20 minute test for microbial biomass

Healthy turfgrass surfaces depend on rootzones that contain the correct balance of physical, chemical and biological content, but how do we measure the microbial population of your rootzone? Results from sending samples to a laboratory can take up to two weeks and, in the meantime, the microbial biomass (MB) will have changed.

 

SouthWest Agronomy use the microBIOMETER®, a 20-minute on-site soil test to determine microbial biomass and fungal to bacterial (F:B) ratio. This lab grade soil test is simple to perform with rapid results. It’s faster, cheaper and more accurate than sending your soil to labs because microbes start dying once they are removed from the rootzone. The results are reported as µg of microbial carbon per gram of soil and fungal to bacterial ratio as F:B, %Fungi and %Bacteria, and can be used to chart the following:

​

• The higher the microbial biomass, the more nutrients available, decreasing or

        eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers

• If microbial biomass decreases after applying chemical fertilizer, you have used

        too much

• Microbes, especially fungi, build soil structure which increases water

        percolation and drainage through the rootzone, with air entry through the surface

• F:B ratio of rhizosome soil will tell you if arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have

        colonized your plant making it more resistant to drought and pests

• An increase in the F:B ratio indicates the green manure you used is optimal.

• Soil organic carbon is mainly the bodies of dead microbes, so if you are not increasing your microbes you are not building soil health or sequestering carbon (breaking down thatch)

• A rapid increase in MB indicates the effectiveness of turf management treatments. 

​