All About Soil & Compost Inoculant and How To Use It
Soil and compost inoculation can help support crop growth, manage soil health, and fight disease by adding helpful bacteria to the land and compost. Our team at Healthy Farms tells you how soil inoculants are an easy and efficient way to improve production quality and turn waste into valuable fertilizer. After reading this full guide, be sure to check out our soil and compost inoculant!
Soil Inoculant
Soil inoculants refer to colonies of bacteria that are artificially put into the soil to boost the health and quality of the land. While soil contains many bacteria, most are neither beneficial nor harmful. By introducing helpful bacteria, large-scale farmers can promote plant health and maintain the quality of their soil. Over time, soil can become depleted, particularly if the same crops are grown season after season, which can result in a lack of nutrients and life-giving qualities in the soil. In the wild, the decomposition of plants helps to recycle nutrients back into the soil. By adding the right bacterial colonies, farmers can enhance the soil’s health and produce highly nutritious crops in the same location naturally.
What Is a Suppressive Microorganism?
Bacteria do more than just process and replenish the soil; they also occupy a space within the earth. Similar to larger animals, bacteria also have roles in predation. There are specific microorganisms that are rivals to other more dangerous bacteria and fungi that can harm crops and make people ill. By introducing neutral or helpful bacteria into fields, large-scale farmers can reduce the risk of dangerous microorganisms taking hold in their crops.
Suppressive microorganisms either take the place of or eat unwanted pests in the soil. As a result of this, soil inoculation acts as a natural defense system for the earth, similar to how our own cells and microorganisms defend our bodies against disease.
What Is Symbiotic Microorganism?
One of the most significant types of helpful bacteria for farmers enhances the natural traits and processes of crops through a symbiotic relationship. Symbiosis occurs when two lifeforms complement the cycles of one another. Symbiotic microorganisms have various roles, and one of the most important is those that increase the availability of nitrogen.
Nitrogen is a super nutrient commonly found in legumes, and it’s one of the first elements to become depleted in soil from plant growth. Helpful bacteria colonies work to break down the material in the soil and replenish it with nitrogen required for high-quality crops. Other bacteria push plants to grow in ways that increase their ability to absorb nitrogen, resulting in more nutritious and beneficial foods. In addition to nitrogen, various microorganisms can modify different elements in the soil. Some can even help in forming deeper and stronger roots that can absorb water and nutrients more efficiently.
Common Methods
The most common method of introducing bacteria into the soil is through water, which is often achieved commercially through the use of compost teas. This involves spreading bacteria that are working in compost windrows across existing fields, providing the land and plants with water, nutrients, and beneficial bacteria. However, cultivating the right bacteria using windrows alone can be time-consuming and expensive. As an alternative, bacteria colonies can be purchased and introduced along with other treatment methods.
There are three ways to introduce colony starters into the soil, which depend on the type of microorganism, its hardiness, and the crops:
- Dry granule pouches or liquid form – Starter colonies can be found in dry granule pouches or already in liquid form. The liquid form is the quickest to deploy.
- Mix or sprinkle on soil – Some bacteria can be mixed in or sprinkled on the soil during planting.
- Revitalize from the dormant state – Other types of bacteria need to be revitalized from a dormant state by adding a measurement of granules into the water and cultivating by hand. Liquid formats can also be added to compost tea vessels to further cultivate for large operations.
Compost Inoculants
Large-scale farmers find inoculating compost to be an effective means of boosting soil health. Using compost is a great way to nourish soil since farmers tend to harvest and till the same land, leading to depletion of nutrients. Tilling can also disrupt useful microorganisms in the soil, leading to runoff and erosion. Harvesting plants before they decompose can also deplete the soil. Composting can help turn farm waste into quality soil and fertilizers that naturally replenish the soil, reduce costs and prevent bacterial contamination.
Using soil inoculants on compost piles is a great way to boost the efficiency of the composting process and promote healthy soil. Here are the steps for using soil inoculants on compost piles:
1. Choose the right inoculant
There are many different types of compost inoculants available, so choose one that is best suited for your compost pile and the crops you grow.
2. Apply the inoculant:
Apply the inoculant to the compost pile by mixing it into the compost or spraying it onto the pile. Make sure to follow the instructions on the package for the proper amount of inoculant to use.
3. Turn the compost pile
Use a standard compost turner to turn the pile and mix in the inoculant. This will help distribute the inoculant throughout the pile and ensure that it is in contact with the organic material.
4. Maintain proper moisture and temperature:
To promote the growth of the inoculant bacteria, maintain proper moisture and temperature levels in the compost pile.
5. Monitor the compost pile:
Regularly monitor the compost pile to make sure that it is breaking down properly and producing nutrient-rich soil. If necessary, adjust the moisture or temperature levels, or add more inoculants to keep the composting process on track.
Healthy Farms Carries Soil and Compost Inoculant!
If after reading this guide, you know that soil or compost inoculant is the best choice for your large-scale farm, be sure to check out our products. Improve your soil health and maximize your crop yields by purchasing yours today!