CAUTION! This is seriously outside the box and possibly sensitive, but graveyards are great places to go – if you’re into soil.
As long as you’re not planning on staying indefinitely! 🙂
Think about it. The soil there should be really healthy.
Here’s why.
It is left undisturbed for relatively long periods. Traffic is restricted, mainly on a Sunday and for special events, and generally low volume – primarily limited to foot. And, everyone feels a bit funny walking over a grave don’t they?
Then you have the flora. The grass, hardy shrubs and trees.
Typically there is the odd Yew tree or two, abutting an ancient boundary or hedge or standing soldier-like on sentry on amongst the stone pieces. They are usually quite old and have co-evolved with soil itself, forming symbiotic relationships with the fauna that are too complex to comprehend, though will likely be significantly beneficial for fungi levels. The cover and the protection of the established green landscape and the shade afforded by the steeple tower, provide the first line of defence against climatic extremes.
Trees in grave yards can be old, solitary and often have co-evolved with the soil itself
Soil level is frequently elevated in the oldest of these traditional village settings. Contained within a wall, often many feet above other features in and around the site, like paths, gates and roadways. This is great for water drainage and maintaining optimal moisture content. I was led to believe (rightly or wrongly) that ‘coffins drifted underground’. Is this just an old wife’s tale or is the soil really so light, friable and free-flowing at this type of depth? I suppose it may be if it is occasionally being dug up and added to…
Then you’ve got the organic matter! Should be a pretty high %, shouldn’t it? We are made of soil, as we consume it, digest and absorb it in all its different forms. Eventually we are returned to it.
And head stones. Great supply of trace elements! As the granite or marble stone is gently eroded over time, years, centuries, the elements perculate through the soil, feeding it. Fuelling microbial interactions, nourishing plants and grasses.
If you’ve ever tested soil in a graveyard, I would love to hear your experience. Or, if you have ever pondered this question, and are strange like me, also reach out.
Different I know. But if you enjoyed it, we’d love you support if you can click LIKE below.
For centuries ploughing has been the mainstay of farming however new thinking suggests it could be more damaging then we previously thought
Over the past few decades, farmers have been abandoning the plough in favour of no-till agriculture or conservation tillage, using equipment that only disturbs the soil to a minimal degree. No-till and conservation tillage are widely accepted to maintain or improve soil quality by preserving soil structure and moisture, increasing soil organic matter, and providing habitat for the soil microbiological communities.
Tillage is used as a method to enhance crop production, control weeds and prepare the seedbed. As with any management practice, tillage influences the soil environment and can have negative effects including soil erosion and degradation of the soil structure. These effect the habitat for the soil microorganisms and therefore often a loss of nutrients.
Whilst no-till soil is generally cooler and moister when compared to a soil under more intensive cultivation, accessibility to organic matter is generally greater when tillage is applied. This is due to organic residues being broken down, increasing the available surface area for microbial colonisation. Whilst this is of direct benefit, it is generally accepted that there is a greater microbial abundance in soils under a no-till regime and that these soils have a more favourable microclimate compared to conventional farming practices.
Tillage can harm the soil biomass and increase erosion
Until now, most of the studies linking tillage intensity and microbial activity have been performed at individual farm level. Most of these studies do find more soil microbes with no-till management, however the magnitude of biomass varies a lot due to variations in environmental factors, agronomic practices and differences between soil types across fields and farms. Where no-till is compared with tillage, the type of equipment and tillage depth also differs.
A recent study, by Zuber and Villamil at the University of Illinois, collected data from peer reviewed scientific studies on the effect of soil management practices on microbial biomass and activity. The data from 62 studies was collated into a database and the effect of the different management practices on soil properties across multiple experimental sites, locations and climactic regimes assessed.
The results of the study showed that microbial biomass is reduced under tillage compared to no-till possibly due to the more favourable environmental conditions under the no-till regime. There was however one exception to this, with microbial biomass not appearing to be diminished under chisel tillage systems.
Overall, the study suggests that since soil microbial biomass and enzymatic activity can stand in as proxies for soil quality, farmers should consider moving toward no-till or conservation tillage systems – as helping the soil function better helps your crops grow better, and can also maintain high quality soil for sustainability purposes.
The original article, “Meta-analysis approach to assess effect of tillage on microbial biomass and enzyme activities,” is published in Soil Biology & Biochemistry.
Putting this in to practise…
Working closely with the team at SoilBioLab, I am only too aware that one of the challenges faced when we asked to advise clients, is the lack of (sample) information.
However, recently we experienced one of those rare occasions where we knew much more about the origin, than usual – early this year we undertook the microbiological analysis of samples from two different farms, at precisely the same time.
One farm had been organic for over 30 years, the other had been no-till for just over 3 years.
Notwithstanding the inherent variables that accompany a more robust comparison than this (full history, location, texture etc.) it was very interesting to observe full soil microbiology reports at the end of the process that looked almost identical – both farms with soil assessments that indicated very good levels of microorganisms. This ‘one-off’ scenario seems to support the findings by Zuber and Villamil and one can speculate that the effect of reducing/ceasing mechanical interventions to fields are as beneficial to microorganisms (like fungi), as a reduction of chemical treatments.
Organic no-till, the ultimate combination(?)
The reality, is that there is this bit in the middle, where we do not fully understand where the interactions between crop, soil chemistry, soil biology and physical structure start and end or where they might receive the largest benefit from our focussed intervention – we’re jumping from ‘A to F’ with wild statements like this.
Our advice, find out for yourself!
What testing or field work are you conducting, to ensure your future success?
We have developed trials and are involved in experimental projects with many different farmers and growers, so are well placed to help you to test and measure for yourself, the benefits of managing and exploiting the functions of soil life, in a cost effective manner. If you want to understand more about the ‘bit in the middle’ by adopting a more complete approach to soil and crop management, take action and contact us today.
It is still fairly commonplace to manage a growing environment by measuring the chemical and physical aspects. But this is only part of the story…
Whilst you could look at conditions in isolation what about the workforce that underpins a correctly functioning, healthy grow system?
Well, I firmly believe that you should practice what you preach and since beginning my journey in to understanding the ‘life beneath our feet’ I have adopted the same principles that I now help others to introduce in to their lives and businesses. So far, I have not stopped picking cucumbers and tomatoes this season!
We want to give you a few reasons why should should start testing the micro-organisms in your grow media or soil and convince you to look in to the benefits of getting soil life to work for you!
Microorganisms
So here it is. Sit up, listen and take heed:
Reason #1 Detect disruptions to the natural processes
By measuring the range and quantity of microorganisms in grow media it is possible to identify system failures. This could be a simple decrease in the bacterial or fungal activity or changes in the ratio of fungal to bacterial biomass relative to that expected for a particular plant or system. This could be an indication that unwanted changes are happening. If you want to start testing soil biology, you should contact a suitable laboratory www.soilbiolab.co.uk
Reason #2 Increased efficiency
Careful management of ever hungry microbes will drive production and often increase the rate of growth. As an ecosystem becomes more productive, the total amount of available nutrients within it increases. In order for these to be mineralised and made available for plants, interaction between the different groups of organisms is required – a sure route to fertility.
Reason #3 Minimise losses
Optimal use of available nutrients sits hand in hand with minimising those which escape. The smaller the loss, the more tightly that nutrients are cycled from retained forms to plant available. That means that you need to put in less.
Reason #4 Save money
With a management system in place that encompasses soil biology, it is possible to save on the volume of applied inputs and often decrease the harvest interval. Speak to other producers, growers and gardeners and hear what has and hasn’t worked for them in the biological domain. Alternatively you could always get external advice.
Reason #5 Plants remain in control of the soil interactions
You wouldn’t force feed a baby. Microorganisms will respond to the signals, acids and enzymes released by plants. This means that the crop will absorb what it requires, when it needs it. Bacteria, fungi, protozoa and nematodes respond to changes in conditions and can make scarcer nutrients become more available.
Reason #6 Disease is suppressed
Soil health is ensured when the rhizosphere is loaded with beneficial organisms and the chance of infection lessened as space for harmful organisms is reduced, by overwhelming competition. It is therefore very important to keep the these guys topped up, to minimise the likelihood of attack. Try regularly applying microbes either in the form of compost or by applying a liquid soil and plant feed as part of a planned programme.
Reason #7 Reduce your workload
OK, so there are always things to do, but at least you can enjoy your new role as a micro-livestock farmer! You will never look at soil in the same way again and begin to appreciate the intrinsic link between Physical, Chemical and Biological and how changes to one can have massive implications on the other, especially the soil food web. Working with organisms in the substrate can provide access to many of the difficult to reach places under the surface and help you to get back and maintain soil fertility by realising the full potential of your grow media.
Conclusion
Once you know what you have got, relax! Put your feet up and feel safe in the knowledge that there is a whole plethora of microbes working away for you. Start planning ways to look after and nurture these microbes and they will take care of your plants.
Happy grazing!
If this has wetted your appetite and you just can’t wait to get started in your greenhouse, tunnels or fields, why not get in touch with us and let Mind, Body & Soil help you get started or refine an existing system with our products and hands on advice?
