What tests to order
Nematode Numbers and
Community Structure
Count and identify nematodes and report numbers of nematodes per gram dry
soil.
All the living nematodes are extracted from 50 to 100 grams of soil. We count
and identify those individuals and report numbers of individuals per gram dry
soil. Nematodes are identified to genus and placed in one of four functional
group classes according to what they eat. The report differentiates root-feeding
nematodes to genus. Reports list the beneficial bacterial-feeders, fungal-feeders
and predatory nematodes, if any. The beneficial nematodes are important in
preventing root-feeding nematodes from finding the roots of your plants. Beneficial
nematodes are a very important part of root protection, one which most agricultural
soils lack.
Identification of insect-feeding nematodes can also be performed.
This test is used to determine:
- Are any root-feeding nematodes present? Are they at economic threshold?
- Are any beneficial nematodes present?
- Bacterial-feeding nematodes help balance total bacteria populations and release nitrogen back to the plant.
- Fungal feeders balance total fungal levels, including root rot fungi, and
also help release the nitrogen locked up inside fungi back to the plant.
- Predatory nematodes are higher-order predators that help balance all other
nematodes. It is desirable to have some of these around but they are especially
delicate and easily hurt by tillage.
what tests to order > |
Useful information
Information given by each test
Active Bacteria/Active Fungi
measure the numbers and biomass of bacteria and fungi that are actively feeding
and reproducing
Total Bacteria/Total Fungi
measures the total amount of bacteria and fungi, including the active populations
differentiated in the previous tests
Morphological Species Diversity
a significant improvement over plate counts
Nematode Numbers and Community
Structure
count and identify nematodes and report numbers of nematodes per gram dry soil
Protozoa
Assess whether the sample is aerobic, or anaerobic
Mycorrhizal fungi (VAM)
The kind and amount of beneficial mycorrhizal colonization on the roots
Beneficial Organism
Package
Are the desirable beneficial organisms in your soil, compost or compost tea?
Find Out! Build Soil Health!
Microarthropods
Provides information on the numbers and identification to major group of the
visible soil critters
Foliage Assay
Determination of the area of leaf surface occupied by microorganisms
Total Foodweb Assay
There is a discount for running all these assays instead of each individual
one |
