5 Ways Beneficial Microorganisms Improve Soil Health

In this blog post we will be taking a look at 5 ways beneficial microbes improve the condition and fertility of your land. So keep reading to find out how microbial life can take your home-gardening or farming experience to new heights!

1. Improves Nutrients Supply

Beneficial microbes are like tiny nutrient-manufacturing machines, transforming soil into a healthy and fertile environment that supplies plants with the necessary resources through their roots. From nitrogen to water molecules, these helpful organisms provide essential nutrients for plant growth while allowing farmers and gardeners to create abundant harvests of food and colorful flower displays.

The nutrients that Effective Microorganisms® help to manufacture in the soil include: Nitrogen , Phosphorous, Potassium, Sulfur and Calcium.

2. Helps in Soil Structure and Aggregation Formation

 Beneficial microbes do more than we think - they actively help to build and shape soil structures. By secreting special compounds, these microorganisms unite particles into blocks or granules that give the soil specific physical, biological and chemical properties as well as useful pore spaces in between them. This improved structure makes it easier for us to cultivate land while also allowing plants greater access to vital resources such air and water which are essential components of plant health; not only that but good soils reduce erosion thereby preserving all those helpful elements responsible for healthy growth!

Improves Soil Aggregation

The microorganisms also help in the decomposition of organic matter. During this process, the soil microbes produce glues or sticky organic compounds that bind the soil together. The microbes they excrete help improve aggregate stability. 

Good soil aggregation improves drainage. It also helps the soil maintain its structure, preventing soil erosion. Moreover, the soil holds moisture better and becomes drought-resistant.  

Soils with good aggregation or stable aggregates will not crust, encourage root diseases, or fill pores. When the soil can retain more water, air, and nutrients, it's considered healthy soil.

3. Suppresses Pests and Diseases

Pests and diseases affect the growth and production rate of plants. However, the beneficial microbes will help improve the plants' and soil’s health. The helpful microbes in the plant's roots allow them to induce systematic resistance. 

It also helps in the production of jasmonic acid throughout the period. The juice helps the plants withstand diseases and grow better. When the plants are healthy, the microorganisms will produce enough enzymes.  

The enzymes will help in the production of more nutrients in the soil. It will also improve the soil structure and oxygen levels, further suppressing the disease-causing microorganisms. Healthy plants mean healthy soil. So, the soil will have the necessary minerals, nutrients, and components that aid plant growth. 

4. Reduce Plant Stress

Plants get stressed when they can't get enough nutrients to facilitate their growth. Nutrient deficiency results in low yields and can be discouraging. However, beneficial microbes help reduce stress by ensuring the plants have enough nutrients. Additionally, it makes the soil less acidic, which promotes growth. 

The microbial consortium in the root microbiome helps regulate phytohormone synthesis. It also helps the antioxidant systems and increases the production of stress-tolerant genes in the plant. 

When the plants are stress-free, they will form mutual benefits with the microbes. In return, the soil's fertility will increase as both have a sufficient supply of nutrients.

5. Increases the Water-Holding Capacity of the Soil

Water is vital for the soil. It helps plants and soil microorganisms to survive. The moisture in the soil has nutrients that sustain the plants. It also prevents the soil from crusting. Enough water helps in the transportation of oxygen and carbon from the microorganisms to the plants. 

Remember, water gets into the soil through the macropores and is stored in the micropores. When in the soil, the water helps regulate soil temperature making it easy for the plants to survive. The beneficial microbes also kill contaminants in the water, ensuring your plants get a healthy water supply. 

Furthermore, it eliminates carbon dioxide, which is not good for the plant's growth. The microorganisms present in high numbers in the soil can store and increase the soil's water absorption capacities. 

The organic matter acts like a sponge that can absorb about 90% of the water in the soil. It then releases the water into the soil, improving its health. This will help the plants survive through dry seasons without major challenges. 

What Destroys the Microbial Community (chemical fertilizers)

The microbial community is like fertilizer for the soil. They ensure plants have enough nutrients and water from the roots. The microbes eat what they can survive on and then release carbon to the plants. 

However, some things affect the microbial community. First, climate changes in the microbial community have seen most of them die prematurely. The climatic changes interfere with soil depth, porosity, oxygen, and ph. This affects how the microbes live and how plants perform, resulting in low yields.

However, the main thing which destroys the microbial community is the chemical fertilizers farmers use on the farms. The chemical fertilizer kills the microorganisms and affects the soil food web. If the organisms can't find food, the soil will not flourish.

Using chemical fertilizers for long periods of time results in the death of the entire organic matter. It also leads to leaching and less carbon in the soil. When the microbes are dead, the soil's fertility will be affected, and plants will not do well. 

Chemical fertilizers also acidify the soil and cause soil crust. This also reduces the microbial community, affecting how they work on the soil. In the end, there will be greenhouse gas emissions that are harmful to the human body.

Ways to Increase Beneficial Microbes in the Soil

You can increase the microbes in the soil by:

Adding Compost to the Farm

Microorganisms depend on carbon as their main energy source. The beneficial microbes can get enough carbon when the soil has adequate organic matter. You can boost this by adding more compost to your farm. 

The compost will also provide the microbes with enough nutrients to help them multiply. You can add or make homemade compost by mixing the necessary components to boost the plant's growth.

Mulching

You should also consider mulching. Mulching helps maintain favorable temperatures in the soil for the microorganisms to grow. It also retains the moisture content of the soil, which promotes microbes' multiplication. Put leaves or pine needles on your farm to keep the soil cool. More microbores will be active around the plant's roots when the leaves decompose.

Plant Cover Crops

You can also plant more cover crops in your garden to increase the microbes. The cover crops will provide a breeding ground for the microbes. It will also help provide food for the microbes through their roots. 

The roots of the cover crops produce amino acids and simple sugars. When the cover crops decompose, they provide carbon and nitrogen for the microbes. 

Water the Soil

Another way to help the microbes grow is by watering the soil frequently. Water will help create a favorable temperature for the microorganisms. Moist soil also allows the microbes to thrive and multiply. However, dry conditions and high temperatures kill the microbes faster.

Avoid Tilling

Tilling the land causes disturbance to the soil and the microorganisms. It also affects the soil structure where these organisms stay. To enable the organic matter to increase, ensure that you till only when necessary. For example, you can remove the weeds with your hands instead of using a hoe.

Don't Use Pesticides

Pesticides or herbicides can kill the microorganisms in the soil. The harmful chemicals also kill other beneficial components that help the microbes multiply. So, it’s advisable to use organic methods to kill pests. Also, use organic manure, which doesn't encourage the spread of pests and diseases. Remember, microorganisms have an enzyme that prevents pest and disease invasion.

Use EM-1 Microbial Inoculant

You can also use EM-1 Microbial Inoculant to increase the soil microbes. It converts organic matter to humus, improving soil fertility. EM-1 microbial soil conditioner also improves the soil structure, resulting in good drainage and soil aeration. 

It also increases polysaccharide production, which helps energize the microbes. The plants also benefit from enzymes and organic acids.

Managing the Soil’s Biological Fertility

The organic matter improves the biological diversity and activity of the soil. When the organic matter increases, microbial activity will also improve. The management practices that will help you increase the biological soil fertility include the following:

• Reducing soil erosion. This will hold the microbes which are on the top soil layers. When the water can’t wash away the beneficial microbes, soil fertility increases.

• Increasing the organic matter content in the soil. It will give the soil enough carbon that the microbes need to multiply. It will also provide enough nutrients for the plants and microbes.

• Practice crop rotation. This will allow the soil to have diverse organic matter from different crops that aid the soil organism's growth. 

Bottom Line

The microorganisms help improve soil fertility. The beneficial microbes ensure the plants have enough nutrients for growth. It also prevents soil erosion while maintaining its structure and aggregation. Moreover, the plant's stress levels will reduce, while pests and diseases will be a thing of the past.

When the soil has plenty of microbes, its water-holding capacity will also improve. On the other hand, the microbes also benefit from healthy soil. It will not suffer from a harsh acidic environment or strain to survive in an unfavorable temperature.

To ensure the soil has enough microbes, you should mulch and use compost on your farm to increase energy for the microorganisms. Also plant cover crops and irrigate the soil to keep the soil ph and temperature favorable for the microbes.