Microbial Assessment
Growing Wise offers microscope-based soil biology assessments that quantify microbial biomass, community structure, and the presence of key functional groups in soil samples. Results are compiled into a written report and interpreted in the context of the intended plant species or plant community. The data indicate how closely your soil biological community aligns with known optimal ranges for plant health, nutrient cycling, and disease suppression. Microbial biomass values are reported in µg per gram of sample. Reported metrics include: --Bacteria Biomass --Actinobacteria Biomass --Pathogenic Bacteria Presence --Bacteria Diversity --Bacterial-Fungi Biomass Ratio --Oomycete (Disease Causing Fungi) Biomass --Beneficial Fungi Biomass --Protozoa Numbers: Amoeba --Protozoa Numbers: Flagellates --Protozoa Numbers: Ciliates --Nematode Counts: (Beneficial and Pathogenic types)
Why
For eons, plants and microbes have been developing the ability to work together to create the environments they need for optimal functioning. Microbes help plants access nutrients and water, communicate, share resources, fend off pests and diseases, and withstand drought and flooding. They are the foundation of a healthy and self-regulating ecosystem. Petroleum-based management practices such as the use of inorganic fertilizer, pesticides, and heavy tilling destroy the soil (and human) microbiomes critical to their regenerative capacity and create the conditions for pathogens to flourish. If you wish to grow plants the way they have been evolving to function, knowing what microorganisms are active in your soil is a good place to start.
How
Samples can be collected and assessed from lawns, ornamental plantings, meadows, livestock pastures, market gardens, orchards, broad-acre crops, vineyards, composts, manure, forests, and drainage ponds/channels for example.
Pricing
​The cost for each sample analysis is $80, not including shipping from your location to our lab. Each plastic bag sent for analysis will be treated as an individual sample. Discounts of 5% for 2 , 10% for 3, and 13% for 4+ samples available. If you would like GW to come to your property and take samples, there is a $1/mile travel and $10 per area sampled fee. Soil health information should be affordable for everyone. If price is a barrier, reach out, and we’ll try to work something out.