Probiotics As a Tool

Home , Soil food web

Soil Microbiology: Outline Using Soil Biology to Grow Better PlantsPlants,, Trees and Turf I. The Relationship of Plants and Microorganisms II. The Benefits of Probiotics: a. Providing & Cycling Carbon, Thatch, Detoxification b. Reducing Fertilizer Use & Pollution c. Disease & Pest Control Using Biologicals d. W ater R etent io n & Sa vings Joe Magazzi, MS e. Transplant & Up-Plant Survival Increases President & CoCo--FounderFounder f. Hormone Production, Germination & Yield Increases III. Probiotic Results: Soil Food Web Study IV. Strategies For Integrating Biologicals

www.greenearthagandturf.com x [email protected] x (866) 374-5101 What? Why? How?

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Probiotics As A Tool:

The Relationship of Plants, Trees and Turf with Microorganisms Research on the benefits of using soil microbiology in growing practices is absolutely exploding right now!

The Relationship of Plants & Microorganisms The Relationship of Plants & Microorganisms

What is soil and how do we supplement it? Minerals & Organic Matter Water Gas Nutrients & Microbes ?

Traditional growing practices largely ignore supplementing biology in the soil. Many chemicals that are used are actually detrimental to microbes. We all know the benefits of probiotics for human health and digestion…

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1 The Relationship of Plants & Microorganisms The Relationship of Plants & Microorganisms Facts about soil microorganisms: • 1 gram of soil contains: -1 million (1x106) fungi. -1 billion (1x109) bacteria. • 1 ton of bacteria per acre (2 cows). • Between 4,000 to 10,000 species of bacteria in a gram of soil . • Estimates are that there are between 1 million and 100 million species of bacteria; only 0.5% to 0.005% are Plants also have a digestive system – soil. likely described in detail. The microbes in the soil are as vital or more so for plant • 90%-95% of the cells on or in the nutritional needs as for human digestion. human body are bacteria. Biologicals are "yogurt” for plants, trees & turf!

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The Relationship of Plants & Microorganisms The Relationship of Plants & Microorganisms

Bacteria Fungi Pathogens vs. Beneficials Size: 0.5-5 PM 2-10 PM Parasitic Relationship –One Commensal Relationship –One Cell Type: Prokaryotic Eukaryotic member (parasite) benefits member benefits from the (Simpler, less structured) (More complex, organelles & chromosomes) from the relationship while relationship while the other is Trophic 1st Level (energy producers) & 2nd Level (energy consumers) only neither harmed or benefits. 2nd Level (energy consumers) the host is harmed or killed. Level: Mutualistic Relationship – Energy, decomposition, nutrients, Decomposition, nutrients, Both members benefit from Function: protection, nitrogen fixation, protection, plant growth factors. All are technically symbiotic relationships. plant growth factors. the relationship.

The Relationship of Plants & Microorganisms The Relationship of Plants & Microorganisms Building the Soil Food Web Building the Soil Food Web

“Diverse microbial populations with fungus, protozoa, and Build your soil from the bottom up to help reduce disease, fertilizer nematodes keep nutrients recycling and disease causing and pesticide use, compaction and costs and maintenance. organisms in check.“

2 The Relationship of Plants & Microorganisms Building the Soil Food Web

Probiotics As A Tool:

Soil Food Web Case Study: Florida Orange Grove

First Trophic Level Second & Third Fourth & Fifth Trophic Level Trophic Level

Probiotics As A Tool: Probiotics As A Tool: Soil Food Web Study Results Soil Food Web Study Design

PlotC%Change Florida Orange Grove Remediation: DryWeight Ͳ3% ActiveBacteria 675% TotalBacteria 19% ActiveFungi 0% Background: This orange grove had what was essentially “dead” TotalFungi 411% soil due to excess chemical use and poor soil practices. Yields HyphalDiameter 4% Flagellates 3% were down significantly, increased disease pressures (especially Amoebae 3% Ciliates 41% citrus greening) were having a large economical impact. TotalNematodes 250% Nematodes:BacterialFeeders 331% Nematodes:Fungal Feeders 0% Methods: Nematodes:Fungal/RootFeeders Ͳ20% EndoͲMycorrhizal 150% Samples were collected before and after probiotic treatments. EctoͲMycorrhizal 0% TotalFungi:Bacteria 325% No other treatments in the grove were changed. Active:TotalFungi 0% Active:TotalBacteria 600% Day 0 – Collect soil sample, treat with beneficial bacteria. ActiveFungi:ActiveBacteria 0% PlantAvailableNSupply(lbs/acre) 200% Day 14 – Treat with beneficial bacteria. ActinoBacteria(ug/g) 515% Day 90 – Treat with beneficial bacteria. Day 180 – Treat with beneficial bacteria. Beneficial organisms in the soil increased as much as 675%. Day 198 – Samples Collected.

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Probiotics As A Tool: Soil Food Web Study Results

Increase(Percent)inBacterialDiversity 380% 400%

350%

Diversity 300% Probiotics As A Tool: 250% 200% Bacterial in

200% nt) e 150% 110% (Perc 100% 42% 40% Providing & Cycling Carbon, 50% Increase

0% Leaf(Exterior) Leaf(Interior) Root(Exterior) Root(Interior) Soil Reducing Thatch & Compaction, SampleType Treatment with beneficial bacteria resulted in large increases in the number Soil Detoxification and diversity (species) of bacteria present in the soil food web. Yield went from 4438 boxes to 8120 boxes (83% Yield Increase)!!!

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3 Probiotics As A Tool: Providing & Cycling Carbon Probiotics As A Tool: Detoxification of Soil Beneficial microbes can help to remediate many types of toxins found in soils.

High Salts (Hurricane Damage)

TiToxic Chemicals THATCH COMPACTION & BLACK LAYER Beneficial microbes break down higher carbon forms and nutrients into more useable forms that plants, trees or turf can utilize. Heavy Practices that promote or add beneficial microbes Metals lower soil compaction and thatch buildup.

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Probiotics As A Tool: Detoxification of Soil Probiotics As A Tool: Detoxification of Soil

Beneficial bacteria break down oil and other hydrocarbons other toxins.

Growth of the microbes using glyphosate as the single carbon source BfiilbtiBeneficialbacteria Microorgan isms are abl e t o 50 ppm consume petroleum 0.035 100 ppm break down pesticides 0.030 500 ppm such as RoundUp hydrocarbons…played a 0.025 0.020 (glyphosate) and other significant role in reducing the 0.015 man-made compounds overall impact of the (oil spills). 0.010 0.005 commonly used in Absorbance (550 nm) 0.000 agriculture, turf care -0.005 02428120 etc... Time (Hours)

Probiotics As A Tool: Detoxification of Soil Probiotics As A Tool: Detoxification of Soil EnCana Reclamation Project - Parachute, Colorado EnCana Reclamation Project - Parachute, Colorado

Best Practice Soil Probiotics Best Practice Soil Probiotics

4 Probiotics As A Tool: Compliance With Laws

Probiotics As A Tool:

Reducing Fertilizer Use & Cost Reducing Pollution & RunRun--OffOff

At least 11 states now have some type of fertilizer ban or restriction in place (including MA, CT, VT, ME, NY, NJ) with more states pending.

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Probiotics As A Tool: Nutrient Retention & Delivery Probiotics As A Tool: Nutrient Retention & Delivery

Retention Beneficial organisms fix nutrients into their cell bodies and produce “sticky” biofilms that help retain vital elements and water in the soil and rhizosphere. Delivery Microbes travel through the xylem and phloem and release nutrients as Think of the dimples on a golf ball as receptor sites on a microbe. part of their normal Particles in the environment stick to the receptor sites and the microbe life-cycle turn over. uses enzymes (keys) to unlock the particle and bring it inside the cell. Soil microbes help to retain, deliver and cycle nutrients. The microbe divide to the level of the carbon, nutrients and water in the soil.

Probiotics As A Tool: Nitrogen Fixation & Cycling Probiotics As A Tool: Phosphate Cycling & Delivery

Beneficial microbes provide & process nitrogen both by “nitrogen fixation” from the air and by cycling higher (not useable) ammonium nitrogen to (useable) nitrates.

Organic Breakdown (multiple) Nitrogen Fixation (R.rubrum, R. palustris)

+ NH4 Bacterial Nitrification (Nitrobacter winogradsky) NH + + 1.5 O NO - + 2H O + 2H+ 4 2 2 2 Beneficial microbes solubilize phosphate in the soil therefore NO - + 0.5 O NO - Plant 2 2 3 Assimilation increasing the “P” value that is available to plants, trees & turf.

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5 Probiotics As A Tool: Higher Quality and Yields Probiotics As A Tool: Nutrient Delivery University Study A TALE OF TWO SOILS.

K N N K N P P P N K P N K Lawn A: PoorP Soil Biology LawnK B: Good SoilP Biology

N N N K P K Rutgers University trial (Dr. Tom Orton) with beneficial bacteria: PN N N P KP N K PN KKP 23% decrease in fertilizer use. N KPK P 24% increase in yield. KP 30x Return On Investment (ROI)!!!

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Probiotics As A Tool: Reducing Excess Nitrogen Probiotics As A Tool: Reducing Excess Nitrogen

The use of excess fertilizer is actually counter-productive to healthy plant, tree and turf growth.

• Excess fertilizer and chemical use is actually harmful to plants and turf and can lead to turf burning, unhealthy growth etc… • Artificially fast growth impairs the absorption of nutrients, leading to health issues. • High phosphorous fertilizers are toxic to beneficial microbes. • Excess nitrogen can stimulate the growth of pathogenic microbes and increase diseases in plants and turf. • Plants and turf grown without chemicals and excess fertilizer are less prone to damage from Only some of the added fertilizer reaches a plant, tree or turf. pathogens and harmful insects. The remaining fertilizer feeds pests, pathogens and pollutes water.

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Probiotics As A Tool: Disease Control

Probiotics As A Tool: “The Enemyyy of My Disease & Pest Control Enemy is My Friend” Using Beneficial Organisms

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6 Probiotics As A Tool: Compliance With Laws Probiotics As A Tool: Disease Control Mechanism #1 – Microbes Produce Compounds That Target Pathogens Pesticide use is now banned on school grounds and day care centers in the states of Connecticut (K-8) an d N ew York. Chemical products are constantly being pulled off the market.

Beneficial microbes produce compounds that can directly kill pathogens.

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Probiotics As A Tool: Disease Control Probiotics As A Tool: Disease Control Mechanism #2 – Numbers Game, Beneficials Out-Out-CompeteCompete Pathogens Mechanism #3 – Healthier Plants Naturally Resist Pests & Pathogens Competitive Exclusion Principle (Gause's Law) “two species competing for the same resources cannot stably coexist if other ecological factors are constant. One of the two competitors will always overcome the other, leading to either the extinction of this competitor or an evolutionary or behavioral shift towards a different ecological niche. The principle has been paraphrased into the maxim "complete competitors cannot coexist"”. Pathogens evolved eating • Bacteria and fungi compete for the same dead or weakened plant resources. material with simple amino • Bacteria divide much faster than fungi and acids and sugars. can out-compete them for limited resources. Healthy plants contain • Can a lone coyote establish territory where proteins and complex there is are already 100 wolves? sugars that can not be digested by pests.

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Probiotics As A Tool: Disease Control Probiotics As A Tool: Disease Control Late Blight (Phytophthora infestans) Disease Control

• Plants “Farm” or “Signal” disease- suppressing beneficial bacteria when under attack by pathogens. • It’s important to maintain a diverse consortium of microbes. Best Practice Soil Probiotics

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7 Beneficials As A Tool: Pest Control Beneficials As A Tool: Pest Control Beneficial Nematodes Beneficial Insects

• Most nematodes feed on fungi and bacteria and are harmless to plants. Exploit the natural predators of pathogenic organisms: • Some require root feeding to complete their life-cycle (parasitic). “The enemy of my enemy is my friend” • Can be used as Biological Control Agents: Enter insect larvae and release • Ladybugs (Hypodamia convergens) bacteria (Xenorhabdus sp. bacteria ) that kills the pest within 24-48 hours. – Eat aphids, mites and other insects. • Very broad spectrum biological insect control agent. • Parasitic wasps (i.e. families Ichneumonidae , Braconidae, Chalcididae) • Timing of pest larval stages and specific soil temperatures needed makes – Lay eggs inside a large array of pathogenic insect hosts and kill them. nematodes more effective for indoor growing. • Praying Mantises (Stagmomantis carolina): A healthy soil food web stimulates beneficial nematodes. – Predators of a wide variety of insect pests.

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Probiotics As A Tool: Pest Control Milky Spore (Paenibacillus popilliae)

Probiotics As A Tool:

• A harmless beneficial bacterium species that attacks the larvae of the Japanese Beetle (White Grubs). • When attacked, the grubs turn milky white, causing “milky spore” disease in the grubs and thus death. Water Retention • Only attacks Japanese Beetle grubs, and is generally not effective in the Northeastern US due to soil temperatures or increased resistance. & Savings

UCONN IPM: http://www.ladybug.uconn.edu/WhiteGrubs.htm

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Probiotics As A Tool: Water Retention & Savings Probiotics As A Tool: Water Retention & Savings

Photosynthesis (bacteria)

2H2 + CO2 (CH20) + H2O Experiment Beneficial microbes help with water #1 retention and drought resistance by:

• Producing water as a by-product of their normal cellular metabolism . • Forming biofilms that can bind and retain water at the root zone. Experiment • Incorporating water as part of their #2 cells (60%-80%) and releasing this water to the plants during turnover.

Nitrification Untreated Soil Probiotics Soil Probiotics Low rate Normal rate - + NH3+CO2+1.5O2 NO2 +H2O+H • “Accidental” experiment - lights left on plants for 3 days straight without any watering. • The lettuce treated with soil biology does not show the effects of drought. • Increased water retention due to increased soil biology.

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8 Probiotics As A Tool: Transplant Survival Increases

Beneficial microbes increase transplant survival in multiple ways: •Beneficial bacteria form biofilms around the roots and protect plants from pathogens. •Beneficial bacteria and their biofilms help Probiotics As A Tool: retain vital nutrients in the rhizosphere and make them more available to a plant’s root system. •Polysaccharides produced by soil microbes absorb many times their weight in water, Transplant and UpUp--PlantPlant protecting plants from water stress during transplantation or periods of drought. Survival Increases •Beneficial microbes produce growth- promoting hormones and other compounds that initiate healthy growth.

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Probiotics As A Tool: Transplant Survival Increases Probiotics As A Tool: Transplant Survival Increases

University of Florida Probiotic Transplant Study

Best Practice Soil Probiotics • Many pines did not survive • Note the vastly increased the out-planting. survival rate. “Initial observation of treated areas indicated a reduction in the need for re-setting • Seedlings are much smaller. • Seedlings are way ahead of the cabbage transplants. Approximately 30% of untreated field area required re-planting; *These pictures were taken 2 years controls in growth and are less than 10% of the (Probiotic) treated field area required re-planting.” after being treated with only generally healthier. a single root dip in probiotics. -Dr. Amanda J. Gevens, University of Florida Plant Pathology

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Probiotics As A Tool: Higher Quality and Yields

Probiotics As A Tool:

Phytohormone Production: Better Root & Top Growth, Germination Increases,

Increased Yield & Quality Microbes produce plant growth hormones. This stimulates better root and top growth, better health, yields and quality.

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9 Probiotics As A Tool: Higher Quality and Yields Probiotics As A Tool: Higher Quality and Yields Plants (Squash)

Best Practice Soil Probiotics Significant promotion of germination and seedling Avg. pounds per acre: 8,800 Avg. pounds per acre: 11,424 development with inoculation of beneficial bacteria. *30% Increase in Yield!

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Probiotics As A Tool: Higher Quality and Yields Improved Plant Health/Yield Vegetables Lettuce

Carrots Potatoes

Best Practice Soil Probiotics Best Practice Soil Probiotics Best Practice Soil Probiotics (Experiments done by Green Living Technologies - GLTi) (Lettuce grown for the Subway food chain)

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Improved Plant Health/Yield Improved Plant Health/Yield Orchids Horticulture (Lantana)

Odom’s Orchids Trail Results

Best Practice Soil Probiotics Best Practice Soil Probiotics Best Soil Best Soil “Our loss percentage seems to be down since we started using the Soil Probiotics. We were losing Practice Probiotics Practice Probiotics 5-10%, especially on the smaller plants, but it has gone down to less than 5% since we started the treatments. Most of even the smallest plants are now surviving. ” 3 Weeks 6 Weeks

Rob Schneider, Greenhouse Manager, Odom's Orchids (Experiments done by the Ace Hardware chain)

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10 Soil Probiotics Results Probiotics As A Tool: Higher Quality and Yields CNLA Turf Study (Steve Bousquet) Turf Grass

Study performed for the Connecticut This sports field had highly Nursery and Landscape Association compacted soil that was (CNLA). inhibiting adequate root Per Steve Bousquet, Past President: growth and the subsequent • A very noticeable difference in top growth of the turf. This growth by Day 10. picture was taken after only 1 • 50% bfdlibetter turf development in application of astandardrate areas treated w/ Soil Probiotics. of soil probiotics. • The turf treated with Soil Probiotics was 2 to 3 weeks ahead There is 3x the root growth of the untreated lawns. with Soil Probiotics (plug on • Better recovery from herbicides the right) compared to the with the use of Soil Probiotics. untreated turf (plug on the left) in only 6 weeks! Soil Probiotics Best Practice

Probiotics As A Tool: Higher Quality and Yields Probiotics As A Tool: Higher Quality and Yields Turf Grass Turf Grass

Before Treatment 4 Weeks After Soil Probiotics

Best Practice Soil Probiotics

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Probiotics As A Tool: Higher Quality and Yields Probiotics As A Tool: Higher Quality and Yields Trees (Pine) Woody Ornamentals (Blueberries)

Best Practice Soil Probiotics Best Practice Soil Probiotics

Slash Pine candles from one of the world’s largest commercial pine tree plantations. Best Practice Soil Probiotics

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11 Probiotics As A Tool: Strategies for Integration How to stimulate or supplement microbes in your landscape or lawn care practice: Probiotics As A Tool: 1) Bio-stimulation (inducing microbes): a) Induce the growth of endogenous microbes (Pre-biotics). b) Don’t destroy the natural flora that is Strategies for Integrating already there! Biologicals into Your Turf 2) Bio-supplementation (adding microbes). a) Compost & compost teas. Care or Growing Practice b) Controlled biological inoculants.

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Probiotics As A Tool: Strategies for Integration Probiotics As A Tool: Strategies for Integration

Practices and products that stimulate microbes in your Practices and commonly used inputs that lawn care or growing practice: adversely affect soil microbiology: • Organic fertilizers (Pre-biotics): Includes humates, fish • Tilling: Destroys the complex organization of the fertilizers, manures and kelp. rhizosphere and the crucial top layer of soil. ® • Can be used alone or in combination with biological • Roundup (Glyphosate): Roundup can reduce beneficial organism populations (Pseudomonas fluorescens) and cause stimulants. increases in pathogen growth ( Fusarium). • Although excellent fertilizers, the odor from manures may turn • Fungicides & Antibacterials: Kill fungi and bacterial off customers (better suited for populations in a non-specific manner. agriculture or horticulture). • Insecticides: Can cause secondary effects on beneficial • Molasses and sugars induce the growth insect populations (colony collapse disorder). of soil microbes. However, this growth is • Excess Fertilization: Phosphate is toxic to beneficial organisms at high concentrations. Excess nutrients will not necessarily specific for beneficials. stimulate pathogen growth.

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Probiotics As A Tool: StrategiesStrategies for Integration Probiotics As A Tool: Strategies for Integration Compost Teas

Compost and Compost Teas

Pros Cons • Very effective and proven. • Input dependent – inconsistent results. • More sustainable than other • Difficult and labor-intensive to apply. methods. • “Backyard microbiology” – potential to • Wide array of nutrients and natural grow pathogens or unwanted fertilizer value (depends on inputs). organisms without proper testing. • Has some value in terms of • Investment in equipment is needed. increasing soil biology. • Time consuming to brew teas. It is suggested by many authorities to use • Cheap to produce. • Lack of stability – needs to be used compost and not make the time or use the fossil within days to a week. fuels to process compost into teas.

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12 Probiotics As A Tool: Strategies for Integration Probiotics As A Tool: Strategies for Integration Examples of Commonly Used Beneficial Microorganisms Bacteria: • Bacillus species (subtilis, pumilus, megaterium etc…): Organic breakdown, Controlled pathogen suppression, hormone production, detoxification. • Nitrogen fixing bacteria (Rhizobia, Rhodopseudomonas palustris etc…). Biological • Nitrifying bacteria (Nitrobacter winogradskyi): Cycling nitrogen. • Pseudomonas fluorescens: Good all-purpose species for pathogen Inoculants suppression, phosphate solubilization, detoxification. Fungi: Pros • Trichoderma species (viride, hamatum, harzianum etc…): Pathogen suppression, Cons • No preparation - buy and apply. nutrient exchange, organic breakdown. • Less sustainable than compost. • Consistent since they are not input • Mycorrhizal fungi (many species): Form mutualistic relationships with roots for • Watch out for “colored water” – ask dependent and counts can be verified. nutrient exchange and many plant health-promoting functions. • More concentrated – highest counts of for the microscope test. microorganisms available. • Diversity is dependent on the Nematodes: • Tested for safety and pathogens, not strains used and stabilized. • Steinernema carpocapsae: Fleas, cutworm, sod webworm, termites. “Backyard microbiology”. • Higher product costs (although • Steinernema feltiae: Fungus gnats, ticks, thrips, leafminers. • Stability for years (product dependent). lower labor and application costs). • Heterorhabditis bacteriophora: Japanese beetles, grubs, root weevils, queen ants.

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Probiotics As A Tool: Strategies for Integration Summary – Market Assessment Measuring Soil Biology Growing Consumer Demand How is soil microbiology measured? Natural and organic products are the fastest • Visually: Fungal growth is visible on roots as web-like structures. Worms can easily be seen. Plants and turf will visibly increase in growth, health and growing sector of agriculture and turf care. quality. Soil smells “organic”. • A 2008 survey indicated that about 12 million • Direct Measurements: Extract microbes from soil in a liquid, stain and count households were using only natural products on under a microscope. Does not give much information on diversity of species. • Plate Counts: Plate microbes on growth media, and count colonies that form. lawns and gardens, up from 5 million in 2004. • By-product Analysis: Measure by-products of microbes such as gas That’s a 240% Increase! production , s ugars secreted , en zy mes prod uced etc…Solv ita. • 20% of consumers have bo ught an • Genetic Analysis: Extract DNA from microbes and sequence. environmentally friendly lawn-and-garden product (2005). Where can you have soil microbiology tested? • An estimated yearly 10% annual growth for the Soil Food Web (www.soilfoodwebnewyork.com/indexoriginal.html) organic fertilizer market. That is twice the -Active and total bacteria, active and total fungi, nematodes. Not specific. projected growth for all lawn and garden goods. High Throughput DNA Sequencing – i.e. Pyrosequencing - provides full genetic analysis of soil organisms, previously identified or not. This type of • Scott’s organic line of products has doubled sales technology is very powerful but not yet economically viable. each year since their inception.

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Summary • Probiotics act as a natural tool to help you reduce fertilizer use and costs and to comply with QUESTIONS? fertilizer bans. • Biologicals provide an effective alternative when Soil Biology Primer: pesticides are banned or undesirable. http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/concepts/soil_biology/soil_food_web.html • Probiotics are a cost effective part of a program Soil Food Web NY (Sample Submission) http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/concepts/soil_biology/soil_food_web.html that will help you in the growing and lucrative market for greener services and products. • Simply, you will be able to provide higher quality services or products with higher yields and at a lower cost.

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