Re: [compost_tea] probiotics

From: Mike Harvey <mharvey_at_westnet.com.au>
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2003 11:04:25 +0800

probioticsClayton,
my main question is, does anyone have any advice on how the product below w=
ould differ from compost tea?
A The product below has only 24 strains of beneficial bacteria and fungi co=
mpared to AACT made to SFI specifications that has thousands of species. On=
e of the reasons for this is that durring screening of organisms for inocul=
ants of this type one of the criteria is that they can be put to sleep and =
have a shelf life and then can be reliably activated again. This limits the=
 number of species.
See SFI Compost tea brewers manual for more detail, this document is essent=
ial if you are serious about using AACT.
The product below does not have protozoa or nematodes.
The cost per ha for the product below will be far higher than brewing you=
r own AACT!!
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 microbe=
s.
A. As far as I am aware this product has not been tested at SFI, I am not =
sure if plate counts have been done either. Ask the manufacturer.
You can brew your own AACT and send tests to SFI Lismore by express post, s=
end on Monday and it should reach Lismore by Tue or Wed. This will give exc=
eptional quality control.
High Quality AACT is already being produced in WA by myself and others usin=
g my machines. You can contact me off line for more information (not allow=
ed to advertise here).
Can you tell us more about how you are dealing with the heavy metals?
Regards Mike Harvey B Hort Sci
New Life Soils Ph 08 98514 393
E-Mail mharvey_at_westnet.com.au
WWW.composttea.com.au
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: clay
  To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
  Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2003 10:08 AM
  Subject: [compost_tea] probiotics


  hi there

  i thought i would introduce myself to the group. My name is clayton and i=
 am farm manager at an organic urban city farm in perth, Australia. The fa=
rm is situated on an old scrap metal recycling yard and thus was contaminat=
ed with heavy metals such as lead and zinc.

  As part of our soil program i would like to be introducing microbes. We h=
ave 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 micro=
bes.

  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, ³G=
arden², ³Lawn & Turf², ³Tree & Broadacre² and ³Trichoderma PLUS=
² - 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 shou=
ld be alive!

   
  All nutrient transactions within the soil require bacteria and fungi (85%=
 of these are beneficial and vital for nutrient exchange and subsequent ava=
ilability 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 wh=
at they need to make the compounds of life (and in a form that are BIO-AVAI=
LABLE), and reject the waste that is not needed, (eg aluminium, iron, etc) =
­ which are generally in excess in our soils. Micro-organisms also contro=
l 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-converting atmosphere n=
itrogen in the soil.
   
  Bacilli: Lactic acid bacteria, helps with soil cond=
ition structure.
   
  Cellulosic Fungi: One of the few decomposers of organic matter (cellul=
ose) turning stubble
  into organic carbon.
   
  Mycorrhiza: Nutrient converters and actively source phosphoru=
s from the soil.
   
  Phoshobacter: Converts phosphorus into plant available ³P²
   
  Pseudomonas: Soldier bacteria ­ helps protect plants against fung=
al attack in the root zone.
   
  Rhizobium: Legume nitrogen fixers.
   
  Streptomyces: Bacteria that helps control pathogenic bacteria.
   
  Saccharomyces: Yeasts that convert carbon dioxide into sugars within t=
he 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 living community of soil=
 micro-organisms.
  Fact B: These micro-organisms are responsible for the continue=
s breakdown of parent rock materials and the decomposition of organic matte=
r that provide a continuous supply of nutrition for plant food. They also d=
raw free nitrogen directly from the atmosphere and make it available for us=
e by plants.
  Fact C: The population and activity of healthy soil bacteria ar=
e directly related to the efficiency of fertilizers, chemicals and soil nut=
rients.
  Fact D: Most soils in Australia have become biologically deplet=
ed in the past 20 years due to ever increasing chemical use.
   
  Beneficial micro-organisms form a vital part in the world's cyclic food c=
hain. When organic matter dies and decomposes, bacteria and molds metaboliz=
e the highly complex organic molecules into simple inorganic bio-available =
wastes. Elements of inorganic wastes are then excreted back into the soil t=
o be absorbed and utilized once again as food by earthworms and plants. Som=
e bacterial species release nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, and trace element=
s from organic matter. Others break down soil minerals and release potassiu=
m, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and iron. Still other species make and re=
lease natural plant growth hormones, which stimulate root growth. A few spe=
cies of bacteria fix nitrogen in the roots of legumes while others fix nitr=
ogen independently of plant association. Bacteria are responsible for conve=
rting nitrogen from ammonium to nitrate and back again depending on certain=
 soil conditions. Other benefits to plants provided by various species of b=
acteria include increasing the solubility of nutrients, improving soil stru=
cture, fighting root diseases, and detoxifying soil.
   
  Synthetic chemical fertilizers do little to build soil fertility. They si=
mply provide plants with an instant fix of growth elements, then drain into=
 and accumulate in the ground water and rivers ­ leading to over-nutrific=
ation and subsequent algal blooms etc. In fact, many chemical fertilizers k=
ill the micro-organisms and earthworms that keep soil productive and health=
y. Most beneficial microbes and earthworms are also very susceptible to con=
centrated toxic chemicals (most pesticides, insecticides, fungicides and he=
rbicides) (Morgan AJ, Sturzenbaum SR, Winters C, Kille P. Cellular and mol=
ecular 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 a=
dding 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 =
life cycles of certain opportunistic microbes ­ this can lead to an overg=
rowth of these microbes; to the detriment of other beneficial soil micro-or=
ganisms. Eventually, these opportunistic microbes die and then the inorgani=
c 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 adv=
anced beneficial soil microbes, which appear to have enormous problem-solvi=
ng potential for agriculture. The bacteria and fungi involved are sourced f=
rom the same "master species" which comprise part of a new Soil Probiotic t=
hat has produced dramatic results. The product has the greatest impact wher=
e the living soil has been heavily worked, mechanically over-tilled and has=
 become unbalanced, and organic carbon levels have plummeted. To date, toxi=
c chemicals have provided dubious results; whereas the promise of this hard=
y breed of Probiotic ³pro-life² bugs is exciting: (Antibiotics = a=
nti-life).



  The Eco-Probiotics Soil Restorer is a microbial soil inoculum that contai=
ns a scientifically balanced blend of beneficial bacterial and fungal organ=
isms totaling 24 types and strains (including Azotobacter, Azosporillum, Ba=
cilli, Cellulosic fungi, Phosphobacter, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Streptomyce=
s and Saccharomyces). Its use greatly increases and stimulates the natural=
 beneficial microorganisms, resulting in massive population increases in th=
e soil. It is 100% organic and 100% non-toxic, and works to reintroduce & c=
reate a healthier living environment for the normal functions of the desira=
ble microorganisms and earthworms, thus enhancing biological and sustainabl=
e life in the soil.
   
   
      
   
      

  Whilst the primary purpose of Probiotics are to balance microbial activit=
y, many important side benefits have been noted. The product is not a ferti=
liser, 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 lawn 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 required.

       
  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 retention.

       
  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 cont=
ents 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 larger than 100=
um
  · If equipment has previously been used for pesticide, neutraliz=
e with recommended neutralizing agent and triple rinse.
  · Wash equipment after use.
  · The user is referred to safety information contained in Materi=
al Safety Data Sheets available from Eco-Growth.
   
   
   
       Application :

   
  FOR USE ON : Soil, Plants, shrubs, seedlings, flowers, vines, orc=
hards, citrus trees, stone fruit, vegetables, field crops, pasture etc.
   


   
  General Application

   
  · Activate microbes** for 48hrs prior to application (50g/10Lit=
res water ­ best at 30oC with occasional stirring).
  · Apply at 100ml per square metre or 100ml per 1m high plant
  · Initially drench soil around plant, & lightly water after 30mi=
ns.
  · root or foliar feed every 24 - 30days (25g /10Litres)
  · spray underside of leaves as well - apply late afternoon
   



  ** 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 fa=
ith and represents knowledge of the product and processes at the date of pr=
inting. Every care is taken during manufacture and handling of this product=
 and the preparation of recommendations pertaining thereto. The manufacture=
r or their agents accepts no responsibility for damage arising from misuse =
or non-adherence to current recommendations.

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Received on Wed Sep 10 2003 - 13:35:34 EDT

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