RE: [compost_tea] probiotics

From: Ryan, Matthew <matthew.ryan_at_rodaleinst.org>
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2003 14:37:28 -0400

Hello Everyone,
 
I don't know anything about this product except for what Clayton has posted=
 on his message, but just with that information I am very skeptical. First=
 thing is that they don't list any concentration values for the different m=
icrobes that fall under the general analysis. Another red flag is the fact=
 that they are saying all of these different groups of MO's are in their pr=
oduct together - mycorrhiza, Rhizobium, lactic acid bacteria, and Saccharom=
yces - which by the way converts sugars into carbon dioxide and alcohol, no=
t the other way around.
 
Sounds like another bugs-in-a-jug snake oil, but who knows maybe its great =
stuff?
 
-Matt

        -----Original Message-----
        From: clay [mailto:rhibo_at_iinet.net.au]
        Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2003 10:09 PM
        To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
        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 far=
m is situated on an old scrap metal recycling yard and thus was contaminate=
d with heavy metals such as lead and zinc.
        
        As part of our soil program i would like to be introducing microbes. We ha=
ve 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 a=
m wondering if the product below would be more reliable to introduce microb=
es.
        
        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, ³Ga=
rden², 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 shoul=
d be alive!
        

         
        All nutrient transactions within the soil require bacteria and fungi (85% =
of these are beneficial and vital for nutrient exchange and subsequent avai=
lability 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-AVAIL=
ABLE), 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 ni=
trogen in the soil.
         
        Bacilli: Lactic acid bacteria, helps with soil condi=
tion structure.
         
        Cellulosic Fungi: One of the few decomposers of organic matter (cellulo=
se) turning stubble
        into organic carbon.
         
        Mycorrhiza: Nutrient converters and actively source phosphorus=
 from the soil.
         
        Phoshobacter: Converts phosphorus into plant available ³P²
         
        Pseudomonas: Soldier bacteria ­ helps protect plants against funga=
l 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 th=
e 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 continues=
 breakdown of parent rock materials and the decomposition of organic matter=
 that provide a continuous supply of nutrition for plant food. They also dr=
aw free nitrogen directly from the atmosphere and make it available for use=
 by plants.
        Fact C: The population and activity of healthy soil bacteria are=
 directly related to the efficiency of fertilizers, chemicals and soil nutr=
ients.
        Fact D: Most soils in Australia have become biologically deplete=
d in the past 20 years due to ever increasing chemical use.
         
        Beneficial micro-organisms form a vital part in the world's cyclic food ch=
ain. When organic matter dies and decomposes, bacteria and molds metabolize=
 the highly complex organic molecules into simple inorganic bio-available w=
astes. 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, and trace elements=
 from organic matter. Others break down soil minerals and release potassium=
, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and iron. Still other species make and rel=
ease natural plant growth hormones, which stimulate root growth. A few spec=
ies of bacteria fix nitrogen in the roots of legumes while others fix nitro=
gen independently of plant association. Bacteria are responsible for conver=
ting nitrogen from ammonium to nitrate and back again depending on certain =
soil conditions. Other benefits to plants provided by various species of ba=
cteria include increasing the solubility of nutrients, improving soil struc=
ture, fighting root diseases, and detoxifying soil.
         
        Synthetic chemical fertilizers do little to build soil fertility. They sim=
ply provide plants with an instant fix of growth elements, then drain into =
and accumulate in the ground water and rivers ­ leading to over-nutrifica=
tion and subsequent algal blooms etc. In fact, many chemical fertilizers ki=
ll the micro-organisms and earthworms that keep soil productive and healthy=
. Most beneficial microbes and earthworms are also very susceptible to conc=
entrated toxic chemicals (most pesticides, insecticides, fungicides and her=
bicides) (Morgan AJ, Sturzenbaum SR, Winters C, Kille P. Cellular and mole=
cular 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 t=
o restore and / or maintain healthy soil - to provide plants with all the n=
utrients and growth factors required to be healthy. Many believe that by ad=
ding inorganic fertilizers (NPK) to their soils they are ³feeding their p=
lants². In reality, if there are quantities of organic matter in the soil=
, approximately 80-90% of the inorganic fertilizers are taken up into the l=
ife cycles of certain opportunistic microbes ­ this can lead to an overgr=
owth of these microbes; to the detriment of other beneficial soil micro-org=
anisms. Eventually, these opportunistic microbes die and then the inorganic=
 nutrients are released into the soil in a bio-available form to be taken u=
p by plant roots.
         
        

        Soil Probiotics and Restorers
         
        

        Recent developments in microbiology have identified a range of highly adva=
nced beneficial soil microbes, which appear to have enormous problem-solvin=
g potential for agriculture. The bacteria and fungi involved are sourced fr=
om the same "master species" which comprise part of a new Soil Probiotic th=
at 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 exciting: (Antibiotics = an=
ti-life).
        

        
         

        The Eco-Probiotics Soil Restorer is a microbial soil inoculum that contain=
s a scientifically balanced blend of beneficial bacterial and fungal organi=
sms totaling 24 types and strains (including Azotobacter, Azosporillum, Bac=
illi, 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 & cr=
eate a healthier living environment for the normal functions of the desirab=
le 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 fertil=
iser, 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 (b=
acteria 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 conte=
nts 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 100um
        * If equipment has previously been used for pesticide, neutralize w=
ith recommended neutralizing agent and triple rinse.
        * Wash equipment after use.
        * The user is referred to safety information contained in Material =
Safety Data Sheets available from Eco-Growth.
         
         
         
             Application :
        
         
        FOR USE ON : Soil, Plants, shrubs, seedlings, flowers, vines, orch=
ards, 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 high plant
        * Initially drench soil around plant, & lightly water after 30mins.=
 
        * 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 fai=
th and represents knowledge of the product and processes at the date of pri=
nting. 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 o=
r non-adherence to current recommendations.
        
        
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Received on Wed Sep 10 2003 - 23:03:05 EDT

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