detoxifying soil.
 
Synthetic chemical fertilizers do little to build soil fertility. They
simply provide plants with an instant fix of growth elements, then drain
into and accumulate in the ground water and rivers ­ leading to
over-nutrification and subsequent algal blooms etc. In fact, many chemical
fertilizers kill the micro-organisms and earthworms that keep soil
productive and healthy. Most beneficial microbes and earthworms are also
very susceptible to concentrated toxic chemicals (most pesticides,
insecticides, fungicides and herbicides)  (Morgan AJ, Sturzenbaum SR,
Winters C, Kille P. Cellular and molecular aspects of metal sequestration
and toxicity in earthworms. Invertebr Reprod Dev 1999, 36(1-3), 17-24).
 
Although plants essentially require nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous
(NPK), they also require many other trace nutrients, minerals, hormones etc
available only in healthy soils full of beneficial microbes.  The goal is=
 to
restore and / or maintain healthy soil - to provide plants with all the
nutrients and growth factors required to be healthy. Many believe that by
adding inorganic fertilizers (NPK) to their soils they are ³feeding their
plants². In reality, if there are quantities of organic matter in the soi=
l,
approximately 80-90% of the inorganic fertilizers are taken up into the lif=
e
cycles of certain opportunistic microbes ­ this can lead to an overgrowth=
 of
these microbes; to the detriment of other beneficial soil micro-organisms.
Eventually, these opportunistic microbes die and then the inorganic
nutrients are released into the soil in a bio-available form to be taken up
by plant roots.
 
Soil Probiotics and Restorers
 
Recent developments in microbiology have identified a range of highly
advanced beneficial soil microbes, which appear to have enormous
problem-solving potential for agriculture. The bacteria and fungi involved
are sourced from the same "master species" which comprise part of a new Soi=
l
Probiotic that has produced dramatic results. The product has the greatest
impact where the living soil has been heavily worked, mechanically
over-tilled and has become unbalanced, and organic carbon levels have
plummeted. To date, toxic chemicals have provided dubious results; whereas
the promise of this hardy breed of Probiotic ³pro-life² bugs is excitin=
g:   
(Antibiotics = anti-life).
 
The Eco-Probiotics Soil Restorer is a microbial soil inoculum that contains
a scientifically balanced blend of beneficial bacterial and fungal organism=
s
totaling 24 types and strains (including Azotobacter, Azosporillum, Bacilli=
,
Cellulosic fungi, Phosphobacter, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Streptomyces and
Saccharomyces).  Its use greatly increases and stimulates the natural
beneficial microorganisms, resulting in massive population increases in the
soil. It is 100% organic and 100% non-toxic, and works to reintroduce &
create a healthier living environment for the normal functions of the
desirable microorganisms and earthworms, thus enhancing biological and
sustainable life in the soil.
 
 
     
 
    
Whilst the primary purpose of Probiotics are to balance microbial activity,
many important side benefits have been noted. The product is not a
fertiliser, fungicide, insecticide, herbicide or nematode control agent,
however users have consistently reported the following benefits: -
     

 
a.       Regulation of the pH level.

 
b.       Assists in the control of aggressive nematodes.

 
c.       Assists in the control of pathogenic fungi.

 
d.       Plant strength increases natural insect resistance.

 
e.       Some insect pests are destroyed in the soil, notably l=
awn grub
(bacteria can break down the waxy coating of their eggs).

 
 

 
f.        Reduction in water requirements.

 
g.       Increased root formation.

 
h.       Increased root quality.

 
i.         Root strength activates natural weed repulsion.

 
j.         Increased soil mineral availability (50 to 200%)=
.

 
k.       Dramatic reduction in chemicals and fertilisers requir=
ed.

 
l.         Rapid breakdown of added organic matter.

 
m.     Increased protein level of crops.

 
n.       Improved fibre/moisture ratio aids frost resistance.

 
o.       Better appearance.   

 
p.       Improved soil and plant life quality.

 
q.       Improved soil workability. Better soil moisture retent=
ion.

 
r.        Soil improvement resists water and wind erosion.

 
s.       Improved frost and drought resistance.

 
t.        Increased nutrient level of crops.

 
u.       Increased earthworm activity.

 
    
 
     
 
 
     STORAGE :

 
Store Eco-Probiotics Soil Restorer powder in Sealed container. Store
contents in a dry and cool area. Do not expose dry powder to moisture,
freezing temperatures or direct sunlight.
·        Do not store in diluted form.
·        Not to be taken.
·        Remove fine strainers and filters. Use nozzles lar=
ger than 100um
·        If equipment has previously been used for pesticid=
e, neutralize
with recommended neutralizing agent and triple rinse.
·        Wash equipment after use.
·        The user is referred to safety information contain=
ed in Material
Safety Data Sheets available from Eco-Growth.
 
 
 
     Application :

 
FOR USE ON :         Soil, Plants, shrubs, seedlings, flowers=
, vines,
orchards, citrus trees, stone fruit, vegetables, field crops, pasture etc.
 
 
 
General Application
 
·        Activate microbes** for 48hrs prior to application=
  (50g/10Litres
water ­ best at 30oC with occasional stirring).
·        Apply at 100ml per square metre or 100ml per 1m hi=
gh plant
·        Initially drench soil around plant, & lightly wate=
r after 30mins.
·        root or foliar feed every 24 - 30days (25g /10Litr=
es)
·        spray underside of leaves as well - apply late aft=
ernoon
 
 
** USE ACTIVATED MICROBES WITHIN 5 DAYS
 
For specific agricultural applications, contact Eco-Growth.
 
Note: The information in this document is provided to the user in good fait=
h
and represents knowledge of the product and processes at the date of
printing. Every care is taken during manufacture and handling of this
product and the preparation of recommendations pertaining thereto. The
manufacturer or their agents accepts no responsibility for damage arising
from misuse or non-adherence to current recommendations.





Received on Tue Sep 09 2003 - 22:49:00 EDT

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